A Groom for Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides Book 9) Read online

  A GROOM FOR

  CHRISTMAS

  SPINSTER MAIL-ORDER BRIDES

  (BOOK 9)

  CHERYL WRIGHT

  Contents:

  Copyright

  Thanks

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  From the Author

  About the Author

  A GROOM FOR CHRISTMAS

  (Spinster Mail-Order Brides – Book Nine)

  Copyright ©2019

  by Cheryl Wright

  Cover Artist: Black Widow Books

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book

  Thanks

  Thanks to my very dear friends (and authors), Margaret Tanner and Susan Horsnell for their enduring encouragement and friendship.

  Thanks also to Alan, my husband of over 44 years, who has been a relentless supporter of my writing for many years.

  And last, but by no means least, I must thank all my wonderful readers who encourage me to continue writing these stories. It is such a joy to me, knowing so many of you enjoy reading my stories. I love writing them as much as you love reading them.

  Chapter One

  Harken, Montana – 1880

  “Edgar Cronk – you filthy beast!”

  The low mutterings of customers stopped, and all heads turned. Did she really say that out loud? Ella Bryson sighed.

  It wasn’t enough that her boss unceremoniously rubbed his leg up against hers on a regular basis, but today he’d touched her behind.

  That was unforgiveable.

  She’d taken the job at the bakery out of desperation. She’d been warned about Edgar, the slimy creep. That was forever ago and she’d endured it longer than she should have.

  Ella stopped herself. This job was getting her down. As a single woman who should have been married by now, she was in a precarious position.

  Twenty-eight was not old by any means, but when it came to women, in the marriage stakes it was. Most of her friends were already happily married and had children.

  But not Ella.

  She was picky when it came to a husband, and Edgar Cronk certainly wasn’t in the running. Oh, he’d tried – several times – to get to her marry him. She was sure it was purely to save on wages.

  But Ella knew she wouldn’t be able to stomach it. She barely managed working with him.

  She couldn’t imagine having to lay in bed with him. Or let him...

  The mere thought of it made her gag.

  “Look what you’ve done now,” he whispered loudly, getting as close to her as he could. “It’s alright folks,” he said to the customers. “Just a misunderstanding.”

  Ella glared at him, then looked to the customers. “It was not a misunderstanding. This filthy man touched me.” They all stared open-mouthed at her. “Where no man should touch a woman unless they are married.”

  She heard the collective gasp, and felt the heat hit her face. Without even looking in a mirror, she knew she was beet red.

  The humiliation of it all, but she couldn’t let that disgusting man continue to get away with it.

  Edgar shook his head. “It’s not true, folks. Not a word of it.” Then he turned to Ella, fury written all over his features.

  He grabbed her by the arm and stormed out the back, dragging her along with him. “You’re fired. You’re nothing but a lying little cow.”

  She glared at him momentarily, then realized this was the best thing that could have happened. What if they’d been alone, and he’d gone further?

  Ella couldn’t bear the thought.

  “I’m not fired,” she said quietly, then stormed back into the bakery.

  “Can I have your attention everyone?” They all stared at her, no doubt waiting for the next instalment. “What I said was true. Edgar Cronk gropes me at every opportunity. He says I’m fired, but instead, I quit.”

  The customers began to chatter amongst themselves. She was probably finished in this town, but at least the decent fathers of the town wouldn’t allow their daughters to work for Cronk, and he’d struggle to keep his business afloat.

  The next thought that entered her head was not a good one. What on earth was she going to do now? Without a job, Ella had no money, and couldn’t support herself.

  * * *

  Little Rock, Montana – 1880

  “Thomas.”

  Thomas Winston looked up upon hearing his sister’s voice. If she’d come to try and push him into marriage again, it wasn’t going to work.

  He sighed.

  “Good afternoon, Melody,” he said more cordially than he felt right now. He was knee-deep in work, and Melody always seemed to arrive when he could least afford the time.

  She stared at the papers covering his desk. “I guess you’re busy doing what you do best – being a lawyer.”

  It was tiresome. She was tiresome.

  Nearly every time she entered his office, she said almost the exact same words.

  “What do you want, Melody. I’m busy as you can see.” He indicated the papers surrounding him, but put his pen down. Almost threw it down. This was going to be another time to get married lecture, he was certain of it.

  “I,” she slid down into the chair next to his desk. “I wondered if you’d thought any more about sending for a mail order bride?” She at least had the decency to avert her eyes, and instead stared at her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

  Thomas sighed again. “We’ve discussed this before. I’m not interested.” He picked up the pen he’d previously discarded. “I am far too busy to be worrying about a wife.”

  “I guess that’s that then,” she said, a sly grin on her face.

  His head shot up and he glared at her. What was she up to now?

  “Goodbye, Melody,” he said gruffly, feeling his agitation building.

  “Goodbye, Thomas.”

  She looked far too happy for his liking. It left him wondering what on earth was going to happen next.

