by Faye Sonja
Denial of the Resistant Bride
Three Brides of Haines Press
Contents
Copyright
Find Out More
About The Author
Dedication
1
Chapter 1
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2
Chapter 2
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3
Chapter 3
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4
Chapter 4
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5
Chapter 5
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6
Chapter 6
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7
Chapter 7
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8
Chapter 8
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9
Chapter 9
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10
Chapter 10
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11
Chapter 11
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Epilogue
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Find Out More
Teaser Chapter
Also By Faye Sonja
Publishers Notes
Copyright © 2016 by Faye Sonja
All Rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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About The Author
Faye Sonja is a multi-voiced writer who aspires to use different voices in telling her stories, seeing characters coming alive through the multi-faceted writing styles give her great satisfaction.
As a young girl, Faye Sonja has been fascinated with stories of the Old West, especially the theme of Mail Order Bride where a woman will find the courage to leave her homeland, take the plunge to seek out the love of her life out there in the unknown land.
Such an act requires bravery, such an act requires faith. It takes a woman with strong Christian faith to step out on such a pursuit for her love.
It is Faye's desire that readers will once again have the courage to believe in love again from reading her books, to be inspired through the characters in her story who through perseverance, in the face of obstacles, overcame the hurdles using that simple faith and belief of theirs.
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Here's what real readers are saying about Faye Sonya books :
Brides of El Paso Book3
The Doctor's Flawed Bride with a Lisp
Writer's a litter different from the other authors I have been reading. She has a very good story and keeps your interest up. ~ Peggy Primavera
Mail Order Brides of Western Romance Book3
The Deaf Bride and The Sensible Teacher
It touch me so much because it's about deaf just like myself. I'm deaf also it showed that we can do anything for being deaf. Thank Faye Sonja for great writing a stories of handicapped and etc. ~ Doxiesmom3
Bride of Perry Lake Book1
The Big Feisty Bride tamed by Her Scarred Banker
I actually really enjoyed this book and I'm very interested in the fact that it's the first in a series. The author did a great job of making the characters relatable. The story itself shone, especially because it was romantic and sweet, and also a clean romance. The other thing I liked was that it wasn't predictable, which made the story an enjoyable read. ~ Cassandra
The Archer Sisters of Goldrush Book1
ADELINE - The Strong-willed Bride for Her Lonely Farmer
This was an entertaining short story for a sunny afternoon. Adeline is a little more strong willed than what makes a really likable character for me, but James is a keeper. All in all Addie and James' story encourages me to move on to Amelia's story (2) and then Averil's (3), too when it's completed at the end of this month. ~ J. Smith
Three Brides for Three War Comrades Book2
Ashamed, Beaten & Saved by Her Burned Hero
This the second story of the series was as good as the first, now I am looking forward to reading the last story of the series. ~ Jilm
Comment & Review on Social Media- Facebook
I love your books they are so easy to read and they are great I have right many of your books in my library, I particularly like you boxed sets with the stories leading into the next,keep them coming my friend as I have a lot of time and i intend to spend it reading now that I've retired and can read until I get sleepy and need to go to sleep! Thank you very much!. ~ Margie Cox
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Dedication
Jerry:
Hello. I'm looking for my wife.
.....but our little company had a good night tonight. A really big night. But it wasn't complete, it wasn't nearly close to being in the same vicinity as complete, because I couldn't share it with you. I couldn't hear your voice, or laugh about it with you. I missed my wife. We live in a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors, I love you. You complete me. And I just...I…..
Dorothy:
Shut up. Just shut up. You had me at hello.
“Jerry Maguire” (1996)
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To those who have found the love of their lives:
May you never stay out of love, taking every effort to rekindle the magic moment when both of you first held hands.
To those who are waiting for the love of their lives:
May you never lose that belief in love, that magical moment when all that really matters is to fall in love.
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1
Chapter ONE
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“ Joe wasn’t waiting for a good woman. He
wasn’t waiting for anyone, but Clara Cain. ”
Haines, Kansas October 1923
Clara Cain’s black-heeled boots made a clapping sound across the hardwood floor as she made her way to the back of the general goods store. The sound echoed across the rather quiet store. Her stride was slow. She gripped a book with both hands, holding it over the lower portion of her face; hiding her smile.
Across from her stood Lily Dawson; Joe’s pretty little sister. The dirty blonde haired twenty-year-old looked up with wide eyes and an open mouth; her wooden broom paused in motion. Clara shook her head and instantly, the other woman’s mouth closed. Clara inclined her head, before walking further into the room. Lily smiled before resuming her task of cleaning before the morning rush.
