July Wildfire

By Linda Cushman

When a neighbor’s fancy barn burns, Missy Liston is falsely accused of arson. She runs from the fire, and collides with a man hiding in the shadows. Her troubles escalate when they’re both hauled to jail. The gentle, kind man from Virginia steals her heart before she learns he’s an outlaw. Missy schemes to get him out of jail, knowing she will never see him again, and she’ll be left to fight the circuit judge’s claims alone.
Already on the lam, Rand Connor, aka Tim Franklin, hid on a riverbank waiting for darkness so he could travel west. He’d made it from Virginia to a lonesome town in Kansas, evading the law. One chance encounter with a beautiful woman changed his life forever. He couldn’t stay and put her in danger, but could he live with his heart still in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas?
July Wildfire is the seventh book in the Birthstone Brides series set in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. One book comes out each month throughout 2017. The first six books in this series are:
1. Castles in the Sky by Linda Cushman
2. Hometown Love by Mildred Colvin
3. Love Beyond the Fence by Mildred Colvin
4. Softly Comes Love by Linda Cushman
5. Unchanging Love by Linda Cushman
6. Tricked into Marriage by Mildred Colvin
7. July Wildfire by Linda Cushman

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Cushman
• Release date: Jun 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370706266

Linda Cushman

Linda Cushman and her husband live in rural Polk County, Missouri. Her greatest love is the Lord, who saved her soul and promised a home in heaven. Her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter are the joy of her life. They have encouraged her to write stories of faith, hope, and inspiration. It is her desire that her writing will help her readers turn to God during life's troubles and trials.

Book preview

July Wildfire

Linda Cushman

Birthstone Brides Series

Book Seven

Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

July, 1873

July Wildfire

Historical Christian Romance

Book Seven of the Birthstone Bride Series

Copyright 2017 by Linda Cushman

Cover background photo provided by Chase County Kansas Historical Society

Foreground photo by Photodune

Scripture verses and references are from the King James Version of the Bible

This book is fiction, and is loosely based on the history of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas and the surrounding area. All characters and events are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people or events is entirely a coincidence.

No part of this book may be reproduced or sold without the author’s written permission. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

July Wildfire

Flaming stones of rubies so red

Grace the lady who is sure to wed

Sparks stir hopes and dreams of success

With wisdom and wealth she’ll be blessed.

July, 1873

Timothy Franklin reined his mount toward the rosy glow in the north, then pulled him to a stop. After weeks of being on the run, it made no sense to deliberately approach something that was sure to be trouble. Yet, he felt drawn to that strange light, like a moth to flame.

Tim stayed in the deep shadows of the trees along Cottonwood River, letting the muscular blue roan gelding pick his way. Stopping often to watch and listen, he questioned his actions. He had evaded the law all the way from Richmond, Virginia, to this frontier county in mid-eastern Kansas. If he could squeeze past the settlements of Cottonwood Falls and Cottonwood Station tonight, he’d be a free man. Telegraph lines were scarce farther west, and he intended to lose himself in the Rocky Mountains where no one had ever heard his name.

The faint blush of light blossomed to a bright, ruby firestorm, sending billows of smoke upward, blotting out stars. This isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but I can’t help myself. I have to see what’s burning. Someone must need help. Tim tied Blue at the bottom of the riverbank. Resting his hand on the butt of his new Colt .45 Peacemaker, he cautiously climbed eight feet up the embankment, crouched in the darkest shadows of a willow tree, and waited. What he was waiting for, he didn’t know, but had a premonition it wouldn’t be long until he found out.

***

Missy Liston slowly straightened her back. Illa Mae Stewart’s brother had just delivered her furniture from her old home in Oklahoma Territory. She didn’t have much, but what she had was heavy. About as heavy as Missy’s heart. Sonny Randall, the young orphan who had helped rescue her sister from kidnappers, would be moving out of the Liston house.

I suppose you’ll be staying with your grandmother now. She ruffled her foster brother’s hair. Too bad, because I’ve always been the youngest and never had anybody to pick on until you came along.

Sonny grinned at her. I appreciate all your family has done for me, but I know they can’t afford to raise another boy. Besides, I’m working as an apprentice at the mill, and I’ll even get to go to school with my sister. He poked Yancie in the ribs. I need to get to know her. He nodded toward the open door. I’d better go carry part of that bedstead. My great uncle Henry can’t get it all.

