Prologue

Madera Canyon, Arizona April 17th, 1890

Virginia stood at the altar of the small, quaint church, her heart swelling with both excitement and nerves as she patiently waited for her groom. Today was the big day. Today she would marry her childhood best friend. She and Freddie had grown up together, spending countless hours riding horses, playing hide and seek, jumping onto hay bales from the roof of the barn, and whatever mischief two young children could get into.

Though they had started out as friends, it was only a matter of time before they had fallen deeply and madly in love. Why wouldn’t they? They had shared everything together; their hopes, their dreams, even their fears. And today they would share their life together, pledging their undying love in front of God and their community.

It warmed her heart that she would be married in the same church her mother and father had been married in more than twenty years ago.

The church wasn’t flashy, just a typical adobe building of the southwest, with its thick walls and flat roof. But it did have beautiful small stained-glass windows that filtered soft light in a kaleidoscope of colors on the inside where rustic wooden pews, currently adorned with freshly picked Desert Marigolds and Mexican Gold Poppies, held the familiar faces of the townsfolk who had come to celebrate her and Freddie on their wedding day. Many of whom had known both of them since birth.

Seeing all those familiar faces couldn’t stem the pang of sadness she felt because her mother was not here for such a momentous occasion, but she knew she was there in spirit. Virginia chose to honor her memory by wearing her wedding dress.

It was a simple floor-length gown, made of the softest linen, hand-sewn by her great-grandmother. It was a family heirloom that had been passed down from generation to generation.

Virginia’s mother had added delicate lace trim at the end of the sleeves and in a collar around the neckline. Virginia wore her long ash-blonde hair up in a loose bun, adorned with tiny white and blue flowers to match her bouquet, and left some soft tendrils to frame her heart-shaped face.

Her blue eyes sparkled and her heartbeat thrummed with anticipation as she waited for her fiancé to join her at the altar.

But as the minutes ticked by, Virginia’s excitement slowly turned to worry. Freddie was late to the church, which wouldn’t normally be cause for concern, except Freddie was never late. She was the one who was never on time. Her punctuality, or lack thereof, was often a little joke between them.

She tried to push away the nagging feeling of unease; there could be any number of reasons for his delay. But the butterflies of excitement were quickly turning into pangs of panic in the pit of her stomach.

As even more time passed, and the sun began to set, the guests started to murmur amongst themselves. Victoria tried to ignore the whispers and sympathetic looks, but no amount of bravado could stem the tide of distress.

Clutching her bouquet tightly, with tears streaming down her face, she raced out of the church. She heard her father call her name, but she kept running, desperate to get away, the pain and embarrassment of being stood up too unbearable for her to believe. She simply couldn’t fathom the idea that Freddie wouldn’t show up on their wedding day.

Her father found her in the little garden at the back of the church. “Ginny…” A sturdy man with a kind face, he turned her in his arms and put his hand under her chin until she met his eyes. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, darlin’, but I don’t think he’s coming.”

She refused to accept that, adamant that Freddie would never do something like this to her. They were soulmates and God had meant for the two of them to be together.

It was only after he pointed out that all the guests, including the preacher, had long gone home, that she should too. She allowed her father to take her home, clinging to the hope that there must be a reasonable explanation for his absence, but her heart was still shattered into a thousand pieces.

As night fell, Virginia’s hope began to fade. She lay in her bed, tears pouring down her cheeks as she wondered how she would ever find the strength to move on with her life. The small church, which had been the beginning of her parents’ amazing life together and the backdrop to Virginia’s dreams, now held memories of a shattered love story, leaving Virginia brokenhearted and uncertain about her future.

Chapter One

Madera Canyon, Arizona April 17th, 1892

The wind whipped through the ranch, blowing dust and tumbleweeds, carrying with it the scent of rain. Virginia sighed as she looked up to watch the dark clouds rolling. The stormy weather matched her mood. Today marked the second anniversary of the day she had been left at the altar. Although two years had passed, the pain of that day still lingered in her heart.

She had tried to push the feelings of that day to the back of her mind by busying herself with ranch chores, but no amount of scooping manure, tending horses, or mending fences could erase the memory completely. As she shut the door to the barn, she couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened since then. Rumors had spread like wildfire the very next day, each one more outlandish than the last.

