Mail Order Bride 22 Book Boxed set: 22 Brides Ride West :CLEAN Western Historical Romance Series Bundle

by Faye Sonja

  “When you’re my age, Ada, you’ll think it very inconvenient to have such long and thick hair to care for. I sometimes wish I’d just go bald like a man. It would be so much easier.” June gave a chuckle.

  Ada found the thought very entertaining and let out her full and vocal laugh. She often repressed it because of the stares it brought her and the twittering amongst ones who probably never found anything amusing unless it was at the expense of others.

  June gave her a surprised look and then just laughed even louder. Ada followed suit and soon she was wiping the tears from her eyes. “Oh dear. My eyes are quite damp after that. Now, let me fix your hair before I start again with the laughter.”

  “You’re good for the soul, Ada. My jaw is aching now. Thank you.”

  “It was you who said it, June. I just found it amusing.” Ada brushed the long hair up and twisted it into a column, and then into a tight bun on top. The bonnet she placed over and fixed a spray of tiny Forget-Me-Nots on the side. “Perfect.”

  “Now it’s your turn. We must hurry; we only have two hours and the carriage will be here.”

  “A carriage with white horses. Every girl’s dream for her wedding. This will be beautiful, thank you.”

  “It’s our pleasure. I wanted a special gift you’d remember.”

  “I certainly shall.”

  “You’ll be riding away in it as husband and wife, too.”

  “I hope Bobby is as impressed as I am.”

  “I hope he’s not allergic to horse hair. I never thought to ask. I’ve never seen him around horses much.”

  “Surely not? He said he rode when on the farm.”

  “He has some troubles with allergies, our Bobby. If you ask me, a lot of it is caused by worry. He works too hard and is far too meticulous for his own good. I hope you can temper him somewhat, Ada. I think your vibrancy and sense of fun will be good for him to be around.”

  “I hope it is.” Ada worried now that he would be annoyed with her easily. She was quite prone to sing and whistle her way through the day. Many people enjoyed the quiet. “We are an odd couple. I can see that.”

  “But opposites can attract. Don’t you underestimate Bobby; he’s wiry but he’s resilient. But above all, he treasures honesty.”

  “Of course.” Ada put her lace up dress over the top of her silk underdress and June checked the lacings were neat. Her corset wasn’t too tight at least. Soon she’d be walking down the aisle and away from her old life for good. She would tell Bobby about her situation after the celebration tonight.

  If he valued honesty, she’d give it to him. She wouldn’t put a negative touch to today, though. It could wait a few more hours. Maybe until in the morning. Yesterday she’d sat and written to Miss Kitty to advise her all was well and the wedding was proceeding, and to let her sisters know where she was so they could communicate again.

  She looked forward to Anna and Emma writing her and prayed they’d find loving husbands and happiness. It was hard to be apart from them as they’d always been together, but it was time they moved on and lived the lives God put them on the earth for.

  “You look just lovely, Ada. There’s never been a more beautiful bride in Brookstown.”

  Ada knew June was being generous in that statement. With her being bigger there would be countless other brides more beautiful, but she did know one thing. She’d never felt more beautiful than she did right now and large or not, she was walking down the aisle a very proud woman.

  “I think the carriage just arrived. I’ll take the flowers out to put on it. We want it to look perfect.”

  “Thank you, June. I might need a few minutes alone anyway.”

  “Your family would be very proud and delighted, dear. Perhaps later they can come to visit you.”

  “Perhaps.” Ada really would like that but first she needed to tell Bobby the truth about her trouble. But what if he didn’t want to help her? What if he was such a stickler for honesty and the law, that he marched her back to hand her in to the police?

  Once he knew her better he’d see that she could never intentionally kill anyone, not even a man trying to drug her to take advantage of her in that state. Ada thought that the police would believe her but Emma was so frightened when she saw Ada had pushed him so hard that he fell and split his head open on the corner of a small table.

