The Purchased Bride

By Ruth Ann Nordin

Ada Wilcox never thought her brother would answer a mail-order bride ad on her behalf. Worse, he’s sold her–sight unseen–to a complete stranger. As she travels to Nebraska, she doesn’t know whether to be angry with her brother or scared about the uncertain future looming before her.

Pete Kelly never thought he’d marry. Then one day his brother brings him a woman to marry, and the loneliness that plagued him for years in his quiet world is finally at an end. But the gift he was given might be quickly taken away if he doesn’t act in time to keep it.

*This story was originally published in the Bride by Arrangement anthology.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin
• Release date: Aug 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005070496

Ruth Ann Nordin

Ruth Ann Nordin has written seventy romances, ranging from Regencies to historical westerns to contemporaries. She plays with other genres from time to time, but her first love is romance. She has been happily married for eighteen years to a sweet and funny guy, and they have four sons, who are all taller than Ruth now that they're 12, 13, 14, and 16. The good thing is she doesn't need a ladder, and there's always someone to take care of a mouse that squeezes its way into her Montana home. She considers herself very lucky to have led such a charmed life. Being able to play with characters and create stories is just icing on the cake. Hopefully, she'll get to keep doing this many years to come.

Book preview

Nebraska Prairie Series: Book 1

The

Purchased Bride

Ruth Ann Nordin

The Purchased Bride © 2013 Ruth Ann Nordin

Originally in the anthology Bride by Arrangement

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and also represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher.

All Rights Reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of Parchment & Plume.

Design Credit: Images and Cover Art Illustration by Period Images, Pi Creative Lab and RoseGraphics3. Cover Text, Logo and Branding by Stephannie Beman.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Next in this Series

All Books by Ruth Ann Nordin

Where to Find Ruth

Chapter One

April 1876

Charles City, Virginia

With a glance over her shoulder, Ada Wilcox fought the urge to run right back off the train. As much as she wanted to avoid this, she couldn’t. Her destiny was set and there was no turning back.

The conductor motioned to a seat in the front row. Please sit here, Miss.

Sighing, she thanked him and sat down. She didn’t know whether to cry or yell about the unfairness of it all. She looked out the window and saw her brother give a hesitant wave. Instead of returning the gesture, she shifted so that she didn’t have to look out the window again. She knew it wasn’t nice of her to do, but at the moment, she couldn’t bring herself to do what was right. She was much too upset at him.

The conductor leaned forward and smiled. If you two need anything, let me know. Miss Preston, this is Miss Wilcox. Miss Wilcox, he told Ada, this is Miss Preston. You two won’t believe it, but you’re both headed for Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s a small world. He chuckled and headed to the door to assist other passengers.

Miss Preston turned toward Ada. So you’re going to Lincoln? How unusual for us to be traveling to the same place.

Yes, it is. Ada retrieved a handkerchief out of her drawstring purse, tears welling up in her eyes. She forced a smile at the pretty young lady beside her who wore a lovely green and white shirtwaist and matching skirt. I worried about traveling this distance by myself. But all things considered, that was the least of her worries.

The train jerked forward, and Ada ventured another glance at her brother who at least had the decency to look guilty.

Miss Preston leaned toward her, eyebrows furrowed. Are you okay?

I, she sniffed and wiped her eyes again, I suppose I’ll be. She’d never seen Miss Preston until today and judging by the quality of the young woman’s clothing, she was better off than her, which was a sad state since Ada had on her best dress. She didn’t know what she could possibly have in common with such a refined lady, but it probably didn’t matter since they’d most likely never see each other again. Are you scared?

Yes, I’m leaving my beloved Virginia for an unknown place. It’s disconcerting.

Though Ada wasn’t sure what ‘disconcerting’ meant, she nodded. It is. I didn’t want to leave, but my brother worried about me and, she grimaced and wiped more tears away, arranged a marriage to secure my future. I’m sorry. I can’t seem to stop. She sniffed. I’m Ada, by the way.

Opal.

So may I ask why you are going to Lincoln? I-I don’t want to pry, but since we’ll be traveling together, I thought it might be nice to-to talk. And it would take her mind off her situation, if even for a few hours. She could use the reprieve. She hadn’t enjoyed a moment’s peace since her brother gave her the news.

Of course, you can and I’ll be happy to talk about it. I’m taking a governess position for two children.

Oh? A governess. That made sense. Opal seemed educated. How old are they?

Abigail’s six and Theodore’s eight.

Those are good ages, Ada said, finally able to take a deep breath to help settle her nerves.

It is. Opal paused. That’s very perceptive of you.

Well, I come from a large family. I have five brothers and two sisters.

I come from a large family of five brothers, too. She laughed. I can’t believe the things we’ve got in common. It’s uncanny.

Ada gestured to Opal’s dress. Even to the point of our choice in colors.

Opal nodded. I noticed right away that we were both wearing green. I’m glad the conductor put us together.

I am, too. And she was. Who are you meeting once we reach Lincoln?

My employer, Alexander Boyer. And you?

