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

by Faye Sonja

  Orlando said, “I’m always here for you, brother.”

  “I know.”

  The brothers pulled apart and Austin saw the smiles on everyone’s faces and knew his was just as bright.

  Melody shrieked. “I’m staying!”

  Harmony shrieked with her and they hugged. “That’s so wonderful, because I’m pregnant.”

  Melody gasped and congratulations quickly went around the small group. Their family was growing.

  Austin hugged Melody. “This has been the craziest holiday season ever!”

  Melody nodded. “And one of the best.”

  She’d get no argument from him. He’d finally married the love of his life and couldn’t ask for more.

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  BROTHER PROMISED TO HIS RESISTANT BRIDE

  BONUS STORY

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  b o n u s s t o r y

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  After being crippled during the war, Ray Skilton is still haunted by the promise he made to his brother, Louis, on his deathbed.

  “Marry my wife, Lydia. Don’t leave her all alone.”

  So… He’ll marry Lydia no matter what it takes… But for Lydia, the last thing she wants to do is marry another Skilton.

  What she comes to learn is that she’s been tricked through the mail-order-bride service…

  Will Ray and Lydia's hearts be able to open up to a possible love and will they be able to withstand these trials?

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  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  The time of World War II put many people on edge. Almost half a million American lives were lost between 1941 and 1945. Men went off to fight the Nazi and Japanese army, and along with them went the press.

  Both men and women journalists stood on the frontlines, taking pictures that would capture a part of history forever. Lydia Louberg was based loosely off of Mary Marvin Breckinridge, a prominent political journalist of that time who gave her own career for love and who later when on to do philanthropic work after marrying a U.S. diplomat.

  Ray’s company, Skilton and Knibbs was like any other factory of that time, worked and run by mostly women. These factory women were not afraid to get oil and grease in their hair for the sake of their country, and many of them went on to study engineering and electrical work, opening more doors for women and giving them a chance at careers they previously hadn’t been fully accepted in.

  Lydia’s predicament was not an unusual one for widows of soldiers, since the G.I. Bill that would give families money after their soldier died wouldn’t be enacted until two years later in 1944.

  And as in every era in New York history, fashion was always a big deal. The wearing of suits from the 1930’s was a popular move for many reasons. One reason not mentioned in our story was that fabric for new suits was scarce, this meant that cuffs and some pockets cuts were excluded from the design of the era. And taxes on women’s accessories were through the roof, since they were seen as less than necessary.

  1942 brought us swing, common phrases like, ‘ease up’ and ‘bad business’, M&M’s, Cheerios (which was called CheeriOats at the time), and Bugs Bunny, but for firearm companies, one of the most convention inventions would become Duct Tape. The multi-use adhesive would seal weapon cases together until better locks would be made.

  I hoped you enjoyed reading this standalone piece set in a time of historical significance just as much as I enjoyed writing in it. War to me is much like marriage. People always a reason to fight in both, whether it be honor, peace, or love. I hope you got a ‘kick’ out of reading the love story between Lydia and Ray and I hope to find hope to find you reading another one of my tales again soon.

  Until Then,

  Enjoy!

  Prologue

  December 7, 1941

  Pearl Harbor, HI

  Lydia Skilton rushed down the corridor of the hospital, feeling engulfed by the metallic smell of blood, open flesh, and strong cleaners. The sounds of screams from both distressed patients and impatient doctors filled the air. A team of nurses rushed down in her direction, each one shouting at one another over the limp body of the man in the bed they pushed. Lydia felt her heart begin to beat furiously as blood pumped through her veins, and as they drew closer, she felt like her world had slowed down.

  The medical teams rushed past in a blur, but Lydia got a glimpse of the man’s face. Cold, empty eyes stared up at her. Hazel eyes. Dead. She closed her eyes. It wasn’t Louis. Though the man wore his navy whites, he was not her husband. Louis’ eyes were a startling pale blue, unlike the strangers, which meant, there was still a chance that he was still alive.

  A hand touched her shoulder, causing her to jump.

  It was a nurse. “You can’t be in here.” She said, gesturing to Lydia’s press badge that hung around her neck.

  Lydia licked her suddenly dry lips. “No, I’m not working.” She pulled her brown hair to the side and slipped the badge from around her neck. “Skilton. I’m looking for Skilton. I’m his wife, Lydia Skilton.” She pulled out her I.D., showing her name printed on the card.

  The nurse narrowed her eyes. “Skilton?” She pointed down another corridor. “Last door on the left.” Then she was gone.

  Lydia walked in the direction that the woman had pointed, allowing a numbness to fill her limbs as she moved away from the screaming and into an eerily silent section of the hospital. She stopped at the last door on the left and touched the doorknob. She didn’t want to knock if Louis was asleep. She just wanted to know he was okay. With a shaky hand, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  A man lay on one of the beds in the room. His face was turned away, but his black hair Lydia would recognize from anywhere. She choked down a sob as she gazed at him. “Louis.” She shook her head, deciding right then and there to forgive him for all his wrongs. She forgave him for the fight they’d had that morning that had caused him to leave the house and head to base. The fight that had happened an hour before the first bomb dropped. None of it mattered now. Louis was alive.