Virginia did her best to ignore them, but she couldn’t help but wonder if what they said was true, if he really had left her for a wealthy woman clear across the state. One whose family’s money could offer Freddie a life of luxury and ease, a far cry from the modest ranch and simple lifestyle that he and Virginia had grown up with. What hurt even more was the rumor that his family had been in on it.

That they had been the ones to arrange the marriage. It wasn’t just Freddie’s betrayal that had shattered her trust, but the possibility of theirs as well. They had been like a second family to her, especially when her mother had succumbed to smallpox when she was a teenager. Knowing they could have been a part of this awful ordeal didn’t just shatter her trust in them— it broke her trust in herself, in her own judgment.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud crack of thunder, and she looked up. The storm was coming faster than she anticipated and it looked to be a doozy. She rushed to finish locking up the rest of the animals, making sure all the gates and doors were secure before making her way to the small ranch house she still shared with her father.

Built like an ox, Jack Leslie had been Virginia’s rock since Freddie’s departure, but time had not been kind to him. His once strong and burly frame was now frail, and he struggled with everyday tasks. His health deteriorated with what seemed like each passing day. Virginia tried her best to pick up the slack and take on more of the load, so he didn’t have to. But she still worried about him, especially during storms like this.

“That’s a fierce storm a comin’, Ginny. Did you make sure to check all the pens and secure the barn doors?” he asked as he met her at the door and helped her out of her coat.

“Yes, Pa. All the animals are locked up tight, even gave them some extra feed in case it’s a long night, and double-checked the barn doors.”

“That’s a good girl. Now, help me secure the windows.” Though his voice was strong and determined, his weathered face showed signs of fatigue. Virginia worried that he wouldn’t be able to withstand the harsh weather extremes that Tucson had to offer for too much longer. If it wasn’t withering heat, or the raging dust storms, it was the flash floods and impromptu thunderstorms that would be his downfall.

“I’ll get the windows, Pa. You sit here and light the lanterns for me. You know I always have trouble with them.” She didn’t really, but it made him feel useful and it also kept him out of her hair.

The last thing she needed was for him to rush about the house and risk falling and injuring himself.

She could hear the wind picking up outside as she latched the last window, howling like a wild beast. The sound made her uneasy. It was as if it was mocking her, echoing the turmoil in her heart. She and her father had been through so much together; her mother’s unexpected passing and Freddie’s betrayal. At one point, they even thought they might lose the farm to drought, but God had other plans. But now, watching him, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing her father too.

She finished gathering some candles and extra blankets and joined her father at the kitchen table. “We should pray, Virginia,” he said as she sat down, taking her hand. “God will protect us.” Virginia closed her eyes and bowed her head as her father led the prayer.

“Heavenly Father,” Jack began solemnly, “We come to You in this hour of need, as we face the wrath of this storm. We ask for Your divine protection, to keep us safe from harm, and to safeguard our home, our livestock, and my beloved daughter, Virginia.”

Upon hearing her name, Virginia squeezed her father’s hand.

“In Psalm 46:1,” he continued, “it is written, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ Lord, we humbly beseech You to be our refuge and our strength in this storm, to guide us through the darkness and keep us safe in Your loving care.”

She heard him take a deep breath, and his voice was filled with earnestness. “Please, Lord, grant us Your protection, and keep us from harm’s way. Watch over us, as we face the power and fury of this storm, and guide us with Your wisdom and grace. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

It was a simple yet heartfelt plea to the Lord. She had to smile when he included the animals in his prayer; they were part of their family too. She always felt a sense of comfort in their shared faith, and for a brief moment, the fear of the impending storm and the weight of the disaster this day normally brought her lifted.

But that peace was short-lived. As the storm was upon them, hail pounded the roof and the wind grew stronger, rattling the windows. It sounded like a train was roaring through their living room. Jack remained calm in spite of the storm. “God’s got us, Ginny. Isaiah 41:10 tells us so. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’”

Virginia took a deep calming breath, finding comfort in her father’s words and in the scripture. She knew that with God by her side, they could face any obstacles before them, including this raging storm. She just had to stand firm in her faith and ride it out. But her faith wasn’t done being tested.

All of a sudden, there was a loud crack and then a huge crash. Outside the front window, they could see that the old oak tree had been ripped up, roots and all, and crashed through the side of the barn, right where the horses and other livestock were. Virginia instinctively ducked and covered her ears, trying to block out the thunderous noise. But the impact was like an explosion, splintered wood and branches flying in all directions.

