Heart of a Family (Book one of the Brides of the West Series)

By Rita Hestand

Bonnie McDaniel had spent the last four years trying to keep her brothers and sister alive. She'd managed somehow to feed, cloth and keep a shelter over their heads.
But now, she was lost. There was no money left. She owed a mortgage she couldn't pay. There' wouldn't be enough money for food, and she had to figure out what to do? Her only answer was to find a husband that could help her. She needed someone that would stand beside her and help support her siblings. But who?

So she went to town to find a husband. She run into Dal Odom. She knew him, but she was almost sure he would not remember her. So she boldy stepped up and asked him to marry. He refused her without any consideration, telling her she was too young. But Bonnie didn't give up, she kept right on asking different citizens of the town, all to no avail.

But when Dal Odom learned that others were going to run her and her siblings off the land and take her water, he had other ideas. She had helped him once long ago, and now it was his turn to save her. He liked her, admired her for what she had accomplished, but heck, he never figured on falling for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rita Hestand
• Release date: Dec 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311754646

Rita Hestand

Hi friendsI'd like to ask a favor, not just for me but for all writers. PLease when we offer a free book, it would be wonderful if you'd take the time to rate the book. This doesn't take much time out of your day and authors really apreciate your time to do this. I know not everyone wants to sit down and write a review, but rating the book will help as well. And a big thanks to all who do this. You never know how much an author appreciates you taking the time to do this.I finally finished The Car Stalker. Hope you'll check it out. This is the second book in the stalker series. Like I said mystery is much different from romance all though there are elements in romance in my stalker books too. Today I finished an another book in my series of Vets coming home, Better Every Day. This book takes the angle of when family interrupts your plans. When a one-night stand is much more. I love this story as it hits home. So two new books out now and more coming.I'm taking the time to write while confined at home. But lack of seeing people outside, and living alone all the time is not new to me. I've got lots of stories to tell so be on the lookout for my newest releases. You might check out my Searchin g for You Indian romance on Amazon too.There are several new free books for you enjoyment, since your stuck at home. Home you enjoy them.As for a bio, suffice it to say, I'm a Texan tried and true. I have grown children and grandchildren and already some great-grandchildren. I've done multi jobs in my lifetime giving me a variety of experiences to write and talk about. I've done many different kinds of work from Texas Instruments, to City of Garland, to working for the Wylie Independent School District. I've worked for a hat factory, filing insurance claims, secretarial work, to waitress work. My writing reflects my varied background. Another note I've had a in home day care for twenty years too. So when I write about something I have a general knowledge of it too, which is a real bonus for me. Just like my public work, my writing varies too from contemporary to historical, I write romance, thrillers, children's. A lot of people might say gee, that's a lot of different jobs, and it is, but, I've learned from them all, and I use that experience in my writing.I want to thank all the readers over a length of time that have tried some of my books. I hope I've enlightened and entertained you. I hope I've shared some love in this world. Sharing love can't be bad, it's God given.God bless.Other places to see my bookshttps://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/rita-hestand/https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/rita-hestand/id365799219?mt=11www.scriptsforschools.com/rita-hestandhttps://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/search?query=rita%20hestand&fcsearchfield=author

Book preview

The street was strangely vacant. Dust swirled in the air. Only a bunch of cowboys lined the street near the edge of town. The boardwalks were empty. A tension stirred the very air.

A handful of cowboys waited for orders from their boss before converging on one lone man.

Dal glanced from one to another, recognizing most of them.

Wrap that rope around him good and tight. The big man stared into the eyes of the cowboy who struggled to stand on his feet. The man's saddle creaked as he moved against it to lean on the saddle horn, his weight bearing down on it. John Banister's face screwed up into a huge frown.

The sun blushed over the treetops, creating a fire on the back of Dal Odom's neck as the rope tightened to a burn around his chest and arms. There was no breeze, the air stood still. The rope pulled and tugged at his skin, like a sharp-edged knife. Dal staggered, trying to release it from his body. The cowboys on horseback merely tightened it in amusement.

Someone snickered.

Dal's hat had long been swept from his head.

He tasted the grit of dust and sweat on his lips.

Alright, now Dal you gonna tell us where the money is, or are we gonna have to drag it out of you?

Dal wiped the grit from his mouth, tried to stand up straight once more and shook his head. He glanced around, but there was no one on the street. Ashville was abnormally quiet as people disappeared into stores and buildings. I told you, you got the wrong man.

