The rugged doctors redem.., p.1
The Rugged Doctor's Redemption, page 1
The Rugged Doctor’s Redemption
STAND-ALONE NOVEL
A Christian Historical Romance Book
by
Olivia Haywood
Disclaimer & Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright© 2023 by Olivia Haywood
All Rights Reserved.
This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher
Table of Contents
The Rugged Doctor’s Redemption
Disclaimer & Copyright
Table of Contents
Blurb
Letter from Olivia Haywood
Be a part of the Olivia Haywood family …
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
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Epilogue
Are you Ready for your Next Read?
A Divine Bride’s Mix-Up
Blurb
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Also by Olivia Haywood
Blurb
For Abigail, a letter that wasn’t meant for her sparks her life's journey. An unexpected mail-order bride was the last person Jack expected. Can their paths align with a divine plan?
Abigail’s life changes when a letter unveils news about her dead sister's secretive correspondence as a mail-order bride. As Abigail grapples with this revelation, an even more dire threat emerges: a menacing gang's ultimatum that could rob her of her father. A divine vision sparks a journey where the very mail-order bride ad meant for her sister becomes her lifeline. Can this path unveil the unexpected love she never thought possible?
Jack bears the scars of the profound loss of his family. Guilt etches deep, and bitterness shrouds his heart once open to faith. Yet in the midst of this solitude, a tempest arrives in the form of Abigail, an unwavering force of faith and compassion. Unbeknownst to Jack, her arrival heralds unexpected change. Will Abigail's warmth and determination melt the ice of his heart, guiding him to a path of divine love?
As they navigate newfound closeness, the ranch begins to feel like home again. But beyond its boundaries, dark forces conspire to tear apart all that Abigail and Jack hold dear. Will they find a way to follow His divine path and live happily ever after?
Letter from Olivia Haywood
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
This was the little verse from Philippians 4:13, I heard for the first time at Sunday's service, and it was meant to change my life. I was just a little girl, accompanying my dearest grandmother to church back then, but I was inspired and ready to conquer the world!
A Christian, a mother, and a nature enthusiast are three words that can describe me precisely!
Literature is my number 3 passion, after my two children. So I started writing about whatever made me dream or what kept me up at night. After grabbing my BA in English literature, I bought my very first laptop and never looked back.
I enjoy Christian retreats in nature when my mind and soul are connected to the Lord. When I'm not writing, which is a pretty rare phenomenon, I love cooking for my family, organizing bible nights, and of course, reading non-stop. I'm also a football fanatic when my boys are on the team!
I can't think of myself doing anything else! I know this is the purpose God gave me; to write about the wholesome love and people finding Him through their lives journey. One thing I know for sure is that "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand".
Let's dive together into the magical stories about wholesomeness, love, and redemption - like a big Christian family.
May grace and blessings be in your path,
Be a part of the Olivia Haywood family …
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Prologue
Fort Scott, Kansas: 1876
Lena Moore held the brown envelope up to her eyes. Her heart was pounding, and a lump had formed in her throat.
This was it.
Henry, the postmaster who was standing across from her, peered up from sorting the town’s mail and raised his eyebrows at her.
“Is something wrong with the letter, Miss Moore?” He asked curiously, and concern flashed in his dark brown eyes as he scratched at the back of his head, tousling his dark hair in the process.
Lena’s large brown eyes flitted up from her perusal of the letter. That was one trait that she had always been complimented on ever since she was very young—her large eyes that gave her a look of innocence. As she got older, they served to mask the fierce spirit within her. No matter what the contents of this envelope held, it was that fearless determination that instigated its arrival.
“Nothing is wrong at all. Quite the opposite, in fact,” she said, unable to hide the grin that spread across her face or the tinge of pink that blossomed on her cheeks. “I have just received a letter that I have been hoping to receive for a long time, and I find that I am just thrilled is all—if not a touch anxious.”
Perhaps more than a touch, Lena thought, tucking a strand of her auburn hair behind one ear. The letter she held in her hands could be an answer to her prayers—an opportunity that had the potential to change her life.
