Contents
A Love Miracle
Copyright
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Chapter One: Acceptance
Chapter Two: Yearning
Chapter Three: Family
Epilogue
Bonus Notice
Winning Her Heart
A Cowboy’s Widow
Western Love
Looking For Love
Butler Love
A Pregnant Bride
Runaway Love
The Christmas Orphan
Cowboy For Christmas
Widow Finds Love
The Christmas Miracle
Hannah’s Story
My True Love
A Widow’s Love
Hope For A Widow
Kidnapped Bride
A Journey to Him
Lost and Found
A Widow Finds a Rancher
Wandering Cowboy
About the Author
A Love Miracle
Mail Order Bride
By: Christian Michael
Copyright 2016 by Purely Publishing - All rights reserved.
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Chapter One: Acceptance
Maine, 1860
“You are not old Elena,” Clarissa Elroy chided, once again, at the breakfast table. “God simply hasn’t brought the right gentleman along yet.
“At this rate, mama, I doubt He ever will,” Elena complained. “It certainly isn’t my name that’s keeping me from finding a suitor. I’m nearly thirty. You were married at nineteen, my sisters at twenty and eighteen. They have babies, in the plural, and here I am still unmarried with zero prospects of even attracting a husband let alone securing one.”
“As I’ve said before darling, you just have to wait. God knows what he’s doing and will bring a suitor when the right one comes calling.”
Elena sighed, frustrated that at nearly thirty, she still didn’t have the life she wanted. Growing up, like most girls, she’d dreamed of marrying a handsome man who didn’t just see her family’s money, but loved her for the woman she was. A man she could respect and admire. She wanted to be a mother, to have babies, and to fall even more in love with the man she loved, because of them.
“Will you go collect the paper for your father?” Clarissa asked, breaking Elena out of her daydream.
Elena did as she was asked, sneaking a peek at the classified ads as she went. They were always so fascinating. Sort of like a small glimpse into a person’s life, what they were selling or what they were in need of. Occasionally there were even open letters to people in them. Today’s paper had one such letter, except Elena could feel in her bones that this letter was different, even before she read the first line.
To Whom It May Concern, oh this one was so formal, Elena thought.
She read on: I am in search of anyone who has information regarding the displacement of the Choctaw Indian Nation, especially during 1831. I have come to believe that their relocation was unconstitutional and am fighting the Supreme Court to have them returned to the land that was and still is, rightfully theirs.
If anyone has any information on this subject, please send correspondence to: Paul Broche
Silver City, Utah Territory 56553
Elena tore the small section out before giving the paper to her father. She had no idea who Brett Larson was, but what he was doing resonated so strongly with her. Her parents never spoke of how they came to have her in their care. She hardly thought to ask anymore. Perhaps now that she had no prospects of marriage to their people, they would tell her more about her own.
At dinner that night, Elena finally broached the subject. “Papa, where did you and mama adopt me from?”
Elena waited for her father to clear his throat. “We found you in an orphanage in Mississippi, when I was stationed there.”
“Where did I come from?” She watched her father share a look with her mother, who looked as if she might lose her dinner.
“It’s time she knew Clarissa,” Richard Elroy said, reaching across the table to take his wife’s hand. “You were born on July 12, 1830. Your given name was The One Who Turns. Your mother and father were killed during their relocation to Utah territory during the Trail of Tears. Your people were relocated to designated land and the Choctaw Indian Nation moved to the reservation given to them. During the signing of the Dancing Rabbit Creek treaty, the Choctaw Nation gave nearly eleven million acres of land to the U.S. government. During the relocation of your people your parents died. We adopted you when you were still an infant.”
Elena didn’t say anything for a while. She knew she wasn’t her parent’s natural child. Anyone who looked at them and then at her would obviously know. It was, what she believed, kept her from receiving suitors. She wiped her mouth and then asked, “With your permission father, I’d like to write some correspondence to a man who’s helping the Choctaw Nation regain the land that was surrendered during the treaty you speak of.”
“Certainly Elena,” Richard Elroy agreed. “It’d be wonderful to learn more about getting your people back to the land that was once theirs.”
***
Elena enjoyed the rest of her dinner as if she’d never tasted food so delicious before. After supper, when she was excused, she went straight to her room and spent time contemplating what she wanted to write to Mr. Broche. After a few rough drafts, Elena had the copy she approved of and sealed it shut. After securing a stamp from her father, she sent the mail off with the post and happily finished out her day with a spring in her step.
Much later that night, when Elena finally fell asleep, she dreamed of the trail of tears and what it must have been like for her people.
Smoke filled the air as muskets rang the hour. The treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek had been signed less than twenty-four hours before and now the Choctaw Nation would surrender land their ancestors had loved and lived on for hundreds of years.
