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

by Faye Sonja

  “You know, you’ll never want for anything again, Katherine.” His words brought Katherine’s pale blue eyes back to his green ones. He kept speaking. “I own the entirely of main street. Your father’s refusal to sell his property put an annoying little hole in my growing empire.” A flash of anger made his eyes glow for a moment. “But now that he’s much more willing to sell, I’m happy to take it off his hands… you too.”

  Katherine didn’t move from her position. If she had, she probably would have done something stupid, like slap the man. The reason her father, John Baker, was selling in the first place was Neil’s fault. A strange series of unfortunate events had ruined John’s farms. Now, Katherine's father wasn’t sure how he would manage to feed his family come winter. Selling the land was their only hope and with the sale of the land, Katherine had to leave as well. The settlement wouldn’t be enough to move and feed three mouths. So, either Katherine married Neil or died of starvation. Starving was starting to look more and more to Katherine’s liking with every passing minute.

  Olivia came back with a slice of pie. She placed it in front of Neil. Neil reached for the slice, picked up the forkful, and positioned it in front of his mouth. His cigar was still position between two of his fingers. He looked over at Katherine. “No tea?”

  Olivia flushed and ran back to the kitchen. Katherine had never seen her mother so nervous. No one ever told Olivia Baker what to do. The woman only took orders from her husband. It occurred to Katherine that they must truly be at the monster's mercy. She turned back to Neil and caught him watching her.

  He positioned the fork in her direction. “Want some pie, Kat? Or did you already have some.”

  Katherine gave a gasp. He was referring to her weight now. Katherine was a little on the heavy side. There was no getting around that. While growing up people had been nice to her face about it, but those same people would always use it as the first insult when they got mad at her. It was the first thing people noticed about Katherine. It didn’t matter what she wore or how she styled her golden hair. She was fat, but that didn’t mean she’d lay down when a fight got started. “Oh, no pie for me. That pie is only for our most special of guests. We put something extra special in it, just for you Neil,” Katherine dragged out his name. A dimpled smile finally came to her lips. “Enjoy.”

  The laughter left Neil’s face. He looked at the pie then, not sure whether or not he should eat it. Should he? Did he dare? Would the Blake family really poison him? Decisions, decisions.

  John Blake came through the front door then. He took one look at Neil, and immediate anger came over him. “Mr. Peters.”

  “John.” The man had no couth.

  “Katherine,” her pa’s eyes were looking at her. “Come outside with me for a moment.”

  Katherine straightened her shirt and then headed for the door, leaving Neil in the living room alone. Normally, that would be rude, but Neil was slowly wearing down on the Blake’s hospitality. Katherine walked the few crumbled steps that led down from the front porch and walked up to her father. His bony hand rested on their old wagon.

  Both John and Olivia were small people in both weight and height. Often enough, Katherine wondered where she’d got her heavy appearance. She was their only child, but Katherine imagined that if she’d had any siblings, they would have taken after her parents.

  The sun was setting. The sky was bathed in a red that was slipping behind the other residential homes in the area.

  “You don’t have to marry Neil if you don’t want to.”

  Katherine turned to her father and sorrow consumed her. Before the sorrow, there had been a millisecond of elation, but Katherine had quickly dismissed it. Katherine would not let her family go hungry because of her. Neil would still take the land with or without her, she made no mistake about that, but Katherine would not be a burden to her family any longer. “It’s alright, papa. We all must do what me must,” Katherine placed a hand on his thin shoulder. His clothes were in disarray. No doubt, John had been trying to salvage what he could out at their farm, but the work had been futile.

  Katherine stared into the eyes that looked so much like her own. Her pa’s expression was unreadable as he placed his hand on top of the one Katherine had placed on his shoulder. He gave it a squeeze. “You don’t understand. You don’t have to marry Neil, because you’re marrying someone else.”

