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

by Faye Sonja

  “Neither did I,” Daniel commented. There was something in his voice when he said it. Something that said he wasn’t happy about the party. It made Katherine wonder why.

  “Do you not want to have a party?” Katherine whispered. It had taken a lot from her to ask the question. She wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.

  For a portion of the trip, Katherine had cried softly in the back of the wagon. She’d been quiet enough to make sure Daniel didn’t hear her. She was going to a new place with no friends and no way out. She had no money and was at the mercy of a man who didn’t want her. Thinking about it now, Katherine had to fight to stop the tears from building in her eyes.

  She felt the wagon come to a halt. They were still a distance from the church. If someone looked in their direction, they’d probably see a wagon, but wouldn’t be able to make out who was on it. Katherine turned to Daniel to find his brown eyes staring down at her. His scar was in view now. His dark brows were drawn together. “Katherine, if you can’t stomach the thought of marrying me, I will take you back. Don’t marry me, because you feel sorry for me. It won’t do anyone any good in the long run.” His eyes burned with anger and a hint of something else, pain.

  Without thinking about it, Katherine reached out and placed a gloved hand on his arm. His eyes darted towards her hand before returning to her face. Katherine swallowed. “What do you want from me, Daniel?”

  “Can you cook?”

  The question caught Katherine off guard. She took back her hand. “Yes.”

  “Can you be ladylike and not yell at people in public?”

  Katherine flushed. “Yes.”

  “Will you give me children?”

  There was only a moment of hesitation before Katherine tried to respond, but the hesitation was all Daniel needed. The shake of his head cut her off. “I’m taking you back.”

  Katherine panicked. “I can’t go back. I have nowhere else to go.” Except back to Neil and that was not a real option. That was a death sentence.

  “So, you’re marrying me as a last resort?” Daniel’s anger was real now. It was in his eyes. Katherine could almost feel them burn her face. Her heart started to beat rapidly. Fear filled her. She didn’t know Daniel. She didn’t know what he would do with all that anger. Was he a violent man?

  Daniel must have seen the question in her eyes, because he calmed then. He took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. He closed his eyes. “I would never hit you, Katherine,” he whispered.

  The way he whispered her name sent a warmth up Katherine’s face. No one had ever said Katherine's name that way before. Katherine looked away. His words had brought her some sense of comfort. Still, she had to know one more thing. “Does my size bother you?” She didn’t meet his eyes. She didn’t want to.

  The feel of a rough finger brought Katherine’s chin up. His stared at her. His expression was blank. Unreadable. Then something dark past behind them. “No.”

  “Oh.” If she hadn’t been looking into his eyes when he’d said the word, she wouldn’t have believed them.

  Daniel looked away, taking his hand from her chin. “So, are we doing this?” He looked straight ahead, no longer meeting her eyes, giving her his strong profile once more.

  Katherine settled back into her seat. She fought to keep the smile from her lips. “Yes, we’re doing this.”

  Daniel slapped down on the reins and they were on their way once again.

  * * *

  3

  “Will You Try to Make Him Happy?”

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  “ She was going out west.

  The decision was made. ”

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  Daniel watched as Katherine walked down the aisle of the church. He hadn’t been lying earlier. He found Katherine to be gorgeous. Her blue eyes were almond shaped, her nose was small and had a soft up tilt to it while her pink lips tilted down in a natural pout, giving her a superior look. Her blond hair was coiled behind her diamond shaped face. Her white bonnet sat upright on her head. In all honesty, Katherine looked like some kind of royalty. A queen who didn’t take kindly to anyone looking down on her short and overweight frame. It matched her attitude back at the depot. Katherine didn’t seem like someone who’d back down from a challenge.

  Part of Daniel appreciated her spirit, but it also worried him. When they’d arrived at the church, she’d met everyone with grace and poise. Her Eastern heritage showed clear, but anytime someone’s eyes had drifted below her face, a flame had quickly sparked in her eyes. Daniel had kept in perfect communication with God, hoping that Katherine didn’t blow up on anyone. It was the last thing he needed at the moment.