Wrong man my ass. You took that money, and now you are gonna pay for stealing boy. John Banister frowned, and his horse reared with him as he sat the unstable saddle. His long thick white sideburns bristled as the dust scattered. His craggy brows drew together, while his dark brown eyes cast instant judgment.

Maybe you ought to ask your son about it…. he's the one that robbed you. Dal hollered.

One of the cowboys jerked on the rope and Dal went down on the ground again. He spat the blood this time toward the man on the horse. Sweat trickled down his chest in rivulets.

On the outskirts of a hushed town, Dal let the tension drain from his body. Wiping away thoughts and dreams of the future, he faced his nemesis, guiltless.

From out of nowhere a slight breeze rushed against him, cooling him momentarily as he struggled to his feet once again.

His black hair plastered the back of his neck, wet with sweat.

The cowboys jeered him.

My son? Are you standing there in all God's glory and accusing my son of taking that money?

I'm not accusing at all. I'm telling. Dal wrestled with the rope that kept getting tighter around him.

Drag him…drag him down to the creek and leave him. The old man said and turned his horse in the other direction. If he ain't dead by then, let the buzzards have him.

The same cowboy that roped him, drug him through the edges of town and out into the countryside. One of the other men followed, whooping and hollering as Dal's body jerked and bumped and flew threw the air and back down to the hard-crusted earth. Dust flew for a long time and Bonnie McDaniel stood watching in the shadows. She'd just come from town. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. No lawman intervened. No one stopped to help the young cowboy. Whether he told the truth or not, this was no way to treat a man, Bonnie decided quickly. The old cowboy on the big bay horse had all the law that was needed. John Banister, Bonnie muttered under her breath with distaste, dished out the only law.

Dal's body bounced along the road like a bale of hay that hadn't been tied good. Blood and dirt mixed. He tried to protect himself by rolling into a ball, but in the end, he lay by the creek, half dead, his body torn, bruised and bleeding.

Bonnie had covered her mouth, to stop her scream. How could they do that to a man? She'd never seen such violence in her life. Her will to help the man grew every minute. She feared he'd die.

Concerned, she followed them down to the creek and waited to see what they would do next.

Think I should go ahead and put him out of his misery? The young one hollered as he pulled the rope off the man's body.

Naw, the boss didn't say kill 'em, Cody. He just wanted to scare the daylights out of him. The older cowboy said and spit his tobacco at the man on the ground.

He's nearly a goner anyway. The young one sneered. He probably won't live to see another day, and this way the law can't holler at nobody. We were just havin' a little fun with a thief.

I sure would like to know where that money got to, though. We may never know now. That is if he's guilty.

Cody laughed. Maybe the kid didn't take it. Maybe he was right maybe the old man's son did take the money. They never have gotten along too well. And Billy when he's out of money, he gets plumb onry about it.

Then why'd we nearly kill this fella?

'Cause when John Banister says do something, we do it. Cody laughed. He ain't no account anyway. He got his just desserts. Accusing the boss's son sure didn't win him no victories.

Billy could have done it though. You know that as well as I.

That's true, I wouldn't put it past him. But if you had a daddy like that, would you take what you could get? Besides, if Billy is guilty and he gets caught, that old man will kill him.

Yeah, I reckon you are right.

Let's get back, it's getting late. The old man said.

He's pretty beat up, you think he'll make it? Cody flashed a big smile.

Depends if the snakes get to him first.

Let's ride old man…whatever happens, happens. It ain't our fault.

Bonnie waited until they were long gone before she moved from her hiding spot. She was shivering with fear and anger

She stared at the man that didn't move in the dust. She wasn't about to go running up to him until it was safe. She saw his chest moving and knew he was alive. Hope sprang inside her.

When the men left, she ran to the injured man's side.

She rolled him over and saw the blood running from his mouth and eye.

Mister, mister…let me help you. She cried as she tore off some of her petticoats and wet it for him. She dabbed him with water and cleaned up his wounds, then she bandaged them with more of her petticoat and after giving him a drink of water, she sat there for a long minute. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. He was so handsome. She'd never been this close to a man, other than her father in all her life. It gave her a womanly feeling.

For a moment, she laid his head in her lap. I hate to leave you like this, mister. But I got to get home…I got no choice.

She was worried about her brothers and sister, they were her first responsibilities, no matter what.

She pulled his body closer to the creek, so he could crawl to get water when he woke.

