Mail Order Bride: JUMBO Mail Order Bride 20 Book Box Set

by Hope Sinclair

  His mother stood in the foyer, deep lines creased between her brows. A lock of grey and chestnut brown hair fell from her bun and lay across her cheek. How much of the conversation had she overhead?

  Probably enough to fear that his son would give in to his fiancée’s demands and she would lose the land she loved. He wanted to tell her that the fear was unfounded, but he had to think of Leila first. She would soon be his wife, and he must put her welfare above all others.

  His mother reached to an end table and picked up a letter.

  “This came today for me. It’s from Mr. Allen.”

  Kate’s father. A smile flickered across his face. How he missed his childhood friend. Sometimes he wished that he could return to such a happy time when their families would flee New York and vacation together at Lovell’s Island off the coast of Boston. How he had loved fishing with her, and chasing fireflies.

  Jack took the letter from his mother, and unfolded it. Bending his head to the side, his grip tightened. Kate and her family were coming here. Asking if they could stay with them. Kate father’s had arranged a marriage for her, and wished to meet the groom before the wedding. Marriage. Arranged. Who could Kate be marrying in this small mountain town? A wealthy banker. Travis.

  “It will be nice to see them,” his mother said.

  “It would be,” he said, laying the letter on the end table and walking up the stairs to his room. He suddenly felt tired and wished to lie down. He didn’t know why but the thought of Kate marrying someone sent pains of jealousy through him. Was it because of their friendship that had been maintained since they were young children? They had shared so much over the years together that in some ways she was closer to him than anyone else in his life.

  Jack went in his room, and sat on his bed, the light brown quilt crinkling around him. He took off his shoes, and dropped them on the floor as brown specks of dirt fell on the rug. He lay down and stared at the ceiling. He hadn’t seen her since she was just thirteen years old; a young girl running after him with her hair in pigtails and a dress that always had dirt smudges on the hem. He wondered what she looked like now since he couldn’t imagine her as anything but a young girl, though her letters revealed she had matured over the years. Heaviness pushed down his eyelids. Well, he didn’t know, and quite frankly it wouldn’t matter. His heart already belonged to another.

  THREE

  Kate knew her hands must be sweating under the satin gloves she wore. Especially since her fingers wouldn’t stop trembling. She looked around the train cart, at her father’s slightly dazed form as he leaned his head against the window. His wrinkled suit barely covered his round body. Her mother and sisters all huddled together, on the opposite bench. Every now and then her mother would raise her cloth napkin and cough. Kate kept looking for signs of blood, but so she far hadn’t seen any. But the worry still plagued her.

  Kate wished she could look out the window, and gauge their progress, but she was trapped near the door, with her worn copy of Persuasion sitting on her lap to entrain her. But no matter how much she tried to get lost in the world of British manners and the complicated life of England’s ton, she just couldn’t. Soon, she would again see Jack, and she had no idea what that would be like. Maybe he would have grown up to be quite boorish. Whenever she thought of Jack she imagined that he must be quite tall and lanky with freckles filling his face. But she knew that couldn’t be. He must look like the full-grown man that he was. When she read his letters, she never let herself imagine too much of what he must look like, in case if she saw him again, she wouldn’t be disappointed, but now she wished she had built up an unappealing look. That way she wouldn’t be in such anticipation of being reacquainted. But even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew that wouldn’t have worked. Kate didn’t love him because of a dashing smile, or kind beautiful eyes. No she loved him because of the gentle, loving nature that poured forth from his letters. And it was that nature that made her wish, that she was coming to be his bride instead of a man, she had never met.

  A loud whistle sounded, and soon the slight grounding of metal filled the air. They were pulling into Ruby, Wyoming. A nervous energy floated through her. She held her breath only taking breaths every now and then, until the train grinded to a halt. Her family gathered their belongings, and her father guided them out of the cart. Jack was supposed to meet her family at the station. He would then drive them to his home, and tonight, they would meet Mr. Travis Hudson over dinner.

  Her father stepped off the train, and Kate finally released her breath as she let the train worker take her hand and help her step down. She walked to her father’s side, looking around at the throng of people gathered on the platform, waiting for whomever they were to meet. Kate spotted a gentleman with a slight pouch wearing a suit, leaning against a wall. He held up a watch on a gold chain, and then pushed his lips in a thin line. He looked only a year older than her. Perhaps that was him.

  Kate held up a hand, pointing in his direction. “I imagine that is Jack,” she said.

  “Actually, I am,” said a deep masculine voice behind her.

  Kate spun around, and a gasp flew from her as her heart rate sped up. She swallowed hard and took in the man in front of her. She should have let herself dream.

  There was no way she could have conjured up the image she saw in front of her. Her hand slowly snaked to her chest and she gripped the fabric over her heart. The tall man with light blue eyes, and a well-chiseled face, held out a hand to her father, and patted him on the back. A crooked smile that made flutters fill her stretched across his face. Dear Lord he was handsome. The most handsome man she had ever seen. Jack turned towards and held out his large hand. Their eyes connected and for a moment she found herself entranced. But as she placed her hands in his, and let his fingers close around it in a gentle grip, a sinking feeling filled her. No matter how much she yearned for him. No matter how close their friendship had knitted them together. He would never be hers. He had already given his heart away, and she had sold her hand to provide for the welfare of her family.

