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

by Faye Sonja

  “Mama—”

  “You’re moving to Santana, California with Harmony. Austin is out of town, but by the time he comes back, it will be too late. He’ll never know where you’ve gone. You’ll never see that man again.” No one would ever have believed that Melody was twenty years old from looking at her. She was such a tiny thing, unlike the rest of the Stone family. Their father, Jacob Stone, had been well over 6’8; Jill Stone was 6’4; and Harmony was 6’2. Melody though, was only 5’2. She always wore her light brunette hair short, it stopped at the top of her shoulders. She turned to look at Harmony with intense gray eyes. The eyes, hair, and pale skin were the characteristics that made Melody look like a Stone woman. But her eyes were red from her tears and her wailing. Stone women didn’t wail and only cried when someone was deathly ill or had passed away.

  The last time Harmony had cried was when her father died. It was right before the stock market crashed, six years ago. The greed of the American banks had cost so many people everything they had. There were no jobs to be found now, and Harmony’s teaching job didn’t escape the turmoil of the era. Now, being a single woman without a man’s protection was becoming a dangerous thing. Harmony could no longer afford the land they sat on, so she’d been forced to find other means to survive. She hadn’t been the only woman to resort to marriage, but had been surprised when she’d found someone willing to propose. So, now, she was moving to California.

  Jill Stone hadn’t wanted to take the journey west, claiming she wanted to die in the city that her husband had. So Harmony’s intended husband had found Jill a room to board in that was located in Michigan. It had been a very generous move that was highly appreciated.

  Melody crawled over to Harmony, her blue dress sliding across the floor. “Harmony, please.” She held up her hand; her eyes pleading. “Don’t take me. Tell Mama to let me stay.” She started to nod her head rapidly. “Austin will come around. You believe that, right?”

  Harmony lifted a brow. She’d grown used to the face that Melody was making now. Harmony had spent most of her twenty-eight years as a school teacher and never let a sad face get over on her. “I love you, Melody, but the train leaves in two hours. You will be on it.”

  Melody’s eyes went wide. She shook her head. “No, no. Please.”

  Harmony started for the door. Melody grabbed her dress, but Harmony didn’t stop. “Stone women don’t cry over men.”

  Melody let go of Harmony’s dress. “Well, what do you know about men?” she spat at Harmony’s back.

  Harmony turned around.

  Melody was breathing rapidly. “What do you know about love? You’re just a mail-order-bride.”

  Harmony turned back towards the door, not even bothering to acknowledge her insult. Though in her head, she said, At least I am getting married, but to retort would have been childish. Harmony was getting married because that’s what good women did; they get married. The little men in Detroit were all intimidated by her, so Harmony had resorted to finding a husband through correspondence. She sighed as she made it out the door. There was a car already full to the brim with their things. Harmony had already packed for her little sister. The girl still thought she didn’t have to leave. Poor thing. She’d been in love with Austin Bakely since they were five. The first time Austin had asked to marry Melody, the entire family had been thrilled, but then he’d changed his mind; said he wasn’t ready. The Stone family had forgiven him. He’d only been 15. Maybe it had been too soon, but that was only the first time. Then, three years later it happened again. Part of Harmony blamed herself for her sister’s heartbreak. Melody was weak when it came to men. Harmony should have protected her. There was still a chance to protect her. Harmony would see to that.

  She loaded the last of their bags into the back of the car and then went inside to get her sister and kiss her mother goodbye. Melody was back at her mother’s side when Harmony entered. She was on her knees still begging her to let her stay. Jill was knitting and paid the girl no mind. Harmony walked over and placed a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “I’m off.”

  Jill looked up and studied Harmony before looking back down. “Take this one with you.”

  Melody’s eyes went wide. Her nose and cheeks were red. “Harmony, I love him.”

  Harmony sighed. “I know.” She held her hand out. “But you’ll learn to love someone else.”

