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

by Faye Sonja

  They rode off in a cloud of dust, and Jack stared at Jacob. “Hell of a time for you to show up, little brother.”

  “Gotta get somethin’ right.”

  “You just shot a man. They’ll be back for retribution.”

  “Let them come. I’ll be ready.” He fished a gold star out of his pocket and pinned it to his vest. He grinned at Jack.

  “Where’d you get that?” The last sheriff was shot and killed and the town had been waiting on someone these past three weeks. That’s why the rustlers had made a move on most places.

  “Reverend said it’d been entrusted to him to make a choice for his parishioners. San Francisco though we needed a local here to get the job done. Reverend thought I’d be perfect.”

  Jack shook his head. “You..? You’re twenty.”

  “Youngest sheriff in California.”

  “You do realize you can’t just shoot anyone that disagrees with you?”

  “I’m here to protect. Now I believe you can make me some coffee. Plain.”

  “No whiskey?” Jack was more surprised by that than the badge.

  “Nup.”

  “I’m sure when you sober up properly things will change. Come meet Amelia. You can apologize for snoring your way through our wedding vows.”

  “That’s what I came out for. Then I heard Blake and his men.”

  “They said the cattle or they’d take her. I didn’t much like that.” Jack wiped his hand across his brow and put his hat back on.

  “Hope you didn’t consider keeping the cattle.” Jacob grinned. “Tough choice.”

  “Of course not.” Jack had to smile at his brother’s teasing as they walked back to the cabin. “How many am I doing coffee for?”

  “Just us.”

  “What about all your men ready to ping them off one by one?”

  “They weren’t to know I was alone, and Blake was gone.”

  Jack punched Jacob in the arm. “Lucky we aren’t both dead then.”

  “No gettin’ rough with the law.”

  Jack laughed. “Can’t believe you’re the sheriff. Also never thought I’d see the day where I was pleased to see you…”

  “You need hired guns.”

  “I’ve no money for them,” Jack conceded as he walked to the cabin with Jacob.

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “It’s not your place to be sortin’ out my business.” Jack didn’t want Jacob to be able to sort the things he couldn’t. Another thing his parents could remind him of.

  “Lucky for you then, that I don’t know my place.”

  Jack shook his head and knocked on the door. “Amelia. It’s me. I’m okay. I have Jacob with me.”

  Amelia looked pretty as a picture as she peeked out when opening the door slowly. “Have they gone?”

  “Yes, but the cattle are still here. The new sheriff sent them packing.” He didn’t want to mention that Blake had been killed just yet. It might spook Amelia too much.

  “How? He seemed so serious. I was scared he would just shoot you anyway and come for me.”

  “So was I. But Jacob turned up in the nick of time.”

  Amelia opened the door fully. “How’s your head? You hit it pretty hard on the church pew.”

  Jacob took off his hat. “It’s fine, Ma’am. Welcome to the family. Sorry to not have made your acquaintance yesterday. It was wrong of me to turn up in that state.”

  “No harm done. Come in get warm from the fire. Are you really sheriff?”

  “Thanks to the reverend. He though some responsibility might help me make better choices. He might be right.” Jacob smiled and sat down at the table.

  Jack set about making the coffee. “It’s a long shot, but it might keep you out of trouble a week or two.”

  “I’ll talk to some men I know, see if they can come be here for the next month. Perhaps if you offer food and lodgings, they might hold off getting paid till after the markets.” Jacob reached for a small apple pie left on the table from last night. “Adeline’s pies are the best.” He munched into it.

  “I’m not sure I have lodgings.”

  “We’ll get James over and build some. Put in some bunks and maybe the ladies can sew some bedding to go underneath. We’ll need ten of everything.”

  “I’ll still never afford it all. Ten hired guns will take most of my sale money.”

  “No, they won’t. You need to have them now the rustlers know Amelia is here. They’ll be back to try the same thing and promise to leave her alone in exchange for your cattle.” Jacob took another bite.

  “I’d asked Amelia to come inside so they didn’t know, but she refused.” Jack handed Jacob and Amelia coffee and sat down himself with a steaming mug.

  “What difference would that’ve made?” Amelia’s eyes flashed at him.

  “They wouldn’t know you were here; you’d be safe.” Jack watched her face darken slightly.

  “You’d likely been shot and the cattle would be gone.”

  “That wouldn’t have happened.” Jack stared at her. Couldn’t she see he had her safety at heart?

  “Perhaps none of it would’ve happened if I wasn’t here.”

  “I never said that. Why are you so ornery all of a sudden?” Jack tried not to let his frustration leech into his voice.

  “Okay. I’m outta here. I gotta go get sworn in and all that. You two enjoy wedded bliss now, won’t you? I’ll be back later with James. Maybe I’d better bring Adeline too, if I can track her down.” Jacob drank down his coffee and left.

  Jack looked at Amelia across the table. “I wanted you to be safe.”

  “No, you wanted me not to be here. Then you wouldn’t have to give up your cattle for me.”

  “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. There was never a choice.”

  “Now I’m crazy? I think maybe I am. Why did I ever think this was going to be…well…” her blush crept up her cheeks again, “romantic?”

