Finding Peace & A New Family (A Pair of Mail Order Bride Romances)

By Beth Overton

Mail Order Bride: Woman & Child From Louisiana & The Cowboy Rancher In Texas - A woman and her daughter from Louisiana decide to travel to Texas to join a cowboy rancher who is yearning for a new family to call his own. They settle in and both mother and daughter become attached to the lonely cowboy and join with him in a mutual love for the ranch animals and family life. There are obstacles to overcome and the winter snows provide the first major crisis of the year.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Overton
• Release date: Feb 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310358654

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

Finding Peace & A New Family

(A Pair of Mail Order Bride Romances)

By

Beth Overton

Copyright 2016 Quietly Blessed & Loved Press

Mail Order Bride: Woman & Child From Louisiana & The Cowboy Rancher In Texas

Mail Order Bride: Trying To Forget Her Past Life

Mail Order Bride: Woman & Child From Louisiana & The Cowboy Rancher In Texas

Synopsis: Mail Order Bride: Woman & Child From Louisiana & The Cowboy Rancher In Texas - A woman and her daughter from Louisiana decide to travel to Texas to join a cowboy rancher who is yearning for a new family to call his own. They settle in and both mother and daughter become attached to the lonely cowboy and join with him in a mutual love for the ranch animals and family life. There are obstacles to overcome and the winter snows provide the first major crisis of the year.

Virginia Lynn! hollered Anna, as she stood on the porch of the general store in New Orleans. Where are you?

Anna found herself looking for her daughter Virginia again. At the age of 12, she was still inclined to go wandering off. The child had a wild bone in her body that made her mom go crazy most days. The problem was Virginia acted just like her dad, God rest his soul. He was a good husband and father until his death five years ago in a wagon accident. Unfortunately, he’d had a wild streak of his own and passed it on to his daughter.

After he died, things had been harder for Anna and Virginia but they had done okay thanks to their neighbors Luke and Missy. Virginia didn’t remember much about her dad, so it was easier for her to learn to adapt to life without him now.

At the age of 26, Anna was still a very young mother. The doctor had told her she couldn’t have more children due to complications. Anna would have been sad about this but Virginia was such a handful she thought maybe this was a blessing.

Anna walked to the side of the general store and saw horses and wagons parked near a stable. She knew Virginia would be nearby petting the horses. She loved animals and always had. Anna walked over to the nearest wagon and spotted her filthy daughter petting a lady’s black horse and asking the lady a million questions.

Virginia had very short blonde hair because she hated combing it and Anna didn’t have time to fool with her. She had blue eyes like her mom and a pretty smile. Anna had strawberry colored hair. The two of them looked a lot alike.

Virginia, are you bothering this nice lady by asking her a ton of questions, Anna asked Virginia in a stern voice.

Anna placed her hands on her hips to show her daughter that she meant business and not to argue with her.

Mom, the lady was just telling me that her horse’s name is Isabelle and she has had her for a very long time. She let me feed her an apple, Virginia said as she bounced around excitedly.

Well, thank the nice lady and let her be because we have chores to get to back at the ranch Virginia, Anna told her, sighing.

She knew that Virginia couldn’t resist petting a pretty horse no matter how much she scolded her for running off so she didn’t even bother.

Virginia thanked the lady and hurried to follow her mom back to the wagon that belonged to Pastor Luke from the church. Mr. Luke had let her and her mom stay at their ranch when her daddy had passed and she loved it. There were horses for her to ride, chickens to feed and it was Virginia’s job to milk the goat every day.

Anna loved that her daughter was so happy to help do the chores around the ranch. She even loved to cook but didn’t like to do any of the other chores inside the house. She hoped that one day she could turn her into a good housekeeper, the girl was wild as a March hare.

Anna loaded the groceries on the back of the wagon and climbed on giving the reins over to Virginia. She knew her daughter loved to drive the wagon and Luke had taught her very well. She relaxed as the little girl drove them back to the ranch a few miles out of town and she thought about how lucky her life was.

She knew she needed to one day move on but she was reluctant to do that for Virginia’s sake. Finding a man to love a woman was one thing but to find one that would love your child as their own was another.

Anna watched as they passed ponds and a small creek to get to the ranch. It was too cold right now but soon her and Virginia would picnic at the creek and swim all day when the chores were completed. She watched as they passed the few ranches along the way.

Virginia babbled on and on about the horse Isabelle. Anna thought about what to cook for supper and what chores needed done when they got back tuning her daughter’s constant talking out.

When they arrived at the ranch Anna helped Virginia put away the horses and wagon. She went into the kitchen to start a nice dinner for the family to eat that night. Fried chicken and potatoes was Missy’s favorite supper so Anna thought this would be a great idea. She told Virginia to hurry and milk the goat so she could make a homemade apple pie for all of them to enjoy.

For once, Virginia did not argue and hurried out to do her chores. Anna sighed at how quickly her daughter was growing up. She was blessed to have her in her life.

Anna hurried and got the supper started and then helped Virginia make the pie crust for the dessert. She made a wonderful apple pie from her Aunt Elsie’s recipe book that she had since she was a little girl. In fact, most of the dinners she had taught her daughter to cook had come out of the old family recipe book.

After the supper and dessert were ready, the mother and daughter cleaned up the mess and waited for Missy and Luke to join them. It wasn’t long before the pastor and his wife came into the kitchen smiling and poking around to see what smelled so good.

Mmm mmm, Missy said to Virginia. I bet I know who made this lovely apple pie.

Virginia giggled and looked at Missy with innocent eyes.

I did. Mom let me do all the baking.

They all sat down and enjoyed a lovely meal together.

When the meal was complete, Missy cleaned up the dishes while Anna and Virginia went for a walk amongst the trees out back. Anna loved days when she could walk and enjoy the sun in her hair.

The wind was blowing slightly and she played chase with her daughter until she was too tired to run anymore. The two of them started back to the house