A Bride For Carter (The Proxy Brides Book 6) Read online

  A Bride for Carter

  Wendy May Andrews

  ~~~

  Sparrow Ink

  www.sparrowdeck.com

  Copyright © 2018 Wendy May Andrews

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN - 978-1-9994932-1-9

  Cover Design by Black Widow Books

  www.wendymayandrews.com

  They didn’t meet until after the wedding day.

  Carter McLain has finally accomplished the success he was striving for when he moved to the frontier a decade ago. All that’s missing is a wife to share it with. Having no desire to leave his land, he requests a friend back home to arrange a proxy marriage for him. When his bride seems too good to be true, Carter wonders if he did the right thing.

  The highly publicized deaths of Ella St. Clair’s parents cause her to lose everything. Left destitute, alone, and friendless, she grudgingly accepts the offer of marriage by proxy to a man she has never met. The long trip West leaves her plenty of time for second thoughts.

  What does the future hold for these legally bound strangers? Can they get past their secrets to find happiness?

  Dedication

  In this book, Ella finds herself in a very tight spot in life and one of the things she misses most are her books. I can so relate to this sentiment. Whenever I need a break from life’s tight spots, I find relief by reading a good book. When I get to the end, I’m refreshed and ready to figure my way out of the issue. I know I’m not alone in this. This book is for all those who use the same coping device.

  And to my hubby for being there to help me figure life out.

  Acknowledgements

  I must start with the other Proxy Brides authors. This is the first time I’ve participated in a multi-author project and I hope it won’t be my last. Sharing in the brainstorming and marketing, as well as all the little tidbits in between with other, like-minded authors has been such a great experience. Here’s to a successful arrangement!

  Thanks go to my beta readers: Marlene, Suzanne, Christina, Monique, and Alfred – your zeal for my stories and making them better makes my heart happy.

  Thank you to my editor, Julie Sherwood, I love working with you. Any mistakes left are my fault, not hers.

  Thank you too to my online communities full of wonderful readers and writers who help me with research or cheer me on. I am constantly amazed by the human kindness that can still be found even online.

  Special thanks to my parents for reading to me as a child and for always keeping me supplied with books, even when money didn’t grow on trees. Those Scholastics flyers were SO exciting!

  And sincere thanks need to also go to my husband for being my everything – friend, partner, companion, web guru, formatter, idea sounding board, counterpart. You’re the best, Mr. Andrews.

  Chapter One

  E lla had to shade her eyes as she stepped down from the train car. She wouldn’t have ever thought the sun was brighter in the west. She didn’t think that was possible. But that’s sure how it seemed. Looking around, her gaze flitted about like a nervous bird. Everyone was bustling by with somewhere to go, and her fellow passengers were eagerly being greeted. Ella expected there was someone waiting for her as well, but of course, she had no way of knowing who it was. Fred’s description hadn’t given her much to go on.

  “I don’t know. He’s tall with brown hair,” had been the answer when she had asked for a description of her husband. That described at least seventy-five percent of the men milling about. Ella wanted to giggle as that thought passed through her mind. She hoped that meant she had retained her sense of humor and not that she was losing her mind.

  Grasping her baggage tightly, relieved for once at how little she owned, Ella resolved to find somewhere to sit and wait. Surely once the crowds cleared out, she’d be in a better position to figure out which one was her husband. At least it doesn’t stink here, she thought as she made her way to a bench in the shade of the overhang along the front of the train station. Or is it the back? she questioned, maybe she ought to go to the other side where the horses and wagons would be. But it seemed everyone who had people waiting for them were being greeted on this side, the train side. Stick with your first plan, she admonished herself. He’ll find you eventually.

  After her trip, Ella was feeling hot and grubby. The gloves that had been pristine when she left Boston were now smudged, and she wondered if it would be better to meet her husband with bare hands or dirty gloves. Then she shook her head. It was a foolish thing to worry about. She wasn’t in Boston anymore. And she had yet to meet her husband.

  Her stomach ached from nerves and hunger, and she gnawed on her lip with worry. It was unfortunate that she hadn’t been able to muster up the nerve to ask Fred for some spending money before he put her on the train. He had bought her ticket for her, but she hadn’t felt right asking him for more than that. However, since she was out of money herself, that meant once her small supply of food had run out, there was nothing for her to eat. It had been two days, and she was feeling the effects. It was good that she was able to find a shady spot to sit; she didn’t think she would have been able to bear up under the blazing sunshine if she had needed to remain standing there on the train platform.

  As her stomach growled again, Ella felt a blush climbing in her cheeks. It was so loud that time, she was sure others could hear it. She sure hoped her new home wasn’t overly far from the town. And that her husband had thought to stock up the larder. She simply wouldn’t be able to manage much longer without something to eat.