Henry offered her a warm smile. “The letter holds good news, I hope.”
Placing a hand over her bosom, Lena replied, “Oh, I hope so, too.”
Bidding Henry farewell, Lena stepped out of the post office into the bright sunlight. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the change in lighting, the rays of morning sun gilded the town in soft shades of amber and violets, providing a stark contrast to the dimly lit post office. A cool breeze whipped Lena’s long hair across her dainty shoulders and tossed her red skirt and bustle about her legs.
She walked quickly, hurrying along the dusty main road of Fort Scott, Kansas—her hometown, and the only place she had ever known. She skirted around cowboys on horseback and horse-drawn wagons as she headed to the outskirts of town.
Lena recognized a few friendly faces as people milled about the town square and the various sidewalks. They flowed in and out of the general store, bakery, and other establishments essential to the residents of Fort Scott. Her skin tingled as she glanced back at the letter grasped in her hand.
The long-awaited letter came from Washington University School of Law. She dared not open the letter in public, choosing to wait until she arrived home in case the letter bore unwelcome news. It would not bode well for Lena to give way to tears in public should her application have been denied. She hated the idea of showing any sign of weakness, especially when she already appeared dainty. All the more reason to hurry home as fast as her legs could carry her.
Lena passed by outcroppings of farms and properties, the fresh perfume of summer grass and wildflowers wafting into her nose. A frown etched over her brow as her thoughts turned to the reason why she wanted so deeply to be accepted into this university.
Ever since she was a young child, Lena had yearned for the opportunity to study law. And when she had heard the news that the first woman had been accepted into the Washington University School of Law, Lena longed to follow in that woman’s footsteps. It was important to her to mark her place in the history of women in law, but that was not the only reason.
No, her biggest motivating force behind her dream was rooted in the memory of her beloved parents, Laura and James Moore, who had been killed in a stagecoach robbery when she was only ten years old. Tears pricked around Lena’s lashes as she rec
The gang who had murdered her parents had escaped, and therefore had never been brought to justice, but Lena vowed after her papa and mama’s burial to dedicate her future to fighting on behalf of good and ensuring that those who mean others harm serve time for their crimes.
Never did she want another family to suffer what she had endured, for the worst part was the lack of closure, knowing that the men who took her parents’ lives were still out there somewhere. They never had to pay for what they did or what they took from her.
After her parents’ deaths, Lena was raised by her grandparents. During this time, Lena found an escape in literature, pouring over books. She especially loved reading novels where the villain paid for his crimes and the rangers ensured justice was met.
And when she entered adolescence and fiction no longer quite quenched her thirst for justice, at around twelve years of age, Lena had stepped into the kitchen where her grandmother, Flora, was cooking and announced, “When I grow up, I am going to be a lawyer!” Her eyes had grown wet with tears as she recalled her loving parents. “I want to put bad men behind bars, so they can never hurt people like—” her voice had cut off as she choked on a sob. Her chin trembling with restraint, she continued. “Like they hurt Ma and Pa.” She sniffled and squared her shoulders. “I am going to bring justice to the world.”
Her grandmother had set down the wooden spoon she was stirring the soup with and approached Lena. She bent forward and pulled Lena into her arms, nuzzling her auburn hair. “That sounds like a wonderful life goal,” she breathed, her voice choked with emotion. She had drawn back slightly and cupped Lena’s cheek. “I know you can do it.” She had nodded. “I believe in you. And I believe the Lord will help you become a lawyer since this is what you desire to do to serve Him.”
“Do you really think so?” Lena asked. She thought about how some people in the community might react to the idea of a woman pursuing ambitions beyond becoming a wife and mother. There had been unfavorable editorials written in the newspapers about Arabella Mansfield, who had been admitted to the Iowa state bar exam. Dissenters had argued that allowing women to practice law would lead to women eventually being made governors, judges, and even sheriffs.
But Flora Moore was never one to give into such outrage associated with the changing of the times.
“I do believe He will help you. Don’t you remember what Psalm 121:1-2 says? ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’ Believe the Lord will help you, Lena, and you will succeed.”
