Mail Order Bride- Twenty-Two Brides Mega Boxed Set

by Emily Woods

  The other woman laughed, the sound a tinkling bell to Maddie's ears. Tallie Crawford was the most feminine woman she'd ever met, a complete opposite of herself, and it was in part for that reason that she sought out her friend today.

  “Oh, you know me. I may long for the lazy days of the South every now and again, but the truth is that I'm used to being a hardworking Western woman now. You just caught me in the middle of darning the kids' socks.”

  It never ceased to amaze her that although the Crawfords once again were wealthy beyond their needs, Tallie was as frugal as a pauper.

  “Uh, I'd offer to help, but I'm afraid I'd just make the holes bigger,” she said regretfully.

  “Never you mind that. I wouldn't dream of putting my favorite visitor to work. Well, other than perhaps putting on come water to boil so we can share some of that tea Wesley still gets from back home.”

  “Aren't Lucinda and Fanny about?” The two servants, mother and daughter, had come from the South, the mother with Wesley and the daughter with his sister, Georgina.

  “Not today,” she replied, her eyes sparkling. “Would you believe that Wesley insisted they go along to town?”

  Maddie knew the reason for her mischievous look. Although people in the West weren't as discriminatory as those in the southern part of the country, there were still enough to raise eyebrows at the group. Maddie was sure that Lucinda and Fanny were riding up on the bench with Wesley and all the children were packed into the wagon bed.

  “He sure does like to cause trouble, doesn't he?” she asked with a bit of a grin. She liked Wesley quite a lot and often wished there was a younger version of him somewhere. He was debonair, handsome, wealthy, and always treated Tallie like a princess. Plus, he had a strong sense of justice and wasn't at all like the Southerners she'd read about.

  Tallie was grinning. “It's one of his more surprising characteristics. I'd always thought him so upright and sensible, but every now and then, he likes to be a burr under society's saddle.”

  After setting the kettle on the stove to boil and arranging a plate of biscuits for the two of them to share, Maddie sat down in the bright, spacious kitchen to pour out her heart.

  “Do you remember the ranch hand that I told you about the last time I was here?”

  Tallie nodded, breaking a biscuit in half and nibbling on a corner. “Quite dashing, if I recall, but you mentioned that he seemed uninterested in, uh, romance.”

  “Yes, and so I tried to set my heart aside, especially when I suspected that he was here for some other reason than just to work. It turns out that I'm right, but that doesn't matter right now.” She'd decided on the way over that she wouldn't tell anyone about Cole's secret plan. “I have a problem that goes deeper than that.”

  Leaning forward slightly, Tallie's eyes widened and she nodded encouragingly.

  Maddie sighed, took a bite of her cookie, and chewed for a moment. “Well, yesterday, there was a bit of an accident. It was kind of my fault, and kind of not, but the point is that Cole got hurt because of my carelessness. In a way, I thought he deserved it, but after I saw how bad the injury was, I felt guilty. If that weren't enough, Mama made me tend to him. Oh, Tallie, I had to basically hold his hand for thirty minutes. It was pure torture!”

  She could tell that Tallie was trying very hard to remain serious. “Yes, it sounds like it,” she agreed evenly. “And were you able to tell if he was feeling the same way?”

  Maddie shook her head, misery written on her face. “I think he sees me as a child. Anyway, I don't want to like him. He's not my type.”

  Tallie didn't say anything, merely raised an eyebrow.

  “Don't look at me that way,” Maddie snapped, her lips forming a pout.

  “Sorry, sweetie, but...let me ask you this: What is your type?”

  Brow pulled low, she tried to think of the words. “Well, I guess handsome and strong is a part of it, and he's got that down, but as for personality, I want someone sweet who will care about me and my feelings, someone who will know what I want before I even open my mouth, someone loyal and kind. He'll be utterly devoted to me and I'll bring a smile to his face every time he sees me.”

  Maddie’s lips curved into a brief smile, imagining such a man until Tallie said, “You just described Mark.” Those words were like a bucket of frigid water being poured over her head.

