Reclaiming the Runaway Bride
Seven years and two broken engagements haven’t erased Garrett Mitchell from Molly Scott’s mind. Her employer insists Molly and Garrett belong together. To appease the well-meaning matchmaker, the pair agrees to a pretend courtship. But too late, Molly finds herself falling for a man who might never trust her.
Garrett is a prominent Denver attorney now, not the naive seventeen-year-old who always felt second-best. Surely the string of suitors Molly’s left behind only proves her fickleness. Does Garrett dare believe that she has only ever been waiting for him? The third engagement could be the charm, for his first—and only—love.
Charity House: Offering an oasis of hope, faith and love on the rugged Colorado frontier
Garrett grasped Molly’s hand in his.
On the surface, the gesture was a common courtesy between two acquaintances. With the benefit of her glove as a barrier there should have been nothing to cause her alarm. But this was the first time in seven years he’d taken her hand without hesitation.
Molly liked the unexpected familiarity of the gesture, liked it far too much.
Blinking hard, she struggled to keep her composure. But his touch felt so right. Time seemed to slow, past overlaying present. And, still, Garrett held on to her.
He moved a step closer and her mind grasped one lone thought. This was Garrett, the boy who used to put her at ease when no one else could. The one who had comforted her, treasured her. Loved her.
She’d once believed that God had brought them together at the perfect time, and that the Lord’s hand had been guiding them toward a common future all along.
She’d been terribly wrong. Their chance to be a couple had come and gone a long time ago.
So why wouldn’t Garrett release her?
And why wasn’t she insisting he let her go?
RENEE RYAN
grew up in a small Florida beach town. To entertain herself during countless hours of “lying out,” she read all the classics. It wasn’t until the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Florida State University that she read her first romance novel. Hooked from page one, she spent hours consuming one book after another while working on the best (and last!) tan of her life.
Two years later, armed with a degree in economics and religion, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency and a cosmetics conglomerate. She moved on to teach high-school economics, American government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. Several years later, with an eclectic cast of characters swimming around in her head, she began seriously pursuing a writing career. She lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her own hero-husband and a large fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear.
Finally a Bride
Renee Ryan
Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
—Ruth 1:16
To my beautiful, talented, intelligent, gifted daughter, Hillary Anne. You inspired Molly from the moment she showed up on the page several books ago. It’s been a joy and honor to watch you grow into a loving, Christ-following young woman. You make your mommy proud!
Contents
Chapter One
Denver, Colorado, 1894
Molly Taylor Scott knew most people considered her a delightfully charming, sometimes frivolous young woman who loved being engaged almost as much as she loved the Lord. Molly would agree with this summation of her character, mostly. However, she would argue one key point.
She was never frivolous.
Especially when it came to matters of the heart. Thus, as she stood outside Denver’s most exclusive millinery shop, surrounded by several would-be suitors, she treated the situation with utmost gravity.
Twirling her parasol, she gave the men her undivided attention. A rather difficult task, when one of the four seemed determined to monopolize the conversation. Molly stopped listening to the conversation as something—someone—exited the Arapahoe County Courthouse one block north.
Senses poised, she turned her head ever so slightly and caught sight of Garrett Mitchell moving at a clipped pace in her direction. He looked incredibly handsome today, every bit the successful attorney