A Shot at Love in the Wild West (Preview)

Chapter One

The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the small town of Tumbleweed. In the minister’s home, Tabitha stirred in her bed, slowly coming to consciousness. She yawned and stretched her arms, feeling the stiffness of the mattress beneath her.

As the minister’s daughter, Tabitha had grown accustomed to the strict routine of her family’s life. Her father was the head of the local church, and it was their duty to attend to the spiritual needs of the community. This meant that Tabitha was expected to assist her parents in every way possible, from preparing meals to helping with Sunday services.

With a sigh, Tabitha rose from her bed and began to dress herself. She donned a plain white blouse and a long skirt that reached her ankles, as was the custom of the time. Her light brown hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and her bright green eyes sparkled in the early morning light.

As she dressed, Tabitha thought about her life and her future. She was nineteen years old and had never been courted by a gentleman.

Tabitha wondered if she would ever have the chance to marry and start a family of her own. Her mother had assured her that she would, but only if she protected her reputation at all costs. The thought of being alone and unmarried for the rest of her life was a daunting one, and Tabitha couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear in her heart.

With a deep breath, Tabitha left her room and made her way to the kitchen, where her mother was already preparing breakfast. The scent of fresh bread and bacon filled the air, and Tabitha’s stomach grumbled in anticipation.

“Good morning, Mother,” Tabitha said, offering a small smile.

“Good morning, my dear,” her mother replied, not looking up from her work. “Did you sleep well?”

Tabitha nodded, taking a seat at the table. She watched as her mother expertly moved around the kitchen, kneading dough and frying bacon with ease.

“I was thinking,” Tabitha said hesitantly, “about the upcoming church picnic. Do you think I might be able to attend this year?”

Her mother paused in her work and turned to face Tabitha. “And why would you want to do that?”

Tabitha bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. “Well, I thought it might be a good opportunity to meet some of the young men in town. Maybe make some friends.”

Her mother shook her head, a disapproving look on her face. “You know very well that a young lady of your station cannot be seen fraternizing with just anyone. You must protect your reputation at all costs.”

Tabitha sighed, knowing that her mother’s words were true. She would have to content herself with the companionship of her family and the occasional visitor to their home. Her parents would choose her future husband, she was told.

As they finished breakfast, Tabitha’s father entered the room, dressed in his Sunday best. He greeted his wife and daughter with a smile, his eyes bright with anticipation for the day ahead.

“Are you ready, my dear?” he asked, turning to Tabitha.

Tabitha nodded, rising from her seat. She followed her father out of the kitchen and into the cool morning air. The church was just a short walk away, and as they made their way through the quiet streets, Tabitha couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace.

Tabitha and her father arrived at the church just as the sun began to rise higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the small building. They entered through the front doors, and the familiar scent of old wood and dust filled Tabitha’s nostrils.

“What a good morning, Father,” Tabitha said, smiling at her dad.

“It is a good morning, my dear,” her father replied, returning her smile. “It’s going to be a beautiful day today, isn’t it?”

Tabitha nodded, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air. She looked around the church, noting the dust that had settled on the pews and the altar. It was her job to help her father with the cleaning and maintenance of the church, and she took her duties very seriously.

“Shall we begin?” she asked, already grabbing a feather duster.

Her father nodded, and the two of them set to work. They dusted the pews and the altar, swept the floors, and lit the candles that would illuminate the church during evening services. Tabitha worked diligently, her mind focused on the task at hand.

As they worked, her father struck up a conversation with her, asking about her breakfast and how she slept the previous night. They chatted about mundane things, like the weather and the price of flour at the local market. Tabitha enjoyed these small moments with her father, knowing that he was a busy man and didn’t often have time for leisurely conversations.

“I’ve been working on my sermon for next week,” her father said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them. “I think it’s going to be a good one.”

Tabitha looked up from her work, curious. “What’s it about?”

Her father smiled. “It’s about forgiveness. It’s something that I think we could all use a little more of in our lives.”