  Looking around, she could see that there were fewer people now. In fact, the platform was very nearly empty. Her gaze encountered the interested stare of what appeared to be a handsome cowboy. She almost became ensnared by his intense blue gaze, but she managed to move her eyes away and keep her composure. It would not do for her husband to arrive and find her ogling another man. Ella hoped her face wasn’t flaming with awareness as she kept her gaze averted. She sighed. Surely her husband would arrive shortly. She had sent word of which train she was on. In fact, that was where she had spent her last coins, on sending the telegram at their last stop. Fred had told her to wait until the last day just in case there were delays. There hadn’t been many delays, she was relieved to note. And it had only taken five days to get here from Boston. Train travel really was a modern marvel.

  Ella could still feel the stare of the handsome stranger, and it made her want to fidget. She knew she must look a fright after five days on the train. There hadn’t been much opportunity to wash or even change her clothes, so she must be looking much worse for the wear. But it was exceedingly rude of him to stare in such a way. It’s not as though she had meant to be so frayed. If she had her wishes granted, she would be ravishingly beautiful when she met her husband for the first time. She almost grinned. Of course, if she had her ‘druthers, she wouldn’t have needed to wed a stranger in the first place. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, and it was better than the alternative. At least she was protected now. And Fred had spoken so highly of this Carter McLain. She ought to be grateful for her circumstances. And she promised herself she would be as soon as he turned up. Surely she couldn’t be expected to be extremely positive in the face of an empty train platform.

  Ella sighed agai
n. Standing up, she shook out her skirts and was about to hoist her suitcase up to traipse around to the other side of the station when a deep voice interrupted her thoughts over her right shoulder.

  “Excuse me, ma’am, you wouldn’t by any chance be Mrs. Ella McLain, would you?”

  She nearly jumped out of her skin. Ella was weak with fatigue and hunger and was so caught up in her own dilemma that she hadn’t expected anyone to speak to her so suddenly. With a slight shriek, she whirled around and almost toppled over.

  The handsome cowboy was standing much too close, but at least that made it possible for him to catch her by the elbow before she actually took a tumble.

  “Who are you?” she asked suspiciously, not answering his question.

  He pulled off his hat, apparently remembering his manners, and replied, “I might be your husband,” he answered with a grin. “I’m Carter McLain.”

  It was all too much for Ella. The heat, her hunger and lack of sleep on the noisy train, and now to discover the most handsome man she had ever seen was her new husband. Her legs gave out, and she wilted into a faint.

  She wasn’t to know how much time passed, but the next thing she knew she was back on the bench. Mortification assailed her as she realized what must have happened.

  Well isn’t that a fine introduction, she mused. He’s certainly going to think he’s been saddled with a fine specimen. Even in her mind her voice was dripping with sarcasm. The thought made her smile, which probably made her look even more a simpleton. The handsome man was hovering over her. His frown deepened as he observed her smile.

  Yep, he definitely thinks he took the prize now, she thought again. Probably thinks I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have. What with marrying a stranger without even clapping eyes on him first. Well, now she had seen him, and she was quite certain it was all a huge mistake. How could she bear to be married to such a gorgeous man? He’d surely have the ego to match, and she had experienced quite enough of that in her short life. She couldn’t help but sigh.

  “Are you feeling a little more like yourself, Miss?” The handsome man hovered over her and seemed genuinely concerned about her welfare. It was a pleasant thought. No one had truly cared about her in eons, it seemed. Sometimes she wondered if anyone ever had, but that was disloyal to her lovely parents. It wasn’t their fault they hadn’t been able to provide for her after their deaths. They had done the very best they could, she was sure.

  “You must not be used to the heat, are you Miss?” His handsome face split into a grin, and she had to blink against the brilliance of it. “I guess I ought to be calling you ma’am now, if you truly are the one I’m waiting for.”

  Ella wasn’t going to remain prostrate before her new husband for another minute. She did not want him settling into the impression that she was a weakling. While Fred had assured her their agreement was binding, she didn’t want her new husband deciding he had changed his mind about her. She brushed the back of her hand over her forehead and instinctively flattened any stray hairs as she regained her feet as gracefully as she could with a large man leaning over her. She was certain he meant to be solicitous, but his towering was becoming slightly intimidating despite his pleasant smile.

  “Yes, sir, I am Ella. And no, I’m not yet accustomed to the heat. I didn’t really expect it to be that much hotter than it was in Boston. In the city, the air is already starting to cool, readying for winter. I guess it’s the proximity to the ocean that makes it cooler.”

  She wasn’t sure what to make of the fact that he just stood there gaping at her. Had she said something wrong?

  “You are the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen in these parts,” he said. He sounded almost as though he were in awe of her, which was ridiculous.

  She couldn’t help it. A giggle escaped her. “You must not get out much, then, sir, but I thank you kindly for the compliment.” She brushed it aside, not really believing him. “Now, I do apologize for fainting on you. I must assure you, it is not a regular occurrence for me. I am fit as a fiddle and will not be lazing about like a hot house flower. I just haven’t had any breakfast yet today, so I was a little unprepared for the elements.”