  Katherine slipped her hand from underneath her pa’s. “What do you mean?” She was confused. Who else could she marry? Who else could possibly want her? Katherine wasn’t a catch. A man would nearly break his back carrying her over the threshold. Before, John had thrown her into the deal for the land, Katherine had believed she’d die a spinster. Now, that wouldn’t be so. “Who am I to marry?”

  “A man out west. He owns a bank. He’s looking for a wife that can do just the basics. You won’t have to work on a farm ever again. You can be a real lady.” The thought made John smile. It was what he’d always wanted for Katherine, but had never been able to give it to her. John had no sons, and Katherine was the only good hand he could afford after a while.

  Katherine shook her head. “Papa, I don’t know. Neil owns a bank. That doesn’t say much about a person.”

  John shook his head. “Katherine, you’re going to have to make a decision.”

  Katherine looked away. “Does he know?” Her question was clear to the two of them. Did her prospective husband know she was fat?

  John nodded. “He knows and he doesn’t care.”

  Katherine’s blond brows drew together. “What kind of man doesn’t care?”

  “The kind that you’ll be marrying.”

  Their eyes remained locked. They always communicated best in silence. It was like the two shared their own language. John had been the best pa a girl could ever hope for. If he thought that Katherine should marry some man she’d never met, then she would. Katherine reached out and embraced her pa in a hug. He returned it. She was going out west. The decision was made.

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  2

  “Do You Sleep in Here?”

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  “ She was going out west.

  The decision was made. ”

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  Daniel saw her immediately. Who couldn’t see her? She was making a scene at the depot. People were starting to gather. He moved quickly, almost jogging in her directions. When he reached the scene, the chatter around him died. His scar tended to do that. The only person who hadn’t stopped talking was his fated wife. Her back was towards him and she yelled at the buggy boy who was looking up wide eyed at Daniel.

  “You’ve ignored my bags repeatedly. Is my coin not good enough for you?”

  Daniel scratched his head through his dark brown hair. It was apparent to him that she wouldn’t be needing him to fight any of her battles. On the contrary, Daniel was probably going to have to tame her. This was already not looking up.

  As if feeling his large shadow on her back, Katherine turned and gasped. Daniel’s expression showed his irritation. Had he just paid to move another person out west that would gawk at his face? “I’ll get your bags.”

  Katherine composed herself then. She placed a hand on her bonnet before patting her yellow hair. She allowed her baby blue eyes a quick perusal of his form before speaking. “No thank you, sir. My husband will be here soon.” Katherine turned then, dismissing him. She was turning her attention back to the nervous bag boy who was trying to slip away.

  Daniel didn’t understand the confusion. He’d written the truth in his letters, speaking about the scar that adorned the left side of his face. He didn’t understand how Katherine didn’t know about it.

  He didn’t try and speak to her again, not here. The depot’s audience was still standing around. Instead, he reached for her bags and began to walk towards his wagon. She followed as he knew she would. And she was loud. Another thing he’d ex
pected.

  “Excuse me, sir!” Her voice sounded high-class and silly to Daniel’s ears, but he wouldn’t tell her that. If they were to marry, he’d have to listen to that voice for the rest of his life. Better to play nice. “I said earlier that my husband would be here any minute.”

  Daniel sighed and turned towards her. Both her suitcases still in his hands. “What does your husband look like?” A dark brow rose.

  Katherine smoothed down her baby blue skirt. She’d most likely worn the color to bring out her eyes. It had worked, but her fussing was being done to buy herself time. Daniel would allow her to have it. Katherine’s eyes finally fluttered up to his. “I’m not sure.”

  “Very well.” Daniel loaded Katherine’s bags in the back of his covered wagon and then held a hand out towards her, offering to assist her into the chair. He didn’t say anything as he gazed down at her round face. His hand just closed and opened again, silently insisting that she take it.

  Katherine looked at it as though she’d catch something if she touched it. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” she hissed.

  Daniel dropped his hand. “I was told you were more cooperative.”

