Christmas Miracles: Mega Mail Order Bride 20-Book Box Set: Multi-Author Box Set

by Jenny Creek Tanner

  “That’s why you’re here, right? I need a woman who can give us boys a more refined touch. You said so yourself you could offer your excellent skills and taste. Are you having second thoughts?”

  “Ask me again when my legs and body aren’t aching from an unexpected horse ride. I’ve been traveling across the country for a week. Didn’t you even considered I’d be exhausted? Riding here on horseback wasn’t exactly the best way to help me be secure in this decision. And when you are going to town to bring home the rest of our things?”

  “I’ll go first thing. Let me show you and Juliet to the guest house.”

  When they entered the main room again, they found Juliet rebuffing the brother’s advancing and scolding them. All three of them were acting inappropriately.

  “No, I didn’t bring any fine brandy with me. Is that your idea of a good time?” she said, almost hissing like a snake at Ross, Jack, and Pete. Clearly they were expecting the socialites from Boston to have brought fancy liquor with them.

  “Enough boys, huh? Can we give things a rest for one night?” Drew started realizing having them all tag along with him to the station had overwhelmed and possibly scared the girls away for good. “Let’s give them some time to freshen up and make themselves at home.”

  “Good to meet ya,” Jack hollered at Juliet as she tensed her shoulders, casting him a disapproving look.

  “That Juliet can sure bite back,” Pete hollered teasing.

  “Yeah, but I kind of like that,” Jack replied, laughing and jabbing his brothers in the chest playfully.

  “You’ll have to forgive them. We haven’t had a woman’s touch in this house for some time,” Drew’s eyes conveyed. “I guess we didn’t consider toning down our behavior and we should have. I’m sorry about that.”

  Susannah didn’t respond, but stood waiting. She wasn’t closed to his apology, but it did fall a little short.

  As if he could read her mind, he continued. “I know that might sound like an excuse, but I really don’t mean for it to be. I truly am sorry that I’ve messed it all up. We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot and that’s my fault.”

  His slight scruff shined in the lantern light, and his hair fell in his face. She realized he was dazzlingly handsome, yet so poorly lost. His apology finally felt sincere, but Susannah had seen enough to send her packing. Since she couldn’t give in to her instinct to get on the next train out of town, she breathed in loudly.

  “Juliet and I are tired. We’ll see you in the morning. I’m guessing we’re to cook?”

  He looked down, nodding slowly.

  Susannah realized she had agreed to slave away for four grown men who had never actually grown up. Drew wanted a marriage of convenience. This must have been what he meant. He wanted someone to take care of them all.

  “For now, I have no choice. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Chapter 17

  The girls found their quarters a little scary. Susannah didn’t care. She was tired and so depressed she wanted to curl up into a ball and wake up to her old life.

  “I’ve never been around men this vulgar in all my life,” Juliet whined once they were behind closed doors, but she didn’t care if they heard her complaining.

  “They’re not vulgar, they’re cowboys,” Susannah corrected. “They’re rough and disgusting, but maybe they truly don’t know any better. I realize now why I’m here. So this is what a practical marriage looks like? We needed an escape from Boston. Drew, or rather he and his brothers, need someone to cook, clean, and mend their socks for them.”

  Juliet looked deep into Susannah’s eyes, wallowing with tears in them. She tried to lighten the mood.

  “Did Drew smell just as bad as Jack did?”

  “Juliet! What did you expect? This isn’t going to be like a posh society party. These men raise and herd animals for living. They live off the land, their hands are rough from plowing and planting, and covered in dirt because they work hard to survive. This is the way out west. What did you expect? More like George Spiller while dining at a fancy restaurant?”

  Juliet stuck her tongue out at Susannah, as she tried splashing water on her face from the dresser. She had never felt more uncomfortable all her life.

  “Fine. I’ll try to adjust. I’m just glad it’s you and not me who has to marry one of these ill-mannered Peirce boys.”

