Mail-Order Escape

By Mildred Colvin

A young woman mistreated by her preacher father, believes she must protect her ill mother even if it means she won’t marry the man she loves.

Justin loves Michelle and she loves him, but he can’t convince her to marry him. He won’t give up on her, but must return to his job on the Rocking R Ranch in Kansas. Maybe he’ll find help there to convince her marriage is the best way.

Michelle would marry Justin in a moment, but she can’t leave her mother at the mercy of her unfeeling father. Then the unexpected happens, and her path changes directions in ways she would have never dreamed.

Is it possible God is directing Justin and Michelle’s lives so they may find peace, forgiveness, and love by serving Him? Find out in this mail-order bride story with a few surprises along the way. A warm, fulfilling read, packed with emotions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Colvin
• Release date: Oct 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215923160

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

Book preview

Mail-Order Escape

Mail-Order Matchmakers series

Book 3

Mildred Colvin

Historical Christian Romance

Mail-Order Escape

Copyright©2023 by Mildred Colvin

All Rights Reserved

Cover Photos ©Greg Kelton|Dreamstime.com

©mihailguta1992

Smashwords edition

Scripture portions are taken from the

King James Version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews.

Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Dedication

Coming Next

About the author

More Books

Dedication

I owe so much to my first readers. Jim, thank you for taking time to read every book I write and looking for my many errors and typos. You are the best! Also a special thanks to Linda Cushman who catches things I haven’t even thought about. She has some wonderful Christian romance books listed at most online bookstores. I can heartily recommend them all. And a big thanks especially to the many who have read my books, and I hope continue to. Without you, I wouldn’t bother writing.

Chapter 1

Cleveland, Ohio, Early August, 1880

Michelle Walker dried the cast-iron skillet then set it on the table. She’d need it in the morning to fry bacon and eggs for breakfast. She’d swept the floor and wiped the table and cabinets. A quick inspection of the kitchen satisfied her. Even Father couldn’t find fault. At least, she hoped not.

It’s fine, Michelle. Her mother’s soft voice soothed her, relaxing the tension that never eased until her father left town to preach a series of meetings somewhere. Anywhere but Cleveland. He hadn’t gone for a while now, so she relished even the smallest word of approval.

Thank you, Mother. She turned to see her mother resting her hand against the doorframe, as if needing it to hold her upright. At only thirty-eight years, she could easily have passed for a woman fifteen to twenty years older. Each day, she seemed to lose strength. Is there anything I can help you with? Are you heading to bed now?

A slight smile touched her pale face. I believe I will turn in. Why don’t you run up to your room and rest? You’ve done enough today.

I will, but only if you’re sure I can’t do anything more. She stepped closer and held out her hand for her mother to take. You know I don’t mind helping. Do you want a drink?

A sip of water would be nice. Mother allowed Michelle to guide her to a chair at the table.

Coming right up. As soon as she was safely in the chair, Michelle hurried to the water pail and returned with the dipper half full. If this isn’t enough, let me know.

Mother sipped the water, then handed the rest back. That’s exactly what I needed. Thank you, Sweet Shelly. You are a blessing to an old woman.

Oh, Mother, you aren’t old. Michelle’s heart swelled with love for her mother. You’re young and beautiful. She dumped the remaining water from the dipper into the washbasin beside the pail, then returned the dipper.

A disbelieving laugh sounded before her mother said, You are a flatterer, dear, but I’m old and used up. Sometimes, I wish the good Lord would see fit to take me home. If not for you and Michael, I might beg Him to.

Oh, Mother. Please, don’t talk that way. I’d like to keep you here always. She held up a hand when her mother stirred. I know Heaven is a wonderful place. Better than this land of trials and disappointments where we must stay for now. I wouldn’t mind leaving this life either, so I understand. I’m just being selfish, wanting to keep you with me.

You haven’t a selfish bone in your body, child. A wrinkle formed between her mother’s eyes as she looked into Michelle’s face. Your life hasn’t been easy, but I believe that’s going to change. As hard as our trials are, they can strengthen us if we’ll let them. I pray for you and your brother every day. If we place our trust in God and don’t waver, He will take care of us. He has something good in store for you. I feel it deep within. Remember what the Psalmist said, ‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. In Him will I trust.’ And that’s what we must do.

I know, Mother. Michelle forced a smile, for she would never burden her beloved mother with her true feelings. I will continue to trust Him. I promise.

But did she trust? Right now, Father was in his study preparing for the sermon he would preach in the morning at the little church a few blocks from their house. He’d been the pastor there as long as she could remember. At least twice a year, he’d receive an invitation to hold revival meetings for other churches. Some nearby, but many were far away. When he left, Michelle often prayed he would never return, but God either didn’t hear her plea or He didn’t care. She believed in God, but she didn’t know if He cared about her.

She helped her mother to her room and tucked the covers around her as she’d often done for her when she was little. Then she kissed her cheek and backed away. Sleep well, Mother. I’ll see you in the morning.

Yes, dear. Mother’s smile was sweet. In the morning.

After backing out of the room, she pulled the door almost shut, then tiptoed up the stairs. Her hand glided over the sturdy mahogany bannister until she reached the second story. Going down the hallway to her room, she glanced at her twin brother’s closed door and imagined him propped up on his bed, reading. From the Bible? Maybe. Michael was a lot like their father, except he was usually kind, not as straight laced, and she could reason with him. But if he had to choose between her and Father’s law, she feared she would lose.

She closed the door, then tiptoed across her darkened bedroom, past the bed to the cushioned window seat. There she sat, leaning back against the wall near the window. Moving the curtain to one side, she peered out at the house next door. Similar in style to Father’s house, the O’Neill home sat across the alley that ran from the street in front to another street in back of their properties. Each yard was at least half an acre in size, giving a wonderful playground when combined.

