The Bride's Scarred Love (Mail-Order Bride) by Emma Ashwood

Author:Emma Ashwood [Ashwood, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Novella Short Story, Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Mail-Order Bride
Publisher: Emma Ashwood Publishing
Published: 2019-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Weary Cowboy

Whistling, Caleb Mason rode his large Appaloosa through the wide plains in the direction of his cattle ranch in Bluewater, Montana. His weary bones were rebelling the arduous work they had been through over the past weeks. Thoughts of his large bed and warm food in his belly spurred him on.

Having most of his cattle survive the past harsh winter was somewhat of a miracle. The few losses weren't enough to worry him, although the death of any cow brought him pain. His cattle had multiplied and were now too many to stay on the range. Grazing would be problematic, so he had decided it was time to round them up as usual and then sell them up north where he would make a profit. He and his workers had worked long and hard herding them for the cattle drive in two days’ time.

Tucker Wilson, his sixty-year-old right-hand man rode up beside him. Caleb cast him a sideways glance and continued whistling.

"Say, Caleb, have you given further thought to what I told you two days ago?" the older man queried with the hint of amusement in his voice.

Caleb groaned inwardly but he managed to look straight ahead without showing emotion, "What's there to think about, Tucker? It's a ridiculous idea."

Tucker pursed his lips in an effort to suppress his amusement, but he didn’t quite manage it. His head tilted and rich laughter rumbled from his chest. Just as he had thought! The feller behaved like a scared bunny whenever the issue of women was mentioned.

"What's ridiculous about a mail order bride? Folks around Bluewater have been doing it and their unions have all been blessed with children who will grow to help out with their farms and ranches, which is testament to its success."

The rancher grinned at the other man just to rile him, and then stated, "Well, good for them but it has nothing to do with me."

Tucker threw up his hands in exasperation. "You are just as stubborn as your cows."

Caleb let out a low laugh and shook his head, "And you, my friend, are just an ornery old cuss."

The foreman gave a sharp retort of laughter. "Look who is talking."

Caleb chuckled and looked straight ahead, aiming to get to the creek just a short distance from the ranch to water the horses. The summer heat wasn't doing them any good. It was a good thing that they were such good horses.

"Where are you headed?" Tucker asked when his boss drew the reins of his horse in the direction of the creek instead of the ranch a short distance away.

"To the creek. Black Thunder is thirsty."

The horse grunted at the mention of his name and Caleb stroked his glossy dark mane.

"Good!" Tucker grinned. "There I could talk some sense into you without anyone overhearing us or intruding."

Caleb almost turned his horse in the direction of the ranch at his foreman's words and sheer will alone kept him from turning tail and taking off. Tucker was always trying to match-make him with the few women in Bluewater.

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