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    A Light Upon My Heart
    A Light Upon My Heart
    A Light Upon My Heart
    Ebook132 pages1 hour

    A Light Upon My Heart

    By Stephanie Payne Hurt

    5/5

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    About this ebook

    Naomi Harris is only 18 when she’s sent from Georgia to Montana to marry a stranger. Joseph Walsh is a wealthy, 30-year-old, ranch owner, but he’s lonely and in need of a Christian bride. Naomi’s poor home life doesn’t prepare her for life on a large ranch and Joseph’s not sure how to react to the innocent young woman that he brought across the country to be his bride. Many obstacles stand in their way as they strive to make their marriage work, but can they get past them? The worst one is the secret that Naomi keeps, it could destroy what they’ve worked to gain. She can’t go back home, ever...

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStephanie Payne Hurt
    Release dateApr 30, 2016
    ISBN9781310402906
    A Light Upon My Heart
    Author

    Stephanie Payne Hurt

    Stephanie Payne Hurt has been writing stories since she was a teenager, but only started publishing her work in 2012, 30 years later. The romance genre drew her in at an early age. Since 2012 she's published over 35 Romance novels/novellas.Stephanie is a busy lady. She's a Children's Minister, Accountant, wife, and mother along with a blogger and writer, along with starting a publishing service called Horseshoe Publishing alongside her publisher. It's been an exciting ride and she looks forward to what the future holds for her writing.Currently, she writes romance ranging from Christian, Contemporary, Suspense and Cowboy. Her work is available at many online retailers, on her website, and in a bookstore in Zebulon, Georgia near her home.Come by and visit her at http://www.stephaniehurtauthor.com/ and subscribe to get updates and release dates, also her monthly newsletter!

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    • 5/5
      A story that makes you know that everything is in Gods will

    Book preview

    A Light Upon My Heart - Stephanie Payne Hurt

    A Light Upon My Heart

    By:

    Stephanie Payne Hurt

    A Light Upon My Heart ©2016 Stephanie Payne Hurt

    Smashword Edition

    Horseshoe Publishing

    Cover Designer: Kaleigh Payne

    Any person mentioned in this book is not based on any person, living or nonliving.

    This book is a work of fiction. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher.

    Sign up for my newsletter at www.stephaniehurtauthor.com to keep up with upcoming events and new releases.

    Also, come by and join my Street Team for chances to win books, get to read chapters before their release and get to know me on a more personal level. All the information is on my website!

    Chapter 1

    As she stepped off the stage coach her heart was heavy with uncertainty. This was a new experience for her. She’d never been away from her South Georgia hometown. From the moment her father told her about his plans things had changed for her. It was hard to leave her home and family, but it was for the best. With three daughters and no sons, her widowed father couldn’t afford a respectable dowry for his girls.

    All she knew about Joseph was he was a Christian and owned a ranch. What would he be like? Would she grow to care for him or even love him one day? Would he ever love her? What did he look like? Oh well, she’d find out soon enough. Looking from side to side she wondered if he was already there in the crowd.

    She stood there for a few minutes before a fear came over her. Had he changed his mind? If he did, how would she get back home because she didn’t have enough money to get home? Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as the fear filled her. Turning she looked up at the stage coach driver for some help, but he was busy unloading the luggage from the top. What could she do?

    Then a light tap on her shoulder caused her to almost stop breathing. She turned slowly and looked up into the most amazing eyes she’d ever seen. For a long moment she was stunned silent. The man standing before her was well over six-foot-tall with dark hair and kind looking blue eyes that crinkled at the corners from many days spent in the sun.

    He took his hat off and looked uncertain for a moment. Then he grinned, Are you Naomi? Deep down he hoped this was her. As she continued to stare up at him like a lost bird, he felt for her. Here she was far from home and comfort.

    Yes, yes I’m Naomi, please tell me you’re Mr. Washer.

    Call me Joseph, seeing we’ll be married this afternoon. It wouldn’t be right you to keep calling me Mr. Washer. He winked at her and was awarded with a smile that lit her beautiful face.

    Oh, Joseph... She stuttered as she realized what he’d just said, Did you say we were getting married this afternoon?

    He noticed that she paled and quickly he reached out to hold her arms. Was she about to faint? Are you alright?

    She put her hand up to her chest, I’m quite alright, just a little surprised. I didn’t realize we were getting married so soon. Her heart was beating in her chest. She’d thought they’d have some time to get used to one another before becoming husband and wife.

    Leaning down he whispered close to her ear, out of the curious onlookers hearing range, It wouldn’t be fitting to take an unmarried woman to live in my house with me and not be wedded first. When she gasped and covered her mouth he continued, Don’t worry, everything is taken care of at the Church.