Ada gulped and clasped her hands together so she wouldn’t start crying all over again. That’s all Opal needed. A traveling companion who cried more tears than the Mississippi River could contain. When she could answer calmly, she said, Pete Kelly. That’s all my brother told me about him. Oh, he did say Pete’s well off. But she doubted Pete Kelly was as well off as Opal. Then again, to her brother, anyone who didn’t have to worry about whether or not there was food to eat was rich. So, you’re going to work as a governess? Are you looking forward to it?

Yes, but I’m going to miss my Virginia. What about you?

Not really. I’m just afraid of what kind of man my brother arranged for me.

It’s going to be difficult for both of us.

Opal reached out to squeeze her hand in silent encouragement. Ada returned the sentiment then turned to the window, hardly noticing the scenery.

***

With each mile that separated Ada from Virginia, she didn’t know if she felt better or worse. She kept telling herself that her brother wasn’t a bad man. He’d made the arrangement with Pete Kelly because he needed the money and because it would ensure she’d be provided for for the rest of her life.

But even as she tried to console herself with such logic, knowing her brother had seen fit to sell her to a stranger out in Nebraska—far removed from anyone she’d ever known—hurt. What kind of man needed a wife so badly he’d post an ad offering to buy one? Surely, a man who had to buy a wife wasn’t the kind of man worth marrying.

What had her brother been thinking? Maybe Pete promised her brother he’d take good care of her. If that had been the case, how could she know that was really true? Maybe he had something other than marriage in mind. What if he had a brothel and was looking for more women? As much as she struggled not to consider the possibility, it could very well be the case. Or it could be something as equally horrible. She didn’t know what could be as bad as working in a brothel, but she was sure men could think of all kinds of ways to use a woman.

Her brother should have had the decency to make sure Pete was a good man before he accepted the money. He never should have sold her without knowing what it was exactly that he was forcing her into.

Maybe she could run away. But how? And where would she go? She had no money, no way to get back to Virginia, no one to go to. She was trapped. If this Pete Kelly wasn’t the honorable young man her brother believed him to be, her life was good for nothing.

From beside her, someone gently nudged her arm. She stirred in her seat and saw her traveling companion smiling at her. We’re approaching the station, Opal said.

Ada stared at her for a moment then returned her smile. The only source of solace she had during the long and heartbreaking journey was having Opal to talk to. Now they would part: Opal to be a governess and Ada to be with someone who would either be good to her or not. I will miss you.

Me too. I’m so glad we got to know each other.

Ada pulled out her damp handkerchief and wiped more tears from her eyes. With a glance out the window, she saw the Lincoln station as the train slowed.

Don’t forget to write, Opal said.

Ada blinked back more tears and nodded. If Pete Kelly was the kind of man who’d allow her to write, she would.

The train came to a stop, and the conductor called out, Lincoln! Then he turned to the two women. Stay here and I’ll make sure Mr. Kelly and Mr. Boyer are here to greet you.

Ada pressed her handkerchief to her mouth, hoping her nerves wouldn’t make her vomit. This was it. There was no turning back.

The passengers started departing from the car, and the conductor waved to them. Opal gave her an encouraging smile, and while it did little to ease the tension, Ada took some comfort in it. She reluctantly got out of her seat and trudged to the door. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she took a shaky step off the train.

As she scanned the platform, she caught sight of the framed United States map on the wall. Her gaze went from Virginia to Nebraska and she released her breath in despair. She was a long way from home.

She glanced back at Opal who seemed so at ease with being in this new and unfamiliar place as she stepped off the train. Ada wished she had her ability to display such confidence.

Are you Miss Ada Wilcox? a man who appeared to be in his late twenties asked.

Her gaze went from him to the woman and child beside him. Surely, this couldn’t be Pete Kelly. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded. I am. You’re not Pete Kelly, are you?

No, ma’am, he replied. I’m his brother, Jimmy. This here is my wife Cheryl and my boy Ron.

I’m six, Ron said.

With a chuckle, Jimmy motioned to an older man whose hair was starting to gray. This is Preacher Thompson who’ll marry you and my brother.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cheryl said with a smile that helped to ease some of Ada’s nerves.

Is Pete here? she asked, scanning the busy station.

No, he’s waiting for you at his house, Jimmy replied.

One of the baggage handlers came over to her. Ma’am, do you have a brass tag for me?

Oh, yes. Ada quickly opened her purse and dug in it, feeling the heat of everyone’s stares on her as she fumbled around for it. With great relief, she finally retrieved it. Goodness but her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Here it is, sir.

The youth nodded and went to get her small wooden trunk.

Do you have anything else? Cheryl asked.

Ada shook her head. This is it. All the things she owned were in a trunk so small that it wouldn’t hold much more than Ron if he wanted to hide in it. This was just another reminder of why her brother said this was her best chance at a better life. She examined Jimmy as he lifted the trunk for her then turned her attention to Cheryl, the boy, and the preacher. They seemed like nice enough folk. At least they didn’t seem like the kind who’d haul her off to a brothel.

What did your brother tell you about Pete? Jimmy asked as he led the group out of the station.

Um, not much. Ada squinted in the sunlight and adjusted her hat to protect her eyes. "Just that he’d be a