by Cyndi Raye
Table of Contents
Ellie: Mail Order Brides of Wichita Falls
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Ellie
Mail Order Brides
of
Wichita Falls
Book 8
by
Cyndi Raye
Copyright © 2017 www.CyndiRaye.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
Cover by Silverheart Publishing
A Special Thank You!
A big, special thanks to Sandy Soldner Sorola for choosing the main characters name, and to Susan Leigh Carlton for suggesting Ellie’s birthplace of Charleston. How fortunate we are to have Sandy and Susan in our lives....
Chapter 1
“I’m terribly sorry, Miss Jacobs, there is no longer a position for you at this hospital.”
He wasn’t sorry one bit, that Ellie could see from where she stood. She clutched her hands so tight she may have winced if she hadn’t been trying hard not to let him see how upsetting his words were. She raised her chin a notch. No tears would be shed in front of this man.
Dr. Tate was incorrigible. He was so miserable he hated everyone and everything, always finding fault with the nurses under his charge. What Ellie didn’t understand was why he was in the business of caring for people in the first place. It was obvious to everyone at the hospital he hated both nurses and patients alike, yet no one took it upon themselves to stop this madman from ruining people’s lives.
Like he had just ruined hers.
Dr.Tate grunted before sitting back down at his desk. “Please gather your belongings and leave the premises. Upon termination, you will no longer be permitted to step foot in this hospital. Carry on.”
Ellie stood frozen to the spot for a moment. Should she do as the others who lost their nursing position and nod politely, thanking him for the opportunity and experience to work here all these months?
No, not Ellie. Her biggest downfall was speaking the honest truth in any matter.
Dr. Tate looked up from the paperwork on his desk. “Well, Miss Jacobs, go on now.”
She pressed her knees together, pursed her mouth in a tiny pucker and squared round shoulders. “Dr. Tate, while I appreciate all this hospital has taught me-”
Her words were quickly interrupted. “No need to go on and on. We can’t afford to have nurses thinking for themselves. Your job was to stand behind the doctors and follow their direction, not go about taking matters in to your own hands, defying orders and diagnosing patients, for crying out loud.”
“Is there any chance this hospital will pen me a positive reference?”
He pushed the frames of his glasses in place. “I’m afraid not, Miss Jacobs. I’m afraid you’ve done yourself in on this one.”
“That’s what I presumed, Dr. Tate. Therefore, I want you to know my true feelings.”
He put up his hand. “It’s not necessary, Miss Jacobs. I understand your frustration at losing a position here. Perhaps you are not meant to be a nurse after all.”
“Poppycock!” She took a step forward, placing the knuckles of her fists on the desktop and leaned forward in an unladylike manner. “You, sir, are indeed one of the worst doctors in Charleston! Your patients are left wondering what is happening to them as you treat ailing patients as though they are pigs in a den and not of much consequence.”
“That will be enough!” Dr. Tate rose. He tore off his glasses and flung them to land on the untidy desk. “I’ll repeat the request for you to leave these premises, Miss Jacobs, before I have someone remove you.”
Ellie flung her head back to look up at the six foot doctor. “I am leaving, sir, of my own accord.”
He pressed his fingertips to the top of the desk and leaned forward as she had done. “It’s a shame you threw away a nursing career. No one will hire you now. I’ll make sure of this.”
“I don’t doubt you will but I’ve had my say. I am a nurse and will continue to practice. Maybe not here in Charleston, but somewhere. Good day.”
Ellie marched from the doctor’s office, her head held high. She was glad she told him what she thought even if it wasn’t ladylike. Several employees who heard the conversation tried not to stare as she grabbed her reticule from where it sat on the corner of the window pane and left the Roper Hospital behind.
Once outside, Ellie’s knees began to buckle. She stood on the side walk, unsure which way to go.
“Ellie! Ellie! Wait!”
She turned to find Mary, another one of the nurses, running down the steps of the hospital, holding something in her hand. Mary ran up to her and flung her arms around Ellie, tears running down her red cheeks, wetting Ellie’s shoulder. Mary had been training alongside of Ellie. She would miss her. “Mary, don’t cry. I’ll be fine.” Even though she had no idea how she would be in the next few weeks, Ellie didn’t have the heart to tell Mary there was nowhere else for her to go in all of Charleston.
“I have to get back but I wanted to give you this. I think you may be able to do some good.”
Ellie took a newspaper from Mary’s extended hand. “What is this, Mary?”
“It’s an advertisement to become a mail order bride.”
“A what? Mail order bride? I have no intention of marriage. Why, I’ve only begun my nursing career.”
Mary sniffed. “The reality is you’ve also ended your nursing career. At least here in Charleston. But, look,” she pointed halfway down the page. “There is a place called Wichita Falls where they have the need for a skilled nurse. All you have to do is become a bride. The West is where you can practice all those new techniques without these doctors stopping you. Think about it, Ellie. A new chance to practice the things you can’t do here.”
