She wants to change the rules. He wants to play the role of protector. Together, Madison and Wyatt will gamble it all for love. Despite her beauty and charm, Madison is single and a little lost in the bustle of Whiskey River. Declining a less-than-suitable offer from the town’s resident terror, Madison needs protection. Forget mail-order brides, she’s on a mission to discover a would-be husband. Thousands of miles due east in New York City, debonair gambler Wyatt Nash is lucky in cards. He soon finds himself disenchanted by city life and those quick to accuse him of cheating. So, he decides to take off in search of happiness under the big open sky. What he finds will change his life forever. Return to the wild frontier in the second installment of the ten-book series, Whiskey River Brides. Join Madison, Wyatt, and your favorite characters as they struggle to overcome loss, change, and discover the whispers of new love in this enchanting western world.
Mail-Order Husband Š 2018 by Theresa Oliver All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any written, electronic, recorded, or photocopied format without the express permission from the author or publisher as allowed under the terms and conditions with which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author's rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author. Mail-Order Husband is a work of fiction. All names, characters, events and places found therein are either from the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to persons alive or dead, actual events, locations, or organizations is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author. For information, contact the publisher, Hot Tree Publishing. www.hottreepublishing.com Editing: Hot Tree Editing Cover Designer: RMGraphX ISBN: 978-1-925655-53-7
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For those who seek love. Go for it. It’s worth the gamble.
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3
Chapter 1 Whiskey River, Wyoming October 1870
“Good morning, Miss Taylor!” Jessica Henley waved as she headed toward Madison Taylor, crossing the dirt road and dragging her two children, Shane and Hailey, along with her. “Will we see you in church this Sunday?” Madison sighed. “We’ll see.” She started to walk away, but Jessica caught her. “We miss seeing you at church,” Jessica persisted, placing a handkerchief over her mouth as she coughed. Jessica was the wife of Preacher Caleb Henley, and the only schoolteacher in Whiskey River, Wyoming. It was a one-room schoolhouse, but she ran it to perfection, ensuring the understanding of all students. It also served as the church. Madison noticed that she looked a little pale. “Are you feeling well, Mrs. Henley?”
She cleared her throat. When she pulled the handkerchief away, it was stained with blood. Madison’s brow furrowed in concern as she reached out and touched her arm. “Mrs. Henley, you need to see a doctor.” She forced a smile as she shook her head and then looked down at her children. “I’m fine. I just need to get some rest. See you at church Sunday?” Madison returned the smile. “Sure. I’d love to.” Jessica took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Across the street, Pete McGregor walked out of the saloon and stumbled a bit. “I have to go,” Madison said, letting Jessica’s hand go as she started to walk away. “See you Sunday,” Jessica called after her. Madison turned around to wave goodbye, and Jessica’s face fell as she slowly lowered her hand. Madison closed her eyes as a sinking feeling washed over her. She turned around and ran smack into trouble. She opened her eyes and slowly looked up in to Pete’s lust-filled gaze.
“Where you going so fast?” he asked as he looked down at her. Madison squared her shoulders. “Get out of my way, Mr. McGregor.” When he laughed, the stench of whiskey rushed toward her. “Mr. McGregor, huh?” he slurred as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She tried to push away. “Why so formal? We’re soon to be married, after all.” Madison laughed. “Married?” Her voice turned serious as she looked him square in the eye. If her friendship with Ella Hill had taught her anything, it was not to be afraid to live her own life. Madison looked back at the memory and smiled. After Ella had moved to Whiskey River, she had stayed at the boardinghouse. Ella’s room had been right across from hers before Ella and Colton married. “I think not.” She shoved even harder this time and Pete stumbled away. She started to walk away, but Pete grabbed her around the waist and slammed her to his chest. “Oh, I think we’ll be married sooner than you think.” She struggled to get away, but he pulled her back so abruptly that he almost jerked
her arm out of its socket. “Come on, darling. Let’s get hitched,” he said as he pulled her toward the church. Jessica’s eyes opened wide as she pulled her little girl into her arms and took her son’s hand. “Come along, children,” she said as she dragged the boy down the wooden planks of the covered walkway. Hope filled Madison’s heart as she watched her disappear into the sheriff’s office. She just hoped the sheriff was in. Madison took a deep breath and let her elbow fly into Pete’s chest. “Get off me, you brute!” “Ah. Don’t be like that, sugar,” Pete cooed in her ear, unfazed. As he pulled her down the walkway, people got out of their way, letting them pass even as Madison looked at them pleadingly. His lips groped her neck greedily. “Today’s our wedding day.” Madison struggled with all her might against Pete’s grasp, but he was too strong. “I’m going to kill you if you don’t let me go.” Pete laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes as he grabbed her wrists. “Kill me, will you?”
