Mail Order Bride: Ultimate Mail Order Bride Collection: 6-Book Bundle ~ Clean Historical Romance (Shades of Romance Series)

by Jill Maguire

  “Good,” the stranger growled. “Glad to see the boss man has arrived. I was getting a bit tired of trying to reason with this hot headed son of yours.”

  Jacob glared at the man. “Mister, I don’t know who you are, or what you want, but I do know my son, and hot headed he ain’t. So I’m thinking you must have said or done something to upset him pretty bad. Now how about you tell me who you are and what you want.”

  Jacob raised a hand in the air when Hayden started to speak. “Quiet. I want to hear what he has to say.”

  “Name’s Donovan Neely. I own the property that sits alongside yours. I’ve got some issues with that there fence you’re putting up. Seems to me it’s restricting the pasture my sheep got to graze in.”

  Jacob laughed outright. “That’s exactly what it’s doing, you buffoon. Did you think we were just going to let your sheep wander all over our range chomping down the grass so’s our cattle had nothing left to eat?”

  “It’s open range out here I was told. Thought maybe that meant we could all share it. Seems like the neighborly thing to do. Cows and sheep don’t seem to mind, why should we?”

  Hayden marched forward, ready to start swinging. Jacob put a hand on his chest and gave him a slight shove back, never taking his eyes off the sheep rancher. “Well, you are wrong, Mr. Neely. The fence stays, and we’re going to continue to build it around the entire range if necessary. You keep your sheep to your land and everything will work out just fine. And that is the only way we’re going to be good neighbors.”

  Donovan Neely bent down to pick up his hat. He banged it against his leg to get the dust off and then shoved it on his head. “This ain’t over, neighbor,” he said with emphasis on the last word as he turned and walked away.

  Sorry, Pop,” Hayden said as father and son faced each other. “He was just really getting my dander up.”

  “No need to apologize, son. That fool would get any man lathered up. You handled things just fine. Now we best get inside and relieve Mrs. Billings so she can get back to her family. It was good of her to stay with Caleb today.”

  The kind neighbor had prepared one of the casseroles that they had received from folks when they’d heard of Grace’s passing. The table was set and she sat reading to Caleb when the men walked in. For a moment they both stood and stared as the full realization of what life without Grace was going to be like. Who would sit this way and read to the boy? Jacob finally found his tongue and thanked Mrs. Billings for her help. He walked her outside where her husband was waiting in the wagon for the lengthy ride back to their ranch.

  The three of them ate in silence after several feeble attempts to make conversation. Jacob was lost in his grief. Hayden was consumed by grief and worry. Caleb was sad and withdrawn, and Josh of course, was absent.

  The family that was once so connected and content was now coming apart at the seams. Hayden, always the responsible one, felt overwhelmed by the enormous burden of it all. He desperately needed some help and some advice. His Ma was always the one he had turned to.

  Like his Pa, he wasn’t much for praying, but he knew they could surely use the good Lord’s help. Next to his Ma, the only other female he could think of to turn to was Sara James. They had been good friends for as long as he could remember. She was married now to his best friend Will and they lived on the edge of town. They hadn’t made the trip for his Ma’s burial since Sara was in the family way and didn’t want to risk the wagon ride. But that didn’t mean Hayden couldn’t go to her. He decided it was time for a visit.

  Chapter Five

  Frederick stood staring out the front window at the withered vineyard. He had worked those vines for nearly eight years now and the sight of them shriveling up and turning brown broke his heart. Worse than that, it broke his spirit. He knew that he should be focused on Felicity and Royal right now, but without his job, without that thing that gave his life purpose, he couldn’t seem to focus on anything.

  “Father, it’s time to go.” Felicity’s voice broke through his thoughts, jarring him back to reality. He turned to see the pile of their belongings sitting by the door. Everything they owned had been collected into one large trunk and a few satchels. The furniture was all remaining with the house.

  “I’m ready, daughter. Where is Royal?”