Tabitha nodded thoughtfully, considering her father’s words. Forgiveness was an important topic, especially in a small town like Tumbleweed, where everyone knew everyone else’s business. She wondered if her father’s words would be well received by the congregation or if they would fall on deaf ears.

“I think that’s a wonderful topic, Father,” she said, smiling at him. “I’m sure your sermon will be well received.”

Her father returned her smile, and the two of them continued their work in comfortable silence. The sun continued to rise higher in the sky, casting bright rays of light through the stained-glass windows of the church. The dust began to settle, and the church began to take on a new life as it was prepared for the day’s services.

By the time they were finished, the church was clean and bright, ready to welcome the congregation for the day ahead. Tabitha and her father stood back, admiring their handiwork.

“Well done, my dear,” her father said, clapping her on the back. “You’re becoming quite the expert at this.”

Tabitha blushed, feeling a sense of pride at her father’s words. She knew that her work in the church was important, and she was glad that her father appreciated her efforts.

As they prepared for their next task, her father turned to her, his expression serious. “Tabitha, I want you to remember something.”

Tabitha looked up at him, curious.

“Your mother and I are very proud of you. We know that our expectations can be difficult to live up to, but we have faith in you. You’re a good person, Tabitha, and we love you very much.”

Tabitha felt a lump form in her throat, touched by her father’s words. She smiled at him, feeling a sense of gratitude for his love and support. “Thank you, Father,” she said softly. “That means a lot to me.”

As they finished the final preparations for the day’s services, Tabitha worked up the courage to ask her father a question. She knew her mother’s response, but she thought, since the morning was going well, she could ask her father.

 “Father,” she began hesitantly, “I was wondering if I could go to the church picnic next week.”

Her father paused in his work, his face growing serious. “The church picnic?” he repeated slowly. “With all those people?”

Tabitha’s heart sank at his tone. She knew what was coming next. “Well, the whole congregation will be there, of course…Just as they are here, every week…” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her father sighed, shaking his head. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Tabitha,” he said firmly. “It’s not proper for a young lady of your station to be attending such an event without a proper escort, and you know your mother, and I will be too busy to pay attention. And besides, it’s important that you maintain a good reputation. You don’t want any gossip or scandal to taint our family’s good name.”

Tabitha felt crushed by his words. She had hoped that her father would be more lenient than her mother, but it seemed that his controlling nature was even worse. “But Father,” she protested, “I’m nineteen years old. Surely I’m old enough to attend a church picnic without an escort.”

Her father shook his head again, his expression unyielding. “I’m sorry, Tabitha,” he said politely but firmly. “But my answer is no. We want you to remain pure, and we want the best for you. You must learn to accept that some things are simply not meant for you.”

Tabitha bit back tears as she turned away, feeling the weight of her father’s disappointment and disapproval. Other young ladies at church went. It was a church event. She was doomed to be hidden away. She knew that there was no arguing with him when he had made up his mind, and she was resigned to spending another summer day cooped up inside the house while the rest of the congregation enjoyed the sunshine and each other’s company.

As she went about her tasks for the day, Tabitha couldn’t help but feel a sense of bitterness and frustration. She loved her family and her faith, but it seemed like her life was constantly being restricted and controlled by others. She wondered if she would ever be able to break free and live her life on her own terms or if she was doomed to a lifetime of being told what she could and could not do.

As they left the church and made their way back home, Tabitha felt a sense of heaviness weighing on her heart. She knew that her mother would be waiting for them, ready to put her and her siblings to work on the never-ending cycle of chores and duties that filled their days.

Sure enough, as they entered the kitchen, Tabitha’s mother was already hard at work preparing the evening meal. She turned to greet them, a small smile on her face. “Welcome home,” she said. “I trust everything went well at the church.”

Tabitha and her father exchanged a glance, both of them knowing that the morning had been anything but easy. But her father simply nodded politely. “Yes, everything went smoothly,” he said.

