A Mail-Order Bride’s Hidden Legacy (Preview)

Chapter One

Lottie

1872

Amid the vast, unspoiled stretch of wilderness beneath the dusky western sky, Lottie Turner stood on the porch of her family’s ranch house, watching the sun dip behind the rolling hills. She let out a heavy sigh, savoring the peace and tranquility that came with living in such a remote area. It filled her heart with both joy and sorrow as the stars, one by one, began to emerge. 

As the last bit of the sun’s rays faded, a pang of melancholy jabbed at Lottie’s heart. It was moments like these where her father’s memory haunted her every thought. After all, it was her father who taught her to appreciate the sunset’s beauty and who had stood by her side enjoying the beauty in peaceful silence. His absence was a void she couldn’t ignore. There was an emptiness that the beauty of the setting sun just couldn’t fill. 

Lottie’s attention shifted to the darkening sky as the stars jotted the purple sky. In the corner of her eye, she noticed a movement that tugged her attention from the sky to the dusty lane. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she spotted her best friend, Abigail, strolling down the driveway with a pot in hand. There was a sadness to Abigail’s face that mirrored Lottie’s. 

Abigail’s presence was the remedy to Lottie’s aching heart, just the mere sight of her approaching figure was a testament to the enduring power of their friendship. Lottie couldn’t help but feel grateful to see Abigail coming over; she had become the source of Lottie’s strength as she trudged through the valley of loss and grief.

 “Lovely evening, isn’t it?” Abigail asked as she neared, her voice was a comforting melody to Lottie’s ears. Lottie bobbed her head in agreement as she managed a small, strained smile, and tucked a loose strand of her blond hair behind her ear.

“That it is,” Lottie answered, her voice was steady despite the sorrow threatening to break her composure. Pulling in a deep breath, Lottie let her attention shift back to the fading light of day. 

“Thought you might be hungry,” Abigail said as she climbed the steps of the porch. 

Lottie glanced at the pot in Abigail’s hands, the delicious aroma of the homemade stew drifting toward her, making her stomach twist with want. 

“It’s Lucy’s famous beef stew,” Abigail said lifting the lid of the pot. The onslaught of the stew made Lottie’s stomach twist and grumble. “Want to share it with me?” 

Without hesitation, Lottie nodded and took the pot from Abigail’s outstretched hand. She pulled in a deep breath, savoring the rosemary and garlic drifting out of the pot. 

“Let me get the bowls and spoons and I’ll be right back. Mind if we eat outside?” 

“Not at all,” Abigail answered. “It’s a nice night. I wonder how long this weather is going to hold up. I do hope winter won’t be too harsh this year.” 

“Let’s just get through tonight and let tomorrow worry about itself,” Lottie answered over her shoulder, as she stepped into the house to grab the bowls and silverware. Gathering what she needed, she quickly returned to the porch, a faint smile lingering on her lips as she found Abigail settled on the porch swing, the familiar creak of the rope offering a soothing and comforting sound. 

As they savored the stew, Abigail turned to Lottie, her face lit by the faint glow of the lantern swaying in the corner of the porch. “So, did you hear the news?”

“What news?” Lottie asked as she took another bite. 

“Christina’s getting married, can you believe it?”

“What?” Lottie said, spewing the food from her mouth from the shock of the news. Abigail bobbed her head as a smile stretched across her face. “Who? When?”

“The wedding is next week and apparently, she’s been courting Henry for months now. Who would have thought the two of them would end up together? From what Christina told me, he swept her off her feet. It’s like a real-life fairytale. Oh how I wish I could find someone to do that for me.” 

“I never thought she’d find someone, but I’m happy for her. It’s about time she has some joy in her life.” Lottie’s own heart ached as she pondered her own future. Finding love seemed like an unreachable dream, since her father passed, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever be truly happy again. 

Abigail’s eyes sparkled with hope as she nodded. “She certainly deserves to have happiness… as do you.” 

