Love And Hearts Ride West: Mail Order Bride: 16 Novella's Bundle

by Indiana Wake

  Lawton growled from the side, begging Donald to just try and take Emily. At the look on his face, Donald visibly shrank back in his chair.

  It took Foster every ounce of control he had to keep calm. He wanted to pound the sniveling man before him into the ground and then stamp on what remained. “Emily will not be leaving with you, ever,” he said his voice straining with the depth of his control. “She will not go back to that disgusting man. Where the money is concerned, we will pay you all of it, with interest to pay back to that vile man. As soon as our deal is finalized I want you out of my house and trust me you do not want to test me on this. Do we have a deal?”

  Donald's mouth flew open and Emily’s jaw hit her chest. They both stared at Foster both not believing their luck. Emily could not believe that Foster would do so much for her. He had been so kind and it begged the question why?

  Apparently, it was a question that was on Donald’s mind as well, because he asked, “And why would you do that?”

  Foster looked at Emily for a long moment, his eyes shining, before turning back to Donald. “Because I love your sister and will do anything to protect her.”

  Emily felt the breath knocked out of her. She stood and rushed to him. “You love me?”

  Foster stood and took her into his arms. “I have loved you ever since you walked through the door. I think I’ve been falling a little more in love with you every day. I’m sorry I said it like this, in front of everyone. I can’t assume you feel the same and you don’t owe me anything, I just want to keep you safe, and that’s all.”

  Emily looked up at him and laughed. Was she laughing at him? Did she think it preposterous that he told her he loved her? For a second his knees shook and his breath caught in his throat. Looking down at her he knew he would do anything to keep her safe, but now he had said the words he wanted more.

  “I love you too,” Emily said.

  It was music to his ears and the room shrank down to just the two of them. “Really?” he asked.

  “Yes, I have for a while now but I didn’t want to assume that you loved me back. It was too much to hope for and so I said nothing either.”

  Foster’s face split into the biggest smile and he hugged her close. “You have given me all that my heart has ever wanted. I just have one thing to ask you. Will you marry me?” As he said this, he dropped down to one knee.

  Emily felt her heart beating like a drum against her chest. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and her knees began to shake. She looked at him and let her love pour out from her. “Yes, I will! Oh, Foster, I am so happy right now.”

  And as he stood up, she flung her arms around him and gave him a hug.

  Foster hugged her back and marveled that he should be so lucky. That he had found love again and he never wanted this moment to end. But there was one more thing to do. Stepping away from his love he turned towards Donald. The urge to pound the man was stronger now but he knew he must not. Knew it would be better if they paid him off and never saw him again. “Well,” he barked.

  Donald staggered backward and shook his head. “I accept the deal,” he said, but his voice was hardly more than a whisper.

  Foster thought from the look on his face that he was glad to be leaving with his hide intact.

  As Foster started to move towards him, Lawton stepped forward. “Let me,” he said and personally escorted Donald out the door. From the look on his face Foster knew they would never see him again. Lawton would make sure the man was certain he was not welcome.

  Foster turned to Emily there was so much he wanted to say. Already she had moved so that he could not see her scar and now he knew why she was ashamed. Her useless brother had made her ashamed. He had to talk to her, had to tell her when the sound of a throat clearing caught his attention.

  Susan had stood from the table. “I have just remembered that Ellie and I are wanted in the kitchen,” she said. “And I do believe Jarrett was going to help his brother.”

  Ellie smiled and getting up from the table she curtsied at Foster, but Jarrett looked a little confused.

  “Come, dear,” Ellie said as she grabbed onto his arm. “We have things to do,” Ellie said and looked at Foster and Emily.

  At last it clicked and with his cheeks glowing Jarrett got up and followed the girls from the room.

  Foster looked at the woman he loved and he did not know what to say.

  Chapter 12

  Now they were alone Foster knew what he needed to say but the words were lost to him. Emily was so enchanting that all he wanted to do was crush her to his chest and tell her that she was safe. Instead, they stood just a short distance apart, neither one of them knowing what to say.

  The seconds ticked past and he knew he must say something so he took her hand and led her to the table. Clearing away some crockery he pulled out a chair and sat her down deliberately facing her so he was to her left. As he watched color spread across her cheeks and her hand moved to pull one of her coffee colored curls to cover the scar. Gently he took the hand and brought it to his lips. Her ears glowed at his kiss and she lowered her eyes. Reaching out he lifted her chin and stared straight into her eyes. They were the green of a woodland stream that sparkled with sunlight and were just as enticing.

  “You know you are a beautiful woman,” he said.

  She lowered her eyes and did not answer.

  “You are beautiful and this,” he said as his fingers traced across the scar. “This is simply a testament to your great strength. What your brother said was wrong and he will never hurt you again. You are better than him, stronger and you survived against the odds to start a new life. I hope it will be here with me and my family.”

  Slowly she lifted her head and looked at him. It was like the sun coming out after a storm and it gave him hope.

  “I would like that very much,” she said. “I have never met a family so generous and so loving. I believe God brought me here and gave me this love so how could I turn it down… but my scar is ugly and I can understand if you would like me to cover it.”

