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  A Matter of Marriage

  Belles of Wyoming #28

  Christine Sterling

  Table of Contents

  License Note

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  The Belles of Wyoming

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

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  License Note

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  -- Christine Sterling

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  The Belles of Wyoming

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  Our beautiful covers were designed by Virginia McKevitt of Black Widow Books.

  Christmas 2018 (Theme: Holiday)

  Book 1, Christine Sterling, Wynter’s Bride

  Book 2, Marianne Spitzer, Holly's Christmas Wish

  Book 3, Cyndi Raye, A Tin Star for Christmas

  Book 4, P. Creeden, A Pony for Christmas

  Book 5, Julia Ridgmont, Natalie's Surprise Engagement

  Spring 2019 (Theme: Renewal/Redemption)

  Book 6, Christine Sterling, The Homecoming

  Book 7, Ginny Sterling, Blessings of Love

  Book 8, Cyndi Raye, Mercy’s Gift

  Book 9, P. Creeden, Moments of Grace

  Book 10, Julia Ridgmont, Emeline's Redemption

  Summer 2019 (Theme: Summer Love /Barn raising)

  Book 11, Ginny Sterling, Lightning Strikes Twice

  Book 12, Julia Ridgmont, In the Nick of Time

  Book 13, Jenna Brandt, June’s Remedy

  Book 14, Lynn Donovan, The Wrong Bride

  Book 15, Marisa Masterson, Grace for a Drifter

  Book 16, Rose Castro, Lucy’s Luck

  Book 17, P. Creeden, Steel Blue Bride

  Book 18, Cyndi Raye, Stealing Her Heart

  Book 19, Cheryl Wright, Eleanor’s Dilemma

  Book 20, Jo Grafford, Wild Rose Summer

  Book 21, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Summer’s Love

  Book 22, Lisa M. Prysock, The Prairie Princess

  Book 23, Marie Higgins, Whispers of Yesterday

  Book 24, Amelia Adams, Butterfly Kisses

  Book 25, Margaret Tanner, Flynn's Debt

  Book 26, Mimi Milan, September’s Switch

  Book 27, Julia Ridgmont, Daring to Love Again

  Book 28, Christine Sterling, A Matter of Marriage

  Book 29, Ginny Sterling, Change of Heart

  Book 30, Christine Sterling, The Barn Raising

  Acknowledgements

  Jesus, first and always.

  My husband Daniel, I love you so much.

  My daughters Rebecca, Nora and Elizabeth that are doing amazing things.

  To the Belles of Wyoming authors, thank you for making the best series possible. These stories have been so much fun to write with you!

  #Editorsrock – I am so grateful that I have a team that has my back. Carolyn and Amy, I love you both! Thanks for being on this crazy ride with me!

  To the Belles of Wyoming Reader family, I appreciate your support during this launch. It was so much fun to get to know you!

  Thank you to Sharon Nutter, Kathy Danheim and Debbey Black-Cozzone, for helping me with the names of Hunter’s children. I loved your choices!

  And a huge thank you to all the readers of The Belles of Wyoming Reader Group that offered up some great names! I’ve written everything down and I will use them in future books. Thank you to: Angeline Farrow-Douglas, Becky Reeves, Bekah Lunarodriguez, Bernice Kennedy, Betty Vander Wier, Bonnie Gray, Charlene Burlison, Charlene Zall Capodice, Christie Ussery, Christy Rose Enderele, Cindy Nipper, Connie Carpenter, Deanna Dent, Deanna Dent, Dorothy Gast Roller, Earlene Click, Esther Burch Walters, Gail Dunham, Gail Henderson, Grace Haab Randol, Janice Epps Gorbaty, Janice Hawk, Jessica Dismukes, Jo Ann Wied Rentrop, Joan Archibald, Julia Robertson, Karen Jenkins, Krista White, Libery Dryden, Licha Haney, Linda Dreher, Linda Marie Finn, Linda Palmer, Lisa Renee, Lisa Stillman, Lori Smanski, Marilyn Issak, Melissa Smith, Misti Lutz, Nati Lopez, Pam Hemenway, Paty Hinojosa Gomez, Rory Lemond, Sandy Mill, Sandy Sorola, Sandy Thibeault, Sattin Hendrix, Shelia Hall, Sue Patterson Krznaric, Susan Spivey Fisher, Tammie Brigner, Tammy Lewis, Tara Martin, Tasha Henderson, Teresa Fordice, Theresa Baer, Tina Larson Carlson, Trudy Cordle, and Wendy Ory.

  It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it. – Benjamin Franklin

  Chapter 1

  Summer 1861, Belle, Wyoming

  Being an accomplished flirt was exhilarating.

  It brought with it, power.

  Audrey James thrived on that power.

  She had a reputation as the town flirt. That wasn’t so bad, was it? It wasn’t as if she was a woman of loose morals.

  She was still untouched, she was saving that for marriage, but where was the harm in flattering someone so she could get a little attention back? It was all in jest. She couldn’t help it if sometimes the townsfolks got the wrong impression. That was on them.