A sly smile spread across his lips. “You don’t have the guts.” His lips descended toward hers, but she managed to free one of her hands, and pushed his face away. Then she stomped hard on his foot, and he released her with a yowl. “Someone help me!” she yelled as she ran down the walkway, just as the sheriff stepped out of his office. “Go inside,” he ordered as he looked only at Pete. “I’ll take care of this. Don’t you worry.” Madison sighed in relief. “Thank you, Sheriff.” Jessica stepped out and wrapped her arm around Madison, but she pulled away. “Go inside, Mrs. Henley. I’ll be fine.” Jessica looked into the sheriff’s office at the children, and then down the walkway toward a steaming mad Pete, and the sheriff holding his hands over his guns. “Come with me,” she pleaded. Madison shook her head. “I have to face him.” Jessica forced a smile as she nodded, then hurried into the sheriff’s office and huddled the children under the desk.
“Leave the lady alone, McGregor,” Sheriff Daxton Clark said, staring him down. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll arrest you for harassing a lady. Now, git!” Pete narrowed his eyes at Madison over the sheriff’s shoulder. “This isn’t over between us, Miss Taylor. Mark my words. I won’t quit until you’re my wife,” he growled. “You want me to arrest you now?” Daxton asked as he clenched his fists over his six-gun revolvers and then released them. Pete stepped close to him. “You wouldn’t dare! I’m the owner of that saloon over there. How dare you talk to me that way? I could have your job.” He poked his finger at the sheriff’s chest. Sheriff Clark grabbed his hand, twisted his arm around to his back, and then pushed him toward his office, past Madison, who stepped out of the way, concealing a smile. She stood in the doorway, watching. She wouldn’t have missed this for the world. “How dare you!” Pete yelled as the sheriff guided him into his office.
“Have my job, will you?” Daxton asked as he pushed him into a cell and slammed the door closed. “I think you need some time to cool off. Maybe this will help,” he offered as he reached for a nearby pitcher of water and threw the contents on him. “Why, you…,” Pete yelled as he grabbed the cell bars and tried to shake them, but to no avail. “She’s going to be my wife.” “Like hell I will, Pete McGregor!” Madison yelled, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re a vile man, and I wouldn’t marry you on a bet.” Jessica hurried to pull the giggling children out of the small building and disappeared down the walkway just as Colton Hill rushed in. “You okay, Sheriff? I was in town buying supplies and came as soon as I heard the commotion.” Colton looked over at the jail cell where Pete McGregor was yelling as he pulled frantically at the bars. Colton had been the town deputy when he first came to Whiskey River, but quit after he and Ella bought their ranch. But he still helped out when needed.
Daxton took off his hat and ran his hand through his coal-black hair, laughing. “Well, better late than never.” He motioned toward Pete. “Ol’ McGregor here was just learning a lesson on how to treat women.” Colton laughed as he placed his hands on his hips, taking him in. “Well, Pete. Have you learned your lesson yet?” “Hell no!” Pete yelled as he rattled the bars and then pointed at Madison. “And I’m not going to stop until she’s my wife.” Madison’s heart sank and her smile faded as she watched Daxton and Colton laugh. She knew it was true. Pete wouldn’t stop, ever, unless she stopped him herself.