  The problem being that Emma had been framed and taken a six month jail term for someone else. She’d begged Ada for them to run because she was so scared she’d go back to jail and Ada would be in there, too.

  So Ada had left, and together the three decided on the mail order bride idea when Emma confessed she’d already been writing a man since she got out of jail three months ago. She just wasn’t sure how to tell them she was leaving them, as the three girls were each other’s world. And now here she was after a seven day train journey and one in the stagecoach, about to be married. Ada had never felt this good about herself. So confident and attractive.

  Her heart soared to think that she might finally not have to worry over the gossiping and giggles behind her back. She was no longer one of the unfortunate Bartholomew sisters doomed to a life of spinsterhood.

  None of them were, despite the things that set them apart from other people. Ada with her ample shape, Anna with her large facial birthmark, and Emma with her jail term and suspected of being a lady of the night.

  They’d been three innocent little girls looking forward to wonderful things life had to offer, with hopes and dreams for a fairytale life, all shattered with the realities that people were shallow and cruel and most of the time, so was life.

  But they’d risen above and Ada decided not to speak with Bobby until he knew her better and would judge her according to that, and not just see her as a desperate runaway willing to marry anyone to escape her past. That was who she’d been when she’d stepped on the train in Kansas. She didn’t believe it was who she was now.

  “Ada…” June roused her out of her thoughts once more. “Let’s go. Your groom will be thinking you aren’t coming.”

  Ada gave a tiny smile and lifted her skirts to clear the ground as she stepped out of the doorway. Marshal Blake and June had been easy to get along with and extremely happy to have her there. She’d expected a question or two from the marshal, but they didn’t come. She was grateful. In her heart she was true in her reason to be here.

  It was high time she changed her life and stopped sheltering her sisters as well. They deserved to love and to be loved as much as anyone and they were never going to have that as long as Ada looked out for them the way she had been. She needed to trust that they were quite capable of taking care of themselves and would, in fact, thrive doing so.

  The carriage took her breath away. She wasn’t expecting it to be grandiose and white with thick gold trim and golden brocade with frilled trims. Her hand covered her heart and the bright yellow roses and delicate white Fairy’s Breath dotted with blue Forget-Me-Nots made the perfect adornment. Tears came to Ada’s eyes and she choked back her emotions. Today was a happy day.

  Today she became Mrs. Bobby Grant and all her awful past of being teased and taunted would fall away. Now, the only thoughts of her that mattered were Bobby’s.

  * * *

  4

  A Wedding

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  “ I have to give her a chance… This is

  her new life now. We all have a past."

  .

  Bobby was nothing short of pushing the panic button every minute that went past the time Ada was supposed to be here.

  “Relax. It’s been but ten minutes. June will have her along shortly. Bride’s prerogative to be late, you know.” Marshal Blake winked at him and straightened his newest hat. He’d dressed in his full marshal regalia and looked very impressive indeed.

  Bobby, on the other hand, thought his tailored suit should’ve included some pa
dding in places and his boots could be a few inches higher. He adjusted his glasses and forced himself to breathe and remain calm. Of course she would be here.

  The church organist, Prudence, the Reverend’s wife, played quiet hymns and there was no one else inside the church save for Reverend, Marshal Blake and himself. The sounds echoed a little but Bobby thought Ada may not like a crowd ogling her as the new woman in town who’d come to marry him. Surely they’d be happy for them and pay them no mind.

  Bobby jumped when the organ launched into Here Comes The Bride and if he thought he was nervous before, he certainly was now. This was it. She was really here. She’d turned up and kept her word to marry him today. Stay calm. Breathe. Enjoy this day. His inner pep talk helped.

  “This is it, Bobby. Two years of disappointment now comes down to this one moment when you see your bride walk in the doors.” Marshal Blake clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Hold the feeling of seeing her in your heart, Bobby. It’ll get you through the down times.”

