Mandy and the Missouri Man Read online

  Trace sucked in air. He pressed his hands to his thighs.

  Mandy watched him closely. Would he see this as justice or travesty?

  His hands relaxed. His shoulders lowered. “It’s relief to know they won’t kill anyone else and will meet judgment at God’s hands.”

  Mandy gritted her teeth to stifle her whoop of joy. Grin-ning, she went to Trace’s side.

  He pulled her close. “It’s time to start over. I’ve found someone to move on with.”

  EPILOGUE

  Mandy looked at herself in the mirror and tugged at the neckline of her dress, squirmed inside the sleeves, and stuck a loose hairpin back into place. “I can’t imagine what Trace is going to say.”

  “Probably about the same thing Levi is going to say when he sees me.”

  Joanna looked from one to the other. “You are both radiant brides. They’ll pinch themselves to see if this is real and wonder how two cowboys like themselves ended up with the prettiest girls anywhere around.”

  Mandy took one more look at herself then stood tall. “He’s never seen me in a dress.”

  Joanna chuckled. “The surprise will do him good.” She hugged Mandy, careful not to muss her hair. “You’re beautiful.” She hugged Glory and repeated the words. “Your dress looks good on you, too.”

  Cora peeked out the door at the crowd waiting outside of the now-completed mission. “Looks like they’re ready. Trace and Levi look so handsome in their black jackets. I can’t believe Levi decided against wearing his vest. I hardly recognize him.” She laughed. “They look a little nervous.”

  She pulled the door shut and faced the Hamilton women. “I’m nervous, too. But Austin assures me my scars are hardly visible.”

  It was the first time Cora would go out in public without some kind of bonnet to hide her face.

  Mandy hugged the girl who was about to be her sister-in-law. “He’s right, you know. When you smile, no one sees anything but your beauty.”

  Cora smiled then, proving Mandy’s point.

  “I expect my business will pick up significantly when people hear I have a pretty young assistant,” Joanna said, smiling at her new helper, Cora. “It’s time to go.”

  Cora kissed Mandy’s cheek then marched toward her brother.

  Mandy held Joanna’s elbow on one side, Glory on the other, and they followed. Joanna released Mandy to Trace, then Glory to Levi. Mandy knew this was the plan, but all she saw was Trace. . .his blue eyes shining with love and joy.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Linda Ford and her husband raised a family of fourteen children, ten adopted, providing her plenty of opportunity to experience God’s love and faithfulness. One of her goals in writing is to reveal a little of God’s wondrous love through the lives of the people in her stories. She lives in Alberta, Canada, on a ranch she shares with her husband, a paraplegic client, boomerang children, and adorable visiting grandchildren.

  DEDICATION

  This story is part of a series about sisters. Sisters are special people with whom we share dreams and memories, hopes and frustrations. This story is dedicated to my sister, Leona, who is precious to me for providing that and so much more; for listening when I need to vent, for sharing prayer concerns and for being, most of all, my sister.

  A note from the Author:

  I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

  Linda Ford

  Author Relations

  PO Box 721

  Uhrichsville, OH 44683

  Table of Contents

  mandy-missouri-cvr

  mandy-missouri-title.jpg

  Copyright

  one

  two

  three

  four

  five

  six

  eight

  nine

  ten

  eleven

  twelve

  thirteen

  epilogue

  ABout the Author

  Dedication