The Unclaimed Mail Order Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  * * * *

  For a second after Abby woke, she felt confused looking around the strange room. Then all the happenings of the day came rushing into her memory and fear tightened her chest. Her breath came rapidly, and for a moment spots danced in front of her eyes.

  “Put your head between your knees.” The firm, but gentle voice of Fletcher’s mom sounded from beside her. Abby did as she was told and gradually the faint feeling passed. She sat up.

  “I decided to check on you. You’ve been asleep for over two hours and probably have a sore neck from the way you were sitting.”

  Abby moved her head gingerly. “You’re right. It is stiff. I woke and panicked for a moment, forgetting where I was and how I got here.”

  “Quite normal, you’ve been through a lot since this morning. Come join me for a cup of tea and a hot scone. They just came out of the oven.”

  “It sounds wonderful.”

  “Then rinse your face with cold water and walk down the hall to the left.” Mrs. Garrison left the room, and Abby did as she had directed.

  Cold water woke her more fully. She unbraided her hair and brushed the strands until they shined. She had her father’s reddish-blonde hair but otherwise looked like her mother.

  “Oh, Momma, I miss you so much and Daddy, too. I’ve gotten myself into a mess, but I’ll be strong and work out a solution.” Abby closed her eyes, and a feeling of warmth surrounded her. She liked to think it was her mother’s arms. Shaking off the melancholy mood, she hurried down the hallway.

  “There you are. Sit at the table, and I’ll bring the teapot and scones.”

  “Where shall I sit?”

  “Anywhere is fine. After our break, I’ll put you to work snapping the beans I picked fresh this morning. Then you can rinse them. Do you cook?”

  “I did. I hope I haven’t forgotten it all. On my own, I tend to eat sandwiches or soup.”

  “No wonder you’re so thin. I’ll get some weight back on you.”

  Abby took a sip of the tea. It smelled and tasted of cinnamon. “I can’t put you and your husband out. I’m sure there must be a small room I can rent. I have a little money, not much. I’ll need a job right away.”

  Mrs. Garrison nodded her head. “I understand your determination to be independent, especially after what happened. But give me a little time. I have an idea or two, and you need an opportunity to get acquainted with Pleasure Valley and the people. It’s a good way to find out if you like it enough to stay here, and if there are any jobs available.”

  “You are so kind, and you’ve raised a very kind son. In the city, people rush around you, and I began to feel invisible at times. They all had family and friends and tended to stay in their own little circle. But I guess it’s that way most places. I didn’t notice it much until I had no one.” Tears came into her eyes. She blinked them back. “It’s very frightening.”

  Mrs. Garrison jumped out of her chair and knelt beside Abigail. She put her arms around her and hugged her tight. “You aren’t alone anymore. We are a big family, but we always have room for one more.” She stood and went to the refrigerator and pulled out a large bowl of green beans. “You can start snapping the beans. Being busy makes us feel useful.”

  Abby smiled.

  “What?” Mrs. Garrison asked.

  “You sound like my mom.”

  “I can see she brought you up right.”

  “But I came out here to marry a stranger.”

  “There are worse ways to get money. I don’t know what I’d have done in your place.” She grinned as she put the bowl beside Abigail’s teacup. “I probably would have made the same decision. Certainly, rather than starve or land on the streets.”

  Abby finished with the beans and made a large salad out of what she found available in the fridge. “Do all your fresh vegetables come from your garden?”

  “Pretty much. I think mine tastes better than the store-bought ones, but I’m finding it harder each year to do all the planting, harvesting and canning that’s needed to have them available year-round. The boys would help if I mentioned it, but they have their own jobs, and my husband likes to ride around the place and see what they’re up to. He keeps telling me to hire someone.” Mrs. Garrison glanced at Abigail standing by the refrigerator with an armful of vegetables. “I hate to admit I might need help.”

  “Well, while I’m here I’ll be your assistant, and I’ll still help when I can after I get a job in town. I like to be outside. I had a smaller garden until I went to college.”

