Mail Order Mother Read online

  Mail Order Mother

  A Brides of Beckham Story

  Kirsten Osbourne

  Copyright © 2019 by Kirsten Osbourne

  All rights reserved.

  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 written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Kirsten Osbourne

  Chapter 1

  Andrew Dawson walked into his house at the end of a long day, thankful that Miss Pickering would have supper on the table when he got there. The young woman did everything she was supposed to do in a timely manner—mainly because she was afraid of her own shadow. She was the most ridiculously frightened woman he’d ever had the misfortune to have working for him, but she did her job, and that was all he needed from her.

  When he walked into the kitchen, the sight before his eyes shouldn’t have startled him, but it did. There was flour coating every surface, including the floor. It must have been at least a twenty-five-pound bag.

  His angelic daughters were nowhere to be seen—not that he had angelic daughters. They were truly more demonic than anything else, but he didn’t like to say that aloud. There was also no sign of Miss Pickering—and no sign of food.

  “Is anyone here?” He was hungry, and after working for more than twelve hours, there should be food waiting for him.

  Miss Pickering magically appeared from her quarters right off the kitchen. She was covered in flour from head to toe. Apparently, his daughters had “ghosted” her. Usually they did that when they were ready to get rid of a housekeeper, but he’d thought they were getting along well with Miss Pickering. “I would like to request a ride to the train station, Mr. Dawson. I can no longer work under these circumstances.” It was the first time she’d met his eyes in the three weeks she’d worked there. Finally, she’d found her spine when she was ready to quit.

  Andrew sighed. As soon as he’d seen the flour, he should have known, but somehow he’d been optimistic—ridiculously—that she would stay on. “Yes, of course. Do you have your things?” He wanted to suggest she take a bath first, but he’d done that with the first housekeeper—was that really only a year ago?—and she’d spit in his face.

  “I’ve packed, but I’ll collect them now.” She stomped off into her bedroom, flour flying in every direction.

  “Where are my girls?” he called after her.

  “I’ve locked them in their rooms where they can’t get into any more mischief.”

  Andrew sighed. He should let them out to clean up the mess, but . . . they’d want to go into town with him, and he wasn’t about to reward their behavior. His sweet Marie had always been so much better at telling them no than he was. He’d let them out after Miss Pickering was gone. Hopefully he could find some canned goods at the mercantile while he was there. Miss Pickering hadn’t ever been good with the girls, but the woman could cook. Now they would have to go back to beans.

  She didn’t speak on the entire drive into town, and he wasn’t surprised. She’d already spoken to him more that day than ever before. The woman was simply not comfortable around men. At least that’s what he’d surmised. She had never said anything about it.

  As soon as he’d stopped the wagon, she jumped down and ran from him, her carpetbag in hand. She had lasted an entire three weeks, longer than any other housekeeper.

  He went into the mercantile and nodded to the owner, Jonathan Snow. “I need to send a telegraph to the domestic agency.”

  Jonathan shook his head. “Sorry, Andrew. They said that there would be no more women sent out if this one left.” The older man scratched his head, thinking. “The latest paper just came, and there’s an ad for mail-order brides. If you were married to someone, she couldn’t run off.”

  “Is there a way to telegraph this place?” Andrew knew they couldn’t go long without help. His daughters would destroy everything.

  Jonathan shrugged. “I’ll try.”

  Caroline Casey walked to Rock Creek Road to speak with Mrs. Elizabeth Tandy, a skip in her step. She went to church with Mrs. Tandy and had just discovered what the other woman did for a living—she was a real live mail-order bride matchmaker! Caroline had always longed for the romance of being a mail-order bride. Her parents thought she was crazy, but they hadn’t denied her. They’d never denied her anything.

  There had been many suitors there in Beckham for Caroline, but she’d rejected them all. None of them were the romantic figures of her dreams. No, she needed a real live hero who would sweep her off her feet and make her feel as if her insides were tingling. No more of the boring men in Massachusetts. There had to be exciting men out west somewhere, just dying for a woman to make their lives complete. She would be that woman!

  She knocked on the door, which was answered by Mr. Tandy. “Hello, Miss Casey.”

  “Mr. Tandy! I was hoping to speak with your wife. I’m in need of her matchmaking services.”

  The blond man nodded once. “Yes, of course. Come in.” He led her back to the last room on the left. “Elizabeth, Miss Caroline Casey is here to see you.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “It’s good to see you, Caroline. Please, have a seat.”

  Caroline hurried to the sofa and sat down. She’d never been in the Tandy home before, but it was bigger and more beautiful than she’d dreamed. “I want to be a mail-order bride!”

  “I had a feeling you’d come see me.” Elizabeth leaned forward as much as she could around the baby she was carrying. “Why do you want to be a mail-order bride? There’s hard work at the other end of this journey.”

