Mail Order Bride 22 Book Boxed set: 22 Brides Ride West :CLEAN Western Historical Romance Series Bundle

by Faye Sonja

  “If he follows orders, and has complete care from those who love him, there’s no need to think he won’t be fit as a fiddle in a year’s time. But I must press the point that even then, it’s best he simply enjoy what life has to offer without too much stress and physical activity.”

  “Yes, Doctor. I’ll be sure to let him know.”

  “I’ll hope you’ll do more than that, Mrs. Grant. As his wife you’ll be directly responsible for whether or not he follows my orders. He won’t like it, and you need to encourage him to do things other than what he’s used to. You’ll be crucial in his recovery period.”

  “Of course. I’ll see to it that he keeps to your orders.” Ada hoped she would get the chance to take care of Bobby. She hoped he wanted her be there with him as he recovered and beyond.

  “I’ll prescribe some medication for his bedtimes and I’ll write a report for his doctor when you get home. Please check in with him as soon as you get there and follow his directions.”

  “Thank you, Doctor Roberts.”

  The doctor left and Ada’s tears fell freely. This was such a mess. If she was going to go it was best she do it right now. She squeezed Bobby’s hand and watched his small chest rise and fall slightly. A rush of feeling went through her. How could she leave? She couldn’t run out on him, she loved him. She’d care for him and make sure he rested when he should.

  If they hauled her off to jail, then she’d make sure Miss Kitty found him another woman to understand him and show him affection, if not love. Ada just never wanted him to be lonely or sad. His happiness became the most important thing to her in less than a week.

  He hadn’t stirred. She was prepared to wait as long as she had to for him to wake up, even if she sat here all week. Ada hadn’t slept all night so she laid her head on the bed next to him while sitting in the chair. She began to sing Amazing Grace in a quiet voice and hoped the sound would help him relax and get well.

  His thumb moved over her hand, ever so slightly; it might’ve been a nervous twitch, but Ada was convinced it was him letting her know he could hear her and he was glad she was here. Ada kept singing until she finally finished the song and a female voice made her jump when she spoke from behind her.

  “Ada…that was beautiful. I remember when you sang us to sleep when we were ill with that fever.”

  Ada sat up and turned to see her sisters. She carefully let go of Bobby’s hand and then hugged them both together as silent tears streamed down her face.

  Anna whispered in her ear. “Dear Ada, how we’ve missed you. I had to come and see you. I’m leaving to be the wife of a man who is an army officer in Idaho.”

  “Anna, I hope he’s a good man. I wish you all the best. What do you know about him?” Ada stood back and talked with a lowered voice.

  “There’s a small army settlement there called Hope. He has three children and his brothers and their wives have another four between them. I’ll also be teaching them, along with another six from the settlement.”

  “A teacher. Just what you’ve been studying for. Before long it will be a large town and you’ll be headmistress.”

  “I hope so, Ada. I’m quite scared but Miss Kitty said she sent him his first wife and she always sang his praises in letters. He’s in need of someone to tend his home and children, not someone to love, but I’d like to teach there for the children’s sake.”

  “Go and try. You’ll lose nothing. Just be yourself and ignore any hurtful comments.”

  “I’m used to those. But I know the children will come to know and love me despite my birthmark making me ugly.”

  “You’re not ugly. You’re beautiful inside and out. If that man can’t see that, then he deserves to be lonely.” Ada hugged Anna hard.

  “I’ll be with Miss Kitty for another month. Then I’m going to marry my William in Southern Arizona. He owns a small hotel.” Emma smiled very wide and Ada hugged her too.

  “I’m so happy for you both. If Bobby will still have me and it doesn’t work out, you can come and stay with us anytime for as long as you need.” She gave Anna one more hug and a kiss. She wiped her tears away and then her own.

  “I love you, Ada. I can tell Bobby really loves you,” Anna said.

  “Thank you. Do stay in touch. I need to go and sit with Bobby again now. But please take care, Anna, and write as soon as you’re able. Emma, please come back tomorrow and visit. Bobby needs complete bedrest for a while; we’ll be here a week.”

  Emma smiled and promised she would be in as soon as she’d seen Anna off on the train.

  Her sisters left and Ada went to sit next to the bed again. She was about to start singing again when Bobby’s eyelids flickered. Was he waking up?

  “Bobby? I’m here. It’s Ada. I’m sorry, Bobby. I love you.”

  His eyes came open ever so slowly and only to slits, but he was looking at her and he squeezed her hand and said something she couldn’t hear.

  “What, my darling? Say it into my ear.” She leaned down to get her ear close to his mouth.

  “Love….you…too.” Then he closed his eyes again and was asleep.

  Ada had happy tears this time and she pulled the chair right up to the bed and laid her head near him again. Please God, save Bobby. Make him well. Please let them believe I never meant to kill that man and if I did I’m so, so sorry. But if I did, I deserve punishment, that’s alright. I accept that. Just let Bobby live and be happy.

  Ada was almost asleep when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She sat up with a start. Perhaps she’d been asleep; she wasn’t sure but she didn’t think so. Marshal Blake was back and he had a smile on his face.

