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    Love beyond the Fence
    Love beyond the Fence
    Love beyond the Fence
    Ebook128 pages2 hours

    Love beyond the Fence

    By Mildred Colvin

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    About this ebook

    Book Three in the Birthstone Brides series--A Sweet Historical Small-town Romance

    March 1873, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas—A Clean and Wholesome Love Story

    Why would Abby’s parents give her away when she was ten years old?

    That’s what Abigail Stevens would like to know. Now, after nine years in the city, she’s back home trying to prove to her parents she’s as worthy as her brother and should be allowed to stay. Desperate for love and acceptance, Abby strives to love her family while resenting the separation she never wanted or understood.

    Frank Vincent expected his best friend’s little sister to be a city girl after living away so long. Instead, she’s the tomboy he remembers from childhood, only far more intriguing. Amazing what a few years has done. This new attraction, however, complicates his plans to go to Texas as does his desire to help her overcome bitterness from her past. When she helps him build a fence, he’s sure of his love for her, if only he could get past the stony wall of distrust around her heart.

    Set in the small town of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, the Birthstone Brides series will include twelve novellas - One for each month of the year. Each bride receives her birthstone in a piece of jewelry from the man she will marry. Expect a new story to be released each month.

    Please look more books in the Birthstone Brides series:
    Castles in the Sky, Book One by Linda Cushman
    Hometown Love, Book Two by Mildred Colvin
    Love Beyond the Fence, Book Three by Mildred Colvin
    Softly Comes Love, Book Four by Linda Cushman - coming soon

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMildred Colvin
    Release dateFeb 28, 2017
    ISBN9781370445127
    Love beyond the Fence
    Author

    Mildred Colvin

    Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

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      Book preview

      Love beyond the Fence - Mildred Colvin

      Love Beyond the Fence

      Mildred Colvin

      Historical Christian Romance

      Love Beyond the Fence

      Copyright ©2017 by Mildred Colvin

      All Rights Reserved

      Smashwords Edition

      Cover photo copyright © Flexflex | Dreamstime.com

      & © Stanko07 | Dreamstime.com

      Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

      No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

      DEDICATION

      To the Lord Jesus above all, for without Him I would not be able to write anything, and I certainly couldn’t have written this book without His help. He is all in all!

      And to my crit partners who help more than they realize. Especially Linda Cushman who is my go-to for anything to do with the farm or ranch life, about which I know … not much. And to both Linda and Regina Tittel who helped me find and correct many errors in this book, bringing my rough draft into readable copy. Your changes always make my writing better.

      Also to Jim who is also becoming very good at finding errors for correction and making helpful suggestions. Thank you all!

      March’s birthstone is Aquamarine

      In all her dealings be most wise,

      The maiden who first opens her eyes,

      To March’s growing warmth of Spring,

      Uses bravery to conquer all life brings.

      Chapter 1

      Des Moines, Iowa, end of February 1873

      Abigail Stevens smoothed her skirt over her knees as Thomas Montgomery’s repetitious speech about his family’s wealth and standing in the community went on and on.

      Father is an influential man, but Mother welds the most power. Thomas chuckled at some joke he alone recognized. She’s head of ‘Women for the Beautification of Des Moines’ as you know. If you’d care to join, I’m sure she could obtain an invitation for you.

      Abigail swallowed the yawn she’d been about to indulge in and tried a smile instead. Oh, I don’t think so, Thomas, but thank you for offering. I couldn’t think of any way to better the city, I’m sure.

      Why, flower beds along the side of the roads is something you might suggest. At Mother’s suggestion park benches are being installed in the city park as we speak. Anything that might bring beauty to our city. Thomas’s eyebrows drew together. I’m sure you’d have all sorts of ideas.

      Beauty? Is that what he’d said? The urge to yawn almost won this time. Her only saving grace was a tap at the door and the butler’s erect form standing in the open doorway. Yes, Stanton?

      Telegram for you, Miss. The man paused a moment before entering the room and handing the yellow envelope to her.

      Thank you.

      Yes, Miss. He turned and silently walked out.

      Well, what is it? Thomas leaned forward, curiosity obvious in his intense expression.

      Abigail glanced at his eager eyes. I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet.

      Uncle Edwin had talked to her about Thomas. The boy she’d thought of as her older cousin’s friend had been seeking out her company more and more. She’d always liked Thomas, even to thinking he was her friend too. Now she wondered.

      He grunted. That’s obvious enough. So go ahead and open it. Why would anyone send you a telegram?

      Abigail stood and moved toward the door the butler had used. I have no idea. I do need to attend to it, however, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave. I hope you understand.

