Grace: A Historical Western Romance (A Merry Mail Order Bride Romance Series Book 4) Read online

  Grace

  Book four in the Bernstein Sisters Series

  Amy Field

  Copyright © 2017 by Amy Field

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author and publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  About Amy Field

  Join the Amy Field mailing list!

  Books in the Bernstein Historical Wester Series Amy Field

  About the Bernstein Family Romance Series

  Grace

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  A SELECTION OF STORIES FROM THE ROMANCE READING ROOM LIBRARY

  Historic Western Romances

  I. Charity

  Regency Romances

  Books in the Passion Unbridled Regency Romances by Amy Field

  I. The Duchess Runaway

  II. The Earl’s Runaway Bride

  Amish Romances

  Books in the Amish Loves Series by Amy Field

  I. Love Beckons

  II. The Amish Widow’s Lover

  Secret Baby Romances

  Books in the Secret Baby Series by Amy Field

  I. The Cowboy’s Secret Baby

  II. The Billionaire’s Secret Baby

  III. His Special Secret Baby

  IV. Love Child Surprise

  V. The Unexpected Secret Baby

  VI. The Basketball Baby

  For you to discover!

  I. Fallen

  II. The Billionaire’s Chef

  III. The Quarterback’s Rush

  IV. Prisoner of Passion

  The Supershifter Trilogy (Sci-Fi)

  About Amy Field

  I’ve been writing stories about love for more than 25 years, so I consider myself something of an expert on the topic! Through the years I’ve honed my writing and storytelling skills, so by now I know what it is about romantic stories that makes them entertaining and fun to read. I love to write stories that inspire and entertain, and that take the reader on a journey into a wonderful make-believe world filled world with characters that live and live just like us. When I’m not writing, I love cooking and taking my two dogs, Jasper and Monty for walks in the woods behind my home in Vermont.

  Click here to see other titles by Amy Field on Amazon.

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  Books in the Bernstein Historical Wester Series Amy Field

  Charity

  Faith

  Ruby

  Grace

  The Outlaw Takes A Bride

  Click here to go to Amy Field’s Amazon author page for links to these books.

  About the Bernstein Family Romance Series

  Shortly after the Civil War ended a young man named Seth Bernstein rode west and settled just outside of Cheyenne. He built a ranch, the Bar S, one of the finest horse ranches in the area. He married a young girl named Charity, and they had three daughters – Ruby, Faith, and the youngest, Grace.

  The Bernstein Series starts off with the story of Charity, her upbringing, how she got to meet Seth, and how he saved her life before they got married. It then follows on with the story of each daughter, and how their unique personalities, from the quiet, reserved Faith to the brilliant Ruby, and tomboy Grace all found their loves. The series ends with the story of the outlaw stepbrother Robert, the one who Charity forgave, but couldn’t forget.

  Grace

  Book four in the Bernstein Sisters Series

  Chapter 1

  Home Sweet Home

  The hills seemed to go on for miles and miles. As Grace sat there on top of River, her horse, she smiled. She could see her family land there on that hilltop over there. It was beautiful as it blended into the horizon further down. This is what made her happy, this landscape and this carefree feeling she felt every time she sat atop her horse in the fields. Hearing something behind her, she turned to see the large black horse make its way to her. Robert smiled at her. He was one of the only ones to know where to find her. Robert was the best hand they had ever hired. Her sister Hope would also agree since she and Robert were now married with a little boy, Alexander.

  Alexander was the image of his father with dark brown hair and green eyes. She remembered when he had been born and her mother had cried tears of joy. Grace had left quickly so nobody could see the tears forming in her eyes. Grace refused to cry in front of anyone. She had worked hard to make a place for herself on the ranch, working next to the men and helping her father. This was her home, and no matter what any of them said, she would never leave it. It was her legacy.

  “Whatcha doin’ up here lady?” he asked with a smile.

  She turned to smile at Robert. They both knew that she was far from a lady. The farthest thing in this part of the state probably, but he continued to call her that since he had been hired years ago. “Just lookin’.” Grace turned her attention back in front of her to see the hills one more time. Every so often she would see an animal come out to graze on the grass. She was glad that the land had plenty of trees to throw off some shade for the animals. It could get pretty hot out there every so often.

  “I was going to ask you what you were doing for the next little bit?” He gave her a look as he said it that stated he knew what her answer would be already.

  “Nothing that I know of.” She sighed, still looking out at the land.

