by Elle James
Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride
Brotherhood Protectors Book #12
Elle James
Twisted Page Inc
Contents
Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Hellfire, Texas
Chapter 1
About the Author
Also by Elle James
Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride
BROTHERHOOD PROTECTORS BOOK #12
New York Times & USA Today
Bestselling Author
ELLE JAMES
Copyright © 2019 by Elle James
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Dedicated to my readers who make my dreams come true by keeping me in the business I love dearly…WRITING! I love you all so much. Thank you for buying my books!
Elle James
Author’s Note
Enjoy other military books by Elle James
Brotherhood Protector Series
Montana SEAL (#1)
Bride Protector SEAL (#2)
Montana D-Force (#3)
Cowboy D-Force (#4)
Montana Ranger (#5)
Montana Dog Soldier (#6)
Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)
Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)
Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)
Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)
Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)
Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride (#12)
Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)
Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)
Brotherhood Protectors Vol 1
SEAL’s Deliverance (#9)
Visit ellejames.com for more titles and release dates
Chapter 1
Gavin stared out the window of the foreman’s office as Hank and Sadie Patterson climbed out of their dark, full-sized SUV. Sadie opened the back door and fiddled inside, finally lifting baby Emma out of her car seat and into her arms.
His chest tightened, and his breathing lodged in his throat. It happened every time he saw Hank, Sadie and Emma together. When he’d been on active duty, he’d thought himself immune to needing a family. Now, approaching thirty-five, single and missing part of one leg, Gavin guessed his chances at what Hank had were slim to none.
“Blackstock!” a female voice sounded behind him.
Gavin started and spun to face Lori Mize, one of the residents at the Brighter Days Rehabilitation Ranch. She leaned heavily on her good leg, her arms crossed over her chest, her bright blue eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with you? I called your name four times before you turned around. Did one of your other disabilities have anything to do with your hearing?”
Anyone without disabilities wouldn’t have gotten away with her comment, but Lori knew he was there for the same reasons she’d come to Montana. Transitioning to civilian life after a catastrophic injury such as they’d both received had proven more difficult than they’d imagined. This ranch had better results than most facilities that tried to prepare them for life outside of Uncle Sam’s military.
But then Gavin could have never dreamed he’d lose a limb, ending his career as a US Navy SEAL. He turned back to the happy picture Hank, Sadie and Emma made.
Lori crossed to the window and stood beside him. “So stinkin’ happy. Almost makes my sweet tooth hurt.” She sighed. “But I can’t begrudge them their happiness. They deserve it after all they’ve been through.”
“Agreed.” Gavin continued to stare at the family. “Ever wonder where you’d be in your life if you hadn’t lost your leg?”
Lori’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’d hoped to be married with a kid or two by now.” She glanced toward him. “You?”
He shrugged. “What’s it matter, anyway? We are who we are.”
Her brow furrowing, Lori faced him and cocked her head to one side. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
He nodded toward the Pattersons. “We’ll probably never have what they have.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I lost my leg, not my reproductive parts.” She patted her belly. “I haven’t given up hope on having kids.” Her gaze slipped from his and went to Hank.
He shot her a sideways glance. “Interesting. You didn’t say anything about marriage.”
She lifted one shoulder. “I figure if a man can’t accept me for how I am now, I don’t need one. I can have a baby without a man,” she muttered beneath her breath, but loud enough Gavin caught the words. “Though it would be a lot easier with one.”
“Right. I was hellbent on being a lifer as a SEAL. I didn’t want to get married and drag a wife around from duty station to duty station while I deployed eleven months out of the year. I didn’t think it would be fair.”
She glanced at him, one eyebrow arched. “And now that you’re not deploying, why don’t you date and find you a woman to settle down with?”
“You want to go out with me?” Gavin asked, knowing the answer before she gave it.
“Oh, hell no.” Lori shook her head. “It would be like going out with my older brother. Eww.” She studied him. “But there’s no reason you can’t find someone.”
He snorted. “In case you haven’t noticed, there aren’t that many women around Eagle Rock, Montana. And most of them know I’m missing a leg.”
“So?” Lori’s brow dipped low on her forehead. “You’re saying you don’t think a woman can love you because you’re one leg short of a pair? Hell, what’s that mean for my chances? I’m short one leg, too” She flung her arm in the air. “Guess I’m destined to hit a sperm bank, if I want kids.”
“Be serious.”
She looked at the Pattersons again and gave a deep sigh. “You want kids?”
He nodded, his gaze going to baby Emma.
The ranch’s physical therapist Hannah Kendricks stepped out of the house, smiling at Hank and Sadie. She took Emma in her arms and tickled the baby beneath her chin.