  “He is already out front watching Mr. Johansen ready the horses. We need to get these things out to the wagon. I can manage the bags, but you need to help Mr. Johansen with the trunk.” Felicity tried to keep the edge out of her voice, but it was hard. She felt like a nagging mother trying to get her child to do his chores. As much as she understood what her father was going through, she wanted him to be strong. She didn’t want to be the one in charge of things any more.

  When Mr. Johansen came in to get the trunk the two men didn’t speak. In fact, they barely made eye contact, one hiding his sorrow and the other hiding his guilt. Felicity watched with a heavy heart as the two men struggled to deal with their mixed feelings.

  Mr. Johansen picked up one end of the trunk and Frederick the other and they walked out in silence to load it into the wagon. It was the last thing to be loaded and as Mr. Johansen closed the back of the wagon, he finally raised his eyes to Frederick’s.

  “I’m sorry things turned out this way, old friend. I’m going to miss your friendship.”

  “And I yours,” Frederick replied solemnly. “Thank you for the use of your wagon and your son’s time to drop us at the train. Maybe we’ll meet up again somewhere along the line.” He tipped his hat and pulled himself up onto the front bench beside young Edward, Mr. Johansen’s son.

  Once they were all settled, Mr. Johansen gave the team a slap on the rump and they moved forward. “Travel safe,” he said as they started away. Felicity held a frightened Royal close to her in the rear of the wagon.

  “It’s going to be fine, Bug. Don’t worry. Aunt Caroline’s going to take really good care of us.” She only wished she felt as positive as she sounded. The trip to the train station was uneventful and very quiet, with all of the passengers lost in their own private thoughts.

  In just under an hour they were unloading all of their things once again to reload them onto the train. The next step of their journey would take them much longer. The trip to Aunt Caroline’s would be almost half a day.

  By the time they were settled on the train, Royal was starting to relax. Felicity opened one of his favorite books and he was content to listen to her read while the countryside rambled by. Frederick stared out the window, his mind a million miles away. He was thinking back to a day, many years ago when they had packed up all of their things to head to Ohio. It had been hard to leave the place where his beloved Helena was buried, but he couldn’t turn down this job offer. It would give them a fresh start and a good income. Now here they were, leaving all of it behind with absolutely no plan for the future.

  The monotonous drone of the rails eventually lulled both Frederick and Royal into a bumpy slumber. Felicity closed the book and drifted off into her own personal thoughts. She so hoped that Aunt Caroline would be able to bring their father out of his melancholy.

  “You look as though you could use a friendly ear.” Startled, Felicity turned towards the soft voice. In all of her efforts to get Royal settled, she had barely noticed the young woman sitting across the aisle. “Jessie Mitchell. I’m a very good listener if you’d like to talk.”

  Felicity smiled. “You are very kind. I’m afraid I don’t hide my worry very well. My family is going through a difficult time right now.” The kind offer of friendship warmed Felicity so that she poured out her entire story to her new acquaintance.

  “Well, I would say you have plenty of cause for worry. I myself went through a similar situation not long ago and I can honestly say that things can work out. You have to have faith, and believe that the good Lord will provide.”

  “And he provided for you?” Felicity’s question was a combination of skeptical and hopeful.

  “He most certainly did. I
was scouring the job ads, and getting quite discouraged, when I came across several ads from reputable men who were seeking a mail order bride to join them in the west. I corresponded with a few of them before getting a letter from the man I am soon to marry. He is meeting me in Dunnville, where we are to be wed before we head back to his ranch in Montana. He didn’t want me to travel all that distance alone, so he made the trip here to meet me.”

  Felicity was listening intently, her eyes wide with wonder. “That is an amazing story. You are truly very fortunate, but I’m afraid something like that would never be possible for me. No man looking for a wife would consider a woman who comes with a young brother as part of the package. And I simply couldn’t abandon him.”

  “But what about your father? Couldn’t he take care of the boy?” Felicity shook her head.