  “Good. I was going to see if you wanted to ride into town with me.” His voice came to her again, breaking into her solitude.

  “Yeah. I need to get some stuff mom has been asking me to get.” She groaned softly as she thought of the list that her mother would be making. She knew there were a few things like flour and sugar on the list already, but she could only imagine what would be added by the time they got back. Robert was sure to have told her already they were going into town. “Well, what are you waiting for?” She laughed as she took off from beside him.

  “You.” His yell reached her ears just as she heard the pounding of hoofbeats on the solid ground. Her laughter floated into the wind as she continued to push River faster. It was beautiful out today, and she was happy to feel the warmth as she pushed to go faster. River, her mare, was her most prized possession. She patted her side affectionately. The mare had been a gift from her older sister.

  Ruby, her other sister, had moved away over a year before. When she had, she had left her prized horse to her younger sister. Ruby had been the one to help heir father give birth to the beautiful horse. She had told Grace that she couldn’t’ take the animal with her. A city was no place for the animal. She needed the space to run that was found there at the ranch.

  Grace didn’t let many people see her cry. She hated to show any emotion of any kind. She may have had three sisters, but most of her time was spent on the ranch with the hands. Before she had become pregnant and had her son, Hope was also on the ranch with them. She loved the land as much as Grace and the hands did. r />
  They came up to the house a few minutes later and she smiled as her mother walked from inside.

  “Hey, Momma,” she said with a smile. Charity was still a beautiful woman and she took good care of her family.

  “Hey, sweetpea. Robert mentioned something about going into town.” She had a sly grin on her face as she said it. She would never come out and tell Grace to pick up the things for her. She always waited for her to offer.

  “Yeah. You got a list momma?” She kept the smile on her face although she wanted nothing more than to groan as she saw the long list her mother gave her.

  “Here you go, honey. You are the best sweet pea.” She said as she blew her a kiss before making her way back inside the house.

  Grace sighed some time later when they finally arrived in town. Hopping down from the horse, she tied him to the post and made her way into the small general store. Mr. Jacobs would be there waiting. He had a way of knowing when they were going to come into town.

  She walked through the door and smiled. There he stood, looking up a large smile spread across his face.

  “Why, little Grace. I knew you would be coming in soon.” He gave a chuckle. “How big is it this time?”

  She knew what he spoke of and pulling the list from her pocket. She grimaced as she handed it out to him. “See for yourself.”

  She watched as his face went from smiled to seriousness as he began to examine the contents. “I only have two bags of four pounds each, but I expect some more in any day now. You brought the buggy I assume.”

  She nodded. There was a smile on her face then, and she heard his chuckle.

  “You made Robert drive.” It wasn’t a question but rather a statement as he shook his head. A buggy was the last thing that Grace would find herself in if she could help it. She would rather feel the wind in her hair as she took off on horseback instead. “Alright, go on and do what you have to do. Tell Robert to bring it around to the side and I’ll start to load it up,” he said with another chuckle.

  “Thanks, Mr. Jacobs,” she said with more spirit than he had felt in a long time. He would give anything to have just an ounce of the young girl's spirit.

  “Go on with you!” He watched her make her way from the store and smiled again. Grace Bernstein was an extraordinary young woman. She didn’t know it yet but she would when the right man came along. She was the only one of Seth’s girls that weren't married. The only problem was, she was the one that loved her way of life more than anything else. It was going to take a special man to control her spunk and accept her exuberant lifestyle. She was the baby, but she was the most outspoken of them all. Yes, her husband would never have a dull life. Turning back to the list he shook his head as he began to collect the things her family needed.

  Chapter 2

  Encouraged Whispers

  Grace made her way from the store with a smile on her face. Mr. Jacobs was one of her father’s oldest friends, and she adored him. She heard something to her right and turning she saw a group of older women. Her sister Ruby calls them the old betties. They were the ones that went around town whispering about everyone else like they were so much better than them. Raising her eyebrow at them, she smiled before giving them a deep curtsy. Shaking their heads they made their way away from her and down the street whispering the whole time.

  “You shouldn’t encourage them to talk Grace.” She turned to see Robert standing beside her. She smiled.

  “Yeah. I know. Ma says one day it just might come back to bite me in the butt.” She said with a laugh.

  “Yeah. Come on. Let’s go get something to eat.”

  “Ok. But first, I want to go talk to Jo. I think River may need some shoes.”

