A Most Wonderful Arrangement (Preview)

Chapter One

Becky set down some plates for dinner, her mother bustling around with the food while her father brought in the boys, who had happily played in what was hopefully mud. Gwen, her four-year-old sister, came running in from her room, cloth doll still in hand. 

“Devin, Wesley,” their mother called, “did you clean off your hands?”

They ran back outside to clean up, and Becky laughed. Her father showed his hands. “All clean, see? Anything good?”

“Well, Becky made fresh bread herself, and this time it turned out well. Or, at least, it smells great. Then chili and fresh asparagus.”

“Look at our little girl growing up,” her father said, leaning and kissing her head.

“Gross,” Devin said when he came back in. Wesley laughed as he came in behind him. 

“Oh, you just wish you were growing as fast as she is,” her mother said. 

“Not me,” Devin said, “I want to be ten forever.”

“Me too,” Wesley said. 

“You’re not even ten,” Devin snapped.

“I want to be eight forever.”

Their mother laughed. “Let’s go ahead and sit down for dinner.” Their table wasn’t really big enough to put them all in comfortably, a small wooden affair with chairs packed around, but they made it work. 

Them trying her bread was worrying, as this was the first one that had come out looking and smelling right. She didn’t know it would taste right, even though she and her mother had tried little crusts. Her mother said they wanted to put a fresh loaf on the table, that it was part of the beautiful setup. Becky worried they would all be disappointed, but she also knew the presentation was important. Her mother told her it would matter when she found a man, but Becky wasn’t sure she wanted to do that anyway. 

“How was the farm today, Grayson?” her mother asked her father.

“Oh, just a regular day. Devin and Wesley helped putting in a new fence post, and they’re learning how to butcher cattle.”

“It’s gross,” Wesley piped up, clearly excited about that.

“Well, it’s a very important skill to have,” her mother, Madison said. “Before you know it, you’ll make great fathers and husbands.”

“Gross,” Devin said, and Madison laughed. 

“Well, you won’t feel that way forever.”

“I don’t know,” Grayson said, “I’m pretty sure Becky still feels that way about men.” 

“True,” Becky said, cutting off a piece of bread to taste it before anyone else did, just in case. It was true that recently she had tried to be with a man, but it hadn’t worked.

“Aren’t we going to pray before we eat?” their father asked.

“Of course,” Becky said, blushing. They all held hands, and Grayson bowed his head and prayed.

“Heavenly Father, we are here today because you have kept us safe and provided us with food. Please keep our family safe and tell us what path we will take. Please bless this food to our bodies. In Jesus’ name, amen.” 

They started eating, and Becky took a big bite of bread slathered in butter. She was a bit nervous, but it was perfect: soft and buttery with a hint of sweetness. Exactly like her mother’s.

“Becky,” Madison said, “this is exactly how you want it.”

“Well, I learned from the best,” Becky said. 

The boys tried it eagerly. “I think this is better than mother’s,” Wesley said. However, Becky wasn’t sure that was true, as Wesley worshipped her and would do about anything to get her attention. “I agree. I think Becky is going to be an even better cook than I am,” their mother said. Becky blushed. She wasn’t generally the center of attention at her house because the young children were always doing and learning new things. But nothing was better than having siblings. Every time her mother announced she was pregnant was exciting: all three of them were different and special, and all three meant that she was an older sister to a whole brood. Despite not being open to a man at the moment, her siblings reminded her of just how badly she wanted her own kids. 

“Well, there’s a lot more I need to learn to cook. I know I’ve been learning for a while, but some of it is complicated.”

“You will be cooking for a husband soon enough,” her mother said, “so I’m going to keep trying to have you cook dinner yourself.”

“I hope not,” Becky answered.

“You do have to get over him eventually.”

“We’ll see,” Becky answered, though she knew they were probably right.

When dinner was finished, there was a knock on the door, but then it was flung open: Laura. She came swooping in and grabbed some dirty dishes. She was always helping. “Becky, when your parents are gone, we’ll have to throw some sort of celebration.”

“I’m right here,” her mother said with a laugh. 

“Mrs. Miller, cover your ears.” 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Madison answered.

“I’ll take good care of your daughter,” she said, “even if we do throw a party.”

“No parties. The kids are too little.” 

“Just a little party then,” Becky teased, walking over and kissing her mother’s cheek where she stood, wiping off the table. Her mother looked at her with a small smile and then kissed her head. 

“No parties. Now, I can finish cleaning; you two girls go running off and gossip about boys.”

It felt a bit bad to leave her mother cleaning, but she went outside with Laura.

“If only there were boys to gossip about,” Laura said with a sigh. “I’ve never been courted by anyone.”

“You’re not missing out,” Becky answered.

“Just because your first one didn’t work out, doesn’t mean your second one won’t,” Laura said as they weaved through the farm, stopping to pet cats on the way.