  “Oh, that’s fine. I like to do hard work.” Caroline didn’t spend five days a week volunteering at an orphanage because she was lazy. “I like the romance of it all.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “I’m not sure you’re going to find romance as a mail-order bride. Most of these men are looking for someone who is willing to help them build up a farm or a ranch. Someone who will take care of their children.”

  “I can do those things! I promise you, Elizabeth. This is what I want!”

  “All right. Let me think about who is right for you.” Elizabeth sat in concentration for a moment. “I got a telegraph from a man desperate for a bride just yesterday. Let me pull it out. Bernard was able to investigate him by telegraph, and he has an impeccable reputation, though his daughters are known to be troublemakers.” She went through a batch of papers and handed one to Caroline.

  Caroline read through the telegram. “Texas? I’ve never been to Texas!” She got more excited by the moment. “Yes, I want to marry him. When can I leave?”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I can send a telegraph back. I usually do things by letter, but it seems like the two of you are in a huge hurry for everything.”

  “I know I am. I’m ready to start my adventure!”

  “I hope you know what you’re getting into.” Elizabeth frowned at Caroline for a moment. “You have loving parents. You have a good life here. Why do you want to do this so badly? I’m a little worried about you.”

  “I need a change. Something different.”

  “This will definitely be something different.” Elizabeth smiled as her husband brought in a tray of cookies and tea. She poured two cups. “Thank you, Bernard.”

  When they’d finished with their tea, Elizabeth smiled
. “I’ll send a telegraph first thing, and I’ll send a note over to your house with the response. Will that work?”

  “I’ll be at the orphanage all day,” Caroline said, getting to her feet. She would have children. A new husband. Picnics by streams and reading poetry by a fire. Life was finally going her way.

  Three days later, Caroline sat waiting for her train, Elizabeth at her side. “I’m so excited. In just a little over a week, I’ll be married!”

  “I just want you to remember that no matter what happens, you’re welcome to come home. If he hurts you in any way, I will personally pay for your train ticket.” Elizabeth shook her head at Caroline. “Are you even listening to me?”

  “Of course I am. I’m just so excited it’s hard to concentrate!” Caroline wanted to break into song and dance like she’d once seen in a musical when she went with her stepmother to New York City. She wasn’t certain how Elizabeth would react to her antics, though, so she stayed put.

  “You’re going to be on the train for a very long time. I hope you brought something to keep you occupied.” Elizabeth smiled at her.

  “Oh, of course. I brought books and some sewing. I’m making myself a new apron. And I’m hemming the dress I made for my wedding. And I brought my crochet hook and some thread. I think I might make a collar for a dress.” Caroline was excited for the long, boring hours on the train. She didn’t tell Elizabeth, but she was thinking about writing some poems for her new husband. She would read them to him on their wedding night. She sighed happily.

  When the conductor called for everyone to get on the train, Caroline hugged Elizabeth. “Thank you for making this possible!”

  “I hope this marriage is everything you dream of.”

  “Oh, I know it will be! I’m just certain of it.”

  Caroline picked up her carpetbag, knowing that her much-bigger trunk was already loaded onto the train. Her new life was going to begin in just a few days.

  Andrew stood on the train platform, wearing his Sunday best. He wanted to make a good impression on his new bride. He knew little about her other than the fact that she considered herself an excellent cook, and she said she was good with children. It would have to do.

  His girls stood at his sides, both of them dressed in their newest dresses, which he realized were not nearly long enough for their rapid growth. At twelve and ten, his girls were becoming ladies, and they really did need a mother’s touch. His sweet Marie had died a year before, and he’d been struggling with them ever since.

  When the train pulled into the station, he told the girls to straighten up and smile. His older daughter, Victoria, pulled her face into a grotesque version of a smile, while Amy merely grimaced. Neither of them was looking forward to having a new mother, but he didn’t care. This was the answer.

  Five people got off the train there in Whistle Stop, Texas. The town had been formed when the railroad came through, and it was very small and simple. Everyone knew everyone, and there were few businesses.

  First a couple stepped off, and Andrew waved to them. He knew the Rileys had taken a trip back east to visit her aging parents. Then a young man he didn’t recognize got off the train. He was probably there to work at one of the local ranches. He looked like a youngster from back east who wanted to be a cowboy. Following him was a tall woman who looked as if she’d just eaten an entire jar of pickles, her face was so sour. He felt a moment of panic that the woman could be his bride, but she walked over to a farmer in town and embraced him.

  He waited for another full minute before a woman stepped off the train. She looked to be in her early twenties, which would fit the description Caroline had given of herself. She looked straight at him with a smile and hurried in his direction. “You must be Andrew Dawson. It’s so good to meet you. I’m Caroline Casey, and I’m going to be your beloved wife.”

  Beloved? Andrew nodded. “I’m Andrew, and these are my daughters, Victoria and Amy.”

  Caroline’s face lit up as she looked at the girls. “I’m so excited to meet you. I’m going to be the best wife and mother I know how to be. I promise you this!”