  “Did your sisters come? I went there first and said a short visit might be nice.”

  “Yes. Thank you. It was wonderful.”

  “Ada, you aren’t being accused of anything anymore. That man was found shot dead in an alley.”

  “Oh my goodness! I just pushed him, he was still making noises when we ran.”

  “Thanks to Bobby putting it together, the detective found the gun and the killer. It seems it was his jealous wife, and if you hadn’t run that night you might well be shot dead right now.” Marshal Blake looked very serious about that.

  “That is simply awful. But it is also wonderfully good.”

  “You’re free, Ada. You can stay married and live a happy life with Bobby.”

  “If he’ll have me. There’s still the matter of me not telling him immediately and deceiving him like that.”

  “I’m sure he’ll forgive you that under the circumstances. Bobby is a very fair man.”

  “What a huge relief. I was so worried I was going to jail.”

  “A…Ada…” A rough whisper from the bed was music to her ears.

  “Bobby, you’re awake.” She rushed over and kissed his cheek. “It’s alright Bobby, I never killed anyone.”

  He gave a weak nod and an even weaker smile. His words were more mouthed than spoken. “I know.”

  “I’m so sorry I never told you, Bobby. It was unforgiveable of me. I should’ve trusted you.”

  “No. You’re…okay. Stay…come…” he took a pained breath. “Home.”

  “I will, Bobby. I will come home and Doctor Roberts has given me all the instructions. Bedrest and convalescing only for a month.”

  Bobby gave a weak nod.

  “But he said there’s no reason to think you won’t make a full recovery if you follow orders.”

  His large brown eyes looked at her and he closed them again. Then they popped open again and fixed on her. “My wife. My life. Thank you.” Then he was back asleep again and Ada felt joy flooding inside her. She was positive he would recover well and that they would enjoy their lives together immensely.

  Thank you Miss Kitty, and thank you God for giving me a wonderful future and a wonderful husband.

  * * *

  Three Years Later…

  “Bobby! You should be resting. You know what the doctor will say,” Ada called out from the
arbor where she was taking lemonade and nursing baby Robert.

  The baby was six months old and he was all smiles and giggles today, none more so than when his older sister Ella popped her head up over the table. But right now she watched Ella and Bobby play with the ball. “Please be careful, Bobby. I don’t want you to strain yourself.”

  Bobby came up in a fast pace but not quite a run. “Relax, my dear. I’m as healthy as a horse these days. If I wasn’t we wouldn’t have two perfectly wonderful children.”

  “That may be true, but it’s also true that the doctor asked you to take time to rest as well. The children and I do not want to know what it would be like without you. It too terrible to think about.”

  He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll slow down, just for you. I hate to see a frown on that pretty face.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Did you finish that latest design for Paris?”

  “I’m not happy with it yet.”

  “Wasn’t it due last week?”

  “You can’t rush creativity, Bobby. It will happen when it’s time. Just like us.”

  “I thank the Lord every day for sending you to me.” Bobby took Ella by the hand. “Come along, darling. Time for your nap.”

  “I wonder when she’ll break out of those.”

  “She’s only two. Still a baby.”

  “I suppose you’re right. I’m dreading them growing up in one way.”

  “Perhaps we should have another.” Bobby grinned at Ada, who shook her head.

  “If it’s meant to be it will be, or not.” Anna wondered if she’d have more. Perhaps one of each perfect child was plenty. The Lord would show them the way.

  “How is our favorite family?” Marshal Blake’s voice boomed across the yard and Ella squealed and ran up and jumped into his arms. He caught her up in a big hug and swung her around.

  “You’ll make her giddy, Marshal.” June, his wife, strolled around the corner. “I’d hoped to find you out here, Ada. Paris has called and they wish to meet with you in person. They’d like you to attend their fashion show, seeing as your designs will be part of their summer program.”

  “Paris! Goodness. I’m not going without my family. Who wants a holiday in Paris?” Ada put up her own hand and waved it about. “Me!”

  Bobby laughed at her antics. “I’ll get some more information, dear, but we may not fit in with that date.”

  “I’d so love to go, Bobby, but not without you and the children. Travel while we can.”

  “I’m sure if they want you there bad enough they’ll be flexible to fit you.” Bobby sat down beside Ada as did June on the other side.

  “I can barely remember my life before I came here to Brookstown.”

  “I’m sure you can, Ada.” Bobby smiled over at her.

  “It is all part of who I am today, I know that and I give thanks for that.” Ada truly did give thanks for all the things they’d been through and how well off she’d become since that night she had to flee and marry fast.

  Ada watched Bobby grab Ella again and zoom her around like a helicopter. Ella laughed and laughed but Ada’s heart beat in fear. She never wanted to see him so ill again. He was still convalescing, really. She worried.

  “Stop worrying, Mrs. Grant, I’m going to rest on the bed very soon.” Bobby patted her shoulder.

  “Are you sure you’re alright?”

  “Never been better. Now how about a family walk down to the creek.” Bobby’s eyes begged her.

