Mail Order Brides Western Romance Collection ~ 3-Book Bundle (Brides of Virtue Series 1)

by Jill Maguire

  Grace opened the door to her tiny empty cabin and gave Noah a little squeeze. “But now there’s hope, Noah. Hope for both of us to start a new life.”

  Chapter 2

  It sounded as though things had worked out for Faith, even after marrying a strange man. Grace took a deep breath and looked down at Noah sleeping peacefully. Noah, her baby. How would a prospective husband feel about marrying her when she already had a child from a previous marriage? Grace bit her lower lip in anxiety. Suddenly she considered this plan too crazy, too impossible, how would it ever work?

  Grace spent the next four days on a seesaw, her emotions rocking between grateful hopes and anxious-ridden fears. One morning she might feel sure this was the right thing to do, but by the evening tears would streak her face as she paced around her small house rethinking everything. She packed a small suitcase with her and Noah’s things and waited in this harried state of mind for the train ticket to arrive. Noah seemed blissfully unaware of Grace’s anxiety, for which she was thankful. His contentment soothed Grace in her most anxious moments.

  Finally, the ticket came and Grace uneasily boarded the train with Noah nestled in his basket and her sights set on the open Wyoming landscape. Soon the hills and trees were speeding past Grace and she settled comfortably into her seat. As the sun went down, burning out like a blinding flame in the west, Grace allowed the gentle rocking of the train to lull her into a fitful sleep.

  Grace was awakened several hours later when the train screeched to a halt at the next stop. She smoothed her hair and rubbed her weary eyes. Looking out the window at the tiny train station, Grace watched the crowd of people loitering about on the platform, some of whom moved to board her train.

  Grace glanced down at Noah to find him still sleeping and took a deep breath and sat up straighter. A young woman boarded the train at the door in front of Grace and her beaming smile instantly caught Grace’s attention. The woman looked behind her at an elderly man following her up the steps and her smile widened even more. Grace smiled as the young woman and silver-haired man walked passed her in search of seats farther back in the car. Grace sighed and settled in to sleep again.

  Just as Grace closed her eyes she was startled by a bump against her left knee.

  “Excuse me, do you mind if we join you?” The attractive young woman extended her hand and pointed at the two empty seats facing Grace. They had apparently been unable to find seats and had returned to claim the only two available on the train. Feeling exhausted, Grace mustered a smile to match the one the young woman offered and nodded as the pair sat down.

  “Hi, my name is Hope Sutton,” the young woman said. Her voice was soft and sweet, yet her green eyes held a vivacity that belied a soft nature.

  “Grace,” she whispered.

  “It’s nice to meet you. This is my father, Conrad.” Hope introduced the man sitting next to her who nodded curtly and looked out the window, uninterested. Hope looked at him reproachfully.

  “Don’t mind father’s manners,” she said with a raised brow, “He isn’t thrilled on the idea of taking me west. You see, I’m going to Wyoming as a mail-order bride.” Hope’s eyes flashed with obvious excitement and an incorrigible dimple appeared on the left side of her upturned lips. “Father is not keen on the idea and wants to escort me to be sure everything goes well.” The man returned his daughter’s critical look.

  “A man and a woman should marry for love. Marriage is hard enough when two people love each other without adding the stress of marrying a complete stranger. This whole business is outrageous. To marry a strange man,” Mr. Sutton shook his head and mumbled more under his breath.

  Grace thought she caught a look of true fear in the man’s eyes as he scolded his daughter and a part of her felt sorry for him. She was also inclined to agree with him, if it weren’t for her own circumstances of being thrown at the mercies of a strange man. Hope laid a comforting hand on her father’s arm.

  “Well, I find it exciting. And you agreed father, there are no prospects for me back home,” Hope turned back to Grace. “I was ready for an adventure. I needed to get out of that sleepy old town.”

  Grace smiled wanly at Hope, not knowing quite what to say to the girl. She could only wish that the young woman would find true happiness with her new husband and her new life.

