Escaping Her Haunting Memories (A Pair of Mail Order Bride Romances)

By Beth Overton

Mail Order Bride: Trying To Forget Her Past Life - A woman who lost her husband and child, moves west and to a man who is nothing but kind. However, she simply cannot forget the memories that haunt her every waking moment and she finds relief only when she’s sleeping.

A woman with scars from her past is sent by her family from New York to a cowboy rancher in Oklahoma. He said in his letters to her that he was homely, but she was unprepared when she saw him for the first time. Insecure about her own body and what had happened to her, along with his barely talking, she wonders if he will ever love her or if she’ll have to return home to the gang violence in New York.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Overton
• Release date: Feb 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310825095

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.

Book preview

Escaping Her Haunting Memories

(A Pair of Mail Order Bride Romances)

By

Beth Overton

Copyright 2016 Quietly Blessed & Loved Press

Mail Order Bride: Trying To Forget Her Past Life

Mail Order Bride: Woman With Scars From Her New York Past Goes To The Cowboy Rancher In Oklahoma

Mail Order Bride: Trying To Forget Her Past Life

Synopsis: Mail Order Bride: Trying To Forget Her Past Life - A woman who lost her husband and child, moves west and to a man who is nothing but kind. However, she simply cannot forget the memories that haunt her every waking moment and she finds relief only when she’s sleeping.

Idaho, October 1890

Perry Fitch adjusted his seat, the hard wood of the pew making every position uncomfortable. Try as he might, the pastor’s sermon had lost him a few minutes before and his mind had started to wander.

He needed to patch the roof on the lean-to for the ranch hands, pick up his special order at the general store, and the cattle in the back pasture needed to be moved. Mentally arranging things in order of importance, Perry jolted when the preacher shouted out, Because God is looking out for you!

Perry blinked, unsure what his response should be. Everyone else appeared to be tracking along with Pastor Hendrickson, but Perry was lost. He listened up, putting his mental listing on hold in hopes to catch up.

I mean that, folks. What’s the one thing you’re thinking about right now that’s got you worried? Maybe it’s a sick relative? Or maybe your crops aren’t coming in like you’d hoped? Whatever it is, God’s got a plan for it all. You’ve just got to trust that His plan is better than yours.

Perry nodded slowly in response as many others were. Times were hard and a message like this was popular—but Perry believed it because he’d seen it. That didn’t mean he had his doubts at times though.

I’m sure there are those of you out there who don’t believe me. So here’s one thing to think about on your way out of here. What’s one thing you’re struggling with trusting God about? Think of that thing, pray about it this week, and see what God does.

The preacher bowed his head and Perry followed suit, but his mind was filled with thoughts. His ranch was doing well, his hands were hard workers, his cattle and crops seemed to be thriving, money wasn’t an issue, but…if he were honest there was one thing that came to mind when he wondered about the future and God’s plan.

A wife.

And not just any wife. He wanted it all. A pretty face, sweet demeanor, and ability to take care of a busy household. He’d always wanted children and he wanted a wife who could handle them and ranch life.

Amen.

Perry waded out of his thoughts as conversation erupted in the church. Friends and neighbors laughed and joked all around him but his thoughts were still on Reverend Hendrickson’s challenge.

Howdy, Perry, Will Jameson stuck out his hand and the two men shook heartily.

What’d you think of that sermon there?

It was… Perry looked for the right word, Interesting.

Will laughed. I’d like to think God’s going to make that back field of mine produce better than it has, but I think that may be taking things a little too far.

The two men shared a laugh. I best be going, Carol’s waiting at the wagon already I’m sure. She’s always so tired after getting all of the kids to church that she’s ready to turn around and go home the minute service is over.

I can imagine.

I’ll see you next Sunday then.

Bye, Will, Perry said, waving after him as he made his way from the crowded sanctuary.

Hello, Perry, Pastor Hendrickson said, approaching with a smile. How are you, son?

Pastor, he said, inclining his head. Good sermon this morning. Perry shook the man’s hand energetically.

Just preaching what the Lord gives me. He smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes betraying his age. What about you, did you think of something you can be praying over this week?

Perry wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want it advertised that Perry Fitch was finally interested in finding a wife, he’d been getting enough grief from the older women in the church as it was, but he didn’t want to lie to the pastor either.

I did, he finally admitted.

Good, the pastor said, smiling again. Make sure you commit to praying about it, and if you ever want to talk, you know where you can find me. I too will be praying the Lord reveals the answer to you.

Thank you, sir.

The pastor smiled and moved on to the next group of people but Perry felt the weight of his words. If a wife was what he wanted, then he’d best start praying about it. Then he’d wait and, like Pastor Hendrickson said, see what God does.

New York November 1890

Belle Paulson felt the weight of her grief like a wet blanket. It weighted her down and covered everything in heavy sadness. She wished she were strong enough to tear it off and finally come out from under the depression she’d sunk into, but she didn’t know how to do that.

Loosing her husband and young son to consumption had forever altered her. They had lived a near perfect life until five months ago when Henry had first shown signs of the illness. Their young son Henry Jr. had then contracted the disease and they were both gone within two months.

Belle groaned and rolled on to her side. The chill of the room seeped into her bones and she pressed her eyes closed, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. She was surprised she had any tears left.

A knock echoed into the nearly empty room.

Belle, it’s me, Liza, I’m coming in.

Belle moaned again, wanting to tell her friend to go away, but it was too late. The door swung inward and Liza stepped in, her dark blue, velvet cape covered in flecks of snow.

Oh dear, it’s positively freezing in here. She pushed the hood of the cape back and made her way to the table where she deposited the wicker basket she’d been carrying. I’m starting the fire up again, I can’t believe you let it go out.

After a few minutes of work, the fire was blazing and warmth began filling the small room.

Much better, Liza said. Now, sit up. I brought soup and fresh bread. You’re going to eat.

Lacking the strength to argue, Belle pushed herself into a sitting position and accepted the bowl of steaming soup and hunk of bread. The broth went down smoothly though it burned her throat. The pain only added to the overall ache she felt. It was like nothing she’d experienced before.

Belle, Liza said, staring at her. You’ve got to live your life.

Belle closed her eyes, resting her head back against the headboard of the bed.

It’s been five months and you are barely existing. Liza took Belle’s free hand