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    Friends & Foes
    Friends & Foes
    Friends & Foes
    Ebook153 pages1 hour

    Friends & Foes

    By Mildred Colvin

    ()

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    About this ebook

    An innocent wrong turn sticks Louella Tolivar in the middle of a train robbery that threatens her life and the lives of those around her. She is forced to make a drastic decision to protect those she loves including James Carlin, Pinkerton agent.

    James, better known as Jimmy in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, returns to his childhood playground on assignment to find Robin Hood, the ringleader of an outlaw network robbing trains from Kansas City, Missouri to Memphis, Tennessee. He reunites with Ellie and Robert, two best friends from his childhood, and becomes entangled with them in a life-threatening adventure no one expects or wants.

    As James fights to keep Louella safe from the outlaws who want her dead, she grows into the woman he would like to spend his life with. If only danger and death didn’t threaten with every assignment, they might have a chance, but can a lawman truly give up his badge? Ellie knows he can’t, but is she willing to give him up so he can continue the life he needs and craves?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMildred Colvin
    Release dateAug 8, 2013
    ISBN9781301905072
    Friends & Foes
    Author

    Mildred Colvin

    Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

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      Book preview

      Friends & Foes - Mildred Colvin

      Friends & Foes

      Mildred Colvin & Jonathan Colvin

      Historical Christian Romance

      Friends & Foes

      Copyright©2013 by Mildred Colvin

      Smashwords Edition 

      All Rights Reserved

      Cover Photo © Anna Yakimova | Dreamstime.com

      Cover Design by Nathan Adams

      I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms139: 15

      Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

      No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews.

      Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

      DEDICATION

      To the lovely ladies who helped make this

      in Mammoth Spring, AR series possible—Regina Tittel and Jamie Adams. I met them first online then in person and found friends and prayer partners as well as wonderful critters. Both ladies show a Christ-like spirit in all they do, and that same spirit is reflected in their writing.

      Jamie writes beautiful western stories of late 1800s Americana that will touch your heart and keep you turning the pages of her books. Look for Love’s Golden Quest and The Doctor’s Daughter.

      Except for an occasional trip into history, Regina, writes contemporary stories of suspense and romance that will have you on the edge of your seat as you read her books. Look for Abandoned Hearts and the entire

      Ozark Durham Series.

      Also to my son, Jonathan Colvin, who joins me in this adventure in the Arkansas Ozarks. I’m so thankful to have such a talented brainstorm partner and cowriter working with me. Expect to see many more books bearing his unique gift of action and humor in our upcoming titles.

      Out now—The Preacher’s Outlaw Bride.

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      Thank you to the Mammoth Spring State Park staff for their help and willingness to answer our questions. A special thanks to Josh Rogers, curator of Frisco Depot Museum at Mammoth Spring State Park for supplying us with an incredible amount of information that proved to be invaluable in creating this series.

      Chapter 1

      Mammoth Spring, Arkansas—Spring 1899

      Louella Tolivar smoothed her brand-new blue traveling coat and grasped the handle of her overnight bag as if it were a lifeline. Mama’s tears and Papa’s frown along with her older sisters’ scolding were almost more than she could bear.

      It was a wonder her well-meaning family had made it to the train depot without hog-tying her and locking her in the hotel cellar. She turned from them to absorb the hustle and bustle of activity around her. A short blast of the train whistle jerked her heart into a gallop. She could smell adventure in the smoke belching from the locomotive—as if one could smell anything good in burning coal.

      Louella Sue, are you listening to us? Her oldest sister, Olivia, stood before her with her arms crossed.

      Louella sighed and met her sister’s frown. Of course, I’m listening. How can I help it? We’ve been over this all before, and I’m not changing my mind.

      She loved her family, but they had such outdated ideas. Here they were, standing on the brink of the Twentieth Century, and they were all torn up because she wanted to do something worthwhile with her life. She couldn’t stay home and be the baby forever.

      Ellie! Hey, Louella! A male voice intruded, leaving Olivia with her mouth open and her finger ready to shake.

      Only one person would slip up and call her by her childhood nickname. Robert Hoyt rushed toward them.

      Louella’s heart sank. He’d been harping at her ever since she told him she was leaving. He was as closed-minded as her family. Everyone was so old fashioned, thinking a woman’s duty was to marry and raise a family. Their actions proved they didn’t respect her. If they did, they’d understand her need to leave this little trap of a town in the middle of these backwoods Ozarks.

      I only have a few minutes before I’ve got to get back to work. Robert took her arm and pulled her a few steps away from the others. His gray eyes stared into hers. Louella, please say you’ll marry me. I have a good job. We’ll find a house here and settle down.

      Oh, Robert, you don’t understand. She jerked her arm from his grasp. I have to go. I need to be on my own so I can become someone. I’ve been planning this forever.

      No, you don’t understand. Robert’s eyebrows drew together. I’ve always expected us to marry. What will I do with you so far away? We’ve been friends since we were small. I need you, Louella. And you need me. You know that.