As her mother turned back to her cooking, Tabitha joined her at the counter, eager to do her part. Together they chopped vegetables, kneaded bread dough, and stirred pots on the stove. Tabitha tried to focus on the simple tasks at hand, but her mind kept drifting to thoughts of what her life might be like if she were free to follow her own dreams.

She knew it was wrong to dream of more, to long for a life that was not meant for her. Her mother and father had always been clear about what was expected of her: to be a good daughter, a dutiful member of their church, and eventually, a respectable wife and mother.

But the thought of spending her whole life in this small town, trapped in a cycle of endless chores and obligations, was suffocating. She longed for adventure, for new experiences, for a chance to make a difference in the world.

As they finished preparing the meal and set the table, Tabitha’s mother began to speak again. “You know, your father has high hopes for you, Tabitha,” she said, her voice taking on a wistful tone. “He dreams of you marrying a minister one day, of course. Someone who can continue our family’s legacy in the church.”

Tabitha forced a smile, not wanting to disappoint her mother with her true feelings. “Of course, Mother,” she said quietly. “I will do whatever is expected of me.”

Her mother nodded, seemingly satisfied. But as Tabitha sat down to eat with her family, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness and resignation. This was her everyday life, filled with duty and obligation, with no room for her own dreams or desires. And as much as she longed for more, she knew that she could never let her parents down, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness in the process.

Chapter Two

Josiah Ferrell sat alone in his small cabin, finishing up his evening meal. He had just come home from a long day of work at the blacksmith’s shop where he spent hours hammering away at pieces of metal until they took on the desired shape.

As he ate, he glanced out the window and saw that the sun had already set, leaving the sky awash in deep shades of orange and red. He knew it was time to head out for the night, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him.

Josiah had always been a private person, content to keep to himself and avoid the scrutiny of others. But something about tonight felt different. He knew that he had to leave his cabin and venture out into the cold, dark night, but he couldn’t quite shake the sense of foreboding that had settled over him.

After finishing his meal, Josiah got up from the table and began to dress for the night ahead. He pulled on a thick coat and sturdy boots, knowing that the chill in the air would only get worse as the night wore on.

As he made his way outside, he took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was to come. He knew that he had to keep his wits about him, to stay alert and aware of his surroundings at all times. It was a dangerous world out there, and Josiah had learned long ago that one could never be too careful.

He walked through the dark, empty streets of Tumbleweed, the sound of his boots echoing off the wooden sidewalks. As he passed by the various shops and businesses that lined the main road, he could see the flickering of candles and oil lamps in the windows, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Before arriving at his destination, he had a stop to make: a small, run-down saloon on the outskirts of town. He pushed open the door and was hit with a blast of hot air and the stench of whiskey and tobacco.

The place was packed, with men and women of all ages crammed into every available space. The noise was deafening, with the sound of laughter and conversation blending together into a cacophony of sound.

Josiah made his way to the bar and ordered a drink, taking a seat in the corner where he could keep an eye on the room. He knew that he couldn’t let his guard down for a second, not in a place like this.

As he sipped his drink, he couldn’t help but wonder what had brought him here, night after night. He had moved to Tumbleweed four years before, hoping to start over after losing his parents to a quick illness in Chicago. He had traveled west with his friend, Saul, who had become a trader as soon as they arrived in town.

But Josiah had found work as a blacksmith, and he had settled into a routine that left little room for anything else. He worked long hours and kept to himself, avoiding the townspeople whenever possible.

But something about this saloon, with its rough crowd and wild atmosphere, called to him. Maybe it was the sense of danger, the feeling that he was living on the edge of something. Or maybe it was simply a way to forget the past and lose himself in the present.

Whatever the reason, Josiah knew that he would keep coming back, night after night, as long as he could. It was his own little escape, his way of carving out a space in this wild, unpredictable world.

After a while, he looked around. Spotting a few men from the town’s various shops and trades, he made his way over to them.

“Evening, gents,” he greeted, tipping his hat politely. “What brings y’all here tonight?”