      At the door, Abigail turned her best smile on Thomas. He had risen, but remained in front of the chair where he’d been sitting. There’s no reason to throw me out, Abigail. It’s just a telegram. You should want to share with me what goes on in your life. That’s why I came today. What I want to talk to you about. I’ve already spoken with your uncle and he’s given his blessing for—

      Oh, Thomas, I’m so sorry to seem rude, but I must attend to this telegram immediately. Abigail feared the next words from Thomas would be a proposal. One she didn’t want. Stanton! She called into the hall. Where had the butler gone? She turned back to Thomas glad to see he’d crossed the room. I certainly don’t want to lose the friendship we share. My dear cousin Oliver would never forgive me. He thinks highly of you.

      Thomas’s handsome face relaxed. Thank you, Abigail, but friendship with you is not—

      Yes, Miss, did you call. As silent as always, Stanton appeared by Abigail’s side.

      Oh, yes, Stanton. Mr. Montgomery is just leaving. Would you mind seeing him out?

      Certainly, Miss Abigail.

      But I’m not—

      Thank you, Stanton. Abigail turned toward the wide stairs to the second floor and ran up them with Stanton’s amused, You’re welcome, following her while Thomas sputtered.

      Feeling as if she’d been released from school, Abigail hurried to her room and closed the door. She liked Thomas, he was a great friend, but woman’s intuition told her he was trying to propose. She held up the telegram. Didn’t they usually hold bad news? She shrugged. She’d never had a telegram before. But getting this one before Thomas had a chance to ruin their friendship was a blessing for sure. She sat in an overstuffed chair near the window and tore the envelope open then took out and unfolded the paper, spreading it on her lap to read.

      As her eyes skimmed the few words, her breath caught in her throat. She stood but had to grasp the arm of the chair to keep from spinning with the room. Mama! A word she hadn’t used for years burst from her lips. She had to talk to Uncle Edwin. She took a deep breath as the room slowly settled. With building anxiety, she hurried from her room and down the stairs to seek her uncle.

      At the open door of his study, Abigail tapped lightly on the frame. His head lifted and a smile brightened his face. Abigail, come in. Tell me what you’ve been up to this morning. I understand you had a visitor.

      Oh, yes, Thomas was here, but Uncle Edwin, I got a telegram. She held the paper across his desk until he took it then sank into the straight-backed wooden chair facing him. He skimmed the paper and looked up, a frown having already chased his smile away. This should have been brought to me. It’s preposterous. I’m sorry your mother is ill, but surely they don’t expect you to go for a visit now. Why, the very fact she’s ill is reason enough to stay away. This doesn’t say what’s wrong, but it could be catching.

      But I must go, Uncle Edwin. Abigail straightened. His bluster helped make up her mind. She wanted to go. Perhaps she felt rebellion, but this was the first time in nine years she’d been offered the chance to return to her rightful home. Or did one have a rightful home after being sent away? She didn’t know, but she was old enough at nineteen years to decide for herself, and she wanted to go home. Her resolve grew as Uncle Edwin blustered.

      How could my brother ask this of you? Of all the timing! You can’t be running off now when one of the most sought-after bachelors in Des Moines has asked to court you with intentions of offering marriage. You did accept, didn’t you, Abigail? He peered at her over his spectacles.

      No, Uncle Edwin. The telegram arrived before Thomas got to the point of his visit. She stifled a smile. If he’d had time to ask, however, I might have turned him down. He’s a good friend, but he does enjoy hearing the sound of his own voice.

      Perhaps, young lady, you should be listening to the sound of the coins in his pockets rather than worrying about his voice. Uncle Edwin’s brows formed one line across his wrinkled forehead. That boy and his family probably own half of this city. Keep that in mind the next time he gets the chance to speak with you. And he will. I don’t doubt it for a moment. Thomas Montgomery is very taken with you.

      He’ll have to wait his turn, then, because I plan to see about my mother. Tears filled her eyes as she turned them on her uncle. Do you realize this is the first time since I’ve been here that they’ve so much as asked if I’d like to go home? Nine years, and not once have I been giving the opportunity to so much as visit with them in the house I lived in my first ten years. I haven’t seen John since I was only ten years old, and I’ll never see George again.

      The frown and wrinkles relaxed as Uncle Edwin’s expression softened. I’m sorry, Abigail. I didn’t know how you felt. You’ve become so much a part of our family, we thought you felt the same about us.

      Of course, I do! She jumped up and ran around the desk to give her uncle a hug. You’ve been a father to me when my own wasn’t here. Aunt Evelyn has been my mother, Oliver and Reuben my brothers. How could I not love you all? I’ll come back for visits. I promise. But I have so many questions, and Mama may die. I need this time with her before she’s gone forever. You understand, don’t you Uncle Edwin?

      He seemed to deflate as she watched. Then he nodded, and a smile touched his lips as he patted her arm. "Yes, sweetheart, I understand. You’ve been the daughter we never had, but we always knew this would happen. I’ll make things right with your aunt Evelyn and buy you a ticket for the train. Then we’ll send a telegram telling my

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