  “No, that's not, I mean, I don't...ugh!”

  “Mark is very sweet and he would lasso the moon for you if he could. All he sees is you.”

  “I don't want that!” She'd come over to try to clear her head, but she felt more confused than ever. “Tallie, what should I do? I can't like Cole. He's a...” It was on the tip of her tongue to call him a traitor, but she couldn't tell Tallie that. She'd promised.

  “He's a what?”

  Maddie shook her head. “It doesn't matter.” In a week, he'd be gone anyway. There was no way her father would allow him to stay after he found out the truth.

  “You look completely miserable, my dear.” Tallie reached across the table and patted her hand. “Would you let me pray for you?”

  “I don't think that God cares too much about my broken heart. I'm just one person.”

  “Ah, but that's where you're wrong. Did you know that God cares about your heart? It even says so in the Bible.”

  Here was yet another attempt to turn their conversation to the Bible and God. Maddie became frustrated.

  “Why do you always turn everything back to the Bible? Can't you just give me a normal answer?” She hadn't meant to shout, but she felt like Tallie wasn't even fully listening. “I don't need a sermon right now. I need advice!”

  Far from being stunned or hurt, Tallie gave her a soft smile.

  “I'm giving you the best advice I know, my friend. Turning my life over to Jesus was the smartest thing I ever did. He is the One who can heal you and show you the best path for your life. I can make a guess, but I don't know your heart or Cole's. You don't want to tell me everything, and that's fine, but God already knows it all, so He's the best one to ask.”

  Trembling with frustration, anger, and something else that she couldn’t identify, Maddie felt tears seeping out of her eyes. “But what if I don't like His plan? What if He wants me to forget about Cole and marry Mark?” Finally, she’d voiced her fear. She didn't want to put her trust in God, or ask Him what He wanted from her, because she was worried that it would be something she couldn't endure.

  Now Tallie stood and drew her chair close to Maddie. Sitting down right next to her, Tallie pulled the younger woman into her arms. “Sweet girl, God isn't a demanding boss who wants to force you into a job that you hate. He's a loving Father who wants to shower you with wonderful gifts. In the Bible...”

  Maddie tensed. It was only out of respect that she didn't storm out of the house right then and there. Instead, she gritted her teeth and tried to listen.

  Tallie continued patiently, ignoring the tension she must have felt in her friend.

  “...in the Bible, it says that when we give our lives to Him, when we love and trust Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts.”

  “What if the desire of my heart is something that He thinks is bad for me?”

  “Then He will change that desire. Trust me on this. When you let go of the control that you think you have on your life, things become so much more pleasant. I fought against God for a long time, but when I finally realized that He only wants the best for me, I felt such peace.”

  “But...I don't know how to do that,” Maddie whispered. “How do I give up control?”

  “Tell God that you want to give your life to Him and that you want to follow His ways. Commit to reading the Bible a little bit every day and see how you can apply it to your life. And never stop praying. Whenever you're worried or confused or anything, ask Him for guidance. And you know what? The answers to every question can be found in the Bible. That's why I talk about it so much. It's the book of life.”

  Her head started to
pound, and her throat ached. “I don't think I can do it,” she mumbled. “It's easier for someone like you.”

  “No, dear girl. It's not easy for anyone, but it's worth it. Do you want me to pray for you now?”

  Shoulders slumped, Maddie heaved a weary sigh and nodded. “Yes, please.”

  There, in the sunny kitchen in the arms of her closest friend, Maddie finally let go of all the things that were weighing on her shoulders and decided to trust in her Heavenly Father. She prayed alongside Tallie and agreed to stop chasing her own idea of happiness and seek out what God would have her do with her life.

  When they were done, Maddie buried her head in Tallie's shoulder. “I feel so strange,” she murmured. “I can't even explain it.”

  Tallie pulled back a little and looked into her eyes. “Try.”