Clara took a few steps further into the room and then turned right, down an aisle; spotting her target.
Joe Dawson was crouched down on the floor stacking licorice on the bottom shelf of the last aisle, making it readily available to the children that frequented the store. His back was turned, which made Clara’s dark ocean-colored eyes glitter. Perfect, she thought. Her footsteps slowed and then came to a stop once she’d reached him; the toes of her leather boots inches from the upturned soles of Joe’s loafers.
“Pow.”
Joe spu
n around. His green eyes were wide, his mouth parted. His blond hair, which he normally wore slicked back and parted to one side, became amess with the speed of his move; a lock of golden hair hanging by his eye. “It’s here?”
Clara’s smile grew in the hiding spot behind the forest green fabric binding of the book. She closed her eyes, dropped the smile, and then slowly slid the book away from her face. “Are you ready for an adventure, Joe Dawson?” she asked.
Joe’s face went from shock to a 98° sunny Kansas day in 0.2 seconds. It was like watching a flower bloom. His tan skin was in stark contrast to his white teeth; his lips tilted up more on the right side of his mouth; the perfect centerpiece for his strong jaw. His green eyes were a color unlike anything Clara had ever seen outside of a pure emerald gem. Clara’s heart flipped.
Joe stood and held his hand out.
Clara held out the book and then let the rough material slide across her fingers as it left her hands. Joe ran his own hand over the cover, as if the book held a genie that was ready to grant his every wish. “Jack Adams #13 by C.C. Reed.” His eyes came up and looked at Clara. He narrowed his eyes. “The book stores only carry the paper covers. How do you always manage to get a cotton cover when everyone else gets paper?”
Clara rolled her eyes. Because I’m C.C. Reed. “Because C.C. Reed writes for Haines Press, so I simply ask Eve for it.”
Joe shook his head, still running his large hand over the book’s binding. “I guess it’s a simple request to make when you’re the babysitter of the woman who publishes the book.”
Clara shrugged. Eve Haines, now Eve Manning, one of Clara’s best friends, was the owner of Haines Press. Together, she and her husband published Clara’s books, all the while keeping the secret of her true identity to themselves. Clara wasn’t really a nanny. Sure, she watched Eve’s children when they came home from school, but short of stopping the boys from killing themselves, that was about it. What Clara really did for money was her writings of the Jack Adams series, but only a handful of people knew that.
The world was not ready to know that C.C. Reed was in fact a woman. She wrote about hard crimes and dark mysteries, which were not considered to be of a woman’s genre. Women were only to write about love and happily ever after’s, but not Clara. Clara’s Jack Adams series dealt in the real world; a world lacking love. “I wanted a fabric cover, so I requested one. Ask and you shall receive.”
Joe nodded, then tossed his head to the right, gesturing for Clara to follow him. They went to the front of the store and took the two stools that were pushed to a corner behind the counter. The chairs had been placed there for this exact purpose; to be pulled out for the reading of the Jack Adams’ novel.
Joe positioned Clara’s chair by the counter and then went back for his own. He took a seat next to her and then slowly cracked open the book. He turned to Lily, who was still standing in the middle of the room with the broom her in hand. “Would you make some coffee?” The young girl nodded and then scurried away. Joe looked over at Clara. “Ready?”
Clara placed an elbow on top of the glass counter, and leaned her cheek into it. She gave Joe a nod and then listened to him as he read the first lines of the book; a book that had taken her six months to write.
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Joe didn’t stop reading when the first customers came in. He only glanced up, made sure they were people he knew, and then went back to the book. Haines, Kansas was like a big family for the most part. They knew not to disturb Joe’s reading of a Jack Adams’ book unless they truly needed something. Sometimes, Joe would get so deep into the tale that people would start to hang around just to hear him read. He wouldn’t stop unless a customer approached the counter for service. At the moment, it was the young Amy Howard. “Hey, Joe.”
Joe smiled. “Hey, Amy.” He put the book on the counter, face down, and then pushed back his chair and reached under the counter. He pulled up a small box and put it on the counter.
Amy played with the end of the light brown braid that hung over the side of her shoulder. Her dark brown eyes fluttered. “Is that my order?”
“Sure is.” The order was already paid for, so he simply had Amy sign a receipt before handing it over to her. “It’s getting cold out there.”
Amy’s brown eyes went wide. “Uh, yeah.” She smiled, taking the box from his hands; her fingers brushing his. Her pale cheeks turned red. “Sorry.”
