Hannah: A Bride For Cowboy Warren (Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers Book 1) (5 page)

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Read the entire “
Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers
” Four-Book Series for one low price!

In this endearing Christian Western Romance series, four courageous and God-fearing women overcome their desperate circumstances and risk everything to find true love with the three rugged Doyle brothers, who call the Ruby River Ranch in Montana Territory their home.

Hannah: A Bride For Cowboy Warren

It's May 1880, and Hannah has risked every penny she has to be the mail-order bride of a man she's never met. . .

Lolly: A Bride For Cowboy Benjamin

It's February 1881 and the letter Lolly Wallace has been expecting from Benjamin Doyle never arrives. . .

Amy: A Bride For Cowboy Lewis

After Benjamin and Lolly’s wedding, young Amy Schaffer finds herself without a prospective husband and without a sure future. . .

Rosie: A Bride For Cowboy Percy

With her best friend about to marry Lewis Doyle, Rosie Wallace is busy making Amy's wedding dress. And with every stitch she wonders if there is a man out there for her. . .

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Excerpt from A Dakota Mail Order Brides Romance - Book 1

Chapter 1

Yankton, South Dakota | June 1862

Russell Hanson walked down the dusty street of Yankton, South Dakota and scuffed his boots against the dry ground. He'd been in town for almost a fortnight and he needed to make a decision. The options were simple: wait at year to turn twenty-one, or get married. The thought of marriage sunk into his gut like a lead weight.

He was only twenty years old, and all he wanted was to claim his land, set up a homestead, and work the land. That had been the plan until he found out that for him, he needed to either be twenty-one years old, or the head of a household to take advantage of the Homestead Act. He groaned at the predicament he’d gotten himself into.

He forced out a loud breath and stepped up on the wooden boardwalk. His boots thumped against the planks as he made his way to the general store in search of his friend Gus.

The door creaked and the scent of grains and spices met him. "Gus?" he called out.

"Back here," his friend answered.

"You ready to head to the claim office?" Russell scratched his stubbled chin and stifled a yawn. Sleeping in a small camp on the outskirts of town was fine for a while, but he was ready to settle down. Now he wasn't sure what that would look like, given that his plan had been put on hold.

"Yeah, just about." Gus ambled out from the store room with a cane at his right side. He seemed to be more stiff than usual.

“Is the leg hurting you worse today?”

Gus grunted his agreement and left it at that. Russell knew better than to push the issue and kept his mouth closed.

The two men made their way out into the warm sunshine and Russell squinted against the brightness. He’d gotten used to the layout of Yankton and already felt more at home here than he had in the last five towns he’d lived in. Though ‘lived in’ was a generous term for what he’d done. Being a cowboy for hire, he’d traveled far to find work. It wasn’t satisfying anymore, though. He wanted to own a piece land. His own home. A place he could put down roots.

They made their way down Main Street to the Claims Office. Russell slowed to match his friend’s slow, stiff pace. As they stepped into the dark, stuffy interior, Russell felt the sting of disappointment again. It was so frustrating to be helpless against making something happen, especially something that had promised to change his life for the better.

"Morning gentleman," the claims agent said. His slithery smile grated on Russell's nerves. "What can I do you for?"

Gus stepped forward and cleared his throat. "I'd like to stake a claim under the Homestead Act.”

"Then you've come to right place," he said. "And what about you young man? Haven’t I seen you in here before?"

"Yes, sir," Russell stepped forward. "I'm not of age yet, unfortunately."

“Ah, yes. Now I remember. Almost a year short of twenty-one.” The agent rubbed his hands together. “Well, there might be something we could do about that."

Russel felt a flicker of hope at the man’s words. "Really?"

“’Course," he grinned." There isn't much a little
incentive
can't fix.”

A sickening feeling settled in the pit of Russell's stomach. It would be so easy to hand over some cash and achieve his goal, but his conscience pricked at the thought. It wasn’t honest.

"Sorry sir, but I can't do that."

"Is that so?” The agent looked surprised but shrugged his shoulders turning to Gus. "I assume you’re of age then."

"Yes," Gus said.

Russell stepped back and shoved his hands into his dusty trousers as Gus signed the papers and received his land deed. Before long they were back out in the warm breeze, and the hustle and bustle of the town surrounded them.

"So that's that," Russell said.

"Yup," Gus said, surveying the street in front of them. “What are you going to do?"

"About?"

"Your land," he said it as if it were a matter of fact.

"What
can
I do? I don't feel right about paying my way through a bribe, but..."

“Get married."

Russell blinked at Gus's bluntness. "You think I should?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

"I don't know." Russell lifted his hat and ran a hand through his hair, mussing it even more. "Hadn't rightly thought about settling down for a few years."

"But that's just what you'll be doing if you get land. You'll be setting up your homestead and I'm sure it'd be nice to have someone to run the land with you."

Russell stared at Gus like he'd sprouted alfalfa out of his ears. "Are
you
going to get married then?"

"Nah," Gus said looking down at the top of his boots. "I likely won't ever get married, I’m not the type, but you're the kind of guy who could."