I truly hope you'll be alright… she said slowly moving away from him. She walked a few feet away when she heard something.

Suddenly she heard a hissing sound and she knew that a rattler was there just inches from him. She could smell him, she could hear him, but she was determined she would not feel him, nor would the poor helpless cowboy. She was far enough away not to be noticed, but the snake's interest lay in Dal at the moment.

She tried not to startle the snake. Without thinking, she picked up the biggest rock she could find and chunked it at the snake as fast as she could. Her aim was good, the snake bled and finally crawled away… to die she hoped. Bonnie's legs were shaking. Had she done that? She was petrified. But the bloody trail of the snake told her she had. She sighed with such relief, as her heart thudded faster.

The devil was after you mister. But he's gone now. Get well.

Then on instinct, and because he hadn't come to yet, she bent and kissed him on the mouth.

His lips were soft and still, but just the action of her kiss seemed to stir him, but he didn't come fully awake.

She hurried home. She put the incident behind her, as the kids didn't need to hear of it. It never dawned on her that she might have been killed too. She had been too concerned for the cowboy to think of herself.

She felt good when she got home. Her heart was pounding like a locomotive. She marveled at her audacity to kiss the cowboy. She'd never kissed anyone on the mouth before. Still, he wasn't awake, and he hadn't moved a muscle. He'd never know.

Now, as she stood on the porch looking out over the early morning horizon, she let one lone tear escape and run down her cheek. She ignored it, even though it felt warm to her skin. She would remember yesterday forever. First thing, the Sheriff had ridden out from town early that morning. It wasn't a usual thing for the Sheriff to visit their place. She tensed the minute she saw him, and his long face. It had to be bad news. Her folks were supposed to have been home by now. They weren't. The eerie slowness in the Sheriff's steps, the sad expression on his face, mirrored her inner fears.

She swallowed hard.

She didn't want to hear what he had to say, but as the closest to adult age of the children, she had to listen. It was her responsibility.

Are you Bonnie McDaniel? He asked, not looking straight at her yet.

Yes sir. She answered in a low voice. Her knees shook but what disturbed her was that the Sheriff had a hard time looking her in the eye. Something told her before he ever said anything that it was bad news. Why else would he be here?

She tried to control her emotions, she stilled the tears, she cleared her throat and she faced him head on.

Finally, as he took his hat off and the air stirred his thin head of gray-brown hair, he told her that there had been a stagecoach robbery. He let that sink in a minute then he went on. He told her that her father had tried to defend her mother when one of the outlaws threatened to take her with them. They shot and killed her father, and when her mother bent to help her husband, they shot her too, leaving no witnesses to the robbery as the driver and shotgun rider had already been killed. They'd stolen the stage money and got away with it, there were no witnesses alive. He took in the innocent face of youth and sighed. He cocked his head to the side. I'll be after them of course, but it's little consolation. Your folks are dead.

Bonnie wanted to thank him for coming out to tell her, but she couldn't find her voice. For a minute, she couldn't see. But fighting back her emotions she nodded.

Bonnie had listened as though someone was telling her a story. She distanced herself from the news. Her heart broke when the Sheriff rode off though and she was allowed the privacy of tears.

Her beloved parents were gone, forever.

How could she tell the others? How could she?

Her siblings were playing in the field as they had just finished their chores. All of them got up early in the summer as it was so hot and got their chores done early.

Daniel, her oldest brother, came running up to her. What's wrong? What did the Sheriff want?

Daniel was twelve, two years younger than Bonnie. But at that moment, he seemed much older, for he too sensed something wrong.

Bonnie stared at him with such pain. But the minute she looked Daniel in the eye, she knew he knew too. They're gone, Daniel. Ma and Pa…they're dead.

Daniel stood with his mouth agape. He stared at her a long time, but not one tear fell. Instead, he just sat down in the yard, in a stupor. He didn't blink or move.

Both of them? He looked up at her in question.

Both of them! She gathered herself for control.

How?

Stagecoach robbery, Bonnie answered as though that said it all.

We got to tell the others… She muttered, taking his hand and pulling him up.

Later, she stood on a hill looking onto the fields, the sorrow oozed like sweat from the skin. What was she going to do? She was fourteen years old and her parents were dead. What was worse, she was the oldest of five children. She was responsible. Daniel stood beside her. He took her hand and held it tight.

I guess that makes me the man of the house, don't it? He asked.

