Bachelors of Battle Creek #3
Linda Broday
Historical Romance
Pub date: December 1, 2015 (ARC review)
H/h - Brett Liberty/Rayna Harper
Setting: Texas, 1879.
Read in November, 2015.
My rating:
[spoiler alert]
Forever His Texas Bride brings the conclusion to Linda Broday’s charming western historical romance series, The Bachelors of Battle Creek. I loved the previous 2 installments, and glad to report that this final installment held the same uncomplicated storytelling laced with the same sweetness and courage that never failed to make me smile.
This series tells the tales of three brothers—Cooper Thorne, Rand Sinclair and Brett Liberty, who aren’t brothers by blood but became so by circumstances. But the fierce loyalty and their love for each-other have never wavered. All were orphans when they met. Cooper being the eldest of the three has been taking care of Rand and Brett. Things haven’t changed much as he’s still the ‘big brother’ to them. Tragic past has bound these three men together since childhood. When they escaped the orphan train in search of a better life, the brothers didn’t know the dangers that lay ahead. Fortunately it was because of one kindly man and his contribution to their lives is why they now have a future. Isaac treated them like his own. After his death, they each inherited substantial amount of money to move forward. The brothers then arrived in Battle Creek to start anew.
After what they’ve suffered through, the brothers also took a vow to never to get leg-shacked. They were essentially loners and wanted to stay that way. There was even this bachelors’ club that they opened up to honor their vows. Only they didn’t know that there were 3 women out there to help them conquer their fear of love and commitment.
Cooper and Delta’s story is in book 1, Texas Mail Order Bride.
When he met Delta, Cooper already acquired a ranch called Long Odds.
They actually met because of a prank that brought her in town as
Cooper’s mail-order bride. A fact Cooper himself had no idea about! Even
though he refuses to marry her, Cooper couldn’t keep Delta out of his
mind. Delta, who had a rough childhood and nowhere else to go. Seeing no
other option, she decides to settle down in Battle Creek, one
particular rancher’s rejection notwithstanding; even if it had hurt her a
lot. Everything was going well; she even made friends and charmed
people with her wit, kindness and a ready smile. But no matter what,
nothing could hide the attraction between them, despite Cooper’s
determination to keep away. At one point, he couldn’t deny the fact that
he wanted much more with Delta than just a fling.
When an old
nightmare returns to haunt Cooper’s dreams and targets Delta knowing her
importance in his life, he had to act fast to save the love of his
life. With the help of his brothers, he accomplishes just that. After
that, the first bachelor of Battle Creek lost any in staying a bachelor
anymore.
In the course of the story, we were also introduced to
Rand and Brett. Rand was the charmer of the lot, the ‘acknowledged’
best-looking one. He was also quite the ladies man, until an epiphany
that changed the course of his life. Rand suddenly met his mother, who
he thought abandoned him when he was young. He had no idea she was even
living so close to him under a disguise that it all seemed like a dream.
What most didn’t know about Rand had a secret longing to become a
successful rancher, also to find his own woman and settle down. He even
started to court Delta after Cooper’s initial rejection. But a while
later, when she made it known that her interests lie in one man only,
Rand backed off.
Rand and Callie’s story can be found in book 2, Twice a Texas Bride.
Rand had already bought a rundown ranch called Last Hope with the money
he got from selling his saloon. The news of his past brought him some
peace, if not the contentment that was lacking. Rand decides to change
his ways for good and work towards his dreams. He’s determined to make a
home out of this ramshackle place no matter what lay
ahead. Then one Miss Callie happens to him, and Rand finds that his
life isn’t going to be as simple as he’d initially thought. Callie was
running away from someone, had secrets that she refused to reveal, yet
in a matter of weeks after she’s instilled in Rand’s home as his cook
come housekeeper, she begins winning him out. Oh she had to be the best
cook in the whole wide world and a man with Rand’s appetite appreciated
that skill. ;)
When they finally begin falling for each-other,
Callie’s own demons are revealed, with that a secret she held dear to
her heart. It could’ve destroyed their budding relationship but because
they both cared for each-other so much, it survived that battle. All
Rand ever wanted a home, a wife to love and to come home to. A room full
of children. He was finally going to get his heart’s wish, thanks to
Callie, who returned his affection and was grateful to him for
everything. The happiness that eluded her all her life was hers at last.
