by Indiana Wake
The Bride who Stole his Heart
Hearts and Hands Mail Order Bride Agency
Indiana Wake
Belle Fiffer
Fair Havens Books
Contents
Hearts and Hands Mail Order Bride Agency
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Epilogue
35 Sweet Western Brides – Preview
More Books by Indiana Wake
About the Authors
©Copyright 2018 Indiana Wake
Hearts and Hands Mail Order Bride Agency
The tradition of mail order bride’s dates back to 1620 but most of us are more familiar with the 1800s.
The first mail order bride adverts appeared following the gold rush. Men went West and became prosperous but without the possibility of family they soon became morose. They drank too much and so the first matrimonial adverts began.
At first men write to their churches, in the hope of finding moral ladies who would take on such an adventure and travel West to become their wives.
Often the men would offer their hand in marriage in return for the lady coming West. Offers of petticoats, shoes, and caps were also made.
In time women began to place their own adverts hoping to attract a prosperous man.
That is where the idea of this series began. Each of the books is a complete tail and they can be read in any order.
In the first book a young woman is offered a man’s Heart and Hand and from this an idea emerges in her mind.
Just like the brave pioneers she begins a new life and a hope to bring order and civilisation to a land that needed love and family to make it complete
I hope you will enjoy these books as much as we have writing them.
If you missed book 1: The First Bride grab it now.
Blessings.
1
Andrea Malekou was practically jumping up and down in her seat as the countryside outside went by. Trees bunched together along the edge of the railway and beyond that was a kaleidoscope of color. There was sandy land, green plains, and majestic mountains stretching up to the blue of the sky.
“Almost there,” she squealed. “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this.”
Sitting beside her, Amy Palmer smiled at her friend’s excitement.
“Neither can I. This does feel like a strange dream.”
“But it’s a dream adventure as well.” Across the compartment, the red-brown-headed woman sat back with a grin, her eyes glinting. “I can’t wait to see how it goes.”
Amy couldn’t argue with that. It was a dream and it was an adventure as well. The four of them hadn’t left their hometown before and now they were traveling to the other side of the country. It was surreal and Amy hadn’t quite believed it when Mary had written to her, telling her that she had settled in San Francisco and was setting up the Hearts and Hands matchmaking service. The idea was to help bring women to the town and its inhabitants. To rub off the rough edges of the men who had been too long without the prospect of female company. She had been incredibly excited about a chance for a new and better life.
Amy was pleased that her friend was happy with her husband, who sounded like a real sweetheart, but she wasn’t sure if Mary had bitten off more than she could chew with the bridal agency. Mary had spent much of her life practically holed up in a house, with only her father. Amy had been one of the few people she met on a regular basis. Amy didn’t even know if Mary could talk to strange women, let alone men without getting flustered and worried.
This was going to be interesting. And though she was excited the more she thought about it, the more Amy wondered what she was getting herself into.
She had to remember what was happening. They were looking for husbands for the lonely pioneer men. Amy had done her bit looking for friends who wanted to marry and weren’t afraid to uproot themselves and travel to another part of the country. It was exactly what Mary wanted.
But they still had to be careful. They had almost been attacked three times by train robbers. One had actually managed to board the train but had been knocked out by an old lady wielding her carpet bag. A few of the passengers had quickly tied him up and he had been picked up at the next station.
Amy had no idea how Mary had coped going cross-country with horses and wagons but now wished she had gone that way.
So, Amy frowned at Melissa, who was almost bouncing out of her seat as she looked out the window.
“It may be an adventure, Melissa, but we were warned to be careful and patient,” she pointed out. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
Melissa snorted.
“Come on, Amy, what’s going to happen? We’re coming here because your friend, Mary, is looking for women to match to men as there are barely any of us in San Francisco. We’re not going to the underworld to meet the devil.”
“We could be accosted,” Amy said. “We almost have been several times on this train, remember? Seeing as we’re going to be outnumbered in a place we don’t know, we need to keep our wits about us in case something happens.”
The raven-haired, pale woman dressed in black beside Melissa jerked her head up, her gray eyes widening.
“You mean they could kidnap us and force us into marriage?” Bryony gasped. “Or worse?”
Amy didn’t want to answer that. But that was the general idea. Refusing one of the men might mean he would try to get what he wanted on his own terms. And what about the men who didn’t get a bride? They weren’t going to be very civilized, which was something Amy knew she was going to struggle with. After living with a silver spoon practically shoved into her mouth when she was born and for most of her life, this was going to be a big culture shock.
But Amy wanted a husband who wasn’t a rich snob. The only eligible men that she knew back home were not desirable, in her eyes. Her parents thought they were perfect and that Amy was merely picky. They had been days away from arranging a match for her with someone Amy would despise intensely; they had a habit of knowing what she didn’t want.
