A Family For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 5)

by Cheryl Wright

  A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS

  SPINSTER MAIL-ORDER BRIDES

  (BOOK 5)

  By

  Cheryl Wright

  Contents:

  Copyright

  Thanks

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Epilogue

  From the Author

  A Family for Christmas

  (Spinster Mail Order Romance – Book Five)

  Copyright ©2019 by Cheryl Wright

  Cover Artist: Black Widow Books

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book

  Thanks

  Thanks to my very dear friends (and authors), Margaret Tanner and Susan Horsnell for their enduring encouragement.

  Thanks also to Alan, my husband of over 44 years, who has been a relentless supporter of my writing for many years.

  And last, but by no means least, I must thank all my wonderful readers who encourage me to continue writing these stories. It is such a joy to me, knowing so many of you enjoy reading my stories. I love writing them as much as you love reading them.

  About the Author

  Multi-published, best selling and award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.

  She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as contemporary romance and romantic suspense.

  She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren.

  When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.

  Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.

  Other Links:

  http://cheryl-wright.com

  https://www.facebook.com/cherylwrightauthor

  Join my newsletter here!

  Chapter One

  Magdalena Roth helped her sister to pack.

  Elizabeth and William would only be gone for a matter of days, which meant she got to spend some quality time with her little niece.

  “I, I sent away to be a mail order bride,” Magdalena blurted out.

  Elizabeth spun around to face her. “You’ve what? Oh, Magdalena, what have you done?”

  She bit her bottom lip. “Things are looking pretty grim for me in the marriage stakes. No one wants a spinster for a wife.”

  It was true, and she knew it. If she didn’t do something now, it would never happen, and she’d be stuck living with her sister and her husband for the rest of her life.

  “What am I going to do without you to look after Annie?”

  She turned away to ensure her sister didn’t see the disappointment on her face. Didn’t she even care that Magdalena was to marry a complete stranger? “I leave the day after you get back. Mr Carruthers has agreed that I should visit regularly. I shall miss you all terribly otherwise.”

  Elizabeth nodded.

  Was it true? Did Elizabeth really only care about her babysitting capabilities and nothing else? She’d always felt close to her sister – they were only a year apart in age, but now she wondered how close her sister felt to her. Or was she just a convenience since she’d lost her job?

  “I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said, nudging toward her sister. “I didn’t mean it like that. Of course I’m happy for you.” She reached out and the sisters hugged.

  “I know,” Magdalena said quietly. “And I’m sorry to leave you in a predicament.” She stared into her sister’s face.

  What was she thinking?

  “We’ll work it out. Don’t you worry about it.”

  “Promise?”

  Elizabeth hugged her again. “Promise. I hope you’ll be very happy.”

  Annie squawked – she wanted out of her crib. At eight months old, she was still very dependent on others, but was already developing a personality of her own.

  “I’ll get her – you finish packing,” Magdalena said.

  Elizabeth nodded.

  When she and William had married, Elizabeth was already in the family way, and there was no chance to have a honeymoon. Now the baby was old enough to be away from her mother, Magdalena had offered to take care of her while they were away on their trip.

  She’d happily agreed at the time, but now had reservations. Annie had recently been weaned off her mother’s milk and was now eating solids, but only certain foods. It was rather fiddly, but Magdalena would go that extra mile for her little niece.

  Elizabeth had worked hard to earn her nurse’s certificate. It wouldn’t be fair to not use it, she’d told her younger sister, and in some ways Magdalena agreed, but she wanted to pursue a life of her own.

  In the end they’d decided that Elizabeth would work the late shift at the hospital, and Magdalena would take up a teaching job.

  It worked out for both of them. Elizabeth got to continue with a job she loved without having to pay for a nanny. In return, Magdalena got to spend far more time with her niece than she would otherwise.

  All that changed a week ago when the school board told her they were handing her teaching position to a man, for no other reason than he was male and she was not. It broke her heart.

  She missed the children incredibly, even after just one week. They had been her life, her reason for getting up each day. Until something else turned up, she looked after Annie in return for board and lodgings.

  When they returned from their trip, Elizabeth would return to working the day shift. What they would do now, without Magdalena there, she didn’t know. Surely they’d sort something out. She tried not to think too far ahead. More than anything, it was going to be heartbreaking leaving her niece. She hoped Mr Carruthers was a decent man.

  Jacob Carruthers paced the floor of his office.

  With less than a week to go before his bride arrived, he was having second thoughts. He had given in to pressure that he should be married by now. Of course the unspoken caveat was he should have little heirs running around.

  As Banker of Great Falls, he had an image to uphold, and this particular image had been foisted on him by his older sister, the mother of five children.