With 2 bachelors settling down, this leaves only Brett. He is
an ancient soul; a free spirit. He has a mixed heritage, half-Indian but
was abandoned very young by his family. Brett now owns his own ranch
called Wild Horses, where he tames and trains horses, living in his
handmade tepee. He’s the most reserved and sensitive of the brothers,
and has proven himself to be an excellent tracker in the past. His skill
comes handy in both books when his brothers needed his help.
At the beginning of Forever His Texas Bride,
Brett was returning from selling horses when he gets arrested by the
sheriff of a town just because of his mixed heritage. This sheriff,
Oldham, is as mean as they come. Comanche killed his family years ago,
and he never got over that fact. So he’d vowed to erase every single one
of them from this planet. Brett was going be another of his
casualties in this so-called “crusade”. Brett tries
his best to get away, but a bullet from the pursuing sheriff’s men
caught him off-guard. Then he’s taken to prison and treated like a pig,
with an ominous promise from Oldham. He’d be hanged ASAP, just because
Indian blood flows in his vein. Oldham, the a$$hole, didn’t forget to
take away the good amount Brett earned from selling the horse, oh no!
After all its money, what if it came at the cost of a
“lowly half-breed’s” life? What if it was the fruit of his hard work?!
At
the prison, Brett finds the most unexpected of cellmates. Rayna Harper,
a small-time thief, who was only trying to get by until one of Oldham’s
equally nasty deputies caught her. She’s been imprisoned here for a
long time. The deputy wants something from her that
Rayna is NOT willing to give. But she has no one else in this world of
save her from this situation, so the more days passed, the more it seems
that if she has to survive, she has to do the unthinkable. But with
Brett here, Rayna finds someone to talk to. The wound in his shoulder
was the first thing that needed to be taken care of. Devoid of any
decent company, Rayna tries to take care of Brett from the moment she
met him. However, it wasn’t until the kindly doctor’s arrival that she’s
given access to Brett’s cell to help the elderly gentleman.
Thankfully,
because Brett was absent for more days than he was supposed to, Rand
and Cooper got worried. And so they rode out to search for him. They
were worried because Brett didn’t keep any weapons other than his handy
knife, and he’d be traveling with quite a big amount… of course the
brothers wanted to check up on him. Their trail led them to a farmer who
saw Brett last, and from there, they finally found Brett in the prison,
just before his hanging. Cooper lords his authority over sleazy Oldham
and rescues Brett (and his money). But by then, quite a few days have
passed and Brett won’t leave without Rayna. Two lonely souls have gotten
to know each-other well, where I think Rayna was already halfway in
love with him because of the kindness that was so obvious in Brett.
Kindness was something Rayna has never known as we begin discovering her
sad past in the later parts of the story.
Rayna’s father was
abusive. A completely conscienceless guy, he was mean, addicted to
alcohol and women. Raymond Harper had a deep misogynistic streak and
would beat Rayna up if she ever rebelled against his wishes. The same
thing that saw Rayna’s mother’s disappearance. One day, after beating
her senseless, Raymond took Elna to a place unknown and returned alone.
He has never told Rayna where her mother was and that was the end of it.
