A Surprise Bride in Willow's Rest: Mail Order Brides of Willow's Rest, #1

By Adalyn Grace

Ten years ago, Garrett Adams was to marry the love of his life, but his fiance tragically died on their wedding day. Heartbroken, he decided never to marry, until his mother informed him a bride was on her way and would be arriving that day. 

Reluctantly, he agrees to marry the mail-order bride whom his mother chose, but when she arrives, there's another surprise in store. Can two strangers, scarred by their past and brought together by deceit, still find love? Find out in the short story romance, set in historic South Dakota.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adalyn Grace
• Release date: Feb 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519965288

Book preview

Chapter 1

You’ve stepped over the line, Ma.  Garrett Adams was mad, furious even.

Someone had to take the initiative.  I want grandchildren before I leave this earth.  His mom, Elisa, wasn’t backing down.

Garrett heaved a sad sigh. I told you that I won’t marry until I find someone whom I can love like I did Mirabel.

No two loves are alike.  It’s been ten years, and you haven’t even left yourself open to the possibility of finding another love. Elisa wasn’t about to drop the subject.

I will in my own time. Now you’ve gone and dragged a poor innocent girl into the mess.

A woman, Garrett. Leah is a woman and you best remember that.

You must write to her immediately and tell her you were mistaken.  I’ll not marry her. Garrett made his body rigid and crossed his arms to demonstrate he meant his words.

It’s too late for that.  She’ll be on the stagecoach arriving at noon today.

She’ll be what? he bellowed, raising his voice toward his mother for the first time in his life.

Don’t be mad, son. I knew you’d try to wriggle out from it if I told you too soon, so I waited until necessary.  The cunning look in his mother’s eyes was going to drive him mad.

Then you can meet her and send her right back to wherever she came from.

You’re being unreasonable. I’ve been communicating with her for months and she is a darling woman. Life has been difficult for her, but she’s maintained a positive attitude throughout it all.

She might be perfectly lovely, but I’m not going to marry someone sight unseen. I don’t want to marry anyone for that matter, how can I make the issue more clear?

Elisa let out an exasperated sigh.  "This is my property also. If you won’t marry her, then I’ll invite her to