by Cyndi Raye
Table of Contents
A Bride For Russell - Sons of Nora White Series
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
A FREE CHAPTER
A Bride for Russell
by
Cyndi Raye
Sons Of Nora White Series
Book #5
Copyright © 2018 www.CyndiRaye.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
Cover art by Madison of Silverheart Publishing
Chapter 1
Russell fumed. He stuffed his calloused hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I do not want to marry some fancy lady who doesn’t know how to work on a farm!”
His mother rolled her eyes. She glanced at Nora from the neighboring ranch and the step-mother of her sons. Russell knew they had been hatching a scheme to marry him and his brother Wesley since the two women called a truce several years ago. The brothers had originally laughed it off since they had no intention of marrying anyone. Except, now it was three years later and the two women were directing their scheming towards him.
“It’s time you fill the cabin you live in with a woman’s touch. She’s perfect for you.”
Russell shook his head. “Ma, I’m old enough to make my own decisions. So is Wesley. We can find our own brides.”
Except everyone knew it was a rare occurrence when the Young brothers left the farm. At their rate, it would takes years for them to find a wife!
“So be it!” Widow Young blinked rapidly as if she were going to unload a bucket of tears. Russell figured it was fake tears but he didn’t have the heart to watch his mother cry. Not after all she had been through in her life and he was not going to be the reason for her tears.
“Ma, don’t you dare cry! I am not adverse to marrying, I told you this before. I just don’t want some big city rich girl who doesn’t want to get her hands dirty. How’s she going to survive here? There’s no way I can make her happy! What can I give her? Jewels?” He swiped his arm in a wide motion. “Do you see any jewels here?”
The room got uncomfortably quiet after his outburst. Russell braced himself at the look Nora gave him. She turned her head and he swore, if she could, she’d turn her head in a complete circle just to startle him! That woman downright frightened him!
It wasn’t that Nora was scary looking. No, she was quite a beautiful older woman. But she didn’t take any nonsense and spoke her mind. Russell knew she was about to embark on a lecture with few words that meant he best pay attention. She was notorious for getting her words across.
He was right.
“Russell Young, look what you have done to your Momma! It is a sad shame to upset this woman who raised you and now all she wants is to see her boy married. How can you refuse?”
Her eyes were like daggers. Russell didn’t know how to answer her. He was a grown adult yet felt about three right now. He had to make these ladies understand how he felt and yet did it really matter? They were both on a mission to see him and his brother married.
Yet, all he wanted was to see his mother smile. She had such a tough life raising them all alone with no one else. Truly, he didn’t want to disappoint her. Russell turned to his mother. “I am sorry, Ma. Forgive me for making you upset.” He glanced at her face, knowing he’d see her dramatic flair of turning off the tears the moment he agreed to this wedding. She knew exactly how to get under his skin. He sighed, stuffing his hands deeper in his pockets. He knew this was what she wanted to hear and was reduced to tears to get her own way. He glanced at Nora White since she was a part of it as well. “If it’s so important to you, I will marry the mail order bride you chose for me.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so happy!”
Clapping her hands, she got up from the table and gave him a hug. Russell wanted to take back his words but she was so darn ecstatic he didn’t have the heart. He had to know something, though. “Ma, do I get the same contract my half-brothers had?”
It was Nora who frowned first and answered his question. “Luckily for Luke, Adam and Samuel, they found good women. I can’t imagine the outcome if one of them had sent their bride back. Think carefully before agreeing,” she told Widow Young.
Widow Young scrutinized her son. Russell began to feel uncomfortable. She had always taught him to be upright and when he promised something to never go back on his word. She was giving him that look, the one that said don’t you dare try to get out of this!
Russell groaned. He probably would never get a chance to use any such clause in any contract if he let it up to these two.
But then she nodded, causing him to relax.
“Yes, Russell, if you would like we will put a clause in the contract that will say if either one of you decide the marriage isn’t working after thirty days, then either one of you can apply for an annulment as long as there are no marital relations within that period of time. Russell, how in the world will anyone know?”
“You taught me to be honest. I’m not going to lie to you or anyone else. I feel better being able to have the same opportunity as my half-brothers.” He gave them a pointed look. “You do want it to be fair, don’t you Ma? Nora?”
Then he grinned.
The two older women looked at each other. “I think we’ve created a monster,” Widow Young told Nora.
Nora gave a delighted laugh. “I believe you are right. He is much smarter than we gave him credit for.”
“Thanks a lot, you two,” he teased. “ I need to get out to the barn, there’s work to do.”
“Go on now, son. We’ll arrange everything for you and Miss Naomi Van-Walker.”
Russell cringed at the name as he made his way out to the barn. Milking the cows was the best part of his day. It gave him time to think.
Alone.
What had he gotten himself into? Russell glanced over at the plain looking two-room cabin he had built last year across the yard from the main home. He was at the age where he no longer wanted to live under his Ma’s roof. Copying the same idea that his half-brothers had done, he built a cabin near the property line of their farm with no plans at the time to get married.