“Sure, I want kids,” Gavin said. “But more than that, I want a partner in life. Someone to come home to, to share the ups and downs.”
“Someone to love?”
“If I could have it all, yes.” Gavin turned away from the scene and paced the office floor. “Maybe I should move to a city where I could meet more women. Women who would be tolerant of my…shortcomings.”
Lori gave a bark of laughter. “You? In a city?” She shook her head. “Not happening. You’d shrivel up and die.” Her gaze never left him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” She touched his arm. “Gavin, you’re a good guy. Your gal just hasn’t made her appearance yet.”
“And she’s not going to. Not out here.”
“Shoot, Gavin, how many women have you dated since coming to Montana?”
“None,” he said, his tone flat. “There aren’t that many out here.”
“Maybe you should broaden your horizons. Have you signed up with an online dating site?” Lori asked.
“Hell, no. Have you?”
Gavin shot back at her.
“I don’t want a mate so badly I’m ready to put myself out there.” She shook a finger at him. “Besides, we weren’t talking about me. We were talking about your situation. Gavin Blackstock, you’re lonely.”
“I’m not getting any younger,” he said, his jaw hardening. He didn’t like admitting that he was lonely. But Lori had hit the nail on the head. “I don’t want to put my name on some site, and then meet a woman who has expectations of meeting a whole man. I want to be up front with a woman. She needs to know the truth before we even meet.”
“Then do it,” Lori urged. “There has to be someone out there for you.”
“But I don’t want to date. Why can’t a guy advertise for a wife, get one and be done with the whole damn thing? Courting is a pain in the ass.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Oh, forget about it. It doesn’t matter, anyway.”
“Gavin, sounds like what you need is a mail-order bride.” Lori grinned and plopped down at Gavin’s desk and booted up the computer. “I bet there’s a place on the internet where you can advertise for a bride. We just have to look.”
“No. I’m fine being alone. Sorry I ever opened my mouth.”
“The hell you are. Look at you, mooning over Hank and Sadie.” Lori clicked on the keys and brought up a browser window. She typed in mail-order bride and waited as suggestions popped up on the screen. “Wow. Who knew there were that many porn sites for mail-order brides? Dang…”
“Just shut it down. I’m not interested. Besides, she’d have to be pretty desperate to agree to be a mail-order bride.”
“Wait, here’s a site that looks legit.” Lori paused and read through the information provided. “All the applicants are vetted to make sure they aren’t felons or already married. If they’re foreign, they have to have a valid passport. They suggest the parties meet online first, and then arrange a meet and greet in person. If the parties are in agreement, a special license can be obtained, or they can fly to Vegas for a quick wedding.” Lori clicked more keys.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m entering your information.” She glanced at him, running her gaze over him from top to toe. “You’re what…six-feet tall?”
“Six-one,” he corrected. “But stop right now. I’m not interested in marrying a stranger. We might not even be compatible.”
“You can enter exactly what you want in a bride. A full list of requirements.” She cocked an eyebrow. “So, what’s top on your list?”
“Damn it, Lori. I’m not ordering a bride.”
She acted as though he hadn’t spoken, her lips pursing as she typed. “Must be female with a Y chromosome.” She laughed. “You never know.”
“Lori…” Gavin gave her his most dangerous tone.
She still wasn’t listening. “Must love horses. Must want children. Willing to work hard.” She smiled up at Gavin. “Am I right?”
“Yes, but you’re missing the point.” He clenched his fists. “I’m not marrying a stranger.”
Lori glared at him. “You’re the one missing the point. If you don’t put yourself out there, you won’t get anything.” She raised her cell phone and snapped a picture of him. Then she typed more information onto the screen and hit enter.
Gavin stared over her shoulder. “What did you just do?” A screen popped up congratulating Gavin Blackstock on joining the site. “You didn’t.”
Lori pushed away from the desk and out of range of Gavin’s hands. “Now, you wait and see if you get a live one. I’ll be back later to go through the responses with you.”
He scowled. “I’ll reject every one of them. You’re wasting my time and theirs.”
“At least, give it a week and see what comes of it.”
“I’m not giving it anything. I’m not ordering my bride through the internet like a goddamn bag of dogfood.”
Lori patted his cheek. “Just you wait. I have a feeling about this. I think you’re going to get lucky and find the right woman for you.” She smiled. “Then you can thank me.” She winked and darted up from the chair before Gavin could grab her and strangle the life out of her.
What the hell had Lori gotten him into? He leaned over the computer and read the ad.