“It’s time to go,” Chief Musholatubbee said, waking his people. Old and wise, the Chief knew that his people needed to leave in their entirety, so he woke them, hut by hut. Once gathered, Chief Musholatubbee led hundreds of Choctaw Indians to their new home west of the Mississippi River to Indian Territory.
“Where are we going?” asked a small boy who was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“We must go to a new land,” Musholatubbee said, ruffling the little one’s hair. “Stay close to your mother and father.”
“Do you have everyone?” Frank Duboise asked, pulling his son closer to him.
“We do,” the old man said with a solemn nod of his head. “We should go. With muskets already firing, I’d like to ease the tension that is thick in the air.”
Musholatubbee led his people along the Tennessee River, forking through land they had once called home. After crossing the might Mississippi, they picked up the Arkansas River and finally after more than sixty miles of travel, the lower towns of the Choctaw Nation settled in Indian Territory, west of the Mississippi, in what became modern day Oklahoma.
“Where are we going mama?” a small girl asked her mother as they set off.
“To a new land,” the mother answered as she strapped a new bab
y on her back. Taking the little girls hand, she followed her husband, who carried their son on his shoulders. The walk to the Tennessee River was treacherous. With too little food and only the river to lead them, Muscholatubbee’s people suffered as they left the land of their ancestors.
“I don’t feel good,” the little girl said after walking longer than any little girl should have to. Miles and miles stretched behind them and still miles and miles lay ahead. Two days later that little girl died of a fast moving fever that ravaged her already starving body.
***
Paul Broche headed into town hoping that his search for information would lead to a break somewhere along the line. He picked up his mail and headed home to read it. He brewed a fresh pot of coffee and sat down, opening the first letter he’d received. The postmark said Maine and his heart sank.
Dear Mr. Broche,
My name is Elena Elroy and I am the oldest daughter of Richard and Clarissa Elroy. I was adopted twenty-nine years ago as a toddler. I’ve just learned, although I always suspected, that I am of Choctaw Indian heritage and was born, The One Who Turns. My father told me that they adopted me from an orphanage and that my parents died during the first Indian Removal of the Choctaw Nation in 1831. My birth certificate was made for my adoption so I’m not sure how to track down the full story of my birth and the death of my parents, but I’m incline to believe that they have told me the truth as far as they know it.
Do you happen to have any records of families that walked the Trail of Tears? I would love to help you in your quest to return Choctaw land to its rightful owners. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.
Grateful,
Miss Elena Elroy
Paul reread the letter and grinned. There just might be hope for his efforts. After all, what were the odds than an Indian woman would get adopted by an American family and just happen to read the letter he posted in the newspapers back east? He had to believe that God had a hand in bringing Elena Elroy to his attention. Setting his other mail aside for the moment, he spent time in prayer before he took out paper to write a reply to Miss Elroy.
Dear Miss Elroy,
Thank you so much for your response to my inquiry. Let me first say that I am sorry about the loss of your parents during the Trail of Tears. I am certain, however, that God has placed you with the Elroy’s for such a time as this. I would like to continue our correspondence as I’m sure I can find out more about you, especially considering you know your given name.
If you should remember anything else about that time, or your parents, especially, please let me know immediately. I hope to have something foundational for you in the coming weeks.
Faithfully,
Paul Broche.
Paul walked into town the next day, as an homage to the long walks the Choctaw took with their people. During his research into the issue, Paul had learned that while the Choctaw Indian Nation was the first to make the journey, their Chickasaw, Seminole, and Cherokee brethren made similar voyages; all ceding their land to the United States. All suffering tremendous loss as they trekked over land and sea to settle the Indian Territory decidedly west of the great Mississippi.
A month passed before Paul heard anything from Elena. Finally though, a letter came, along with more information.
Dear Mr. Broche,
I’ve been able to learn more of my past. My parents told me recently that my parents were prominent members of a band of Choctaw Indians under Chief Misholatubbee. Does his name sound familiar to you? He was in charge of the “Lower Towns” of Choctaw. My father’s name was Frank Duboise. I don’t know my mother’s name, nor if I had any siblings.
How is your research coming along? Is there truly hope of returning my people to the land they once possessed? I find it a difficult and dangerous road at best. Please be careful as I fear there are those who would not want my people to take back what was theirs to begin with.
Praying in Maine,
Elena Elroy
Over the next few months, Paul and Elena wrote back and forth constantly, their letters growing more personal. Paul told Elena that he’d found records of her parents Frank and Elise Duboise. They’d had three children. She was the youngest of them. Her parents had, unfortunately, died of starvation, trying to keep their three children alive.