  Melody shook her head, looked down, and then gave Harmony her hand, letting her sister help her up. Harmony got the girl on her feet and then headed towards the door. She hopped into the front of the car next to the driver and then waited for Melody. Her sister came out of the house and walked slowly towards the car, taking in her house, the trees, and the dirt road one last time.

  The driver climbed out and helped Melody into the car. Harmony frowned. The man hadn’t volunteered to help her at all. But that was the way life had always been for Harmony. Melody, with her soft features and small stature, had gotten babied by the world, while Harmony had been treated… well, much like a man.

  The car pulled off and Harmony watched her world disappear. Detroit, Michigan was all she’d ever known, and now, she was heading west to marry a man who was practically a stranger to her. He was a rodeo man who was looking for a wife who wasn’t afraid of a little dirt. Harmony had never been afraid of hard work, she’d always had to pull her own weight. She’d be fine. Harmony looked over at Melody and hoped the same for her.

  Melody was sniffling now. “I never even got to say goodbye.”

  Harmony crossed her legs underneath her brown skirt. “A year from now, you’ll forget all about Austin Bakely.”

  Melody shook her head. “No, I’ll never forget him. I’ll never marry. Ever.”

  Harmony rolled her eyes as she bounced along with the car. The ride wasn’t long and before she knew it, they’d arrived at the depot.

  The man got out and began to help the girls unload.

  Melody grabbed her bags, though it was obvious that her heart wasn’t in it.

  They loaded everything onto the train, Harmony paid the man, and then the sisters boarded. They were sitting quietly with Harmony by the window. They remained silent until a man walked down the aisle and sat across from them. “I didn’t know you two had plans on travelling.”

  Harmony looked over and her eyes went wide. “Orlando?”

  Orlando Bakely smiled a smile that reached all the way to his hazel eyes. At thirty-five, the man was in his prime and looked great. His gray suit fit over his tall and lean form well. His blond hair was slicked back, held perfectly in place, but it was always the eyes that got everyone’s attention. They were arched high on the ends, just like those of his young brother, Austin. “Where are you two off to?” he asked.

  Melody yelled before Harmony could stop her. “Santana!” She reached across the seat and grabbed Orlando’s arm. “Please, tell Austin.”

  Orlando looked down at where Melody held him. “Austin doesn’t know you’re leaving?”

  Harmony sighed. “No, he doesn’t, and please don’t tell him. We’re trying to get Melody away from him.”

  Melody shook her head furiously. “Don’t listen to Harmony. We’re only leaving because she’s getting married to a man out there.”

  Orlando frowned at Harmony. “You’re a mail order bride?”

  Harmony looked away. “Perhaps.”

  “And you didn’t use my services?” Orlando tsked. “I’m offended.”

  Harmony sighed. Orlando owned a very successful Mail-Order-Bride company, Heart Arrangements that made sure that both, women and men were able to find the very best in possible love connections... for a fee of course. Pictures were proofed on both ends and information was double checked. Orlando was pretty wealthy. His company was also very successful, but Harmony hadn’t gone through Orlando’s company for one very good reason. “I didn’t ask for your help, because I didn’t want Austin to know where we were going. I know he’s your brother, but he’s an awful man.”

  Melody
frowned at Harmony. “No, Austin is just… scared and confused.” She smiled at Orlando. “But you’ll tell Austin where we’re going and he’ll come get me.” She clapped her hands as her face began to glow with glee.

  Orlando shook his head. “No, Harmony is right.”

  “What?” Melody’s eyes went wide.

  Orlando sighed. “My brother… He has no sense of responsibility when it comes to matters of the heart. He runs my offices in the northwest very well, but… it is best that you move far away from him.”

  Harmony let out the breath that she’d been holding.

  Melody looked ready to cry again. “Why is everyone against us?”

  Harmony sighed. “Because, you’re the only one who doesn’t see Austin for the little boy that he is.” Harmony met Orlando’s eyes over her sister’s head. “No offense.”

  Orlando smiled. “None taken.”