  “For sure if it’s romance and fairy tales you want, best not be looking to the wild west for that.”

  Amelia stood up suddenly and tears rolled down her face. “That isn’t what your letters said. You promised me much more than, than…this.” She indicated the cabin around her.

  “I’m sorry I’m not rich and this is all I have to offer you. Perhaps if you weren’t lost in your dream world, you’d have thought to ask me directly what my home was like.”

  “It’s not about you being rich.” Amelia had stood up.

  “What is it about then?”

  “A big mistake, I fear. A huge mistake.” Amelia took herself off to the bedroom and closed the door. She didn’t slam it; he wished she had. The quiet closing hit him in the gut hard. He’d lured her here with promises he couldn’t keep.

  He was the fool with the romantic notions. This was what his parents always went on about. He was a dreamer and dreamers never got anywhere. Now he had a wife involved in something he couldn’t control for himself. He’d put her under threat and he prayed to God for forgiveness because he’d never thought about that logically before.

  He’d been selfish, and was so desperate to find a wife so his mother would leave him alone that he’d led a perfectly wonderful young woman to believe life here was amazing. A woman who deserved so much more from the man in her life after what her pa had done. He knew in his gut that Amelia would leave, and he’d let her because loving Amelia was no excuse for making her live a life that wasn’t suited to her.

  He couldn’t face up to his ma and tell her to stay out of his life once and for all, and he needed to do that. Just put his foot down and say if she didn’t stop, then he’d deny her as his mother. He had to take a stand and not take it out on Amelia. Perhaps she could stay with Adeline and James for a while, and if she wanted to leave, he wouldn’t stop her.

  He needed sleep so he grabbed the blanket and headed for the barn. There was some fresh straw he’d be just fine in. Amelia needed sleep as well. When they woke up he’d suggest her goi
ng to stay with her sister a while. That would take the pressure off her while she made her decision.

  He’d give her a wide berth until then. She deserved the space to think without feeling pressured. One thing he could get right. He was as much to blame for romantic notions. It was time he came back to earth and stopped wishing for things he couldn’t have. He’d pray to God for the ability to be thankful for what he had rather than coveting other things.

  * * *

  7

  Breaking Hearts

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  “I’m marrying you, tomorrow,

  not your parents.”

  .

  Amelia sobbed on the bed. She was exhausted after her first night with no sleep. She was certain Jack had seen the error of his ways and realized she simply wasn’t suitable for life out here or life with him. She didn’t get how important the cattle were; they were just animals. He could get more.

  She didn’t want to think she’d made things worse by being here but he clearly thought he’d have been better off if she wasn’t. She was the one out of the three girls who had wanted a marriage more than the other two. Amelia just thought her prayers were being answered at the time. It all seemed so obvious to her then. Once she got back to steal the papers, they’d all be free.

  Now, it was more obvious she’d ignored all the signs of this being unworkable. But she’d wanted it so badly, she’d put every doubt, every clue, out of her head. Adeline had succeeded and so must she. Only now, she didn’t think she would succeed here, on this ranch. She’d been seen as a hindrance already. But surely her coming to the house as commanded would’ve ended in tragedy as well. She was still glad she didn’t back down.

  The tears still came and she’d used up a whole handkerchief. She had to snap out of this negativity. What happened to her positive attitude? She’d let everything get the better of her. That wasn’t her usual self. Look on the bright side. See the good in everything. Have faith that God would provide for her.

  After they both slept, she’d talk to Jack, and they’d work something out. They had to. The vows were for better or for worse. She wasn’t going to give up this easily. She’d make it better, and talk it out. Communication was what they needed, not frazzled nerves and sleep-deprived minds. This would absolutely work out and later today, she’d learn how to ride a horse.

  * * *

  Amelia woke and all the events of the morning went through her mind. Goodness, how long had she been asleep? Jack would be needing her help and she was lazing about the bedroom. As quick as she could she freshened up, put on her clothes and fixed her hair.

  When she walked out to the kitchen with a bright smile, there sat Adeline.

  “Sister. What are you doing here?” Amelia thought it a lovely surprise.

  “I’ve come to fetch you to our home for a few nights. Show you around and introduce you to people. Help you settle in.”

  Amelia’s heart broke in two. Jack didn’t want her. Her fears had been realized. “Where’s my husband?”

  “He’s gone for the day to fix the boundary fences. He thought you may need some time to think things over after last night.”

  “He hates me.” Amelia’s tears fell freely.

  “No. No, of course he doesn’t.”

  “Why has he abandoned me, then?”

  “He’s worried this may all be too much for you, I think.”

  “Jack doesn’t think I’m a strong enough person to deal with life out here.”

  “Are you?” Adeline took her hand. “Think carefully. I had to. Both James and I questioned whether we should get an annulment.”

  “But you didn’t. You loved each other.”

  “It’s about so much more than love, Amelia. Let’s go get you acquainted with the ladies.”

  “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Adeline stopped and turned to her. That was probably the first time Amelia could remember saying no to her sister, ever. “I’m not going. I love Jack and I am strong enough. I’ll prove that to him.”