After a few moments of silence, Lottie turned to Abigail, her eyes searching in the dim glow of the lantern. “Abby, you’ve always known everyone else’s stories, but what about yours? If you could choose, who would you see yourself with?” she asked, hoping to distract herself from her own melancholy thoughts. 

Abigail was taken aback by the question and her eyes widened slightly before a warm chuckle escaped her lips. “Who would I see myself with?” she pondered a moment as she tapped her finger on her chin. Abigail’s gaze wandered to the twinkling stars above. 

“I suppose I would want to be with someone who understands me, someone who loves me and won’t get annoyed the way my parents do. But they definitely need to be kind, and maybe just a bit adventurous.” Her eyes met Lottie’s, a twinkle of longing apparent within them. Lottie couldn’t help but smile as Abigail let out a sigh.

“I know it sounds like a fairytale, but then again, isn’t that what all of us wish for? A love story that fits our own definition of perfect?” 

Lottie smiled; her heart filled with warmth for her dear friend. “I believe that love comes in all shapes and sizes, but it’s the little moments that make it special. Like Christina finally finding happiness after all these years. Or your laughter ringing through the night air.” She paused, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Who knows, maybe your partner is just around the corner, waiting to sweep you off your feet.” 

Abigail rolled her eyes playfully, but a smile lingered on her face. “Oh, please don’t get my hopes up like that,” she teased, before adding a laugh.

Lottie’s smile faltered slightly; her gaze dropped to the worn planks of the wooden porch. Her thoughts drifting back to her father as Lottie realized he wouldn’t be there for her to walk her down the aisle or share in her future. “You know, Abby,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “there are days when it still doesn’t feel real.”

“What’s that?” Abigail asked as she sat her empty bowl on the small table between the swing and the porch railing.

“I can’t help but think of how my father won’t be there to do all the things a parent should do,” Lottie said. Abigail reached her hand out and placed it on Lottie’s shoulder. 

“He’s here in spirit, I just know he is,” Abigail said with a hopeful smile. Lottie tried to find solace in Abigail’s words, but found it hard to hold onto hope when she felt so weighed down.

“You know, there are times when I expect to see him sitting in his rocking chair, pipe in hand and a story on his lips. It’s like he’s gone on a cattle drive and it’s just another of those long days where I ache to see him. Only this time, he isn’t coming back.”

Abigail reached across, taking Lottie’s hand in her own, offering silent support. “I know, Lottie,” she replied quietly, her voice soothing. “It’s hard, so incredibly hard, and it’s okay to miss him. You need time to mourn, and it’s still fresh in everyone’s minds. Your father was a good man and he’ll be sorely missed.”

Lottie nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. “But how am I supposed to move on? How do I continue when a part of me is gone?”

Abigail squeezed her hand gently, her gaze steady and comforting. “You keep him alive in your heart and in your memories. It’s like you said before, it’s the little things that you’ve got to hold on to. So, you remember his laughter and his stories. And you live your life the way he would have wanted you to, with courage and with love.”

Lottie looked up at Abigail, her eyes filled with a quiet assurance. “You’re right, Abby,” she said, managing a shaky smile. “Dad wouldn’t want me to stop living my life just because he’s gone. He would want me to be strong and enjoy every waking moment.”

“And you are, Lottie,” Abigail responded, her voice full of conviction. “Every day, and in every choice you make for yourself and this ranch. You are strong and resilient. And I’m certain he’s looking down from heaven right now incredibly proud of you.”

Lottie forced a smile as she nodded, trying to let Abigail’s words seep into her soul. “Abby,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, “I don’t know what I would do without you. You’ve been my rock through all of this and I’m so thankful for you. For your kind words, your patience, and your understanding. You’ve helped me feel strong even when I felt like the world is crumbling around me. You remind me that it’s okay to grieve, but also that it’s okay to smile and laugh and live. I just wanted to thank you, Abby. For everything.” 

Abigail smiled, her heart full. “You don’t have to thank me, Lottie. That’s what friends are for.” She pulled Lottie into a tight hug that felt as if Abigail’s arms were the only thing kept Lottie glued together. 