Justin O’Neill was an only child, almost two years older than her. At first, when they were young, he and Michael played together, leaving her out. Back then, she pretended to not like him, but she was always aware of his presence, more than any other of their playmates. She’d had a friend who lived on the street behind them. Melanie Keller was her age, and they played with dolls, pretending to be mothers who were meeting for the day so their babies could play together. Before long, they outgrew their dolls as school activities took up their time. School and boys. Occasionally, a boy tried to get her attention, but none compared to the boy next door. When Justin walked her home from school, she was thrilled. When he said her long, dark hair, pulled back from her face with a ribbon, was as shiny and sleek as a raven’s feathers, she wondered if she should take offense. But his hair was as dark and shiny as hers, so she thanked him, and he acted pleased. It must have been a compliment. After that, she wore her hair the same way, even if sometimes it refused to go into the ringlets she’d worn that day. Then she just combed it out, and the light in his eyes told her he liked her looks.

That was years ago, but she soon noticed the special light in his eyes never dimmed even if she braided her hair. Maybe he liked her despite her looks. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked her to run away with him the last time he was home. He’d been gone six months.

She hugged her knees to her chest and sought his bedroom window. He’d pointed it out one day, and they’d learned they could see each other if they stood in the windows. She missed their silent goodnights as they waved across the alleyway. Later, they blew kisses. When he left, a part of her went missing, but not for long now. Excitement thrummed inside as she waited for midnight. He should be home, and when he appeared in his window, she’d know for sure. They’d be together again, and Father would never know.

Thinking of Father cast a shadow over her anticipation. Surely God had been with her and Justin when she got the mail that day and found his letter tucked in with the others. She’d hidden it to read that night, and feared Father would somehow know. But he hadn’t. He’d said nothing, and he would have if he’d known. She bowed her head for a moment. Lord, please, if you love me, help me see Justin tonight. We want to marry. Surely there’s nothing wrong with that, but Father makes it sound immoral if we’re even so much as friends. Just because he doesn’t like his father doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with Justin. All we want is to marry.

But what of Mother? The thought came unbidden. She had to take care of Mother as no one else seemed to care. Even Michael dismissed Mother’s weakness as unimportant. He said if she’d eat more, she’d probably feel better. She didn’t eat enough, but surely that was because she was ill, not the other way around. But how would they know without a doctor’s exam? When Michelle asked Father to take her to the doctor, he ordered her to mind her own business. He said there was nothing wrong with Mother. He claimed her occasional spells were a bid for attention. If she wanted to lie around, she could. Soon enough, she’d tire of it and get back up to do her work. There was nothing Michelle could do but stay and take over Mother’s duties.

But she wouldn’t think about it now. Justin would soon give her the signal, and by then, the household would be sleeping. This wouldn’t be the first time they’d slipped outside to find a secluded place to talk. But it’d been six long months since they’d been together. She could scarcely wait. Her heart set up a steady, strong beat as she watched the neighbor’s house and longed for the one she loved. He was a man now and worked on the Rocking R Ranch. This was his first visit home, and he’d made it clear he wanted to see her first.

~*~

Justin held a candle in his window and stepped close so Michelle could see him. When an answering light revealed her beautiful face, he smiled. Tonight they’d be together. He blew out his light and slipped from his old room. It seemed strange to be home tonight alone in a room large enough for half a dozen cowboys. He’d gotten used to the hard life of the cowboy, and loved it. The other guys were friends who’d watch your back or knock sense into you as the need arose. Didn’t matter to them. They did what the situation called for, and he’d learned to do the same. Work hard, stick up for your friends, but mind your own business was a good policy to follow.

He grabbed up a quilt from his bed as he walked past, then went out the door. Pop had been asleep for several minutes, if the snoring meant anything. Didn’t much matter, not with Pop, but he figured meeting Michelle tonight was no one’s business but his. He could scarcely wait to see her. Seemed a lifetime since he’d held her in his arms and enjoyed her kisses. If everything went as planned, they wouldn’t part again until she promised to marry him and move to Kansas.

He stepped outside and pulled the door closed with barely a click. Felt good to be back in Ohio, but he missed the open spaces on the ranch. For a city boy, he’d learned fast how to ride a horse and wrangle cattle. He chuckled. They didn’t just fix fences; they were even making their own fence from limestone rock they’d pulled from the ground. He’d have never thought of such a thing, but the finished fence was pretty to look at and strong. Should last a long time, too. Probably longer than any of them.

Michelle appeared as a ghost floating toward him, but he knew it was her by the way his heart pounded, and not from fear, either. He strode across the alley and clasped her hand. Pulling her close, he dropped a quick kiss on her cheek, then whispered near her ear. There’s more where that came from.

As he tugged her toward the shadows of the alley leading away from their houses, he watched the color rise in her cheeks with help from the moonlight and laughed. Oh, it felt good to be with her again.

What’s the quilt for? She stared at the bundle under his arm.

Can’t have you getting grass stain on that pretty dress, can we? He pulled her even closer, slipping his arm around her waist. Let’s go to our special place. Okay?

She nodded, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

It wasn’t far, and he was glad. There was nothing fancy about it, either, just an old weeping willow tree that had stood in the far corner of his parents’ yard as long as he could remember. It’d likely been there years before he was born. A miniature creek, probably a drainage ditch, ran past the tree, making a picturesque scene for two kids who were just discovering love. He handed her one end of the quilt, and together they spread it out on the grass under the overhanging branches. He stretched out his arm as if welcoming her into his parlor. Would you like a seat, Miss Walker?

Yes, of course. Thank you. Her smile was bright, and he couldn’t look away. "Oh, Justin, I’m so glad finally to see you