…your older brother and sister live on a reservation that’s about twenty minutes away on horseback. I’ve thought relentlessly about whether I should visit them. Would you like me to see them? I’m sure they’d love to know that you’re alive and well.
Chapter Two: Yearning
Elena could barely believe the words that were on the page in her hand. Paul had found her family. Instantly hope and guilt ran alongside each other in her soul. She loved her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, but there was a vital part of her that needed to find the answers for her soul. Taking the letter to her parents she explained her heart and prayed they would listen.
“What is it?” Richard Elroy asked when Elena knocked on the door.
“I have something I’d like to go over with you and mother.”
“Come in,” he replied. Elena took a good long look at the man who’d raised her. In his sixties now, his hair had started to go gray with sprinkles of white in the dark locks that covered most of his head. He looked older now than he had even a year ago. Maybe more so because she knew that even if they disagreed, she was about to embark on a journey that they could not take. It would be the first time she stepped outside the walls of their estate without an escort and she could nearly taste the sweetness of what lay ahead. “Well?”
“I got another response from Mr. Broche. He found my brother and sister,” Elena said. Rushing on, she added, “He’s going to go meet them and tell them about me.
“Well that’s excellent news Elena. Don’t you think Clarissa?” Elena looked at her mother who seemed on the verge of tear.
“Oh mama,” Elena grinned. Going to her mother, Elena wrapped her in a hug. The tears came in a wave, despite her mother’s stiff attempt to stop them.
“I can’t let you go,” she sobbed. Elena let a few of her own tears fall before she released her mother and turned toward the man she called, Dad.
“Is that what you want, to go find your family?”
“No,” Elena said with conviction. “But I’d like to go find my brother and sister. You and mother are my family. Stephanie and Sara, their families, that’s my family. However, I believe God had a bigger purpose in this than just me finding part of my past. I believe in what Paul Broche is trying to do and it’s a noble undertaking. I’d like to help him with his endeavors and yes, I’d like to find a part of me I never knew I had until recently.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner,’ Richard sighed. “Your mother was deathly afraid you’d leave us and it seems she was right.”
“I will be back papa,’ Elena smiled. “You can’t keep me away from Rosie’s cooking.”
They all shared a watery laugh and then Richard wrote out several checks in Elena’s name. This first one should get you a train ticket to Ohio. From there you’ll take a train to Chicago and then south to Oklahoma. You’ll send postage at every stop to let us know you arrived safely and you’ll miss us twice as much as we will miss you.”
Elena couldn’t help the smile that stayed on her face through dinner and into the next morning. She took her time selecting the clothes and accessories she’d take with her. Three days later, Elena woke to the quiet of a post celebration house. The previous night her whole family had gotten together to wish her farewell and safe travels.
“Be safe Elena,” Stephanie had cooed. “Have an adventure.” Elena didn’t know if those two things coincided, but she kept it to herself.
“Send us good news,” Sara smiled, pressing a kiss to Elena’s cheek.
Now she woke ready and eager to face the prospects that lay ahead. She’d sent a telegram to Paul Broche, letting him know that she was on her way out to Utah territory.
He’d sent one back saying he was looking forward to making her acquaintance.
…you are most welcome here as making friends is not something that’s easy to do. Despite what I’m doing I find my presence among the Indian nations strained. Not that anyone could blame them. I’m not sure I would trust a white man if I’d survived what these people went through.
I’ll make proper arrangements for your stay at Cecelia’s Boarding House. I know she’ll enjoy having company from so far away. You’ll have to excuse her exuberance as she’s a very eccentric woman.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Paul Broche
The train from Maine to Ohio was quiet as it rolled along the tracks. The countryside changed from rocky hills to smooth plains as Elena made her way south and west. She slept easily on the ride and was pleasantly surprised by just how much she enjoyed herself. Seeing new sights made it easy to write home to her parents. Her first letter headed to Maine when the train stopped in Canton, Ohio.
Elena left the plains behind to see the big city of Chicago. Its huge office buildings and bustling city streets put Elena in awe as people rushed by. Her town was easily dwarfed by this mecca of modernism. Her next train departure wasn’t until the next afternoon so she spent the night in a nice hotel, enjoying room service and a great, if short, night’s sleep.
***
Paul greeted the morning with a smile on his face for the first time in what seemed like forever. Today was the day he’d meet Elena Elroy and the anticipation was nearly overwhelming him. He had things to get done before he could leave, yet all he could truly focus on was meeting the woman who’d been a huge help in figuring out how to take his case to the Supreme Court. With her testimony and that of at least her brother and sister, things might just take a turn for the better where his case was concerned. Truth be told though he didn’t think he’d get much of anywhere, at least not the first time around.
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