    Of course he thought her worries were about the arrangements, but she was suddenly nervous and unsure of things. Being a Christian lady she was appreciative of him wanting to keep her reputation in tact with the locals. Her Father always made sure his girls were respectable in everything they did.

    The driver put her bags on the walkway beside them as they stood looking around not sure of what to say. Joseph thanked the man and turned to pick up the two bags she’d brought. He was shocked at the small amount of things she’d brought with her.

    Looking at her a little uncertain, Is this the only bags you have?

    Yes, were you expecting more. She didn’t understand his concern about only two bags. It had looked like she had too much to bring, when so many had so little.

    He let out a little laugh, It’s only that my sister would’ve packed two this size and then a trunk to go with it.

    I packed the necessary items that would be needed. She straightened her spine and looked up at him. She’d packed all she owned. It may look meager to him, but it was all she knew.

    I’ve got my buggy over here. He pointed toward his open buggy and she followed him as the people around them stared at the woman with Joseph. Overlook the curious stares, I guess word travels fast.

    Once he had her bags stored in the back of the buggy he held out his hand to help her into the buggy. She gracefully stepped up into the rig and straightened her skirts before he sat down beside her.

    He clicked his tongue as he pulled the reins. The Church is just at the end of town. Everyone is waiting there for us to arrive.

    She turned quickly with large eyes, Who’s everyone?

    Oh don’t worry, it’s just the pastor and his wife, oh and my sister and her husband. He smiled as he maneuvered out into the main street. She was a jumpy little thing.

    As he guided the horse toward the Church, he gave her a tour of town, That green building is the Taylor’s Mercantile and the one beside it is Rose’s Hotel and restaurant. I figure after the ceremony we’ll come back there for a bite of dinner before the drive to the ranch. He looked down at her, That’s if it’s alright with you.

    She glanced toward the two buildings as they passed by them. It’s up to you. Her voice was low as she spoke. Right now all she could think about was the ball of nerves tangled up in the pit of her stomach. She actually felt a little sick as they neared the small white Church that was coming into view.

    The closer they got to the Church the queasier she became. She noticed an older gentleman standing on the front steps. He seemed to be waiting on them. Once they were parked in front of the Church, he walked over and shook Joseph’s hand when he stepped down from the rig.

    Good afternoon Joseph. How are you? He spoke quickly and with a southern accent. It sounded good to hear something of home. Suddenly she felt homesick and wished her family would be here to see her married, but that wasn’t possible.

    Hello Pastor Jim, this is Naomi Harris. Naomi this is our pastor Jim Mason.

    The pastor walked around and took her hand in his after Joseph helped her down. I’m pleased to meet you Ms. Harris. Your father and I have been corresponding for a couple of months.

    She smiled and wondered what her father had told this man about their life back home. Had he told him how bad they were doing financially and that this was her only chance to find a decent man.

    My father said to thank you for all your help.

    Oh it was my pleasure. I was just glad to be able to help out a fellow Georgian. When he saw the surprise in her eyes he continued, I’m originally from a small town in South Georgia. That’s how your father found me, a mutual friend in the Church.

    He didn’t tell me much about your correspondence, just what he thought I needed to know.

    Well, let’s get you inside out of this sun.

    As they stepped into the chapel of the small Church she was almost trembling. Joseph noticed her nerves and he hoped she didn’t run for the hills.

    Two women came out of a side door and walked toward them with wide grins. One of them gave Joseph a hug before coming up to take her hands.

    I’m Patsy, Joseph’s sister. We’re so glad to have you here with us and I can’t wait to have a sister in law. She pulled her into a tight hug. Naomi almost burst into tears at the sweet gesture.

    The other lady walked over, Hello dear. I’m Cordelia, Jim’s wife. Welcome to our little Church. She saw the tears in the young woman’s eyes and understood. Let’s take you in the back room to get refreshed before the service. She looked at her husband over her head and motioned for him to take the men outside.

    Once inside the little room which was set up like a parlor in a home, Naomi relaxed a little. The women seemed really nice and wanted to help her. She sat down on the couch against the far wall and try to calm her breathing.

    Cordelia sat down beside her and took one of her hands. I know you’re nervous, I was the day I married Jim. My knees knocked so bad that the petals fell off most of the flowers in my bouquet. She laughed and it was a pleasant, reassuring sound.

    Patsy handed her a cup of warm mint tea. This will help. I thought I was going to faint the day I married Mitch.

    Naomi sipped the tasty tea feeling some of the tension drain out of her. I wasn’t expecting the wedding to happen today.

    Cordelia smiled sweetly, Dear me, no wonder you’re a bundle of nerves. Here you just stepped off the stage coach after days of travel and now into the Church to become a stranger’s bride.

    "Joseph wanted to make sure no tongues wagged the moment

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