Boston Belle Bride Meets Gambling Addicted Cowboy: The Murphy Cowboy Brothers Looking For Love: Sweet Colorado Love, #1

By Lillis Lawson

It is 1870 and Odelia Hazelwood decides to become a Mail Order Bride.

Odelia Hazelwood moves from Boston to La Junta, Colorado to marry Jimmy Murphy after a short correspondence. Jimmy is an outgoing, boisterous man, and Odelia is a young Boston Belle. Odelia quickly learns that Jimmy owes a small gambling debt to a town bully named Black Jack Ketchum. Jimmy has exacerbated his debt by trying to win his way out of it and losing. Black Jack is claiming Jimmy’s farm and his wife if he cannot pay back his debt. Will Jimmy find a way to repay Black Jack or will he lose everything? Will his new bride stand by him or will she despise him forever?

These Books Are Sweet, Clean, Christian Historical Western, Short Romance Stories 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lillis Lawson
• Release date: Aug 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516376438

Book preview

Introduction

This is the first book in The Murphy Cowboy Brothers Looking For Love Series. This is Odelia 's story. All three books can be read alone. They are complete stories but if you would like to read them in order:

Odelia’s story is book one. Boston Belle Bride Meets Gambling Addicted Cowboy

Rosie’s story is book two. Widowed Mail Order Bride Makes Illegal Marriage Vows

Elizabeth’s story is book three. "Steady Cowboy Meets Runaway Mail Order Bride

All books are just $ 0.99.

If you would like to be informed of new releases by Lillis Lawson and other authors of Sweet Inspirational Romance, join our exclusive newsletter. Your information will never be shared and will only be used for new release announcements, special offers on books and exclusive previews and content. http://www.LillisLawson.com. Once a month one reader will be selected to receive the next book released absolutely free.

Chapter 1

Boston, 1870

Odelia paced the floor in her mother’s second parlor with determined steps. Lulie, the maid came and went with the tea tray, going unnoticed. However, Lulie noticed Odelia: her elegant organza dress in a beautiful petal pink, her fine brown hair piled atop her head, the delicate bones of her face. Her blue eyes narrowed in concentration, her thoughts entirely elsewhere.

Odelia’s boots pounded firmly on the polished wooden planks. The parlor’s great paneled shelves rose up from the floorboards to the ceilings, piled with her mother’s fine knickknacks and glassware. It really was a beautiful room, with well-made furniture and updated upholstery. Odelia didn’t notice one bit of it.

Her pacing halted when the door opened and closed, admitting a tall woman possessed of a stunning beauty. She did, in fact, look a good bit like Odelia, save for a grim harshness that Odelia did not display. Her posture was straight and unyielding as she strode to the nearest chair and sat. After a slight pause, Odelia joined her on the settee. The silence remained until Lulie entered a moment later to pour the tea and slip silently away.

Finally, Odelia spoke. Mother, I have decided. I am definitely going to go.

Her mother didn’t answer, only sipped her tea.

He really is the nicest man. His letters are lively and fun and interesting, and Mother, in Colorado there are mountains that actually touch the sky. I am desperate to see what the rest of America looks like! How will I ever see?

Mother placed her teacup lightly in its saucer, sat back, and folded her hands in her lap. I suppose the fact that I am completely against this idea doesn’t concern you? The fact that I, your mother, who raised you and provided for you, have no say in this matter?

Odelia’s face showed signs of wearing, but she schooled her emotions and jutted out her chin. I think we both know that I don’t get much of a say about anything around here. This, in fact, is the first thing I’ve ever done by myself.

I should say so! Answering an ad in a newspaper for a wife! Some man out on the frontier seeking a stranger to move in with him! It’s deplorable!

He’s not a stranger to me, Mother, which is more than I can say for the people that live under this roof with me. Odelia’s voice grew heated, then calmed. "Mother, please let me tell you my side of things. Will you please listen, without interrupting, just for