Our Desperate Bride (Treasure Falls Brides 2)

CHAPTER21

The next day before Beth left, Daisy managed to corner her. The woman needed to know how her own story had turned out. How sometimes leaving could be a good thing.

“Beth, can I speak to you for a moment?” Daisy asked.

They were going to the stage depot in less than an hour, and Daisy needed to tell her sister-in-law to remain strong.

“Your brother is a special man. And while I’m sure you don’t understand our relationship, all I can say is that he and Ellis have been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

For the next ten minutes, she told her what Thomas Jones had done to her and how her father kicked her out into the streets. The girl’s eyes widened and she grabbed her hand.

“I didn’t really want to leave Charleston, but the new start was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m happy and I hope that someday soon, you’ll be happy as well.”

The girl sniffed and then threw her arms around Daisy’s neck.

“I’m so glad my brother has found someone he loves. I can see it in his eyes that he adores you. I’d like to find the same type of love.”

Lee loved her? Daisy knew how she felt about her men but was waiting for a special time to convey her feelings. But for someone who knew Lee, to recognize the emotion, filled her with joy.

“Thank you,” she said. “Now let’s get you to the stage. Your brother is going to be devastated that you’re leaving, but we all know it’s for the best. But don’t forget where we are. Write and if you ever have the chance, please come see us.”

“You know I will,” Beth said. “I just wish I could stay here and get to know you better. We’re sisters now and I’ve always wanted a sister.”

Daisy’s heart beat quicker as she thought of her own sisters, how much she missed them. You never knew how important that connection was until you lost it.

“And you have one. Even though we’re long distance.” Daisy hugged the girl. “Be strong, Beth. You deserve happiness, just like I deserved happiness, and I think I’ve found mine.”

An hour later, they put her on the stage, all of them crying as they said their good-byes. But Beth promised to write as soon as she arrived in Texas.

As they turned to leave, their hearts were heavy. And Daisy was filled with hate for men who took advantage of women. Why couldn’t they let live and let live? Why did some men think women were easy targets who they could use to their advantage?

When they reached home, Lee glanced at her.

“Oh, there was a letter for you,” Lee said, pulling out the envelope from his jacket.

“Me?” Daisy said then realized it could be from her sisters. She grabbed it and took it outside to read.

But it wasn’t from her sisters. No, it was from her father. And his words stunned her.

Dearest Daisy,

I was wrong to take Thomas Jones’s side. I should have believed my daughter and known she would never let a man do that to her.

For nights, I could not sleep for worrying about where you slept at night. Your mother has been angry with me ever since you left and then when we read the newspaper and saw where other women had come forward to say that Thomas Jones was a rapist, she’s hardly spoken to me.

Believe me, I had no idea that such an outstanding citizen could be so despicable. He’s been completely ostracized from society and is no longer the most eligible bachelor. In fact, no woman wants to be near him thanks to you and what you’ve done. Because I know my girl, I know you hung the sign on his gate.

It was a brilliant idea.

I’m begging for your forgiveness. I’m pleading with you to come home. You’re my daughter and I was wrong not to realize the outstanding young woman you are. Please forgive me and come home to us.

Your loving father,

Papa

She reread the letter several times and tried in her heart to forgive him. He’d made a very costly mistake, and now it seemed he was paying for it. While it would do no good to harbor ill will toward her father, the most important thing she was proud of was that she had saved other women from Thomas Jones. Saved them from a predator but at a terrible cost.

Yet, just like she’d told Beth, she was so grateful for where she had landed. She had a beautiful home and two husbands who she had fallen in love with. A town that accepted her for who she was.

Yes, she was glad to receive the letter from her papa giving her forgiveness but that didn’t seem to matter much anymore. What was important was right here in Treasure Falls. Her two husbands and hopefully soon, a family.

Standing, she walked inside the house. No, she would not be returning to Charleston. No, she would not be leaving her men. They were married and she was their wife. This was her home.

This was her destiny.

No longer was she desperate.

A sense of peace settled over her as she glanced around her home. Time to make supper for her men.

Taking the letter upstairs, she laid it on the dresser. Then she walked into the kitchen and began to prepare tonight’s dinner, a sense of rightness settled over her.

This was her life and she was glad. There was nothing for her back in Charleston. Nothing.