They watched in horror as the roof caved in and the corner walls of the barn collapsed into a heap of rubble. Horses and livestock panicked and scattered in all directions, their frenzied cries adding to the chaos. The storm was relentless. Virginia gasped at the devastation and the dire situation they were now facing.

“Stay here!” Jack commanded, and before Virginia could stop him, Jack was out the door and fighting against the winds to save the animals. “Pa! You can’t go out there! It’s too dangerous!” she shouted, but her words were swallowed by the storm. Virginia watched in horror as he disappeared into the raging storm.

She paced the living room floor, torn between obeying her father’s orders and going after him. She prayed intermittently as she wore a path from the window to the door and back again. Her anxiety mounted with each passing minute. Unable to bear the waiting any longer, Virginia grabbed a lantern and raced out after him. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought against the elements. The wind whipped around her, pulling at her clothes. Rain and debris stung her exposed skin, but she pushed on, battling the elements.

Finally, she reached the barn and was able to grab onto the side for support. Slowly, she pulled herself around the side to the front where she could see the barn doors banging open, the latch broken. Inside the barn, it sounded like chaos with the animals shrieking and baying in fear, and the rattle of the chains and equipment. She had to find her father quickly and get back inside the house, for the barn was most certainly a death trap.

“PA!” she screamed again, as she made it to the doors, but he was nowhere in sight. She raised the lantern to see further inside when a gust of wind knocked her back. She struggled to keep her footing, and the lantern was ripped from her grasp. She lunged for it, but was knocked back again by the wind. Bark from the trees ripped at her face, and she threw her hands up, but not in time.

Something hard and heavy slammed into her head, sending her crashing to the ground. The pain in her head was tremendous and she could barely keep her eyes open. The last thing she saw before everything went black, was her father pulling on the reigns of two of their horses, desperately trying to calm them down as they bucked and kicked, trying to get away.

***

When Virginia regained consciousness, she was lying on the ground near the barn. She was soaked to the bone, and her head throbbed something fierce. It took her several minutes to fight back the waves of nausea before she could push herself up into a sitting position. As her vision cleared, she spotted her father lying motionless about twenty feet away, but it might as well have been miles.

She tried desperately to stand but the storm still raged on around her. Between her dizziness and the winds, she couldn’t keep her feet. But the need to get to her father was stronger than the storm. With sheer will and determination, Virginia managed to crawl the remaining feet to her father. Gently rolling him over, she cradled his head in her hands.

“Pa… please, Pa. Wake up. Wake up!” she pleaded, but to no avail. He was already gone. Grief engulfed her and she wept bitterly, feeling the weight of the loss of not only her father but of her best friend. She screamed into the storm, unleashing all of her pain of heartache and loss, from her mother, to Freddie, and now her father, out. But even in her darkest moment, Virginia found solace in her faith. Doing the only thing she knew how to do, she bowed her head and prayed.

“Lord, I don’t understand why this happened, why You would take my father from me so soon…” she sniffled back tears, trying to be strong. “But I trust in Your wisdom and in Your plan for me.” She hiccupped again and surveyed her surroundings. The storm showed no signs of abating, and the barn was in shambles. She knew what she had to do, but wasn’t sure if she had the strength to, so she asked for continued courage and protection to do what needed to be done.

With a renewed sense of purpose, she surveyed the destruction. Virginia knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but she was no stranger to adversity. She would need help, and lots of it. But she wasn’t alone. She had her father’s teachings, her own resolve, and her faith to carry her through. Whatever challenges may lay ahead, she was ready to face them, for she believed by God’s grace she would find a way to rebuild.

Chapter Two

Tucson, Arizona April 18th , 1892

Abraham was jolted awake by the sound of shattering glass, followed by the thud of heavy footsteps. He sprang up from the bed, shouting for Alexa to stay back, as he went for his rifle in the corner of the room. But before he could reach his weapon, the bedroom door burst open. Three men wearing hats low over their eyes and bandanas covering their faces charged in. Two were wielding knives, and the other had a thick piece of wood in his hands. He slapped it against his palm menacingly.