  He ran his fingers through his thinning hair. At least that’s what he thought. His sister Jennifer told him it was all in his imagination.

  It was alright for her – she lived out of town on a huge ranch with her husband Charles. There was plenty of room for his nieces and nephews to run around.

  Although his house was big, far larger than was necessary for a single man of thirty-four, he wasn’t sure it was suitable for five children. Heaven forbid he ever had that many brats running around.

  He wasn’t even certain he wanted a wife, let alone a child.

  He was staring out the window, looking across the ranges when his secretary entered the office.

  “Coffee,” she said, placing the mug on his desk.

  He turned to face her. “I think I’ve messed up, Abigail,” he said quietly.

  Her eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?” She’d been his secretary for over a decade, and had doubled as his confidante on the rare occasion.

  He went around to t
he other side of his desk and sank down into the chair. “I finally gave into my sister’s pressure and applied for a mail order bride.” He lifted the mug and took a sip, reaching for the cookies she’d also placed on his desk.

  “I can now see that was a mistake.”

  Abigail smiled. “That’s an easy fix. Write back and cancel.”

  He took a huge gulp of the coffee. “If it was only that easy. She’s due here at the end of the week. It’s far too late to back out.”

  “Oh.”

  Oh indeed. Miss Magdalena Roth would arrive on Friday, and there was no turning back.

  Magdalena leaned over the crib and stared at the sleeping baby.

  She’d hoped to have a baby of her own one day. Still single at twenty-eight, she now doubted that would ever happen.

  She loved to babysit for her sister Elizabeth. She adored little Annie, and would do anything for her.

  William Harcourt was not her choice of husband for her sister, he’d been a scoundrel for as long as she could remember. And he’d got her pregnant before their marriage.

  Despite all that, Elizabeth was head over heels in love with him, more’s the pity.

  The best thing to come out of that marriage was Annie.

  They would be back tomorrow, and knowing this was their last night together for some time, Magdalena wanted to pick up the precious angel and hug her tight. But the baby was sleeping peacefully, and there was no way her aunt would disturb her.

  At least she’d had Annie to herself for a whole seven days. She envied her sister the chance of a lifetime – a riverboat cruise. How exciting that must be!

  Magdalena left the room quietly, heading for the kitchen. A hot cocoa would warm her up, and help her sleep. In two days she’d leave for Great Falls, Montana, and was experiencing last minute nerves.

  She never dreamed she would accept an offer as a mail order bride, but at her age, there was little choice, so that’s exactly what she’d done.

  It was only a few days travel on the train, so it wasn’t like she’d never see her sister or niece again.

  She sipped the cocoa as she sat in front of a roaring fire reading a few more pages of her book. She awoke from a deep sleep to urgent pounding on the front door.

  The noise startled the baby.

  Magdalena stumbled from the chair still in a half asleep stupor, torn between answering the door and picking up the crying baby.

  In the end she ran to the crib and picked Annie up, comforting her as she ran to the door. It was pitch black outside – who could be calling at this ungodly hour?

  “Who is it?” she yelled through the door.

  “Police, Miss Roth.”

  She ran to the sitting room and peeked through the curtains. Two uniformed police stood on the door step. Dread filled her.

  One of the officers stepped forward when she opened the door. “Miss Roth? Miss Magdalena Roth?”

  She pulled Annie a little closer, her heart beating so quickly, to the point she felt faint.

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  “Might we come in, Miss Roth?” They didn’t wait for an answer, instead pushed their way in, indicating for her to sit. Magdalena was feeling weak, and was grateful for the support.

  “There’s been an accident, Miss Roth.” The first officer pulled his hat off his head, and the second one followed suit.

  She gasped. “An accident? My sister, Elizabeth, she’s alright isn’t she?”

  It was hard to breathe, and she had to force herself to take deep breaths.

  “I’m afraid not, Miss Roth. The riverboat sank, killing all the passengers and crew. Both Mr and Mrs Harcourt were among them.”

  Dead? Elizabeth?

  Magdalena fought back a sob. “What about Annie?”

  The two police looked at each other. “Annie?”

  “The baby,” she said, cradling her dear niece. She’d never cared much for William, and shuddered at her sister’s choice of husband, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t sorry for him. “I’m supposed to leave town in two days. I’m getting married in Great Falls,” she said quietly.

  She had no intention of telling them she was to be a mail order bride. Besides, her brain was full of fog right now. No doubt it was the shock of the situation.

  “Are there any other relatives?”

  She looked down into the innocent face of her niece and stifled a sob. “I’m the only one. But I can’t…” She hugged Annie tight. “How can I…” she swallowed hard.