  Lydia went over to the bed and placed her hand on Louis’ shoulder. “Louis, I-”

  Louis turned and looked up at her.

  Ldis shook her head. Pale blue eyes and hair as black as midnight. She shook her head again as she began to back away. Not Louis. It’s not Louis, she told herself.

  “Lydia-”

  “Where’s Louis?”

  The man in the bed was not Louis, but Ray, Louis’ older brother.

  He simply stared at her with bleak eyes, but then Lydia watched as the water behind them began to build. He turned his head towards the empty bed beside him and then back to her just in time for her to see a tear slide down his face.

  “No,” she said.

  Ray turned away and stared up at the ceiling as the tears began to fall from his eyes. And then, he began to sob softly.

  Lydia backed up into a wall and then slide down as her own sadness took over. He couldn’t be dead. Louis was too much of a happy-go-lucky guy to die. Immediately, his face came to mind and Lydia’s lungs filled with air right before she began to scream. “No!”

  “He didn’t make it,” Ray choked. “Louis… I tried to save him. I was there.”

  Lydia looked up at Ray’s bed. “What?”

  Ray turned towards her and pierced her with a stare that filled her with dread. “I was there. I saw the… explosion. I ran to him and then…” He shook his head. “When I came to, we were both being operated on. They were going to just let him die, but I pulled rank.” He closed his eyes. “I told them that I was a captain and ordered them to save him.” Ray cried. “That’s why they don’t let family members work in the same unit. Louis shouldn’t have been there. Why was he on base? I don’t understand… I-”

  “It was might fault.”

  Ray opened his eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Lydia wiped the tears
that fell from her eyes. “He ran off after we fought.”

  Ray frowned. “You fought?”

  Lydia nodded. “Yes, about… her.”

  Ray sighed and closed his eyes. He choked back a laugh. “He died while going to see his mistress?”

  Lydia hated that word. Mistress. She also hated the thought of justice not being served when it popped into her head. What had happened today was nothing but an act of evil. She wasn’t sure how many people had lost their lives so far, but she knew the death toll would be high. She also knew that America was about to enter into the war that had been raging on in Europe for a while now.

  As a reporter, she’d covered some of the various action on the frontlines, but had given it up for Louis’ love. She’d loved her husband, even with all his mistakes. But that morning, it was like a switch went off in Lydia’s head. She didn’t have proof of Louis’ infidelities, but she suspected and had pushed until he’d told her the truth. He’d stormed out after and Lydia had followed along hours later, but had been too late.

  Ray began to hyperventilate, causing Lydia to come to her feet and walk over.

  She took his hand once she saw the pain in his face. “What’s wrong?” She looked over his body, but couldn’t see what was causing the strain on his face. He was covered by a sheet. “What can I do?”

  Ray held her hand and began to calm, but placed his other hand over his knee. “Nothing. There’s nothing that you can do.” He cut angry eyes at her.

  Lydia frowned. Through her grief, she’d forgotten that they’d never gotten along, yet she still held on to his hand. Ray and Louis’ one-year-old daughter were now the last of her family.

  “Where’s Pauline?” Ray asked.

  Lydia shook her head. “At the house with your maid.”

  Ray nodded. “Good. You’ll be staying with me and we’ll arrange things.”

  Her eyes widened. “Arrange things?” With Louis gone, Lydia knew she’d need help.

  “Yes,” Ray said and looked away. “Louis… he spoke to me right before he died. He made a request of me.”

  Lydia could hear her heart beating in her ears. “What did he ask?”

  Ray turned back to her, staring at her with eyes so similar to Louis’ that it made Lydia feel uncomfortable. “He asked that I marry you.”

  Lydia’s eyes went wide. “What?” She tried to drop his hand, but Ray wouldn’t let go.

  “He wished me to make sure that you weren’t left alone.”

  Lydia laughed in cruelty. “Alone? So now that he’s dead he cares whether or not I’m alone?” She shook her head again. “Let me go, Ray.”

  Ray’s face turned to stone. “I promised him, Lydia. I keep my promises.”

  Lydia swallowed. “No.” She yanked hard.

  Ray tried to go with her, but the pain of the movement forced him to let go. He screamed, sat up, and grabbed his leg. He turned to her. “You will marry me, Lydia. We will honor my brother in this.”

  Lydia narrowed her eyes, but said nothing. She wouldn’t marry Ray Skilton. She would never marry another Skilton again. Louis had been unfaithful and Ray was cold. She backed towards the door.

  Ray held her eyes. “Where are you going?”

  Lydia grabbed the doorknob.

  Ray said. “You can’t hide from me, Lydia. I’ve got money. I will find you and we will marry. I will honor my brother’s dying wish, whether you like it or not.”

  Lydia rushed from the door and back down the hall she’d come down. She had to get away. She would take her daughter and run as far away from Ray Skilton, with the hopes of never seeing him again.

  * * *

  1

  Chapter ONE

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  “You can’t force me to marry you.”

