A Temporary Family
MAKE-BELIEVE MARRIAGEWhen Tilly Hargreaves and her three nieces are stranded at his small stagecoach station in an abandoned town and threatened by outlaws, Nolan West must protect them. And the only way he can do that is by pretending he’s married to Tilly. But can the former solider, whose only wish is for solitude, stop himself from growing attached to his temporary family?Tilly knows the charade is necessary to keep her and the girls safe, but now her heart is in danger. The longer she pretends the stoic station agent is her husband, the more genuine their union feels. Nolan believes he’s better off alone, but Tilly’s certain that if he'd only open his heart to his make-believe family, he’d want to claim them as his for real.Prairie Courtships: Romance on the range
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Make-Believe Marriage
When Tilly Hargreaves and her three nieces are stranded at his small stagecoach station in an abandoned town and threatened by outlaws, Nolan West must protect them. And the only way he can do that is by pretending heâs married to Tilly. But can the former soldier, whose only wish is for solitude, stop himself from growing attached to his temporary family?
Tilly knows the charade is necessary to keep her and the girls safe, but now her heart is in danger. The longer she pretends the stoic station agent is her husband, the more genuine their union feels. Nolan believes heâs better off alone, but Tillyâs certain that if heâd only open his heart to his make-believe family, heâd want to claim them as his for real.
For this installment of the Prairie Courtship series, I decided to explore other areas of the Great Plains during an earlier time. In the years following the Civil War, trains and steamships opened the American frontier. Iâm fascinated by the people who decided to settle such a harsh and unforgiving land.
Nolan was a challenging character for me. Iâm the exact opposite of him. I have an alarmingly easy time living in chaos. I organize my desk between each book, which means my desk is clean for precisely two days a year. Most of us, however, can relate to anxiety. We all find ways to feel as though we have some control over events swirling around us. Nolan and Tilly had both learned to manage their anxiety in solitude, but circumstances forced them to work together.
I love connecting with readers and would enjoy hearing your thoughts on this story! If youâre interested in learning more about this book, or others Iâve written in the Prairie Courtships series, visit my website at SherriShackelford.com, or reach me at sherrishackelford @gmail.com, Facebook.com/SherriShackelfordAuthor, Twitter @smshackelford, or regular old snail mail: PO Box 116, Elkhorn, NE 68022.
Thanks for reading!
Sherri Shackelford
As far as the outlaws knew, Tilly and Nolan were husband and wife.
Sheâd been too stunned by the outlawsâ unexpected attack to refute his words, but Nolan had latched on to the falsehood. Heâd saved their lives, and her virtue, in the process. Though she wasnât adept at dealing with fugitives, she admired Nolanâs ploy. Heâd cleverly bargained his assistance for her safety and the safety of the girls.
Nolan led her to the meticulously ordered kitchen. He lit the stove and adjusted the flame. âThe outlaws will expect the woman to prepare the food,â he said. âFollow my lead and try to pretend you know where everything is located.â
She and Nolan were treading through a minefield with this charade. Who knew what pitfalls they were bound to stumble over in the next few days? Her nieces had no idea of the danger, and she was determined to keep it that way.
Nolan was the best hope for the girls. He was the only one who could truly protect them. He was the one the outlaws needed for their plan to succeed.
If she wanted to live her life as a brave woman with purpose, then sheâd better start acting like one.
SHERRI SHACKELFORD is an award-winning author of inspirational books featuring ordinary people discovering extraordinary love. A reformed pessimist, Sherri has a passion for storytelling. Her books are fast-paced and heartfelt with a generous dose of humor. She loves to hear from readers at [email protected]. Visit her website at sherrishackelford.com.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive;
and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
âPsalms 86:5
To Roy E. Shackelford, my greatest fan
Contents
Stagecoach relay station
Pyrite, Nebraska, 1869
Nolan West couldnât shake the feeling he was being watched.
He flipped open the cover of his timepiece and checked the hour. Twenty minutes before the next stagecoach arrived.
For the past year, heâd been manning the Pioneer Stagecoach relay station out of the abandoned town of Pyrite. Three years before his arrival, an overly optimistic prospector had discovered gold in the nearby Niobrara River. A town had sprung up practically overnight. Within a year, the claim had dried up, and the town was abandoned. Only the relay station remained occupied.
Prairie grass nudged through the slats in the derelict boardwalk, and a wet spring had fed the wild brush reclaiming the spaces between the empty buildings. A cacophony of crickets, frogs and birds called from the shelter of the lush buttress.
Nolanâs sense of unease lingered, raising the fine hairs on the nape of his neck. He searched the shadows, catching only the rustle of the cottonwood leaves. He was alone. Yet the sensation lingered.