  “It's like... I don't know, I feel tingly and floaty. I don't feel like myself.” She paused to collect her thoughts. “One time, I let the river carry me downstream wherever it wanted. It's a little like that.”

  “And how does that feel?”

  She swallowed hard. “Kind of wonderful.”

  Face glowing, Tallie nodded. “I know exactly what you mean, sweetheart. That's God's power washing over you. Now, I won't make any silly promises like everything will suddenly become easy to endure or understand, but with God's help, you can get through every situation.”

  Maddie wasn't sure if her legs could hold her, but she forced herself to stand.

  “I have to do something,” she declared, her voice a little wobbly. “Thank you, Tallie, for never giving up on me. I didn't think I would ever give in, but I'm glad I did.”

  “You are very welcome, my dear. And don’t think of it as giving in, but letting go. One day, you will do the same for someone else. You won't be able to help it. When God's love comes into your heart, it shines on everyone you meet.”

  Her heart did feel warm, and even though her body felt drained, she knew she had to go.

  “I'll come back and visit soon,” she promised. And she left her friend sitting and smiling, waving her good-bye.

  15

  Maddie rode back to the house as if her life depended on it. She didn't stop for a second, and by the time she arrived in the barn, Spark was covered in sweat.

  “Sorry, girl,” she murmured, giving her a quick rubdown. “I'll be back soon to give you a proper brush, but I need to do something.”

  Running into the house, Maddie hoped that she had the courage to say the words that had been flashing in her mind for the past fifteen minutes.

  “Mama!” she called when she spotted her mother in the kitchen kneading dough. Kate, startled, turned to look at her daughter.

  “What is it, darling? Are you okay?”

  “Yes, no, I...I don't...”

  The words didn't want to come, so she just rushed over to her mother and threw herself into her arms.

  Kate didn't miss a beat. Despite having flour all over her hands, she embraced her daughter and held her tight. Neither one of them spoke.

  “I'm so sorry,” Maddie finally said. “I've been so stubborn and difficult these past few months. I just wanted what I thought was best for me, but I was foolish. You and Daddy want what's best for me and you know better too.”

  Tears shone out of Kate's eyes. “Dearest girl, I'm so happy that you can see that now. What made you realize it?”

  Maddie could hardly put it into words. “I-I just know it. I mean, well, God...” She stopped for a moment. It was hard to explain that God had given her a revelation. She wasn't accustomed to talking about Him and the words threatened to stay in her throat, but she took a deep breath and pushed on. “He showed me your faces in my mind, so kind and loving. I think I've been a child for long enough. Now I need to grow up.”

  Holding her tight, Kate released a soft breath and smiled.

  “I've prayed for this moment for a very long time, my girl. I'm so glad that you know this now.”

  “I don't know how I didn't see it before. He's been right here all along, waiting for me.”

  Now both their faces were wet with tears. “That's right, my love. He has infinite patience.”

  “I don't know how to make up for every selfish thing I've said and done, but I'm going to try.”

  Kate nodded and kissed her cheek. “You don’t need to make up for the past. Just do your best in the present, and He will help you. You'll see.”

  And Maddie believed it.

  The sun seemed to shine a little brighter that afternoon, Cole thought. Unburdening himself of the secret that he thought he had to keep had proved to be a great relief, and far from arousing his boss's anger, he could see that Luke respected him.

  When they rode together over the range, Luke talked to him more like an equal. He explained things in great detail and Cole soaked up every word.

  “Now, there's still a fair amount of land to the west of here that hasn't been claimed, from what I understand. I don't know how long it will stay that way, but I'd encourage you to buy it now and then, when you're ready, invest in your livestock.”

  It made a lot of sense to him. “How can I do that?” he asked, trying not to sound too naive or eager.

  “We'll go into town tomorrow and talk to the bank manager. He'll get the papers in order and tell you all you need to know.”

  By the end of the day, Cole was nearly bursting with excitement. He wanted to share his news with someone, but he was reluctant to tell the other hands for fear of sounding superior. And then he realized that there was really only one person he wanted to tell anyway.

