Christian Fiction – Page 2 – Rebekah Lyn Books

A Review and Blog Tour~Just a Closer Walk

If you have read any mail order bride stories, you’ve probably noticed that even though the bride and groom never met each other, they are both genuinely good people. It’s a rare story that has a scam or a truly bad person either write or respond to the mail order bride advertisement. Faith Blum took that rare theme and wrote three novellas about five young ladies duped into becoming mail order brides only to find out the men they were supposed to marry weren’t what they had appeared in the letters. The first of those novellas just released on June 26th and Faith is here today to share a little about it.

About the Book

I am weak, but Thou art strong/Jesus, keep me from all wrong/I’ll be satisfied as long/As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Katie and Joanna meet on a train headed to Cheyenne, Wyoming. They start talking and find out they are both headed there to become mail order brides. They quickly become good friends. When they get on a stagecoach with three other young women, Katie becomes suspicious. What is going to happen to them? Or is it really possible that nothing untoward is happening?

Buy on Amazon

My Review of Just a Closer Walk

I have read other books by Faith Blum and enjoyed her stories of life in the old west. Mail order brides in the era of western expansion were a viable method for men in remote locations to secure a wife. The women who chose this adventure were brave souls or foolhardy, but the novels written about them always end in a match being made. In this novella, the author threw in a twist that leaves the women in the lurch. Fortunately, there are good people in the town who provide a safe place for Katie and Joanna. They each have a past, one a secret past and the other fleeing an odious suitor. The two soon become friends, sharing their fears as well as their dreams. In the process of finding their place in town as well as love, their faith in Christ grows stronger as they encourage each other to seek God and grant Him control of their lives.

Continue reading “A Review and Blog Tour~Just a Closer Walk”

Go West~The final chapter

Chapter 57 the final chapter

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Fifty Seven

The Final Chapter

Ellie

After supper, Ellie changed into work shoes so she could help clean the kitchen. She then walked out the back door to breathe some cool air. The moon spread its light over the fence, the barn, and the mountains. She should have been exhausted after all the excitement of the past few days, but at first, she felt exhilarated and restless. She was glad she and Aldon weren’t enemies anymore, but now they would go their separate ways, she with her grandparents and he to take over Bill’s job in Hollywoodland so he could send money home. She knew, though that he was excited about working with horses. A sense of loss washed over her. What could life possibly be without Aldon? The answer came: without Aldon, life was nothing.

“How about a ride in the moonlight?” Aldon came out of the house pulling the screen door closed behind him.

“I’d be delighted,” she said forcing herself to sound cheerful. If these were their last moments together, she wanted him to remember her as a strong woman, not a fussy feminine chit who could cry and embarrass him.

In the barn, they saddled Chief and Summer and decided to allow Sunrise to follow along. No need in leaving him so that he would whinny for the rest of the evening calling the mare.

Ellie knew that if she didn’t go back inside and change, she’d have to ride in her chiffon dress. If, however, she left Aldon waiting while she changed, someone else would come along and claim his attention.

He cupped his hands so she could use them as a stirrup. He boosted her into the saddle. As she settled in she pulled her skirt down so he wouldn’t see her knees, but then a heady surge of freedom replaced her embarrassment. So what if Aldon saw her knees?

Ellie had no idea where they were heading as they rode upward. She just wanted to be with Aldon. When the road became a trail, she fell back and let him take the lead. Looking at his straight back in the moonlight she gave a sigh of thanksgiving. If there was ever anyone, anywhere, that she wanted to be friends with, it was Aldon.

At the beginning of the trail that led to the warm spring, Ellie pulled back on Summer’s reins and the horse paused. “This is where we got kidnapped,” Ellie said

Aldon half turned in the saddle to look back at her. He locked his eyes with hers. “That’s all over. You’re with me now

She tapped the mare’s belly with her heels. Yes, she knew she was safe with Aldon. He’d protect her with everything he had in him. When they arrived at the pond, the well-trained horses waited for the couple to dismount before they began to graze.