  When Katherine finally reached him, he held out his hand to her and she took it. In front of them, the pastor stood. To Daniel’s left, was Mark. Mark had planned the impromptu wedding. He was a good friend.

  The people in the church had found decor that had been stored in the basement for special occasions. They’d draped the white material over the few pews in the tiny church. Candles flamed brightly from their positions on the walls, and tall candle holders had been strategically placed around the room.

  To Katherine’s right stood Faith Coleman. She was the town’s go to girl for all things fashion. Faith was most likely the one who’d decorated the church. She owned her own little sewing shop in town and was one of Daniel’s only patrons. She had a kind spirit and had welcomed Katherine warmly. Daniel hoped the women would be fast friends.

  The pastor, Gregory White, began to speak sacred words of commitment, honor, and an eternal bond that would not break until either Daniel or Katherine were laid in their grave. Daniel took this oath with Katherine and God very seriously, and hoped Katherine would do the same.

  When Gregory gave permission for the two to kiss, Daniel quickly leaned his head down towards Katherine and brushed his lips with hers. The kiss had been fleeting, a gentle pressure, then it was gone. He hadn’t wanted there to be any hesitation on her behalf. He hadn’t wanted to embarrass them both. He knew his scar still bothered her. Her eyes had darted towards it more than once during the ceremony. But now, before man and God, they were bound to one another. Man and wife. The reality of that hit Daniel. The woman in front of him was his wife. She was beautiful. Much more than he deserved. He would try and make her happy. It was all he could do.

  The music rose into the air and filled the night. Candlelight pushed the darkness away enough for Katherine to make out the few eyes that followed her around.

  “Don’t mind them. They’re just jealous.”

  Katherine turned and her eyes met a pair of green eyes that were almost as pale as her blue ones. Faith. The woman’s dark red hair was pulled back, but her natural curls refused to be tamed. In the candlelight, her hair almost looked black. She was stunning. Much too pretty to be real. Her face looked as though it had been carved out of a jade stone. Pale and unblemished.

  Katherine looked around at the eyes of mother’s and daughter’s that looked at her, watched her. Some tried to hide their hate behind false smiles. Katherine knew what they were thinking, but didn’t know what was causing their hate. “Why would they be jealous of me?”

  Faith’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t you know? Daniel’s crazy rich. He’s saved a few of the local farms with his money. For his generosity, many of the town’s father’s tried to give him their daughter for marriage, but Daniel had turned them all down.”

  Katherine was just about to ask why when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and met a woman that was so small, you would almost think she were a child, but there was nothing childish about the look on her face. Her hazel eyes burned with a hate that was almost frightening. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you, Mrs. Price.” Her voice was high pitched and nasally. Katherine had to fight not to cover her ears. The sound was almost screechy. “I’m Nancy Montgomery.” She held out her hand.


  Nancy was pretty. She had what looked to be a natural tan. Her hazel eyes were the same color as her hair. The color of both covered the entire spectrum of brown. Katherine smiled and shook the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Nancy.”

  “I’m sure.” Nancy took her hand back and gracefully wiped it down her dress in a manner that would only be obvious to Katherine. “So,” the sound stung Katherine’s ears once again. “Are you enjoying the little feast we prepared for you?” Her hazel eyes turned to gems, glittering in the dark. “If it’s not enough, we could always go out and slaughter a pig for you.” She smiled. “Or a cow?”

  Katherine could hear giggling coming from behind Nancy. A pain shot through her heart. How could anyone be so cruel? It was her wedding day. Tears began to build in Katherine’s eyes. Anger began to build as well. The heat of her anger burned the tears away. “Nancy, if you don’t leave my presents, we’ll see what gets slaughtered.”

  Nancy gasped. So did the rest of her friends. They seemed to believe Katherine. Good, because she was almost angry enough to mean it.

