Yellow Rose Bride. Lori Copeland

      

      Praise for CBA bestselling author

       LORI COPELAND

      “Copeland’s latest historical is a fun Western romance in the vein of Linda Lael Miller and Rosanne Bittner, with colorful characters and a spirited plot.”

      —Library Journal on Yellow Rose Bride

      “As always, Lori Copeland manages to find something new and fresh to bring to her ‘love and laughter’ Western romances. The wild ostriches, the cast of delightful, endearing characters and the added mystery all lend themselves to making Bridal Lace and Buckskin a delight!”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

      “Copeland scores big with her latest historical about a woman and a doctor who argue about the best way to handle women’s health concerns. The characters are strong, and the issue will resonate with contemporary readers.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKreviews on Bluebonnet Belle

      “A riveting adventure in page-turning mystery and laugh-out-loud humor. Lori Copeland at her best!”

      —Karen Kingsbury, bestselling author of Sunrise on A Case of Bad Taste

      Yellow Rose Bride

      Lori Copeland

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      To Cheryl Hodde, Brenda Minton and Barbara Warren;

       gal pals that keep me laughing through the ups and

       downs of publishing.

      Dear Reader,

      Often an author gets the privilege to revise older novels—to go back and say all she meant to say, but didn’t. Yellow Rose Bride is such a book. Originally published in 1996 in the secular market as Bridal Lace and Buckskin, Vonnie’s and Adam’s story quickly became a favorite with readers.

      In 1998, I moved to the Christian market, where I now write exclusively, but my older work lives on. I was asked to rewrite Buckskin for the Christian market, a God-given opportunity to portray the characters and their values in a new light. I hope you’ll enjoy the story—laugh and cry with a couple destined to be together both here and in eternity.

      Warmly,

      Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Chapter Seventeen

      Chapter Eighteen

      Chapter Nineteen

      Chapter Twenty

      Chapter Twenty-One

      Chapter Twenty-Two

      Chapter Twenty-Three

      Chapter Twenty-Four

      Questions for Discussion

      Prologue

      Louisiana/Texas Border, 1865

      A beleaguered set of riders topped a rise. Shoulders rounded and heads bobbing with fatigue, the weary band rode slowly toward home.

      Heat rose from the rutted surface in shimmering mirages; the horses’ heavy hooves left puffs of dry dust in the air. The backs and underarms of the men’s uniforms showed dark sweat pouring from bodies so thin that bones poked through their pale skin.

      The soldiers were young, mere boys. War had aged them far beyond their years, stripped their faces of innocence, toughened their hearts and attitudes. Fatigue and bitterness marked their features now; their eyes darted warily to every bush and ditch.

      Could it have been only three short years since they had ridden away from their families, filled with idealism, confident of victory?

      “Let the Yanks come!” they’d shouted. The South would give them what-for and send them packing, tails tucked in shame.

      With fear in their hearts and prayers on their lips, mothers had watched their sons ride into battle.

      Fathers had stood by, grim faced, throats working against painful knots that choked the very life from their hearts. A man didn’t cry, but he hurt. Hurt real bad.

      Reaching the crossroad, the soldiers paused to shake hands.

      Removing his hat, the oldest, El Johnson, spoke first, his voice dry and void of emotion. “Guess this is where we split up.” Horses shied, tails switching flies.

      The men nodded briefly before reining their horses in opposite directions.

      They had ridden only a few yards before El turned to shout over his shoulder. “No need to let this ruin our lives. War is war. A man ought not be judged for doing what he’s called to do.”

      Now they were forced to relive the past few hours. There wasn’t a one who would say they had intended it to happen. Coming up on that family—

      Nerves frayed, tempers short. The war was over, but apparently the family hadn’t heard the news.

      Each rider searched his conscience for some explanation, a straw to grasp to alleviate his own guilt. Had he believed his life to be at stake? Was that why it happened?

      There was no way of knowing now whether the family meant them harm. But if the farmer hadn’t pulled his rifle…if El hadn’t panicked and fired first…

      If.

      If.

      It had all happened so fast. One minute they were warily eyeing each other, the next, violence erupted.

      Brutal, unflinching violence.

      Shots rang out. Screams filled the air.

      Why? God, why?

      Heat wrapped around the men like a wet blanket, stifling and oppressive. The air smelled of sweat and blood. Time had stood still.

      Afterward, the riders stared transfixed at the lifeless bodies slumped on the blood-soaked ground, horrified