The Cattlemen's Wives Mail Order Brides

By Ann Laurel

The Cattlemen’s Wives series is about young Christian ladies looking to become the bride of a strong, hardworking cattleman in the West. The stories tell of the test of faith and life in trying times and in their eventual stirring of true love which prevails and wins in the end.

Includes BONUS BOOK – The Bear Hunter’s Bride!

Nathan, a big brute bear hunter, seeks a mail order bride by placing an ad. Ashley, a Mississippi southern belle, answers the ad.

Nathan had confessed to his mother that he was falling madly in love with the girl because he had never seen another young lady as lovely as she or a soft or sweet smelling. Ashley Wayne had stolen his heart, and he had no idea how to let her know that he wanted her to keep it.

Book One: The Rescued Bride
What's a girl to do when her life turns from sorrow to deceit and defeat?

Amanda Barnhill knew it wasn’t fair; these sorts of things rarely were. However, the Corinth’s had made a promise to her ailing mother and so they were determined to follow through in their own deceptive way.

Would Amanda ever find the life she only dreamed possible after all the heartache and deception she faced?

Still, she took the chance and defied the odds to find the life she desperately wanted. Even the mundane tasks of Amanda’s chores were not enough to mask the fact that she desired to find her true love. And find it, she would.

Book Two: The Widowed Bride
Amelia Shaw had a beautiful life at one time but after the war, her life forever changed. Now she faces a whole new life again due to acts of nature.

A lonely widower in Wyoming places a mail-order bride ad looking for a bright young woman to marry. He prays that the first person to answer his ad is the one God wants him to choose.

Amelia finds herself being carried along by the throes of circumstances beyond her control. With the help of a kind, new friend she sees hope in her otherwise lonely existence when he shows her a magazine with the mail-order bride’s ads in the back.

For Amelia to have a happy life again, she has to be willing to take a leap of faith.

Book Three: An Irish Bride

Kathleen Hayes fears her papa will die leaving her all alone in the world. She meets a new friend who offers safety from the elements as she struggles to get back on her feet. She answers a mail order bride ad she discovered in the back of a magazine. The answer comes back from an interested cattleman in Wyoming. She is thrilled but her current obligations make a turn for the worse again. Being Kathleen is loyal she has to forego her plans of traveling west while she takes care of her ailing friend.

Will she be able to keep her promise to her papa to head west? Will Kathleen find the man she hopes to marry someday has moved on?

Book Four: The Orphaned Bride

Meet Cassandra Fisher, an orphan from Western Texas. After surviving a horrific act of nature, a rescue came along and pulled her from the clutches of death. After moving on with the pastor and his wife Cassie brushed up on her sewing and singing skills. She figured her life would be serving the people of Federal, Texas right alongside her newfound parents.

Until the pastor’s wife took it upon herself to answer a mail-order bride ad on behalf of Cassie.

Will Cassie submit to their help of finding a decent cattleman husband for her?

All Cassie wants is a life of peace and happiness but she's resistant to moving so far away.

Take the journey through an unexpected life with Cassie as she faces trials and challenges of the harsh weather of Texas. Watch as her life goes from being upside down to being a bride in a strange land far from the dusty, stormy borders of Western Texas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perfectly Plotted Books
• Release date: Jun 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370532957

Ann Laurel

Ann loves to write inspirational sweet romances. Her first series, The Cattlemen's Wives, are western historical mail-order brides. All of her books are guaranteed to make you feel good when you reach the end.Ann lives with her husband and children in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in the south. She enjoys raising Godly children, volunteering with her church, homemaking, and writing.

Book preview

The Rescued Bride - Chapter One

Amanda snuggled up next to Mother and adjusted the down quilt around her cold shoulders. Mother didn’t move except for the occasional shudder as she labored to breathe. Amanda regarded her with caution, fearing each breath to be her last. Mrs. Corinth had taken Isabella and Amanda Barnhill in after Isabella’s husband perished in the war. Isabella had contracted a lung disease and needed help in looking after her teen daughter, Amanda. The Corinth’s treated Isabella with such kindness, but Amanda felt a strange undercurrent of their benevolence. Mrs. Corinth often hid in the shadows while spying on Amanda and Isabella. Since Isabella couldn’t see it, she told her daughter to treat the couple with respect and be grateful for the shelter they provided. Amanda felt they lurked in the shadows while waiting for her mother to pass away so that they could clear the carcass and do what they wish with her.