Peace had washed over Lena as her grandmother recited that familiar Scripture, and fresh determination filled her veins. “You’re right, Grandma. And I will pray every single night before bed and ask Him to help me succeed.”
“That’s my girl,” her grandmother had said, offering a warm smile to her granddaughter. “If you put in the hard work and determination, then God will meet you the rest of the way.”
Lena blinked and smiled, her memories dissipating, her mind returning to the present as she arrived back to the ranch where she lived with her grandmother.
Her grandmother’s home was a lovely two-story log cabin with a gable roof, two dormer windows, and a full-length porch that outfitted the front of the house. Racing up the porch steps, Lena burst through the front door.
“Grandma?” Lena called, unlacing her ankle boots. “Grandma, it came! The letter from Washington University.”
Footsteps sounded in the kitchen off to the right of the foyer as Flora stepped into the room. Though the corners of her eyes were crinkled with the lines of age, and her hair held more wisps of gray than they did the maple brown of her youth, Flora’s face brightened with excitement to mirror her granddaughter’s. Her grey eyes snagged on the letter Lena extended.
“Well? Did you get accepted?” Flora asked eagerly.
Lena shrugged. Wincing, she thrust the letter into her grandmother’s hands. “I haven’t even opened it yet. I can’t.”
Flora raised a brow. “Since when has my granddaughter not been able to do anything?” She gave her a knowing look. “Why, the day you can’t accomplish what you set your mind to, is the day I regain my youth.”
“Grandma!” Lena cried, huffing in exasperation. “This is no time for your teasing.” She shifted her feet. “Please open it. I can’t. If I read it and I learn they denied my admittance…”
Lena’s voice drew off, and she bit her lower lip. Her palms grew clammy, and she found her heart was beating so hard against her ribcage that she could hear her pulse in her ears.
Flora sighed. “All right, all right.”
She tore the envelope along its side and opened the letter. Lena’s breath stilled as she watched her grandmother’s every movement.
Flora’s eyes perused the letter, her gaze flitting across the penned words as she mumbled beneath her breath. Lena licked her lips.
“W-what does it say?” Lena asked. Her heart pounded against her ribcage with such might that it rivaled a hummingbird’s flittering wings.
Flora’s gaze flicked upward to connect with Lena’s. “You said to open it, and I did. Shall I read it to you as well?”
“Grandma!”
“Oh, fine,” Flora laughed. “Don’t let your skirt get all in a flutter.” Flora read the letter.
Flora read the letter, but it took Lena a second to process what she had said. After her ears caught on the words ‘you have been accepted,’ she let out a gasp, her hands flying to her mouth.
“I got in,” Lena breathed, her eyes widened. She fastened a disbelieving glance at her grandmother. “I actually got in!”
Her grandmother nodded knowingly. “Well, of course, you did, dear! I never doubted you would for a minute.”
A jubilant shout tore from Lena’s throat, and she wrapped her arms around her grandmother in a tight embrace. Flora returned the hug. It was finally happening. All of Lena’s dreams were coming true. She would become a law student—study law in St. Louis!
St. Louis. The word deadpanned in the pit of Lena’s stomach, leveling her excitement.
St. Louis, Missouri was hundreds of miles away from her home in Kansas. Away from her dear grandma.
Lena was not a fool. She had realized that should she be accepted, she would have to leave her grandmother behind, yet the idea of being accepted to such a prestigious university had seemed so far out of reach at the time—a ludicrous ambition. The chances of getting in seemed so slim to Lena that she had not given it much thought.
But now that it was a reality, that the hour of her dream was at last upon her, Lena found her heart clenched with dread at the thought of leaving home.
Lena drew away slightly to look her grandmother in the eye. Her grandmother blinked up at Lena.
“What is it, dear?” Flora asked, placing a gentle hand on Lena’s arm. “Why do you seem so fretful when you should be jumping for joy?”
“I don’t think that I can go,” Lena said, and her shoulders slumped. “I can’t. It was silly of me to think it was practical. I would have to leave you all alone and—”