  “Count your lucky stars,” Susannah said, raising her eyebrows. He’s a complete and utter slob,” Susannah said, sniffing her nose, remembering the pungent smell of the brother’s dirty boots and unwashed socks pronounced in the room. The smell was enough to outweigh even Drew’s handsome, rugged looks.

  “And he’s completely clueless to what a woman needs. No wagon, a filthy house, and not realizing it’s improper for us to stay in the main house with them unmarried? What honestly goes through their minds?”

  “I guess he’s not a total wash. He is mildly handsome.”

  “I’m not concerned with Drew’s appearance at the moment. It’s his manners I need to somehow address, and reconcile the fact I’m to be a servant here, practically,” Susannah replied, as Juliet unbuttoned the back of her dress.

  She had nothing else to wear as all their trunks were left safety at the station, so they had to sleep in their slips and underclothes.

  “Perhaps this was a terrible mistake,” Susannah cried.

  “Susannah? Where are we going to go if we leave?”

  “Nowhere. We’re stuck here. We have no money, no connections.”

  “Well what I am supposed to do? I’m not here to marry one of them. I’m here for…you.”

  “And thank God for that. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here, Juliet.”

  Juliet nudged her sister’s shoulder as they tossed and turned in the bed, trying to relax and unwind from such a horrific welcoming.

  “Perhaps tomorrow you’ll have more clarity,” Juliet said sweetly, trying to comfort her sister. As dire as the things were, it was Susannah who had entered an agreement for marriage. She at least was free and not attached to anyone.

  Susannah only hoped Juliet was right.

  Chapter 18

  Over the course of the next few days, Susannah began the gigantic task of organizing and cleaning the main house. She and Juliet played their best at being domestic, but with no real culinary skills under their belts, meals were under seasoned and mere mush at first.

  Jack watched the slop ooze off his spoon as he held it up in the air examining it.

  “What is this supposed to be?” Jack winced, as Drew smiled, staring at Susannah’s apologetic face, but he put his hand on hers, knowing she was trying.

  “Dinner,” Juliet spit back. “Try and use a napkin this time,” she said, showing him how to fold it and put on his lap.

  “I’m so glad you can offer such fine sophistication to use ill-bred boys, but don’t you know how to cook?”

  “Some,” Susannah replied weakly.

  “Drew, couldn’t you have gotten that fat gal from Tennessee. I bet she knew how to cook. You just picked her because of her picture,” Jack complained, relieving more than he should have.

  Susannah blushed and Drew pushed Jack in his seat, making him fall over.

  Juliet laughed as did Ross and Pete, as Jack fumed.

  “It’s not that bad, Jack,” Pete chimed in.

  “I used to watch Mrs. Sanders bake,” Susannah replied. “Maybe dessert will be better.”

  “Give Susannah some slack,” Juliet scolded, as Jack began getting up. “She can do wonders if you let her. She could turn you into a true gentleman.” she nodded to Drew, who stared gently at Susannah as she struggled with the oven and stove.

  “Here,” he said kindly, taking the griddle from her and showing her how to heat it up. His strong arms took control and his muscles flexed and moved with precision. My mother would have liked your mush. She worked the cattle right along with us. Trust me, we aren’t accustomed to real great food. You’re doing real good.”
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br />   Susannah smiled, staring into his deep chestnut eyes as his hair fell in his face. She wanted to brush it away, out of curiosity, but she didn’t. Drew was trying. He stood up for her against Jack, and even Juliet was on her side, helping the boys see maybe she wasn’t the best cook, but she could learn anything in time.

  “Cobbler’s almost done,” Susannah said blushing.

  She worked the kitchen, trying to learn. She really wanted to apply herself and show Drew and his brothers she wasn’t just a riches to rags, spoiled former socialite.

  “Ross, no elbows on the table,” Susannah said as she brought plates and the pie over to the table. Ross immediately put them down, shamed.

  The mood grew more comfortable as the flavors and sweet fruit flowed together in Susannah’s cobbler. She was even surprised at how well it turned out.