  Foster leaned forward and placed a kiss on the scar. It was soft against his lips and he placed tender little kisses all down its length. “Maybe the scar was part of God’s plan, and maybe we shouldn’t question it,” Foster said.

  Emily looked up at him and there was light in her eyes. “I have never thought of it that way,” she said. “I truly do believe that God blessed me when I was found and brought here. I love you Foster so much and now you have given me everything. I cannot wait to be your wife.”

  “Then we will marry soon,” Foster said. “How about tomorrow?”

  “How about tonight?”

  Epilogue

  The entire family thought it was a wonderful idea and arrangements were made. Susan found out some lace she was making into a dress, with a quick alteration she fashioned a wedding dress while Foster got changed into his finest suit.

  The whole family rejoiced in the happiness of Emily and Foster as they made the wagon ride to town. Would the Pastor agree?

  Lawton left the family at the church while he ran around to the house, hammering on the door in his haste to see his father happy.

  “What is it, what is it?” Pastor Burke asked as he answered the door.

  “I know it’s late, but could you perform a wedding?”

  With just the family as witnesses and the moon shining through the windows, Foster and Emily said their vows. Emily could not believe how happy she felt. Waves of joy would roll right through her and leave her breathless or wanting to giggle with bliss. The ceremony seemed cozy with just a few candles and the moon to light up the small church, but the Pastor’s voice was powerful and official and soon the vows were said.

  Foster looked into her eyes and sent his love and reassurance as his voice boomed out, “I do.”

  Now it was her turn and she wanted to shout, yes, yes, yes I do, I love you with all my heart. But her voice cracked and all that came out was a squeaked, “I do.”

&nb
sp; Foster patted his pocket and pulled out a ring. It was a delicate gold band and he slipped it onto her finger. She was married to the most wonderful man and then she was in his arms. His lips found hers and her knees went weak and blood rushed in her ears like the waves crashing on the seashore. Her body melted against him and then he was holding her and she realized her knees had given way.

  Foster smiled down and helped her to her feet. “Mrs. Treherne,” he said. “May I take you home?”

  Home, she had a home and a wonderful husband. “Yes,” she whispered and let him lead her from the small church.

  The family threw rice and rose petals over the couple as they came from the church.

  Foster looked before him. His family was complete once again and the future was full of promise and adventure.

  The End.

  The Widowed, Pregnant, & Beaten Bride Saved by the Chivalrous Cowboy

  The Big Beautiful Mail Order Brides of Montana Book 4

  Indiana Wake & Belle Fiffer

  ©Copyright 2015 Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake

  All Rights Reserved.

  FairHavensBooks@cd2.com

  Chapter 1

  1897

  Gina Bailey was baking when she heard the knock at the door. She dusted off her hands and tucked a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. Who could it be? Lambert was not due home for another hour and her friend Lilly would be working. The knock came again and she gave a small laugh. Who could be so impatient? As she moved to the door, she caught a glance of her reflection in the mirror on the wall. She had a pretty face even if it was a little chubby. But Lambert didn’t mind the extra weight she carried and he certainly didn’t mind the pastries and bread that she loved to bake. Maybe it was her neighbor. The old man often came over when the bread was almost ready. It was as if he knew. Gina didn’t mind, she knew that life could be lonely and she would often invite him in for supper when they had enough to spare. As she approached the door, the knock came again.

  “Just a minute,” she shouted and rushed the last few steps.

  The door opened and stood before her was the sheriff. Panic was like a weight on her shoulders, it buckled her knees and she almost fell. The look on his face said it all as his hands tightened on the rim of his hat held tightly to his chest. Her eyes were drawn to that hat as she felt the world spin. She took a breath, tried to stay in control and grabbed hold of the door jamb. Back in control for a moment she tried to tell herself it could not be. Then she looked into sad, brown eyes. They told her everything before he had even begun to speak. His eyes told her that a tragedy had befallen them and that he was sorry for it.

  She fell to the floor. Her Lambert was dead.

  Gina was lying on the sofa when she woke. The sheriff was stood to one side. The midwife knelt beside her. Her face was lined with sorrow and Gina remembered. “My baby?” she asked.

  “It is fine,” the midwife said and ran a hand across her brow. “You need to rest, but you will get through this.” As the kindly woman backed away, Gina’s eyes found the sheriff. He could not hold her gaze, but he came over and squatted down so that they were eye to eye.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Lambert tried to stop a man stealing from the store. He was shot, he died instantly.”

  The sound of a scream reverberated around the room. It was a few seconds before she realized it was hers. She was screaming and beating at the sheriff as if he was the very devil. How could this happen? How could he leave her all alone in the world carrying his child? Instinctively her hands went to the small bulge in her stomach and somehow it calmed her. They would survive this, somehow they would go on. As the world spun out of control, Gina rubbed her belly absently, comforting her unborn child. The child that would now come into this world fatherless. A fresh tear rolled down her face as she thought of her husband. The way he had cared for her, the love he always showed her, the happiness on his face when he found out he was going to be a father. Now, he would never see his child and his child would never see him.

