by Indiana Wake
Mail Order Bride
Pioneer Love 5 Book Boxed Set
Damaged Brides Head West
Indiana Wake
Belle Fifer
Terri Grace
©Copyright 2015 Indiana Wake, Belle Fiffer books 1,2,3 & 5
©Copyright 2015 Terri Grace book
All Rights Reserved.
[email protected]
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to others. If you wish to share this book, please purchase an additional copy. If you are reading this book and it was not purchased then, you should purchase your own copy. Your continued respect for author's rights is appreciated.
This story is a work of fiction any resemblance to people is purely coincidence. All places, names, events, businesses, etc. are used in a fictional manner. All characters are from the imagination of the author.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Crippled Bride Promised to His Brother
Damaged, Beaten & Saved by the Cowboy
Two Suitors for Widow Mary
Voyage of Grace
The Burned Bride Sold into Sin
More Books by Indiana Wake & Belle Fiffer
Bonus Chapter -- Christmas Baby
Bonus Chapter – Emma’s Escape
Introduction
This book is a collaboration of three bestselling western romance authors.
Indiana Wake
Belle Fiffer
And Terri Grace.
The books have been chosen because they celebrate the brave women who traveled West in the 1800’s to find love, marriage and a new family.
Many of these women were unsung heroes for they birthed the sons and daughters who molded the West. They were true pioneers who left behind all they knew with just a few letters and a promise of marriage. The journey could be perilous and so could their lives, but they went forth with hope and faith and created a better world.
All the brides in these books had even more difficulties than normal. No one would accept them back home so they set their hearts free and headed West in search of love and acceptance. Read on to find out if they found it.
The first three books are a series about three women, the next two are standalone.
We hope you enjoy all the books and look forward to our adventure together.
Mail Order Bride
The Crippled Bride Promised to His Brother
Pioneer Brides Mail Order Brides Agency
– Anna Book 1
By
Indiana Wake & Belle Fifer
©Copyright 2015 Indiana Wake & Belle Fiffer
All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1
1885
Her heart beat against her chest as if she were walking into battle, and for a second her nerve left her. Anna froze on the dirty street, she dropped her skirts into the melted snow and effluent that ran past her shoes. What was she doing here? Surely there was another way, but no matter how she racked her brains she could not think of one.
It was time.
If she wished to make something of her life, then she had to be bold.
Picking up her skirts, she walked as best as she could towards the red door. It seemed a shameful color; she reached to the cross at her throat and said a little prayer. “Please Lord; guide me in this darkest hour.”
That done she was ready; she walked through the door and into her new life.
Sat at her big old oak desk, Mrs. Hawkins looked towards the door. Had that been a shadow? Did she have a customer? No one entered, and nothing passed the windows. She must have been mistaken, she glanced around her neat and tidy office. On the far wall was a daguerreotype of Mr. Hawkins. Even now he made her knees feel weak and caused her heart to hammer against her tired old chest. “Why did you leave me Jefferson?” she asked the empty office.
There was no reply, and she knew she was not the only widow that still grieved twenty years after the war. It was not his fault she was alone. Not his fault she had to run the Pioneer Brides Agency, and not his fault that she enjoyed it so much. But this last week had been slow and the last thing she needed was time to think.
Usually, her days were spent contacting clients from various parts of the country. She would then search through her list of ladies and proceed to make the best arrangements. How she loved to hear of the marriages between various clients, and she was good at match making. Always knowing what to tell a prospective husband and what to leave out. Often she would stay up late at night pouring over her forms and deciding who she deemed was most suited for each other. It was basically a long distance marriage bureau and so far Mrs. Hawkins was doing a wonderful job with it.
But this week had been slow. There were no new clients writing or walking in to ask for help getting hitched and that meant no money coming in to pay the bills. She needed a client and pulled out her bottom drawer. It held the people she thought could not be matched. Maybe if she took another look, something would come to mind. As she bent down, the doorbell chimed and in walked a beautiful yet timid young lady.
She had auburn ringlets for hair and blue eyes. Rosy cheeks complimented her face. Looking at her as she stood awkwardly in the door, Mrs. Hawkins couldn’t help but wonder what such a beautiful thing like her was doing in a place like this. That was until she took her first step through the door.
A beautiful red dress graced her fine young figure and she lifted it slightly and looked to the floor. Why was she so shy? Ah, such a shame. The gorgeous young girl had a pronounced limp as she made her way to the desk. Now it was obvious to Mrs. Hawkins why a pretty thing like her had been passed up. She was defective in the eyes of so many, so no one must have even bothered to take the time to get to know her.
A lump formed in Mrs. Hawkins throat, she felt a sudden bond with the young girl, and smiling at her kindly, she waved her forward. “Come in, child, she said. “No need to be shy. I am not that bad a lady.” She laughed at her own joke and saw the young girl relax a bit. She limped into the room and took a seat across the big, tidy desk.