Ellie stuffed the paper in her reticule, hugging her friend. “Thank you, Mary. Don’t fear for me, I can always go to the Charleston Orphan House. I’m sure they would hire me on.”
“No Ellie! Don’t do that, please. You heard the awful horror stories. The children are treated without mercy, they’re even called inmates, and you’ll be spending your day cooking, cleaning and serving orphans, not practicing the nursing skills you do so well. Please, I beg of you, don’t go there. There is more opportunity out West.”
“Nurse Mary!” The head nurse stood at the door of the hospital wringing her hands together. “Mary!”
“Go on now, Mary. They won’t be kind to you if they see you consorting with the likes of me.”
Mary gave her a last hug. “You are a wonderful nurse, Ellie. Don’t go to the Orphan Home. You will regret it.”
“How do you know?”
“My cousin’s widow works there. She had every intention of becoming a fine nurse but once she went inside those doors, those dreams faded. She was like you, Ellie, fascinated with the world of new medicine. After a few years, she never spoke of it again. Promise me, Ellie. At least consider the mail order advertisement.”
Mary seemed distraught so Ellie nodded. “Okay, I’ll take a look.” Even though each step she took carried her to the large property of the orphanage a few blocks away.
Ellie stared down the long lane where a domineering fiv
e-story recently remodelled brick mansion stood in the middle of acres of land. New grass was peeking through the dirt where construction had flattened and killed the lawn. Next to the mansion was a tall steepled chapel with an eerie cemetery in the background, its stones leaning every which way. She tried to force her feet to move but they were frozen right where she stood.
Was Mary right? Would she walk through those thick, dark doors and vanish from the world like so many others had? She was prone to the stories of horror at the children’s home and it made her shiver in spite of trying to be brave.
“Come along now, no stalling,” a strong voice rang out. Ellie turned to find an older lady in dark clothing and a covering march towards her.
“I’m not sure what you mean?” Ellie twisted her reticule with both hands.
“I’m Matron Elderidge. I practically run this place single-handedly. If you are looking for a job, follow me in. I don’t have time to interview, there’s too much to do.”
“I may not be looking for a job at the moment.” Ellie glanced at the newspaper in her hand.
“Hog-swaddle! I’m not blind, dearie. Your face tells me you’ve been let go at one of the hospitals. It happens all the time here. I’m going to bet on Roper Hospital?”
Ellie let out a large sigh. “You are correct. There’s no sense pretending.”
“Free room and board here, along with all meals included. You’re not the first standing there looking forlorn and hopeless. Try us out for a month. If you find you don’t like it here, you are free to go.”
Ellie looked at the newspaper again. At least she’d have a month to make a decision. Although if history would repeat itself, rumors claimed once your boots crossed over the threshold, you never get out. Ellie knew she was stronger than most. She let out another deep sigh. “One month.”
“Very good, come along.”
“I will need to get my belongings.”
“Follow me. We’ll have Mr. Marksman take the wagon to fetch your belongings. Here he is now. Give him your address.”
Ellie nodded to the frail, elderly gentleman coming up the path towards them. He didn’t look as if he could lift one of her bags she had in the boarding house on Main Street. When he asked her three times for the address she began to break a sweat.
Dabbing at her forehead with the handkerchief she pulled from her sleeve, Ellie followed the Matron down the dreaded path. “Will he be strong enough to get my bags? He seems so frail.”
“Don’t you worry yourself none. He’s a lot stronger than he looks.” She placed a key in the lock. “Here we are.”
Ellie almost turned and ran. Visions of a life of solitude and misery played in her mind. Would fate take her inside to a dooming existence with no chance to use her nursing skills every day? She raised her eyes upward.
“No sense in praying now, Miss. God already knows there’s children who need caring for. Come inside. We have work to do.”
Ellie closed her eyes. The woman didn’t miss much. Ellie wondered if she could read minds as well.
Her tenure here was for one month. It was either this or living on a park bench somewhere because she wouldn’t have any more money to pay her room at the boarding house she had previously lived in.
Ellie took a step inside as the big, brown doors closed behind her.
<><>
“Good morning, Miss Addie. What brings you here?” Dr. James Winters stared at the older woman sitting across from him. He was wise to her matchmaking and figured it was the reason she was here. In the few months he’d been serving as the only doctor in Wichita Falls, there were no signs of her ailing, then or now. Else, he’d have heard about it from any one of his patients. In a small town like this everyone knew your business.
“Interesting you should ask, Doctor Winters.”
Dr. Winters leaned forward. “Go on.” James wasn’t sure if he should go ahead and tell her he had been thinking about taking a bride for some time now. The west was much different than his home town of Baltimore. He had worked hard in medical school and didn’t pay attention to dating for so long while he learned to hone his skills. Now that he was settled here, his desire for a companion increased even though there was much to do in the field of medicine.
He’d first see what she had to say.