  “I’d love to have you join me in the garden. Working with soil and seeing things grow is good for the soul.” She chuckled. “When we were first married, and my husband made me mad, I’d go out in the garden and pull weeds or shovel dirt around just to let off steam.”

  “What did he do?”

  “Go riding, of course. That’s another way to push aside the anger or worry and enjoy the wonderful world around us.”

  “I don’t know how to ride.”

  “I’m sure Fletcher will be happy to teach you.”

  “Horses are so big. I don’t like heights.”

  “You’ll get over it. Remember this is a new life, and you are a strong woman. You, Abigail Strahan, can do whatever you want. Do you mind me calling you Abigail? I like your full name better than the nickname.”

  Impulsively, Abby hugged Mrs. Garrison. “Thank you.”

  “What’s up? Have I missed out on the hugs?” Another tall, strong-looking cowboy stood in the doorway. An identical cowboy playfully shoved him aside and strode over to pick up Mrs. Garrison and twirl her around.

  “Put me down. You know I don’t like to be twirled.”

  “Then why are you smiling, Mom.” The first cowboy walked over and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Is that better?”

  “Much,” she said and then hugged them both. “You two are early.”

  “I left work and rode to town. There’s lots of talk about a guest visiting the home place.” He turned to Abby. “Welcome to Pleasure Valley. I’m Joel, and this is Justyn.” He nodded to his twin. “To keep us apart, just notice who smiles the most.” He grinned. “Me. Justyn is more serious-minded. Except when we get into mischief.”

  “Which is much too often for men your age.”

  “We’re only twenty-eight, Mom,” Joel protested.

  “Get wives and settle down.”

  Justyn laughed. “That’s Mom’s mantra. She wants all her boys married with children.”

  He playfully shuddered, and Mrs. Garrison swatted him on the shoulder. “Be good.”

  “Lady, if you don’t want to be married, I’d run for the hills,” Joel said.

  “This is Abigail Strahan. She’s staying with us until she finds a job and a place to rent.”

  Both men said, “Nice to meet you.”

  “How did you raise such polite sons?” Abby asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

  Mrs. Garrison frowned and then smiled at the twins. “Believe me, with these two it wasn’t easy.”

  Soon the screen door opened again. Two couples came in, and both carried a baby. A small boy trailed behind the man with the bluest eyes.

  “This is my son, Hunter, and his wife, Lacey.” Mrs. Garrison reached down and picked up the boy. “Meet my grandson, Hunter the second. We call him by his middle name, Frankie, named after his grandfather, Franklin. His baby brother is named after his other grandfathers, Alex Wilburt.” Then she greeted the next woman coming through the door. “This is Josie, and my son, Devin. They finally gave me a little girl named Jennifer, named after his biological mother. Devin’s parents died in a plane crash, and we adopted him. He’s one of our own.” Mrs. Garrison patted him on the back. “Jennifer’s middle name is Merlyn after me. We call her Jenny.”

  Frankie had gotten restless. Mrs. Garrison put him down to run around the room. “I hope you don’t mind meeting the whole family at once. I thought it best to do it now, and then if people mention their names, you’ll have met them.
Dinner is almost ready. Where are Cort and Fletcher?”

  “Fletch went home to shower and change. I saw him ride up as we got out of our car,” Hunter said. “Cort wasn’t around.”

  “How did you end up in Pleasure Valley?” Devin asked.

  “Leave her alone, all of you. When she feels comfortable telling you, she will.” Mrs. Garrison looked at each one of her sons.

  “Please, it’s all right. Your family has a right to know why a stranger has come to your home out of the blue. I hope what I tell you will stay in this room.” Abby took a deep breath and explained what had happened since she’d burned her hand. “I know it sounds crazy, but I was desperate.”

  Lacey handed the baby to Hunter and hugged Abby. “No one will say a word. Josie and I have been in difficult situations. If it hadn’t been for this family, I’m not sure where we’d be. I have a place where you can stay. You don’t have to pay rent. My sister and I both used it at different times until we married into the family.” Lacey winked at Hunter. “Devin, could you show her the house tomorrow? Devin is the realtor in the family.”