“You’ll get someone soon.”

“And you will too.”

“As long as I have you, I’m happy.” 

Chapter Two

Nathan was on his way back to Little Water, Colorado. A covered wagon held his belongings. Considering he was moving and had enough money to buy himself nice things, he didn’t think it made sense to start over. 

               He didn’t know if he’d be moving in with his father or buying his own small little cabin. He could probably afford a cabin, but he wanted to get as close to his father as he could as quickly as possible, so he wanted to spend a lot of time close to him.

His horse, Darkness, led his way with a practiced ease: he had learned how to pull a cart since Nathan was a traveling musician. It was true he often moved from place to place with nothing, but as he started settling down, he bought a few extra things. Few people stayed in the business as long as he had, seeming more ready to focus on starting a family or gaining a more “permanent career.” 

He didn’t have much reason to stop, as his father had disowned him when Nathan had chosen a life in music instead of running his father’s business. He also hadn’t found the right woman anywhere with whom to settle down. Having been hurt in the past,  he couldn’t just get over it quickly. 

He had sent a letter to his friend Lester (and not to his father) so they could meet and talk, and Nathan could be set for a backup plan if his father refused to let him stay. There weren’t always cabins ready for sale, so Lester told him he could stay at his place until they finished Nathan’s cabin. But mostly, they just wanted to see each other.

Jumping out of the wagon as soon as he saw Lester’s cabin, a modest wooden dwelling next to a large portion of land covered in vegetable gardens, he walked the rest of the way before unhitching and tying up his horse. Lester came running out. 

“Nathan,” he called out.”I know you said you were coming, but I had trouble believing it for some reason.”

“It didn’t feel real to me either,” Nathan said. “Not till right now. Before that, it just felt like another trip.”

“Well, you get to see me,” Lester said, “so it’s quite a bit more than just another trip.”

“Of course,” Nathan answered.

“And your father too. How do you think that will go? I asked him about you the other day, trying to pick up how he felt, but mostly he was just quiet.”

“Well, he’s pretty quiet in general unless he’s kicking you out.”

“I do remember that,” Lester said. “How’s the music treating you?”

“Better than I ever could have expected. I thought I’d be living from show to show, but I’ve invested my money and am doing quite well for myself.”

“And you’re coming in to see your father. Does that mean you’re settling down soon?”

“I’m going to get my own cabin eventually, if that’s what you mean.”

“And a wife and kids?”

“Not yet,” Nathan said.

“Not yet or not ever?”

“I’ve been in love before and it’s not worth it.”

“Do you think you’ll try it anyway?” Lester asked, not scared to meet his eyes. “Expect it to be something different when you give it another shot?”

“The thing was, I loved her, and that wasn’t enough. Don’t you think that suggests that I shouldn’t give it another try? That I don’t have anything to offer? Besides,” Nathan said, “are you looking?”

“Constantly,” Lester said. “Unlike you, I would love to have a family. I just don’t know that I want to settle for just anyone. I know there’s always women looking, but I don’t want a woman; I want my woman.”

“How romantic.”
“Well, you said you almost married a woman you were in love with; it makes sense that love matters to you. Otherwise, you would try right now with or without love. But you’re worried your love isn’t enough, which means you do love.”
“Of course I love. You know I’ve always been overly out with my heart.”

“That’s true. It’s part of what makes you a good musician.”

“And how is being a deputy treating you?” Nathan wanted to get the topic off himself.

“Sometimes I don’t like working with my father, but overall, I really do enjoy the work. It feels useful, you know. Except with stolen cattle. It’s a horrible time, trying to track down cattle and then trying to prove whose it is if we even find it.”

“ “I’m sure finding cattle becomes easier with time.”

“You had better be right.”

“Are you going to be sheriff soon?” Nathan asked.

“Well, a lot of things are involved in becoming a sheriff, and the biggest problem is that my father isn’t ready to retire yet. I thought about moving to another town where they need a sheriff more immediately, but …” Lester shrugged.

“I just moved here; you can’t leave now.”

“I don’t plan on it; it’s just an option.”

“Well, take that option right off the table,” Nathan answered. 

Chapter Three

Becky helped her parents put a few things in trunks ready for the stagecoach. They were taking a trip to Water Creek for this anniversary. They loved travel, and a new restaurant was open there to try. Gwen had never gotten used to her parents leaving and cried, clutching her mother’s leg. 

“It’s going to be okay,” Madison said, rubbing Gwen’s tiny back. “I promise. Becky is going to stay with you, and she will take such good care of you that you won’t even notice we’re gone.” 

“It’s okay,” Devin said. “Becky may be able to handle the house, but I’ll keep the farm running.”

“The farm hands can help with this,” Grayson half-whispered to Becky, wanting to be heard with a teasing grin.