  “Oh look at your baby,” Hope exclaimed, noticing the basket beside Grace for the first time. “What is his name?”

  “Noah,” Grace replied.

  “He’s adorable, Grace,” Hope said softly.

  “So where are you traveling to, alone with your baby?” Mr. Sutton asked. Meeting his gaze for a brief moment, Grace lowered her eyes again. The last thing Grace wanted to do was recount her recent history to her new friends. She was afraid of what Mr. Sutton would think of her since he was so adamant about marrying for love. Grace sighed.

  “My husband left us so I am going to stay with friends in Whistle Stop,” Grace murmured quietly. She decided not to mention the fact that she too was on her way to meet an unknown man whom she would marry.

  “Oh Grace, I’m so sorry,” Hope shook her head and regarded Grace with sympathy. Mr. Sutton looked grimly at her as well.

  “You will be taken care of when you get to your destination?” Mr. Sutton asked.

  “Yes sir, thank you,” Grace assured him, smiling faintly. Noah began to squirm and cry softly and Grace lifted him from the basket.

  “Excuse me, I think he’s hungry,” Grace stood and walked away in search of a private place to feed Noah. She walked from her car to the next before finding an empty compartment. Grace sat down and nursed Noah, reflecting on her new acquaintances and how differently they felt about heading west – Hope was excited about her new adventure and starting a new life, while her father was uncomfortable and worried.

  When she had finished feeding Noah, he looked up at her with wide, searching eyes. She smiled down into his beautiful face and murmured lovingly to him. “You’re my reason for doing this. You, and only you.”

  Suddenly Grace heard the horrendous sound of screeching metal. Instinctively, she held Noah close to her chest and cowered in her seat, not knowing what to expect. The horrible sound of crashing steel grew louder and the screams of the passengers echoed all around her. Grace fell to the floor, bracing herself against the seat. Then, the flickering lights went black and Grace felt herself thrown from her seat, clinging desperately to her son. That was the last thing she remembered.

  Chapter 3

  Sherriff Emmett McCabe rode along the streets of Whistle Stop on his horse, keeping a keen eye out for anyone who might need assistance, or even reprimand. He had grown to love this town and he served the people faithfully, grateful for a loyal community that looked out for each other. And today, Emmettt decided, was an especially fine day. Later, he intended to meet the incoming train at the station to assist any newcomers, but for now, he enjoyed the pure beauty of the sun just beginning to rise over the eastern hills, searing the periwinkle sky with bright pink and peach hues. Emmett let his eyes linger over the horizon, thanking God for such a wonderful gift.

  When he reached the station, Emmett walked toward the stationmaster’s booth. Before he could make his way across the courtyard the stationmaster ran out of his booth to meet him.

  “Sheriff McCabe! Thank goodness! I just received word, there’s been an accident. The train derailed!”

  Without another word Emmett ran to his horse, mounted and followed the train tracks out of town at a gallop, leaving a billowing cloud of dust behind him.

  Soon the train’s wreckage was before him and Emmett had never seen anything like it. Several train cars piled up against each other, metal and glass shards thrown about like a child’s unwanted toys. Emmett jumped from his horse and circled the wreckage looking for signs of life. Then, a baby’s cry shattered the impenetrable silence and a wave of horrible memories overtook Emmettt, terrible memories he wished he could forget. Emmett shook his head, knowing he needed a cle
ar mind to deal with the tragedy in front of him.

  Emmett ran to a train car that had been thrown on its side. His heart began to pound and he had to work to steady his breath. The door on the back of the car was hanging open, its hinges twisted and broken, and Emmett carefully climbed through it, hoping to hear the sound of crying again. He treaded carefully over the broken glass and dismantled seats. He searched amongst the wreckage until he finally came upon a tiny body lying in a rumple of blankets. Against his will, Emmett’s mind flitted again to a scene from years before. A terrible wagon crash, the bodies of his wife and small daughter sprawled on the dirt, lifeless.