I can’t thank you enough for helping get us settled, Missy. It would have taken me and Yancie a long time to do all this. Illa Mae gestured toward the furniture arranged in her small house. She stirred something that smelled heavenly, even if the heat from the stove made it almost unbearable. When we get that bed set up, we’ll have a bowl of soup. She fanned herself. Not exactly soup weather, but it was something I could cook and have ready when we get finished unpacking.

Sounds wonderful. Missy took sheets from the dresser in the bedroom and, with Yancie’s help, made the bed after Sonny and his uncle had it put together.

Later, they sat around the table talking after the meal. Illa cast a side-long glance at Missy. I know it’s none of my business, but what made Sonny say your parents can’t afford to raise him?

Missy huffed. I don’t mind you asking, and since you’re going to be living in Cottonwood Falls, you’ll soon hear all the gossip. She licked her lips. How much should she tell of the injustices done by the Hunt family without sounding like a whining brat? She took a deep breath. It all started two or three years ago when my pa and brother, Ben, built a barn for Richard Hunt. They worked on it for almost a year, getting paid a minimal amount with the promise of a big payment when they finished. Her fists tightened, and she kept her hands beneath the table so Illa couldn’t see the white knuckles. Anger roiling in her chest caused warmth to spread up her neck and cheeks.

Let me guess--he didn’t pay. Henry grasped the edge of the table and leaned forward, his blue eyes sparking.

"Right. Hunt’s son is a lawyer, and the circuit judge. He said since Pa didn’t have a contract in writing, there is nothing Pa can do to get his money. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. Pa got behind on the payments for his land, and we’ve barely scraped by since. My sister, Icy, used to herd cattle to earn money, and I make rugs and carpets to sell. She shook her head, and tried to blink back hot tears. Now Ben’s job at the quarry ended, and he wants to buy a thresher for wheat so he can have an income. But we don’t have the money."

That’s the lowest thing I’ve ever heard of. Illa stood, and gathered the dishes. I suppose this Hunt family has plenty of money?

I guess so. They have the best of everything, but I don’t see how they can sleep at night if they swindle folks. I’ve heard they got their ranch the same way, promising a certain amount but not paying it. Missy arose, and scooted her chair under the table. I’ll help with those dishes.

No, Yancie will help me then we’ll all hit the sack.

I’m going to head back to Oklahoma before daylight. There’s no telling what my boys have done with the trading post while I’ve been gone moving this stuff. They had big plans to improve it since I bought Illa’s half interest in the business. Henry shook Missy’s hand. Thanks for your help, young lady. Words can’t express how much it meant to us to find Illa’s missing grandson and to know that he’s loved.

I had little to do with finding him, but I did help with the loving part. She elbowed Sonny. He’s a good boy, and is training under the best miller in the country. He’ll have a good job when he grows up.

I’ll walk home with you, Missy. Sonny turned to his grandmother. I’ll stay the night with the Liston’s, and be back in the morning with the rest of my clothes and stuff.

Missy and Sonny said their goodbyes, and left the little cabin across the street from the church. It gave her a warm feeling to know that Sonny had found his true family after years of mistreatment at the hands of a relative. She was smiling when they caught up with Amy Johnson, who had just stepped out the door of the new sewing and alterations shop.

Missy! Have you got a minute? I want to show you the nice building we’re renting from Mr. Hunt. Amy’s face glowed with excitement.

Sure, but I’ll warn you, I’m dripping wet with sweat. It must have been over a hundred degrees in that tiny cabin. Missy tucked stray strands of hair behind her ears.

It isn’t very cool anywhere today. Mama says it’s awful hot for the first of July. Amy turned and unlocked the door of the new building.

I’m going on to the mill. I’ll wait for you there. Sonny took off down the street.

Missy laughed. Guess he didn’t want to be seen going into a lady’s dress shop. She stepped inside the room and waited for her eyes to adjust to the unlit room.

I’d light a lamp, but we won’t be in here long. Amy moved deeper into the long, narrow room. We still have a lot to do in here, but Edward has been so good to allow us plenty of time to get settled before we make our first rent payment.

This is wonderful, Amy. You have so much space for fabrics and dress forms. And your mother’s sewing machine will probably sit under that big window in front. Missy tried