“Hey!” Devin said. “Don’t you believe in me, Father?” 

“Of course. But part of being ten forever means that you will need help sometimes. Or, you can keep getting older and eventually run this farm all on your own.”

“Hmm,” Devin said. “I’ll think about it and let you know when you come back.”
“Good idea,” their mother said. “I wouldn’t want you to rush into such a big decision.”

“Are you going to bring us back things?” Wesley asked.

“Well, I guess you’ll have to wait and see,” Madison answered, leaning in to kiss him.

“That’s a yes,” Wesley leaned into Becky and whispered, and though he was trying to be quiet, everyone could still hear him.

“That’s a maybe,” his mother teased

“Okay,” Wesley said with a laugh, clearly not believing her.

“Get one of the neighbors if you need any help,” Madison said, hugging Becky. “You’ll be fine; you’ve watched them before, even if it hasn’t been for this long. I know you’ll be able to handle it.”

“Thanks,” Becky said. She did trust herself to handle it, but only since it was just a few days. She was already worried about how she would handle kids on her own, even without being positive that she would have any. 

They said goodbye, and Becky and her siblings went back inside. “ Are there any snacks?” Gwen asked.

“I’ve got some bread and honey,” Becky said.

“Butter and honey,” Gwen said.

“Me too!” Wesley squealed.

“And you, Devin?” she asked.

“I can make my own snack.”

“Well, will your own snack be bread and honey and butter? Just so I know to leave it out.”

“I want to make my own, too,” Gwen said. Becky knew that would make a horrible mess, but her mother had told her it was important to let them learn to do things themselves.

“How about everyone makes their own?” Becky suggested.

“I want you to make mine,” Wesley said. “Yours is always better.”

“Well, I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but if you really don’t want to, I’ll make yours.”

 

Becky got out everything she needed to make the snack, but in her mind also mentally went through what she would have to do to clean it up. “You first,” Becky said, “then Devin, then Gwen.”

She wasn’t sure if they would argue with that, but they didn’t. Sometimes, she was pretty lucky. She made one for herself too.

“You’re making two when I haven’t even made one,” Devin whined.

“Well, one’s for Wesley, and one’s for me.” 

“That’s still not fair,” Devin said.

“I think it’s fair,” Wesley said.

“Everyone has to make one before anyone can make a second one,” Devin said. Becky wondered how she was supposed to keep this all under control, but she had dealt with bigger tantrums before.

“We’re eating ours from oldest to youngest, remember? So, I’m making ours, but I won’t give Wesley his until you eat yours.”

Devin looked at her, considering. He was sometimes a bit of a handful, and he didn’t have the excuse of being very young like Gwen did. They just figured it was his personality, and things would get a lot better when he learned how to handle it over time. They were taking active steps to change it themselves, or at least their parents had, but Becky wasn’t sure she knew quite what it would take to get him to listen better. Headstrong was the word she used, but she wasn’t positive it was really the one she was looking for. 

“Fine,” Devin said after too long a moment. By this point, Becky was finished up, and she moved out of the way to let Devin through. This way, she and Devin could get as clean a workspace as possible before Gwen came and wrecked it all. When it was Gwen’s turn, Becky helped her into her chair.

“Can you hold me up while I do it?” Gwen asked.  She wanted to say no, because Gwen would be sure to get things all over her, but would it become a fight? 

“I can hold her,” Devin said. He loved proving how strong he was by lifting Gwen. She could easily reach the table from the chair, but they would both enjoy this, so why take it from them? 

“Sure,” Becky answered. They didn’t actually have a sharp knife, so there didn’t seem to be any risk of them trying. 

That was until Gwen got honey all over Devin.

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“A Most Wonderful Arrangement” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Becky Miller has the perfect family, until tragedy strikes. When her parents die in a stagecoach accident, she is suddenly expected to take care of her brothers and sister. But Becky, except for standing on her own, now has to convince people around town she’s ready to raise three children by herself. Fortunately for all of them, a handsome young musician comes along and offers to help, but she’s not sure about taking handouts.
 
Will this new but promising acquaintance prove to be of help or will her family eventually be forced to split between three homes?
 
Nathan White left home as a young man after his mother died and decided to become a traveling musician, despite his father’s disdain for the art. After some years of being away from home, he moves back to town and starts working at his father’s bank. What he would never have expected to find there though, is the most captivating adventure of all, a young woman who has experienced loss as well and is in need of support.
 
Will this woman he finds himself falling for be enough to keep his free spirit in town?
 
As they grow feelings for one another, they also need to face the limitations set by everyone around them. Becky has to choose between a past acquaintance that will bring a secure future for her siblings and Nathan. Nathan, on the other hand, needs to choose between love and his father, who is opposed to this union. Will they choose love over security? Will their union be able to save more than one family in need?

“A Most Wonderful Arrangement” is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Get your copy from Amazon!