RNWMP: Bride for Wesley
Book Five in Mail Order Mounties
Kirsten Osbourne
Copyright 2017 Kirsten Osbourne
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Lisa Allen has spent her entire life being different, and being different was perfectly fine with her as long as her two best friends were at her side. But now both of her friends have gone West to marry Mounties, leaving Lisa without their constant companionship. Lisa’s mother makes her realize she wants to be a Mountie’s wife as well, so she goes to see Miss Hazel, the matchmaker who helped her two friends find happiness.
Wesley Jacobson has never known what it was like to have a family, filling the gap with his fellow Mounties and the people he serves. When he hears that there’s a matchmaker willing to introduce Mounties to mail-order brides, he immediately sends off a letter, having no idea what to expect. What he didn’t anticipate was being sent a bride with cerebral palsy who he sees as weak and incapable. Will Lisa be able to convince Wesley that she’s as capable as any other wife in the West? Or will they spend their entire lives at cross purposes?
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Dear readers: We hope you are enjoying the Mail Order Mounties Series. All of the books are works of fiction, and the stories completely created by the authors of the series.
While we have done our best to be historically accurate, there are certain pieces of history we’ve had to take “creative license” with to help make our stories come alive. In truth, it wouldn’t have been likely for a member of the RNWMP to have a mail order bride, and in many cases, wouldn’t have lived in such close proximity to other members.
We have also taken a few liberties with timelines such as when a train would reach a certain portion of Canada.
However, for the purposes of our stories, we wanted to create a world that showcased the history of Canada during the early 1900s while also bringing you stories that would combine the talents of the authors involved.
Chapter One
Lisa Allen scooped her dog Sophie up with her good arm and cuddled her close to her. She wanted to do something fun, but her two closest friends had moved to British Columbia of all places! Jess and JoAnn had abandoned her to go west and marry Mounties. She was not at all pleased about it, either.
She sighed. She was pleased. For them. She was just sad for her, because her two best friends in the whole world were far away. How was she supposed to act crazy and have fun without them?
All her life, the two of them had been at her side. Lisa had lost oxygen for a short while at birth, so she had something called cerebral palsy. Sometimes the other children had made fun of her at school, but Jess and JoAnn had always stood up for her. When she was having a bad day, they had refused to play at recess, and instead sat at her side to cheer her up. They’d been her friends, champions, and protectors.
She felt a tear trickle down her face as she thought of how very much she missed them. Somehow, she’d thought their lives would always be entwined, but now…what was she supposed to do without them?
Still holding her little Sophie close against her, Lisa collapsed onto her bed. She hadn’t gotten a letter from JoAnn since she’d left, but there were two letters from Jess on her dresser. She reached out and picked up one of the letters from Jess, grumbling as her left arm refused to work properly.
For the most part, Lisa was just like everyone else. Sometimes her left arm didn’t do what she wanted it to do, and she tended to drag her left leg a little. She’d been the object of ridicule more times than she could count, but she’d had a good life. She’d worked hard to be as independent as possible, though she wondered if she would be able to find the courage to marry a man without first getting to know him, as her friends had done.
Marriage had always seemed elusive. What man wanted a girl who was broken, anyway? She shook her head. No, I won’t feel sorry for myself. I’m a strong woman. I have so much more to offer in life than some of the empty-headed girls I know who can’t string a thought together if it’s not about what they’re going to wear to a party.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. “Lisa, you have a letter.” Her mother held out an envelope, and Lisa took it excitedly.
“Thank you, Mom!”
“You’re welcome. Think it’s from JoAnn?” Her mother sat down on the bed beside her, stroking her dark hair.
Normally Lisa liked it when her mother came into her room to see her, but not today. She wanted to read her letter. She smiled at her mom. “Thanks again for bringing me the letter.”
“Is that my cue to leave?” Her mother laughed as she got to her feet. “Never mind. I understand. I know you miss your friends. Does Miss Hazel have another Mountie she can marry you off to?”
Lisa stared at her closed bedroom door for a long time after her mother left. Maybe Miss Hazel did have another Mountie to marry off. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if she couldn’t use her left arm properly…or that she walked with a limp. Maybe he would understand that she was perfect just the way she was…imperfections and all.
She shook her head and quickly read the letter from JoAnn, laughing at JoAnn’s recollections of Miss Hazel climbing a tree. When she finished the letter, she folded it and put it with the letters from Jess, her mind still on what her mother had said. Maybe there was a Mountie out there for her.
She stood up and attached Sophie’s leash to her collar, heading toward the front door. She called over her shoulder, “Mom, I’m going to walk Sophie! I’ll be back before too long!”
Walking down the quiet street in the older neighborhood where she lived with her parents, Lisa headed straight for Miss Hazel’s house. The woman lived just a few blocks over from Lisa, but her house was much nicer.
She walked as quickly as she could, dragging her left leg behind her. She had no idea what Miss Hazel would say to her request, but she knew one thing for certain—Miss Hazel would not laugh at her as many people had. No, she would be kind and understanding, and she would help if at all possible. That was just the kind of person Miss Hazel was. Well, kind…and utterly crazy.