  Faith stepped in then. “Run along, little girl. That’s why Daniel didn’t want any of you. You’re a bunch of immature babies.” She began to fan her hand in front of Nancy’s face as if the girl were a pesky fly. “Shoo!”

  Nancy gave one more, nasty little look before turning away.

  Katherine understood now. The women here were childish. Well, most of them. She looked into Faith’s gleaming eyes. “You’re not too young.” Katherine didn’t know how old Faith was for sure, but she guessed the woman to be around her own age. Late twenties. Katherine wondered how any man could have managed to resist her. Only one way to find out. “Are you married?”

  A small twinkle left Faith’s eyes. Her features soften, almost dulling her. Katherine hadn’t meant to offend her, but she wouldn’t take back the question. She had to know.

  Faith’s eyes darted away, but only briefly before returning to Katherine’s face. “No, I’m not.”

  “Why?”

  Faith’s brow lifted then. She didn’t ignore Katherine’s bluntness. Not many people did. Katherine placed a hand on her new friend’s arm. She was shaking more than she thought she would or should. “Please. I must know.” Katherine didn’t know Daniel well enough to know if he would sleep around on her. If there was anything going on between them, she wanted to know how and not years down the road when after she’d foolishly let herself love him. If she ever would love him.

  Faith calmed. Her shoulders, which had formerly been tense, loosened. “If it wasn’t your wedding day, I would have refused to tell you, but it really doesn’t matter. Everyone in the town knows.” A small pain seemed to come over her then.

  Katherine squeezed Faith’s arm. “Forget I asked it. You don’t have to tell me. Not if it will cause you pain.”

  Faith met her eyes again, judging whether or not if Katherine was being sincere. “You’d let it go? Even if my words gave you fair warning?”

  Katherine’s pulse jumped. She looked over at Daniel then. His eyes were on her. They’d been watching her all night. He was smiling as he spoke to his friend Mark. Katherine wasn’t sure why he was smiling, but it somehow made him all the more intimidating. She could feel her body heat underneath his gaze. She quickly turned away. Did his eyes touch other women in the same manner?

  Katherine looked up into Faith’s eyes. That green glitter in them had returned. She was smirking. Katherine realized her hand was still on Faith’s arm, gripping tighter than she’d wanted to. Katherine took her hand back. “No, don’t tell me. Not if it will cause you pain.”

  Faith was quiet for a moment. Katherine had regained her breathing before she heard Faith speak again. “Daniel is a good man. I care for him, Katherine.” Katherine’s eyes went up to Faith’s face. Her heart began to beat rapidly again. Faith’s face was casual. It gave nothing away as she spoke. “Will you hold to the vows you made in the church?” Faith tilted her chin slightly up, studying Katherine’s face, looking for a lie.

  Katherine balled her hands together in front of her. “Of course.”

  “Will you try to make him happy?” A red brow lifted on Faith’s face. She was playing no games. There was challenge in her gaze.

  Katherine looked her square in the eyes. “Yes.”

  Faith nodded her head. A smile came on her lips. “Good.” She then looped her arm threw Katherine’s and brought their head close in an effort to not be overheard. Faith looked her dead in the eyes. “Daniel and I have only ever had friendship between us. You have nothing to worry about.”

  Katherine’s eyes narrowed.

  Faith rolled her eyes before returning them to Katherine’s. “I can’t have children, Kate.”

  Katherine hadn’t been called by her nickname in some time. Hearing it, under normal circumstances would have made her smile, but not when it had been attached to the news that Faith had just given her. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Faith’s other arm patted Katherine’s shoulder. “Nothing to worry about. I’ve known for years. The news is only news to you.” Faith smiled then. She was trying to be brave, but Katherine could tell it still hurt.

  Katherine felt her arms go around Faith. At first the hug was awkward, but then she felt Faith’s arms go around her. “Thank you.” It was the only thing Katherine could think to say.