  “Ok. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. You go on and do what you gotta do.”

  She nodded as she made her way away from him and towards the blacksmith. Jo was the best around and had done her right with River. He was the only one she trusted with her - except her Pa of course. She whistled as she made her way inside the large barn-like building. The heat hit her full force as she walked through the door.

  “Jo! You here?”

  A man came from the back and smiled at her as he waved. His sleeves were pushed up past his elbows, and she could see the traces of black on his skin. Jo was a hard worker.

  “Hey, Grace! Whatcha doin’ here?”

  “Well, Jo I was hoping that you could help me out. Seems that River might have thrown a shoe or something. I mean it’s not bad. I wouldn’t have ridden her if it was but something’s up.”

  Jo looked at River. “Let’s go get her and we will see what’s going on then.”

  Grace nodded and turned in the direction of the door.

  Suddenly there was a commotion outside. She saw a horse ride by her at a swift pace, then another. Shots rang through the air, and she felt something hard and heavy hit into her as she went towards the ground. She looked up briefly to see another horse ride by her. As it flew past her, she glanced up for another look. Who was that? She pushed Jo off of her, he'd pushed her out of harm's way and fallen on top of her. She got up, and turning towards the commotion, placed her hands on her hips, her eyes darting from side to side, trying to make sense of what happened.

  She looked over to the store where there was a crowd growing, and back again. River was gone! The rider had stolen her horse! She turned towards the general store to see about getting a gun to go after t!hem. As she got closer, she realized that something wasn’t right. Everyone turned to look at her then.

  Grace’s stomach took on an eerie feeling. There was something in the eyes that looked at her, pity and sorrow. She made her way forward and then heard a scream. It took her a minute to realize that it was herself yelling in shock as she rushed over to the body that was lying on the ground.

  Feeling numb and moving as if in a dream, she slid to her knees beside Robert, lying on the ground, blood slowly coloring the dusty earth around him.

  He looked up and her and grinned faintly.

  “Tried to keep them from taking her.” His voice was soft and weak.

  “Foolish man. Don’t try to talk. You’ll need your strength.” She was unaware of the tears that flowed from her eyes as she rested her brother in law's head on her lap.

  “Won’t matter soon.” She was shaking her head already, denying the truth that he was already trying to tell her. “Listen to me.” She continued to shake her head. “Listen to me Grace!” His voice was harsher and sterner, and she looked over at him as he continued to talk. “Tell Alex to be good and watch out for his momma.”

  “You can tell him that.” She sniffed quietly.

  “You know that’s not going to happen.” He coughed a few times then, and she felt her insides curl when his hand covered in blood. “Tell him I love him. You tell Hope that she has made my life worth living. Tell her don’t stop living. Be happy and find someone that will make her happy.” He continued to cough again. This time, his breathing became more shallow with his words.

  “She did that. She found you. You are the love of her life, you know that.”

  He laughed as he shook his head. “She has a whole life to give. Now stop interrupting me and listen. Promise me that you will see the world and do things that you want to do.” He held his hand up stopping her as she began to talk. “You know what I mean. At least you will soon enough. I know you love the ranch, but there is more out there for you Grace. Give people a chance. Learn to lean a little. Promise me that.”

  She couldn’t do anything as the tears fell freely from her eyes now. She didn’t understand what he was saying but she would let him think that she did. If it helped him, then she would do that. So she nodded wordlessly.

  “I love you all. You have always been my family and always will be. Remember that.” His voice was shallow now and barely above a whisper.

  “We know Robert. You are family and have been since the day you showed up on Pa’s porch. He’s always said that. You know that. You were the son he
never had even before you married Hope.”

  “Everything is as it should be Grace.” He said with another cough.

  Grace shook as she held him. His breath caught suddenly and then she watched as he stared off in a blank stare. He had stopped breathing. She began to shake him then over and over. “Robert! Robert! You wake up now. You can’t leave Hope now. She’s gonna kill you.” She rocked back and forth with her tears flowing freely now. For the first time in her life, she didn’t care if anyone saw her cry. She sobbed as she continued to hold him tightly and rock with his body. She felt someone's hands circle her arms and lift her. Not caring who it was she began to fight until she was enfolded in someone's arms. She smelled peppermint and tobacco and knew instantly it was Samuel Jacobs. He all but carried her away from the body as she continued to cry.

  Chapter 3

  Let Them See Me Cry