The Iron Wagon
Authors: Al Lacy
John “the Stranger” Brockman returns
,
fighting for law and order in the American Old West
The American frontier was often a wild place where ruthless outlaws reigned supreme. However, as westward expansion continued, the settlers demanded law and order. Marshals and sheriffs were in high demand in some of the most lawless settlements as well as in the numerous mining camps that dotted the west.
For years, John Brockman was known simply as “the Stranger.” Stories circulated all over the West about his generosity, justice, and honor, as well as his skill with a Colt .45. Now a chief U.S. marshal in Colorado, John’s adventures are far from over.
The romantic tale of John and Breanna Brockman continues amid a series of gunfights, fistfights, and showdowns. The Return of the Stranger Series promises explosive Western action, callous desperadoes, heroic lawmen, and strong family ties.
Well-known storyteller Al Lacy began writing Christian historical adventures more than sixteen years ago. His beloved wife, JoAnna, became his coauthor eleven years ago. While Al chronicles history and biblical truth from one heart-pounding novel to the next, JoAnna weaves in romantic elements and family values.
Together, they invite you to come along and experience a glimpse of the past—a time when outlaws and marshals rivaled each other and a place that evokes the simplicity of the Old West while revealing the complexity of human nature in light of eternal truth.
O
THER
N
OVELS BY
A
L AND
J
O
A
NNA
L
ACY
R
ETURN OF THE
S
TRANGER
T
RILOGY
Outlaw Marshal
Deadlock
T
HE
K
ANE
L
EGACY
SERIES
A Line in the Sand
Web of Destiny
High Is the Eagle
A P
LACE TO
C
ALL
H
OME
SERIES
Cherokee Rose
Bright Are the Stars
The Land of Promise
D
REAMS OF
G
OLD
T
RILOGY
Wings of Riches
The Forbidden Hills
The Golden Stairs
F
RONTIER
D
OCTOR
T
RILOGY
One More Sunrise
Beloved Physician
The Heart Remembers
T
HE
O
RPHAN
T
RAIN
T
RILOGY
M
AIL
O
RDER
B
RIDE
SERIES
S
HADOW OF
L
IBERTY
SERIES
H
ANNAH OF
F
ORT
B
RIDGER
SERIES
A
NGEL OF
M
ERCY
SERIES
J
OURNEYS OF THE
S
TRANGER
SERIES
B
ATTLES OF
D
ESTINY
SERIES
We dedicate this book to our dear friends
Jerry and Linda Weddle
(whom Al had the joy of personally leading to the Lord)
,
who have been such a blessing to us
.
We love you!
Al and JoAnna
Hebrews 13:20–21
OREWORD
T
he Return of the Stranger trilogy is a follow-up to the Journeys of the Stranger Series and Angel of Mercy Series written for Multnomah Books by Al Lacy between 1994 and 1997.
In 1997, Multnomah’s president hired JoAnna Lacy as coauthor with her husband, and they began the Hannah of Fort Bridger Series that same year. Since then, JoAnna has coauthored every book with her husband that has been published by Multnomah Books and the new WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Since Al ended the Journeys of the Stranger and Angel of Mercy Series, which centered on John “the Stranger” Brockman and Breanna Baylor, who married in the second series, Al and JoAnna as well as the publisher have received repeated letters, e-mails, and calls asking that Al write another Stranger series. This trilogy is in pleasant response to those welcome requests.
Al and JoAnna hope that fans of the Stranger will enjoy this new trilogy and that many new Stranger fans will as well.
NE
O
n Monday, August 20, 1888, Meggie Brockman’s birthday party was held as planned at the Brockman home. Dr. Matthew Carroll and his wife, Dottie—Breanna’s sister—were there, as well as the Brockmans’ close friends deputy U.S. marshal Whip Langford and his wife, Annabeth, and Pastor Robert Bayless and his wife, Mary. When dinner was over, it was time to go to the parlor for the party.
“John,” Breanna asked, loud enough for everyone to hear, “would you take me up to the master bedroom so I can rest a little bit?”
As John took hold of the handles on the back of the wheelchair, Meggie turned to her mother. “I’ll wait to open my presents, Mama, until you get some rest and come back down to the parlor.”
When John wheeled Breanna out of the dining room, everyone went to the parlor and sat down, with Meggie sitting by a stack of brightly wrapped birthday presents. A short while later, everyone was pleased when they heard John call from the hall that he and Breanna were back.
All eyes went to the parlor door and widened quickly when Breanna entered the room—
walking!
She held a cane in one hand, and John steadied her by holding her other hand.
Fifteen-year-old Paul, thirteen-year-old Ginny, and ten-year-old Meggie rushed to their mother, smiling broadly, their arms wide open
to hug her. One at a time, they each gave her a delicate, heartfelt hug as their father continued to steady her by holding her hand.
Tears misted Breanna’s eyes as she was being hugged. Everyone else jumped to their feet, staring in stunned silence, hardly able to believe their eyes.
Meggie looked toward heaven. “Thank You, Lord Jesus! I know I will like all these presents in the packages, but this is my favorite birthday present.
My mama is walking!
”
Breanna sat on a soft chair with John’s help. More tears were shed as Meggie leaned over carefully and wrapped her arms around Breanna’s neck, sobbing joyfully. “I love you, Mama! I love you so much! I’m so happy you can walk again!”
As Meggie eased back and smiled at her mother, Breanna looked lovingly at her little adopted daughter, her own cheeks shining with tears, then embraced her. “Oh, sweetie, I love you so much too!”
John Brockman, the Carrolls, the Baylesses, and the Langfords all smiled through their tears as they observed the scene.
Tall, dark-haired Paul now stood in front of his mother’s chair with Ginny beside him, and they both poured out words of love to her as they wiped their tears, saying how happy they were that her legs had regained so much strength.
Ginny and Paul bent down and embraced their mother. Breanna’s tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she told Paul and Ginny how very much she loved them.
A small frown creased Meggie’s brow. “Why didn’t you tell us you were able to walk again?”
Breanna smoothed a hand over Meggie’s blond curls, then
clasped her hands in her own. “Just because I was getting feeling back into my feet and legs, Papa and I weren’t sure it would mean I could walk. It’s been a hard and sometimes discouraging struggle … and well, we didn’t want to disappoint everyone if the attempt to get me walking again wasn’t successful. So every night after you children were in your beds, Papa and I went to work on the therapy recommended by your uncle Matt.”
Breanna released Meggie’s hands. “Honey, I’ve been doing some small exercises on my own when Papa was at work and you, Ginny, and Paul weren’t home.” She looked at her ruggedly handsome husband as he stroked his well-trimmed mustache. “Papa and I really wanted to surprise everyone once we knew God had healed me and helped me get to this point. I still have a long way to go, but thankfully, the Lord indeed
has
healed me and given me the grace and strength to come this far.”
Meggie gently wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck again and held her for a few seconds. A crooked smile lit up Meggie’s face. “I guess it’s okay you kept this secret as long as you did, but now that we all know, we can help you with your therapy, and maybe you can get all well quicker.”
Breanna tenderly placed her palms on Meggie’s cheeks and smiled. “Maybe so, sweet one, but I can only do so much exercise in a day!”
Meggie giggled. “Okay, Mama, we’ll do it your way. Just give a holler when you want our help.”
“I’ll just do that, Meg. Now, I think you need to put your attention on these birthday gifts that have been sitting here waiting for you to open them.”
“Oh my, yes!” Meggie squealed, her dimples flashing as she moved to where the brightly wrapped presents were stacked.