Rayna’s family is extremely poor; they’re bonepickers, which makes them
some sort of a pariah in the communities. In fact, anywhere they go,
people stay away from them. Rayna hated her status in life, hated
Raymond Harper with her every being. But what we didn’t know in the
beginning was just how deeply Raymond had “used” Rayna for his own gain,
which left an equally deep and dark mark on her soul. Rayna wanted to
be free of that cursed life, which is why one day, she ran when the
opportunity presented itself. Her brother Hershel, who was her only
protector, the only person apart from Elna who had loved her, was
already dead by then. It was another act of kindness from him, he was
trying to save Rayna from being raped... again. After
that, there was nothing left for Rayna to do but run for her life.
I
didn’t think she lived a completely unharmed life after that, as lonely
as she was, though that part was left unsaid in the story. Maybe it was
for the better because I didn’t wanna dwell on it. At the moment, Rayna
was afraid her bonepicker past would catch up with her and Brett’s
brothers may not find her worthy enough to accompany them. Fortunately,
she didn’t know Rand and Cooper well, so it wasn’t surprising that
Cooper didn’t even bat an eyelash and obliged to Brett’s wishes.
When
they return to Battle Creek, Brett begins encouraging Rayna to change
her ways and become a respectable woman. Rayna already was craving that
and more. She wanted to make Brett happy. She wanted to be the kind of
lady Brett may come to like, even love, one day. But would she be able
to change her coarse ways, enough to entice Brett? Rayna didn’t know but
she vowed she’d try her best. Luckily, a need arouse for the doctor of
the town, who needed help badly around the hospital. Brett was so happy
with Rayna’s care back at the prison that he refers her to the doctor.
Soon enough, with a little training and guidance, she begins to prove
herself useful, someone of worth. And with Brett’s constant support,
Rayna begins to hope for a new life in Battle Creek.
It becomes
obvious shortly to Brett and Rayna that their attraction is mutual.
However, the way things were and the hatred bred by the racists– a good
example would be the incident that led to their meeting– was something
that bugged Brett a lot. He was in search of his roots for a long time
now but not knowing his own tribe or who his parents were has weighed on
his soul for long. And Brett didn’t want Rayna to get entangled in that
hazy world, even though he wanted her to be with him always. Rayna
understood but tell that to her heart, the poor thing! It wants Brett
and his strong, assured yet kind ways. She just wants to be with him.
Soon, we get to learn that Brett is a virgin. Women haven’t been his
forte, or more precisely, he never thought about them that way until
Rayna. Now his body wants to reciprocate, as their few fumbling kisses
would suggest, but Brett’s hands are tied. He’s adamant of not dragging
Rayna down in a path where not only she’d be an outcast in many
communities for marrying a “half-breed” but also, their union may lead
to her own downfall. No, not after all that she’d suffered.
Soon
thereafter, opportunities find Brett, so does the answers that have been
plaguing him for so long. To learn about his past, his birthright...
his own people. In the earlier installments, it was hinted that a woman
has been trying to find Brett through an investigator. Brett didn’t put a
lot of faith in it, though secretly he wanted to know if she’s related
to him or not. Sarah stops at Battle Creek one morning with her 14 yrs.
old son in tow, looking for Brett Liberty. Fortunately, Brett was nearby
and was able to receive them at the station. It was obvious that Sarah
was mixed, though her white genes dominated her Indian ones. But no one
can deny the Indian in Adam, and he seems extremely unhappy, surly.
Sarah
surprises Brett by introducing herself as his sister. Brett was hoping
for a relative, not his long lost sister! Here is someone who is not
only his own blood, but also can answer his questions! Even though, at
first, Brett was a bit hesitant, Sarah put his doubts to rest soon
enough by telling him about their tribe, the tragic past and how they
were torn apart by their cruel English grandfather. Their own father was
a young, English artist who came here and fell in love with the
daughter of their tribe’s leader. Their English grandfather never
accepted this marriage, their father perishing in an accident was all it
took for the man launch an attack on the ‘barbarians’. Brett was only
months old, but Sarah was 7 so she remembers bits and pieces of it quite
well. She was taken in by some kindly people, given education. She
married too but her husband up and left when he saw Adam after birth
crying adultery, which was not true. The man simply
couldn’t take it that his son looks like a “half-breed”. For all intent
and purpose, he seemed like another of those losers. No wonder Adam is
so unhappy all the time!