One of the men, a lanky fellow with a scruffy beard, spoke up. “Well, we was just talking ‘bout blacksmithing, and we figured you’d be the one to ask.”

Josiah chuckled. “Well, I reckon you figured right. What can I do you for?”

The men peppered him with questions about their own projects and problems, and Josiah answered each one with a patient smile. But his mind kept drifting to the reason he had come to the saloon in the first place. He was procrastinating from his task.

“Josiah, you’re mighty quiet tonight,” one of the men observed.

Josiah snapped out of his reverie. “Sorry, fellas. Got a lot on my mind tonight.”

“You look like you could use a drink,” another man offered, signaling the bartender over.

Josiah accepted the drink gratefully and took a long swig. The burn of the whiskey warmed him from the inside out.

The men continued to chat amongst themselves, occasionally asking Josiah for his input. He was happy to oblige, but his attention kept drifting back to his predicament.

Josiah was chatting with the group of men when he noticed a woman eyeing him from across the saloon. She was wearing a tight, low-cut dress that left little to the imagination. Her makeup was heavy, and her perfume was overpowering. He could smell it across the saloon. Josiah felt uncomfortable as she made her way toward him, but he tried to keep a friendly smile on his face.

“Hello, handsome,” she said, leaning in close to him. “What’s a man like you doing in a place like this?”

Josiah tried to be polite, but he could feel his discomfort growing. “Just having a drink with some friends,” he said, hoping she would take the hint and move on.

But the woman didn’t seem to get the message. She ran her fingers through his blonde hair and leaned in even closer. “I bet a man like you has some stories to tell,” she purred.

Josiah could feel the eyes of the other men in the saloon on him, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I don’t think I have any stories that would interest you.”

The woman laughed, a high-pitched, annoying sound that grated on Josiah’s nerves. “Oh, I bet you do,” she said. “Why don’t you buy me a drink, and we can chat some more?”

Josiah tried to think of a polite way to refuse, but before he could say anything, one of the other men spoke up. “Leave him alone, Mary,” he said gruffly. “Can’t you see he’s not interested?”

Mary turned her attention to the other man, but Josiah could still feel her eyes on him. He was relieved when she finally wandered off to bother someone else, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort that lingered.

The other men in the saloon seemed to sense Josiah’s discomfort, and they tried to change the subject to something more light-hearted, Josiah was grateful for the distraction and joined in the conversation, trying to push the memory of Mary and her unwanted attention out of his mind.

As the night wore on, the saloon grew rowdier, and Josiah knew it was time for him to head home. He said goodbye to the men and made his way to the door, relieved to be leaving the noise and chaos of the saloon behind.

Finally, after what felt like hours of small talk, Josiah excused himself, citing an early start at the forge in the morning. As he made his way out of the saloon, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He had come seeking distraction from his problems, but he had been so preoccupied that he hadn’t been much company to his friends.

He made a mental note to make it up to them the next time he saw them, but for now, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

Josiah walked into the mercantile just before closing time. He quickly scanned the aisles, grabbing a few items and putting them in his basket before making his way to the front counter. The mercantile owner, Mr. Thompson, looked up from his ledger book and smiled at Josiah.

“Evening, Josiah. What can I do for you today?” Mr. Thompson asked.

“Just a few things, Mr. Thompson,” Josiah replied, keeping his voice low.

Mr. Thompson raised an eyebrow at Josiah’s purchases but didn’t press any further. He retrieved the items and rang them up on the cash register. Josiah paid with exact change, tipping his hat to Mr. Thompson as he left the store.

As Josiah walked down the street, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being followed. He turned around, but no one was there. He shrugged it off and continued on his way, keeping a firm grip on his basket of supplies.

Josiah was walking down the street, his mind elsewhere. He had been preoccupied with thoughts of his past and what his future might hold. His mind was so consumed that he barely noticed the people bustling around him. As he turned a corner, he collided with someone, causing both of them to stumble and their packages to fall to the ground.

“What in tarnation?” Josiah exclaimed as he picked up his packages.

