MAIL ORDER BRIDE: Brides of Sawyerville - Box Set, Volume 1: Journeys to Sawyerville - Clean and Wholesome Western Romance (Sawyerville Brides Series) by Samms Debra

Author:Samms, Debra [Samms, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-03-05T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

Two days later, just as Molly and William were finishing breakfast in their new home, there was a knock at their door. William pulled it open, and just past him Molly could see several people standing on the front porch of the house. There was Mr. Mitchell, the camp boss, along with Peter and Ezekiel. Molly knew them as the two who had driven her and William's wagon out here from Fort Lapwai and had stayed on to work as loggers in the camp.

There was even a man standing there who appeared to be a minister. Molly had heard that there was a traveling minister who came through from time to time, though she wondered what sort of reception he would get down in Sawyerville.

"Good morning," said Mr. Mitchell. "We'd like to call on the new sheriff and his wife."

"Of course," Molly said, rising and going to the door. "Please. Come in. I'll make some more coffee."

"No need," said Mr. Mitchell, holding up one hand. "There are four of us. We'll sit on the porch. This is actually a business call, not a social call."

"I see," said William, as he walked out to join them. "In that case, please – have a seat right out here."

They all sat down on the rough benches on the porch, and introductions were made all the way around. But before there was a chance for any more small talk, the minister spoke up. "We are here," said Reverend Graves, "to ask about arranging to have more women move out here to Sawyerville."

"Marriageable women," added Mr. Frost, the owner of the mercantile.

"For – the loggers?" gasped Molly, before she could stop herself. "You want to advertise for brides for them?"

All of the men turned to look at her. "Yes, Mrs. Strong," said Reverend Graves. "You have seen how violent and chaotic the camp can be. We believe that the best way to bring order and civility to any settlement is to bring in wives."

"We're allowed to speak for the loggers," said Peter Martin.

"And they agree that they'll consider writing to women back east in order to marry," said Ezekiel Hanover.

William and Molly looked at each other, and Molly realized that these men were serious – though William spoke before she could. "When I was an officer on a U.S. Army outpost," he said, "I thought that was a rough place, with almost two hundred bachelor men. But even they were nowhere near as wild and lawless as this. Those men were soldiers and bound to follow some discipline, and they did. A few of them did have wives and most of the others did want to marry. But these men – these loggers – "

"Yes," said Reverend Graves. "These are the wildest and most uncouth of mountain men. They favor consumption of alcohol to while away their free time."

Mr. Mitchell nodded in agreement. "There is constant drunkenness, swearing, fights, brawls, and wreckage. It's bad for business. Something has to be done."

"No woman would set foot in that camp," said Molly.

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