She glanced at him. You're only twelve.

Don't matter, we ain't got no man of the house, do we?

No Daniel. We don't yet. Maybe someday, but not today. She said with a tired voice.

That thought stuck in her throat. It carried a load and it weighed on her heart.

She looked at Daniel and squeezed his hand. "Well now, there is smoked hams hanging in the smokehouse, thank God. There is oats in a barrel on the back porch. We have chickens and a mule. We can eat for a long while on that. She did know how to cook. Her mother had taught her well. But never in all her years had she suspected she'd have to use that knowledge to get by so soon.

Bonnie shook her head. How am I going to take care of the kids Daniel?

He nodded and stared into her face. I'll help.

I know you will. But you can only do so much.

What am I going to tell them?

No one answered.

Without a word, they moved to the house numbly and gathered the kids about them. Tears mixed with fear of the unknown came and went as the day faded. It was a day of tears, of fears and of facing the unknown.

It had taken her a while to come to her senses. She was the oldest and it was up to her to do something. Today was a new day and she had put yesterday behind her. Her legs shook as she rode the mule to town that next morning to talk to the banker.

~*~

That had been four years ago, and Bonnie McDaniel had been just a child herself.

Today she stared out over the same fields, her head high, her shoulders back, and a confidence born of hard work and sacrifice had made her stronger than she had ever thought possible. Only she knew how weak she really was.

There were no tears now. The sadness had ebbed to the edges of her mind. Days of planting a field that Daniel plowed, and seeds that she and the kids had planted themselves.

Now the kids were older, and able to help out with all the chores. Despite the struggles, she faced life full force with no one's help.

Just because she was late with the payment for the land this year, didn't mean she'd given up the fight. Mr. Coldwell gave no quarter, but somehow, she had always managed to overcome. She would again this year, she determined.

She mumbled the same old prayer she'd mumbled for four years. God, if you see fit, help me, help them.

Her only real problem was that she had no husband to help her. A husband was what she needed. Someone old enough to share the burden with. But where was she going to find one out in the great nowhere? Living on a farm in West Texas was like living on the moon. The chances of running into a man that would marry her were nil here. Marriage was usually accomplished after many months of courtship. Bonnie didn't have many months.

She couldn't afford to move. She didn't have a place to move to. This was her land, at least for a while.

She remembered back once more. She had run to get a coffee can in the kitchen as soon as the Sheriff rode off that day, the tears streaming down her face. There were over a hundred dollars in it. At the time, it seemed like a small fortune to her. With the money and a well-stocked smokehouse full of meat, she felt she could handle things for a while alone.

It lasted nearly four years. She had learned to spend it wisely. But the past year it hadn't rained enough to get a good crop in. She had no way of getting that water to the fields. What didn't burn up, she got to the market the same as the years before, but it hadn't been enough to pay the taxes and the mortgage on her property. And she couldn't get any credit at the bank, she had no collateral.

It seemed everyone wanted to buy her land for the water rights. She could sell the water rights to the ranchers, but she feared for the safety of the children. Men with guns would come, and she couldn't handle that.

The land was valuable because of the water, even she knew that. Someone would eventually try to take it from her. But if she sold the land, where would they live, how would they live? They had nowhere to go, no kin. Living in town was too expensive.

Most of the boys she knew were just that, boys. She needed a man now to help her run this place. It would take a man that was as desperate to succeed as she was.

Too bad you can't order one, like they do women. You know…mail order brides. Her friend Cassie had suggested that same day.

Cassie Evans was a young and beautiful dark eyed beauty with long dark hair to match and a blossoming figure to boot. She'd been raised much differently than Bonnie, and her every need was met by parents who doted on her night and day.

But they were friends.

Bonnie's eyes grew big, when she heard Cassie talking about mail order brides. The thought never occurred to her. But it was a clever idea.

Why can't I? Bonnie asked staring at Cassie. The question hung in the air for a long moment.

Why can't you what?

Bonnie glanced down at herself. She was a little too thin, but that came from not eating right. Her hair was blonde and straggly. Her eyes were blue as cornflowers, but there was no life in them.

How could she expect a man to marry her? She'd worked hard for four years, and she hadn't bothered taking care of herself, there was no time for such foolishness. Cassie, on the other hand, had a few chores to do every day and that was it. Life wasn't fair.

Lifting her chin with a slight quiver she boldly proclaimed her idea. Why can't I advertise for a husband. I need one. I'm going to do it, Cassie. I’m going to advertise for a husband.