“Do you ever feel sorry for horses not being able to lie down to sleep?” She asked dropping the reins in order to “ground-tie” the mare and dismounting.

“I never thought about it,” Aldon said as they approached a fall of boulders at the edge of the spring. “Their knees lock, you know, to keep them upright. Would you like to dangle your toes in the spring?”

“Oh, yes,” said she. “I’ve heard so much about it. I’ve never been in a warm spring before. I always love the water.”

Aldon steadied her as she sank onto a big rock then he knelt to remove her shoes. He looked at her silk stockings as if he didn’t know what to do with them. Not at all shy, which surprised her, she reached under the skirt to release the garter tabs and showed him how to roll the stockings down. He finished the first one, pulling it off her foot, and he stuck the roll into his shirt pocket. She could see that her feet looked pale in the bright moonlight.

“Your feet,” he said taking one in both hands. “They’re so beautiful.” He lowered his head and kissed the top of it. His eyelashes tickled and she sighed. When he looked up at her, the reflection of the moon caught in his eyes and gave them a shine like that of a sweet and vulnerable child’s.

“Oh,” she thought. “He truly loves me. He loves me as much as I love him.” Warmth spread through her entire body as peace filled her soul. She sighed.

He drew her to her feet and lifted her so he could carry her. Her arms slid around his neck as she snuggled against him with her head on his shoulder. Heedless of his boots, he walked into the water. It soon crept as high as her waist. She was bathed in joy. From somewhere she thought she heard a melody. Overhead, the stars swirled like dancing angels.

“Ellie, Honey,” he said, his deep voice resonating in her ear. “Do you know that I love you more than life?”

“I know,” she answered breathless. “I’m so glad.”

“Why?” He asked.

“What do you love about me?” she questioned him ignoring the fact that he had asked first.

“Your eyes, your hair, your long slender limbs, your smile, your sweetness, your sense of humor, your excellence in everything you do, your kindness, your courtesy, your willingness to be a servant to all”

“Stop!” She said, laughing. “That’s enough!”

“But none of that matters. It’s you I love and always will, no matter what.”

“How do you know?” she asked charmed and receptive.

“It’s the way I’m made. Good old Aldon, steady as a plow horse, sets his mind to something, goes straight at it, and keeps plowing until his days come to an end… until death do us part.”

“Maybe we’ll never die,” she said.

“My love for you will never die, because God put it in my heart. He wants you to be my mate for life. Would you consider that, big-city girl? I don’t have a lot of this world’s goods to offer, but I know I can make you happy.”

“Yes, I would consider it.” She pondered, holding her breath. She then made him wait while she counted to ten. “Yes, I’ve considered–I will be your mate for life.”

“Yippee-e-e,” his voice rose into a triumphal yell that echoed off the boulders. They had come to a deep place in the pond and Ellie felt her body grow light as if she would float right out of his arms. Aldon stepped into a hole and began to sink. There was nothing either of them could do, he lowered her into the water in time for her to stand on the bottom. He bent his head. She lifted her face to his. His mouth touched hers. They stood immersed in each other until her whole body was tingling. She wished he could hold her like this forever. She opened her eyes and saw over his shoulder that cloud sized green lights waved above the peaks. She had heard that sometimes the Arora Borealis could be seen from the pond. It was the seal of God’s love and approval on their approaching union.

The End

elegant lines

Epilogue

The same Sunday, Pastor Rudd performed the marriage ceremony in the church in town. The entire community attended. The bride wore a creamy satin dress decorated in imported lace loaned to her by her employer. She carried a small Bible borrowed from her mother. A silver dollar nestled in her pocket, and tiny, blue ribbon- rosettes held her veil at her temples. The groom wore a Western suit and a new pair of tooled boots that Ellie’s grandfather had brought from the store in Chicago.

On Monday they loaded their horses in the train and began the long journey to California, making plans as they went. Ellie knew that her family would soon follow, but they would buy a place nearby so they could still be a family.

Go West~Chapter 55

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Fifty One

Ellie

Lastus had an arm across Ellie’s throat so she couldn’t move and could hardly breathe. She heard someone speak from above.