After his meeting with his family, Brett
helps settle Sarah down but there was Adam to take care of. Brett now
understood him well. Behind all those anger and rudeness was the hurt
caused by the abandonment of his father, also a fear of leading a life
where he’d be always scrutinized and hated by people. Brett knew that
life pretty well, he’s living it. When Sarah desperately asks for his
help in helping Adam adjust, Brett knew he had to do it. He would’ve
done it anyway though...... One day, as the first stepping stone of that
endeavor, Brett takes Adam to Wild Horses where he can teach him how to
appreciate the simplicities of life. He also wants Adam to check out
his horses, to see if he’d be interested in becoming a trainer like
himself. That should keep his worries away for a while.
Days
passed, and Adam begins to calm down with Brett’s influence. Not
surprising, Brett is like that. Then one day, they find an old Indian
man coming down the hill. He’s also very ill. When the man informs them
about a group of orphans hiding somewhere needing urgent help, Brett
jumps to action immediately. He finds at least 20 Indian children of
various ages being taken care of an elderly Sister. They were travelling
to orphanage when their wagon broke down and left them stranded in the
middle of nowhere. Moreover, some of the children were already showing
symptoms of some kinda illness that Brett couldn’t identify instantly.
Though he had his suspicions, he couldn’t leave those kids there so
Brett takes them all to his ranch to give food and shelter, then mull
over their next course of action.
Brett sends for the doctor of
Battle Creek, and Rayna accompanies him knowing Brett needed help. When
smallpox is diagnosed, Brett knew this may prove to be a problem, so he
has to be careful and keep the children here at Wild Horses until
they’re cured. But when Brett’s Indian-hater neighbor gets the wind of
it, things become nasty too fast, too soon. He already despised having a
half-breed so close to his own ranch, now he’s got an excuse to evict
him; if not, kill and rid the world of Brett’s kind. With him, Oldham,
who had been fired from his post after Cooper’s complaint to the Texas
Rangers, joins hand... soon, even Rayna’s own past returns to haunt her,
when Raymond Harper shows up with all his nastiness to blackmail her.
When failed and threatened by Brett, he also joins with those
ne’er-do-wells.
From then on, Forever His Texas Bride
goes to narrate a courageous story of how Brett faced down those thugs
day after day, night after night, quite tirelessly to protect the
innocent children under his care. A large portion of the story is
basically set on Wild Horses dealing with this continuous standoff that
threatened the peace loving Brett’s sanity. He goes to extraordinary
lengths in order to protect his loved ones. Brett did nothing to garner
such hatred and prejudice, but that's how it was. This even threatened
his budding relationship with Rayna, though it only solidifies their
match as they fight to keep the danger at bay with the help of Cooper,
Rand and their men. Good always triumphs over evil and in the end, days
of vigilance and unavoidable skirmishes pay off as together they defeat
the rancher who was the instigator of these violent incidents.
I
very much appreciated Rand and Cooper’s involvement in the story. Their
families are not featured as much as I would’ve loved but I understood
that they had to be kept safe, away from the whole thing. The epilogue
though features Delta and Callie and the children. It seemed that the
brothers were, at last, looking forward to their lives, spend happily
with their families. I’m surely going to miss this series, though I hope
the author considers doing a spin off featuring Adam and a few other
secondary characters we’ve seen throughout the series. 4 stars.
But
curious mind wants to know: what happened to that Bachelor’s Club after
the final, popular bachelor also ended up leg-shackled? :p
I
received this ARC, courtesy of Sourcebooks Casablanca, via
netgalley which didn’t influence my review and rating
in any way. 
0 comments:
Post a Comment
◈Thank you for visiting :)◈