  “Do you have a minute?” he asked Maddie when the others were occupied after dinner. For some reason, he was even more drawn to her than he had been the day before. There was something a little different about her. It was as though she'd lost the hard edge that had always put him on his guard.

  “What about?” The question wasn't hostile, just curious. He also noticed that she seemed a bit nervous, an emotion he'd never noted in her before.

  “Uh, well, if we could just take a short walk around the house...”

  “Let me ask my mother first.”

  That was new. The girl, or rather, the young woman he'd come to know over the past three weeks rarely asked permission to do anything, let alone take an innocent stroll. However, she scurried off for a moment and returned less than a minute later.

  “Mama said to stay within easy sight of the house,” she told him. “But yes, we can go.”

  Outside, the air felt warm as spring started to yield to summer. Cole smiled when he thought of the season ahead.

  “I thought you might want to know that I told your father about my plans this afternoon.”

  “You did?” Her face became anxious. “And you're still here?”

  He laughed and nodded. “Yep, and what's more, he's offered to take me under his wing and teach me all he knows about ranching. Isn't that something?”

  “It sure is,” she replied, her voice lowered to a whisper. “I can hardly believe it.”

  “Me neither. I wanted to tell you because, well, I had asked you to keep it secret, but you don't need to worry about that anymore.”

  “I see.”

  He didn't know how to take her reaction. She seemed...distant. “Are you disappointed that he didn't kick me off his ranch? Did you want to see the back of me?”

  Although he strove to keep his voice light, his words came out tight.

  “No, that's not it. I just... Well, I'm surprised.” Her eyes flickered to his. “And happy for you.” There was a bit of a pause. “So, um, how long will you stay?”

  “Oh, I don't know. It'll take some time to learn everything. Your father said that most things can't be taught and are best learned through experience, but I guess I'll be here a while yet.”

  He tried to read her expression in the setting sun, but she kept her face slightly turned away from him.

  “Thank you for telling me. I hope everything turns out the way you expect.�
� She looked toward the house. “We'd better get back now. I told Mama that we'd only be a few minutes.”

  Confusion rattled his brain. “Maddie? Are you okay? You seem...different.”

  Now she gave him a soft smile. “Yeah, I am. I guess I just…got over myself today.”

  Her cryptic statement made him press on. “What does that mean?”

  “Well, I suppose that I’ve realized there's more to life than what I see of it. My mind has been opened a bit.”

  He still wasn’t sure what that meant, but he found the change incredibly appealing. “Who opened your mind?”

  Although she had turned toward the house, she made no move to walk back. He stood a respectful distance away and admired her slight form set against the darkening sky. Sensing that she might tell him if he didn’t push, he waited patiently, enjoying the sight of her.

  “It’s kind of personal,” she said at last. “I don’t know if I’m ready to talk about it, but I can tell you this… My friend Tallie helped me see that I’ve been very selfish and pigheaded. That’s not who God made me to be. I-I think that I need to make a change.”

  Part of him wanted to blurt out that he thought she was perfect the way she was, but who was he to give her advice? On top of that, he knew he shouldn’t rush to comment on a person’s feelings or faith.

  “I’ve been giving God a bit more thought these days than before,” he admitted, opening up a little. If she could confide in him, he’d do the same for her. “Austin and I have been talking some, and a lot of what he says makes sense, and, well, speaks to something in me. I’m not sure what I’m feeling or what it all means, but I’m seeing things a little different now.”

  She angled her face toward him, a thoughtful expression on her face.

  “Truly? You’re not just saying that?”

  “No, why would I? It’s the truth. I haven’t been too happy in life since my parents died. I expect you know that much from what I’ve said, but more than that, I’ve only had one goal in mind: to have a ranch of my own and show up my uncle. He thought that I would take my parents’ money and waste it all in a year or two, but I’d planned to show him. Now, though, I’m beginning to feel that it doesn’t matter what he thinks. I want to do it for myself.”