Hers to Love, a finalist in the Hearts Through History Contest, tells about Marinda and her doctor, Ethan Braddock.  These two give trust and a forever-after kind of love a whole new meaning. Read Excerpt

He offered to take her out to the farm when she was ready.  While Marinda washed up and changed her clothes, he stepped out into the yard, shucked off of his starched white shirt and began chopping wood. 

Marinda’s courage astounded him.  He’d had no idea her situation was so dire.  He stopped to wipe his brow with the back of his hand.  Glancing up to a window, he saw that Marinda watched him.  When he waved, she quickly stepped out of view.  He chuckled and continued with his task.

An hour later the buggy bumped along the rutted road to the farm.  “Did I embarrass you, Miss Benjamin?”

“Embarrass me?”

“When I stripped my shirt off.”

She nodded.  “Yes, but I’m fairly certain I enjoyed it.”

He chuckled.  “Oh, my dear, you are such a delight.”  He glanced at her.  “I’ll send Patrick along in about a week to cut enough firewood to keep you going for a while.”

“Why?”  She raised that stubborn chin of hers.  “I’ve been doing fine on my own up till now.” 

“Maybe you shouldn’t have to do it anymore, hmmm?”

He pulled the buggy to a stop before they reached the barn and turned to her.  “Let me see your uninjured hand.”  He placed hers against his.  “Do you see the difference?”

“Yours is a lot larger than mine.”

“Mine is meant to swing that ax, yours isn’t.  I’d rather see all your fingers attached and not laying on the ground in the dust.  Understand?”

She gave him the mutinous stare he was starting to recognize as pure Marinda.  “Close your eyes,” he said.

“What?”

“Do as I ask.  I won’t hurt you.”

When she did as he requested he leaned very close to her ear.  “All you have to do is say thank you, Miss Benjamin,” he said in a near whisper.

“But—”

He pressed his finger against her lips.  “You’re a beautiful woman.  I felt a hero today helping you.  Don’t take that away from me.  Just say thank you.”

When he moved away, her eyes flew open.  Their gazes locked. “Thank you,” she said with a flicker of amusement in her eyes.