Bride for Robert Read online

  RNWMP: Bride for Robert

  Mail Order Mounties

  Kirsten Osbourne

  Copyright © 2017 by Kirsten Osbourne

  Unlimited Dreams Publishing

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Erin Dameron Hill/ EDH Graphics

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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

  Kirsten Osbourne

  Visit my website at www.kirstenandmorganna.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Also by Kirsten Osbourne

  About the Author

  1

  Minnie sat down at the table with her husband’s lawyer, fidgeting with her hair nervously. She didn’t have long before her little girl woke up and interrupted everything, demanding her mother’s time. At two, she didn’t understand that her daddy was gone forever, and Mama had to figure out how to make ends meet.

  David had been gone for two months—long enough for Minnie to discover that her former husband had not been half the man she’d thought he was. She needed to find out how much money was left from her husband’s investments to support her and her little girl—and the child she carried. She was only three months along…not even showing yet. But the baby was coming in six months, and she needed to have her finances in order before he arrived.

  “What can you tell me about David’s investments? He said that I would be taken care of if anything ever happened to him.” She leaned forward earnestly, needing to hear something positive for a change.

  The lawyer shook his head. “There’s nothing, I’m afraid. David wasn’t good at managing his money. Your house is mortgaged to the hilt, and you’ll have to evacuate within the next two weeks.”

  “But—Christmas is in three days!”

  “So it is. You and your daughter are welcome to remain here until January third, but then the bank is going to take possession. I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you.”

  She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her hands over her face. “What am I going to do?”

  “My suggestion would be moving back in with your parents. David told me that your father is a rich banker in Toronto. I’m sure they’ll welcome you and your little girl.” He seemed very uncaring about her situation.

  Minnie laughed, the sound desperate even to her own ears. “I guess I’m not the only one he lied to then. My parents are dead. They both died shortly before I met David., and he brought me here, promising me that I’d never have to live in poverty again.” She shook her head. “Poverty is preferable to a man who lies.”

  Mr. Franklin frowned at her. “I suppose it is, but there’s nothing I can do to help you.” He got to his feet, picking up the briefcase that contained all of the bills she owed. “Good day to you.”

  As soon as she heard the front door close behind him, Minnie buried her face in her hands and wept. How on earth was she supposed to keep going? She had a child to take care of, and she carried another. There was no one she could go to. Even her pastor had died recently! He’d been replaced already, but she didn’t feel the same connection to him that she felt to Pastor James.

  She walked up the stairs and into Olivia’s room. Olivia was the only bright spot in her otherwise miserable life. She stared down at her little girl, wondering how she was going to be able to feed her. How she was going to be able to keep her alive when they had no money, and she had no prospects for earning any.

  When her little girl woke up, she saw her mother standing over her, and she spread her arms wide. This was what kept Minnie going. The love of this little girl was worth everything in the world to her.

  She quickly bundled Olivia up, and the two of them walked toward the church. There was a quilting circle that afternoon, and maybe there was someone who had heard of a job where she could be a live-in maid—as a pregnant woman with a young daughter. She knew it wasn’t really possible, but she needed to try.

  When she got to the church, she walked to the small room where the women held their meetings, and she went in, instructing Olivia to sit on the floor and not to touch anything. The rambunctious two-year-old would surely disobey, but what choice did she have?

  She was welcomed into the group by Miss Hazel, a matronly older woman who looked out for everyone else. Miss Hazel looked at her and frowned. “You’ve been crying. Are you all right?”

  Not wanting to talk about what was happening in front of all the watching eyes of the women of the congregation, Minnie shook her head, and took Miss Hazel’s arm, pulling her out of the small room and closing the door. “I just found out that David had no investments, even though he’d assured me he did. I don’t know what Olivia and I can possibly do. And on top of that, I’m expecting another.” She closed her eyes and waited for the older woman to tell her that she was doomed.

  “Minnie, I was never fond of that husband of yours. He was a swindler, plain and simple.”

  Minnie opened her eyes, nodding. She knew when she was being dismissed. “I wouldn’t have married him if I’d known.”

  “Oh, there’s no doubt of that in my mind. I’m not sure if I can make it work, but I match women to Mounties who need wives. There will be four coming through here on the ninth of January. If you can come to my house on the second of January, I’ll provide a place to stay for you and little Olivia. If one of the Mounties appeals to you to marry, then you may do so. If not, we’ll figure something else out. You and Olivia are not going to be out in the cold this winter.”

  Minnie bit her lip, swallowing her pride. Her first thought was she needed to turn down that kind of generosity, because she didn’t deserve it. But…she couldn’t. There was nothing else to do. “I would appreciate that a great deal. I would love to help keep your house or cook for you, if you would allow it.”