  Melody reached for him again. “Orlando, you wouldn’t truly keep your own brother away from the love of his life, right?”

  Orlando lifted a brow. “This is not love, dear.”

  Melody took her hand back. “Neither of you know anything about love.” She pointed at Orlando. “You may run a mail-order-bride service, but you’re not even married yourself.”

  “I’m not married, because I have yet to meet the right woman. I know about love. I’ve seen love before my very eyes. Austin does not love you more than he loves himself. So, to answer your question: No, I would never keep my brother away from the love of his life, whoever she may be, but I do not believe that she is you.”

  Melody’s tears came silently then. “You really believe that?”

  Orlando looked away. “I’m sorry, Melody, but it’s true. I’ve seen the power of love. It is something I wish for everyone to have, and that is why I will not be telling Austin where you’ve gone.”

  Melody sighed. “What love had you been a witness to?”

  Orlando began to tell Melody about some of the lovely couples he’d brought together over the ten years that Heart Arrangements had been in business. Harmony frowned. Her heart was heavy. She looked out the window. It had yet to snow in Michigan. She wished it had so that she could have seen it one last time. It wouldn’t snow in Santana. She’d be having her first Christmas without the fragile white flakes that always seemed to land in her hair and tickle her face when she walked around outside. She’d miss that. Harmony allowed herself one last thought of sorrow before tuning into Orlando’s tales of love and adventure.

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  2

  Chapter TWO

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  “ She’d be having her first Christmas without

  the fragile white flakes … She’d miss that. ”

  .

  Andrew Pitch stood at the train depot and spotted Harmony immediately. She stood taller than any woman he’d ever seen in his life. He stood a few feet away and took her in before approaching. A boy came up to him and asked for money, so Andrew gave the boy a coin and the boy thanked him happily and ran away. He looked around his surroundings. He didn’t venture into downtown Santana very often. There were beggars lining the streets just like all of the other major cities in California. The stock market crash had devastated the people of California, though not as badly as it had out on the east coast. The west was farming country and Andrew was doing alright for himself, but he made a mental note to see about doing more.

  She was tall, but with lean muscle that showed clear on her arms. Her hair was a light brown that was only a few shades away from blond. She had it pinned up on her head and wore a dark brown hat. It was slightly tipped to the right, which was the fashion these days. Her face, which was oval shaped, was pretty. Her skin was pale and her cheeks were naturally pink, though Andrew was sure that would change. The sun had no mercy in Santana. The California heat was dry, which turned the state into what felt like an oven. Andrew wondered what Harmony would look like once she baked a little.

  “She is pretty, is she not?”

  Andrew turned to look into Carlos’s light blue-hazel eyes. Carlos Sanchez had been Andrew’s friend since before he could remember. He wore his hair in black curls that sat on his shoulders. His skin was naturally darker and appeared deeply tanned, which made his eyes stand out even more. Carlos could find the beauty in every woman. He didn’t discriminate when it came to his women. Tall. Short. Thin. Not-So-Thin. It didn’t matter. He liked women, plain and simple. Andrew sighed wearily. “Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.”

  Carlos placed a hand on Andrew's shoulder. “Have no fear, my friend.” His Spanish accent was heavy. You would never guess that the man hadn’t actually been born in Spain. “I believe you are safe with this one.”

  Andrew nodded. “Let’s hope so.”

  Andrew and Carlos started forward. The heels on their well-worn boots made a clap cross the floor. Andrew was about three feet away when Harmony finally spotted him. She stared down at him, giving him the full treatment of her cold gray eyes. “Mr. Pitch?” she asked. Her voice was deeper than a normal woman’s, without being overly rough like that of a man’s.

  Andrew took off his hat and tried to do something with his dark brown, almost black hair. He tried to give it back some life after being out in the heat all day. It was mid-afternoon. There was still work to be done, which meant they needed to get a move on. “Please, just call me Andrew. I don’t like being called Mr. Pitch.” He looked over at the younger woman that stood next to Harmony. “Your sister, I take it?”

