Family: Four Historical 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.

Learning About Life & Love In The Old West - A solitary man who thinks himself long past marrying age, and who has difficulty in meeting and interacting with people, joins a cattle drive, learns a lot more about life and people and maybe, just maybe, starts to fall in love.

Mail Order Bride: Dancing In The Rain - An independent woman from Boston takes a chance and gets engaged to a Nebraskan cowboy farmer, not realizing that he’s built a tough shell around his exterior, and is deathly worried that the drought will take his farm. When a crisis comes up she feels it could bring them together but the ice has barely thawed and it’s not until a second incident that she feels hope that their relationship might work out after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beth Overton
• Release date: Apr 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310904509

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

Family: Four Historical 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

Learning About Life & Love In The Old West

Mail Order Bride: Dancing In The Rain

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 before it got dark and they laughed all the way into the house.

We are going to retire to our rooms, if you two don’t need anything, Anna told Missy and Luke as she washed up Virginia’s hands and face.

No, we’re good. Tomorrow is Sunday and we will be retiring early because it’s a busy day. We will have a lunch picnic after church tomorrow so please join us before you ladies return home tomorrow, Missy told Anna as she left the room.

Anna wondered why they had decided to have a picnic lunch on such short notice after church. They usually planned these events and let Anna and Virginia do some of the cooking. Anna shrugged her shoulders and helped Virginia get ready for bed, then turned in herself. They said their prayers and the two of them fell fast asleep thinking about tomorrow’s fun.

The next day was beautiful and Anna put on her best dress for church services. She noticed that Missy and Luke had already left which wasn’t unusual on Sundays. She hurried to get her and Virginia ready for church. They rode the black stallion to the small white church on the hill where Luke had been asked to preach about ten years ago. She loved the church because it felt like home to her and she had went here with her late husband.

Anna tied the horse up and went in to see what she could do to help. Missy assured her they had everything under control so Anna found their seats and awaited the morning services. Virginia squirmed in her seat but Anna told her to be still and listen to what was being said. The services seemed to go by quickly and right before they were over Anna heard Luke tell the congregation that he had an announcement to make.

This made Anna feel uneasy because it wasn’t like Luke to not tell her these things first. Anna sat up straight and looked suspiciously at Luke as he chose his words carefully.

Missy and I have been offered a pastoral position at the new church in Lafayette, Luke told his congregation. We have prayed on the decision for some time and we have decided that it is best that we make this change. We will be leaving this week in fact and the assistant pastor here will take over for me next Sunday. There will be no church services tonight, but we will have a dinner on the grounds today.

Anna felt sick in her stomach. What? Moving? What was to become of her and Virginia? These were selfish questions she knew, but she couldn’t help but worry all of a sudden that everything was fixing to change. Anna felt an instant panic attack coming on and she noticed that her daughter was all of a sudden very still in her seat.

Don’t worry dear, Anna whispered. God has a plan for us.

Anna knew this to be true but yet she was still terrified inside.

Missy came up to Anna directly after services and smiled at her.

I would like to talk to you about something if you have a moment, dear.

Anna followed Missy to the large oak tree out back and sat down in the grass with her.

Anna, I have been doing some thinking, Missy told her taking her hand.

You and Virginia really need a life of your own. You have been a blessing to us but we know that you need more whether you know it or not. So we have a suggestion for you. Have you thought of becoming a mail order bride?

Anna looked at Missy like she had a skunk on her head.

Are you serious? A mail order bride, Anna gasped at Missy.

Yes, dear, ladies do it all of the time when they have become a widow. It’s not that uncommon and it could be really good for you and Virginia, Missy told her, smiling. In fact we already started you out by writing the publisher for you with your information. Now don’t be angry because we knew that you wouldn’t do it if we left it up to you. You have to move on, sweetie.

Anna couldn’t believe what she was hearing and sat there staring at Missy for a long time.

How long before we have to leave the ranch? Anna asked Missy seriously.

You have eight months dear and then the ranch will be sold. This should give you plenty of time to find someone to be with and a new life for you and Virginia, Missy told her calmly.

Anna shook her head and stood up. She knew she had to keep her composure for her daughter so she politely excused herself and went for a walk. She allowed Virginia plenty of time to finish her picnic then went back to retrieve her so they could go home. She needed to figure out what to do. She knew that Missy and Luke were allowed to make their own life choices but not to make hers.

Now, she felt backed into a corner. What other choice did she and Virginia have? Anna was at a loss for words and Virginia rode quietly with her back to the ranch. She went about her chores while Virginia went to the barn to play with the goats.

Anna cleaned as hard as she could then went to her room. She just wanted to be alone with some time to think. Missy let Virginia sleep in the living room that night so her mom could be alone. Somehow, she knew that this time was needed.

Anna prayed a lot that night and she felt better the next morning when she joined everyone for breakfast.

Well, I will do as you suggest Missy because you are right. It seems like the best thing for me and Virginia, Anna told the pastor and his wife.

Missy got up from the table and hugged Anna.

It will all work out I just know it. You and Virginia will have a happy life and we can write each other all of the time.

Anna explained to Virginia what was going on and her daughter smiled at the thought of having a new life with her mom.

It will be fun, I just know it, she told Anna in her most playful voice.

She was happy that her daughter was taking it so well. She knew that Virginia was trying to make her happy even though it was going to be scary going somewhere new with a man neither of them had ever met. If Virginia could be happy about it, so could she. Anna helped Missy and Luke pack their things for the trip to Lafayette. It would be a long one so she made them some fresh breads and cookies to carry along the way.

Anna would miss them so much but she was happy for them and this would be a great experience for them both. Preaching at a big church was a huge honor that Luke deserved and Anna knew this