  She stood for a moment in her confusion, then sat again. “I have no choice, do I? I’ll have to take Annie with me.”

  The officers stood looking down at her. “I’m terribly sorry, Miss Roth,” the most senior one said.

  A thought suddenly popped into her head. “What about the funeral?” Did that mean she had to delay her wedding? She couldn’t think right now.

  “No bodies were recovered, so there won’t be a funeral. You’re free to leave whenever you’re ready.”

  This was more than Magdalena could comprehend right now. She knew the moment the baby had fallen asleep again as she sagged against her shoulder.

  “I’ll just put her down,” she said softly. As she lay Annie down in her crib, she mourned for the parents her niece would never know.

  What was she to do? Jacob Carruthers had not agreed to marrying a spinster with a babe in arms. Far from it.

  She risked arriving in Great Falls, only to be turned away again. But she had no choice. Now that William and Elizabeth were gone, she was homeless. The house came with William’s job, and the change of circumstances meant she’d be expected to leave within the week.

  Moving as gently as she could, she pulled the covers up around Annie’s shoulders. The closer it got to Christmas, the colder the weather. She stood staring at the child for long moments, and then remember the constabulary waiting in the sitting room.

  No doubt they were enjoying the warmth of the fire.

  They were standing close to the fire when she returned. “They were to return this afternoon,” she said, fighting the emotion in her voice. “And I was to leave tomorrow. Is there anything I have to do before I leave?”

  “You’re free to leave with the baby whenever you are ready. Goodnight Miss Roth, and Godspeed to you both.”

  Magdalena closed the door behind them, then sank down into the sofa close to the fire. She felt chilled all over despite the heat it produced. She shook her head trying to shake the impending doom away.

  The tears that had threatened to fall when she heard the news now fell in cascades. Putting her head to her hands, Magdalena thought about her sister fighting, drowning in the murky waters of the Bighorn River. Elizabeth had never been a strong swimmer, but perhaps she may not have survived even if she was.

  Her heart lurched.

  She quietly checked on Annie who was sleeping soundly, then made her way to her bedroom. She’d commenced packing over the past days, the trunk already half-full of clothes. Now she had much more to do, including organizing for the baby’s belongings to fit in the same trunk.

  She opened her carpetbag and threw in some essentials they might need on the long rail trip, and mentally organized the costs along the way.

  She opened her pocketbook. It was awfully empty, and she wasn’t sure it would be enough. Then she remembered her sister had a cookie jar in the kitchen where she kept money for an emergency.

  Magdalena stood at the kitchen door, staring at the jar. Her heart pounding she took the few steps toward it and lifted the lid.

  It felt as though she was stealing, and she promptly closed the lid again. Tears leaked from her eyes.

  She would never see her sister or William again, and neither would Annie. She opened the lid to the cookie jar once again, and was surprised at the amount of paper money in there.

  She couldn’t take it. It belonged to her sister. A voice in her head told her Elizabeth was never coming back, and if she didn’t take it, the money would go to strangers.


  The Lord alone knew she needed that money to ensure she and Annie survived the long trip unscathed.

  She reached in and pulled the bundle of notes out. She’d never seen so much money in all her life before and wondered why Elizabeth had stashed it there. Hands shaking, she replaced the lid and walked back toward her room.

  She passed the master bedroom on her way. It was then she realized everything in the house needed to go. She couldn’t just walk away and leave all her sister’s belongings where they were.

  She sat on the edge of the large bed and wept for all she had lost, and vowed this would be the last time she shed any tears. Her beautiful niece needed her, and she had to be strong.

  As if on queue, Annie began to cry. Poor little mite would be wanting a bottle.

  Magdalena picked the baby up, giving her an extra hug, then changed her diaper.

  Their new lives would start in a little over twenty-four hours. She wondered how they would fare.

  Chapter Two

  “You can take all those boxes,” Magdalena said sadly.

  The Brotherhood for the Destitute had come to collect William and Elizabeth’s clothes and shoes. Her sister had many beautiful gowns, but Magdalena knew she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to wear them. She did keep Elizabeth’s wedding gown though, and would be proud to wear it at her own wedding. If she ended up getting married, that was.

  The furniture had come with the house, as well as all the kitchen supplies.

  She’d packed up the few toys Annie had, as well as clothing that still fitted her niece. The rest had been boxed and donated as well.

  When they left in the morning, the house had to be left as they’d found it – devoid of any personal items.

  William’s employer had visited, and pushed a small wad of notes into her hand. “Money owing for wages,” he’d said, and then told her how sorry he was. The money wasn’t much, but every little bit helped.