Hosea's Bride

Dorothy Clark

Forced into prostitution by her stepfather, Angela Warren found salvation one dark, terrifying night in Crossroads Church. The words of a handsome visiting preacher and the strength she found in the Lord led her to a new life in Harmony, Colorado.But Angela' s hard-won happiness was threatened when her church appointed a new pastor, Hosea Stevens– the very preacher who' d saved her years ago. Angela tried to avoid him, lest he recognize her, but Hosea persisted in knowing her better. Panicked by his romantic interest– and her own feelings– Angela fled, but Hosea pursued her. Could he bring her back to his church… as his bride?

Light from the oncoming car pierced the night, spreading in an ever-widening swath across the pavement behind her as it approached. She had to hide. But where?

The deeper darkness of a recessed doorway appeared on her left. She darted up the short flight of stairs, then wedged against the side wall as a long black car pulled up to the intersection. She grabbed the doorknob and gave it a violent twist. The latch clicked back as the gleam of the headlights threw her shadow against the painted wood. At that moment, she yanked the door open and leaped inside the building. She slammed the door closed and collapsed against it, her chest heaving with silent sobs.

“Good evening.”

She jerked upright as an elderly man smiled and handed her a leaflet. In the center of the cover was a large cross with the word Crossroads emblazoned on the horizontal bar.

Hysterical laughter bubbled up in her throat. She was in a church. Of all places!

DOROTHY CLARK

is a creative person. She lives in a home she designed and helped her husband build (she swings a mean hammer!) with the able assistance of their three children. She also designs and helps her husband build furniture, and does remodeling and decorating for family and friends. When she is not thus engaged, she can be found cheering her grandchildren on at various sports events or band and chorus concerts, or furiously taking notes about possible settings for future novels as she and her husband travel throughout the United States and Canada. Hosea’s Bride is Dorothy’s debut novel. Her first historical romance, Beauty for Ashes, will be a June 2004 release from Steeple Hill Women’s Fiction. Dorothy enjoys hearing from her readers, and may be contacted at dorothyjclark@hotmail.com.

Hosea’s Bride

Dorothy Clark

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

And I will betroth thee unto Me for ever; yea,

I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness,

and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in

mercies. I will even betroth thee unto Me in

faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

—Hosea 2:19-20

This book is lovingly dedicated to my best friend,

hero and husband, Ralph; my children, Craig and

Tina, Brenda and Jay, and Cory; my grandchildren,

Megan, Shaina, Mason and Hillary. How could I

ever write books about love without you in my life?

You are all wonderful and special, and I love you to

pieces. To my sisters Virginia and JoAnn, thanks for

the prayers and support. Marjorie, thanks for those

things and for being so careful of my time

(Mt.10:41). To my nieces and nephews, thanks

for rallying around, guys! I love you all. To Johnny,

Orv, and Jody Kay, who live forever in my heart.

And most of all to my Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ. Truly, in Him, all things are possible.

Special thanks to Pastor Ron Jutze and his wife,

Shirley, for their unfailing love, support,

encouragement and prayers on behalf of my writing

ministry. I will never forget Pastor Ron’s reaction

when he read the prologue! You guys are the best!

To God be the glory!

Contents

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