Amy wanted someone who wasn’t a snob but was a good guy, a hard worker and appreciated her more than as a trophy on his arm. She wasn’t someone to parade about. If the men couldn’t get that, then they had no chance.
Andrea sighed and adjusted her bun, which was starting to fall out of place due to the open window, the wind rushing in.
“Let’s hope Mary’s judgment on men is good or we’re going to be matched to our nightmares.”
“Let’s get there and see what there is to start with.” Amy shrugged. “Mary says she’s matching us up to the men but we also have the freedom to choose our own, to veto the match. We don’t have to marry the man she matches to us, it’s just that he could be a possibility. We’ll be fine.”
Mary was a good sort. She wouldn’t let anything happen to them.
But there were still doubts in Amy’s mind. Would Mary have control of the situation? Or would it get completely out of hand? Amy had a feeling she had promised more than she was expecting and then when four women arrived the men were going to get up in arms.
The first few days were going to be tough. Amy didn’t like the idea of being pawed and treated like she was something in a shop window. With that thought on her mind she settled down to enjoy the view.
The train finally pulled into the station and the four women climbed out, huddling on the platform as the porter fetched their luggage. Amy tugged her coat around her and looked around. They were practically the only ones on the platform; the t
rain had been quiet for the latter part of the journey, which had surprised her. Most people were moving west to follow the gold rush. So, to have their train almost empty was a little strange.
Unless Mary had done something daft and asked for the whole train to be reserved for the women coming down. Amy hoped that wasn’t the case.
The porter got their luggage together and beckoned for them to follow him. As they headed along the platform toward the door, Amy was aware of someone standing near them, openly staring. She glanced out the corner of her eye and saw two wiry-looking men, unshaven and disheveled, watching them with a blatant look that made shivers go down her spine.
This wasn’t the welcoming committee, was it?
One of the men growled, causing Amy to jump. In front of her, Andrea slowed down and Melissa bumped into her.
“That Stanier woman has a lot to answer for,” the second man growled. He was taller with long shaggy dark hair messily tied back. Coal dust was sprinkled across his clothes. “She said hordes of women would come here and we only get four?”
His pal, stockier with a thick blond beard, smirked.
“Well, then, good thing we’re here to get the first pick. And I go with the brunette.”
He pointed at Amy, who instinctively took a step back.
Long Hair chuckled.
“And I’m having the lady in black. She’s perfect.”
Bryony whimpered. Amy grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
“Come on,” she muttered. “Don’t stop.”
Then someone clamped down hard on her arm. Amy cried out and was swung around for Blond Beard to grab her other arm, pinning her against him. He leered at her.
“Did we say you could go anywhere, missy?”
Amy bared her teeth. It was starting already.
“I didn’t realize we were being met with a welcoming committee.” She wrinkled her nose. “Although, I wouldn’t call you guys welcoming from that stench hovering around you.”
Blond Beard raised his eyebrows. Then he barked out a laugh.
“A sharp wit on you. I like that. How about you ladies come with us and we’ll get you settled down in a nice and cozy room?”
That didn’t sound tempting at all. Amy shrugged his hands away and stepped back.
“I think we can manage on our own, thanks.”
Blond Beard’s smirk faded and he scowled. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting her to argue back.
“I wasn’t asking,” he growled and grabbed for her again.
Amy jumped out of the way and tripped, colliding with Melissa and both of them tumbled to the ground in a mess of dusty skirts and bags.
Bryony cried out and Andrea pulled her away as Long Hair followed them. Then there was a loud, deep bellow across the platform.
“Leave them alone, Mick.”
Amy looked up and saw a man wearing a blue shirt and trousers, a gold sheriff’s badge glinted on his chest. The Stetson was pulled low over his eyes but Amy could see the tight, hardened jaw, the mouth twisted into a scowl. She could feel the intensity coming from his eyes, that were barely visible under the rim.
He was glowering at Blond Beard – Mick – as he stood over Amy and Melissa.
Mick growled and straightened up.
“Get lost, Anthony,” he snapped. “I’m not interested in talking with you right now.”
“Well, you’re going to have to be,” the sheriff growled. He reached down and took Amy’s hand without waiting for her permission, pulling her to her feet while still looking at Mick. “You’re assaulting the young lady and she clearly doesn’t want you touching her. Just leave.”
“I didn’t assault her! We were just…”
“We weren’t just anything,” Amy snapped. “I said no and that’s what I meant.” She turned to the sheriff. “Please, Sheriff, we need to find Mary Stanier. Could you help us?”
The sheriff turned to her and Amy almost forgot how to breathe when their eyes locked. Dark eyes, flecked with green. They momentarily widened as he stared back before his emotions shut down and he managed to school himself back to blank.
What on earth had just happened there? And those eyes… just incredible.