Josiah picked up his packages and glanced over at the young woman he had bumped into. She was with a friend who looked as shocked as she did. He could feel the annoyance rising within him. He had been lost in his own thoughts, and these two had just added to his frustration. He didn’t interact with many people outside of his shop.

“Sorry,” the young woman muttered, looking up at him with wide green eyes. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

As the young lady hurriedly picked up the scattered packages, her breath racing with worry, Josiah’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “I’m sorry, miss. Are you the minister’s daughter?”

He didn’t like how panicked she was.

Tabitha’s head snapped up, her eyes meeting his for the first time. He saw that her eyes were a striking blue which were almost as striking as her light-brown hair. “Yes, I am,” she replied softly, trying to hide her nervousness.

Josiah nodded, “I haven’t seen you around town before. I’m Josiah Ferrell.”

Tabitha felt a pang of guilt for not recognizing the man who worked as a blacksmith in town. “I’m Tabitha. Nice to meet you,” she responded politely, holding her packages tightly.

Josiah couldn’t help but notice how nervous she seemed, and he felt bad for making her feel uncomfortable. He found her pretty and intriguing, but he knew he wasn’t ready for a relationship, even if she were interested. He wondered why she seemed so nervous and awkward in their brief interaction.

Tabitha and the other young woman she was with quickly excused themselves, and they hurried away.

Josiah watched as they left, feeling a bit disappointed that their interaction was cut short. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to Tabitha’s nervousness, but he knew it wasn’t his place to ask. He walked back to his small cabin on the outskirts of town, feeling content in his solitary life but also a bit lonely.

As he walked, he couldn’t help but think about the encounter. It bothered him that he had been so short with the young women, especially considering that he didn’t know them. He wasn’t usually so rude, but lately, he had found himself growing increasingly impatient with people.

Josiah arrived home and kicked off his boots before flopping onto his bed. He had to wait until the streets were empty before heading out on his next mission. He had completely misjudged the time. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind still consumed with the encounter from earlier. Had he been polite enough? Did she think he was rude or strange? It wasn’t like they had done anything to him. Maybe he was just stressed out from work. Being a blacksmith was hard work, and he had been putting in long hours lately. On top of that, there was the whole reason he had to sneak around today that weighed heavily on his mind.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the frustration that had been building inside of him. He couldn’t let himself get worked up over something so small. It wasn’t worth it. He had to stay focused if he was going to get all of this figured out. This was more than most people had to deal with all year.

 As he settled in for the night, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he wanted to get to know Tabitha better. 

Josiah closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, hoping that maybe one day he would be ready for a relationship. But that day was a long day off. Today, he had to focus on the task at hand.

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“A Shot at Love in the Wild West” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Tabitha Sanford, a headstrong and free-spirited woman, finds herself trapped in a compromising situation with Josiah, a man she has never held any affection for. As the small western town buzzes with gossip, Tabitha’s parents insist on her marriage to Josiah, plunging her into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Devastated by the news, Tabitha resents the idea of being tied to a man she barely knows.

Can her reluctant marriage to Josiah reveal a love she never saw coming?

Josiah Ferrell, a ruggedly handsome man, carries his own burdens from a shadowed past. Misunderstood and feared by the townsfolk, Josiah never expected to be thrust into a marriage with a woman who appears to despise him. Behind his stoic facade, Josiah conceals a tender heart yearning for acceptance and redemption. Determined to make the most of their forced union, he vows to prove to Tabitha that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Will he ever feel safe to show the tender depths he keeps hidden from the world?

Bound by circumstances, Tabitha and Josiah find solace in each other’s embrace, and their connection deepens with each passing day. Love blossoms amidst their shared struggles, but their happiness is threatened when Tabitha stumbles upon the secrets of Josiah’s dark past. In the face of adversity, will their love withstand the trials they encounter, or will it crumble beneath the weight of their adversaries?

“A Shot at Love in the Wild West” is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Get your copy from Amazon!