  Audrey was very careful not to let things go too far. Most girls her age were prone to gossiping; in fact they even gossiped about her. She heard what they said, but she chose to ignore it. Granted it stung.

  They must be jealous. That was it.

  Some were afraid she might steal their beaus. Well who would want any of those dandies anyway? Flirting was just a way for her to entertain herself.

  In truth, Audrey wouldn't have turned out that way if her father had bothered at all to instill some discipline in her. When her mother died, Herbert James along with his daughter left New York for Belle.

  The man was too overcome with grief over the death of his wife to take a strong stand with Audrey's ways. He spoiled her rotten and Audrey confessed she took advantage of the situation. When her father decided that he had enough, he sent for a governess to help instill that much needed discipline into his headstrong daughter.

  His dear friend from New York, Bart Hampton, back East recommended his own daughter, Dulcie, as a governess. Mr. James took advantage of the offer, but unfortunately Dulcie decided to run away and get married and she sent her younger sister, Eden in her place.

  Being a soft-hearted man, Mr. James didn’t want to return Eden back to New York, so she became Audrey’s companion. He hoped her good manners and gentle breeding would help Audrey become an upstanding young woman in the Belle community.

  Unfortunately, Audrey and Eden became thick as thieves and now Mr.
James was dealing with two young ladies causing mischief over the small town. The one thing Audrey did have going for her was her stunning good looks and a heart that truly cared for those around her, such as her dear friends Eden and Rosalie.

  Since Belle was a small town, it was only natural that everyone knew everyone else’s business. Secrets and scandals spread like fire on the open prairie. As such, there were no secrets in Belle.

  Even though people may be critical of one another, they only did it because each person in town deeply cared for all the others. The town truly was a family.

  They looked out for each other, and the community rallied around those that needed it the most. Such was their loyalty towards one another. Of course, there would always be a few bad apples among the townsfolks, but even the town wrapped those folks in their warm embrace.

  Audrey shifted the basket she had in her hand and tucked the blanket back under her arm. Looking around, she took in the scene unfolding before her. The sun was shining down on the meadow and there was a slight breeze in the air. Audrey had been looking forward to the annual Belle summer picnic all spring.

  This was the opportunity for all the citizens to get together, enjoy each other’s company, eat from a well-prepared smorgasbord of delights and engage in some lighthearted fun.

  Parents laid out blankets in the shady spots along the creek, while children rolled wooden hoops with sticks on the flat part of the meadow. Other youngsters were rolling down the grassy hill until they reached the bottom in a fit of giggles.

  There was a table set up where women were putting out pies for the pie eating contest. Audrey secretly wanted to participate in that contest, but unfortunately it was for the men only.

  She felt a poke behind her. Turning she saw her friend Eden nudging her forward towards a clear spot under one of the shady trees.

  “That looks like a good spot over there,” Eden said to her friend. “It will be easy enough for your father to find us.”

  Audrey looked around and huffed. “I think he is more interested in finding Morris Ellerman.”

  “Who’s that?” Eden asked, starting down the rolling hill towards a shady tree by the creek.

  Audrey shifted the blanket under her arm again and ran to catch up with her friend. “He brews liquor up in the mountains.”

  Eden gasped. “How do you know that?”

  Audrey shrugged. “I overheard the men talking about it when they visited Papa last month. I guess several of the men wanted to run him out of town, but Papa said he would try to talk some sense into him today.”

  “I wouldn’t go talking about that Audrey,” Eden said, biting her bottom lip.

  Audrey dropped the blanket to the ground, along with the basket, before putting her hands on her hips and turning to see who was sitting around them. “Why ever not.” She dismissed Eden with a wave of her finger. “I’m not sure I like this spot.”

  Eden groaned. “Audrey…,” she warned.

  “I just don’t think there is enough of a view from here.”

  Eden put her basket down next to the first one. She picked up the blanket and snapped it into the air, so it floated down to the ground. “It is perfectly fine. I’m sure everyone will be able to see you from here.”

  Audrey kicked off her slippers and knelt on the blanket. “I have no clue what you are talking about, Eden.” Eden rolled her eyes in annoyance. Audrey would catch Eden doing that when something exasperated her. Audrey chose to ignore it. “Are you going to participate in the three-legged race.”

  “I don’t know,” Eden said as she started to pull items from the basket and place them on the cloth. “What about you?”

  Audrey picked up a boiled egg and started to peel the shell. She shrugged her shoulders as she watched the shell flake into a small pile at her knees. “I don’t like sports. You know that.”

  “Ah yes,” Eden said, taking a bite from an apple. “The lady doesn’t want to get her dress dirty.”

  “I don’t,” Audrey pouted. “I would hate to be seen in a dirty frock.”

  Eden rolled to the ground laughing. She clenched her side as she pointed to Audrey. “You act like a five-year-old, not someone who has just turned eighteen.”

  “Harrumph,” Audrey responded, taking a bite from the egg. The sound of music could be heard across the meadow and Audrey looked to see a few of the men who worked at Paps’s ranch strumming on guitars and banjos. Mr. Stewart, who owned the mercantile had even joined them, slapping a set of spoons against his knee.

