by Cyndi Raye
Table of Contents
Sopie: Mail Order Brides of Wichita Falls Book 7
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Other Books by Cyndi
Sophie
Mail Order Brides of Wichita Falls
Book 7
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 Silver Heart Publishing
As always, dedicated to my readers who love a good historical western romance.
Chapter 1
Sophie snorted. Yes, she snorted. Salem Nightingale stood at the front of the crowd, looking down his nose as if he were Mr. High and Mighty. She crossed her arms and tried to stare him down.
When he stuck his tongue out, she snorted. It was enough to draw the attention of Miss Addie. With a quick turn of her head, the matron of Wichita Falls raised her brows watching the exchange between the two. Sophie knew the older woman didn’t miss a thing. If it was any consolation, Salem had been annoying her since she was rescued by the good folks here.
Being imprisoned at Mill’s Ridge for so long, Sophie didn’t think she’d ever see freedom. A horrible man, swindler John Abbott, had killed her father and abducted her, with the intention of auctioning her off to the highest bidder. John Abbott’s biggest mistake was trying to do business in Wichita Falls.
She smiled to herself, recalling the day not so long ago the whole town took up arms and stopped the auction. Since then she was a free woman, living in Miss Addie’s boarding house.
Everyone here was so kind to her.
Except for Salem. There were so many mixed emotions when it came to him.
Some days he acted as if he didn’t like to be around her. The next, he made her laugh so hard she snorted. It was so confusing. She missed her mama’s advice on these days when her mind reeled. If only they could go back to the times before all the bad things happened. Back to when her mother was alive and well, not riddled with the awful disease that had done her in. Back to when Mill’s Ridge was a good town, like Wichita Falls. It was filled with ordinary people trying to carve out a living after the railroad was built. Except those terrible outlaws kept arriving, running off the good folks and hurting those who got in their way until it became infamous for breeding bad men.
Sophie shook herself, hating when she was thinking too much. She needed to get busy so all these things didn’t continue to rehash in her mind.
Miss Addie had promised to make her a mail order bride. She wanted her own family, her own place to call home. Since everything had been taken away from her, Sophie needed, no, she longed for stability. It was why she agreed to Miss Addie’s proposal to send her away as a mail order bride. She had agreed with one condition. The rule was simple. She wanted to take her time and get to know her future match first before heading off into unknown territory. Even if it were a long time coming. She didn’t want to fall into the wrong hands like the sheriff’s wife had. Rebecca Montana, through no fault of her own, had been hood-winked by the nasty John Abbott.
This town had pulled together to wipe that man off the face of the earth when he didn’t care to be reformed. Even though she felt as if she belonged here now, deep down, Sophie missed home.
Max Ward’s strong voice hushed the crowd in the ballroom at the town’s hotel. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please!”
The crowd fell quiet. Rancher and businessman Max Ward had spent a lot of money in Wichita Falls and continued to do so. He had the respect of almost every citizen here. Sophie had heard his story sitting on the front porch with Miss Addie late one evening when they hadn’t been able to sleep. How Max’s father had been a bad man who caused a lot of heartache and grief in the town. She heard how Max came to town after his father was dead and turned things around, causing the Ward name to be respectable again. The older woman did like to talk, bringing a small smile to Sophie’s face. It was right then she looked up to see Salem watching her. His face softened.
Not wanting him to see her vulnerability, she stuck out her tongue. His eyes widened and his mouth pursed together, trying hard to suppress a grin in front of the whole room.
She swayed back and forth before turning away, trying hard to listen to Max Ward speak. Salem always did this to her, distracted her so bad.
“This is the first official meeting since the disaster known as the Mills Ridge Incident. At least that’s what’s written in the daily newspaper. Thank you, Daniel, for an honest recollection of that day.”
Daniel and his wife sat off to the side, along a large picture window. The owner of the newspaper nodded as Max continued, “Now, we’d like to put all the bad stuff behind us but here’s the thing. If we don’t do something about Mills Ridge, more outlaws will show up, continue to take over the town and reduce it to even more bad dealings. Wichita Falls is an hours ride from there. We don’t want any overflow from that town. We’ve all worked too darn hard to make this town a decent place to live.”
One of the townsfolk stood. “What can we do? What do you propose, Mr. Ward?”
“I’m fortunate enough to be able and willing to buy up a lot of the property in Mill Ridge. I now own a saloon, boarding house, several homes, along with a mill, two store fronts, and five empty lots.”
Sophie knew many of the townsfolk in Mill’s Ridge had been long gone, selling their parcels to the crooked land agent for pennies on the dollar. They high-tailed it to Dallas with their families to start over. The town was mostly empty, except for a few families who didn’t scare easily and a couple of business owners who made a few dollars from the outlaws. After all, even outlaws had to eat.
“What has happened to the land agent? He was buying up homes and properties left and right?” Sophie raised her voice above the crowds musings. “If he’s there, the town will still be crooked.”