You're not serious. Cassie laughed, then saw the expression on her friend's face. You are…do you have any idea what you are letting yourself in for?

Well, she glanced down at herself. I can clean up.

Oh honey, it's not that. But you've got four kids to look after. What kind man would agree to that? My Ma always told me men don't like the burden of kids right off the bat.

He doesn't have to agree to that. He has to agree to marry me.

You gonna pay him? Cassie asked scrunching up her face from the noonday sun.

If I have too, yes. Bonnie nodded, thinking of the dresses she had made not long ago for a lady in town. She had a little cash.

It'll never work… Cassie shook her head. Besides you can't afford to buy a man either.

Why not.

"What if he

Reviews for Heart of a Family (Book one of the Brides of the West Series)

[oldriverbooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book was an easy quick read. The characters were all likeable. But the dialog seemed to jump around at times.

Chayton Amory kidnapped Kasie Moore the day before her wedding at the request of her father. Chayton was to take her to his mountain cabin until her father could talk to her about the rock star she was getting ready to marry. When a blizzard struck and they were stranded at the cabin they had to face their true feelings for each other. 8 years ago Kasie overheard her father & Chayton talking and thought it was her fathers idea for Chayton to marry her so she ran away and started a life for herself. Now they need to clear the air about what happen then and what they feel now.

[chandragay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AUTHOR: Rita has written approx. 34 books to include children's books, poetry and romance, along with plays and short stories. The grownup stuff is written with taste.. GENRE: Romance fiction, Western, Native American, Multicultural romanceSETTING: Modern day Cascade Mountains CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She has parents with money but she has always tried to be independent and find her way. She doubts herself but is stubborn.CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: Native American and handsome. He appears to be a push over. He knows nature and the Cascade Mountains better than anyone.SYNOPSIS: With her wedding just days away, she is kidnapped at the request of her father and taken to the Cascade Mountains. While waiting for her father to arrive, she gets stuck in the cabin of her kidnapper.; a man she walked away from many years ago. ROMANCE: He takes his kisses remembering that his bed was made for a day that never came between the two of them. He will not however, take her virginity so use your imagination. PASSION as in sexual content is "none"; just clean romantic moments.WHAT I LIKED: I can appreciate that a romance fiction does not always have to contain sexual acts. He was just downright handsome. The book made it easy to visualize him.WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Her stubbornness and acting like a brat was a bit overcooked.MOST OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE: None TYPICAL ROMANCE STUFF:He does not want to admit that he loves her and visa versa;Almost nil sexual references to include (7) breasts, (6) nipple, (0) tongue, (0) flick’n (0) hardness, (0) cupping, (3) caressing and over (10) kiss’ns. Penetration (0). Well, you get the picture.This book gets (FIVE) out of (5) STARS because it was just romantic. I enjoyed the entire storyline.

[chandra9of9red · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AUTHOR: Rita has written approx. 34 books to include children's books, poetry and romance, along with plays and short stories. The grownup stuff is written with taste.. GENRE: Romance fiction, Western, Native American, Multicultural romanceSETTING: Modern day Cascade Mountains CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She has parents with money but she has always tried to be independent and find her way. She doubts herself but is stubborn.CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: Native American and handsome. He appears to be a push over. He knows nature and the Cascade Mountains better than anyone.SYNOPSIS: With her wedding just days away, she is kidnapped at the request of her father and taken to the Cascade Mountains. While waiting for her father to arrive, she gets stuck in the cabin of her kidnapper.; a man she walked away from many years ago. ROMANCE: He takes his kisses remembering that his bed was made for a day that never came between the two of them. He will not however, take her virginity so use your imagination. PASSION as in sexual content is "none"; just clean romantic moments.WHAT I LIKED: I can appreciate that a romance fiction does not always have to contain sexual acts. He was just downright handsome. The book made it easy to visualize him.WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Her stubbornness and acting like a brat was a bit overcooked.MOST OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE: None TYPICAL ROMANCE STUFF:He does not want to admit that he loves her and visa versa;Almost nil sexual references to include (7) breasts, (6) nipple, (0) tongue, (0) flick’n (0) hardness, (0) cupping, (3) caressing and over (10) kiss’ns. Penetration (0). Well, you get the picture.This book gets (FIVE) out of (5) STARS because it was just romantic. I enjoyed the entire storyline.