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  Midcap, New York

  Ray Skilton stood as the man he’d been anxious to see stepped into his office. The man was his last hope. Ray, with the aid of his cane, rounded the table and shook his hand. “Orlando Bakely, I’m so glad you could come.”

  Orlando smiled a smile that turned his eyes into two high slits cut into his face. Had it not been for their blue gold color and Orlando’s blond hair, Ray would’ve thought he was of Asian descent. The eyes were pretty and something Ray would expect to see on a woman, but no one would mistake the tall good-looking man for anything but what he was. Orlando laughed. “I am pleased that you sought me out.”

  Raymond gestured for Orlando to take a seat in front of his desk and rounded back to his chair. With a heavy plop he let out an equally heavy sigh. “How’s business?”

  Orlando’s grin grew; faint lines appeared by his mouth leading Ray to guess his age to be around 45 or so. Orlando crossed his legs at the knee. “Never better.” Orlando and his brother, Austin Bakely, ran one of America’s top rated mail-order-bride companies. The company, unlike many others, was known for its verification practices of both their prospective brides and grooms. Nothing got past Orlando, or ‘The American Cupid’, as he’d been called since he opened his business over twenty years ago; a business which has since expanded overseas. The multi-million dollar business, Heart Arrangements, was the reason why Ray had called the man in.

  Ray sighed. “I’m going to cut to the chase, Mr. Bakely. I have a request and you’re the only man who can help me… I admit that I’m desperate.”

  Orlando leaned forward, one arm resting on the side of the chair. A blond brow lifted.

  Ray frowned. “What’s that look for?”

  Orlando laughed. “Nothing, I’m simply eager to know why a man with your looks and fortune would need my services. You’re a decorated Naval captain. If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

  Ray sighed. “I’m retired and I’m thirty-nine.”

  Orlando nodded. “A retired Naval captain, but since your father’s death, you are now CEO of one of America’s top firearm companies. That alone should make you an ace with the girls.” Orlando looked down before returning eye contact. “I’m sorry, that was indecent of me—”

  Ray waved him off. “It’s alright. I’ve had my time to grieve.” Raymond Skilton, Sr. had died six months ago, leaving Ray his share of their million-dollar company, Skilton and Knibbs. The company was known globally for their firepower and with the war against Japan and the Nazis raging on, the company was getting even more attention. In times of war, what better business to invest in than weapons? “Besides, I alone am not CEO. I share the company with Mr. Melvin Knibbs.”

  “Yes, well, Knibbs is over eighty and from what I hear never makes an appearance outside of his home.” Orlando shook his head. “But as it pertains to the loss of your kin; no man should have to go through the things you have. To lose your father right after your brother’s death at Pearl Harbor—”

  “It’s alright.” Ray tightened his hold on the arms of his father’s chair. During his thirty-nine years of life, Raymond had seen more pain and bloodshed than anyone should, but pain and bloodshed was his business and it was a business he’d always been good at.

  He wasn’t at all surprised that Orlando knew his life story. The news of the murder of Raymond Skilton, Sr. had been splashed across papers everywhere and the stories had always made sure to mention Raymond’s brother, Naval air pilot Louis Skilton, who’d died on the morning of December 7th, 1941. The story still read in many of the national papers because doctors had not found the cause of Ray, Sr.’s death. The sickening feeling filled him. He’d never enjoyed the press. They never seemed to give him any peace.

  Ray turned his mind to other things. “I’m actually glad you brought up my brother because he’s got a lot to do with my request.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  Raymond took a breath before meeting Orlando’s eyes again. “There’s a woman I’d been tracking since my brother’s passing. Her name is Lydia Skilton. She’s my brother’s widow.”

&
nbsp; Orlando nodded, but didn’t speak.

  “I’d been trying to track her whereabouts for some time and was finally able to find her in California. My informant tells me that she has signed up to become a mail-order-bride in your service. I must marry her.”

  Orlando’s eyes went wide. “You wish to marry your brother’s widow?”

  Ray shook his head. “No, I don’t. Marrying her is the last thing I want to do, but I must. I promised Louis I would if anything ever happened to him.”

  Orlando frowned. “You must have loved your brother very much to do something like this, especially if you are so against it.”

  Ray’s lips twitched into a smirk. He looked out of his west-facing window and watched the red and orange sun setting from behind the tall trees. Past the trees and on the other side of the river was Greater New York. His brother, Louis, had loved the city. He was into the lights and parties, but the small, quiet, beach town of Midcap, New York would always be home to Ray. “Louis never thought before he did anything.” Ray chuckled to himself. “He died at the early age of thirty-two, but one would never tell by meeting him. It was like he was forever stuck at seventeen.” Ray turned to Orlando. “But, I would always do anything for him.”

  Orlando smiled. “As I would for my own brother.”

  Raymond nodded. He sucked in a long breath of air and then exhaled. “My father never cared too much for Louis’ antics, so he’d cut Louis out of the will a long time ago and had never changed it. This means that Louis’ wife is stuck in California and has nothing.”

  Orlando’s forehead bunched together. “I see what you are saying, but I still don’t understand why you need me. Why don’t you just propose to Lydia yourself?” He smiled. “It’s not that I don’t want your money, but… it would make more sense.”