  Bobby swallowed and the doors opened. A vision in the most beautiful dress and a full faced veil stood in the doors. He was sure he saw her bouquet of yellow roses quiver as she took her first step towards him. He saw June touch Ada’s elbow from behind and she held the very long back of the veil off the floor as Ada walked slowly towards him.

  His bride. The most beautiful bride in the world. He loved her dearly and yet he knew nothing of her or what she needed from him. But he knew, no matter what, she’d have his loyalty.

  Bobby smiled. A smile he felt from his toes. Joy for him hadn’t come easy over the years. He’d become reclusive and at times, he had to admit, quite jaded and bitter towards the idea of love. His faith had wavered. He wondered if he was meant to walk this earth alone until his final resting place claimed him.

  But deep in his heart he knew that no one was supposed to walk this earth alone, for the Lord made love for a good reason. Now God was proving to him this was so. He’d answered his cry and he must thank him with faith, and by taking good care of this beautiful young woman coming down the aisle.

  He never would forget how breathtaking she looked. Finally, she was beside him and he could make out her generous smile and bright blue eyes through the tulle. He took both her hands in his when she faced him and the Reverend began his sermon.

  “Dearly Beloved. We are gathered here today before the eyes of the Lord, our Father in Heaven, to witness the joining of this man and this woman in Holy matrimony. Let us pray.”

  The Marshal cleared his throat and the Reverend lifted his bowed head and looked at him. Bobby turned slightly also to look at his best friend and mentor.

  “With all due respect, Reverend. I’m all for a good prayer but seeing as it’s just us, and this man has been patient for two years, do you think you could speed it up a bit? Please? Sir…”

  The Reverend laughed and nodded. “Of course. Let’s not stand on ceremony. We’ll get these two wedded right quick. ”

  “If that’s okay with you, Ada? I’d hate to cut what you wanted short.” The marshal asked Ada, and she nodded.

  “Go ahead, Reverend. I’ve been waiting a while myself.” Ada squeezed Bobby’s hands.

  Bobby grinned and squeezed back. “Thank you, Reverend. I’d be grateful for an expedited service, as long as it’s legal.”

  “There’ll be no doubting that.” The Reverend continued.

  * * *

  Ada thought Bobby was the sweetest man in the world. His suit fitted him perfectly and she was pleased he didn’t try to go for a larger size to give the impression he was bigger. He’d given her a chaste peck on the cheek after lifting her veil and both their faces bloomed with fire. The service was over and they were now man and wife.

  Ada was married, and she couldn’t be happier. There were sure to be challenges but she never shied away from those. Now she just had to hope that she had the time to get to know Bobby and for him to get to know her before she confessed why she’d left Salt Lake City and why she was in need of marrying right away.

  In her heart she knew the reasons for marrying had changed; she just had to hope Bobby believed that too. He was a good man, if a little eccentric. She hoped her full-on personality didn’t grate on him too much. She’d try to be quieter. Now it was time to go back outside.

  There were a few ladies gathered around when she arrived. June said she’d mentioned to some of her friends there was to be a wedding and to pay them no mind, everyone loved to see a bride. An unexpected one was even better. Ada hoped they’d satisfied their curiosity and had left by the time they went back out.

  To her dismay, that wasn’t to be. Quite a crowd of women, some men and some children had gathered at the front of the church now. Ada drew in a deep breath and kept putting one foot in front of the other. Bobby seemed quite taken aback as well. He paused for the very briefest moment before joining Ada in a confident path forward.

  A woman giggled, and the twittering started. Even on her wedding day she couldn’t avoid being made fun of. She drew in a deep breath and held her posture perfectly. Perhaps they were merely chattering about how wonderful the happy couple looked.

  “Look. Jack Sprat’s got married, and his wife can certainly eat no lean.” A male voice sounded from the back somewhere, and there was more laughing. Ada’s face burned with embarrassment and Bobby had stiffened in his movements.