  Miss Hazel shook her head. “You’ll have to take my bride classes along with the others, but I’ve tasted your cooking, and I’ve been in your home. You don’t need classes. You could teach them if you wanted to.”

  “I’m more than willing to teach them if it would help you in any way.”

  “Minnie, I’m not doing this as an act of charity. I have four men coming through who need wives. I happen to know you were a good wife.”

  Minnie nodded, looking down at her hands. She hadn’t really been a good wife. She’d married simply to get out of a terrible situation. Never once had she felt an inkling of affection for her husband. What kind of woman was she to not have feelings for the man who provided for her? Who was the father of her children? Of course, he hadn’t loved her either. He’d made that plain over the years.

  She sighed. “I’ll do my best to be a good wife if one of the men want me.”

  Miss Hazel took Minnie’s hands in hers. “You’re a beautiful woman who can take care of a house like none other. One of the men will see you and know that you were meant for him. I just know it.” She looked at the sadness on Minnie’s face. “Instead of spending Christmas alone, I would love it if you and Olivia
moved in with me now. This very day. There’s no need for me to be alone or for you to just have your little girl. I think we’d both be happier if we were together.”

  Minnie thought about it for a moment. “That’s a very generous offer, Miss Hazel. I don’t think Olivia and I can impose on you a moment earlier than we absolutely need to.”

  “Oh, posh! Nothing would make me happier than having you and Olivia with me. My own son is miles and miles away, and his wife is expecting my first grandbaby. Let me practice being a grandmother on sweet little Olivia.”

  Minnie hated the idea of taking advantage of the older woman, and yet… “We’d like that a great deal.”

  Miss Hazel clapped her hands together, clasping them in front of her bosom. “I couldn’t be happier! I’ll send someone over to get you and Olivia at six this evening. Can you have your things ready by then?”

  “Yes, of course. Are you sure you’re ready for us to come?”

  “I’ve been ready for you to come since the day my Teddy moved out!”

  “That was well before I ever met you, Miss Hazel.”

  “I know!” Miss Hazel grasped both of Minnie’s hands in hers. “We’re going to find you a good husband this time, and you’re going to live happily ever after. Just like they do in fairy tales.”

  Minnie smiled sadly. “I don’t believe in fairy tales, Miss Hazel.”

  “You will!” Miss Hazel rushed into the quilting room and spotted little Olivia in the middle of everyone, getting in the way. “Olivia, you need to go home with your mama now, and I’ll see you later.” She scooped the little girl up in her arms and planted a kiss on her cheek.

  Olivia grinned happily, before squirming to get down. “Mama?”

  “I’m right here, baby. Let’s go home. We have a lot to do today.” Minnie took her little girl’s hand and headed for the door of the church, feeling a modicum of hope for the first time since David had died. No…for the first time since her parents had died, because there was nothing hopeful about her relationship with David. Not at all.

  By the time the ninth rolled around, Minnie was starting to show. Just barely, but anyone who knew her well would be able to tell. She was thankfully past the stage where she was losing her breakfast, so she hoped she’d be able to do well.

  The other women were nice, but she was apart from them. How could they understand her at all? They were all young, innocent women who had never been married to a swindler. They couldn’t relate to her.

  Miss Hazel had arranged it so the men would get to meet each of the women there for a few minutes before moving onto the next. The first man who spoke for a woman got to marry her, if she was agreeable.

  Minnie waited in the formal downstairs parlor for the first of the men to meet her. She held Olivia on her lap and prepared to be rejected. What man would want a woman who was expecting another man’s baby? It just wasn’t likely. She knew it well.

  The first man to walk in was older than she’d expected a Mountie to be. He looked to be at least thirty-two. Maybe he wouldn’t be someone who would suffer a young girl who didn’t even know what she liked yet.

  He walked to her and sat down beside her. “I’m Robert.”

  “I’m Minnie, and this is my daughter, Olivia.”

  “Hi, Olivia.” He smiled at the little girl, not giving any indication that he didn’t want her. “Tell me about yourself.”

  Minnie took a deep breath. “I’m twenty-two years old. I was married for three years, and my husband died near the end of October. I thought he had investments that would make it so Olivia and I would be all right if anything happened to him, but it turns out, he never did. And shortly after he died, I found out I was expecting. Baby will be born around May first.”

  “I see. So if I choose you for my bride, I get you, a little girl, and a baby in a few months.” He scratched his chin as if considering, which surprised her. She hadn’t thought any of the men would continue to talk to her once they found out about her condition. “My big question for you is whether you’d be able to handle the journey. We’ll take a train to Cochran, and from there it’s a two-day trip by sled.”

  Minnie bit her lip. “I’m sure I could handle the journey very well, but I worry a little about Olivia. I could bundle her up, though, and I think she’d be fine.”

  “Miss Hazel said you were a wonderful cook, and you’ve always kept an immaculate home.”