  “I will pay rent as soon as I have a job.”

  “Don’t hurry. It usually sits empty, but I don’t have the heart to sell it. You’d be doing me a favor.”

  “She keeps it in case she gets mad at me, she’ll have a place to go,” Hunter teased and put his arm around Lacey. “But, no kidding. We’d love for you to use it.”

  Tears ran down Abby’s face, and she shook. A door banged against the wall. “What the hell have you all done to her?” Fletch ran across the kitchen and swept Abby up into his arms. He sat in the nearest chair and held her close.

  “It’s all right, Abby. Tell me what’s wrong. I’ll fix it.” He glanced up and glared at his family surrounding them. They were all smiling.

  “What’s funny? You’ve upset her.”

  “You’re funny,” Joel answered. “We can all breathe a sigh of relief. You are Mom’s next target.”

  Abby had quit crying and looked from the other brothers to Fletcher. “What do they mean?”

  “Don’t worry. They’re teasing me. Why were you crying?”

  “Your family’s generosity overwhelmed me. No one has ever been this kind to me. Lacey has offered a home I can use at no charge until I get a job.” She smiled at the group clustered close with concerned expressions. They relaxed in reaction to her words.

  Suddenly, Abby realized where she sat and whose arms were wrapped around her body. Her face went hot, and her heart did a quick jerk. “Let me up. What must your family think?” She tried to stand, but he held on.

  “Why not let me stand in for that jerk, Art? You can be my mail-order bride. I’m more handsome.”

  Abby wasn’t sure whether she wanted to hit him or kiss him. “Let me up. I’m going to find a job and live on my own. I want to be a woman like your mother. She’s strong and yet kind. And she’s raised a wonderful family. I’m not ready to marry anyone and especially you. You feel sorry for me. I want a man who’ll respect me and know I can be a full partner in a marriage.”

  They all clapped, and the women yelled, “You go, girl.”

  Mrs. Garrison blushed. “I’m not used to such admiration being verbalized so well. My sons are right. You’d make a great daughter-in-law. I have you in my sights,” she warned. The door opened and Cort ambled in.

  Mrs. Garrison smiled. “It’s about time you got here.” Tension eased among the group, and the women hurried behind Mrs. Garrison pushing the men out of the kitchen. In a minute, Abby and Fletcher found themselves alone.

  “You said you wouldn’t marry me. Is that forever?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

  Abby touched his face with her fingertips. “I don’t know. It’s too soon to tell. Still, I warned you I don’t want a controlling husband or one who feels I’m weak.”

  “Darlin’, no one sees you as weak. It took phenomenal courage to strike off on your own like you did into the unknown. You amaze me.”

  She pulled herself out of his loosened arms and stood. “Then be my friend and let me see what I can do and learn before I consider more changes in my life.”

  “I’m trying to understand, but you’d offered to marry Arthur, why not me.”

  “Maybe you will come to realize what I’m saying is best for both of us. Please be my special friend for now.”

  Reaching out, he kissed the palm of her hand. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise I won’t try to kiss you if given the opportunity. I love your blush.” He stood and towered over her. “Such a small person to have an overdeveloped determination.” He shook his head at her but smiled. “Mom’s a great cook. Let’s let her come in here and finish dinner.”

  “I’m going to help her with her garden, and she’ll teach me her favorite recipes.” With a mischievous smile, she took off ahead of him toward the living room.

  * * * *

  Why the hell did I mention marriage? I’m not sure myself. Thank goodness one of us has common sense. What would I have done if she’d said yes? She’s right, I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me. Whew, I got too close to the fire that time.

  “Are you joining us, or do you plan to stand in the doorway staring into space?” Cort asked.

  Fletch frowned at him. “There’d better not be any teasing at the table. Normally, that’d be impossible. But Abby has been through a lot today, and she may not understand our teasing doesn’t mean anything.”