As Lottie pulled away from Abigail, her gaze drifted to the road, her eyes narrowed as she spotted the Leoni family riding in a buggy past her house. The sight of them stirred a sudden discomfort in her, a bitter aftertaste that made Lottie want to bolt inside. 

Something about the Leoni family unnerved Lottie. Perhaps it was their predatory smiles or the greed that shadowed their eyes, made Lottie distrusting. Of course Lottie could see through their overly friendly smirks and veiled intentions that they were only after her father’s ranch. 

“Look at them, Abby,” she muttered, a hard edge to her voice. “The Leonis, parading around like they own the place. But I’m telling you right now, they won’t get a single grain of dirt from my ranch.”

Abigail followed Lottie’s gaze and frowned as she registered the sight of the Leoni family moving past the estate. “They’re still pressuring you to sell, aren’t they? They’re no better than vultures.” she said, her voice laced with contempt. 

Lottie turned her attention back to Abby, her expression hardened as her tone was laced with defiance. “They’re trying, alright. But they won’t get it. I’d rather die than see my father’s ranch fall into their greedy hands. Even when Pa was still around. They would come with their phony smiles and sugar-coated words, promising him a good deal for the ranch. But Pa didn’t budge. He never gave in and nether will I.” 

Pausing for a moment, Lottie looked down, her voice taking on a softer, more vulnerable tone as the reality of her situation seeped through her. “But now that he’s gone, and with me being alone and unmarried… I’m afraid they’ll be even more persistent, thinking they can scare me into selling.” 

“Lottie—” Abigail started as Lottie’s bitter laugh interrupted. 

“Well, they have another thing coming. I’m not my father, but I do have his stubbornness. This is our land and our home. I won’t let them have it, no matter what.”

Abigail shifted uncomfortably, looking down at her hands before finally meeting Lottie’s gaze. “Lottie, have you ever considered…” she began, trailing off. 

Lottie raised an eyebrow, “Considered what, Abby?” 

Abigail sighed as stared Lottie directly into her eyes, “Maybe you should… I mean, you could possibly… marry?” Her voice was just above a whisper, barely audible against the breeze. 

Lottie laughed as she found herself taken back by Abigail’s suggestion. “Marry? And who would I be marrying, Abby?” Her voice was laced with bitter amusement. “There isn’t a man around who sees me. All they see is the wealth my father left me and the land. They see what they could gain if they married me, not the woman they’d be promising to stand beside and love.” 

Her laugh turned into a sigh, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. The sliver of hope that had taken root swiftly died as Lottie realized there would be no happy ever after for her. She wasn’t like Christina who had someone pining over her since grade school and who would love her and not her fortune.

Abigail met Lottie’s gaze, determination in her eyes. “Lottie, you’ll find someone. I promise there’s someone out there who will see the woman, not the wealth.” 

Lottie shook her head, her lips curling into a wry smile. “And where’s this man, Abby? Hiding behind a cactus? Or maybe he’s a nomad roaming the continent. The chances of him coming to Bensen is rare, no one comes here unless they have to, and most leave as soon as they can. No,” Lottie shook her head. “There’s no one.”

Abigail let out a small sigh. “Hear me out, Lottie. What if you put an ad in for a mail-order husband? It could be a way to keep the Leonis off your back.”

The look Lottie gave her was incredulous. “A mail-order husband? You make it sound like I’m ordering a dress from a catalog. If I marry, Abby, it’ll be for love—not out of desperation. I can’t just send for a husband as if I were confessing to being an old maid.”

Abigail held Lottie’s gaze. “And what other choice do you have, Lottie? Do you pick someone from around here? I know you don’t want someone who knows all about your wealth. But you could put an ad in a paper in some other state or even county and find a man who knows nothing about your money and could actually love you for you.”

Lottie fell silent, her brows furrowing as she weighed Abigail’s words. “True,” she admitted reluctantly. “But if I don’t…”

“Then you’ll have to face the Leonis.”

 “It seems as if I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place no matter what I do.” 

