Mail Order Millie

By Katie Crabapple

George has a hard time dealing with his farm and his four children after the death of his wife. When the ladies at his church raise money for a mail order bride for him, he doesn’t argue with them. He needs a caretaker for his family. Millie has a short time to find her own way in the world before she is kicked out of the orphanage where she was raised. George’s letter about his requirements for a bride fit in all ways but one. Will her lie keep them apart even after they’re married?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katie Crabapple
• Release date: Apr 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476161990

Katie Crabapple

I’m a Christian homeschooling mom who loves to write. I believe that love is the center of our walk with God and want to share simple lighthearted stories about finding your soul-mate within God’s family. I believe that God gave us a sense of humor for a reason, so I try to put a little bit of humor in my stories. I can’t imagine a world without laughter.

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Mail Order Millie

By Katie Crabapple

Copyright 2011 by Katie Crabapple

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George has a hard time dealing with his farm and his four children after the death of his wife. When the ladies at his church raise money for a mail order bride for him, he doesn’t argue with them. He needs a caretaker for his family. Millie has a short time to find her own way in the world before she is kicked out of the orphanage where she was raised. George’s letter about his requirements for a bride fit in all ways but one. Will her lie keep them apart even after they’re married?

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Chapter One

Minnesota 1880

Agnes climbed back into her buggy and headed toward town. She’d just delivered her weekly meal to Mr. Stevens, a widower from their church, and his four children. After Mrs. Stevens had died of fever six months before, the ladies in the church had divided up the days of the week. Every day someone drove the four miles out to the Stevens’ farm and fixed a meal. They’d all assumed he’d have found a new wife by now. Obviously Mr. Stevens needed a little bit of prompting.

Once she was back in town, Agnes sent her only son, James, with letters to the six other women who were taking meals out to the family. She had a solution, and they were all going to need to work together to make it happen.

The following afternoon, a Saturday, the women gathered in Agnes’ parlor. It’s time Mr. Stevens remarried, Agnes announced once they were all settled with their coffee and cookies.

Stella sighed. I won’t argue you with, Agnes, but where is he going to find a wife? The closest girl to marrying age in the whole town is my Carrie, and she’s only fourteen. That’s too young to marry and be an instant mother.

I have an idea. You see, I saw an ad for an agency that hooks farmers and ranchers up with eligible young ladies. She paused for effect. We’re going to find Mr. Stevens a mail order bride. She beamed a smile at the others as she said the words.

Norma’s jaw dropped. Mr. Stevens doesn’t have the kind of money it would take for a mail order bride. None of them did. They were a community of dirt farmers.

Agnes nodded. I realize that. We’re going to have a bake sale to raise the money. She dared the other women to argue with her on this. They wouldn’t, of course. No one ever argued with Agnes.

The other women all nodded hesitantly. Are you sure this is a good idea, Agnes? Stella asked. Agnes had always been the unacknowledged leader of their little group, because she was the most outspoken. She was rarely questioned when she came up with one of her ideas.

I’m positive. Now, should we set the date for the bake sale for a week from tomorrow? We’ll hold it right after church. The lonely farmers who don’t have a wife baking for them will be thrilled to get their hands on our baked goods.

The women talked and discussed and set a sales goal. Agnes would make her pumpkin pie and Stella would make her applesauce cake. They were sure they could raise the money in just one Sunday. Once they had paid the broker for his services, They’d have Mr. Stevens write a letter discussing what he was looking for in a wife. It was all going to be perfect.

*****

Boston 1880

Millie walked slowly down the hallway of the orphanage to Mrs. Stanton’s office. She knew what this was about. She was going to be eighteen soon. It was time she made plans to leave the orphanage behind. They were overcrowded and there was no room for her.

She took a deep breath, wishing she could put off the inevitable, and knocked on the door.

Enter! The voice was brisk, letting Millie know she wasn’t in the mood to be argued with today.

She walked into the office and stood straight and tall in front of Mrs. Stanton’s desk. You wanted to see me, ma’am? Her hands were shaking as she buried them in the skirt of her long dress.

Mrs. Stanton was a kindly woman in her fifties. She smiled at Millie. I’m sure you know what this is about.

Millie nodded, looking down at the floor. It’s time for me to move on. Please say you want me to stay on and help with the children. You know I’m a hard worker. Everyone says I’m the hardest worker they’ve ever seen. Please let me stay. Please.

Mrs. Stanton sighed. I wish it were different. We simply don’t have room for all the children we have. The older ones need to find a way to make their own way in the world. She picked up a stack of five letters from her desk. These are all letters from men who live out west who need wives. Pick the one you want, and bring the rest back to me. You’ll need to send a letter back to the man, and we’ll see what happens from there.

Millie sighed. She’d really hoped the orphanage would find a job for her, but it hadn’t happened and her time was up. Thank you, ma’am. She looked down at the letters in her hands. I’ll go read them now.

Her friend, Charlotte was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. She took one look at the letters in her hand. You’re getting the boot, aren’t you?

Millie nodded slowly. It’s time. You’re next, you know.

Charlotte sighed. I’m going to miss you. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.

"I’m not going yet, but soon. I have to pick out

Reviews for Mail Order Millie

[a.sri.123 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A truly heart warming and feel good read. Enjoy ! You will love the growing up of characters.

[Olga Chenayi Nyamakope · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Definitely not my cup of tea. Its got a holier than thou theme and although the author portrays George's character as what is desirable in a Christian in my opinion it isn't . Also it seems to make man judge jury and executioner in a woman's life. Yes the setting is pre-20th century but C'mon!

[Leena Aluru · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The guys a true jerk. I've read Christian romances before but this one is really over the top.

[ghappy1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet faith based story