Chapter 2
“Hah! A full straight,” a merchant sailor fresh off the boat said as he spread his cards across the table at the Breckenridge Saloon in New York. Sure enough, it was the prettiest full straight Wyatt Nash had ever seen. And he had seen many. Wyatt was one of the best gamblers in all of New York. He tsk, tsked. “Yes, that’s good, but not good enough.” Wyatt spread his cards across the poker table. “Four of a kind, aces high.” Everyone stared in amazement. “And that, gentlemen, is how the game is played.” He scooped up the cards and shuffled them expertly, stretching them out like an accordion and then back again, and set them down onto the table. Exhausted but exhilarated, he took off his hat, ran his hand through his wavy brown, collar-length hair, and then put it back on. The sailor turned the table over, sending poker chips flying across the floor, but Wyatt managed to save the cards. He shook his head as
he viewed the mess. “Douglas, you don’t want to do this,” he cautioned, letting out a deep breath. Douglas pushed the chair over behind him. “How the hell do you know what I want?” he yelled as everyone in the room started to back away. “Give me back my money.” A smirk spread across Wyatt’s face. “Why?” He shrugged calmly. “I won it, fair and square.” “You call this fair?” Douglas asked, motioning toward the mess spread all over the floor. Wyatt’s smile faded. “What are you saying, Douglas?” “Wyatt, you don’t want to do this,” Ryker urged from behind the bar. “Don’t make a mess of my saloon.” Wyatt slowly stood, never taking his blue eyes off Douglas. “Who says it’ll make a mess?” “Damn it, Wyatt!” Ryker exclaimed as he stomped his foot. “It took me a week to get the blood stains out of these wooden floors the last time.” “Mia cleaned it. Not you,” Wyatt retorted, still watching Douglas.
Douglas laughed. “So, you’ve done this before, huh? I should have known that about a cheat like you.” Wyatt slowly pushed the chair out of the way. “What did you call me?” Douglas sneered as he pulled a knife from his boot. “You heard me just fine.” Everyone in the saloon gasped and stepped back, giving them a wide berth. Wyatt held out the cards. “I won that hand fair and square.” He looked directly into Douglas’s eyes. “I never cheat.” Douglas laughed. “You call four aces fair? What’s the chance of you having all four?” A gleam appeared in Wyatt’s eyes. “What’s the chances of you leaving here alive?” Douglas’s smile faded. “Big words from an unarmed man.” “Who says I’m unarmed?” “Well, I guess we’re about to find out, aren’t we?” Ryker let out a sigh. “Wyatt, I couldn’t blame you.” He turned to Douglas. “It’s the chance you take when you sit down to the poker table, mister.
That’s why they call it gambling. There’s a fiftyfifty chance of winning or losing when you start to play. Stop being a sore loser and go home. Sleep it off and live to see another day.” Douglas
laughed.
“You
sound
pretty
confident about that.” He inclined his head toward Wyatt. “Look at him. He’s unarmed.” Ryker shook his head. “And you’d stab an unarmed man?” “If I have to,” Douglas agreed, narrowing his eyes at Wyatt. “Especially if that man is a cheat.” “That’s the second time you’ve called me that,” Wyatt chimed in as he straightened his vest and suit coat. “I’ll give you another chance. Leave now, and there’ll be no more trouble. But I won’t let you call me that a third time.” “Brave words from a lying… stinking… cheat.” Douglas leapt toward him with the knife raised high into the air. Before anyone could react, Wyatt bent low and flipped Douglas over his shoulder, and he landed flat on his back with a thud. The knife fell to the floor and another man picked it up and gave it to Ryker behind the bar. Everyone moved
swiftly out of the way, backing toward the walls. Douglas jumped to his feet and threw a punch at Wyatt. Wyatt blocked it, grabbed his arm, and twisted it behind his back. “Stop now.” “Like hell I will!” Douglas yelled, twisting out of his grasp. Wyatt got out of the way just as Douglas’s fist flew toward his face and punched him in the face, sending him flying backward onto a table. It split in half and Douglas crashed to the floor, laying on what was left of the table. But Douglas got quickly back to his feet a bit slower this time. “I didn’t think you would.” Wyatt smiled. He hadn’t gotten into a good fist fight in a long while. It felt good to let off some steam. “Ryker, get the ladies out of here. They shouldn’t see this.” “Speak for yourself,” Mia said as she stood against the wall with another girl, smiling. They were obviously enjoying the fight as much as he was enjoying being in it. Suddenly, her mouth opened in surprise. “Look out!” All of a sudden, a chair hit him on the back of the head, knocking him to the floor. Dazed, he turned over just in time to see Douglas’s fist
coming at him. He moved out of the way and his opponent hit the floor instead. “Ow! My hand. You broke my hand!” Douglas yelled, leaping onto Wyatt, sending them crashing onto another table. But he was so drunk that Wyatt through he wouldn’t feel it until morning. Wyatt laughed. “I didn’t break your hand. You did it to yourself.” “Why, you,” Douglas said as he dove at Wyatt again. “Boys! You’re going to pay for this mess,” Ryker exclaimed from behind the bar, shaking his head. He ducked when Wyatt threw Douglas over the top of the bar, breaking the full-length mirror behind it. Douglas jumped up onto the bar and dove at Wyatt, knocking him down. But Wyatt turned Douglas over, straddling him, pinned him to the ground and punched him in the face. A moment later, Wyatt stood up. “Had enough?” Douglas held up a hand, his face bloody as he lay on the ground under Wyatt. “I give.”