  * * *

  Traveling by stage coach was not her favorite option, but Ella would choose it over a train trip any day.

  After days enduring the uncomfortable, not to mention compressed excursion, she was very ready for the journey to end.

  The coach came to a sudden halt and she was all but thrown off her seat. She felt her arm being grabbed, and looked to the owner.

  The cowboy had joined them at the last town, and looked a lot fresher than she felt. “Thank you, kind Sir,” she said. Without his help she would have surely landed on the floor. Or worse still, in another man’s lap.

  That would never do.

  “You’re very welcome, Ma’am,” he said, tipping his hat.

  He smiled at her, and she almost melted at his feet. Ella reminded herself she was here to be married, and couldn’t contemplate another man, no matter how good he looked.

  “It’s Miss,” she said, and he quirked his eyebrows, then stepped out, offering his hand to help her down. She felt the heat creep up her face. He sure was a nice man.

  She straightened her gown as best she could after such an enduring journey, and pulled her hair back where it was meant to be.

  Looking around, she couldn’t s
ee her betrothed. It puzzled her. His letter clearly said he’d collect her. She was here, but he wasn’t.

  Ella sat down for a moment. Why, she’d never know. She’d done enough sitting in the past few days to last a lifetime.

  “Ella? Ella Bryson?”

  She looked up at the sound of a female voice, and confusion overtook her. But more than that, she was wary. Where was Thomas Winston? Had he changed his mind?

  “Where’s Thomas?” The words came out much more quietly than she’d planned, and it was the first indication of how terrified she really was. “He’s still marrying me, right?”

  She stared at the woman, waiting for an answer, at the same time not wanting to hear the words.

  “I’m Melody Jones. I’m his sister.”

  Her relief was palpable.

  “Thomas is always busy,” Melody said, reaching for Ella’s meagre belongings. “So I decided to collect you. His office is just over there.” She pointed a short distance away, and Ella wondered why Thomas couldn’t take the extra few minutes to collect her.

  “I feel rather dishevelled,” she said softly, and again brushed her hands down her gown.

  Melody glanced at her. “You’re perfect,” she said, looking her up and down. “Thomas will be thrilled – you’re very beautiful.”

  Ella blushed, she knew it. She felt the heat creep up her face.

  The other woman laughed. “No need to be embarrassed. I am only saying the truth.” She leaned in and hugged her. “I can’t believe I’m finally getting a sister.” Melody squealed as she hugged Ella a little tighter.

  “I’ve never had a sister either.” Ella smiled at her, and a thrill went through her. It would be so nice to have a family of her own. She was twelve when her parents had been killed in a riding accident, and she’d lived with a distant aunt until she’d died. Ella spent the remainder of her childhood in an orphanage, until she was kicked out at sixteen.

  She was far too young to look after herself, but that was exactly what she’d had to do. It had been a struggle, and was still difficult.

  She hoped this marriage would make her life easier. If not easier, then at least more stable.

  They continued toward the lawyer’s office on the main street, until Melody stopped abruptly outside. “I can’t believe you are still unmarried at twenty-eight.”

  Ella didn’t know what to say so kept quiet.

  “Oh! I wasn’t being mean,” Melody said, guilt written all over her face. “I meant you are so beautiful. Men in Harken must be stupid. Or just plain blind.” She smiled and Ella felt relieved.

  She waved Ella inside. “Sit here,” she said, indicating the reception area. “and I’ll tell my brother you’ve arrived.”

  * * *

  “You did what?” Thomas glared at his sister. “I specifically told you I wasn’t interested in getting married.” He stood, staring her down. “If I was, it would be with a woman of my choosing, not yours.”

  “I...” Melody was incorrigible. And to tell him the bride she’d chosen for him was sitting out in the next room? He wanted to hit something.

  But of course he wouldn’t. That wasn’t him at all.

  Sometimes his sister made him incredibly angry, and this was one of those times. “Why can’t you stick to looking after Frank and the children, and leave me alone?”

  He sank down into his chair, putting his hands to his face. What was he supposed to do now? A young woman was sitting in the next room, believing he’d promised to marry her. More than anyone, he knew the law. If he didn’t marry her, she could go after him for breach of promise.

  He uncovered his face to see Melody staring at him. “What are you going to do,” she asked quietly, not even pretending to be sorry. He silently prayed for the strength he needed to deal with his sister some days.

  “What choice do I have?” he asked louder than he’d intended.

  She jumped back in fright.

  He waved a hand across in front of himself. “Sorry, sorry,” he said absent mindedly. “I guess you’d better bring her in.”

  Thomas stood again, pulling on his jacket, and straightening his tie. First impressions meant everything to him.

  Ella Bryson stepped into his office. He looked her up and down. Her clothes were dishevelled, and were worn and tattered.

  His eyes landed on her face. She looked totally bewildered. And exhausted. How far had she travelled to learn she had no groom?