  “Watch yerself carrying her over the threshold, Bobby. Ya might get snapped like a twig,” another voice called out.

  Ada couldn’t stop the tears then. What an awful thing to say. Such a personal matter and them flouting it like it was everyday talk. She dropped her bouquet and ran to the carriage and climbed inside. Bobby was behind her in a flash and ordering the driver to move off quickly.

  “Oh, Ada. I’m so sorry. Pay them no mind. They mean no harm.”

  “That’s simply not true, Bobby. Why say it if not to cause harm? Why not just stay quiet?”

  “You’re right. Of course, you are.”

  Ada wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “You shouldn’t let them get away with treating you like that or treating me like that. I may be large but my feelings aren’t padded with extra fat.”

  “Ada, I apologize. I should’ve stood up for you.”

  “You should’ve stood up for yourself, first and foremost. You’ll never stand true for someone else if you let yourself be put down that way in public.”

  “It’s true. I’ve always let it happen so as not to upset them, but no more.”

  “Why are you concerned about their feelings when they clearly pay no mind to yours?”

  “I guess I don’t value how it makes me feel. But please wear your pretty smile to our luncheon. If not for anyone else but for me. It bolsters me to know I have such a beauty by my side. My wife.”

  Ada couldn’t stay angry at him after that. What did worry her now though was whether or not he’d stand up for her in the matter with the law. He couldn’t do it with a few comments in his hometown, so she didn’t hold out too much hope. She’d cried from anger as much as frustration. This wasn’t the way she wanted to start her married life, with echoes of her past not so far behind.

  Well, she didn’t have to let it ruin the rest of her day. That was the old Ada. The new Ada would leave that unsavory experience behind her. “It’s alright, Bobby. I intend to enjoy the rest of our very special day and you should as well. We’ve the rest of our lives to deal with the intolerance and thoughtlessness of people. Today is our day and they shan’t ruin it.”

  “Right you are, Ada. I may even sample another whiskey.”

  “I’m quite looking forward to sharing the few bottles of Champagne I bought with my savings, with the ladies.”

  “Ada, that’s quite generous of you.”

  “I wanted to make it special. I’m sorry if it was out of our budget. I never gave it a thought.”

  “Neither you should, we weren’t married yet. You enjoy those drinks and we’ll sit down over the budget tog
ether next week.”

  “I should like to get a job, or at least take in some chores for pay.”

  “Let’s worry over that later as well. Today is to celebrate.”

  She smiled at him and held his hand. When Bobby helped her alight from the carriage she stood and smiled. June had about a dozen women lined up each side of the steps and they had baskets. When she began to walk towards them, they threw out fresh rose petals that fell as a soft, fragrant carpet underneath hers and Bobby’s feet.

  Ada tilted her head back and let out a laugh. It felt so good and this made her feel like a princess. She didn’t care what those silly men had said now. Bobby began to chuckle as well. She got the impression he didn’t do that often. But now they laughed together and stopped in the middle to let the petals drift over them like rainfall.

  “Thank you, ladies. It’s beautiful. Do come and join me in a celebratory glass of champagne or a punch.”

  The ladies clapped their hands and gave a variant of laughs.

  “I have you and Bobby seated in the top of the sunroom, Ada. We’ll all spread out from there.”

  “June, you have been as good to me as a mother. I can never thank you enough.”

  “You just take good care of our Bobby and that’ll be thanks enough.”

  Ada nodded to her new friend and proceeded to the sunroom. The light came through good and strong and Ada sat in her seat, Bobby beside her. “I’ll have a drink and then mingle some with the ladies. I’d love to make some friends my own age.”

  A beautiful array of small cakes, savories and sweets were on colorful china towers, and June had a helper as they poured coffee and tea into cups to hand around, and a young lady who was just a little plump brought a coffee to Ada and Bobby. “Thank you. I’m Ada.”

  “I’m Mary. You look so beautiful, Mrs. Grant. I hope to be just like you one day.”