The Convenient Mail Order Bride by Ruth Ann Nordin

Author:Ruth Ann Nordin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sex, mail order bride, historical western romance, virgin hero, convenient marriage, loner hero, outcast hero, unexpected wife
Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin

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It wasn’t until Abe settled in his bed for the night that he noticed the curtains. Eyebrows furrowed, he studied them, noting the way they blocked the moonlight from streaming in through the window. Since when did he have curtains? He was sure he hadn’t had them last night.

Then he remembered his conversation with Phoebe earlier that day when she found him at the trap. She’d mentioned something about curtains. But she’d chosen to put curtains in his room, and this signified something important. He was sure of it. A woman didn’t put curtains in a man’s room unless she was planning to make this her room, too.

His gut tightened. She had no intention of leaving. Even after going into town and seeing firsthand how little people thought of her because of her association with him, she planned to marry him. He didn’t understand her at all. What kind of woman wanted this kind of life? Did she really enjoy knowing there were scraps of metal around the cabin and barn? Did she honestly think once Benny and Enoch were out of jail, things would be as quiet as they were now?

Yes, she probably did. She probably assumed because Eric Johnson put them in jail, that was the end of it. But it wasn’t. Enoch might go to the saloon and end up too drunk to care, but Benny wasn’t so forgiving. Abe should have known better than to believe Benny wouldn’t let any harm come to Phoebe because she was white. He should have realized his association with Phoebe would make Benny think less of her. Well, that was an error in judgment he wouldn’t make again.

If she’d get on the stagecoach when it came, it’d make things so much easier. But those curtains told him what he feared most. Soon, it wouldn’t just be him he’d have to defend. There would be two women he’d be responsible for. His uncle had thought he could protect him and his mother, and he’d paid for that mistake with his life.

Just the reminder brought an image of Gene Carter’s sneer to mind. He’d put the rifle over his shoulder right after killing his uncle and turned to Abe, who’d been ten at the time. “Let that be a lesson to you, half-breed. You don’t give us what we want, and you’ll pay for it.” Then he’d gone into the cabin and forced himself upon Abe’s mother.

Gritting his teeth, Abe stared at the ceiling, once again wishing he knew where Gene lived. But the man lived like a vagabond, only popping up in town once in a while, and it seemed Abe missed him each time. There was a day of reckoning. Abe could feel it in his gut. He’d known it since that night he was ten. Somehow, someway, he knew there was a day coming when the tables would be turned, and he’d be the one pointing the rifle at Gene.

Sometimes, it was the only thing that got him through the day.

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