  “Ella, this is my brother, Thomas.”

  She stared at him then blinked. He looked her up and down. She was pretty. Really pretty.

  No, that was untrue and very unkind. She was truly beautiful. This totally befuddled stranger standing in front of him might be a little dishevelled after such a long journey, but looking beyond that, he could see her true beauty.

  He reached out a hand to shake hers, and the moment he touched her, felt a connection. “Welcome to Little Rock.”

  He mentally slapped himself. Surely that was inappropriate, given they were meant to be married? Her head swivelled toward his sister, and she looked more confused than before.

  “I mean, nice to meet you,” he said, trying to fix his previous error. He wanted to start over because this was going really badly. Disastrously, if he was truthful.

  Ella’s stomach rumbled. “Oh! Excuse me!” she said, a horrified look on her face.

  He frowned. How long had it been since this far too thin woman had eaten? “When did you last eat, Miss Bryson?” he asked, glaring at his sister.

  She thought for a moment, which wasn’t a good sign. “Uh, I had a sandwich day before yesterday I think.”

  He almost ran around to the other side of the desk and grabbed her by the arm. “We’re going to the hotel,” he said, and grimaced as he looked back and saw the smile on his sister’s face.

  * * *

  “The truth of the matter is, I had no idea you were coming.” Thomas glanced across at her, apparently not wanting to get to know her.

  “But... the letters,” she said, close to tears.

  He straightened in his seat. “My blasted sister. She is always interfering.”

  “Oh.” Where did that leave her? She had little money, and no where to stay.

  “I’ll put you up in the hotel tonight and you can rest. Tomorrow we’ll talk.”

  She nodded, but was unsure what that really meant. Was he refusing to marry her? She couldn’t really blame him since he hadn’t sent for her. As much as she liked Melody, she was quite cross with her right now.

  Worst of all, they wouldn’t be sisters.

  Ella stared into her lap.

  “I’ll pay for everything,” he said. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll cover the cost of your room and all meals.”

  She smiled tentatively, but inside she was crying. How could Melody do this to her? More than likely she’d be sent back to Harken on the next stage coach out of town.

  The last thing she wanted was to return to that horrid place where that revolting man still lived.

  She piled more food into her mouth. She was starving and had to eat, but the food tasted like cardboard. She could barely swallow it down.

  “The food here is always good,” he said, taking another mouthful himself. “Ah, Mrs Henderson,” he said, indicating to their hostess.

  “Miss Ella Bryson,” he said, introducing them. “This is Mrs Henderson. She owns the hotel.”

  “Lovely to meet you, Ella.”

  “And you,” Ella said quietly.

  “Miss Bryson needs a room for the night. I’ll pay in advance for tonight and all meals.”

  The older woman nodded her head but stared at Ella curiously. “I’ll prepare your room shortly,” she said, pouring more coffee into both their mugs. “I must say it’s nice to have a fresh face in Little Rock.” She smiled at Ella, then went on her way.

  “She seems nice.”

  “Mrs Henderson is lovely,” Thomas told her, then took a sip of his coffee.

 
“I’m very sorry for coming here,” Ella said quietly, and averted her eyes.

  “Eat, drink,” he said. “And don’t apologize. This is my sister’s doing. You weren’t to know.”

  She nodded but wasn’t convinced about anything.

  “Please don’t worry yourself. We’ll work it all out in the morning – when you’ve had a chance to recover.”

  She certainly hoped so. Ella couldn’t face another few days on a bumpy stage coach. She especially couldn’t face going back to Harken. If it came to that, she’d have to leave at one of the earlier towns, where again she’d be homeless and penniless. But at least they wouldn’t know the humiliation she’d faced in her own home town.

  Chapter Two

  Ella slowly opened her eyes trying to work out where she was.

  She glanced around. It was clear she wasn’t in the rundown boarding house in Harken, but where...?

  “Oh!” She sat up quickly, suddenly realizing exactly where she was. The room was small but clean, unlike the room she was used to.

  The Royal Hotel in Little Rock was in stark comparison to that unpleasant place she used to live it. She refused to call it home – it was far from it. The boarding house was nothing more than a place to sleep.

  The closer it got to Christmas, the colder her room became. She was grateful to be here, with a rug on the floor and a small fireplace in the corner. But would she still be in Little Rock when the cold really set in?

  She swung her feet off the bed and her toes touched the floor. She flinched in anticipation, then remembered she didn’t need to worry about this floor. It was clean.

  The entire room was. In fact, it was almost sparkling in places.

  There was a light tap at the door. “Ella, my dear.” The voice was quiet but she recognized it as being the hotel owner, Mrs Henderson. “Will you come down for breakfast? Otherwise I could bring a tray up for you.”

  She opened the door just a touch, enough to see the older woman on the other side. “I’ll come down, thank you.” She smiled gently and was rewarded with a grin.