Wyatt punched him once more for good measure. “That’s for calling me a cheat.” Then he got up and threw a gold piece on the bar as he tucked in his shirt. “There you go, Ryker. That’ll cover my half of the damages.” “If you think you’re going to get one red cent out of me…,” Douglas bellowed. Wyatt turned back to look at him. “You want some more?” Douglas shook his head as he held up his hands. “That’s what I thought.” He held out his hand to help him to his feet, but Douglas wouldn’t take it. Instead, he staggered to his feet and fell into a chair. “Now, you pay him your half. It’s only fair.” Wyatt walked away, straightening his vest and brushing off his suit coat. “Man. The way you handled him in there was brilliant,” Trent Jericho gushed as he followed him out the door. But his smile faded when he saw Wyatt’s solemn expression. “Hey, are you okay?” Wyatt wiped a spot of blood from his lip. “I’m getting tired of this.”
Trent’s eyebrows pulled together, confused. “Of what?” “Of this life.” At that moment, he knew something had to change.
Chapter 3
Madison thought about the incident with Pete McGregor the day before as she walked over to Ella and Colton’s house. She and Ella had become fast friends when Ella first moved to Whiskey River and they both had rented rooms from the Widow Jenkins at her boardinghouse. Then, after Ella married Colton, the friendship had continued. Ella was one of the only people Madison felt she could confide in. And she definitely needed to unburden herself. Madison enjoyed the scenery as Mrs. Jenkins’s driver George drove past spruce, maple, cedar, and a number of amazing trees. Ella’s ranch looked lovely with leaves in all colors of red, yellow, green, and brown strewn along the ground. It was Fall in Whiskey River. Her favorite time of year. Madison pulled her coat tightly around her as a cold gust of wind blew into the carriage. The October air was turning cooler, a relief from the hot days of summer.
A sense of exhilaration ran through her as she thought of her plan. She had to stand up to Pete McGregor once and for all, and in a way that would deter him forever. His advances had gotten bolder over the last few weeks, and she was afraid of what he might do next. She knew she had to act, and act right away. She smoothed her hands over her light blue dress and then smoothed back her hair, summoning her courage. Since going off on her own, this was the boldest thing that she had ever done. For a moment, she thought of backing down, but then images of Pete McGregor flooded her mind and she knew she had to do something. It was her only shot. She got out of the carriage, walked up the wooden stairs and onto the front porch, then knocked on the door. There was shuffling inside, and then the door opened. “Madison. It’s so good to see you. Please, come in,” Ella said, standing back. “Madison.” Colton smiled in greeting as she walked into the kitchen. “You’re just in time. We were just about to have lunch.”
“Oh, I couldn’t intrude—” “Nonsense,” Colton admonished as he set a sandwich on the table. “Come on. Sit down. We have more than enough.” “Well, if you insist….” Ella touched Madison’s back. “We do,” she said as she set another place setting on the table, and then reached over and squeezed her hand. “We’re glad you’re here.” Madison forced a smile as she returned the squeeze. “So, how are things going with the ranch?” she asked, and took a small bite of her roast beef sandwich. “This is delicious.” Ella smiled. “It was leftover from the roast we had last night.” “Well, you’re quite the cook,” Madison complimented around bites. “This is the best roast beef I’ve had in a while.” Ella smiled as she looked over at her husband. “Actually, Colton made it. He’s a wonderful cook, isn’t he?” Madison smiled. “Yes, I would say so.”