  Katherine gave him a puzzled look. “I don’t understand.”

  Daniel pulled a note from his pocket and began to read. “Gold hair, blue eyes, stout. A gentlewoman. One who knows how to cook and clean. Educated in writing, reading, and math. God fearing and sophisticated.” Daniel pushed the note into her hands.

  Katherine didn’t know what the man was talking about, but read the letter. She recognized her mother’s handwriting instantly. She hadn’t known about her mother’s involvement until this very moment. Olivia hadn’t wanted her to marry Neil either. The thought warmed her heart. Katherine had never been close to Olivia, she’d known that her weight shamed her. When Katherine had been younger and they’d had money, Olivia had taken her on shopping trips, parading her around with great pride. That pride slid away with every pound that was added to Katherine’s hips. And the lack of love had only made Katherine want to eat more.

  She looked up into the eyes of the man who had handed her the note. His scar was ugly and looked old. It started right before his eye and trailed down to his cheek. The cut looked to have been deep, causing the muscles on the left side of his face to lay limp. She caught his dark brown eyes and realized she’d been staring at his scar. Katherine looked away.

  The man sighed. “I’m sorry you didn’t know about the scar. I’d included it in my letters, but I’m guessing you never read them. If you want, I can have you on a train back in the morning.”

  Katherine looked up into his eyes then. They were unreadable. She had no idea what he was thinking, but couldn’t imagine it was anything good. She was acting improper. But Katherine if married him, she would have to look at his face everyday and she wasn’t sure if she could stomach it.

  He was offering her a way out. It was generous of him. He’d just spent a tiny fortune to get her here, but he wouldn’t force her to stay. She could go home if she wanted to, but Katherine had no home. Neil owned it. Her parents had decided to move to Michigan to look for work on the water. Katherine's ma had always enjoyed the water. They’d told Katherine that they’d write to her when they found something promising. So, as it stood at the moment, the man in front of her was her only choice. “No. I’ll just have to get use to it.” Katherine didn’t look up at him when she said it.

  Daniel didn’t reply either. He just held out his hand once more. After a moment of hesitation, Katherine took it. Once she was on her seat, she let go of his hand. Daniel walked around the wagon and took the reins. He gave them a slap and the horse took off.

  The ride was quiet for the first thirty minutes. Both of them were in their own thoughts. Katherine watched the landscape change before her eyes. Kansas City had been a dusty version of home. It had been busy and alive with action. People had rushed through the streets selling their wares and hoping for business.

  Now, the city was behind them and for miles on end, all Katherine could see was untouched earth. There were mountains up ahead. Katherine had never seen mountains before and would love to visit them. Part of her had been so excited by the idea that she turned to Daniel, hoping to ask that they take a trip to see them some time soon.

  But when her eyes met his face, she paused. From this angle, she couldn’t see his scar. All she could see was his face. He had a dark tan, a straight nose, and solid jaw. A shadow of a beard sat along his lower cheek and chin. He had a great profile and she was sure that before he’d been marked, women must have found him to be handsome.

  He glanced her way, catching her looking, but quickly turned his eyes back onto the trail. Katherine was guessing he was a man of few words. Well, few words was not something Katherine believed in. “Where are we going?”

  “Perry Lake.” He didn’t say anything more.

  That was alright. Katherine knew how to push. “What’s it like there.”

  “Nice.”

  Katherine sighed. “Do you live in a city?”

  “Kind of.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You will.”

  And then there was silence.

  “How long will it take to get there?”

  “We’ll be there by sunset.”

  Katherine’s eyes widened. She’d arrived at the depot at six in the morning. After two weeks on a train that seemed to make a hundred stops, she hadn’t planned on spending an additional day traveling.

  A tilt appeared from the side of Daniel’s mouth, but he didn’t say anything.

  Katherine closed her arms and leaned back into the uncomfortable chair. “I’m tired.”

  “You can lay in the back.”