      She tossed her head. You’re used to me. You don’t need me, and you don’t love me. She held her hands out to the sides. What we have is a friendly love. Someday, you’ll find a girl and you’ll fall in love. You’ll be glad you waited for her.

      If we got married, you’d stay at home.

      Louella snickered. Oh, Robert, you sound like a little boy who isn’t getting his way. I’m not interested in marrying anyone right now. I’m going to Broadway. That’s all I can think of—all I’ve thought of for years. I’m going to make a name for myself. I’m going to be noticed for a change. When my name is in lights, people will respect me and remember me.

      She twirled around and grabbed his hand. I’ll be immortalized, Robert. Think of it. She swept a hand out to the side. I’m nobody in this town. Why, I’ll wager in one week, everyone standing here except my family will have forgotten all about me. Not one soul in all of Mammoth Spring will miss me.

      That isn’t true. Robert pulled her closer, towering over her. I will miss you. You’re a part of me, Louella. I’ll miss you and think of you every day. I’ll be praying for you, too, and God knows you’ll need our prayers.

      Oh, Robert, you take everything way too seriously. I don’t care if you pray for me. I mean that’s nice, but honestly. You make it sound as if I’ll be in some sort of horrible danger if I step foot outside this dinky, little town. Louella let her gaze rove over the fields with cattle grazing in the distance.

      There was nothing here for her. The time had come to expand her horizons beyond northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Surely, she’d find so much more to see and do than she’d ever considered.

      Her gaze landed on a well-dressed man standing alone near the breeze-way between the two buildings. The quick beat of her heart wasn’t caused by his handsome appearance so much as from the way he looked at her. He turned away, and she wondered if she’d imagined it, but she didn’t think so. He’d been staring. As if he might have spoken to her if he’d been close enough.

      Oh, my! The excitement had already started. She met Robert’s gaze and gave him a sweet smile. She wouldn’t mention the man to him. That’d give him one more reason she shouldn’t board the train. Mama had told her about evil men who prey on young women. She didn’t need to hear the same thing from Robert. As if anyone would bother her. Louella shrugged. That stranger probably wasn’t even looking at me.

      Mama pushed her way to their side. The good Lord knows we’ve tried to talk her out of this foolishness, Robert. If you can’t do it, I don’t know who can.

      No, Mama, I’m not letting anyone talk me out of this opportunity. I’ve saved my money for a long time for this trip, and I intend to make the most of it. Louella turned toward her family as they crowded around again.

      Whoo! Whoo! The deafening blast of the train whistle sounded a warning to board while a plume of smoke rose from the engine. Excitement flared brighter than ever within Louella’s chest. She held herself in check to keep from bouncing.

      Mama gathered her close within her arms. You’re my baby, Ellie. How can I give you up?

      Louella’s throat choked with emotion so thick she couldn’t speak. She’d always been Mama’s baby. She felt so torn between the comfort of her mother’s arms and the desire to break free.

      Mama pulled back and wiped her face with her crumpled handkerchief. She’d been crying all morning.

      Papa shook his head and gave them a stern look. I oughta put my foot down and stop this foolishness. Can’t you see how you’re hurting your mama?

      I’m sorry, Papa. Louella fought her own tears. How much more of this could she take? I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I only want a chance to do something for myself.

      It’s more than that. Papa took her in a hug and spoke close to her ear. I’m proud of you for having the gumption to do what you feel you should. Still, you could run into some bad men, Louella. You know about the train robberies. Right around in these parts. You don’t want to get caught in the middle of a robbery, do you?

      Of course not. She looked up at him. But we’ve ridden the train before and nothing happened. I feel right about doing this, Papa. I’ll be fine.

      I hope so. I sure hope so. He stepped back as Olivia crowded in.

      Ellie’s oldest sister crossed her arms over the bulge of her unborn child and glared. I should think you would know better than to break everyone’s heart, Louella. What are you thinking?

      When Louella started to repeat her reasons for the hundredth time, Olivia held up a hand. No, don’t bother telling me. I’m sure I’ve heard it all. I don’t suppose anything I have to say will stop you, anyway. I just don’t understand.

      Well, me neither. Cora, their middle sister, shook her head. Look what happened to me. But who says anything’s going to happen to Louella? She should be allowed to do what she feels is right for her. You might as well go ahead and leave, Louella. Go on and find out what life is like away from here because you’ll forever wonder otherwise. You can always come home. Cora gave her little sister a knowing smile.

      Louella looked from one big sister to the other. Both were married and happy in their lives and the choices they’d made. Maybe Cora understood her better than anyone else, but even she couldn’t understand her problems, her desires, and the restlessness that drove her to seek acceptance. Nothing she said would make them understand. She held out her arms. Would you let me leave with a hug from both of you?

      Oh, Ellie. Olivia moved first to envelop her within her arms.

      Then Cora stepped closer and hugged her so tight Louella lost her breath.

      Olivia wrapped them all in a three-way hug. Or was it four? Louella felt the kick of her soon-to-be nephew or niece against her side and tears sprang to her eyes. She had their love, but it wasn’t enough. She needed their acceptance and their respect as well. She needed room to breathe. She pulled away first and swiped a hand across

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