Alexa let out a bloodcurdling scream and Abraham moved quickly to put himself between his wife and the intruders. They silently stalked forward, and Abraham’s pulse raced in alarm.

“What do you want?” he shouted. “Take whatever you want, just leave my family alone!” he pleaded, but none of them responded. They just kept coming. He glanced in the corner at his gun, but he’d have to leave Alexa unprotected to grab it.

Alexa must have read his thoughts because she gave his hand a squeeze before she whispered, “Now!” in his ears. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his wife pick up the mug from the table and heave it at the men. It wouldn’t stop them, but it might be enough of a distraction he needed. He didn’t hesitate and took off for the gun.

Just as his fingertips brushed the stock of the weapon, he felt a blow to his back. It took him to his knees, but he managed to hang on to the gun. He tried to swing it up to fire, but the bandit brought the wood club down on his forearm. He screamed as he felt his bones snap, dropping the rifle to the floor. The pain almost made him vomit, but he couldn’t lose it now. He could hear his wife screaming and loud thumps as she threw anything and everything she could at the men.

She was fighting like a little hellcat, and so could he. With his useless arm tucked against his side, he turned to face the man. A second bandit joined him. This one held a knife, its sharp blade gleaming in the moonlight. Fear rose up tight in his throat, but he fought it back. He thought of his children asleep in their beds in the next room, and it gave him the strength he needed to fight.

Letting out a yell of pure rage and fury, he charged at both men. The element of surprise in his favor, he was able to knock the bandit with the club into the man with the knife, who went flying back under his weight. Abraham tried to grab the club from the other man while he was off balance, but with only one hand, he was no match. He fought back with every fiber of his being, but he was outnumbered. For every blow he dodged, it felt like he was hit by two more.

The knife bandit had regained his balance and now Abraham was fighting them both. He dodged a swipe from the blade, only to see the wood club coming straight for his face. Only by the grace of God was he able to dodge back and not take the hit full on, but he wasn’t fast enough. It landed on the side of his head, just in front of his ear. He felt blood trickling down his neck and there was a loud ringing in his ear. He stumbled, losing his balance because his equilibrium was off.

Alexa’s screams tore through the night. He tried desperately to get to her, but a sharp stabbing pain in his side stopped him cold. Abraham’s knees buckled, and he fell to the floor, his good hand clutching his stomach. His vision went in and out as blood poured from his fingertips and pooled on the floor. He stretched a hand out, calling Alexa’s name, but his strength was fading fast. He felt a sense of utter helplessness as he realized he couldn’t get to her.

As he lay on the floor, he could hear his wife’s cries growing fainter. His heart ached with grief and regret. He had failed to protect his wife and children, and it tore him apart. He struggled to stay conscious, but the darkness soon overtook him.

Abraham jolted upright in bed, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat, and his heart pounding in his chest. It took him a moment to realize it was just a dream and not really happening all over again. He slowed his breathing and ran a trembling hand through his hair. His hand brushed the scar by his ear, a constant reminder of that horrific night. Though it had been more than a year since his wife had been murdered, the memories were still fresh, the wounds still raw, despite the passing of time.

In the darkness of his room, the familiar waves of anger and frustration passed over him. He unconsciously clenched his fists, the sense of betrayal overwhelming him. Raised in the church his whole life, he had been a devout man of faith, but now he couldn’t help but feel betrayed by God. Why had He let this happen? Why had Abraham been unable to protect his family, to keep them safe? Why had he been left feeling so helpless and alone?

Tears streamed down his face as he wrestled with his emotions and struggled to find meaning in the midst of his pain. The scars on his body were a constant reminder of the wounds that were deep, not just physically, but within his soul. He had once been a social and outgoing man, active in the community. But ever since that night he’d lost his wife, he’d withdrawn from not just the community, but from his faith. He struggled to find understanding in his circumstance, but knew he had to be strong for the sake of his children.

Speaking of the children, he could hear rustling in the bedroom next door and knew they would be stirring soon. He swung his feet over the edge of the bed, and took a moment to collect himself, feeling the coolness of the hardwood floors beneath his feet. Steadying his breath, he stood up and walked over to the wash basin, and splashed some cool water on his face. It helped to wash away the lingering effects of the nightmare.

Though he was exhausted, he knew that work wouldn’t wait, and neither would the kids. They would be expecting breakfast soon and he wanted to have them fed before the governess arrived. She was great with the children and didn’t mind preparing lunch for them, but she expected him to at least feed them before he left for work on the ranch.

