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

by Faye Sonja

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  Averill had no idea how long she’d slept when she heard Amelia’s voice and felt her hand on her arm. “Averill, wake up. Someone is here to see you.”

  Had she slept all night and Lex Baxter was here already?

  “Sorry to wake you, but this is someone you want to see.”

  “Hello, Averill.” The man’s voice was deep and familiar, yet it had been so long.

  Reginald Fairweather, her friend and mentor. Averill opened her eyes slowly, scared it was a dream. But there he was, in his dark suit and gold cufflinks, smiling at her.

  “Mr. Fairweather? How did you get to Goldrush already?”

  “I forgot to mention to you my love of horse riding? I think now you’re a married woman you can call me Reg. That goes for all of you.”

  “Why did you come? Have you found a loophole?” Averill sat up on the bed.

  “I fear not. I heard Lex had booked a ticket. I was keeping a close eye on things, so on I got too. I wanted to get here first to warn you all.”

  “Thank you, Reg. We’d worked it out and checked the passenger list.” It felt very strange to address him by his first name. “Have you seen Mama yet?”

  “No. I don’t wish to until this is all over with tomorrow.”

  “I guess you’re hiding out here with us, then.” Averill smiled. “I’ve missed you, Reg.”

  “As I’ve missed you. All of you.” He smiled around at all three of them. “Has your mother found…is she…happy?”

  Averill placed her hand on his. “She’s still alone, Reg.”

  “Let’s go have tea. I’m sure you could do with a strong cup.” Adeline smiled at Reg and held out her hand.

  “Yes, indeed I could.”

  “We’ll tell you all we know over tea.” Averill linked her arm through his.

  Reg patted her hand. “Good, because I have a plan.”

  * * *

  10

  The Deal

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  “I won’t be marrying for that love alone.

  I’ll be marrying because we make

  sense on an intellectual level.”

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  The stagecoach hadn’t arrived yet and it was quarter past the hour it was due. Maybe something had gone wrong. Maybe Baxter didn’t get on it. Averill sat with her hand holding Jacob’s in the back of the church hall. “I can’t stand the tension.”

  “It’s alright. He’ll get here.”

  “I wish he wouldn’t.”

  “This will have it over with forever.”

  “I hope so.” Averill was nauseous but she didn’t want to be ill with Jacob here to ask questions.

  “The coach is here. Reg has asked us all to stay out of sight for now. He’s going to deal with Lex. We can listen from the rectory office,” Adeline called out through a partially opened door.

  Jacob stood up and offered his hand to Averill. With a sigh she used it to pull herself up from the chair. This was it. They walked out into the rectory; the reverend and Millie were both out in the church with Reg. Millie was cleaning and fixing candles for the service this evening.

  Reverend had left the door ajar so the sound carried through.

  “Fairweather. What are you doing here?” Lex Baxter was in the church.

  “I’ve come to appeal to your better nature and ask you to forget this debt once and for all. The man is dead.”

  “A deal is a deal. He owed me. I have a right to collect.”

  “Perhaps you do, but common decency would dictate that you let it go.”

  “Why should I?”

  “Fair enough. I believe I have a loophole.”

  “I doubt it. My lawyers are ten times the attorney you are. They made that agreement locked tight.”

  “You took advantage of that family.”

  “He owed me money. A lot of money.”

  “Fine, alright. Do you have your agreement with you?”

  “Why?” He looked suspicious.

  “It will need to be counter-signed that all parties agreed to the conditions of marriage.”

  Averill heard Lex opening his case.

  “Come in, the rest of you.”

  Averill led the charge, followed by Amelia and Jack and then Adeline and James.

  “Mr. Baxter. I trust your journey was uncomfortable.” Averill spoke up first.

  “It was.”

  “Good.” Averill couldn’t resist the urge to be mean. “As you can see, we are all married and none of us will be marrying you.”

  “I have a signed agreement. It must be honoured.”

  Reg walked up to him. “Let me have it and I’ll have them sign.”

  Lex put the papers into Reg’s hand. “I need all three signatures. Then they can decide who is to marry me.”

  “Of course.” Reg took the contract up to Adeline and winked as he asked her to sign it. Once the three signature were on, he took it to the reverend. “Reverend, would you be so kind as to be the independent party who signs as a witness?”

  “I shall. Millie, can you bring a candle for light? My eyes aren’t what they used to be. If the Lord sees fit, I may have new spectacles next month.”

  “Thank you, Reverend.” Lex Baxter looked very pleased with himself.

  “Reverend, if you wouldn’t mind?” Reginald took the contract over to him.

  Averill’s heart raced and perspiration prickled her skin all over. She’d signed her name on there. What did Reg have planned?

  “Yes, yes of course.” Reverend took the page and read over it carefully, nodding a little and making a few grunts.

  Millie carried a lit candle across the church. She stood in front of her husband to give him a lovely smile and thrust the candle out to him.

  Averill was certain she was going to be sick. She swallowed and felt Jacob’s hand taker hers. She let out the breath she’d been holding.

  The next second, the documents in the reverend’s hand caught alight.