  “Let’s have this berry cobbler every night. What we have for supper won’t be so hard to take if we know this is coming,” said Jack.

  “I’m trying to take that as a compliment, Jack, but somehow my feelings are still hurt.” Susannah smiled a lopsided smile at the man. “I know I’m going to get better and I promise to keep working on my cooking abilities.”

  “Come on, Jack. Don’t say mean stuff like that. You ought to be happy we have her here to help us,” said Ross.

  Drew had been about to admonish his brother, but waited when Ross spoke up first. He looked at Jack and nodded. Then he glanced over at Susannah and smiled.

  That night Susannah had earned their stamp of approval, and slowly, they began following Susannah’s rules for an orderly home. They placed their work gear in the shed behind the barn and not in the kitchen or all over the house. They followed wash day and left their clothes in one area for the wash bin. Juliet helped also lay down the law, even though the men grumbled. Drew, quickly adjusting to Susannah’s requests showed the most promise.

  “You’re really trying with Susannah,” Juliet said one night after cobbler. Susannah began stretching her skills and experimenting with different dishes and fruits. She could bake, but cook, she needed more culinary practice.

  “Is she adjusting all right here?” Drew asked concerned.

  “Susannah is a fighter. She’s trying to adjust. She’s always so busy taking care of others, she hardly has time to realize what she wants. Do your brothers plan on living here after you’re married?”

  “Of course. It’s the way it is.”

  “Well, I think Susannah feels more like your mother or a baby sister than your future bride.”

  “I think Susannah and I thought a practical marriage would best suit our needs…at the time. My mother wanted this.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “I did…in a way. It is high time I change my ways, but having you both here has proven more challenging than I thought. Susannah is, well she’s intimidating. And we, um, I don’t know the first thing when it comes to women. I don’t know how to talk to her about anything.”

  Juliet agreed, smiling. “Yes, I see that.”

  Drew’s face then grew soft, remembering and thinking of Susannah’s shimmering hair in the kitchen, the way she smiled at him tenderly, and how nervous she always seemed around him. At times, he felt she simply stayed busy so she wouldn’t have to spend much time with him. Maybe Susannah wanted to avoid him. Maybe she didn’t like him.

  “Does Susannah talk about how she feels? About all this, about me?”

  “Drew, you need to talk to my sister yourself. If you want to change your arrangement from a marriage of convenience to something more traditional then you need to tell to her. I see the way you look at her.”

  “I know you both come from a much more refined upbringing. Maybe she wishes she had stayed in Boston with someone more polished?”

  “Susannah never found anyone in Boston who drove her half as crazy as you do. We’re simply not accustomed to your ways. It’s all just a little more than us pampered Boston girls are used to.”

  He smiled at her and walked away. She noticed he was dressing better and he’d even taken a bath. He smelled much better.

  Chapter 19

  Susannah denied she was feeling any sort of attachment to Drew. Her sister suspected this was not the case but she left the subject alone for the moment.

  Juliet worried about herself and what would become of her in Cheyenne, especially if her sister was in love with the man who would likely be her husband soon.

  “So you think our cowboy ways are more aggressive than your prim rich men back in Boston. I certainly hope so.”

  “You are the worst of them all,” Juliet sneered.

  “I know you liked our ride.”

  She scoffed.

  “I’m here for my sister. Nothing more. Drew may somehow find a way to woo my sister, if he can stop spitting in front of her. But I will never enjoy anything involving you.”

  Jack circled her, his tall figure and glimmering eyes pouring into her soul. The pursuit and chase left her breathless. She heaved as he continued swaying in front of her, his tongue quick and wicked.

  “You seem more uptight than your sister. At least Susannah can take a few jokes here and there, but you… you’re always intense.”

  “That’s only when you’re around,” Juliet smiled at him sarcastically.

  “Want to get out of here?”

  “With you? No thank you.”

