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  Millie

  Book 1

  Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies

  Cheryl Wright

  Contents:

  Contents:

  Thanks

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Epilogue

  From the Author

  About the Author

  Author Links:

  MAIL ORDER MILLIE

  (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies – Book One)

  Copyright ©2020by 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 45 years, who has been a relentless supporter of my writing for many years.

  AND LAST, BUT BY NO means least, thank you to 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

  Little Rock, Montana – 1880

  Sheriff Cody Watson snatched up his wife and carried her lovingly across the threshold of their new home.

  They’d met only four months ago, had a whirlwind courtship, and quickly married a month later. He had no intentions of letting this beauty get away.

  He glanced down into her face. She appeared blissfully happy and he knew she was. She’d told him so at least twice a day. The thought made him smile.

  They hadn’t expected to be uprooted so soon after their marriage, but he’d been offered a position in the tiny outback town of Little Rock, and only a fool would say no.

  The position came with a fully furnished house with no rent – all they had to do was bring their clothing. It suited him fine.

  And Millie wasn’t unhappy about the situation either. With both her parents dead after a stagecoach accident, there was nothing left in her hometown to stay for.

  The job offer came with a bonus for the sheriff who could clean up the town and rid them of the Jonas Gang, who had been terrorizing Little Rock for some time. A huge bonus – one that would set them up for life.

  He felt like a heel not telling Millie, but he didn’t want his pretty little wife to worry. After all, he could handle himself. He’d put many a criminal behind bars already, so why should this gang be any different?

  Millie leaned up and gently kissed his lips, then laughed, bringing him back to the present. Her voice tinkled when she laughed, and he never tired of hearing it. As her arms slid around his neck, he knew it was past time to get inside away from prying eyes.

  He unlocked the front door, then kicked it open. He watched as Millie’s eyes scanned the room. The house was far bigger than he’d expected, and it was detached from the sheriff’s office. He liked that idea. It would keep Millie away from criminal types that might be in the jail.

  Setting her gently to the floor, he leaned in and stole another kiss. Not just a gentle one either, this kiss sent a message. She didn’t complain, but stared into his eyes. He could see the longing there, but they needed to unpack first.

  Millie began to wander, exploring the place while he retrieved their luggage from outside the door.

  “It’s beautiful,” Millie called from the bedroom, and he deemed to join her. Her hands meandered over the embroidered quilt that adorned the double bed they would share for as long they stayed in this cottage.

  The action made him feel things he shouldn’t be feeling. Especially in the middle of the day.

  If he had his way, they would be here forever. It seemed a good place to bring up a family, but first he had to clean up the Jonas Gang. He would make it his mission to do so.

  His heart hitched as Millie sat on the edge of the bed flashing a come hither look. He gently laid her down and began to undo those wretched buttons strewn down the back of her gown.

  Millie stared down at her husband of a little less than three months. Three blissfully happy months.

  Cody looked so peaceful lying there. His best suit fit perfectly and had always looked wonderful on him.

  Her thoughts flashed back to their wedding day – the first day she’d seen him in that suit.

  He was incredibly handsome standing beside her. His big brown eyes always drew her in, and those dimples. They always got to her.

  And his lips. They were the most kissable lips she’d ever known. Not that she’d kissed any other man – that wouldn’t be right – but Cody was a kisser if ever there was one.

  They had big plans. They were going to build a house halfway up the mountain, despite the town supplying one.

  He’d decided to get the money together for their own piece of land, and then they’d start building. She would help out where she could, perhaps selling baked goods to the local mercantile.

  Their little bit of paradise would be large enough to house not only themselves, Cody had said, but their children. He’d planned on at least six. Millie preferred two or three. She would be the one caring for them after all.

  She startled as the preacher came and stood beside her. “He was a wonderful man, Mrs Watson and we’ll all miss him.”

  He shook his head and walked away, ready for the funeral service.

  A tear slid down Millie’s face as she pondered the preacher’s words. She didn’t know any of these people, and they didn’t know her Cody. They had been here three days – not even long enough to unpack all their belongings.

  Cody may not have been perfect, but he was her husband, and had always treated her well.

  She stifled a sob.

  “What am I going to do now, Cody?” she asked quietly, as the sob bubbled to the surface.

  Out of nowhere the answer came to her in Cody’s own voice. “Become a mail order bride.”

  “Are you crazy?” she asked out loud.

  Heads turned to stare at her, and she felt the heat creep up her face. It was the craziest idea she’d ever heard, but it just might work.

  Millie lay sleeping in the bed she’d shared with Cody for only a few days.