“Let go, Lastus Slater,” the voice said, “or we’ll shoot.”

Lastus let go, dropping to the ground and whimpering. Aldon moved swiftly toward where Ellie had collapsed. As she looked up she saw two guns sticking out of an upstairs window. One was real, the other, obviously, a toy.

“Shoot that man, Mommy,” piped a child’s voice.

“Get up, man, don’t cower.” Aldon jerked Lastus to his feet and grabbed the front of his jacket. He marched him into the sheriff’s office, and Ellie followed. Aldon threw Lastus into a cell and closed the door with a clang. He stood watching the young man until a woman carrying a baby in her arms came down the stairs with a tiny-boned girl clutching her apron. Without a word, the woman handed Aldon a big key. He locked the cell door, touched the brim of his hat and handed the key back to the woman.

“Ellie, this is Phil Oate’s wife, Cathy.” Aldon smiled in a way that told Ellie he liked the plain looking young woman standing there.

“How do, ma’am,” the mother wore a flowered wash-dress. “This here is Calvin,” she offered the baby, and Ellie took him, not knowing what else to do. She’d never held a baby before, but in a moment he melted into the crook of her elbow and she relaxed.

“This here’s our Constance,” the mother nudged the child forward. “Say, how do, Ma’am.” The child stuck three fingers in her mouth and lowered her head.

“Hello, Cathy. What beautiful children you have, Cathy!” Thank you for rescuing us.” Ellie said.

“You’re most welcome,” said Cathy. “I’m sure you’d do the same for us.” She turned to Aldon. “Where’s Phillip?”

“He’s looking for this fellow’s brother.” Aldon said. “I heard you call his name, you must have seen him before.”

“Yah! The two of them have spent a night or two on our cots. They like their likker a bit too much. Did you eat?” Cathy asked sweeping her gaze from Aldon to Ellie and running it lightly over her son.

“Yes’m, and so did that bushwhacker there, don’t let him tell you any different,” said Aldon.

“I’ll have to cook his supper later, anyhow, but he’s not too picky, at least at breakfast time.” Cathy tilted her head and looked into the cell at Lastus who sat with his head down and his hands hanging between his knees.

Aldon turned to leave saying, “I’ve got to get gasoline for the automobile.” Aldon said, then he turned back. “Ellie would you like to come or would you rather stay here with Cathy and the kids?”

“You’re welcome to come up to the living quarters over the jail, but you’ll have to excuse the mess. I never get caught up.” Cathy’s voice was wistful.

“You don’t have any help?” Ellie asked.

“I do all right.” Cathy shifted the child to her shoulder and patted his back.

“Is there something I could do while I wait for Aldon?”

“Well, I am running out of diapers and I happen to have the laundry water heating out back. If you could do some washing I could red up the dishes, nurse the baby and get him down for a nap, then I’d come outside and help you. That’s a lot, though, isn’t it?” A blush crept into Cathy’s cheeks, as she looked shyly into Ellie’s eyes.

Vera had taught Ellie how to use the washing machine at home. It would be no trouble at all. Aldon walked her through the jail to the back door and opened it for her.

“Where do you suppose the washing machine is,” she asked him.

“We need to see that the county gets them one,” he said. “We just never thought about it.”

Ellie heard the window upstairs slide open. Cathy barely had to raise her voice to be heard. “Take the stick and fish the diapers out of that big galvanized tub where they’re soaking and throw them in the pot, hanging from the tripod. I already put in the soap flakes. Stir them around then take them back out so you rinse them in that other tub. That’s cold water, so you can wring them out before you hang them on the line.

By the time Ellie finished the difficult chore, she almost wished she hadn’t offered to help. She sat down on a rock and rested against the rough bark of a tree. When she woke she was being gently shaken by Aldon who leaned over her.

As he straightened up, she came out of a dream about him and as he pulled her to himself she slid her arms around his waist holding him tight. He held her too. In that moment, there was no past, no future, no diapers and no criminals. The ranch and their jobs no longer existed –only Aldon and Ellie. He lowered his head so that his lips could touch her waiting mouth and when he kissed her, one of them began to tremble, she couldn’t tell which one. Moving her head so that she could look into his eyes, she received his love as freely as he gave it.