Lisa knocked on the door, looking down at Sophie. She said a quick, silent prayer that the older woman would be able to help her. Was she even home?
When the door opened, Miss Hazel looked down at her. She had a grin on her face. “You think I’ve forgotten you, don’t you?”
“I…I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You think that I sent your friends away and completely forgot that you were still here, waiting for a man to sweep you off your feet. Well, I have something to say to that, Lisa Allen!”
“You do?” Lisa felt as if she’d just stepped into the middle of some sort of play, but no one had been kind enough to provide her with a script.
“I do! I haven’t forgotten you. I don’t know if I’ll ever have another Mountie to match up, but I’ve discovered I’m an awfully good matchmaker. And I will make sure that you are happily married as soon as I can possibly make it happen.”
For the first time since her mother had given her the idea, Lisa felt uncertain. “But…what if I’m not a good enough cook? Wh
at if I can’t be a good wife?”
Miss Hazel shook her head. “No self-doubt from you, Lisa Allen! I promise you I will find you the man who is right for you, and who you are right for. You trust me, don’t you?”
Lisa nodded. “I think I do.”
“If you don’t, you should! I’m a good matchmaker.” Miss Hazel sighed. “Do you want to start lessons early? To make sure we can have you ready in time?”
“What kind of lessons?” Lisa knew both Jess and JoAnn had gone through classes with Miss Hazel, but she wasn’t sure what they had entailed. After Miss Hazel had gotten ahold of them, they’d had little time for her.
“Cooking, cleaning, that sort of thing. I want you ready to be a good wife before you leave to marry.”
Lisa nodded uncertainly. “I want to be a good wife. I really do!”
“Then you’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning, and we’ll get started. I know we can do it.”
As she walked away, Lisa wondered exactly what she’d gotten herself into. Who in their right mind would let Miss Hazel run their life?
*****
Lisa started her lessons early the following morning. Her mother had been kind and good to her, but she’d never really pushed her to be completely independent. Lisa quickly learned she was more capable than she’d ever dreamed she could be.
By the end of her second week with Miss Hazel, she felt like she could really be a good wife to a man in the West. Maybe not a Mountie, but she’d be willing to give it a try. Too bad all of the Mounties who lived close to Jess and JoAnn already had wives.
On Friday afternoon of her third week, Lisa watched as Miss Hazel opened a letter from Jess. She wanted to read it, but she couldn’t ask. What if it was something private? Jess was now Miss Hazel’s daughter-in-law.
As she finished the letter, Miss Hazel looked at Lisa with tears in her eyes. “I’m going to be a grandmother.” She sat down heavily in a chair, buried her face in her hands, and wept.
Lisa wasn’t sure how to react. “Don’t you want grandchildren?”
“More than anything else!” Miss Hazel sobbed, pulling a handkerchief from her voluminous bosom and blowing her nose loudly. “I’m so happy!”
Lisa sat down beside Miss Hazel, taking the older woman’s hand in hers. “I’m happy for you. And for Jess, of course. I’m going to be an honorary aunt. I’ll have to figure out what I can make for a gift. I can’t really knit.”
“Oh! How could I forget to tell you! You’re not just going to be an honorary aunt…you’re going to be a Mountie’s wife.”
“Wait…what? A Mountie’s wife? Is that even possible?” Lisa felt excitement and dread bubbling up within her equally. “Am I ready?”
Miss Hazel wiped away the last of her tears. “You are ready, I promise!” She got to her feet and started pacing in the spacious kitchen. “I need to get the other three ladies I have in mind to start classes here on the third. We’ll leave on the tenth.”
“Wait…the third of October? It’s September thirtieth!”
“We’ll have to hurry then, won’t we? Trains can’t get all the way up into Yukon Territory for very long. The winter comes early, hard, and fast there. We’ll have to go as soon as we can…and with everyone needing lessons, that will be the tenth.”
Lisa stared at Miss Hazel as if she’d lost her mind. “You plan to deliver four ladies to Mounties in Yukon Territory? And you want us to leave on Thanksgiving?”
Miss Hazel frowned. “Oh, that’s right. Thanksgiving is on the tenth this year. We’ll have to leave on the eleventh. You’ll all appreciate one more Thanksgiving with your families, I’m sure.”
“You talk like you already know who all four of us will be. How can you know that?”
Miss Hazel shrugged. “I had a hard time finding four ladies for the first set of Mounties, so I was more careful this time. I kept my eyes open, and I watched to find the right women. I have more than four in mind, but I know which four will work for these four Mounties. You will soon be married to Wesley. I don’t know his last name yet!”
“Don’t I need to know his last name to marry him?”
“You’ll figure that out soon enough.” Miss Hazel waved her hands toward the door. “Go on. Be here bright and early Monday morning. Bring your things. You’re staying.”
“Even Sophie?”
Miss Hazel sighed dramatically. “Sure, bring your spoiled little dog.”
