Marriage by Proxy: A Western Historical Mail Order Bride Romance (Petticoats and Pistols Series Book 4) by Emma Harper

Author:Emma Harper [Harper, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-04-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

The next morning, Randall and Andy packed up the wagon to prepare for the journey over the mountains that would eventually bring them to Oklahoma.

“You keep an eye out for Billy while we’re gone. In my absence, you are the head of Holston Ranch,” Randall said as he put a hand on Andy’s shoulder. Andy smiled and patted him on the back.

“Stay safe on the road. I will make sure that things are as they should be in your absence,” Andy said. He watched Martha and Randall who sat together on the front of the wagon pulled by Nightshade. Soon they disappeared from view. The journey was long and hard, but they had little difficulty other than a broken wagon wheel that they had to stop and repair in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Although the journey took two days longer than what they had planned, they soon arrived at Martha’s family farm. There was no one at the gate to greet them because no one was sure when they would arrive.

As they pulled the wagon up to the gate, Martha’s mother, Helen spotted them and came running up. She put the bucket of well water that she was carrying down and opened the gate.

“My lovely daughter, you have come home at last!” Helen said, hugging her tightly. “My you have blossomed into such a beautiful woman! Marriage agrees with you, my dear.”

“Mother, I would like for you to meet Randall,” Martha said as Randall got down from the wagon and removed his hat.

“Very pleased to finally make your acquaintance,” Randall said as he bowed to her.

“Well Martha said you were handsome, but I had no idea. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking out for my daughter. You don’t know how much it means to me,” Helen said.

“Mam, it is my pleasure. I consider Martha’s safety and happiness to be my first priority, but I do owe you an apology,” he said.

“Whatever for?” Helen asked, giving him a puzzled glance.

“When I first sent Martha on her journey to Oklahoma, I put her under the care of one of my young ranch hands whom I thought was trustworthy and reliable. It turns out that he betrayed us when he attempted to help my competitor, Frank to kidnap her. Frank is now in jail, and we are doing our best to track Billy down. I want to reassure you that I will never make such an error in judgment again as long as I live,” he said.

“No need for apologies,” Helen said with a kindly grin. “I can tell that you love my daughter. Now come on in the house and get you something to eat. You have to be hungry after all your travels,” she said.

As soon as they got inside the house, Martha’s brother, David came out of his room to greet them. His eyes were wide with excitement as he picked his baby sister up and twirled her around.

“Martha! I didn’t know if

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