Abigail nodded, understanding the difficult position Lottie found herself in. “But isn’t it worth a try? At least then you’ll have some control over who you marry and could potentially find someone who truly loves you for who you are.” 

Lottie chewed on her lower lip, her gaze distant as she mulled over Abigail’s suggestion. The idea went against everything she had ever expected for herself, but her situation was far from ordinary. 

Abigail glanced to the darkening sky and sighed. “It’s getting late. I hate to leave you like this, but I should get going,” she said, standing up and reaching for her bonnet. 

“I understand,” Lottie said, rising with her. She gave Abigail a faint smile as they embraced warmly. “Get home safely and say hello to your family for me.” 

“I will,” Abigail said as she cupped her hands around Lottie’s face. “Just remember you have choices and whatever you decide to do, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks for the stew,” Lottie said, trying to fight the tears that threatened to break her spirits. As Abigail walked down the steps, Lottie found herself alone with her thoughts. She pondered the idea of the mail-order husband. The idea bounced and shifted like a stone across a placid lake. 

Maybe it could be an opportunity and not a sign of desperation. If nothing else, I could have an extra pair of hands around the ranch. 

With a newfound resolve, Lottie grabbed the empty dishes and brought them into the house. She sat them in the kitchen sink, and stood still for a few moments, as she mulled over the idea Abigail had planted in her mind. 

Lottie’s heart ached, but she knew that the Leonis wouldn’t leave her alone, and she was far too fragile and worn thin to keep fighting with them. She grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen, sat down at the kitchen table, and began penning an ad for the paper. Her hand trembled slightly as she wrote, and a mix of anxiety and anticipation filled her. She never imagined resorting to such measures, but she was determined to keep the Leonis at bay. As she finished the ad, she stared at it a moment, uttering a silent prayer. 

Here goes nothing.

Chapter Two

Will

In the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Will strolled through the bustling and vibrant city. His eyes were scanning the vast sea of faces that surrounded him as his chest tightened. Blinking, Will tried to process all that he was seeing while staving off the swell of hope that burst within his soul. 

“Could it be?” Will mumbled as his eyes remained locked on the young man across the street. Trying not to get his hopes up too high, Will hobbled across the street as fast as his lame leg would allow. With each step, his heart pounded more intensely, threatening to break through his chest. 

With a racing heart and a shaky voice, Will called out, “James?” 

Placing his hand on the man’s shoulder, Will waited as the anticipation caused his heart to stop. The young man turned and stared at Will with a quizzical expression that left Will devastated. Will nearly buckled as he noticed the look of confusion etched on the stranger’s face. It was in that moment Will realized his mistake. The hope Will had held onto popped like a bubble, and left a hole within his soul. 

Will dropped his hand from the stranger’s shoulder and stepped back, giving the man room to breathe. 

“Can I help you?” the man asked. Will shook his head in defeat. 

“Forgive me,” Will managed to mutter. “You looked like someone I used to know.” Guilt rampaged through him as he realized he had ensnared an innocent stranger in his desperate pursuit to find his brother. 

“I get that often,” the man said with a chuckle. Will’s legs felt weak as he watched the man collect the newspaper he’d paid for and disappear into the sea of strangers that surrounded Will.

It’s hopeless. I’m never going to find him. 

Feeling as if he was at his wits end and teetering on the precipice of despair, Will made his way down the street. In the back of his mind he knew he should keep searching but with each passing day, it grew harder and harder not to lose hope.

Saddled with uncertainty, Will found himself making his way to the center of the city, to the park he’d spent so much time at it was like his second home. He plopped down on the wooden bench and ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. The ache in his leg muscle was nothing compared to the pain he felt in his soul. 

All he ever wanted was to see his brother again. But as the days turned to weeks and the weeks to months, Will wondered if it was a fool’s errand. Not even the tranquil park was able to lessen the blow of defeat. He closed his eyes and let the comforting sounds of nature fill him. A part of him wished he could let the pain of loss go. 

There’s got to be something I’ve missed. Some clue I’ve overlooked. What if I’m not even in the right city? James could be anywhere. Why couldn’t he just stay in California where I left him? Why did he have to leave? 