  Harmony looked down at the much smaller woman next to her. “Yes, this is my sister, Melody. We thank you for your hospitality. She’ll be able to pull her own weight.”

  Andrew nodded his head at Melody, who had yet to look up at him. Her wanting to not be there was plain. “I’ve no doubt of that,” Andrew said. “There’s plenty to do on the ranch. There isn’t any room for anyone who plans to just lay around.”

  Melody choked and then sniffed.

  Andrew frowned at Melody and then went back to looking at Harmony. “This is Carlos.”

  Carlos gave the women a bow and then held out his hand. Carlos was Andrew's height, so the bow made him only that much shorter than her. Harmony placed her hand in his. Carlos leaned forward and placed a kiss on Harmony’s hand. “Andrew and I were just discussing your beauty.”

  Harmony lifted a brow. “Were you now?”

  Melody finally lifted her eyes, revealing a face that was a more delicate version of Harmony’s. She was wearing a white blouse with red floral dress pants that matched her red lips. Melody dressed like most of the women he was used to seeing.

  Carlos’s hands went to his heart. His eyes were wide. “Bella! You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Why the tears, cuchura?” Cuchura means sweetie.

  Andrew shook his head. He didn’t have time for this. Melody was a guest in Andrew’s home, which meant she’d be off limits. Andrew opened his mouth to say just that, but—

  “Your sweet words won’t work on me,” Melody said. “I am done with men.”

  Carlos lifted a dark brow. “Done? What does this mean?”

  Melody crossed her arms. “It means I will never love again.” She sniffed again, but then her back straightened much like her sisters.

  Andrew let out a sigh of relief. Maybe Melody wouldn’t be a problem, but Andrew could already picture the men that were going to come around to ask for her hand. The woman had already turned down one of the most beautiful men in Santana. Andrew smiled. Women didn’t turn Carlos down. It was about time.

  Carlos smiled too. “Melody, your heart will be all the more worth winning.”

  Andrew’s face fell.

  Harmony sighed heavily. “Let’s get a move on then, shall we?”

  Andrew had never heard a better idea. A buggy boy came around wheeling a tall mound of clothing.

  Andrew lifted a brow. “I di
dn’t think you were a fancy woman.”

  Harmony crossed her arms. “I’m a tall woman, Andrew. It means my clothes will need more material than most women. More material means I’ll need more bags. Besides that, I usually sew my own things, so I brought my sewing machine along.”

  Andrew nodded. “I didn’t know you could sew.”

  “I believe I mentioned it in one of my letters.”

  “Uh huh.” Andrew put his hat back on. “Well, the preacher is waiting for us at the church. We’ll get married and then head towards the ranch.” Andrew began to walk towards his truck. The buggy boy loaded the bags onto the back and then Andrew paid him. He paid the boy a little extra to sit with the load while they went to the church. He didn’t want to chance coming back to the truck to find that their things had been stolen.

  Andrew started across the street. He turned around when he got to the other side. Harmony and Melody were halted by a large truck. Carlos was at their side. Andrew sighed. He hadn’t meant to leave them behind. A few minutes later, they crossed the street and joined him. Andrew looked at Harmony. “You’ve got legs longer than mine. You should have been ahead of that truck.”

  Harmony narrowed her eyes. “Well, had you jumped up, you would have been able to see that we were not behind you.”

  Andrew narrowed his eyes. Did she just make a joke about his height?

  Carlos did not hold back the laugh that overtook him.

  Melody choked, but this time, there was no sadness. A smile was on her face.

  Andrew frowned, but then smiled slowly. “I see you can hold your own.”

  Harmony smiled back. Her gray eyes grew darker. “I’ve been tall for a very long time, Andrew. If you plan to best me, then you better put your best foot forward.”

  Andrew shook his head and then turned. Carlos caught up and together they started walking. “Well, try to keep up,” he threw over his shoulder.