Max Ward answered. “That’s a fair question. I offered him enough money to make it quite clear we don’t take kindly to men of his caliber anywhere near our town. To be frank, he ran the moment the monies exchanged hands. First, I had him sign an agreement to never return to this part of the prairie.”
One of Wichita Fall’s business owners stood. “Mr. Ward, I respect what you are willing to do, but how are we going to get decent people in Mill’s Ridge? We are a small town, growing ourselves. There’s plenty of folks migrating to the west but how can we know they will be honest folks that want the same thing we have here?”
Max agreed. “You are right. At least with the properties I own, I can control who takes over them. So let’s concentrate on these first. I’m offering to lease to the decent folks of Wichita Falls first who are looking to branch out, any family members who are looking to build a business and will have applications for all others. Daniel, I’ll need to run an ad in the newspaper for a few weeks.”
He addressed the crowd. “I’d also like to offer the opportunity for anyone with experience to help build up the businesses that I bought. After that, we can hire a proprietor to take over and perhaps eventually sell to a decent buyer. I’ve learned with my business dealings owning property makes much more se
nse. For now, I’ll be leasing these businesses to anyone in Mill’s Ridge for the monthly sum of one dollar.”
The crowd’s interest grew. “That’s awful cheap, Mr. Ward.”
Max grinned. “I’m a rich man, sir. You let me decide how I want to handle my possessions.”
Sophie knew Max Ward was leasing so cheap for the sake of the town. So did everyone else.
Miss Addie raised a hand. “I propose to lease the boarding house, Mr. Ward.”
Sophie turned to her landlord. She had been living rent free since the fiasco, earning her keep by cleaning and doing some light cooking. Terror filled her. “Miss Addie, you won’t leave me, will you?” Sophie didn’t want to be a mail order bride so soon, at least not until she got to know the intended. Was Miss Addie going to hook her up with a stranger and move on to Mill’s Ridge?
Miss Addie smiled, an all knowing look on her face. “No, Sophie, I’m not going anywhere. I do have an offer for you that we can discuss over afternoon tea.”
<><>
It was always so calming to sit at Miss Addie’s table, sipping on a warm cup of tea. Sophie was glad she was invited here. “I hope you know how grateful I am that you took me in, Miss Addie.”
The older woman patted her hand. “I know, my dear. Please, there’s no need to be concerned. What I am about to offer you will change the course of things for a temporary period of time.”
That’s what Sophie was afraid of. “What exactly do you have in mind? Does this offer have anything to do with Mill’s Ridge?”
“Of course it does. The moment Mr. Ward offered to lease out his properties, the idea of expanding my work matching brides and fine young men in Mill’s Ridge came to light. The only true way the town will be filled with hard working folks is if we put them there.”
That made sense. Mail order brides were a growing trend in today’s society. Many unfortunate women found a whole new life this way. “How can you run two match making services from here?”
“I don’t plan to. I will continue to run my service right where I am at, and you, my dear, will run the one from Mill’s Ridge from our newly acquired boarding house. At least until we find you an honorable husband.” She held up her hand, knowing Sophie was about to interrupt. “You said you wanted time to get to know your future husband. This is the perfect opportunity to do so. While you spend most days running a match making business and the boarding house, I will be searching for a match for you.”
Sophie didn’t say anything. She sipped on her tea, thinking things through. Was this what she wanted? Going back to Mill’s Ridge was like a dream come true. She’d be home. Maybe not in her house by the river, but close to where she grew up. “What happens to the agency when I find my future husband?”
Miss Addie smiled. “Let’s worry about that when the time comes. One thing at a time, dear. I have a feeling the position will be filled by the right person.”
“If you are sure this is what I should do, then, well, I’m willing to try.”
“Wonderful! I’ll start training you in the proper procedures tomorrow after breakfast. It will require you to learn to research and inquire about the men who apply for a bride. You will have to learn to do some investigating and learn patience. It also takes time for the mail to be delivered. Sometimes weeks.”
“I understand. My deepest desire is to have a family, like my own parents had. I’d be willing to help get this agency started but more than anything, when the right person comes along, I hope to leave with your blessing.”
Miss Addie squeezed her hand. “Of course, my dear. This is a temporary stay. When it’s your time to leave, I’ll place an advertisement to replace you. There are plenty who need work. It won’t be difficult, I promise.”
Sophie nodded. “Then, yes, I’ll do it and put everything I have into making it one of the best agencies on the prairie. Thank you for the opportunity.”
“You are welcome. Now, would you like to get started? Let’s ride over to Mill’s Ridge and see what has to be done to the boarding house before we can let out any rooms. I doubt the outlaws took good care of things. Not like here.”
Sophie worried her lip. “What will we do if there’s no furniture? No pretty curtains like you have here?”