“Well, I have to take care of my woman,” Colton explained, smiling at his wife. “Especially now.” Ella blushed as she looked down at her plate. “Okay,” Madison said, narrowing her eyes at them both. “What am I missing?” Colton grinned, smiling encouragingly at Ella. “Well,” she answered as she looked at her husband, “we’re expecting a baby.” “Really?” Madison’s eyes widened. “When?” Ella and Colton laughed. “Sometime around April,” Ella said. Madison threw her arms around her friend. “Congratulations.” She pulled back to look into Ella’s eyes. “How are you feeling?” “Fine.” Ella beamed. “Couldn’t be better.” “I’m so happy for you,” Madison gushed. “If I can do anything for you, just let me know.” Ella smiled as she took a bite of her sandwich. “So, what brings you over on this fine day?” Madison shook her head as she took a sip of her hot tea. “No. It’s not urgent. It can wait.” Madison didn’t want to spoil Ella and Colton’s good news.
Ella narrowed her eyes. “Nonsense. What is it?” Madison shrugged. “I was hoping that we could talk.” Ella bit her lower lip. “Madison, we heard about what Pete McGregor did to you yesterday. Are you all right?” Madison sighed. “Actually, that’s what I came here to talk to you about. Besides, it’s been a while since we’ve had some good girl talk.” “Well, that’s my cue,” Colton joked, smiling as he set down his coffee. He looked at Madison as a crease formed between his eyes. “Would you like for me to speak with him?” Madison shook her head. “No. I can handle it. I have a plan.” Colton ran his hands through his long brown hair, pulled it back in a ponytail, and then let it fall down his back. It was a habit of his. He was one of the only men that Madison had ever seen with hair that long, but it seemed to suit him. “Well, if you change your mind, please let me know.” He let out an exasperated breath. “The sheriff let Pete out this morning, so be careful.” He stood and
slipped on his hat. “When you’re ready to leave, let me know and Ella and I will take you home.” “Thank you.” Madison smiled in answer. “Well, I hate to leave the company of such beautiful ladies, but the ranch won’t run itself. If you’ll excuse me.” He tipped his hat and walked out, leaving them alone. Ella filled Madison’s glass with hot tea from a china tea set, beige with red flowers adorning the side. “So, are you all right? I mean, really.” Madison sighed. “Yes. I’m fine. Thank you.” Ella bit her lower lip. “Madison, let Colton talk to him for you. You cannot marry the likes of Pete McGregor.” “And I don’t intend to,” Madison replied as she took another dainty bite of her sandwich. “In fact, that’s why I’m here.” She took a deep breath, summoning her courage. “Ella, may I ask you a personal question?” Ella gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes. Of course. What is it?” she probed as she looked imploringly into her eyes. “You were a mail-order bride, right?”
Ella had told her that she was a mail-order bride when she first came to Whiskey River. In fact, she was supposed to marry Dallas King, the richest man in town, but she had fallen in love with Colton. Ella adjusted the napkin on her lap. “You know that I was.” “Yes, I’m sorry, but I didn’t know how else to bring it up.” Madison reached over and gave her friend’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Please, forgive me, but I want to ask you a question.” Ella dabbed at her lips with the napkin. “What would you like to know?” Madison bit her lower lip. “How did you do it?” Ella thought for a moment and then forced a smile. “Madame Chase, the matchmaker in New York, placed an advertisement in the Hearts and Hands magazine, and I answered it. I wanted a change, and I’m glad I did it. Even though I married Colton instead, I never would have found Whiskey River had it not been for that advertisement.”
“I’m glad you answered it, too.” Madison agreed, taking a sip of her hot tea. “Why did you want to know?” Ella asked. “Are you thinking of being a mail-order bride again?” Madison exhaled deeply as she shook her head. “Then, what are you saying?” Ella’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Pete McGregor won’t let me be,” Madison stated, summoning her courage. But she had to get it out before she changed her mind. “So, I want a mail-order husband.” Ella sat back, clearly shocked by the revelation. “Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I’m sure that your Madame Chase has good taste and would pick out a good man for me.” Sudden relief washed over her. Now that the words were out, it almost sounded silly. But she had given it a lot of thought, and was sure it was the right course of action. “In fact, I wish I had someone like her before.” Ella sighed. “Well, Madame Chase certainly does have good taste, and she knows her
business.” Ella bit her lower lip. “Are you sure that this is what you want to do?” Madison inclined her head. “Yes, I am. I have money and I can pay his way.” After a moment of thought, Ella leaned forward conspiratorially, obviously formulating a plan as a mischievous smile lit her lips. “Well, if you’re certain.” Madison smiled, suddenly excited. “I am.” “Then I can write Madame Chase and see what she says.” She stopped for a moment as a crease formed between her eyes. “Madison, why are you doing this?” Madison sighed as she sat back. “Pete McGregor has been after me for a while now, and I know I can’t hold him off much longer. But if I have a husband, everything will change. Then Pete will leave me alone, and I can finally have some peace.” Ella laughed. “You really don’t think Pete will leave you alone, do you?” Madison shrugged. “I have to try.” “Madison, are you sure you want to do this? Why don’t you let Colton and the sheriff handle it?