Neither moved until the back door to the jail house opened and the sheriff came out.

“Hey, what’s going on!” he said in a mock gruff voice. You can get arrested for that.” His laugh boomed over the yard.

“Can’t you see we’re doing the washing?” Aldon said. He threw back his head and laughed with joy.

“The wife appreciates it,” said Phillip Oates with a chuckle.

“Thanks so much for washing them diapers,” Cathy said coming out with the little girl. “Calvin’s asleep

Go West~Chapter 53

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Fifty Three

Aldon

That evening, at home, Lia insisted everyone eat together at the long table in the kitchen, except Lastus. Aldon took him to a storage room on the second floor and handcuffed him to the iron frame of a bed. After the meal, the sheriff and Aldon went out to the barn to finalize their plans. Oates wanted to go back to the mountain after Furtus, and Aldon was ready to go too, but his friend insisted that he stay and make sure Lastus didn’t pull any funny stuff.

“We’ll meet in Artesia, can you get the train tickets and let the office reimburse you later?” Oates asked.

“Sure, Lastus and I will see you at the jail house in the morning,” Aldon agreed.

“He won’t give you no trouble,” Oates told Aldon. “Without his brother, he’s just an overgrown kid. I expect he’ll get a tongue-lashing from his Ma, though. She won’t care what he done, but she’ll get mad that he got caught.” Oates, now well-fed was able to see the humor in the situation. He left with a laugh and a wave.

Under strict orders not to uncuff Lastus unless it was absolutely necessary, Aldon fed him his supper. Neither of them had a word to say. As Aldon was placing the empty tray outside the door, Lia appeared at the top of the stairs. When Aldon saw her, he looked around for an escape route, but it was too late, he was trapped.

“This Lastus,” Lia pulled a small sheaf of folded papers from the pocket of her dress. “I think he was the one that carried me home the first Sunday Ellie was here. I wait until everybody goes to church then I go to the pond to paint. I hear a noise and jump up. My ankle goes scrunch and I faint from pain. Next thing I am laid out in the coat porch with these papers in my hand. That man must have been the one who wrote them.” She unfolded the papers.”

“Let me hear it,” Aldon motioned impatiently for her to read and get it over so he could leave. He closed the door to the room so Lastus couldn’t eavesdrop.

“Dear Miss Lady, Ma says me and Furstus needs to find some women. Ma says she is getting old and we need somebody to render bear fat, scrape skins, and tend the fire.

Now, Ma don’t care if the women we bring home are ugly or pretty, she wants them to help with the work and give her some granchilren to spoil. But to my way of thinking I’d just as soon have somebody with looks and that is you.

You never seen me before, but I live above Spruce Crick Ranch in the mountains. Today I seen you painting by the waterfall and dipping your pretty little fingers in the water. You are one fine figger of a woman. You would do for me; Furstus has got to find his own. I’m staking my claim on you.

You might wonder how it is I am able to write so good. Well the answer is Ma taught me to read and write. She was smart, but pa wasn’t. Ma says I take after him and I’m proud to know it. We never did go to school much except for that one day when Ma left us standing outside the schoolhouse door and the teacher come out and fetched us in. We was already full-growed. At recess the other kids called us Stinky and Fatty so we wrung the skin on their arms and made it burn. We then got beat with a rubber hose by the principal and chucked out of school and had to walk all the way home, which is a real far piece.

We never got such a beating from Ma because she’s an itty-bitty thing, but she has other ways of torturing us, like no food, so I’d rather take a thrashing from a real man. I don’t know why we didn’t gang up and fight back. Furstus has been after me about that, but I just didn’t feel like hurting the man when it was his school and we didn’t belong there. Them folks was too good for the likes of us. You are too, Miss Lady, but I got such a hankering to hold you in my arms, that I’m overlooking that to get you in my camp as fast as I can.