  He kept grinning as he listened to her words. “You even sound pretty,” he commented. “But if you’re hungry, we’d best be getting you fed. It’s a bit of a ride out to our place. I wouldn’t want you fainting again from hunger and heat while we’re driving.”

  “That’s kind of you, sir, thank you.”

  “It’s the very least I can do, since you’ve come all this way.”

  Ella felt some of her nerves loosen. Even though she could barely look at him for how handsome he was, the fact that Mr. McLain seemed to be kind and compassionate helped settle her a little more into the decision she had made. Not that she’d had much choice. The next step for her would have been the workhouse if she hadn’t accepted the offer of an arranged marriage. But she was still left wondering why he had wanted such a match. If Fred were to be believed, her new husband was comfortably situated. And no woman would fault the man for his looks. So why had he felt it necessary to find himself a bride and marry her by proxy before he had even laid eyes on her? Ella would have to be subtle if she were going to discern the truth. In her experience, men didn’t ever say straight what the situation was.

  Just look at her and where she had found herself. Sibby’s husband had sworn he would look after her. But it turned out it wasn’t the kind of looking after she was interested in. And she could never confide that to Sibby, of course. What good would it do to break her best friend’s heart? She was just glad that Sibby trusted her brother and what he had to say about the gentleman now before her. Then again, Sybil’s judgment was not the most trustworthy when it came to men. She did marry Horace after all. But Ella trusted Fred and would have to trust this man, at least until he gave her reason not to.

  “Is this all you’ve brought with you?” He seemed surprised by her meager baggage. Her cheeks warmed.

  “I didn’t want to be burdened with too much during all that travel,” she murmured.

  “Not to worry, we can send to have your things shipped on another train.”

  Ella couldn’t look at him. Didn’t he realize a woman who would agree to an arrangement like theirs didn’t have an excess of belongings? She decided to leave the issue to be dealt with later.

  She was glad she didn’t have to carry anything, and she gingerly clung to the arm he offered. Ella had not expected to find a gentleman at the end of her journey. Her curiosity about this man mounted. What kind of man required a proxy bride? She had been expecting a rough outdoorsman with poor manners and missing teeth. Thus was the extent of her desperation to accept the offer. She didn’t trust this apparent good fortune. There must be something she was missing, a salient fact that explained why an apparently well to do, handsome, well mannered man needed to have his friends arrange a marriage for him. She didn’t think the fact that he was isolated could be the full explanation. Ella determined to remain on her guard. She just prayed he was nothing like Sybil’s husband. Ella mustered up her courage. She would cross that bridge if she came to it.

  Looking around at the small town as they walked toward the hotel with a restaurant in the front, Ella felt her confidence growing. It really is almost a city, she thought as she took in the store fronts and shops as they hurried along. Even though her new husband had been so solicitous of her, he clearly didn’t realize his stride was much longer than hers. She had to almost run to keep up. But at least I don’t have to carry my baggage, she reminded herself, trying to see the bright side of the situation. And living in a place like this wasn’t going to be so very dreadful, she was beginning to think.

  Once they had been seated at a table they were quickly served. The restaurant had a surprisingly detailed menu. Ella was afraid they might have been more glamorous in their descriptions than the food was going to prove to be, but she expected the food to be at least edible. The place appeared clean, and that
was all she could hope for.

  What does one discuss with one’s husband that one has just met? Ella’s thoughts again provided her with amusement, but she tried to keep it from showing on her face. She didn’t want the man thinking she was an escaped lunatic. He must have already received a bad enough impression of her from her faint upon their first introduction. He didn’t appear to be much of a talker given he hadn’t said anything since they had left the train station. She really needed to bestir herself and find out a little bit about him before she accompanied him much further.

  “Is your home very far from here?”

  He blinked his bright blue eyes at her as though he were surprised by her question. She wondered if he had forgotten she was there. A smile spread across her face. She wouldn’t really mind if he forgot about her as long as he provided her with a roof over her head and some food on the table.

  “It’s a little far. We’ll actually be driving for a few hours in the wagon to get home.”

  “A few hours?” Ella tried not to sound dismayed. She had been excited by the thought of being so close to the town of Council Bluffs. “Is it very isolated where we’re going?” Her heart gave a slight lurch at the thought of being secluded with the handsome stranger.

  “Somewhat,” was his uninformative reply. “Didn’t Fred tell you I’m a rancher?”

  Ella nodded. “He did. But he didn’t have much more information than that, I’m afraid. So do you tend to stock up on your supplies only occasionally when you come up to Town?”

  “I try to never come here if I can help it. I only came today because I didn’t want you to have to worry about figuring out how to get to Traders Point.”

  Ella felt a degree of relief over his words. “Oh, and what is in Traders Point?”

  “A few shops and a mercantile. We can get anything we can’t make ourselves from there or have it ordered in for us. You won’t find us so very backward, I can promise you that.”