Mother, please don't go. I need you. I can't do this without you. I don't know what to do. You and Papa never chose a man for me to marry. I don't have a husband, and there are no prospects here; no one to care for me. I don't think the Corinth family cares for me much either. Please don't make me stay here, Mother. Please don't leave me. Amanda sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. Isabella lay there, unable to respond.

Amanda didn't care that Mrs. Corinth stood at the door listening. She only cared about the fact that her mother was slowly fading away with each labored breath. Amanda knew very well that each breath could be her mother’s last, and so she tried to stay strong as she held onto her mother. One final time, a labored breath came and Isabella gave up the ghost as her chest moved up, then down, and her life slipped away.

Amanda buried her face in her mother's shoulder and hung on to her lifeless body as she cried. Please Mother, please come back! Please don't leave me.

Mrs. Corinth stood at the door, satisfied that the woman had finally passed away. She stepped forward and gently laid her hand on Amanda’s shoulder.

There, there, Amanda darling, she's gone. We must now call the funeral director to take her away. Come, you don't need to lay here in the bed with a dead woman. It's over, let her go, Mrs. Corinth said with a thick, sweet inflection in her otherwise cold voice.

Amanda rose up after a moment. She didn't want to leave her mother, but she knew the woman was right. Amanda turned and cast her reddened, teary eyes upon Mrs. Corinth just before she rose up to give her mother one final kiss on the cheek.

I love you, Mother. We shall meet again, Amanda said to her mother. She stood back and watched as the men came to carry her mother away for burial the next day. Sadness enveloped her like a cold, wet quilt. She had to find a way to carry on without her last living relative. Isabella had been sick for years. Amanda’s father’s death had naturally taken its toll on her mother. Now it was Amanda who had to be strong and move on without her closest family member.

Mother's funeral went uneventfully as plenty of friends gathered, but not one was willing to take in Amanda. Only the Corinth’s had taken her in and they held their heads high while looking down their sharp noses, their chins lifted into the air with sanctimonious pride. They let everyone know they were doing their Christian duty by caring for the widowed Isabella and her daughter. Amanda felt more like a pet project than a guest in their home. After the last handful of dirt was scattered on her mother’s casket, the Corinth’s carted Amanda away to their home.

The Rescued Bride - Chapter Two

For a couple of days, the Corinth’s played the part of pleasant hosts to Amanda, being respectful of her grief as she mourned her mother's passing. However, it didn't take long for the sateen façade to wear off, and Amanda awakened one day to realize that her life would never be the same.

Amanda darling, what are you doing now that you are an adult and that your mother is no longer around? You need to pull your weight around here. We're not able to afford a housekeeper, so we're going to ask you to pay for your own stay by helping to clean the house, Mrs. Corinth said to Amanda as she lifted her chin.

Of course, Mrs. Corinth. I'll be happy to help keep the house clean to show my appreciation for you taking me in as you and Mr. Corinth have done. Thank you so much. Thank you so much for being there for my mother and for me, Amanda said as she bowed her head; the woman intimidated the young lady. Amanda knew she couldn’t go out on her own.

Mrs. Corinth nodded and proceeded to leave just as she directed Amanda to the housework she expected her to do. At first, the chores were few and really were things that Amanda had done previously anyway, but soon their numbers became greater. Amanda didn't mind pulling her own weight and helping out, but the Corinth’s demands didn't leave any room for a social life. Her unhappiness grew with every passing day, in part because Amanda missed her mother terribly. The fact that her life now centered around such a small community with mostly elderly people and not too many young people like herself also wore heavily upon the young woman. Amanda knew she would more than likely have to leave and go elsewhere to find a husband. One evening, she decided to approach Mr. and Mrs. Corinth to ask them if they had in mind a suitor for her. She longed for the opportunity meet someone and marry so that she could get on with her life.

May I have a word with you both? Amanda asked as she stood in the door.

Mr. and Mrs. Corinth were in their sitting room, Mr. Corinth reading a book and Mrs. Corinth sewing. The short cold days of winter approached quickly, and frost was inching up the windows while the fireplace crackled with a freshly-lit fire.

Of course my dear, please sit down, Mrs. Corinth said as she lowered her needlepoint and waved her hand to the loveseat.