The woman didn’t pull any punches. She was always upfront with everyone she met. Well, mostly. He watched as a small grin formed on her face. Sometimes, she’d pull a little bit of shenanigans to get two people together but it was all in the duty of her job as a matchmaker. That’s what she always told people anyway. Many times in his waiting room there was much discussion on the subject of Miss Addie’s skills.
Her mischievous grin told him he was next in line.
“Please, sit down,” he offered, pointing to the chair directly across from where he sat at the desk.
She settled in, pulling a reticule on to her lap and began. “Dr. Winters, I have a proposition for you.”
He lifted a brow as he leaned back in his chair. “Oh?”
“I don’t dally, sir. I do whatever God chooses to put in my hands to make this town a better place to live for everyone. Do you agree?”
“Of course.”
“You are a fine doctor with exemplary skills. This town is growing and although it isn’t big enough for two doctors yet, perhaps Wichita Falls could use a nurse.”
“I’m afraid there’s not enough money to hire a nurse yet, Miss Addie. Perhaps in six months from now. I barely break even. Most folks can’t afford to pay much here. Not unless a nurse would take payment in eggs. I find I’m accumulating quite a few chickens in the back yard.”
That’s when Miss Addie broke out in a big smile. “I have the solution.”
He rubbed his palms together. He knew what was coming next. His visiting aunt loved to sit on the front porch where many discussions occurred between the two busy-bodies. He had heard the two just last night discuss his future. “I’m sure you do. Does Aunt Lucy have a stake in this?”
Miss Addie’s smile grew wider. “Why, Dr. Winters, I believe you’ve been listening in on our conversation.”
He pointed toward the open window. A fair breeze blew at the sheer curtain causing a slight rustle. Two empty rockers and a long bench could be seen from where they sat. “Hardly. Perhaps you both forgot my office is right here. I always keep my window open, but Aunt Lucy knows my particular ways. I’d say the conversation was implemented for my ears last evening.”
The older woman laughed out loud. “You are a smart one, Doctor. I have the perfect mail order bride for you. I heard from a wonderful nurse in Charleston. It was why I held a late evening conversation with your aunt. I think she is perfect for your business.”
He shrugged. “Like I said, I have no extra money to pay a nurse.”
“Now your acting daft, doctor. I don’t want you to hire her, just to marry her.”
“Marry a nurse? Someone I’ve never met?”
“Of course. You need help. This town is growing. Another doctor would be too much for this town at this point. You’d never grow your business or make enough money to keep on if we hired a second doctor. But a nurse, now, think about this for one moment. You want a bride, that I’ve discerned, correct?”
Her all-knowing stare made his cheek twitch. She knew how to get under his skin. He nodded. Of course he wanted a bride. Who wanted to be out here in the west without a companion? Yes, he could easily visit the brothel but that wasn’t his personality at all. He respected women way too much to use one in that way. Even if she was paid for her work. He wanted a bride but one he selected. Not a stranger.
“Well then, it’s settled. If you accept this bride, you also get a working nurse. I’ve solved your problems, have I not?”
“I suppose.”
“Doctor Winters, do you want me to pursue this match further? All I need is a yes and we can get this town a wonderful nurse. You do want this town to have a nurse to work alongside of you, don’t you?”
He steepled his hands. She was trying her best to hoodwink him in to agreeing to this crazy idea. “I do.”
She nodded. “Very well.” Addie dished in her pocket to bring out a letter. “Here. This is your introductory letter from Ellie Jacobs, a nurse from the Charleston Orphan House. She was hired for a one month probationary period there. Her month is almost up and she’d like to move on as soon as Tuesday the thirtieth.”
“As soon as Tuesday? That’s in two days!” He wasn’t expecting a bride so soon.
“Don’t fret, Doctor Winters. It will take awhile for her to get here considering she’ll be taking the train. However, you can expect her by the end of the week.”
He pushed a large hand through his hair. This was moving way too fast.
Miss Addie may have noticed the hesitation in his eyes. “Doctor, there’s no sense in putting it off any longer. You have patients who need your services. Look at the porch, they are already lining up to see you and you won’t be open for another half hour.”
His eyes wavered to the window knowing he’d see half a dozen townsfolk waiting already. It would be nice to have a nurse to keep some type of order so he can do his job in a more reasonable fashion. As of now, he ran around like one of those chickens in his back yard without any type of organization, to fall asleep at his desk exhausted each night.
“Is it a yes then?”
James grinned. “Guess I’ll be a married man soon.”
Miss Addie nodded. “You won’t be sorry. Thank you for your contribution to this town. We are all making it better by each sacrifice we make.”
James watched as she left, wondering what sacrifices the woman herself had made for the sake of Wichita Falls.
<><>
Sweat poured from Ellie’s forehead. She twisted the sheet, her hands so sore from doing laundry every single day. Mary had been right. This was no life for a nurse. It was why she agreed to take the position as a mail order bride in Wichita Falls, Texas. Two more days and she would be free to walk down the path that would take her to a new life.
