Mail Order Bride: Three Brothers & The Fighting Brides

By Beth Overton

A group of women head out west on the train to meet their mail ordered husbands but when a fight erupts that spills out onto the train platform, all that the three waiting brothers can see is a mass of swirling skirts and bonnets and differently colored hair, and a group of apparently very angry women.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Overton
• Release date: Feb 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310380617

Beth Overton

Beth Overton lives in Northern California with her husband and three cats. Besides writing romances, she loves to read everything she can get her hands on, as well as cooking up gourmet delights for her entire family.

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Mail Order Bride: Three Brothers & The Fighting Brides

By

Beth Overton

Copyright 2016 Quietly Blessed & Loved Press

Synopsis: A group of women head out west on the train to meet their mail ordered husbands but when a fight erupts that spills out onto the train platform, all that the three waiting brothers can see is a mass of swirling skirts and bonnets and differently colored hair, and a group of apparently very angry women.

The women on the train had come from all over the eastern seaboard, two from England and one from Canada, all having answered lovelorn ads from lonely men in the deep west. Some came looking for adventure, some for a fresh start, and yet others were looking for the security of a man with property and means.

The train car was a long carriage with multiple windows and a long corridor running down the middle. On each side of the corridor flanking each window were three seated benches that faced each other allowing the passengers to visit with each other in groups of six. The dark green interior of the car was complimented by the tapestry upholstery of the bench seats. Surprisingly comfortable seats had made the long journey more pleasant.

The trouble started shortly after the women boarded the train in Iowa. The women, having formed groups of kindred spirits in the train car, were excitedly chatting about their various betrotheds. There were four groups of women in the train car and several other travellers dotted about the car.

Three of the four groups, decorated in finery were loud and flamboyant. The other group was comprised of six women dressed in drab, dark clothing and four of them held small Bibles in their gloved hands.

Sarah Parker sat alone in the corner seat nearest the back of the car. She was uncomfortable around other people. She knew that the women grouped together were mail-order brides, the same as she, but she had no desire to exchange gossip about her future. She was nervous enough as it was.

When she arrived the train car was empty. She took her seat and quickly pulled out a book and pretended to be lost in the story. This technique had always worked for her. People gave her space, not wanting to disturb the young schoolteacher’s studies.

She was a schoolteacher and she was aware that she looked the part with her hair in a tight bun, her spectacles, thin lips and stern countenance. If anyone ever really looked at her eyes, they told another story. She had deep blue eyes the color of sapphires. Her pale skin and dark hair made those eyes sparkle with wisdom and adventure. She was meek and shy, but her heart burned for the adventure that awaited her out west.

When Caleb Kerr wrote his first letter to her, she knew in her heart that this was her chance to have that adventure. Caleb told her of his cattle ranch and the beauty of the Texas landscape that he called home. He described the haunting songs of the coyotes and rich reds of the sunsets. He was well read compared to the other suitors who wrote to her. He did not have to steal her heart. She gave it to him willingly.

Her nervousness was simply because she had never actually been anywhere outside of New York. The thought of the unknown was both thrilling and frightening. When the trouble between the two groups of women began, it only made her anxiety heighten.

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