  Her eyes fluttered open. She’d spent the days since Cody’s death crying, and now they were red and sore.

  Little did she know when they came here Cody was doomed. Not only was she mourning his death, but now she was furious with him. Why would he make a pact to wipe out a notorious gang knowing it could mean certain death?

  She climbed out of bed and pulled back the curtains, looking out at the town she now hated with a vengeance.

  Everyone was going about their every day business as though her husband hadn’t lost his life. As though her world hadn’t been turned upside down. And as though he hadn’t tried to protect this sorry little town from the most ferocious criminals Cody had ever seen.

  A sob bubbled up from her deep within her and she didn’t even try to stifle it. The more she cried now, the easier it would be come. At least she hoped it would.

  Millie pushed the curtains back in place and turned toward the kitchen. It was then the room began to spin. She reached out for the wooden chair that stood nearby. The chair that still held her dead husband’s hat.

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nbsp; She looked down and sobbed. Again. Would she ever get over this loss?

  Her head now settled, Millie ran to the privy as her stomach churned and threatened to empty. Any other time she’d be happy at this possible scenario. Cody had looked forward to the time they welcomed children into their lives.

  As her mind ticked over, Millie stopped herself. This could just be a result of the turmoil she’d experienced over the past days.

  She put her hands to her stomach. Surely she would know if she was with child? She swallowed hard, then shook her head.

  No. She was not with child – it couldn’t be. As much as she wanted Cody’s child, she didn’t want it without him.

  As if by some miracle, the churning subsided, and she headed to the kitchen. She set two cups out for coffee, then realized her error. Would this torment never end?

  There was a gentle knock at the door and brushing her tears away, she opened it gingerly.

  The Mayor and his wife stood before her.

  “Good morning Mrs Watson,” the Mayor’s wife said. “May we come in for a little chat?”

  It was the last thing she needed right now, but Millie showed them into the sitting room, offering them coffee. “Let me help you,” Mrs Dalton told her, and proceeded to prepare the drinks.

  “How are you coping, my dear,” she asked Millie gently, and Millie’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh my dear girl,” she said with real emotion in her voice. “Shall we sit down?”

  They returned to the sitting room where the Mayor was waiting patiently. Millie swiped at her eyes and lifted her cup to her lips.

  “The news isn’t good, I’m afraid,” Mayor Dalton told her gruffly.

  “Abe, honestly!” his wife interjected. “The poor girl has just lost her husband.” He threw his hands in the air.

  “Perhaps you can do better,” he said, then stormed out of the room. Millie heard the front door slam behind him.

  Millie stared after him wondering what on earth was going on.

  She glanced across at Mrs Dalton who’s mouth was now drawn into a tight line. “Men!” she said, then leaned forward in her seat. “I’m sorry, Millie,” she said gently, “But you have to leave here.”

  Her words might have been said as gently as possible, but the shock still set in. “L... leave?” Millie couldn’t form any other words. She’d thought she would be able to stay for at least another few weeks. After all, her husband had just been murdered trying to save this town.

  She felt Mrs Dalton’s hand cover hers, but her brain was in a fog. Where would she go? How could she support herself? And if she was with child, which she thought was highly unlikely, how would she support her child?

  She shook her head trying to clear the haze but it wasn’t working. All she managed to do was make her head ache.

  Millie began to stand in an effort to secure fresh air, and the room spun again. She slid slowly to the floor.

  Chapter Two

  Millie looked around at the meagre belongings she had. They were bagged up ready for the next leg of her journey – whatever that might be.

  It was then the knock came at the door. Her greatest fear was she’d find Mayor Dalton standing there. His last visit didn’t go so well.

  She opened the door a crack, and stared at the stranger standing there. “Zachary Green, Ma’am,” he said genially. “From the post office,” he explained when she frowned.

  Millie nodded.

  “I have a telegraph for you, Ma’am.” He handed the handwritten message over and left her alone. Nearly everyone had left her alone. She didn’t know whether that was a good thing or not.

  It had been difficult to comply with the Mayor’s directive to leave within two weeks. A new sheriff was arriving with his wife shortly, he’d told her, and they needed the cottage.

  Millie swallowed hard. Had the new sheriff’s wife been warned? She was willing to bet she wasn’t. Unfortunately she would likely be long gone before they arrived, so she’d have no opportunity to inform the poor woman of her destiny.

  Her biggest wish was they didn’t have children. It was hard enough for her, even childless.

  She made her way to the sitting room and made herself comfortable on the embroidered and cushioned chair.

  Mr Green had carefully folded the document into a small square before handing it over. She drew in her breath and began to open the thick paper, peering at the beautiful cursive writing.