  Jack bent over her hand, tipping his hat with his free hand, and she realized that though they had shared many letters between themselves, somewhere along the way, she had lost more than her childhood friend. She had also lost her soul mate.

  ***

  A sense of loss engulfed Jack when Kate slipped her hand from his. For some reason he had never wanted to let it go. She turned from him, her light chestnut ringlets bouncing against the side of her face while she looked at her mother. When she had stepped off that train after her father, he had lost his breath, and stood stone still not able to think or move. Somehow the little girl he had known had morphed into the angel before him. An angel with light-blue eyes, that one could get lost in, and a sweet smile that could make a man giddy.

  If a passenger hadn’t bumped into him, he might not have ever awaken from his trance and approached her.

  He greeted her mother and her sisters, asking them briefly about their trip and every now and then stealing glances at his childhood friend while her father found a group of young boys to fetch the Allen’s luggage. He then guided them to his wagon speaking to her father about the success of his family’s ranch and the prospecting of the mine, full of cooper. Her father kept nodding, seeming almost subdued, defeated. He knew how the man felt. He had thought the world would end when his ranch had almost gone bankrupt, but through the Grace of God they had pulled through.

  Once at the wagon, he helped her mother and sister in it. When he again took Kate’s hand, a jolt filtered through him. A jolt he didn’t quite understand. He had never felt this way about Leila.

  He paid the boys for bringing the luggage and then mounted his wagon, flicking the reins. A strong pull made him want to look at Kate, and gauge her expression when she first saw the mountains that surrounded his small town. But she had sat in the back with her mother and sisters, so he would miss seeing the joy flash across her face when she saw something that she ha
d stated in her letters she longed to witness. Perhaps it was best since another man would get to share the joys of life with her.

  A weight filled him, and he clenched the reigns, Mr. Allen’s words became background noise to him. He didn’t want another man to give her such joy. To hold her hand, and listen to her dreams for the future. And he couldn’t quite figure out why. He tried to pull up images of Leila in his mind, but when he did his stomach felt sour. Leila’s beautiful face, looked hard when he thought of the gentleness he saw in Kate’s smile. Her eyes looked harsh, when he thought of the lightness he saw in Kate’s. Jack shook his head. He was just infatuated. Kate had grown into a beautiful woman. That was all. What man wouldn’t be momentarily shaken by such a beauty?

  Once he had the two woman in the same room tonight, he would be reminded of why he loved Leila. Why she was the perfect girl for him, and all thoughts of Kate would be quickly put in place. She would fall once again into the role of being his close friend. For that was exactly what he needed. A friend to help him sort out the dilemma he faced. A dilemma that told him, if wanted to keep the girl, he’d have to lose the land.

  FOUR

  Kate turned to look at the large two-story ranch house that appeared just over the horizon. It sat on a hill with rolling thick green grass, and trees full of red and orange leaves falling to the ground. His home just seemed completely charming, but it would be a home, she could never claim. A home she and he would never build a family in. She looked at his back, listening to him speak to her father. She just couldn’t believe that the tall man with such strong broad shoulders was the same man who had penned all those letters to her. Her loss was too bitter. Too full of regret.

  Jack slowed the wagon to a stop, and secured the reigns while a hired hand came to the wagon to see to the horses.

  She tried not to look at him, while he helped her mother and sisters dismount but her eyes trailed to him anyway watching the rugged sway of his body. When her time came to dismount, she stood stock still not wanting to once again hold that hand - that hand that produced so much energy in her. She took a deep breath and placed her hands in his, stepping off, feeling in flickers of pleasure that sent stabs of pain into her heart.

  “Is nice to see you, Kate,” he said, his voice sounding so soothing.

  “Wyoming is quite beautiful.”

  “I always knew you’d like it.” He stepped in front of her, and a timid smile crossed his face. “Perhaps tomorrow I can show you my favorite spot at the creek to fish.”

  Kate looked over his shoulder and watched her parents and sisters greet Mrs. Gilbert. How she wished they could but the thought of spending time with him just seemed cruel. Especially if that time was spent reliving some of her fondest childhood memories.

  “It probably wouldn’t be best.” She looked back at him and watched sorrow grow in his eyes. “You know we’re not children anymore.”

  “I guess you’re right.” He slowly turned from her as a wagon pulled in front of the house and stopped.

  On the wagon sat a tall blonde woman wearing a fancy light pink dress with billows of lace and intertwine designs. Next to her sat a gentleman wearing a well-tailored suit. Tension filled Kate as the young man, turned to her and a too slick smile crossed his face. Something about him, just didn’t seemed right. Was it the well-too groomed clothing contrasting with Jack’s rough leather jacket and cowboy boots or was it the way a seductive tint entered this man’s eyes as he looked her up and down.

  Could this man be her future her husband? The thought alone made her stomach roll. As the man slipped from the wagon and walked to her, with an all knowing smile, her fear became a reality.