Mrs. Hawkins smiled at her. “What is your name, dear?” she asked.
The girl looked down at her hands for a moment and Mrs. Hawkins was beginning to worry. But then she looked up, her clear blue eyes all shiny and scared.
“I’m Anna – Anna Montgomery,” she said in a voice that was barely audible.
“Hello, Anna, it is nice to meet you. I’m Mary Hawkins, but you can just call me Mary. I know how difficult this must be for you, but do not worry. Think of me as an Aunt, who will guide you through the process. Now let’s get a few details from you and I will see if I can find you a wonderful husband. Here are the forms I need you to fill out.” Mary handed over the large document and noticed how Anna’s eyes widened.
Do not worry if you can’t answer everything and do take your time. There is a desk over there if you prefer, and if there are any questions, feel free to ask me. Once you have filled them in, I will go through your likes and dislikes. Your tastes and passions, what you’re looking for in a partner, and we will find the most suitable match or matches for you. Once you have approved of your potential match, I will then proceed to contact them on your behalf and if God be willing, soon you can travel out to meet the would-be suitor. Is the process so far, reasonable?”
“Yes, it is; Thank you,” Anna replied timidly.
Taking the form she got up and limped over to one of the corner seats, as far away from Mary’s desk as poss
ible. She began to fill out the forms nervously and Mrs. Hawkins couldn’t help but feel bad for the poor thing. If not for her minor disability, she would have been such a catch. Her clothes though not expensive were nicely made, she obviously had skills, and despite her shyness Mary believed she had a strong spirit. She made a resolution to find the best possible match for her, and to send her off to a place where she would be happy and accepted. With these thoughts in mind, she turned back to her paperwork and gave the girl as much privacy as she could.
Chapter 2
Anna sat in the corner, filling in the never ending forms. She could tell from the glances the lady was giving her, that she pitied her. She saw it the minute she walked in the room; the wheels churned and clicked together, filling in the puzzle for Mrs. Hawkins. Anna was tired of the piteous or the disgusted looks from all the people around her. It happened everywhere she went, and it was why she was here. Jolene, her best friend in the entire world, had convinced her to try her luck here, at this agency. She had actually been trying to convince her to be more open at church and to come to the parties she liked to attend. Anna had even thought about it when the nights were lonely, but she could not do it, this was much better. Let Mrs. Hawkins with all her skills find a husband who would love her. It was much easier, much simpler and they would know about her limp before they even met her.
With that thought in her mind, she focused on her forms again. After filling out the boring questions about her name, height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin color, likes, dislikes, skills, etc. She had now come to the accomplishments section. Anna stared at the little box in front of the word and realized that she had not accomplished a thing in her life. She was scared of confrontation, of socializing, of breaking the norm or doing a thing that wasn’t deemed acceptable. She didn’t stand up for herself, let others make fun of her limp, let people judge her and pity her. No, she had not accomplished a single thing in her life, and the thought made her feel pathetic and sad.
Moving on to the next box, she continued filling the rest of the forms out and eventually was done with it all. Taking a deep breath in and whispering a prayer she got up and handed them back to the lady in front of her.
Mrs. Hawkins smiled at her, motioning for her to sit. Slowly she went through her forms nodding approval. “You have not put anything in accomplishments, but I see you wearing a beautiful dress, did you make it?”
“Yes, I make all my own clothes, but I do not think that is an accomplishment.”
“It certainly is my dear.” Mary peered at this little flower and wondered if she dare ask the question. She knew it would be painful, but it could provide the key. “May I ask about your limp?”
Anna colored and looked down at her lap. “If it is necessary,” she mumbled into her chest.
“Were you born with it or was it an injury?”
“I had a riding accident when I was but a child.”
“I understand. I noticed from your form you said you are an accomplished rider. This is something that could be needed in the West, and my dear, and it is also an accomplishment.”
Anna blushed again. “I didn’t think it was… Yes I overcame my fears and now I love to ride,” Anna said and this time she looked up.
“That is so brave and a major accomplishment. You should be very proud.”
A smile flickered across Anna’s face and she blushed like a sweet country rose. “That is very kind of you to say, but pride is a sin. Is there anything else you need?”
Mrs. Hawkins could see that she had done so well and did not want to put her through anything else. “No, everything seems to be in order. I will go through my list of potentials and select the ones that will be the best match. Come back in a week and you will have your men to choose from.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hawkins. It was nice meeting you,” Anna said and got up to leave.
“And a pleasure to meet you my dear but do please call me Mary,” Mrs. Hawkins said.
With a curtsey she turned and as fast as her limp would carry her she fled from the office. Watching her go Mrs. Hawkins made a decision and she picked up her eraser. A few alterations to the form were always the best practice. It was her job to show the ladies in their best light and she wanted Anna to shine.