Now Nora White put the idea into his Ma’s head it was time they marry! Just because she was so successful in marrying off her own three sons didn’t mean she had to interfere in their lives.
He growled after kicking a bucket sitting by the barn door. It tumbled and rolled towards the field.
He made his way to the small pail beside the stall. Grabbing it, he plunked it upside down beside his milk cow, Dolly, and sat down. The four year old Jersey cow produced plenty of rich, creamy milk for their family. It was his job to milk her every morning and evening. He had gotten a late start this morning because of the marriage conversation, which now he had in his head.
Russell ran a hand over the light whiskers on his chin before gently taking hold of a teat in each hand, pulling and squeezing in a steady motion. Dolly stood still except for an occasional whip of her tail. A few times she hit Russell dead in the face.
He enjoyed the quiet time in the barn before he got a start on the day. The sounds of the outside world was muffled except for an occasional rooster crowing. The cluck, cluck of hens as they cackled didn’t ever phase Russell. Usually Wesley and he traded tasks so they didn’t get tired of one certa
in job but he didn’t want to give this one up. Milking Dolly was much better than trampling around the chicken pen any day!
Naomi Van-Walker! Even the name sounded uppity. Russell’s head flew back when Dolly swatted him with her tail. “Now, Dolly, sweetheart, settle yourself.” When he spoke to her in soft, low tones, she settled right down. Dolly was a good, quiet cow but when the flies were bad like they were this morning, her tail was flying all over the place, regardless who was in its way.
“Almost done,” he told her. He grinned to himself as he wondered if Miss Van-Walker would talk to Dolly. Russell planned to teach her how to milk a cow, gather eggs and all the things they had to do on a farm. As a matter of fact, Russell was going to teach her every single chore, even the ones he never expected his own Ma to do. Then, hopefully, she’d high-tail it out of the farm life so fast he’d be left alone for good. He didn’t want to disappoint his family but he didn’t want to get married. Not right now. Probably not ever. He was content just the way things were.
Yet, if he chased this one off, he knew Ma and Nora would most likely find him another bride to replace her. Probably one worse. The two women were determined to see him and Wesley married.
“You got your heart on your sleeve, brother,” a voice spoke out, jerking Russell back to reality. Russell pointed one of Dolly’s teats at his brother, spraying milk in the air. Wesley laughed and opened his mouth, wiping his cheek with the back of his hand when it sprayed him in his face instead.
Russell loved his twin. Wesley was three minutes younger than he was so Russell always considered himself more mature and the decision maker. Wesley didn’t seem to mind. He was more fun loving and even encouraged their ma to find him a bride.
Maybe Wesley would want the Van-Walker bride. Russell didn’t mind waiting until last. “You want to get married first?”
Wesley laughed out loud. “I’m afraid that won’t work, brother. Ma and Nora have it all planned out. Your going down the isle first.”
He leaned against the post, facing Russell.
“I don’t want to get married. That’s the thing.”
“Looks like you have no choice.”
Russell frowned. “We always have a choice.”
His honest statement had Wesley nodding. “Yes, it’s true, but do you want to upset Ma, or even Nora, who has been good to us since she found out her husband fathered us? She did have the right to hate us, you know.”
Russell turned his head, anger taking root. He hated this conversation, it made him want to cross the line to the White ranch and piss on the man’s grave. That’s how mad he was at his own father. He knew it wasn’t Nora’s fault but sometimes he took it out on her. “She didn’t allow us near our own half-brothers for ten years. How do you justify that?”
Wesley leaned in. “Russell, Nora didn’t know about us. The only ones who knew were Luke, Adam and Samuel. They had promised never to tell and until it came out by accident, they weren’t planning on telling anyone. But Nora did right by us, why do you still resent her?”
Russell didn’t want to hate. He didn’t have room in his heart for hate, his mother taught him to forgive and move forward and he had. Except for this one thing. His natural father. The man took advantage of Russell’s mother when she was weak. She had just lost her first husband and Mr.White came over the hill to her rescue. How was he able to go home at night to his wife and children, knowing he was with someone else?
Russell knew one thing. He knew when it was time for him to become a father, he didn’t want to be anything like his own. The man taught him what kind of father not to be.
He flung a hand over his forehead, wiping sweat away. Picking up the steel milk can, he covered it to take it back to the house. His Ma would make butter this morning and he’d milk again this afternoon for some fresh milk with supper.
“Go on, Dolly, get on back outside.” Wesley and Russell grinned at each other when the cow turned around in the barn and made her way outside. Russell turned to Wesley. “I don’t hate Nora. Actually, I like her and am glad she called a truce to the animosity. But when I think of her husband, our father, it brings out anger and I want to lash out at her. It’s unfair but the way I feel.”