  “You’re prettier than your father said. Which means you’ll do just nicely.”

  “Excuse me,” she said clenching her hands together.

  The woman sashayed to the man’s side and patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll have to forgive my brother. He just can’t help himself around beautiful women.”

  Jack approached them and the woman turned to him flinging herself in his arms and then turned catlike blue eyes to her. An intense jealousy poured through Kate. So this was the love of Jack’s life. She slowly shook her head and turned back to the man that must be Travis.

  Jack made quick introductions and then guided them to his home. After greeting his mother, they retired to the parlor.

  As she sat, Leila quickly claimed a spot next to her clamping on to Kate’s hands.

  “You and I are going to be the best of friends.”

  Kate took in her smooth features, high cheekbones, light full lips and cream skin. She looked like the perfect image of beauty. Kate’s free hand slipped to her hair, that was a mass of chestnut curls that were just too hard to contain, and always frizzed when the weather became too humid. What must she look like compared to the beauty next to her.

  “I guess we will,” she replied.

  “Yes, just think our husbands are going to own one of the largest mines in these parts.”

  Mines? Didn’t mines tears up the land? She couldn't fathom what would happen to this beautiful landscape. But maybe the mine was far from here. Because one thing she knew from Jack’s letters was he treasured this land, and she just couldn’t imagine him wanting to rip it open.

  She turned to look at him, and noticed that he was gripping the armrests of the chair he sat on. He had often done that as a younger man when something bothered him. What exactly were his thoughts on this mine?

  “We still have much to discuss,” Jack said in a solemn voice.

  “Yes we do,” Travis Hudson cut in and then turned his slick gaze to her, while he leaned against the wall next to the fireplace. “Even a city girl like you will appreciate the money it brings in. Soon I’ll have you in diamonds, and the finest London fashion.”

  Jack stood and briskly walked towards the door as if he wanted to escape. He stopped and stayed as if he pondered what he should do. If they were still children she’d come up with some excuse to help him escape but that no longer seemed proper. Finally, he gripped the door handle and turned looking at her, his eye filled with a plea.

  “Perhaps, you’re tired of sitting, Kate. Would you like to see the back yard?”

  Who cared about proper etiquette? She jumped to her feet and walked towards him, nodding at those in the room, wondering what they must think of this. She slipped her arm in his offered one and as they walked out she heard whispered words of childhood friends. Don’t worry.

  Jack took her to the back yard, and in the distance she gazed at the mountains, wondering what it would be like to climb up them. But that was a feat she could never do.

  She glanced at Jack from the corner of her eye. A griminess was etched on to his face. He looked too tense. Was it just the stress of the situation or had there been a change of character over the last few years that she hadn’t picked up on. Maybe she could find out.

  “Where will this mine be?”

  He raised his hand and pointed towards a small enclosure surrounded by rocks.

  “Deep in the land is a bounty of copper.”

  “That’s just behind the house!”

  “I know.” He pushed his lips into a thin line.

  She stepped in front of him, as his gaze lowered.

  “You love this land, Jack. I don’t understand.”

  He looked away, and focused on the rocks and the closed up hole.

  “I want to be able to provide for my family.”

  How she knew that feeling. That was why she had sold her hand to a man who promised to keep her family from going bankrupt. But this didn’t make sense. Would his cattle not be able to support Leila?

  “But what about the cattle?”

  He shook his head, and stepped away from her, shoving his hands in his coat pockets, his back rigid and stiff.

  “I know.”

  Kate looked back at the house, and wondered whose ideas this was. Was it the sibling pair? For it surely didn’t seem like Jack’s. Those
two were just giddy at the prospect. She would never force her husband to make such a decision that grieved him. But she wouldn’t get that chance.

  He turned back to her, and a pure sorrow laced his eyes.

  “Sometimes love makes you do stupid things.”

  “But someone who truly loved you wouldn’t ask you to give up your dreams.”

  Jack looked back at the rolling lush green land, before turning back and taking her arm as he guided her back in the home. She didn’t know what her words meant to him, but she had a feeling, she had given him something to think about. Hopefully, he would before he made a decision that would cost him more than a broken heart.

  FIVE

  Kate walked down the stairs of Jack’s home early in the morning, rubbing her shoulders. She looked out the window and spotted the sun peeking just over the mountains. Orange and yellow rays streaked across the sky, as darkness was pushed back. The tall mountains appeared and she felt as though she was cocooned in rich beauty, but still the sights couldn’t calm the nerves rattling through her. She thought back to dinner last night when Travis had sat next to her. How his hand had slipped to her knee and she felt a squeeze under the layer of fabric of her dress. And the salacious smiles he kept throwing her way. A shudder slipped over her.

  She was supposed to be his wife, in a few weeks but she didn’t know how she could through with it. She would have to figure out some way to endure such a marriage because her family’s future depended on it. But the thought of being chained to that man for the rest of her life sent shivers through her.

  Heavy stumps of steps made her stiffen. Fear gripped her as the steps came closer.

  Dear Lord what if it was him? They would be alone. Everyone else was asleep. Travis could have somehow slipped in the house early this morning and now she would be vulnerable to whatever he wanted.