  Lex Baxter gave a shout and went to run up there. Jack, James and Jacob stepped out and blocked his way. Lex raged at them all. “What have you done? This is illegal! I’ll see you all in court.”

  “I think all the witnesses agree that they saw nothing.” Reg addressed them all.

  Everyone nodded.

  “I suggest you leave town, Lex. And don’t come looking for anything off me. My office met with a tragic fire last week and all my documents were destroyed. Now, I’d suggest you go and leave these good people alone to get on with their lives, and look after the heir you’ve got on your brother’s wife.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Lex shot him a look that was all guilt as far as Averill could see.

  “I found out. Your brother will find out too if I ever see you near Goldrush again. It’s over. Go home, Lex.”

  Averill couldn’t stop smiling, and as soon as Lex left the church they all cheered and went up and hugged Millie and Reverend.

  Reg came up and shook Millie’s hand. “Good thinking. Well done. I’m glad I told you about my copies being destroyed. Very clever lady.”

  “Your office was destroyed by fire? Did you lose everything?” Averill asked.

  “Everything I wanted to.” Reg winked at her.

  “So it’s over?” Adeline spun around and laughed. “It’s finally over.”

  “It really is. Reg, shall I fetch Mama?” Averill was desperate to bring her mother over.

  “I already have. First thing this morning. They tell me Goldrush has a certain knack at pulling off fast weddings. I wonder if another one would be possible.”

  Millie clapped her hands. “Today, or tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow morning at eleven. I’ll see you all here when I come to marry Elizabeth Rose Harrison. Girls, I think your mother needs you to help choose her dress.”

  Averill, Amelia and Adeline all rushed out to see their mother, who was still in the l
odgings across the road. She hadn’t wanted to move in with anyone yet. Now, it seemed she wouldn’t have to.

  God certainly had surprised her. Averill could never have seen that end coming.

  “Mama! You’re to be a bride as well. How wonderful.”

  “Thank you, daughters. I never expected Reg would follow me. He said he had a way to end Lex Baxter bothering us but even if he hadn’t, he was coming to marry me anyway.”

  “We won’t be hearing from him ever again.” Averill hugged her mother. “I hope you’ll be very happy. Just as happy as we all are with our husbands. Congratulations Mama. Also…” Averill went up and took Jacob’s hands in hers. “There’ll be another baby along in eight months.”

  Jacob eyes went wide as the news sunk in. He grabbed her into a hug and spun around once. “I couldn’t love you any more than I do right now, Averill Blair. Thank you for taking a chance in Goldrush.”

  “You can thank Adeline for that. It was all her idea. She was the one that found James’ advertisement and wrote him with her plan.” Averill smiled at her oldest sister.

  “You all trusted in me and I’m so happy you did. It’s made my life more incredible than I could ever have imagined.” Adeline put her arms around James and rested her head on his chest.

  “I know I could never be this happy anywhere else with anyone else.” Amelia gazed up at Jack. “Who was to know my whole world would end up being on a ranch with this man?”

  “Now it’s your turn, Mama. Reg is a good man. He’ll be very lucky to have you,” said Averill.

  “I’m the lucky one. To have my three girls here by my side. Now, let’s go find Sarah and see what she can do with my dresses to make a wedding outfit.”

  Averill looked around at her family and knew she’d never want to change a thing. Goldrush was the perfect home, now and forever.

  * * *

  THE BIG FEISTY BRIDE TAMED BY HER SCARRED BANKER

  BRIDES OF PERRY LAKE

  BOOK 1

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  Feisty Katherine has made her worst best option- to marry a stranger who don’t mind her being OVERWEIGHT. What Daniel expected is a nice quiet bride, not a headstrong wife & what she doesn’t know is Daniel has an ugly long scar on his face- a result of his past.

  Will Katherine's love be strong enough to withstand the things that Daniel has done in his past?

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  “But What About the Bachelor Life?”

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  “ She was going out west.

  The decision was made. ”

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  Perry Lake, Kansas

  1902

  Daniel Price rose his head with a smile on his face as the front door to his bank swung open. Upon seeing who it was, his face fell. He didn’t even acknowledge the visitor before going back inside to his ledger. His lack of acknowledgement didn’t seem to matter.

  “Say it ain’t so!” Mark Bishop cried. The man was positioned by the entrance in the most dramatic of stances. His hands gripped the opened door jam, he swung his head low and closed his eyes. He looked to be praying.

  The man knew how to call attention to himself. Daniel rolled his eyes before returning to his ledger. “It ain’t so,” he finally replied.

  Mark whistled in relief, a hand wiped invisible sweat from his brow. He then strolled into the room like the confident cowboy he was. “Good. I knew it couldn’t be true.” Mark cupped his face in one hand and leaned an elbow into the counter, looking right at home. His blue eyes sparkled. “There’s a nasty rumor going round town that you’re gettin’ hitched. But I knew you wouldn’t do that to us.”