  “Royal isn’t just any boy. His needs are very special and are quite beyond my father’s understanding and patience. It has taken me a long time to get Royal to where he is today. If I were to leave him now I think he would simply curl into himself and be lost to the world.”

  “In that case, you should simply be quite frank and open about your situation. I think your compassion and dedication to your brother would only serve to endear you into the heart of the right man. It is most definitely worth a try. It might be the perfect way to build a whole new life for yourself and your brother. Promise me you’ll give it some thought at least.”

  Felicity smiled. “I promise.” She would give anything to be happy and heading to a new life, especially if it meant being loved and cared for.

  The slowing of the train’s rhythm woke Royal immediately and he reached for Felicity, his mind taking a few minutes to remember where he was. Frederick came around as well, but where Royal’s first reaction was fear, his was disappointment, as though he had hoped that all of this was just a bad dream and that he would soon awaken from the nightmare. But realization took hold when he glanced over at his frightened son and his concerned, anxious daughter. He stared at them silently, unable to find the words he knew they needed to hear. The look of hope vanished from Felicity’s face as she waited for her father to speak. Turning away from him so he wouldn’t see her despair, she began to gather their things.

  In silence, the trio stepped down onto the wooden platform. Felicity and Frederick both scanned the crowd of waiting people for the familiar face of Caroline Haskell. Felicity noticed her first and her heart sank even farther. She hadn’t seen her Aunt Caroline in years but pictured her still as the happy, strong farm woman from her childhood. But this woman standing before her now was much older and very feeble looking. She managed a small smile as she approached to give them all a hug.

  “Frederick it’s good to see you. And Felicity, you’ve grown into such a lovely young woman. And Royal, just look at you. When I saw you last you were just a wee babe. Welcome.”

  “Hello, Aunt Caroline.” Felicity managed, trying to disentangle Royal from behind her skirts. Thank you so much for coming to meet us, and for taking us in.” Caroline nodded, looking to Frederick for some kind of greeting.

  “Hello, sister. It is good to see you as well. I hope we are not being too much of an imposition.”

  “Nonsense,” Caroline said. “That’s what family is for. I’m sure you’ll be back on your feet and out of my hair in no time. In the meantime let’s get home and get you all settled in so we can have a good visit and get all caught up.”

  By the time she had finished her little speech Felicity could tell that her aunt was winded. She obviously was, or had been quite ill. Her pallor was sickly and her breathing was labored and raspy.

  “Are you feeling alright?” Felicity asked as they sat alone later in the kitchen over a cup of tea. Royal was out in the meadow beside the house looking for bugs and Frederick had positioned himself on the step of the verandah and sat staring off into space.

  “Oh my dear, I seem to never feel quite right these days. I suffered a bout of pneumonia some time ago and just can’t seem to bounce back. It’s all I can do to get the simplest of chores done in a day.”

  Felicity’s brow creased with worry. “You should have told us what a hard time you were having. We could have made some sort of alternate arrangements.”

  “Really child? From the looks of your father I’d say it’s going to be a while before he’ll be up to taking care of himself let alone all of you. If we work together, we can make a go of it for a while. You will have to find work of some sort, of course. I can barely put food on the table for myself.”

  Felicity felt panic squeeze her heart. If she went to work who would look after Royal? No one understood him the way she did, not even their father. Felicity could only imagine how far Royal would fall behind without her there to communicate for him. She nodded at her aunt’s words, but dread and fear were clouding her thoughts.

  Using the long day of travel as an excuse, she said it was time they retired for the night. She called Royal in and watched over him as he prepared for bed. Once he was tucked in and softly snoring, Felicity crawled into the other small sagging cot in the room and pulled the covers over her head. She cried for hours before falling into a restless sleep, where she dreamt of a handsome rancher who promised to love and care for her and for Royal.