“Sophie’s not spoiled. She’s a princess!”
“Have a good weekend, Lisa.”
As Lisa opened the kitchen door, she looked over her shoulder to see Miss Hazel with her face buried in her hands again. She was obviously pleased to know she was going to be a grandmother.
*****
Bright and early Monday morning, Lisa’s father drove her to Miss Hazel’s house. A small bag with all of her earthly possessions was clutched in her hand, and Sophie sat on her lap. “I’m going to miss you, Dad.”
He looked at her for a moment, a frown on his face. “You don’t have to go, you know. You can stay with us.”
Lisa was torn. She badly wanted to crawl back into her bed and pull the covers over her head. Not once in her life had she gone off on her own. Her friends had been beside her every step of the way. “I need to do this. I need to grow up.”
He pulled on the lines, stopping the buggy in front of Miss Hazel’s. “We’ll see you on Monday, right?”
Lisa nodded. “It’s the last day before we leave for Yukon Territory.”
“Be good,” he said softly, helping her down from the wagon and hugging her close. It was the same thing he’d told her every time he’d dropped her off at school. She hadn’t listened then, and she wouldn’t listen now. What fun was it to be good all the time?
“I love you, Daddy,” she said softly, pulling Sophie toward the house with her, gripping her bag in the same hand. Her left arm was weaker than usual that day, and everything needed to be done with the right. She’d make it, though. She was strong…no matter what anyone else thought of her.
She knocked on the door, waiting for Miss Hazel to appear. Why am I so nervous? This is my third week to come here for classes. I should be past the nervousness by now!
A girl she hadn’t met before opened the door, surprising Lisa. “I’m Lisa Allen. I’m here to see Miss Hazel.”
The girl seemed to study her for a moment. “Do you need help with your bag?”
Lisa was relieved, passing the bag off to the stranger. “Thank you so much. My left arm is giving me trouble today.”
“Does it do that a lot?”
Lisa nodded, briefly explaining about her cerebral palsy. “I struggle sometimes, but I’m learning to cook and clean from Miss Hazel. She’s sure I can do this.”
“I’m sure you can too. I’m Maryanne.” She turned and walked away from the door and up the stairs with Lisa’s bag, leaving Lisa with nothing to do but follow her. “I’m going to put you in the room beside mine. That way if you have trouble, I can help you.”
“You’re so nice. Thank you!”
Maryanne laughed. “Not many people call me nice.” She shrugged. “I’ve spent all my time taking care of my younger sister, and she died recently.”
Lisa’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry!”
“Thank you.” Maryanne pushed open a door and preceded Lisa into the room, dropping her bag beside the bed. “Do you want me to unpack for you?”
Lisa shook her head. “No, but thank you. I’m trying hard to be more independent. I can’t be relying on someone else when I’m a Mountie’s wife.”
“If we end up close enough, you’ll always be able to rely on me. I promise.” Maryanne left the room and closed the door quietly behind her.
Lisa stared after her, wondering what had just happened. She was pleased that if she needed help, she’d have it, but she didn’t want to need it. She wanted to be strong and self-sufficient for the first time in her life.
As she put her things into the dresse
r drawers in the room that would be hers for the next week, she wondered what Wesley would be like.
She was getting married.
Sophie jumped up on the bed and curled into a ball, going to sleep. She was obviously more at ease with their new circumstances than Lisa was.
*****
When Lisa went downstairs after putting her things away, she bumped into another girl she’d never met. She had no idea where Miss Hazel was finding these people, but she was glad she wouldn’t be traveling alone. There were others to commiserate with, and that pleased her a great deal.
“I’m Lisa Allen.”
The other girl looked slightly panicked. “I’m Isabelle Rochester, and I don’t know how to cook. I’ve been informed that I’m supposed to know how to cook. Do you know how to cook? Can you teach me?”
Lisa bit her lip. “I can try. I’m not a great cook, but Miss Hazel’s been teaching me for a week now.”
“Good. You have to know more than I do, then!”
“I wouldn’t go that far…”
“Would you believe I have never even attempted to cook a meal? Debutantes aren’t supposed to be great cooks, you see. We’re supposed to look pretty and play instruments and do embroidery.” The girl sighed, shaking her head. “I need to be a good wife.”
“I’m sure you will be.” Lisa patted her arm gently before stepping away. “Where’s Miss Hazel?”
Isabelle shrugged. “No idea. She let me in, and there was a loud crash. I haven’t seen her since.”
“Do you have a room yet?”
“No. I suppose it will happen soon enough.”
“I think you can go upstairs and just choose one,” Lisa said helpfully. “Just look in the rooms and see if there’s one empty.”
“All right.” Isabelle picked up a bag in each hand, leaving half a dozen more in the hallway. “I’ll be back for the others.”
Lisa watched the girl disappear up the stairs. She wondered if she knew JoAnn. Her friend had been a debutante as well, but she’d ended up married to a Mountie too.
RNWMP: Bride for Wesley (Mail Order Mounties Book 5) Page 1