  Faith pulled back then and smiled into Katherine’s face. “Mhm. Now, why don’t you go over there and stand next to your husband?” Faith winked then, reminded Katherine of her promise to the woman. Katherine would make Daniel happy. Nervousness made her swallow. She did indeed want to make him happy, she only hoped that she could.

  * * *

  Home hadn’t been far from the church. Daniel lived above his bank, which was only a block away. People had followed then, as was sometimes the tradition. Daniel held Katherine’s hand as they approached the door. She hadn’t looked up to him since they started the slow walk. She was nervous. Daniel sighed.

  “Carry her over the threshold, Daniel!” Someone from the crowd yelled.

  Some people oohed, and others who were too rude to matter began to laugh. Daniel felt Katherine’s hand leave his. They were making her feel bad. Anger swept through him then.

  Without thinking, Daniel turned Katherine toward him, then cradled her face, and brought his lips down towards hers. A thunder of cheer broke through the crowd. At first, Katherine didn’t respond, but then Daniel felt arms wrap around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss. This only cheered the crowd on further.

  Then, without breaking the kiss, Daniel leaned down, wrapped an arm around the back of Katherine’s knee, the other around her back, and easily lifted her off the ground. He held her to his chest. There was no struggle. No sweat. No strain on his face. It was as if he’d lifted something as light as a piece of paper. Katherine broke the kiss then. Her eyes went wide. The crowd died. They were shocked too. Daniel smiled. Served them right.

  He turned towards the door, kicked it open, and then kicked it closed behind him. They were alone now. He still held on to her. Cradling her to his chest. Katherine’s arms were still around his neck. Her eyes had calmed, but only a little. What was once a look of surprise was now one of caution. “You can put me down now,” she whispered.

  “I know,” he replied. But he didn’t put her down. He liked her right where she was, but Katherine seemed to disagree.

  “Put me down.” This time, her words were firm.

  Daniel slowly eased her down, he didn’t let her go until her feet hit the floor. Once they had, Katherine stepped back away from him, out of his reach. The scar. Katherine was staring at it again.

  So this would be their marriage. So be it. He turned towards a door in the back of the bank. “I’ll take you to your room and then leave you for the night.” He opened the door and walked through it, leaving Katherine alone.

  Katherine stood there in the main part of the bank for only a moment before following Daniel.
She was still stunned by him. The kiss. She reached up and touched her lips. The surprise had been unnerving, but then he’d picked her up, which only served to shock her further. Katherine hadn’t been picked up since she were a child and yet, Daniel had done it as though she were one of those skinny women. The women that would laugh and giggle when their men picked them up and swung them around. Katherine was not one of them, but for a moment, she felt like she was.

  Daniel was a mystery to her. Every new minute, she hoped to learn more about him, but it seemed that as the day wore on, he made less and less sense to her.

  Walking through the door, Katherine was immediately inside of a living room. There were two chairs that faced a love seat. The pieces were done in a heavy red fabric, the wood on the legs and arms was dark and looked to have been freshly polished. A large rug of the same rich red sat underneath them, taking up most of the living room’s wooden floor. In the far end, she could see a kitchen and dining area.

  Katherine walked further into the room. It was much bigger than she’d expected.

  “I’m planning on building us a house come spring.”

  Katherine turned and caught Daniel looking down at her from the stairs. “You can have a better look around tomorrow, but we should hurry. I have work to attend to.” He turned his back towards her and then proceeded to walk up the stairs.

  Katherine didn’t move. He was being harsh with her and she didn’t understand why. Well, there was only one way to find out. Katherine didn’t mind asking the necessary questions. People had told her nasty things for most of her life. What was a few more.

  Anger made her steps sound loudly as she climbed the stairs, the material of her full skirt was balled in her hands. There was a hallway at the top of the steps. There were three doors. The first two were open. The one at the end lay shut. A shadow was moving in the first door. Daniel. Katherine walked in, ready to rip his head off. “Why are you behaving this way?”