  This pain was unbearable, Gina thought as tear after tear fell from her eyes. She wouldn’t survive this, she didn’t want to survive. But she had someone else to think of now. She had another being that she was solely responsible for and so she must carry on. She needed to find the will to live so she could tell her child one day who their father was and what an amazing man he had been. Gina could never remember the sheriff leaving. But the house was cold and dark and she was all alone. Lying on the bed she cried until mercy came in the form of restless sleep.

  ***

  A knock on the door woke her and the reality came pouring back in. Lambert was dead. Again the bang on the door, who could it be? Gina felt like she was sleepwalking as she stumbled across the room to open it. As soon as she saw the man stood there she knew there was more trouble. A hand went to her hair. It was wild and untamed and she must look most terrible. Her hands patted down her gown and she smoothed a lock of hair from her face. Before she could say anything, the man walked in, pushing past her as if she had no right to be there.

  “I am Mr. Malone,” he said as he surveyed the room.

  Gina knew that name and ice water filled her chest with dread.

  “You know that your late husband had a mortgage on this farm. He was considerably behind on payment. I am giving you until the end of the month to come up with the money or you must move out of the property.”

  Gina felt her knees give again, but she would not let him see her so weak. She took a breath and pinched her arm and watched as the man examined her home as if it were his already. Before she could say anything, he tipped his hat and was gone. It felt as if a tornado had raged into her life and ripped out her heart, and now it was leaving a trail of destruction in its place. What could she do?

  Gina went to her only mirror and tidied her hair and cleaned up her face. She would go see Lilly. Her friend would know what she could do.

  As Gina walked into the shop, Lilly cried and ran over.

  “I am so sorry,” Lilly said. “I am so sorry.”

  Gina felt crushed against a perfumed bosom and for the first time since this had happened she felt safe.

  Soon the two friends were talking. “What can I do?” Gina asked. “There is no money and I have no relatives living.”

  “You could move in with me, but I’m not sure my landlord would like it. Maybe we could keep you hidden?”

  Gina laughed. Lilly’s flat was tiny and it would be impossible to keep her hidden, after all she was not small already and with the baby... “Thank you, but I will soon be too big to hide.”

  “Still we could manage,” Lilly said.

  “No, I couldn’t,” Gina felt fresh tears prickled at the back of her eyes. It was so good to have friends. “What about the baby? I cannot imagine what it will be like if…” She wanted to say she. She had believed she was carrying a girl from the moment she found out she was pregnant. But now… now she wanted a boy. A boy to take his father’s place and to keep his memory going. A boy who would be self-reliant and not have to worry about anything. “If it is to grow up without a father. How will we manage? Oh, Lilly, you know how hard it will be. What can I do without my Lambert?”

  Lilly dropped her eyes and put a hand into her pocket.

  “What is it?” Gina asked.

  Lily pulled out a newspaper clipping. “I was thinking of answering this,” she said and handed it to Gina.

  Gina read the clipping but could not understand the words. She read them again.

  Matrimonial – Respectable bachelor 35, sober, intelligent seeks woman for matrimony. Children acceptable. Must be hardworking and between the ages of 20 and 30. Apply Redemption Post Office, Montana Territory. Mr. B. Epperson

  “I do not understand,” Gina said as she held the flimsy paper. Was her friend really suggesting that she remarry?

  “I know it is difficult,” Lilly said as she put an arm around Gina. “But this could be a new beginning. If you were to marry this man, then your chi
ld would have a father. You would not need to worry about food or your mortgage. You would be safe and your child would be provided for.”

  It took some time for Gina to be persuaded. How could she leave her home? How could she do this to Lambert but in the end she realized that she had no choice? Soon she would be out of a home and this would be a new start. So together with Lilly she wrote to the respectable gentleman and together they prayed that this would be the start of a new chapter in her life.

  ~ * ~

  And so it was that Gina sat at the train station just one month later and wondered how things could have gone so badly wrong. Lilly sat with her and patted her arm.

  “I am only twenty-three,” Gina said, “yet I have been married, widowed and now I am betrothed to another man. I feel as if the world is spinning and I just want it to stop.”

  “I wish I were going with you, but I know you will be fine. You are beautiful, and a kind caring person. Mr. Epperson will fall in love with you and in time your heart will heal. You two will fall in love and you will have a family again. Go my friend and be happy. Maybe I will find another advertisement and join you in a few months.”

  Gina nodded just as the train came into the station amid a big puff of steam. Lilly helped her with her case and then they were hugging.

  “I will miss you so much,” Lilly said.

  Gina hugged her back. “I will miss you too.”

  Chapter 2

  How difficult it is for a pregnant woman to travel is something that only a pregnant woman can understand. The nights were long, the mornings found her feeling sick and running to the bathroom. The days were hot and sticky and after a miserable few weeks of traveling, Gina finally arrived at her destination. She got out of the train and onto the platform. Putting down the two suitcases that carried her whole life, she rubbed her back to ease the pain. Now she was here her heart beat like a drum and seemed to race as fast as the wheels on the train. Maybe it was just so used to the rhythm that it was keeping time. But her palms felt sticky and she her stomach was all a flutter. Where was her new husband?