“Let’s take a look first. I’m sure we will be letting rooms to folks here that don’t want to travel back and forth while they clean up the town. We can offer them a reduced rate until we know what we need. Let’s get started, I’ll get the buggy.”
<><>
“I’ll do my best.”
Max Ward grinned. “Salem, I think you would make a better sheriff.”
“I’ve been a bar keep all my life. I can make the saloon in Mill’s Ridge a better place, but I’ve never had any experience with the law.”
Max tapped the glass on the bar. Salem automatically took the empty glass, cleaning it up while agreeing to Max Ward’s offer to help him get the saloon up and running in the next town over.
“Think about it, Salem. I know for a fact you’ve been getting restless with bar keeping.”
“What makes you think I’m restless?” Salem didn’t like anyone knowing his inner feelings. He had been alone all his life, coming out west on the mercy train to be placed with a homesteader’s family. He learned to work hard there, he’d give them that. The exact hour he turned eighteen, they asked him to move on, bringing in another youngster from the train.
Daniel, who owned the only newspaper in Wichita Falls, had been living with a family a few miles away. They had both been on the mercy train together years before. Daniel’s elderly parents had died and he was getting the farm ready for sale, so Salem stayed there until the property was sold. The two of them traveled on together, winding up in Wichita Falls.
Daniel bought the newspaper and Salem, he got a job as the barkeep of the only saloon in town. After the elderly owner passed on, the saloon went up for sale. Since Salem ran the establishment for old Mr. Winston, he stayed in the room upstairs as part of his payment. He never spent the rest of his pay on anything so he bought the saloon from his savings.
The yearning for a regular family life did hit him at times. He thought of Sophie, her teasing smile and wondered if anything would ever become of it. She was too much of a lady to want to marry a saloon owner. Maybe he should think seriously about applying for Sheriff and give up the saloon life.
Max laughed. “Because for the last three and a half minutes you went somewhere else in your head. I just was a witness to it.” He stood. “Thanks for helping with the new saloon.”
Salem nodded. “My replacement is on his way. Jeffrey has helped me out here before, he knows the routine. I’m letting him stay upstairs while I’m in Mill’s Ridge.”
“See you there.” Max tipped his hat. “Thanks again, Salem. Appreciate all you are doing for Wichita Falls.”
“It’s my home, Max. I’d do anything for this town.”
“Good enough. At least think about the Sheriff job, Salem.”
After Max left, he looked around the almost empty saloon. This was his life. Inside these dark walls, day after day. He hadn’t thought much about it before, even with the restlessness that began some time back. Salem wasn’t able to pinpoint exactly when the feelings started. He noticed them more the moment Sophie came to town.
Her upbeat attitude and smiles for everyone always got the best of him. Every time they passed each other on the street, he tried hard to keep a distance from her. After all, who would want someone like him who didn’t have anything to offer. No home, no family, he had nothing to give.
One time, she passed by him, a big smile on her face and turned around in a complete circle when he had ignored her. It made him stop and stare when she had said, “Mr. Barkeep, you are the grumpiest man I’ve ever had the chance to bypass on the street.”
It was in that moment when he did something out of the ordinary. Like a child, he shoved his hands in his pocket and stuck out his tongue.
Sophie’s eye’
s widened at first and then she threw her head back and laughed out loud as she glided further down the street. The sound of her voice was heaven to a man like him. Realizing he had made a mistake by being too friendly, he avoided her for some time afterwards.
She had tried to talk to him after that to no avail. Salem grunted when she said hello, turning away as quickly as possible. When he’d look into her eyes, he saw anger there. He didn’t mean to upset her but he didn’t want to explain to anyone that a relationship with him was futile. He was a barkeep. He didn’t have anything to offer a woman like Sophie. She was soft and beautiful and needed to be handled with care.
Salem didn’t know how to be gentle. He had always had to be tough and hard nosed running a saloon or the patrons would get out of hand. Since he had no life outside of the saloon, it was the only thing he knew.
He had lived this way for way too many years. Salem was getting weary. Perhaps a trial as sheriff may do him some good. Meanwhile, he was going to take a break from here, hand over the reins to Jeffrey for the time being and help the folks in Mill’s Ridge get their saloon up and running.
As he hitched up the wagon for the trip to Mill’s Ridge, the thought of a job as sheriff nagged at him like a worn out tongue going on and on.
Chapter 2
“What’s he doing here?” Sophie stopped, abruptly pushing the broom aside. Her hands flew to her hips. A booted foot began to tap on the planks of the wooden porch as she stared across the street.
Miss Addie followed the younger woman’s line of vision and smiled. “Why, Mr. Ward asked Salem to help get the saloon back in shape.”
“What about his own place of business? Doesn’t he need to take care of his own saloon in Wichita Falls?” She grabbed the broom handle and began to sweep again, her eyes moving back and forth to catch glimpses of the man painting the outside of the saloon doors. They had been working on the boarding house for over a week and this was her first sighting of Salem Nightingale.