Wesley slapped a hand over his shoulder. “Our life was tough, but we made it through. Ma did good on her own. Don’t you think it’s time we bring a bride home, give her someone to talk to while we are out working? She deserves a daughter, grandchildren.”
Russell snapped his jaw shut. “Wesley, is that the reason why you want to get married? To appease Ma?”
The younger brother by a few minutes shrugged. “Why not?”
Russell shook his head. “You don’t marry because your Ma needs company! She can go visit anyone in town, or, Nora who is just a spit away from here. You want to get married for all the wrong reasons!”
The two made their way across the yard. “I have lots of reasons why it’s good to marry, brother. Besides, Ma doesn’t plan to live here forever, you know. Haven’t you seen the way her and that preacher from Cooper’s Ridge have been eyeing each other? It makes you wonder if she won’t be married long before either one of us.”
“He’s too old for her.”
“Nah, he’s not that old. Just looks a bit rough around the edges. Heard he was a reformed outlaw before he became a preacher.”
“We better keep an eye on him. He may want Ma for the wrong reasons.” Russell had seen the preacher come calling but always thought it was out of kindness and church related. Shows how much he paid attention to the goings on around him.
Wesley nudged him. “Heard Miss Van-Walker will be here on Saturday.”
“What! Already? I only agreed about twenty minutes ago.”
Wesley laughed at the horrified look on his face. “Ma and Nora had this planned all along, didn’t you realize this? I best be getting my own work done, brother, since you’ll be busy with a wedding night and all come Saturday.” With that, he slapped Russell on the back, chuckling.
Russell went inside to set the pail of milk on the kitchen table. His Ma and Nora were busy talking, or rather, planning Saturday’s wedding reception. They began telling him right away he’d have to pick his bride up at the train station and the pastor of Wichita Falls will provide the ceremony. Then, he’d bring his bride back home to a nice reception.
Russell had way too much respect for his Ma and all she had sacrificed to raise two boys alone. Watching the happiness elude from her as she spoke with Nora made him glad he was doing this after all. Even if he wasn’t crazy about getting married. He’d make the best of things and in the meantime, if it fell apart, there was always that clause.
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Naomi lifted a ragged hem and shook her head. Now that she was off the train, she wanted so badly to wash the soot and dust from her and change into her fine dress.
She pushed the few coins deep in her pocket, careful not to let anyone see she had money. But when her eyes darted back and forth along the street of Wichita Falls she realized she was in a completely new place. There wasn’t a homeless orphan in site. This town was not like New York City. She was no longer an orphaned urchin as the nuns at Lady Catherine’s Orphanage had called everyone.
She had always had to guard any pennies that she had earned before someone bigger than her bullied her and pried them from her fist.
Naomi had learned fast. As the years went on she learned to work her way around the city, where to sleep or to hide when the truant officers came looking for children not in school. As she got older, Naomi longed for her own home, a place to put down roots. She grew tired of living in abandoned buildings and being chased out of the library after she learned how to read and write.
She pulled back her shoulders. As of this day, that life was no longer hers. Naomi Walker was now a well-to-do lady from the upper side of town who was going to marry one Russell Young, who owned his own farm.
The minute she had turned eighteen she knew what she had to do to survive. After lea
rning to read, she swiped a newspaper and found the section where men were wanting brides to come out west to live on farms and ranches and to places where they were able to make a home of their own. She knew no one would accept a homeless orphan so she lied about her upbringing.
Naomi hurried to the boarding house where she was to spend the night. She knocked on the door to find a beautiful older lady swing the door wide open. “Come in, come in.”
After a quick perusal, Miss Addie, as she was called, took her to her room up the stairs and at the end of the hall. “We have supper at seven sharp. If you miss it, I’m afraid you are on your own. Doors close at nine on the nose. If you want to sit outside on the porch after nine, you’ll have to wedge the door, otherwise you are stuck out there for the night. Although, if I may, it isn’t proper for a single lady to be outside alone after dark. Have a good evening.”
After the woman left, Naomi swung herself in a circle. She raised her hands up over her head. This was bliss! A warm room with a bed. She flung herself on the bed, stretching out even before she removed her coat. A laugh she didn’t realize she owned came out. It surprised her that she was able to.
The warm feather bed felt so good she snuggled up on her side, not even taking time to undress. Not that she had a nightdress along anyway, she never owned one. In her donated carpetbag was a single outfit for tomorrow. She had taken care it was folded neatly and placed in her bag when she left the train station in the big city.
Naomi drifted off to sleep, missing supper, thinking about her new life ahead. It had to work, there was no turning back now that she had a taste of a real bed. Her heavy eyelids closed as she smiled and snuggled deeper into the mattress.
Soon, she would meet her new handsome, charming husband.
Chapter 2
Naomi jumped up, realizing the sun was streaming right in her face from the lone window across the room. Her belly grumbled as she worked her way out of her ugly weathered cotton dress. On the dresser was a pitcher filled with water. Naomi took advantage, using a cloth on the dresser to scrub away yesterday’s dirt.