  Devin glanced across the room at Abby talking with the wives. “We’ll go easy on her for now. She’ll make you a good wife one of these days.”

  Chapter Three

  Since Devin was busy, Lacey had offered to take Abby to see the house. Abby’s heart raced. She clenched her hands tight. She’d never thought to have a house to live in, at least not for a long time. Lacey turned onto a paved road and drove another mile. The road circled a large area with a pond in the center. Tall grasses grew at the edge of the water. Overhead the sky shone a clear blue. Lacey parked, and they got out. The house faced the pond. To the side, Abby spotted a barn.

  “Do you keep horses in the barn?”

  “No, all the animals are gone. But if you want a horse it’d be perfectly fine.”

  “I have to see if I can learn to ride first.”

  “It’s almost a necessity around here. You’d miss out on a lot of fun otherwise.” Lacey walked up the steps and unlocked the door. “I usually drive out every few weeks to air the house out, but I’ve been busy with Alex. The place may smell a bit musty.” She opened the door and motioned Abby inside.

  “If you’d seen the tiny apartment I lived in the past two years, you’d know this looks like heaven. There’s so much room.”

  “There are three bedrooms and two baths, the front porch and a smaller one in the back.” Lacey led her into the large sunny kitchen.

  Outside the windows, Abby saw trees and the mountains looked closer than she’d first noticed. Her hands went to her face and tears came into her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sure I won’t be able to afford the rent on this lovely home. Whatever job I get won’t pay enough.”

  “Let’s not talk rent. After you’re employed, we’ll decide what you can afford. For me, anything is better than letting it sit empty.”

  “I don’t want to take charity.” Abby wiped her eyes with a tissue from her pocket.

  “We all want to help you. I wasn’t making it up about the house either. It will deteriorate faster not being used. Walk outside with me.” Lacey led the way. “Here’s where I had a garden. You could start a new one. The land is in its natural state. No farming has been done in a long time. There are plenty of acres to explore when you learn to ride.”

  “You seem to think I’ll be staying in Pleasure Valley for some time.”

  “I don’t want to tease. But you have the same look on your face that I’ve been told I get when I look at Hunter. Fletch is a good guy and helps people in need, bu
t he doesn’t usually get so personally involved. I can see you all making a good pair.”

  Abby wasn’t sure what to say, so she stood silently looking at the mountains. Finally, as they walked back to the car, she said, “My mother had a saying. ‘Let things become as they will naturally.’”

  “In other words, don’t force the issue.”

  “Yes. And in this situation, I believe I’ll follow her advice.”

  “She must have been a smart lady.”

  “I miss them. The shock of losing my parents overwhelmed me.”

  They turned to view the house and land around it. “What do you think?” Lacey asked. “It’s furnished. You can move right in.”

  “You’d think I was going to be paying you a high price to rent it.”

  Lacey put her arm around Abby’s shoulders. “You will. I have a strong feeling Pleasure Valley is going to be good for you as it has been for me and my sister, Josie.”

  Abby took a deep breath. “I feel at peace in this spot. I can almost believe your prediction.”

  “We’ll go back to the home place, get all your belongings, and I’ll help you get settled in. I just have to go by and check on my little one before we return.”

  “I don’t have much to unpack. I know you need to be home.”

  Lacey got in the car, and Abby joined her. She glanced at Abby on the way to the home place. “I have an idea. We can ask Fletcher to help you take your luggage to the house.”

  “I don’t want to impose on him more than I already have.” Abby stared out the window. And I’d rather keep him at arm’s length until we know each other better. I’m lying to myself, but I don’t understand the mixed-up feeling I get when he’s near.

  Lacey chuckled but said nothing else until they’d arrived at the home place. When they went inside, Mrs. Garrison greeted them from the kitchen. “Come on in and have a snack. I just put the frosting on a lemon cake.”

  “You know my weak spot,” Lacey said. “I’m never going to lose this last ten pounds if you don’t stop tempting me.” She hugged Mrs. Garrison. “I’ll get out the tea.”