Opening his eyes, he pulled out a weathered letter, its edges frayed and yellowed from years of constant handling. He didn’t need to read the words to know what the letter said for he knew them by heart. And as his thumb traced the faded postage mark, ‘Bensen, Texas,’ a resigned sigh escaped his lips. Will didn’t want to admit it, but deep down he knew that the hunt for James was back to square one.

Reality struck him like a cold slap of a wet towel. There was no denying the fact that if he was going to continue his search, he was going to need funds. But he was flat broke and with no foreseeable means of affording the search. A whirlwind of despair and determination stirred within him. 

I know you’re still alive. And I know one day, I will find you. But maybe you could just give me a sign, any sign.

Will studied the letter further, but his attention kept drifting back to the postage. Bensen, Texas was the last place his brother had been. It was the private investigators Will had spent money on to help him locate his brother that drew him to Santa Fe. 

What if they were wrong? What if James never left Bensen? Or maybe there’s someone there that might be able to point me in the right direction? But how am I going to get there? I can’t afford to be running around the country, I need a plan. I need help. 

 Regardless, Will knew he had no choice but to find a way to continue his search. His soul wouldn’t be whole again until he had reunited with the last surviving member of his family. 

A faint murmur drew Will’s attention from the letter to the women strolling past him. He noticed the older woman first. She reminded Will of his late mother with the way her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her features etched with worry. The younger woman was thin and pleasant to the eye, but it was their conversation that struck a chord within him. 

Will watched as they sat on the bench under the shade of the Maple tree. Their conversation seeped through the rustling leaves, and unintentionally, he found his ears perking with intrigue to know what had caused the older woman to raise her voice. 

“Katie, I just can’t bear the thought of you marrying a stranger,” the older woman said, her voice thick with despair. Will could only presume she was the mother. 

“Mama,” Katie replied, her tone resolute, yet calm, “it’s the best chance I have for a future. I hope you would understand, I have to. What life is there for me here? Can you promise me that I’ll be happy here? Or will I end up working all the days of my life? Don’t you see, this is my ticket to a better more prosperous life.” 

The mother looked helplessly at her daughter, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. What if he’s cruel? Or worse, he doesn’t like you and sends you back ruined and penniless.” 

“I know you’re worried, Mama. And I’d be a fool not to have a second plan if things do turn sour. But I’ve got to at least try and pray for things to work out.” Katie took her mother’s hands in hers, giving them a reassuring squeeze. “The truth is, I believe this will make me happy. I see an opportunity for a new life. And for once, I have a chance to escape the poverty that haunts us. Please, Mama, don’t worry about me. Be happy for me. This is a good thing.” 

As the conversation faded into the background, Will couldn’t help but feel a pang of familiarity. Their conversation echoed the same one his father had with his mother before he left for war. Will found it odd how the same uncertainty came out during times of war as they did when falling in love. But in the end, Will knew the only thing he truly regretted was leaving James behind when he went off to war with their father. 

“But becoming a mail order bride?” the mother gasped. “I just want you to be happy and find love. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to find your father? And how can you trust what was said in the letter? He could be lying just to get you out there.”

“Oh, mother, you’ve got to have a little bit of faith. I feel in my heart this is the right path for my life.”

An idea began to germinate in Will’s mind, a seed of what could be a solution to his problems. But it was so wild, that Will didn’t dare let it take root within his mind. Shaking his head, he tried to kill it like a weed, but it continued to spring up no matter what he did to snuff it out. 

What are the odds of a woman from Bensen, Texas looking for a husband outside her county, let alone her state? There’s no way. Not to mention the fact if there is an ad, she’d be looking for a husband and who would want to marry a man like me? Would I even want to marry her just so that I could use her to find my brother? 

Will shook his head as the feeling of guilt came over him. He could never use someone like that, not even if it was a means to an end and would reunite him with James. Although, he couldn’t deny the fact that the thought did intrigue him. A ray of hope pierced through the overcast sky of his predicament. 