It was over, she had done it, and at last Anna could breathe. With a quick curtsey, she grabbed hold of her skirts and as quickly as she could she walked out of the office. Now that was done she was looking forward to meeting up with her best friend, Jolene. As she stepped from the door, something stopped her and she turned back
Had Mrs. Hawkins just erased something from her form? Confused, she left the office, thinking she must discuss it with Jolene. It would be wrong to set off to find a new husband if her answers were not accurate and what if Mrs. Hawkins did the same with the men’s forms?
That would have to wait; Jolene had agreed to meet her at the baker’s shop in an hour and a half. Shaking her head she checked her watch and realized she was late nearly two hours had already gone by. Quickly she rushed down the street. The faster she went, the worse her limp became, but she ignored the stares and passing glances. There was a feeling of euphoria in her heart, she had done it. She had finally made the first move to securing a husband and hopefully the family she had always wanted.
Red in the face and breathing heavily she rounded the corner to the bakery. Jolene was standing there; her arms crossed a look of frustration in her eyes. Seeing her friend, Anna forgot all about the whole erasing situation. Surely it must have just been a mark on the paper she had removed.
On seeing her, Jolene jumped with delight and ran forwards. She grabbed her by the arm and looking into her eyes, said, “So, How’d it go? Did she show you any men you liked? Have you found your mister right yet?”
Laughing at her friend’s overactive imagination, Anna shook her head. “I only filled out some forms today. I have to go back in a week and that’s when I’ll find out.”
“Oh, I can’t wait!” Jolene exclaimed. “Next time I’m going with you. Soon you’ll be off to a new place and fall in love and it will be just like those fairy tales your grandma used to tell us about. Oh, what a fantastic way to live. I have half a mind to go to the agency and fill out a few forms of my own!”
Shaking her head at her friend Anna was unable to hold back her grin. “It won’t be anything like that,” she said. “You’d do best not to fill my head with such silly notions. And you have Jonathan, so I have no idea why you’d want to go to the agency anyway.”
“Ah, dear Jonathan. What a darling he is! He said to me this morning that it wouldn’t be long before he had a nice little ring to offer me and then the world will know that I belong to no one but him. What fantastic lives we both are off to lead, aren’t we?”
And chatting away the two friends linked arms and laughing and giggling, oblivious to the world around them they walked down the street to a nice material shop. When she was with Jolene, it was the only time Anna forgot about the world, the stares, and her problems.
Chapter 3
Anna had not told her father what she had done. She knew he would tell her that there must be a suitable young man locally. But there wasn’t. After the war men were scarce and many of the best of them had already headed West. The only one who had shown any interest was Mark Spires and he was cruel and had teased her relentlessly at school. No, if she wanted a family this was the only way.
All week she looked for a time to broach the subject, but it never came and soon she was on her way back to the agency to meet Mrs. Hawkins. Even though Jolene kept insisting on going with her, Anna felt like this was something she wanted to do alone. She entered the door and Mrs. Hawkins looked up at her and smiled. Smiling awkwardly in reply, Anna stepped in and sat across from her.
“Nice to see you again, Anna. I hope you are doing well today,” she said kindly.
Blushing slightly at her kind words, Anna replied, “Yes, thank you. I hope you are too.”
“Oh, yes,
I am wonderful, dear. Now, I have some wonderful men for you. There are many men on my books who would love to meet such a beautiful and accomplished woman as you, but I have narrowed it down to three potentials. All you need to do is tell me your preference and we will begin the process. List the name of the potential you want to approach first and we will go from there. We will contact your first choice and if we get a positive response, then we will correspond and set a date for you to travel out to meet him.”
Anna could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Three men were interested in her. In her wildest dreams, she had hoped that they would find one man, but three. A smile crossed her face. Jolene had been right this was perfect. Then the smile slipped and panic replaced the excitement. “What happens if he doesn’t want to see me?” Anna asked, worriedly.
“No need to worry. That sometimes happens; the man has changed his mind or has found a wife locally. In that case, we just move down to the second one and try again. One of them is bound to respond and if that doesn’t work, we will simply look for a new set of potentials. It’s a very straightforward process, dear and you shouldn’t worry about anything. You just make your choice and then leave it all to me.”
Anna could only nod in reply, for her nerves had overtaken her. Mrs. Hawkins gave her a comforting smile before placing three filled out forms in front of her. Anna looked down and taking the forms, began to read. There was a lot of information similar to hers about the three men and she could tell from their answers that they had plenty in common. Mrs. Hawkins seemed to know what she was doing.
Anna read all the forms and imagined the men, tall and handsome and prosperous. How could she be so lucky? She had the choice of a rancher from Texas, a railwayman from Iowa and a hotel owner from Montana.