Wanted: Bride to live on a ranch in Montana. Must be willing to work hard and bear children. Undaunted groom, one leg short of a pair, loyal and respectful.
“Great. I sound like a pathetic, desperate loser.”
Lori laughed. “I was thinking you sounded more like a Labrador retriever.” She patted him on the arm. “I bet you get a number of hits before the end of the week.”
“Whoever answers that ad has to be another pathetic and desperate loser.” Gavin shook his head. “I’m not going through with this.”
“Give it a chance,” Lori said. “At least, see who responds. Who knows? You might find the woman of your dreams.”
Gavin snorted. “More like my nightmares.”
Olivia Aurelia St. George sat in the church after everyone else had gone except her best friend Lilianna and her bodyguard Collin. She stared down at her hands with the white handkerchief crumpled in her grip and studied the contrast between it and her black dress. Guilt stabbed her in the heart. They had been good men. She hadn’t loved them, but that hadn’t been a requirement. They had been willing to marry her. “This is all my fault.”
Lilianna covered her hands with one of her own. “You can’t say that. You didn’t drive the car that killed Andrew. Someone else did.”
“If he hadn’t agreed to marry me, he wouldn’t have been where he was when that car hit him.”
“Again, it’s not your fault. They’ll catch the driver,” Lilianna said. “Just wait.” Her words were hopeful, but the tone wasn’t.
Olivia shook her head. “When? They never found the man who pushed Ian into the path of an oncoming bus.” She looked up into Lilianna’s eyes. “Two fiancés, two deaths. This is not a coincidence. The law states that if I don’t find a husband and start producing heirs by my 30th birthday, the throne goes to the next in line. It’s hopeless.”
“You’ll find a husband. And you still have time to get pregnant,” Lilianna took her hands in hers. “Don’t give up now. You have ten months to make it all happen.”
Ten months. To get married and have a child. Ten months. It would take a miracle to find a man who would agree to marry her when both fiancés she’d had were now dead. What man in his right mind would sign up for that?
“Why don’t you look at one of those online dating sites?” Lilianna suggested. She pulled out her cell phone and searched online dating.
“I don’t really have much time to date. One month to marry and get started making a baby isn’t going to work. I might as well give up.”
“No way.” Lilianna stared across at her. “You can’t let your cousin Rupert take the throne. He’s not fit to be a ruler.”
“And I am? I can’t even find a man to marry and propagate the line.” Olivia sighed. “I hate the thought that this would disappoint my father. I know how much he would have wanted me to be the next queen of Lastovia, given the circumstances of my brother’s demise.”
“Darling, he groomed you since you were born.”
Olivia closed her eyes for a moment. “He groomed my brother. Besides, we’re only figureheads anymore these days. I wish it still wasn’t so important who rules.”
“Because people looked up to your father, your brother and now, you. In such trying times, they like to have a monarch who understands their needs and represents them in the world.”
“Sometimes, I wish I was just a regular person. Then I’d fall in love and live happily ever after.”
Lilianna snorted. “There’s no guarantee on the happily-ever-after, even for us mere mortals.” Lilianna frowned and keyed into her phone. “Okay…so you don’t have time to do the dating roulette game. How about one of those mail-order bride sites? You can skip the dating and get right down to the marriage and children part.”
> “The only men who sign up for those sites are desperate.”
“Exactly,” Lilianna said. “No questions asked, just get married and make a baby.”
Olivia shook her head. “I can’t do this.”
“Just humor me, will you?” Lilianna said. “Here you go. Bachelor number one lives in England. He’s a professor of history and likes playing cribbage. Sounds boring, but manageable.” She scrolled down through the man’s details.
Olivia grabbed the phone from her and looked at the man’s picture. “No way. He has to be sixty years old. And look, he doesn’t want children.”
Lilianna took the phone back from Olivia. “Scratch bachelor number one. Oh, look. Bachelor number two is from Louisiana in the US. He’s twice divorced, has two teenaged sons and is looking for a woman who likes hunting and race car driving.” She looked up. “He has two sons. That means he’s fertile. He’s not horrible to look at, and he’s a mechanic, so he’s bound to be good at fixing things.”
“I’m not into hunting, and speed makes me nervous.” She shook her head. “Besides, he probably doesn’t want to start over with an infant if he already has teenaged sons. Give it up, Lilianna.”
“I refuse to have your cousin as my king.” She kept looking at the phone. “Wait, I’ve got the man for you. He’s never been married.”
“No woman would have him…?”
“He’s good-looking,” Lilianna went on.
“Then he’s probably a man who always has to be in control. Maybe even abusive.”