  As she finished her egg, she noticed Paps’s daughter, Rosalie near the table where the pies were laid out. Rosalie was animated as she talked to her husband, Martin Davis. They had been married for two months and whatever Rosalie had said to him Martin was laughing at.

  Audrey watched as her friend lifted her hands in the air in a sign of surrender. She turned to leave, waving her hands at Martin like she was shooing a child.

  Martin grabbed Rosalie and spun her into his arms before capturing her lips in a kiss. The sounds of whoops and cheers could be heard across the field. Rosalie pushed Martin away and turned again, but this time she was laughing as well.

  Audrey felt a little twinge in her belly. She wished she had someone who looked at her the way Martin looked at his wife. Rosalie spied them sitting under the tree and raised her hand in a wave.

  Audrey waved back and soon her friend was walking in their direction. She realized that Eden was saying something to her while she was daydreaming about a man to hold her in his arms and place a lusty kiss on her lips.

  “What was that?” Audrey asked Eden. She picked up the bits of eggshell and placed them in a jar Eden had brought for their rubbish.

  “I said, I can’t believe they are here,” Eden said pointing towards the creek. Audrey turned to see where Eden was pointing, and she tried not to let a scowl appear on her face.

  Hunter Lawson.

  He was standing close to the creek with his three children. Two of the boys had their shoes and socks off and were pointing to the inviting water. The youngest, a daughter, was propped up on Hunter’s hip. He was shaking his head at them and pointed back to a blanket that was laying on the other side of the field.

  Audrey took a good look at the man in question. She guessed him to be about thirty. Much too old for her tastes.

  His dark brown hair was too long for Audrey’s liking. He was in desperate need of a haircut and a shave. He had a handsome face and his skin was deeply tanned from working outdoors on his farm.

  He wore light pants and Audrey could see the muscles in his legs stretch the fabric as he leaned down to speak to one of the boys. With his broad shoulders and strong legs, Hunter was every bit a man by all accounts.

  When he stood the fabric released and Audrey felt her mouth go dry. Normally she viewed most men as potential targets for her flirting, but there was something different, almost primal about the man she was watching. She really must be foolish to even be entertaining thoughts about a man who everyone in town knew had a hand in killing his wife, she thought.

  The large man looked very out of place in the town gathering. Audrey was surprised that he even had the nerve to show up, given what the town thought of him.

  Audrey tried to feel dislike for Hunter. What kind of man kills his own wife? The mother of his children? There wasn’t any proof he committed the deed; his wife’s death had simply been ruled an accident. However, it forever marred how he was seen in town.

  Instead she felt pity for those young children who were growing up without a mother. She knew exactly what that was like.

  Rosalie flopped on the blanket beside Audrey and stretched out, her face to the sun. “Are you enjoying yourselves?”

  “Do you notice all the new men in town?” Eden asked Rosalie.

  Rosalie rolled over on her stomach and leaned up on her elbows. “I’m not looking,” she said with a grin.

  Eden waved her hand at Rosalie. “Not everyone is happily married. Yet,” she added
as an afterthought.

  “Why, Eden Hampton,” Rosalie said in mock indignation. “Are you telling me that you are entertaining thoughts of being married?”

  Eden shrugged her shoulders. “I’m nearly twenty-two. I guess I should think about it.”

  “But what would I do?” Audrey whined.

  “Oh pish,” Rosalie said to her best friend. “Maybe you should think about settling down as well. Might do a bit to help the current gossip going around.”

  Audrey’s eyes flew up. “Gossip? About me?”

  Rosalie reached over and grabbed a cookie, breaking off a piece and popping it in her mouth. She chewed for a moment and then pointed the broken cookie in Audrey’s direction. “You need to stop all this nonsense. You are flirting with anything that has a heartbeat, and one day something might happen that you can’t take back.”

  “It’s just harmless fun.” Audrey was hurt that her friend would scold her, and at a picnic of all places!

  “Might be to you, but what if someone takes it too far? Then what?” Rosalie popped the rest of the cookie in her mouth and wiped the crumbs off her fingers.

  “Someone like who?” Audrey said. She looked at her friend Eden who was looking all around. In fact, Eden appeared to be looking anywhere but at Audrey and Rosalie.

  “I heard Helen was telling anyone who would listen that you have been flirting with Morris,” Rosalie said softly.

  “Morris?” Audrey sat up straight. “Morris?” Her voice was starting to shrill and people were starting to stare at her. “I would never… ever…” She took a deep breath and lowered her voice. “Ever flirt with Morris Ellerman. I have morals.”

  Eden released a snort. Audrey glared at her friend. Eden returned her gaze to the leaves on the tree.

  Rosalie patted Audrey’s hand. “I know, honey, but I’m just saying gossip travels and fast. And knowing how much you flirt…” She let the thought trail off.

  Audrey looked at her fingernails. She felt the burn of unshed tears. Taking a deep breath, she allowed the burn to end and anger filled her. How dare folks think that she would flirt with just anyone?