  Unbidden tears welled up in Emmett’s eyes and he fought an urge to turn away and leave the baby. He couldn’t do this, not again. The image of his daughter’s body, his wife’s, just beyond the reach of his help still haunted him too often. He worked to gain control of his emotions, but struggled with the thought of losing another small life. He had failed his wife and daughter. They had died right before his eyes, and he was helpless to save them. But here, amid the broken tea service and crumpled metal, was a baby who was still alive and needed his help. He could save a life this day.

  Emmett bent and carefully picked up the baby boy, wrapping him in the dirty blanket beneath him and holding him to his chest. Upon first glance, the child appeared to be completely unscathed and Emmett silently thanked God for sparing this tiny life.

  Emmett looked around for any other sign of life, fearing what he might find. He was about to head toward the open door again when he heard a woman’s soft moan. Emmett turned to the sound and climbed over a bench to find a young woman lay bleeding among the shards of glass. An angry gash bled on her forehead and tiny cuts from the glass flecked her face and throat. Deeper cuts slashed the woman’s arms where she had obviously shielded herself, and probably the baby, from harm. Another image of Emmett’s wife seared trough his mind again, but he cleared his throat and knelt down next to the woman.

  “Ma’am, can you hear me? Ma’am?” Emmett smoothed the woman’s dark brown hair from her face. The woman’s eyes flickered open and Emmett took a deep breath of relief.

  “My name is Emmett McCabe. I’m the Sheriff of Whistle Stop and I’m here to help you,” Emmett explained slowly to the woman. He kept his voice calm and reassuring to put her at ease. “What’s your name?”

  “Grace,” the woman managed to say in an almost breathless voice.

  “Grace, is this your son?” Emmett showed Grace the baby so that she could see he was okay. Grace nodded slightly, her breath coming more rapidly as she looked at her son with fear filled her eyes.

  “Well Grace, he doesn’t have a scratch on him. He’s a little survivor,” Emmett said, trying to put the woman’s mind at ease. He put considerable effort into keeping his own breathing calm, knowing how grave the situation really was. What did he have to offer this woman? False hope that she would survive? He didn’t know if she would, and besides, he hadn’t even been able to save his own family when they needed him most, so who was he to be her savior?

  “Can you stand up?” Emmett asked.

  Grace began to move, testing her limbs. “Slowly now, easy.” Emmett held out his free arm to support Grace. She accepted his help, but once she had gained her feet Grace gasped in pain.

  Chapter 4

  “Where is the pain?” Emmett asked in concern, carefully lowering her onto an overturned table.

  “Everywhere,” Grace moaned. “But mostly my ankle and my side.”

  “We need to get you into town, to the doctor. Can you hold the baby?” Emmett asked, holding her son out to her. Grace looked up at Emmett with large brown eyes and for a fleeting moment, Emmett lost himself in the dewy, sweet depths of those eyes. He turned away quickly and refocused on the task of getting Grace and her baby out of the mangled train. Grace took her son in her arms and his cries quieted.

  “Now, I’m going to pick you up and carry you to my horse just outside. Is that alright, ma’am?” Emmett had taken his hat off as an instinctive gesture of respect when Grace took the baby from him and he placed it back on his head as Grace nodded her consent. Gently, Emmett bent and lifted Grace’s small frame as she cradled the baby. He stepped out of the overturned train car and walked with sure steps to his horse. When Emmett lifted Grace onto the saddle of his horse he heard her take in a sharp breath.

  “Are you alright?” he asked with concern. Grace nodded, but she looked very pale. Emmett knew he needed to get her into town right away. He mounted his horse, sitting just behind Grace in the saddle. He put a steadying arm around Grace and the baby and took the reins with the other hand. Emmett surveyed the damaged train once more, vowing to return to search for more survivors once Grace and her son were safe. He drove the horse toward town at a soft canter, afraid that Grace wouldn’t be able to withstand a ride on a galloping horse.

