Caryl McAdoo – Romantic Excerpt – Part 3 of 3

Shannon here: Caryl McAdoo shares a romantic excerpt from her latest historical romance, Sins of the Mothers. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing. Winner’s choice print or digital. Deadline June 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Caryl:

Excerpt from Sins of the Mothers, end of Chapter One and beginning of Chapter Two:
Her wedding fell somewhat short, not exactly what she’d envisioned since a little girl. But the ceremony didn’t matter, nor the first awkward night. All that…nothing more than temporary.
What truly held any significance, she’d have for life—his name—Mis’ess Caleb Wheeler. And her love would carry her away on a grand adventure to California by way of New Orleans.
She’d heard so many stories about that town, she could hardly wait to get there and see it for herself. And she had all that buying to do, wouldn’t that be so much fun. The horse trader in her pawed the air and whinnied real loud.
She hated that the judge’s clerk served as her only witness, but being married—that’s what was important.
Who needed a big party with all her family and friends there to celebrate with her and shower her and her new husband with gifts? Her Daddy to give her away? Her new mother, the famous novelist, to give her advice? Not her.
Caleb patted her hand. “What’s wrong, Sweetness?”
She looked at him and smiled. “Nothing, just thinking I needed to get word to Daddy.”
“Want to write him a letter? Jefferson has a post office.”
“No, I was thinking once we reach New Orleans, I’d wire him a telegram.”
“How could you? Where would you send it to?”
“New York, to Mama May’s publisher. I’ve got the address.”
Caleb leaned back, exhaled, then smiled. New York was on the other side of the country. “I thought they had already sailed.”
“No, they were going to see her old home in North Carolina. Sea Side she called it, then spend a few days at her new house on Park Avenue. They don’t leave for another two weeks.”
“Good, that’s great. We’ll be in New Orleans in five days, and…” He shrugged, not enough time for him to get word to Levi Baylor. Last thing Caleb needed would be for the Texas Rangers to come after their little Mary Rachel.
“And what?”
“Well, don’t tell them exactly where we’re going yet. Let’s make sure we want to stay in San Francisco, then you can write them. Maybe they can come visit us in California after they get back.”
She nodded, then matched his smile. “Just now, I saw a bit of fear, didn’t I, husband of mine?”
“No.” Could she really read him so easy? “Well, maybe a little bit. After all, your brother and brother-in-law are two famous Rangers. If your daddy were to sic Levi Baylor and Wallace Rusk on me.”
“He wouldn’t.”
“If he did, I wouldn’t have a prayer of keeping you. Not a chance.”
She put her hand on his arm. “Yes, but you’re family now. We’re married, sweetheart.”
“Yes, we are, and I love you, Baby.”
“I love you too, Caleb. Now when does our ship sail?”
He drained the last of his coffee then stood. “Not for another three hours.” He nodded upstairs. “Want to catch a quick nap?”