  She’d contacted a mail-order bride agency after being given her eviction orders by the Mayor. It was not a step she’d taken lightly, and she’d spent many a day praying to be sure it was the right thing to do.

  Even so, she still wasn’t convinced.

  Due to the urgency of her situation, things had been hurried along. Hence the telegraph message she now held in her hands.

  Her potential new husband instructed her to take the stage coach the next morning. It was fully paid for, and she was to collect a lump sum transferred to the local bank for her meals along the way and any other incidentals she may need.

  Millie clutched at her chest. This surely couldn’t be happening to her? She had recently buried one husband, and was about to marry another.

  With both locations being in Montana, it would at least ease her inconvenience of traveling too far. Even if they were on opposite sides of the state.

  She re-read the telegraph. Daniel Carson was her betrothed. She wondered what he would be like.

  She had been shown a number of letters, and she’d chosen his. Out of all the potential husbands available, she’d chosen him.

  He was far older than her twenty-six years, was almost thirty-two and owned his own business. She now wondered if his age would be a problem. Cody was closer to her age at twenty-eight.

  But perhaps he was a little immature. One would certainly think so after learning of the ridiculous contract he’d taken out with the Little Rock Mayor.

  She sighed, then checked all her belongings were packed and ready to go. Shoving the telegraph message into her pocket, Millie embarked on a rare visit outside the Sheriff’s house.

  Millie was relieved of her meagre belongings before she took the giant leap of entering the carriage. A young couple sat next to each other, hands entwined, staring lovingly at each other.

  She stared at them for long moments, until she realized she likely appeared rude. They reminded her so much of herself and Cody.

  She swallowed down her emotion when she understood this was exactly what they were like on their trip into Little Rock just weeks ago.

  In only moments her life was in ruins. Her husband was shot dead, and her life was in turmoil. No matter how long ago it happened, she would never get over the sudden death of her beloved Cody.

  She swallowed back a sob. This was neither the time nor the place. Besides that, she didn’t want to make a spectacle of herself.

  The carriage door was closed by the driver and she prepared for the arduous journey she anticipated. Suddenly the door was wrenched open and a disheveled cowboy joined them.

  She straightened her shoulders and glanced across at him. How rude to have held up the other passengers. He didn’t seem to care, and huddled down into the seat and pulled his hat down over his head.

  The least she expected was an apology, but none was forthcoming. The young bride sitting opposite seemed equally aggravated at his rudeness.

  Millie had worn her best gown in preparation of her forthcoming nuptials, but hadn’t anticipated the dirt and the dust they would collect along the way. She brushed herself down at every stop. It was a good opportunity to clean herself off, albeit a little, and stretch her legs.

  Thankfully, they stopped for nearly an hour at a number of towns along the way, allowing her to purchase food. She even managed a hot meal at the diner in a couple of places.

  Her fellow passengers changed as the days rolled on, and the young couple had left them. No doubt to start their new lives together.

  She envied them, and wished them well.
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  Despite the constant stomach churning rocking of the carriage, she managed to keep her food down.

  She knew little of her betrothed except his name. Daniel Carson. She vaguely recalled he was involved with wood. Millie was still walking around in a haze, and her retention of information was not great. Hopefully it got better with time.

  Already they’d traveled for three days – it could have been far worse. She anticipated the time when they arrived at Grand Falls. The driver told her it wasn’t much further, when she’d asked. Her impression of much further could be far different to his, and she blanched at the thought.

  Millie stared out the window as yet another town came into view. This one looked far bigger than any of the previous places they’d visited. Her heart pounded. Could her journey be at an end?

  “Grand Falls,” the driver shouted. “Grand Falls.” He opened the door to the carriage and glanced at her. “This is your stop, Ma’am,” he told Millie, and she was never so glad to see him.

  She slowly stood, as much as she could, and thanked him. He took her hand and helped her down the rickety steps.

  She stood on the wooden side-walk and looked around. Grand Falls was far bigger than she’d anticipated. Which could only be a good thing, right?

  At least she convinced herself of that fact.

  She watched as a well-dressed man rushed across the dusty road toward the stage coach. He was a handsome man, though no one would ever compare to her Cody. His dark hair flicked across his eyes as he rushed, and he brushed it back with his fingers.

  His piercing blue eyes never left her face.

  “Miss Watson? Millie?” he asked when he was face-to-face with her.

  She stopped brushing the dust from her gown, and straightened her shoulders. “I am Millie Watson,” she said. “I assume you are Mr Carson?”

  He shoved his hand toward her. “Daniel Carson. Very pleased to meet you.”