  By the time they made it to the outskirts of town, Grace was slumping heavily into Emmett’s chest and her blood-streaked face was gravely pale. Fear gripped Emmett as he considered the life of another young woman being taken too soon. Emmett made the decision to ride straight to his own house, which was far closer than Doc Sullivan’s office, and promised to do whatever he needed to to help keep this woman alive.

  Emmett laid Grace on the couch in his living room and nestled her child at her side. Emmett quickly fetched a bowl of water and began cleaning Grace’s wounds. She stared up at him warily as he worked gently on her many cuts.

  “It’s going to be alright,” Emmett assured Grace. “You’ll just need to rest a while. What’s your baby’s name?” Emmett veered Grace’s attention away from her injuries.

  “Noah,” Grace murmured thickly.

  “That’s a fine name, Noah,” Emmett’s attempt at distracting the woman proved to be unnecessary as she quickly nodded off to sleep.

  Grace woke slowly from a deep sleep. She felt disoriented and frightened as she came closer and closer to the surface of her sleep. When she tried to move, Grace realized that every part of her body ached and screamed in pain. Her eyes flew open and she looked around. What had happened? Where was she? Grace looked down and saw Noah sleeping at her side. She reached a protective arm around him but gasped when she saw that her arm, both of her arms, were covered in bandages and the exposed skin was riddled with cuts and bruises.

  Grace was so confused. She fought back tears as she held Noah close to her heart. Sharp pain radiated from her right side and she couldn’t move her right foot for the pain in her ankle. Grace took a few deep breaths to try to calm herself. The last thing she remembered was being on the train, feeding Noah. Then there had been an awful sound and everything went dark. Grace also vaguely remembered a man’s face and a deep, soothing voice. It was all such a blur.

  “You’re awake,” the deep voice resounded in the small room and startled Grace. Her arm tightened around Noah. The man’s face, the same one she remembered, suddenly loomed above her. “How are you feeling?”

  “Who are you? What happened?” Grace asked wildly. She knew her voice trembled with fear but she couldn’t seem to help it. A pained look crossed the man’s face.

  “You don’t remember what happened?” he surmised. “You were in a terrible train accident. But it appears you only suffered a few scrapes and bruises, and maybe some broken bones,” he said almost apologetically as he laid a tender hand on her ankle. “Now, this little guy seems to be completely fine.” Emmett peeked at Noah who was still peacefully sleeping at his mother’s side. “Someone was taking care of the two of you.”

  “Who? Who was taking care of us? What are you talking about?” Grace’s mind was racing and flashbacks began pulsing before her eyes. She remembered Hope and her father whom she had met before the accident. What had happened to them? Were they the ones who had taken care of her as this man suggested? A smile crossed the man’s face and it disarmed Grace. She found this man to be puzzling, and mysterious, and handsome and frightening all at once.

  �
��I was talking about God. God must have been taking care of you and Noah. I saw the wreckage. It’s a miracle you weren’t more seriously injured.”

  “Oh,” Grace said quietly. She tried to sit up but every muscle and joint and bone screamed at her for the effort.

  “Just lie back,” Emmett suggested. “That’s it. You need to rest and let your body heal. You slept for about twenty hours. It’s good to see you awake.”

  “Twenty hours. What about Noah?” Grace looked down at her son who seemed to be sleeping in peace.

  “A friend of mine came over a couple of times to tend to him. He’s alright.”

  Grace sighed deeply and let a few tears fall. She felt so hopeless. Nothing was going as she had hoped. “Did I even make it to Whistle Stop? Where am I?” Grace wondered aloud. The man just smiled at her, jarring Grace’s nerves all over again.

  Chapter 5

  “Yes, you’re in Whistle Stop. I’m Emmett McCabe, I’m the Sheriff in town,” Emmett looked at the woman with a sympathetic gaze. She was so small and seemed so fragile and frightened. He wanted to help her, to reassure her, but he also didn’t want to scare her. “Are you hungry? I’ve made a stew, it’s warming on the stove,” Emmett offered. He saw a flicker of realization cross Grace’s delicate features.