  Katherine peered around and took a look into the wagon. A rolled up mattress and blanket lay to one side. “Do you sleep in here?”

  Daniel sucked his teeth. “No, I bought them for you.” There was annoyance in his voice.

  Katherine looked at him then. “Oh, well, thank you.” That was nice of him. If she wanted to, she could lounge in the back of the wagon for the entire ride. This small token of kindness made her smile. Daniel was obviously no Neil. Neil wouldn’t have done something just to be nice. Neil would have wanted something in return. Perhaps Daniel did too. “You won’t try and lay down back there while I’m back there, right?”

  Something in Daniel’s jaw tightened. “Why would I do something like that?”

  Katherine’s heart sank. He was talking about her weight. He didn’t want her. No one did. Why should she be surprised now? Maybe she’d thought the scar would make him less choosey, but apparently not. Was she to forever be in a marriage where her husband didn’t want her? “Stop the wagon.”

  Daniel didn’t ask questions. He just did. Katherine was down and out of the chair before Daniel could come around and help her. She started to hoist herself into the bed of the wagon by herself, but almost fell when she felt a pair of hands go to her waist. “Let me help you.”

  “I’ve got it,” Katherine said, just as she got into the bed. “I’ll just be back here. Wake me when we arrive.” With that, she closed the wagon’s cover. She was going to cry, but she wouldn’t let Daniel see it. He wouldn’t know how much his words had hurt her.

  Daniel stared at the closed sheet, confused more than ever. Women.

  He headed back to his seat and took the reins. They were back on their way immediately. Daniel didn’t want to risk traveling at night. In the day, the shadows stayed at bay. Thieves were everywhere and had the tendency to suddenly come out of nowhere. He didn’t want to have to fight, but if someone brought one his way, he’d give them one. He had experience with roughnecks. He’d been one himself. Daniel’s past was laid with things he wished he could forget. Mark had been right when he’d said that he didn’t deserve happiness. Not when he’d taken happiness away from so many other people.

  He thought of his soon-to-be wife then. The letter he’d received had described h
er as gentle. Daniel shook his head. There was nothing gentle about the spirited woman in the back of his wagon. What Daniel needed was a meek woman that would draw people into the bank, not someone who would chase them away. The out he’d given her earlier hadn’t only been for her benefit. It had been for his as well. Katherine was a loose cannon if he’d ever met one. It made him wonder about the other fine ‘qualities’. Which ones on the list could she truly perform? Did she cook? Clean? Daniel sighed. He’d find out once they reached his home.

  The sound of elated music drew Katherine’s attention from her book. During their travel, they’d stopped once to eat, but then had quickly been back on their way. Katherine had retook her original seat by Daniel who’d drove.

  Up ahead, was a nice white building that she assumed was a church. Katherine could tell from the steeple. No matter where she went, she could always easily spot a church. In the backyard, there was a gathering. “What’s going on?”

  Daniel didn’t turn around when he spoke. “Our wedding.”

  Katherine’s eyes widened. She hadn’t thought they’d get married so quickly. She thought she’d have more time. But she supposed a quick wedding was what was needed. She couldn’t sleep in the same home with a man and not be married. Still, it would have been nice to know just a little bit more about him first. He was such a quiet and reserved man. “Having second thoughts?” His words made her turn towards him then, looking at his side profile. He was handsome. It made her wonder even more about the scar, but now didn’t seem like the right time to ask.

  No, Katherine had no more second thoughts. She’d thought about her options during the entire ride and she’d come to a conclusion. If Daniel could live with her weight, then she would live with his scar. “No, no second thoughts.” The church was coming in closer now. Katherine could hear the music more clearly. She was glad at the moment that she’d worn her best dress. It was the last good looking thing that she had. The rest of her nice clothes had been sold long ago. When her family had lost their money, they’d begun to get rid of everything. Their home had been the last to go. “I didn’t know we’d have a party.”