I wonder if you could arrange for me to meet someone; a handsome young gentleman caller. Someone that may be a suitable husband someday, Amanda asked as she twisted the apron hem in her hands.

You want to meet a gentleman caller? Mr. Corinth spoke with an annoying, nasally tone.

I think what Amanda means is that she wants us to arrange a marriage for her, Mrs. Corinth said as they chuckled at the request.

I do believe the days of arranged marriages are probably over. As you know, Mrs. Corinth and I never had any children. This has never been an issue with us. Your parents didn’t say anything to us about a possible betrothal for you. Your mother felt being here would be the best place for you, Mr. Corinth said.

We sort of had in mind that you would just become our housekeeper. We will keep you under our shelter. We will feed you and we will make sure you have clothes on your back. We will make sure if you're ever sick to call the doctor. For a girl of your standing, this is a decent life. You should be thankful we are offering it, Mrs. Corinth said in her characteristically dismissive tone.

Amanda looked down at the floor. Any hope of having a happy life drained from her as she listened to the cruel words of Mrs. Corinth. The laughter the older couple shared at her expense hurt terribly, so Amanda decided then and there to never ask them for help again. She rose up and nodded.

Thank you, Amanda muttered. As she left the room, the couple had another good laugh at her expense.

Amanda wanted to figure out a way to have a happy life in spite of the cruelty with which the Corinth’s imposed upon her. She hated the Corinth home and she didn't feel all that appreciated. Each day, Mrs. Corinth heaped more chores upon her. She overheard Mrs. Corinth talking to Mr. Corinth about giving her the additional duties so she wouldn't have time to think about finding a husband or having a life of her own. Amanda had rounded a corner and paused for the laughter stopped.

That girl should be happy we took her in. She doesn't act like she appreciates everything we've done for her or everything we've given her. She wants some more. She's a grabber, you know, Mrs. Corinth said to her husband. He muttered in agreement.

She simply has too much idle time on her hands. You know what the Bible says about idle hands. It is our duty to keep her busy. Busy enough that she keeps her mind entertained so that she doesn't think about things she shouldn't be thinking about, Mrs. Corinth said in an icy tone.

Amanda fled up the stairs to her bedroom after hearing the conversation and threw herself upon the bed and cried. She realized the couple had no intention of ever letting her go. They had her as a housekeeper, and they didn't have to pay her. The young woman had no money, other than a scant few coins her mother had left behind. She wanted to find a way out; any way that she would find.

Amanda had to figure out a way to get out of the house so she could go to town and buy a paper. She had heard through talk amongst the townsfolks that there were ads in the back for mail order brides. She had heard that there were men in the west who were too busy building their ranches to be courting other women. These ranch hands and cowboys often took out advertisements for wives in these newspapers. Many women eagerly answered the ads and found their husbands that way.

Amanda had an idea; Mrs. Corinth had hired a cook named Miss Crabapple who went to town each week to buy the fresh produce and staples needed to prepare the family’s meals. Amanda figured she could tend to her duties while also learning a skill that would help her to take a husband.

Would you be willing to teach me how to cook if the Corinth’s say it’s alright? Amanda asked Miss Crabapple.

Why sure, sweetie; if it is okay with the Mr. and the Mrs., Miss Crabapple said with a smile. Amanda nodded and left to find Mrs. Corinth in her sitting room.

Mrs. Corinth, may I have a word with you? Amanda asked as she stood just outside the study.

Mrs. Corinth looked up from her writing desk where she was penning a letter to a relative that lived on the East Coast.

I guess so. Please have a seat, Mrs. Corinth said as she put her pen down and looked over her spectacles at the young woman.

If it's okay with you, I would like to learn how to cook. I would like to go with Miss Crabapple to the market when she buys groceries for the dinners. I realize this adds to my duties, but I feel like I'm not learning how to do everything I need to be able to do, Amanda said as her eyes filled with hope.

But dear, we don't need you to cook. We need a house cleaner and that is what you are. You are our maid. Miss Crabapple is our cook and that's settled, Mrs. Corinth said as she adjusted her glasses over her nose and peered down at the paper in front of her.

Please, Mrs. Corinth. I'm sure I won’t be your housekeeper forever. I might be your housekeeper for a long time, but what if Miss Crabapple ever took ill? It would be nice to have someone who could cook the meals in a pinch so that there would be no interruption of the service. Please, may I learn this under Miss Crabapple? Amanda begged.