Maybe there’s a way I can go there with the right intensions. What am I saying? There won’t be anyone placing an ad. 

Will glanced over his shoulder and stared at the small wagon brimming with newspapers. Struggling to make up his mind, Will mulled over his options. He knew he had no means to keep his search going. All he had was the last letter his brother wrote in his hands with postage that seemed to beckon him. 

Fine. I’ll check. Chances are there won’t be an ad from anyone in Bensen. But… if there is, I’ll not promise marriage. I won’t hurt an innocent woman by making her believe that I’m there to wed her. 

Making up his mind, Will got up from the bench and walked over to the newsstand at the edge of the park. He grabbed the local paper, flipping through pages of news and adverts. His eyes searched for matrimonial ads as a thread of anticipation wove its way around his heart.

“This isn’t a library,” the clerk scolded as he tried to snatch the paper back from Will’s hands. The clerk’s eyes widened as he noticed the page Will had been scouring. A small huff escaped from the clerk as he shook his head. “Big mistake if you ask me.” 

“What are you talking about?” Will asked as a rush of embarrassment for being caught looking for a wife in the paper jabbed at him.

“Acquiring a wife,” the clerk answered. “Will cause you nothing but troubles I say. Best to stay single if you ask me. Trust me on this one. I’ve been married for forty years now and all it’s ever done is cause my hair to fall out.” 

Dipping his hand into his pocket, Will pulled out the coins needed for the paper and handed it over to the clerk. “I think I’ll take my chances.” 

“Suit yourself, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” the man said with a chuckle. 

Will merely grunted and started flipping through the paper once again to the ads section, keeping his exterior calm despite his nerves fluttering within him. Scanning the ads, Will found a handful that caught his attention, and there was one, in particular, that stood out above all the others. His heart stopped as he re-read the city name. There in bold, black ink was a matrimonial ad from Bensen, Texas.

I don’t believe it. 

The coincidence was uncanny. His heart pounded in his chest as he read the ad. His eyes scanned the words again and again, as a knot twisted in his gut, and a twinge of guilt mixed with hope rattled through him like a tambourine. Immediately his thoughts shifted to James. Swallowing the lump of fear clogging his throat, Will couldn’t dismiss the sign. After a long moment of contemplation, he folded the paper and tucked it under his arm. 

“Alright,” he muttered to himself, “maybe this could work.” 

“What’s that?” the clerk asked, his eyebrow rose with curiosity. 

“Nothing,” Will answered as he left the stand with a new resolve that lit up his soul. Although he knew the path before him was hazy and uncertain, he was willing to take a leap of faith for a shot at a new life and a chance to reunite with his brother.

---

“A Mail-Order Bride’s Hidden Legacy” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Amidst the sprawling American frontier, Charlotte “Lottie” Turner inherits not only her father’s vast ranch and fortune, but also an ominous predicament following his sudden demise. Determined to break free from the stifling expectations of her small town, Lottie bravely places an ad for a mail-order groom, seeking a partner who appreciates her for the resilient woman she is, beyond the veil of inherited wealth.

Little does she know that the rugged terrain conceals shadows harboring a danger that could threaten not just her legacy, but the very fabric of her newfound independence…

Responding to Lottie’s cryptic call, Will Harrison, a war-weary veteran with an enigmatic past, arrives with concealed motives. Tasked with solving the mystery of his missing brother, he infiltrates the frontier town through a marriage of convenience. However, fate guides him to Lottie’s ranch, and an instant connection sparks, binding them in a journey that goes beyond the mystery he initially sought to unravel.

Will their intertwined secrets withstand the harsh challenges of the frontier, though?

As Lottie and Will navigate the challenges of their shared existence, an unexpected and genuine bond blossoms, defying the covert intentions that brought them together. Yet, as their love deepens with each passing day, a precarious revelation awaits in the shadows. Will they be able to confront the hidden perils that lurk in the untamed wilderness? Or will they let their tale become a riveting journey of survival into the allure of the unknown?

“A Mail-Order Bride’s Hidden Legacy” 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!