  “Come on, you haven’t even seen the best of Wyoming.”

  He cocked his head and his eyes darted forward. He urged her to follow him teasingly. It aggravated Juliet so much and after a little protesting, she finally gave in, following him to the stables.

  “I have no intention of jumping on the back of another horse with you.”

  “Then take your own,” Jack said, throwing her the reins.

  Juliet hadn’t ridden before. She didn’t want to back down, however, and stubbornly and full of pride hopped on. Jack had said she was a natural after all.

  She galloped a few strides, hitting the horse forcefully, the way she had seen Jack and the all the brothers do. When the horse stood tall, Juliet held on for dear life. The horse bucked her a few times before she fell off completely, her pride wounded and completely covered in mud.

  Jack laughed, dismounting to help her.

  “Are you all right?”

  Juliet scrambled to her feet, upset and her hair disheveled.

  “Get your hands off me,” she cried curtly, embarrassed.

  “You want a pro to show you how it’s done? No one expects a socialite from Boston to be an expert the first time they mount a horse. Let me teach you?”

  Juliet rolled her eyes, staring at the beautiful countryside before her. The idea of roaming the fields sounded appealing, but that meant accepting Jack’s help.

  She took his hand, and they stood there in the brisk November wind, light snow billowing around them. They stared into one another’s eyes, all the distain screaming out loud and clear.

  He held her up, her body high above his for a moment, before he let her down onto the horse and she turned in the saddle. She looked down into Jack’s strong eyes, eyes just as strong and fearful as her own.

  “He took her hands again, helping her hold the reins properly and holding the mare gently so Juliet could get use to how it felt up there.

  “Berta’s a gentle horse. You just need to let her know you want to stay here a little while. She’s funny that way. She needs her space. You need to let her know you respect that, and you only want a little of her magic for a while.”

  Juliet’s fences fell. She was captivated to hear him talk passionately about anything.

  “Berta and I have a lot in common,” Juliet said quietly, laughing to herself.

  “I know,” he said, caught up in her sweeping beauty.

  “That’s enough lesson for today,” Juliet called, jumping down and running back to the guest house.

  “That wasn’t nearly enough,” Jack called.

  “It’s all you get for now,�
�� Juliet yelled over her shoulder. She walked briskly away, confused as to why she suddenly liked how he smelled.

  Chapter 20

  As November faded and December began, snow drifted on the fields and endless acres of the Pierce ranch. The boys herded the animals inside every night, and the bitter wind picked up. Juliet hated winter, stuck indoors, and she avoided Jack as much as she could. She still glared at him across family fires at night, determined not to let him creep into her mind again.

  Susannah handed Juliet her latest dessert creation, startling her thoughts.

  “Here, Juliet,” she said as they ate in front of the fire. The house smelled fresh and like cinnamon, as the season’s festivities entered their minds. Christmas would be here before they knew it.

  “Our ma loved Christmas,” Ross admitted, staring into the flames, enjoying Susannah’s fine dessert before turning in. “This reminds me of when she was still with us.”

  “We enjoyed Christmas in Boston, too. Maybe we can share some traditions,” Susannah said as she reached to take his empty plate.

  The sky was black and the days shortened. Susannah had found a much better routine since first arriving. The boys tried behaving themselves, especially Drew. It wasn’t perfect, but they had made progress. Maybe Christmas would be a joyous time for all of them.

  “Drew looks handsome tonight,” Juliet whispered as they took the empty plates to the kitchen.

  Susannah coughed, fidgeting again.

  “Since when did you decide they were suddenly handsome? You said they were vulgar ruffians.”

  “They are,” Juliet corrected. “Perhaps I’m starting to lower my standards little,” Juliet said more to herself, catching Jack’s eyes upon her.

  “I have to tell you something,” Susannah whispered. She pulled out a letter she received, showing it to Juliet.

  “What’s this?”

  “It’s from Mr. Sanders. It arrived today. It’s what’s left from the sale of the house after all father’s debts.”