Mrs. Corinth thought for a moment while drumming her pen up and down on her desk. She looked down her sharp nose over the top of her glasses at Amanda as she contemplated her response. I suppose you're right. It would be nice and handy if you had some more skills to add to your repertoire. I guess you can begin learning how to cook and how to go to market as long as it doesn't interfere with your cleaning duties. You have my permission to do so, Mrs. Corinth said with a nod.

Amanda’s face stretched into a smile. Thank you so much, Mrs. Corinth. Now you won't regret this decision. I will make sure my cleaning duties are done and I will learn under Miss Crabapple. I appreciate it, Amanda said with a slight bow and turned to leave before Mrs. Corinth could change her mind.

Amanda quickly ran into the kitchen to tell Miss. Crabapple what she had proposed to Mrs. Corinth. Miss Crabapple was a little perplexed by Amanda’s willingness to learn a new skill without a wage. Miss Crabapple shrugged. Okay. We go to the market on Wednesdays, the first thing in the morning. Wake up extra early and get your cleaning finished beforehand. Then I will take you to the market and explain how to buy enough of and the right kinds of food for the meals for the week.

Amanda ran up to Miss Crabapple and gave her a quick hug before returning to her housecleaning chores.

The Rescued Bride - Chapter Three

Miss Crabapple and Amanda went to the market first thing Wednesday morning. Amanda had gotten up before dawn and cleaned her areas making sure she didn't leave any excuse for Mrs. Corinth to forbid her to go. She checked her pocket three times before she walked out of the room to make sure the coins that she had from her mother were still there. Hopefully, the newspaper would have the mail order bride advertisements. If so, she had a plan.

The wagon bumped along the dirt road heading to the mercantile in town. Miss Crabapple chattered on and on about her life and how she had grown up on a farm and how her mother and her grandmother had taught her how to cook. Amanda found it fascinating and decided to change up the conversation a bit by asking her a personal question.

Miss Crabapple, did you ever get married? Amanda asked.

The cook had a confused look for a moment but then her face kind of went into sadness followed by a full smile. Well I courted a young man way back, but we really didn't hit it off enough to marry. I had to take care of my grandparents and my parents for many years, much like you did with yours. Only, you are a lot younger when you lost yours than I was. I guess I just decided I wanted to be a cook and that's the kind of life I have followed, Miss Crabapple replied. She shrugged and Amanda didn't pursue it anymore; they had just arrived at the mercantile.

Miss Crabapple took the list from her bag and tore it into two pieces and handed one to Amanda. Please see to these items. I'm going to stay outside and walk to the farmers’ market and purchase the items needed for the fresh foods. These are the staples, Miss Crabapple said with a nod.

Okay, Amanda said as she took the list and turned to enter the store. She felt thankful for the opportunity to come to town and took very little time to find the items on the list.

Oh, before I forget, may I buy a newspaper too? Amanda asked the store clerk.

Over there. The clerk pointed to a table with piles of periodicals and papers.

Amanda walked to the table piled high with the documents and flipped through several. To her delight, she found the one with the most advertisements and handed the man a coin. After he gave her the change, she happily put it into her pocket. Amanda carefully folded the paper and slid it up under her apron, making certain her apron was secure enough to keep the paper held to her. The purchase of a newspaper before they left for home put a big smile on her face.

What’s the smile for, Amanda? Miss Crabapple asked.

Amanda didn't know why she felt like she had to keep it secret from Miss Crabapple, but she figured other people didn’t need to know. I’m just happy to be out and about today. Thank you, Miss Crabapple, for mentoring me like this, Amanda said.

Once she and Miss Crabapple had gotten home, she took the time to learn what she could about cooking in the kitchen. Amanda found it actually enjoyable to learn the skill. She figured it a good task to learn for her future. However, she also longed to go to her room and read the back of the newspaper and choose an advertisement to answer.

At long last, Amanda’s day came to an end. With the meals cooked and the rooms clean, she retired to her own quarters on the servant side of the grand home, which had a single bed, a table, a lamp, and her water pitcher and basin. Mrs. Corinth moved her not too many days after the passing of Isabella. At least Amanda had her own space. She closed the door and carefully listened to make sure no one was coming; the door had no lock. The young woman sat at the table in the simple wooden chair and took out a piece of paper and a quill she had snatched from Mrs. Corinth’s writing desk. She knew Mrs. Corinth wouldn't miss the parchments because she had plenty and she had many quills that she kept on top of the desk. Amanda found an almost empty inkwell stashed away in a drawer. She figured she would repay the woman by buying her a new quill, bottle of ink, and new parchments before she left.