Russell let Gus's words sink in. Could he really get married? Would he even be a good husband? If he were honest, he didn't know the first thing about marriage. He'd grown up in an orphanage without a mother or father and the only example of parents he'd had were the pastor and his wife who had come into the orphanage once a week.

"I don't know..."

"What are you waiting for? Put out an advertisement, get a wife, and get a piece of land next to me." Gus broke into a rare smile and punched Russell on the arm.

Russell felt the weight of truth settle into his stomach and he knew what to do.

"I suppose you're right." He looked down the street toward the post office and let out a sigh of frustration.

“Until then, you can stay with me.” Gus said, shoving him in the direction. "Go on.”

Russell nodded once and set off down the street. The dread he felt sank into the pit of his stomach. He was really doing this, he was going to put out an advertisement for a wife and, with any luck, he'd be married within the next few months.

But marriage wasn't the end goal. He wanted his one hundred and sixty acres next to Gus to settle down on. He wanted his own place. A real home. And if that meant getting a wife, then so be it.

New York | July 1862

Winnie Cummins ripped open the letter. Her fingers trembled at what she would find inside.

"What are you doing?"

Winnie sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm reading a letter Essie."

"Oh! Is it from Russell?"

"Yes," Winnie dragged out the word. She knew any minute her sister would demand to hear what the letter said.

"How exciting!" She giggled then called out, "Bettie, Callie, there's been another letter! Come quick!"

Winnie did the best to keep her reaction to herself but she couldn't help the frustrated sigh that escaped her lips.

"I'm excited to hear what he's said," Essie said. She beamed as she looked up at Winnie.

Winnie had thought the same thing until her sister had invited the whole family to read it with her. Was there no privacy? She had first responded to Russell's interest in a young lady to correspond with him and perhaps be considered for a mail order bride. She knew she was ready to be out on her own, to live her own life. She loved her sisters, but sometimes living with them was overwhelming.

"What is it? Another letter? He sure writes a lot," Bettie said with a gentle smile on her lips.

Winnie was about to defend Russell’s frequent letters, but she was cut off by her sister Callie's sarcasm, "Of course he does, he's like a love sick puppy with eyes for our little Winnie."

Winnie hated when her older sister treated her like a child. She opened her mouth to protest but then closed it again. It wasn't worth the argument she knew would ensue. The presence of the railroad in Yankton had allowed them more frequent correspondence. If they had to rely on the Pony Express, this letter would likely have been his first response.

"Well, go on," Essie said with an expectant look on her face.

"I would if you would all be quiet." Callie gave Winnie a disapproving look but she ignored it. She cleared her throat and read the first line of the letter, “To my dear Winnie.”

“That’s a good beginning,” Bettie said with a twinkle in her eye.

Winnie sighed, “I’ll never get through this letter if you all aren’t quiet.”

“Sorry.” Bettie bit her lip with a sheepish look on her face.

“My dear Winnie,” she began again, “

My dear Winnie:

I received your last letter, and I would like to answer your questions to the best of my ability. I found it harder than I expected to put into words why I love living here. I love the freedom to be and do whatever I want with my life. I have made good, honest friends here and we help each other to survive here on the edge of the new Dakota territories.

Now I find that you are in my thoughts daily, and I am honored and glad that you have expressed an interest in writing me. It is my sincere hope that I am in your thoughts as well, and that my letter finds you well.

I know that we’ve only been writing for six weeks, but I’ve enjoyed your letters and feel as if I’ve known you for six years. This may be forward of me, but I must ask a question for your consideration. Will you marry me?

“What!” Callie exclaimed. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and her checks held a rosy glow. “That’s preposterous! You’ve known the lad for little more than a
month
.”

“I aim to accept his proposal.” The words were out of her mouth before Winnie had a chance to think or consider their ramifications.

“You’ll do no such thing,” Callie said. She balled her hands into fists and rested them on her hips in defiance of Winnie’s words.

“But why not?” Essie asked. “He seems really nice.”

“We don’t know anything about him,” Bettie said. She tried to smooth things over as she always did. “It wouldn’t be wise.”

Winnie rolled her eyes. “That is simply not true. I know lots of things about Mr. Russell Hanson.”

“But not enough to satisfy me,” Callie said. “It’s final, Winnie, you’re not going to accept such a proposal.”

“You mean not yet, right Callie?” Bettie asked.

Winnie threw up her hands and the letter fluttered in her grasp. “You aren’t my mother and you can’t tell me what to do.”

She stormed out of the room and ran upstairs to the bedroom she shared with Essie. She threw herself on the bed and the tears came instantly. She cried when she was angry, and her tears ran hot down her cheeks. She didn’t bother to brush them away. A few minutes later she heard a knock at the door.

“Go away.

“Winnie, dear,” Bettie said through the door.

She should have known it would be Bettie. “Leave me alone.”

She heard the click of the door latch followed by the creak of the floorboards. Winnie knew she’d feel Bettie’s slight weight on the bed next to her any moment. The gentle hand on her back wasn’t a surprise either. Bettie was the gentlest woman Winnie knew.

“It’s all right dear. Callie just gets…protective.”