  He thought for a moment about telling her that he was really just looking for a housekeeper, but he didn’t know how to say it in a way that wouldn’t upset the girl. She seemed very excited to be there. “The preacher is waiting to marry us in his home. It’s just a block from here. Would you mind walking?”

  “Oh, not at all. I hope there’s a place for me to change into the dress I made for our wedding. I finished hemming it on the train.” Caroline smiled at him sweetly. “My trunk is on the platform.”

  “Trunk?” He’d been expecting her to arrive with just a carpetbag like all of the housekeepers. “I’ll get it in the wagon.”

  “What do you do for a living, Andrew? Is it all right if I call you Andrew?”

  He blinked a few times, wondering what he’d gotten himself into. Was it too late to back out? “Yes, of course.”

  “And what do you do for a living?” She smiled beguilingly at him.

  “I’m a rancher.”

  “Oh, cows! I love cows!” She pointed to her trunk, and he found himself obeying her pointing finger, walking toward the luggage so he could load it.

  As soon as he headed away, Caroline turned to the girls. “Now, you’re Victoria, right? How old are you, Victoria?”

  “I’m twelve, and I don’t need a mother, a housekeeper, or a nanny. I can take care of myself.”

  Caroline smiled. “Of course you can! I’m so glad that you’re capable. That means you can help me settle in. I know nothing about being a rancher’s wife.” Then she looked at the younger girl. “Amy, right? How old are you?”

  “Ten.” Amy said nothing else and instead stood glaring at Caroline.

  “You’re practically a lady!” Caroline saw that her trunk was back, and she watched as Andrew loaded it for her. “I wasn’t able to bring friends along to stand up with me, so I was hoping the two of you would be my bridesmaids. Do you mind?”

  Victoria looked at Amy before shaking her head. “I don’t mind.”

  Amy seemed confused for a moment. “I’ll do it.”

  “Oh, good. I hope there’s a place for us to pick flowers on the way. Don’t you think we should all have flowers to hold?”

  “We should be able to find some bluebonnets,” Victoria said, still seeming very surprised. “Do you like bluebonnets?”

  “Would you believe I’ve never even seen a bluebonnet? You’ll have to show me what they look like.” Caroline linked arms with the girls, leaving Andrew to follow in their wake.

  Andrew frowned. “The preacher’s expecting us soon. We don’t have time to wander around looking for flowers.”

  “Of course, we do, Andrew. A woman only gets married once, and she needs to have flowers. Wouldn’t you agree, girls?”

  “I guess . . .” Victoria said.

  “See? The girls agree with me, and you’re outvoted, Andrew.” Caroline kept the girls’ arms firmly in her grasp, knowing they would both rather run away than deal with their crazy future stepmother. She didn’t care, though. She already loved them with everything inside her. They were her daughters, after all.

  Finally, one of the girls pointed to a field. “Bluebonnets,” Amy said softly.

  “Oh, we must pick a bouquet for each of us. Bluebonnets are beautiful!” It was a little hard for Caroline to believe just how many flowers were in bloom. When she’d left Massachusetts, there was still snow on the ground. She released their arms, and all three of them began picking the pretty flowers.

  Andrew stood watching the scene before him, more than a little shocked. How had she gotten the girls to do something she wanted? And how long would it be before she was covered in flour and demanding a ride to the train station?

  When they’d all picked the flowers they wanted, Caroline returned to him. “Well, we have enough flowers, I think. Now let’s get married.” Her smile kept stunning him. Why was she so happy?

  He c
leared his throat. “Preacher’s house is this way.” Andrew had always been a rather quiet man, doing what he needed to do to keep his ranch going and his wife happy. Now here this woman was, and she . . . well, she was something outside of his realm of understanding. No one was that happy.

  Truly, he’d expected a mail-order bride to be rather homely, but Caroline was pretty. Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle at him.

  The four of them walked toward the small parsonage attached to the church. When Mrs. Nelson, the pastor’s wife, opened the door, Caroline smiled happily. “We’re here for our wedding! Is it all right if I change first? I just finished sewing my wedding dress on the train, and I would be devastated if I couldn’t wear it.”

  Mrs. Nelson blinked a couple of times before opening the door wide. “I’ll show you to a room where you may change.”

  “Thank you so much. I really appreciate your hospitality.” With those words, Caroline disappeared around the corner with Mrs. Nelson.

  Andrew stared after her for a moment, before looking down at his girls, who still had flowers in their arms. “She’s different.”

  Victoria nodded. “Very.”

  “I’m not sure how she’s going to fit in,” Amy said, still staring at the spot where Caroline had disappeared as if she was waiting for her to magically reappear.

  The three of them stood in uncomfortable silence as they waited for Caroline to come back. He realized as he stood there that Marie had been the glue holding their family together. She’d been the one who kept conversations going and made them all happy. Since her untimely death, they’d all stood around, not even really speaking to one another. Maybe Caroline was what they all needed. He certainly hoped so, because she was who they had.