I mean, you should be able to go into town without being harassed by the likes of Pete McGregor. I don’t care if you were supposed to marry him or not.” She reached out and took Madison’s hands. “In fact, I’m glad you didn’t.” Madison let out a deep breath. “Ella, I want to marry, to have my own home, but none of the men here interest me. I’m sure that Madame Chase would be able to find a more suitable match than the likes of Pete McGregor.” With her blonde hair and blue eyes, many men had asked her to dinner or to dances, but none of them had appealed to her. “Also, I need to handle this situation with Mr. McGregor myself. I don’t want to be a frail female, hiding in my room at the boarding house any longer. I need to do this, Ella. Will you help me?” Ella forced a smile and then gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes. Of course. If you’re certain.” “I am.” In fact, Madison had never been more sure of anything in her life. She just hoped her plan worked. “Well then, I think we have a lot of work to do,” Ella said, suddenly excited. “I’ll write to Madame Chase right away. She works quickly, so
I’m sure she will waste no time in finding you a suitable husband.” Ella bit her lower lip, and then said, “Before we start making plans, I want to give you something.” Madison smiled. “You don’t have to do that.” “No. You misunderstand,” she objected as she rose from her seat. “Wait here.” Madison watched as Ella disappeared into the bedroom and then came out with her reticule. She set it down and, to Madison’s amazement, it clanked against the table. Ella reached into the silk bag and pulled out a small gun. Madison gasped as if Ella had just pulled a snake from the bag instead. Ella waved it around. “Oh, come now. It’s only a gun—a derringer, in fact—and it’s not loaded.” She held the gun out in front of her, cradling it in her hands. “Colton gave it to me for protection when I first came here.” Madison’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Protection?” One corner of Ella’s lips curled into a smile. “A single woman must have some means to protect herself.”
“I don’t know if I could—” “You can, and you will.” Ella cut her off. Then she reached down and ran her hand over the little pudge of her belly. “Besides, I don’t want to have it around the baby.” A crease formed between Madison’s eyes. “What about Colton’s guns?” Ella laughed. “To get them, I’d have to pull them out of his cold, dead hands.” Colton had been a gunslinger before he came to Whiskey River, and from what Ella heard, he was a pretty good one. “Besides, we need to have a gun, just in case.” Madison knew she was right. Guns were necessary in the West. “Here. Take it,” Ella insisted as she held out the small derringer to her. Madison took it, and it wasn’t heavy at all. In fact, she was surprised that it felt so light in her hand. Holding the gun, she actually felt empowered. “It’s just a single shot. So, if Pete ever comes after you again like he did yesterday, I want you to use it.” Ella let out a deep breath. “And make sure not to miss. You won’t get a second chance.
After what Pete’s done, no one would fault you for killing him.” Madison looked into her eyes. “Thank you.” Ella smiled. “Madison, don’t let Pete come near you again.” Madison sighed as a lump formed in her throat. At that moment, she knew how lucky she was to have a friend in Ella. “This is how you load it….” Ella went on to show her how to load it and how to care for it. When she was finished, she handed it to Madison. “Here. Put this in your reticule and tell no one that you have it.” Madison sighed. “Thank you, but I’m not sure if I could ever bring myself to use it.” Ella squeezed her hand tightly. “You will if you have to.” Madison understood, knowing that if it came down between Pete or her, she wasn’t going to let it be her. A feeling of empowerment rushed over her again. “Now,” Ella began as she sat down, suddenly excited, “to plan the arrival of your future husband.”
Madison laughed. “Wait. We should be planning for your new little arrival first.” Ella smiled as she gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes, but first things first. About your new husband….” A thrill ran through Madison at the thought. As she and Ella made their plans, she felt hope for the first time in a very long while. She just hoped that she was making the right choice. If you enjoyed this sample, you can find book links at: www.hottreepublishing.com/mail-orderhusband