Joe smiled. “No harm done.”
Amy’s eyes flickered over to Clara. “Clara.”
Clara hadn’t moved. Her elbow still sat on the counter; a fist in her cheek. Her eyes were a strange mix of deep blues and greens. Depending on the light and her mood, they’d pick one color more than the over. Her short hair, a natural jet black, was done in finger waves that looked like a shiny dark river with ripples glistening in the moonlight. She looked over at Amy. “Hello.” Her voice was musical and deep.
Amy huffed out a breath as she smiled. “It’s almost like you’re always here, Clara.”
Clara’s smile crept slowly onto her face. “Must make it difficult for you to flirt with Joe, huh?”
Amy’s eyes widened. She looked at Joe and then back at Clara. “I’m not flirting!”
Joe shook his head. “Clara,” he warned.
Clara sighed and turned her eyes away from them both; looking out at the store and giving Joe and Amy the perfect view of her profile. An upturned nose, long black lashes, small chin, and unblemished skin, the color of warm milk.
Joe looked around and saw a few customers floating around the store. There was talking a second ago, but now everyone was silent; even motionless. The seconds went by as the customers stared at the random items on the shelves, but probably not seeing a thing; just waiting for whatever would happen next.
Amy cleared her throat. “Joe, I was wondering if you’d come and help put up some stage props at the theatre for the rehearsal of the winter musical this year,” she spoke quickly. “Jimmy was going to do it for us, but he’s caught something and is sick at the moment. Could you step in?” Her voice had started out shaky, but had grown stronger toward the end.
Joe sighed, letting out the breath he’d been holding. The women had decided to drop the other subject. The winter musical was a Haines, Kansas tradition. The city was known for its artistic talents. This year’s play would be Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw. He smiled. “Sure.”
Amy’s eyes flew open before she readjusted herself, lifting the small box off the counter. “Great! See you later then!” She rushed out of the store, never looking back.
Once Amy left, everyone else brought their things to the counter; they all seemed to be pretending that nothing had happened. A few people noticed the open book on the counter and started up friendly conversation with one another about the Jack Adams series. The town would be abuzz about it for the next few weeks, as it always was once a new book hit the shelves. The first day of the new Jack Adams’ book release was like an unofficial town holiday in Haines.
It was the twenty-seven-year-old Tom Neilly, a local sheriff’s deputy, who said. “I love the books, but the ending always seems… sad.”
Joe laughed and turned to Clara. “See! I told you!”
Clara sat up. “The end isn’t sad, it’s authentic. Just because the bad guy gets arrested, doesn’t stop the pain.”
Joe shook his head. “No, Jack always manages to put the bad guy in jail.”
“Yeah sure, if he lives,” Grace Neilly, Tom’s twenty-three-year-old sister added as she came to the counter; her own Jack Adams book in hand. Tom and Grace looked a lot alike. They both had strawberry blond hair and pale blue eyes.
Joe nodded. “I agree, but the family that the tragedy happened to never seems to recover from whatever bad incident took place.”
Tom leaned on the counter. “Yeah, like in the first book when poor Peter’s father died.” Tom ran a hand through his hair. “Though the killer is arrested, the book ends with the seven-year-old boy being left all alone
.”
Grace shook her short bobbed, strawberry blond covered head. “It was so sad.” She placed a hand over her heart.
Clara rolled her eyes. “What did you want Jack to do? Buy the boy a puppy? His dad was dead. His mother died before the book’s story began. There was nothing he could have done.”
Grace jumped on that; like she always did. “Jack could have adopted him.”
Clara scoffed. “Jack doesn’t have time for kids! Look at his life? He roams the west, gunning bad men down. That’s much too dark for children.”
Joe sighed. “I agree.”
Clara looked over at him. “You do?”
Joe nodded. “Yeah. What ol’ Jackie really needs is a good woman.”
“Hear! Hear!” Tom thumped the counter, but not hard.
Clara looked between the two men. “A good woman? Neither of you are married. What could you possibly know about a good woman?” She placed her hands on her narrow black silk covered hips.
Tom looked over. “Maybe I’m just waiting for the right one.”
Joe ran a hand through his short blond hair and looked over to meet Clara’s gaze. She lifted a brow. “And you, Joe? Are you waiting on a good woman?”
Joe smiled. “Isn’t every man?”
Clara looked away. “Some men don’t deserve a good woman. Jack’s had a rough life. Love wouldn’t fit into it.”
Joe narrowed his eyes. “No one deserves love, Clara. That’s what makes it so special. It’s a gift.”