  When she awoke the next morning, she knew exactly what she was going to do. Aunt Caroline had placed a copy of the weekly newspaper on the kitchen table. She pointed it out to Frederick and Felicity. “The paper’s a few days old but the job ads don’t change all that much from week to week. Thought maybe you’d both like to take a look.”

  Frederick mumbled something about having a look in a while but Felicity took up the paper right away. She had no intention, however, of perusing the want ads, at least not those for jobs. With a hopeful heart she scanned the “Matrimonial Ads” instead. There had to be over a dozen ads in this issue of the paper alone.

  As she scanned them, her hope started to fade. Not a single ad mentioned accepting a bride with younger siblings. Felicity laughed at her own naïveté. Had she really thought they would? There were a few ads that she eliminated right away and a few that sounded as though they might be worth pursuing. And then one ad all but jumped off the page. Felicity’s heart began to race as she read the ad:

  “Seeking a gentle, warm and patient woman to take as my wife and who will hopefully be willing to welcome my younger brother into her life as well. We have recently suffered the loss of the mother in our household and he has taken her death very hard. He misses her deeply and is becoming quite withdrawn from the world. I am seeking a wife to love and cherish and who will help to make this house a home again. I am responsible, hard working, in good health and financially sound.”

  Felicity’s heart all but exploded with happiness. She felt certain that finding this letter was a sign from God. This is exactly what she was meant to do. This gentleman sounded incredibly kind and loving. If his younger brother happened to be around the same age as Royal it could work out perfect for everybody!

  When no one was looking, she wrote down the address given in the ad and tucked the bit of paper away in her pocket. She would send a response right away. For the first time in a long time, Felicity set about her daily chores humming a tune.

  Chapter Six

  Hayden knocked softly on the door, not wanting to disturb Sara if she was resting. He didn’t know much about women who were expecting. When his Ma had been carrying Royal he was twelve and at an awkward stage for discussing such things. As far as he could remember Ma never seemed any different except one day Royal wasn’t there and the next day he was a screaming, hollering bundle in his Ma’s arms.

  The door opened and Sara greeted him, fresh faced and smiling broadly. “Hayden, it’s so nice to see you. I’m so sorry we couldn’t get out to the funeral. How is everyone doing?”

  “Oh, we’re managing okay I guess. It’s hard but I know it will get better with time. How are you doing?”

  Sara rubbed a small hand a
cross her swollen belly. “I’m good, really good. A little slower than I usually am, but I’ve had no problems. Doc McHenry says everything is just fine. Come in and tell me what brings you out here away from the ranch.”

  Hayden twirled his hat in his hands as he pulled up a kitchen chair opposite Sara. She set a steaming cup of coffee in front of him without even asking and he smiled his thanks. “I guess I’m here for advice. I’m worried about Caleb. He’s taking Ma’s death really hard and I have no idea how to help him. He’s never been interested in helping out on the ranch. He spent all of his time reading and learning lessons with Ma. Even after school he would come home and tell Ma everything about his schooling. Now he comes home and sits all quiet by himself.”

  Sara reached across the table and covered Hayden’s hand with her own. “You just have to give him time. Do you read to him?”

  Hayden shrugged. “I try, but my reading and my learning is nowhere near what Ma’s was. It’s just not the same.”

  “And what does Miss Murdoch say?”

  “She tries her best to give him a little extra attention, but truth be told, she’s got more than her hands full with that group of students.”

  Sara thought for a moment. “I have an idea. For the next couple of months, until the baby comes anyway, why don’t you have Miss Murdoch drop Caleb by here after school? She passes right by here on her way, so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Then I could spend an hour or two reading with him and you could come pick him up at dinner time. We could do that two or three days a week if you like.”

  Hayden smiled. “Are you sure that wouldn’t be too much trouble?”

  “Not a bit. In fact, I’d love the company and the distraction. I can’t get out as much as I’m used to so it would give me something to do.”

  “Thanks, Sara. This really means a lot to me and I know it will make a difference to Caleb too. I’ll just come in from the range a bit early and pick him up before dinner.”