  “Are you sure? I can’t force you to come.”

  “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

  Adeline kissed her on the cheek. “Good girl. These Blair men think they’re doing us a favour by protecting us from them and this lifestyle. I was hoping you’d refuse.”

  “It’s after lunch time. I’m not even sure what I should be doing around here now.”

  “Here’s a list of the most important things to get done. I’ve also written out some simple recipes which you should find all the ingredients to. They are the basics every household has.”

  “Adeline, you are a saving grace. I thank the Lord every day that you’re my sister.”

  “As I do you. Without you’re positive attitude I’d have been lost so many times.”

  “I can’t wait to get these chores done and have a supper on the table for Jack when he gets home.”

  “Do your water first. That’ll be the hardest. I have faith in you, Amelia. So will Jack very soon. You’ll see.”

  “Thank you so much. Did you hear who the new sheriff is yet?”

  Adeline giggled. “I’m not sure what to make of that situation. I wonder if the Reverend might’ve lost his marbles.”

  “It will either be that, or he’s played them very well. I wonder what Averill will make of the young lawman?”

  “If he stays in the job for that long.”

  “True.” Amelia kissed her sister and took the instructions and recipes.

  “Come out and get some milk. The cow has been giving us a beautiful product lately. I know the rest of the ingredients are here because I dropped them in myself the day before you arrived. There’s a brick cool store out behind the house. James built us one and it worked so well he did one for Jack.”

  “Oh, the sun is so bright today. It’s hot.” Amelia shaded her eyes as she stepped out the door onto the small porch, following Adeline.

  “Yes. The men will be very thirsty when they get home today. It’s no picnic out on the boundary fences.”

  “Thank you, again.”

  “You just do your best to prove him wrong and convince him you’re staying.”

  “I certainly will.”

  “That’s my sister. These men don’t know what’s good for them. We have to show them.”

  After Adeline left, Amelia read through the list and then the recipes. Seemed straightforward. First she’d see to the fire and make sure enough wood was inside, then she’d cart some water from the well to the kettle and to keep in the buckets for cooking and washing.

  The fire had some hot embers in the bottom so Amelia took some of the smaller sticks of wood and threw them in as she’d seen Jack do last night. They ignited almost instantly and Amelia clapped her hands. She remembered her burn and unraveled the bandage that Jack had so carefully placed on her finger.

  She could hardly see where the burn was now and it didn’t smart at all. Now, for that water collection. She picked up the empty bucket and took it outside. The well was a little walk away, but not too far. Once there she wound on the winch handle to get the well bucket to rise full of water. It was heavier than she’d thought but using two hands she finally got it to the top and managed to tip the water into her bucket.

  Off she carried it, swapping hands, until she was back inside filling the kettle, and remembering to put some in the big pot to cook their stew for dinner. That was the next job because it needed time to cook slowly. Amelia was well pleased with her efforts so far. She hoped Jack would be pleased with her and not angry she’d stayed.

  She threw some larger bits of wood in the stove, and they burned easily. That should cook her stew nicely. But first, she needed to get more water.

  Soon she had water in the bucket and she’d chopped up onions, some chunks of lamb meat, carrots and potatoes into the stew pot. She read the recipe. A good pinch of s
alt and that was that. She read, wait until it starts to boil and then pull it to one side so it cooks slower. Okay. So while it was heating up, she’d get some wood to the box beside the stove.

  The wood wasn’t all that heavy and she carried four pieces at a time and filled the wood box. Then it was time to pull the stew aside. Phew. All of that and had taken her a couple of hours. She’d been in to make the bed and tidy her clothes. Then she saw the fireplace hearth was a mess.

  The charcoal and ashes needed sweeping. She grabbed the dustpan and broom, as she pushed the fire mess on to the small shovel she noticed the black stripes left by the charcoal pieces. Taking a piece in her fingers she saw how easily it marked. All she needed was some cardboard or paper. Anything really, and she could draw.

  She looked around the place and saw nothing. But then she remembered her wedding gifts which had been wrapped in brown paper. She rushed into the bedroom and took the paper from the bottom of the basket. She sat at the table and began to sketch a portrait of the man she loved. Jack had striking features, and Amelia put in every detail she could remember of his face, his eyes, his hat.

  He was so handsome, it wasn’t hard to recall him at all. Amelia drew like that all afternoon. She sketched her memories and those she loved until she’d used up all of the brown paper and almost all of the charcoal. Her fingertips were blackened so she added a small amount of hot water from the kettle to small wooden bowl and found her soap in a dish on the crate beside her bed.

  Scrubbing her fingers clean took a few minutes. The aroma of the stew filled the cabin and Amelia’s stomach rumbled from hunger. She hadn’t eaten at all today. She took a chunk of bread and put on some butter. That would do until supper. She munched away and hoped that Jack would be home soon. This waiting was hard. Not knowing his reaction was harder.

  What if it wasn’t her he was worried about? What if he’d decided he didn’t want to be married to her? He might still ask her to leave. She ate her bread and butter and tried not to think about their cross words.