  “No. You’re going to rest. I’ll have Sarah help me if needed.” Ada had to be sure Bobby stuck to his rules because she wanted him around for her to love for at least another fifty years.

  “I love you, Ada. I’ll go rest. You make plans for Paris with June.”

  “I love you, Bobby. Enjoy your scotch with Marshal Blake.”

  He gave her a wonderful grin. “Thank you, my love, I shall.”

  Ada watched him walk up the grass with Marshal Blake holding Ella up on his shoulders. June bounced the baby on her knee across from her. What a wonderful three years she’d had.

  Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayers and bringing me a wonderful new life I could never have even dreamed of.

  * * *

  ANNA’S DESIRE- A TALE OF THE BLEMISH BRIDE

  BRIDES OF SALT LAKE CITY

  BOOK 2

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  b o o k 2

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  Anna hates punishment and discipline for children due to her past. She will never hope for love due to her blemished face. But what is worst is that her William as an army man runs his home & his children’s chores like an army camp!

  What will happen for these two to love each other when they’re so opposite?

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  1

  Meeting the Children

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  “Children? Are you here to

  meet me?… “You’re not our Ma.”

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  Anna Bartholomew said a short prayer under her breath and looked around for the man she was about to marry, but instead she saw three children standing in a huddle. The tallest was a boy who looked around nine, at the back of the group, and the two girls in front, the youngest about four and the other around six. They all looked at her with a slight shyness about them.

  “Children? Are you here to meet me?”

  The boy nodded. “Pa was called out. I’m Fred. This is Rose…” He pointed at the youngest girl. “And this...” He elbowed the older girl and she glared at him. “…Is Lily.”

  Lily turned back to Anna and frowned. “You’re not our Ma.”

  Anna’s heart went out to them all. It had been just six months since they’d lost their Ma and Anna understood this would take time, perhaps a lot of time. All three children now stared at the birthmark on Anna’s face.

  She knew it had to happen sooner or later but she still hated that this large blemish covered the majority of her cheek close to her ear. It looked an angry reddish-brown and was slightly more raised than her skin.

  She could cover it with her hair for the most part, but hiding it completely was impossible.

  Young Rose looked curious rather than scared and she took a few steps forward and pointed to Anna’s blemished cheek. “What’s that?”

  “A mark I was born with. They call it a birthmark.”

  “Will it go away?”

  “No, Rose, it won’t go away.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No, Dear, it doesn’t hurt.”

  “Good. Can you bake cakes?”

  “I could back home. I hope I can here.” Anna smiled at the questions. It’d be wonderful to be the age where the only thing that mattered was if a person could bake cakes.

  “Goody. Pa loves cakes.” Rose smiled and stepped back to her siblings.

  “Come this way. I’ll come get your trunk.” Fred pointed up the dusty road.

  “I can do the trunk; it’s rather heavy, I’m afraid.” Anna didn’t think this wiry boy could lift the trunk alone. “Or at least, I can help you.”

  “S’okay, Miss, I’ll get the cart. We’ll take you home first. Pa has a list of chores that need doin’ and he said he’ll be home by dark so you best get started as quick as you can.”

  “I see. Well, thank you for coming to meet me.” Anna could see that this was an arrangement of convenience for their father, with no notions of romance.

  That suited her fine; she’d long given up on being loved by a man because of her imperfection. The most she could hope for was someone who treated her well and provided for her. What she didn’t want was anyone who was mean of spirit and heartless. She’d met many people like that who judged others and bullied them to make themselves feel superior.

  Anna definitely di
dn’t want a man like that, and by all accounts this man, William Anderson, was kind and of a relaxed nature. That’s what Anna needed, someone she could be at ease with and just be herself around with no worry about hiding her mark or being embarrassed about it in her own home.

  She followed the children as their heavy boots kicked up the dust. Anna was pleased she’d chosen a coarse linen dress and apron along with her lace-up leather boots. The children never spoke and she wondered if she should try to talk to them, but then decided against it. She followed them quite a way along to a small log cabin home set out on a large piece of fenced land, with what looked like some fields behind.

  “This’s home, Miss. I’ll grab the cart. Girls will take you in and show you ‘round.”

  “Thank you, Fred. You’ve been most helpful.”

  “Don’t pay to make Pa mad by not following the regimen.”

  “Regimen?”

  “Sure. Things run like clockwork around here and Pa’ll expect dinner to be fed to us in two hours and his waiting for him when he gets home.” The uptight boy walked off to presumably grab the cart and the girls opened the door, walked in and held the door open for Anna.

  “Thank you, girls. It’s lovely to be here and I hope we can be friends.” Anna followed a non-pressure style of teaching, believing every child could learn; it was just a matter of discovering how.

  “Come on, Rose, let’s go play now.” Lily tugged at her younger sister’s sleeve.

  “Pa’ll be mad.” The youngest girl had light of hope shining in her eyes at the mention of the word play.

  “It’ll be okay, we’ll still get our chores done, and wash up for dinner.”

  “Aren’t you going to show me around, Lily?” Anna didn’t want to push it with the girl, who clearly had issues with Anna being here.

  The young girl shrugged. “Not much to see. The list is in the kitchen on the table.”