His wife had been the better cook, but since her passing, he had been forced to learn how to cook. He wasn’t anywhere as close to as good as her, but he could manage homemade biscuits, eggs, and bacon. He was just setting the table when he heard the thundering footsteps of the twins on the stairs.

“Easy, you two,” he cautioned them as they raced to the table, each trying to beat the other to the food. “There’s plenty to go around.”

Neither child paid him much mind as they continued to pile their plates high with biscuits, eggs, and bacon. The table was covered in crumbs and egg bits, but as Abraham glanced at the clock on the mantle, he realized he didn’t have time to clean up after them. Fortunately, Jill, their governess, would be here any minute and he’d ask her to take care of it for him.

He still wasn’t sure how he felt about the new governess; she’d only been working for him for a couple of weeks. But she’d come highly recommended, and she conveniently lived just down the road. But it wasn’t like he had much choice—the last governess had only given him two days’ notice that she was leaving, claiming it was just too much stress to raise his four-year-old twin boys. So he had no time for an in-depth search for care. He knew his boys could be a handful sometimes, but they were just boys being boys. He hoped this one would last.

Abraham was out mending fences when a familiar palomino and rider made their way up the hillside toward him. He wiped the sweat from his brow and greeted his best friend as he dismounted from his horse.

“Hey there, Francis. What brings you around today?” he asked, taking a break from his work.

Francis clapped Abraham on the back with a broad grin. “Oh, you know, just stopping by to see an ole’ friend, is all. You’ve been keeping yourself pretty busy lately. How’s things going round here?”

Abraham knew his friend meant well, but sometimes he got irritated with him. He was always ‘checking up on him’ making sure he was doing okay. But that’s just what friends do, he thought. So instead of getting mad, he just accepted the concern. “Same ole, same ole. You know how it is. Always work to be done on the ranch.”

Francis nodded in agreement. “How are the boys doin’? Still giving Miss Harriet trouble?”

A slight blush of embarrassment ran up his neck. He hadn’t mentioned to Francis that Harriet had quit. He felt a quick pang of guilt at not having confided in his friend. “Well, now… Actually… Harriet left.”

“What?” Francis couldn’t hide the shock in his voice.

“It’s okay though,” Abraham reassured him. “I’ve already gotten a replacement. She’s working out okay, I think.” Though he didn’t sound too sure, and Francis picked up on his hesitation.

“You know…” Francis shifted his feet, looking a bit non-plussed. “Maybe what you need is not just a governess, but a wife.” He threw his hands up before Abraham could argue back. “Now, just hold on a sec. I’m just saying, I think you need someone who can be a more permanent presence in your life and help raise the twins.”

Abraham scowled, shaking his head. “Look, Francis, I know you mean well, but the kids and I have been through enough. It’s hard enough for them to be raised by a governess, after… after their mom passed.” He couldn’t bear to say his wife’s name. “But I can’t imagine bringing someone new into our lives. Besides, I’m not looking to be married or take on another wife.”

Francis just shrugged. “I understand how you feel. I’m not trying to push you into something you don’t wanna do. But just think about it, Abraham. A wife would be more than just a governess. She’d be a partner, not just on raising the boys, or helping on the ranch, but someone to share the joys and challenges of your life. She won’t be able to just up and take off when times get rough, like your last governess.” Excited by the idea, Francis kept on, “You could even get you one of them mail-order brides. You can specify what you’re looking for and they match you with someone that meets those qualifications.”

Abraham’s mind swirled with conflicting emotions. What his best friend said made sense. But he’d been so closed off from the idea of love and marriage after tragically losing Alexa, he wasn’t sure if he could do it again. But Francis did have a point, maybe it was time to consider getting more permanent help to raise his boys and help on the ranch.

After a bit more convincing, Abraham finally relented. “All right Francis, I’ll look into it. But I’m not making any promises.”

When Francis finally rode off, Abraham stood with his boot on the fence, staring out into the pasture, lost in thought. Maybe, just maybe, Francis was on to something. Perhaps it was time for Abraham to consider the possibility of finding a mate again. He wasn’t quite ready to look for love, but a companion who help on the ranch and raise his twin boys would be nice. He was at least open to where this new path might take him.