by Verna Clay
Author's Note
When I started this story, I had no intention of it becoming a series (I think I said the same thing with the last two series). However, toward the end of writing Abby and Brant's romance, Luke began sharing how he met and fell in love with Angel. I wasn't ready to let the characters go, so I gave in to Luke's beseeching that I listen to him. When he told me that he became a Mail Order Groom, I was hooked. The fact that a woman would advertise for a husband was just too audacious!
He even gave me the title for his book, Broken Angel. He also suggested the name of the series, Unconventional.
In writing Luke and Angel's romance, I was able to revisit the characters from Abby: Mail Order Bride.
Read on for an excerpt from Chapter One: Angel in Need.
Broken Angel
Chapter One: Angel in Need
Luke Samson followed the waiter in the expensive Dallas restaurant to a tiny table for one. After a month's visit with his family in Two Rivers, a small town southeast of Ft. Worth, he was ready to kick back and enjoy a steak dinner with all the trimmings. Although his stepmother had fed him well, no one prepared steaks like Porter's Steak and Ale. Every time he was in Dallas he ate at the popular restaurant.
Dimly lit by gas lamps, a certain mysterious charm hovered over the tables and patrons. Making himself comfortable at his corner table, he stretched his long frame, thinking about the next installment of the series he was writing. His stories were in demand and he grinned, remembering how his beloved stepmother had asked him at the age of fourteen to enter a writing contest sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer. He'd balked at her request but his father had insisted he enter. He'd won the contest and shortly thereafter been asked to write serializations. Over the years, popularity for his adventure tales had increased and his stories were widely circulated. Generally, he wrote a ten-part series that was eventually published in book collections of five stories each. Now, at the youthful age of twenty-five, he had amassed a small fortune.
His waiter returned with a mug of ale and he placed his order: steak—rare, baked potato and hot bread, both dripping with butter, green beans, salad, and a large slice of apple pie.
Settling back again, he closed his eyes and smiled remembering his visit with his family. His father, as strong and active as ever, still behaved like a lovesick schoolboy around Abby, his stepmother for over ten years now. His brothers, nine year old James and seven year old Rusty, had him chuckling aloud. Had he been that mischievous?
The only person he hadn't seen during his visit was his sister, Jenny. Now twenty-one, she had refused to marry any of the suitors who'd come courting, instead choosing to travel to New York to study art at a respected academy.
When his father had shown him Jenny's latest paintings, he'd stood riveted by her portrayals of country scenes that always made him feel as if he could step into them.
Taking another sip of ale, he switched his thoughts to a classified advertisement he'd read that morning in the Dallas Morning News and shook his head. Never had he read anything so blatant.
Mrs. Angel St. Clair, a widow, is seeking a husband to accompany her to California. Said husband will be paid handsomely for the escort and then released from matrimony after safely depositing Mrs. St. Clair at her destination.
Luke shook his head. The woman must be as ugly as they come to have to advertise for a husband, and the fact that it would end in divorce, simply boggled his mind.
Absentmindedly, he heard chairs scraping and patrons being seated behind him. He paid little attention until he heard a gentleman say, "Now, Mrs. St. Clair, may I call you Angel?"
A woman with a voice as smooth as hundred year old brandy said, "Mr. Pinkle, I do not seek to offend you, but I would prefer being called Mrs. St. Clair, for the time being, at least."
The gentleman didn't sound offended when he responded in his nasally voice. "Of course, as you wish." He continued, "Now as I was saying earlier, I believe I am the perfect husband to protect you on your journey to San Francisco. I have previously traveled there and I am aware of the perils that could befall a woman traveling alone. I would protect you with my life."
Luke listened to the exchange in fascination and finally, not caring that it would appear rude, turned to look at the woman who had become infamous in his mind. At the same time, a waiter stepped between their tables.
Damn!
Rather than turn back around, however, he waited for the attendant to set water glasses down and leave. For reasons unknown, his heart pounded. Finally, the waiter stepped aside.
And then he saw her.
Novels and Novellas by Verna Clay:
Fantasy Romance
Shapeling Trilogy
Roth: Book One: Protector
Fawn: Book Two: Master
Davide: Book Three: Prince
11:11: Countdown to 2012
The Theory of Everything
Far Into Yesterday (Novella)
Jazmine (Novella)
Contemporary Western Romance
Romance on the Ranch Series
Dream Kisses
Honey Kisses
Baby Kisses
Historical Western Romance
Unconventional Series
Abby: Mail Order Bride
Broken Angel (coming soon)
(Title Unknown - coming late 2012)
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Courage or Folly?
Chapter 2: Butterflies
Chapter 3: Eight Eyes
Chapter 4: Cookies
Chapter 5: Ornery Chickens
Chapter 6: Miz Pitts
Chapter 7: Barn-Raising
Chapter 8: Wedding Day
Chapter 9: Honeymoon Blues
Chapter 10: Awakenings
Chapter 11: Tidings of Great Joy
Chapter 12: Luke
Chapter 13: Birthdays
Chapter 14: Life's Twist
Chapter 15: Endless Despair
Chapter 16: Toothless Charlie
Chapter 17: Sorrow Expressed
Chapter 18: Revelations
Chapter 19: Homecoming