Amanda carefully opened the newspaper and flipped to the back where she counted the advertisements and found fourteen in all. She read through each one and couldn't help but wonder which ones she should consider. After some thought, Amanda decided it needed to be something that she prayed about because her parents had expected her to have a strong faith in God as they had taught her before they passed. Amanda fully believed that God had everything within His control. She carefully read through each advertisement, pausing to pray to God as she read along.

Please God, show me which one to answer, Amanda prayed. Many sounded fantastic and a few did not, but she finally found one to settle upon. The advertisement came from a man on a ranch in Arizona.

I am a lonely man looking for a good Christian woman to be my companion and wife. If interested, write.

Amanda took the quill and gently circled the advertisement and underlined the address before she carefully took out her parchment to pen her first letter. She started the letter by stating her name, where she lived, and that she was single and nineteen years of age. The young woman then proceeded by saying that she was interested in becoming a wife and she was above all a Christian woman. With shaky hands, Amanda folded the letter neatly and placed it inside an envelope she had gotten from Mrs. Corinth’s desk. She hated that she had to steal these items, but she figured she would pay her back one day soon. There had even been a moment when she had thought about approaching the Corinth’s and asking them for a small pittance, but she knew what the answer would be. They had given her a roof over her head, clothes on her back, a doctor when she needed, as well as food in her belly. Amanda had a few coins left from her mother and she figured she could use those coins if she had to purchase a train ticket to take her southwest. There was a thought concerning going to work cleaning rooms at the inn in town.

The next Wednesday Amanda went to town with Miss Crabapple with her handwritten letter stashed within her cloak pocket.

I have a letter I’ve written to a pen pal to mail, Amanda said to Miss Crabapple. Miss Crabapple didn't think anything of it.

Okay, I will meet you back at the mercantile when you are finished, Miss Crabapple said as she sent Amanda off to the post office.

Amanda walked down the road and handed the postmaster the envelope. The man took it, weighed it, and told her the price. After she paid with a coin and received her change, she smiled at the man.

Thank you, Amanda said to the postmaster before taking her leave to go back to Miss Crabapple. Now she only had to wait to hear back from the man in Arizona and hoped he’d be interested in getting to know her.

The Rescued Bride - Chapter Four

Amanda continued her duties and learning how to cook with Miss Crabapple every day. Each Wednesday, she ran to the post office in hopes of finding a letter for her, but each time she was disappointed. Amanda realized it probably took a couple of weeks for the letter to reach its destination all the way in Arizona and for the man to write back if he so chose. It was a possibility he may not answer the letter at all. She decided she would give it a month and if she hadn't heard back from him she would move on to the next advertisement.

Exactly three weeks after Amanda had sent the letter to the man in Arizona, she finally received a post. The postmaster handed it to her with a big smile.

It looks like your pen pal finally answered, the postmaster said.

Amanda took the envelope and flipped it over to see from where it had come. The return address read Dalton Fellows in Arizona. The letter made Amanda’s entire day a happy one. She hummed as she helped Miss Crabapple with the cooking and danced about as she cleaned the house and took care of her chores. She kept thinking of the sealed letter she’d carefully placed under her mattress in her bedroom. Mrs. Corinth stayed on her to get her duties finished before she could retire for the day. The lady of the house didn't believe that Amanda should have much, if any, free time to herself. She believed free time would give the devil a chance to take Amanda’s idle hands and put them to unacceptable tasks. Mrs. Corinth felt it her duty to make certain Amanda stayed busy.

Amanda’s chores lasted until late into the evening, until after she had helped to clean the last dinnerware and dishes from the table. Afterwards, she had to scrub the kitchen floor and only once the wood gleamed grime-free could she retire to her room. Once there, Amanda gingerly plucked the letter from Dalton Fellows out from underneath her mattress and broke the seal.

Dear Amanda,

It is with great pleasure that I meet you. I am Dalton Fellows of Arizona. I came in from my ranch hand work just as your letter arrived. I have to admit, reading your post put a smile on my face and I have decided to write to you.

I am looking forward to getting to know you a little better. I hope that you want to continue writing. I am interested in you and if we get along through our letters, then I