Mail Order Bride - Deadlines And Love Lines: Mail Order Brides Of Small Flats, #2

By Catherine Harper

Thinking having dead cattle on her farm was her biggest problem, Anna Henley now regrets her decision not to sell to the Williamson rail road company. Considering becoming a mail order bride to escape it all, she's about to find out that there are two men who have their sights on her. One of which doesn't have her greatest interest at heart. Discover what happens to Anna now by downloading a copy of "Deadlines And Love Lines." If you're looking for a great mail order bride western romance to get swept away in, you've come to the right place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catherine Harper
• Release date: Mar 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533759252

Book preview

Chapter 1

APRIL 23rd 1880. Small Flats - Henley farm...

Charging through the water, Anna fought against the current that threatened to push her off her feet. Feeling her feet slipping in the soft silt below, she pulled her dress to her and grit her teeth. It couldn't be happening again, not another one. Finally breaking through the strongest part of the river, she found the way easier and waded over to the calf lying in the shallow water. Dropping to her knees and paying no attention to the water that covered her waistline, she touched the animal and felt some warmth still in it. Making her way to its head, she found the calf's half submerged face blowing bubbles as it tried to gasp for breath. Picking it up and putting it on her lap, Anna stroked its soft hair and tried to calm it. Seeing its eyes glaze over and not respond to her touch, she knew the end was inevitable, but wouldn't accept it. Rubbing harder and trying her best to warm it, she turned on hearing a splash behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she watched her aging farm hand follow her course across the river.

Get out of there child, you'll catch your death.

That's the least of my worries, Charles, Anna responded and waited for him to join her. Watching him work with the calf, she hoped there was something he'd be able to do. Moving position and allowing him move toward its mouth, Anna tried to keep the animal calm as Charles placed a hand inside it. Watching him fish around in its mouth, Anna felt a stir as the animal gagged and hoped it was a good sign. Pulling his hand free, she watched him shake his head. 

Well, what is it?

I don't know what it is, but it's not choking, Charles said and gave his attention to the animal's eyes. Pulling back on an eye lid for a moment, he shook his head once more.

Looks the same as what happened the other two yesterday.

Watching him get to his feet, Anna felt his hand on her shoulder as he patted for her to get to hers.

Leave it, Anna. There's nothing we can do for it.

Anna looked at the man she'd known all her life. She knew she'd have to face the truth, but she couldn't. Staring at him as if it would make a difference, she felt like a child pleading for a toy that she'd never get. Getting a shake of his head, Anna dismissed the man's knowledge and found her stubbornness take over. Keeping the animal's head free of the water, she looked toward the river bank and promised herself that even if she had to do it alone, she'd push it or pull it there. Stumbling in the soft silt of the river bed over more, she found Charles’ strong hand placed on her shoulder.

What?

Give up Anna, it's had it. Look at its mouth.

Looking from Charles, Anna watched a sickly spit drool from its mouth. Yellow and thick, it clung to its chin and refused to be washed away by the water.

You're only prolonging its suffering, Charles said and took his pistol out. Holding out a hand to help her to her feet, he waited until she was clear before putting the gun to the calf's temple. Pulling the trigger, he then put it away. He was dead before we got here, Anna.

Angry with the unfairness of it all, Anna waded out of the river and sat down on its bank. Sitting there in silence, she watched Charles come and join her. Looking at the animal, she found him break the silence first.

I guess we've got a problem on our hands...

Knowing he was right, Anna thought about the last three cattle she'd lost in as many days. If this got any worse, she shuddered to think of what she'd do next. Trying to put that thought away for now, she wondered about the vomit around the calf's mouth. You think it's milk sickness?

I'm not sure, Charles said. We'll probably know better if we can track down its mother. But I do know something—the sooner we get that out of the river the better. That last thing we need is it poisoning the water downstream from here. We've lost four so far, let's not make it any worse for ourselves.

Knowing he was right, Anna put her hands on her wet dress and pushed herself to her feet. Getting up and heading back toward the water, she stopped when Charles called to her.

What are you doing?

We'll need rope, Charles-

But...

Not listening to anything more he said, Anna waded back across the river and retrieved her horse. Climbing back onto its saddle, she coaxed the animal across the river and met up with him once more.  Climbing down and handling Charles the reins, she took a coil of rope and handed him the end of it.

You take the horse and try to find a spot where we can pull it out.

If that's what you want-

It's what I want, Anna repeated and made her way to the calf.

You know, out of all your sisters you're the one that’s as stubborn as your old man, Charles called out.

You're lucky I am, Anna called back, or I'd probably have gotten rid of you a long time ago.

Seeing him grin, she got back to her work. Bending down and tying the calf's legs together, she muttered to herself, Just as stubborn and just as unlucky. 

Recalling what Charles had said, Anna knew he was right. But then stubbornness had its place.  Thinking of what her father had gone through, losing his wife through childbirth and working a farm with three young children, she knew it was his thick headedness that had kept him going. Now standing in a freezing cold river, she wondered if there was a point where you had to throw up your hands and admit defeat. Wondering if turning down the generous offer from the railroad was one she'd regret, she shook her head and put that thought out of mind. It was one she'd have to live with. Hopefully with God's help and lot more hard work, she'd be able to look back on this time and smile about it. She'd been through enough tough times and he'd always been there for her, she knew this time wouldn't be any different. Turning her attention back to her work, Anna checked the rope once more and tugged hard on it. Happy that she'd tied the knot tight enough, she stood up and stretched herself.  Watching Charles take her horse to a point of the river with a lower bank, she turned on hearing an explosion. Watching a black plume of smoke on the horizon grow upwards, she watched her small herd of cattle run spooked away from it. Now coming closer with their blasting, she knew it wouldn't be long before the rail road would be coming to the edge of her property. They'd be back with another offer, she'd been told. But it wouldn't be half as generous as the first. Watching the dead calf start its journey out of the water after Charles, she shook her head. If things kept going like this, it pained her to think that she might have to reconsider her options again.

Chapter 2

WATCHING THE BONFIRE burn, Anna stood beside her sisters, Emma and Clara, and watched Charles set fire to the latest dead animal. Watching it go up in flames, Anna wondered how she going to add new blood to her aging herd now. Looking at the faces of her sisters, she knew they didn't need to know that fact. Although both were only a few years younger than her twenty-six, they'd allowed her take on the role of parent for them. Still mothering them even now, she hoped she could keep them in the dark for as long as possible. 

Couldn't we just have buried it, Charles? Emma asked.

Maybe, Charles replied. But I'd rather we were overly cautious. Whatever ailed it is gone now and not festering in the ground. —Hopefully that's the last of it.

Anna nodded her head. Charles is right, Emma. Once we get rid of all these sick cattle I'd imagine things will start to turn around. Getting a nod in return, Anna looked past her sister and got a look from the old ranch-hand. Knowing what she was doing, he confirmed what she'd said.

This isn't something you or Clara need to worry your heads about. Your sister and I have everything in hand.

Why don't you two go and get supper ready? Anna said and then looked at Charles. You want to join us tonight, Charles?

Charles

Reviews for Mail Order Bride - Deadlines And Love Lines

[benn9314 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great adventure about the settling of the west in America