  “Yes, that’s true. I take being a wife very seriously.” She looked up at him, noting his brown eyes for the first time. They were fascinating to her—the exact color of chocolate.

  “Then you’re the one I want.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You don’t want to meet the others?” Surely no one would choose her right away. Not so easily!

  He shook his head. “No, I really don’t. Miss Hazel told us a bit about each of you when we arrived, and you sounded like the one for me. I will happily help you raise your children.”

  “Really?” She was having a hard time believing he wasn’t rejecting her. “You don’t mind that I’m expecting?”

  “Not at all. I like children. Your little girl is young enough, she won’t remember anyone else as her father. The one you carry will only know me. I like the idea of already having a couple of children.”

  “I expected everyone to reject me immediately.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not everyone. I became a Mountie so I could help people. You need a husband who is willing to take care of you. I’m willing to do that. I think we will get along very well.”

  She nodded once. “I’ll do everything I can to be a good wife to you.”

  “I know you will.” He stood up and scooped Olivia off her lap so she could get up easier. “Let’s go let Miss Hazel know that neither of us need to meet anyone else.” He held his hand down to help her up.

  Minnie took the hand he offered, surprised at the sparks that shot through her at his touch. That had never happened with David. “Thank you,” she said softly, almost too softly for him to hear.

  “For what?”

  She smiled. “For accepting me. Honestly, that was more a thanks to God for sending me someone to get me out of the situation I’m in.” She held her hands out for Olivia, but Olivia was enjoying playing with the buttons on his uniform too much to go to her mother. “I guess she likes you.”

  “See? We’re going to make it work.” He led her into the kitchen where Miss Hazel was waiting. “You were right, Miss Hazel. She’s the one for me.”

  Miss Hazel smiled. “Good. Pastor’s waiting at the church, Minnie. Why don’t you three walk over?”

  Minnie looked over at Robert and nodded. “Yes, we can do that. I’ll be right back. I need to get winter things for Olivia and me.” She hurried up the stairs and found her coat as well as Olivia’s. She said a quick prayer of thanks for Robert, who accepted her so quickly into his life.

  When she got back to the kitchen, Robert was sitting at the table, still holding Olivia. “Are you my new daddy?” Olivia asked.

  Minnie held back, wondering how he’d respond. “Yes, I am. We’re all going to take a train tomorrow, and then we’re going to go on a dog sled. Have you ever been on a dog sled?”

  Olivia shook her head, her eyes wide. “No!”

  “Well it’s a lot of fun. The dogs go fast, and they drag us along with them. We’ll get to spend one night in a stranger’s house, and that’ll be fun too, won’t it?”

  “Stranger?” Olivia asked.

  “Because there won’t be anyone we know whose house we can stay in, but when we get to Reindeer Rock, we’ll have a little house just for the three of us.”

  Olivia seemed to like that, because she rested her head on his shoulder. “You and me and Mama.”

  Minnie felt tears prick her eyes. Already he was a better father than David had been. How had she been so fortunate to be the one chosen by this man? “Let’s get your coat on,” she said, stepping forward and helping the little girl into her coat, before putting her own
on. “We’re going to walk to the church so I can marry him.”

  “And then he’ll be my daddy.” Olivia seemed to take all of this in stride, which really surprised Minnie. He must have woven some sort of spell around her.

  “Yes, then he’ll be your daddy.” Minnie looked at Robert, and saw that he was watching her. She nodded in gratitude, hoping he’d understand. “Do you want to walk, or do you want me to carry you?”

  “Daddy carry me.” Olivia patted Robert on the cheek, making it clear that she approved of him.

  Robert smiled. “I’m happy to carry her.”

  Minnie led the way, feeling a bit left out. She was glad Olivia liked Robert so much, but she was a bit torn as well. Never before had there been someone she would go to from Minnie, so it felt strange. “The church is about a ten-minute walk from here.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Minnie frowned at him. “Where’s your horse? Aren’t Mounties always supposed to be on horses?”

  “Usually, but we’re going to an out-of-the-way place, and a horse wouldn’t make it through the deep snow. That’s why we’ll be taking sled dogs for the last part of our journey.”

  “When will we leave Ottawa?” she asked.

  “Tomorrow morning. We need to head out on the train and go for about three hours, and then we’ll use sled dogs the rest of the day tomorrow, stay in a house along the way, and then we’ll finish our trip on Wednesday night. It’s going to be a long, hard journey, but I’ll be there to help you both.”

  Minnie smiled at him. “I appreciate it. Where exactly are we going?”

  “To a town called Reindeer Rock. There are four cabins waiting for us there. We won’t have much space, because the cabins are government issue, but we’ll make do. I may even be able to build onto the cabin come spring. Because then we’ll have four people living in a cabin meant for one or two.”