“Not a problem.” His voice was a deep purr that tickled the hairs on Amy’s arms. “We’ll take you to her.”
“We?”
Amy cast Mick and his companion a horrified look. Long Hair gave Bryony an openly evident leer before turning away and stalking off, Mick stomping along beside him. But Mick did cast one last look at Amy before he disappeared around a corner, kicking over a crate.
Amy almost sagged in relief.
“The pastor and I were going to meet you off the train and escort the four of you ladies to Mary.” Sheriff Anthony looked at the other girls. Bryony was helping Melissa up and Andrea was brushing her clothes down. “Just so you don’t run into any trouble. Or any more trouble.”
At least that was something. They weren’t going to be stuck with a riot if they had a sheriff at their side. Amy managed a smile up at Sheriff Anthony.
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
His eyes softened a little as he looked down at her and then the sheriff nodded.
“My pleasure, miss.”
It was then that Amy realized he was still holding onto her hand. And he wasn’t letting go.
2
Philip wasn’t sure what to expect from the women who would be coming into San Francisco on Mary’s bidding but he wasn’t expecting to find himself attracted to them. He had gone through all his life saying he didn’t need a wife, that he was happy on his own. Now, as Philip looked at Amy Palmer as they drove the wagon through the streets to the mission station, he was beginning to wonder if he had simply been in denial all this time.
Amy was a lovely woman. All four were in their own ways. But Amy stood out to Philip. Petite, slim with light brown hair that was cut short and curled around her face, she looked almost like a china doll. Philip couldn’t stop himself from staring at her.
Petite but feisty. She had a wit and a strength in her that belied her size. He liked that.
But Amy wasn’t here for him. She was here for the men who had requested a wife and Philip wasn’t one of them. Amy was looking for a husband, to have a family, lots of children and a new life.
Philip wasn’t the person who could give her that... was he?
They were soon at the mission station, which was not far from the sheriff’s hut. Philip pulled the wagon up outside the front doors and alighted from the seat, helping Amy down first.
Pastor Sean Foster had sat in the back with the other girls, seeming to charm them with his easy manner and constant conversation. Philip had tuned most of his talking out but from the way the other brunette girl – Melissa – was looking at him, it seemed to have worked like magic on her.
Gathering the bags and trunks between them, Philip and Sean got the luggage inside, the women following moments after. Two missionaries were passing and hurried over, fussing immediately over the girls. Then a woman in her twenties appeared from a hallway, hurrying toward the group. Amy saw her first and broke away.
“Mary!”
“Amy!” Mary Stanier threw her arms around her friend and they embraced. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“And you.” Amy pulled back and frowned. “But why didn’t you tell me that we were going to be accosted as soon as we got here? If the sheriff hadn’t been around, we would have been spirited away by a couple of undesirables.”
Mary sighed.
“I had a feeling that would happen, but I didn’t think they’d do it the moment you got off the train.”
“You didn’t think they’d do it as soon as that?” Andrea demanded. “What did you think they were going to do?”
Philip winced. So did Mary, and she also blushed.
“Sorry, that came out wrong.” She took Amy’s hand and beckoned the other women. “Come through. I’ll make you something to eat. You can stay here and I can assure you it’s safe.”
Philip knew that for a fact. When the mission station first got started up, it had been made clear very early on that these people, while Godly and wanting to spread his word, were more than capable of taking care of themselves. Thieves left them alone, criminals gave the place a wide berth. Word got around that the missionaries were a haven for those in need, but they weren’t to be messed about with.
Philip had an enormous amount of respect for them and the way they handled things quietly, whether it was a woman in need of protection, a man who was down on his luck, or those who always tried their hand. Phillip had never had to intervene and had never felt that the law had been broken. Paul Stanier and his family were assured and stood with their faith against whatever came their way but they were no pushover.
“Are we safe here?” Amy asked, casting Philip a glance as he fell into step beside them. “Nobody’s going to come in here and spirit us away, are they?”
Philip shook his head.
“Not here. The Stanier family are respected and they’re also not ones to mess with. A few thieves have found out at their expense.” He managed a smile at her. “Plus, I’m going to be hanging around for a while to make sure nothing does happen.”
“What?” Amy’s eyes widened. “I don’t want us to put you out…”
Mary cut her off.
“Philip suggested it before we could say anything. He’s been like this since we got the letters back. Almost like a big brother who thinks this isn’t such a good idea.”
Philip winced when he saw four pairs of eyes staring at him. Although Mary was right about that: he had been against the idea from the start. He had befriended the Stanier family pretty early on and when Mary told him of her idea to bring women to San Francisco, Philip had tried to stop her. He knew the men who lived here and knew they would be rowdy and wouldn’t like standing in line for a woman. What they wanted, they went after hard and they usually got it. In some ways they could be like spoiled children when they were up against each other. That was no place for gentle eastern women.