  Daniel sighed. “I am getting married, Mark.” Daniel’s words made Mark stand up straight, now paying closer attention. “What? But what about the bachelor life? You can’t do this to me, Daniel. If you get married then I’ll have no more single friends. I’m not ready to settle down.” There was plea in his blue eyes. Mark was what people called a handsome man, which was something Daniel would never be called. Not ever again. Mark wore his dirty blond hair short and had natural highlights. He wore his face shaved clean and smiled with ease. If Mark wanted something, he would most likely get it… but not Daniel.

  Looking up at his friend, Daniel shook his head. The two were practically brothers. They’d grown up together, caused trouble together, and had moved to Perry Lake, Kansas together.

  Perry Lake was an up and coming city that was only a day’s drive from Kansas City. Daniel had rode through the place and knew at once this was where he would settle down. He’d built his bank and hand got a few clients rather quickly. Loans mostly. Everyone needed money for lumber, feed, and seeds. It was easy to lend people money, but Daniel hadn’t got too many people willing to let him hold their money. That was why he was getting himself a wife. “I’m getting married, Mark. I got to do something to make these people trust me. A good woman will do that.”

  Mark looked instantly defeated. He sighed. “Well, could you at least tell your best man what the woman’s name is?”

  Daniel returned to his papers. “I don’t know.” A pain was beginning to radiate on the left side of his face. He reached up to rub the groove of the long and rough looking scar there. “I’m mail ordering.”

  Mark let out another one of his long whistles. “That’s gonna piss off a lot of the local mamas around here. Even with your scar, you’re still considered a catch around here. You may not be all that attractive, but you’ve got money.”

  Daniel gave Mark a blank stare. “Thanks a lot.” He knew Mark’s words should have been encouraging, but they weren’t. “The girls here are too young for me. I need a mature woman.” A grin crept slowly on Daniel’s face. His black eyes twinkled. “Though, they’re just perfect for you.” And they truly were.

  “Thanks for looking out for me, old buddy, but I’ll be fine.” He shot Daniel one of his good boy grins. “You still coming to the meeting this week?”

  The ‘meeting’ Mark spoke of was for a Men’s Bible Study Group. Daniel and Mark had originally only attended the church in an effort to keep a promise they’d made a while back. Now, the guys went because they were truly interested in what the Bible had to say. God was turning a corner in both of their lives. It was almost enough to give Daniel hope. Almost. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

  Mark headed for the door. “Good.” He stopped right before he left and turned back. “Daniel, I’m happy for you, but don’t forget. We don’t deserve happiness.”

  Their eyes held. No words needed to be shared between the two. They allowed their memories fill in the void. Daniel gave a single nod of his head before returning to his work. There wasn’t much of it, but hopefully, the new wife would help him build the reputation he needed in order to turn a profit.

  * * *

  Erie, Pennsylvania

  Katherine Blake’s back went rigid as Neil Peters walked into the living room. He took a seat across from her, placing his hat on the table between them. He was smiling; a good looking man. Most of the women in Erie wanted the man, but not Katherine. Katherine wanted nothing to do with the criminal. Yes, he was a criminal. Though the courts couldn’t prove it, Katherine know a snake when she saw one and didn’t feel the need to wait around for it to strike. Neil dealt in everything illegal under the sun. Everyone in town knew it too, but no one did a thing about it.

  Neil leaned back into his chair, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a cigar. He reached into a side pocket of his brown suit and pulled out a golden lighter. Katherine had no doubt that the lighter was made out of real gold. Neil had plenty of money. Unfortunately, the man just didn’t have any class to go along with it.

  “You can’t smoke that in here.�
�

  Neil’s hands paused. His smile had fallen, but his green eyes still glittered. “Would it really make a difference? Once we’re wed, I’ll have this place flattened. I’ll need room for the theater I’m building. You like the theater don’t you, Katherine?” He lit the cigar then. He inhaled and blew a cloud of smoke up above his head.

  Katherine balled her hands onto her lap. “I do enjoy the theater, but I have no intention of going with you.”

  “Katherine!” Olivia, Katherine's mother stood by the entrance. Katherine hadn’t known she’d been standing there. But it made sense. No man would be allowed to call on an unmarried woman without a chaperon. It didn’t matter that Katherine was twenty-eight, and it also didn’t matter that Neil was rich. Rules were rules.

  Neil slid further down into the cushion of his armchair. He threw one knee over the other, making himself terribly at home. “Oh, Mrs. Blake, don’t mind Katherine.” His smile was back. “I enjoy making conversation with a woman who knows herself.” His smile then fell. “She’ll need a little correcting is all. Nothing I can’t handle, of course.” Neil sprinkled his ashes on the wood floor, letting both women know what he thought of their home. The Baker home was in ruins. The floors were coming apart, paint was peeling off the window frames, and there was no money to do anything about it. Still, the insult hurt.

  Olivia opened her mouth to speak, but Neil cut her off. “Mrs. Baker, is that pie I smell? I do love pie.” His intentions were clear. He wanted her gone from the room.

  Olivia hesitated. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Mama!” Katherine cried.

  “Hush girl,” and with that, Olivia was gone, leaving Katherine alone with the wolf, but not before she gave Katherine one of her famous ‘you-better-behave-yourself’ looks. Katherine would try and remain ladylike, but would not let Mr. Neil run over her.