A Bride by Christmas

By Linda Cushman

A Bride by Christmas is book 3 of the series Mail-Order Brides, Texas Style. Will Logan's health is failing. He plans to leave his ranch to his bachelor sons, but isn't happy with the decisions they're making, especially drifting away from church. He creates a whirlwind of trouble when he orders brides for each of them.

Zack Logan has plans for his life. A herd of cattle, fast horses, and races every weekend keep him satisfied. His father’s ultimatum to be married by Christmas or lose his inheritance hobbles his dreams. He schemes to avoid a trip to the altar even after his father sends for a mail-order bride. When two beautiful ladies arrive, he resolves to marry neither of them.

With a prayer on her lips and faith in her heart, Ida Mae McAllister leaves the orphanage in Chicago. Texas will be her promised land, an escape from poverty. Her most cherished dream is to find a man waiting for her in Mesquite Gulch, a husband who will love her. When her beautiful friend appears, Ida’s hopes vanish. With the refined blonde to compete with, Zack will never notice a freckle-faced girl from the slums.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Cushman
• Release date: Jun 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310544347

Linda Cushman

Linda Cushman and her husband live in rural Polk County, Missouri. Her greatest love is the Lord, who saved her soul and promised a home in heaven. Her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter are the joy of her life. They have encouraged her to write stories of faith, hope, and inspiration. It is her desire that her writing will help her readers turn to God during life's troubles and trials.

Book preview

A Bride by Christmas

Linda Cushman

A Bride by Christmas

By

Linda Cushman

Copyright 2016 by Linda Cushman

A Bride by Christmas is fiction. All characters, places, and events are fictional and any resemblance to people living or dead are purely coincidental.

Scripture verses quoted in this book are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

This work may not be reproduced or copied in any form without the author’s written permission.

Copyright © 2016 Linda Cushman

All rights reserved.

ISBN-:10:1533471983

ISBN-13:978-1533471987

Dedication

A Bride by Christmas is dedicated to all those who love the Lord and look to Him for guidance and wisdom.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalms 119:105

Chapter One

Billows of copper-colored dust rose behind the stampeding mass of wild horses, blinding the two men who chased them. Zack Logan pulled his mount to a trot. Through the fog of grit, his ranch hands rushed in and swung heavy gates shut behind the fastest, most elusive red stallion and his herd left in the wilds of the west Texas plains. The horse circled the log corral built in the narrow neck of a canyon.

We got him this time! Zack pulled a blue bandana off his neck and rubbed at the dirt on his face.

Don’t be so sure. Rex Barlow, Zack’s foreman, stood in his stirrups and shaded his eyes. Here he comes just a flyin’.

The sorrel, with flaxen mane and tail streaming, broke through his milling followers and veered to the edge of the canyon wall which served as one side of the enclosure. His hooves were a blur as he picked up speed and headed to a slight rise in the valley floor.

No way. He can’t… Zack’s jaw dropped when the stallion tucked his front legs and sailed over the fence. He didn’t break stride as he eluded Zack’s cowboys and scrambled up a steep trail to the top of the rim. He stood, sides heaving, head high. His shrill, challenging neigh echoed off the canyon walls.

I reckon he can. Rex stared at the place where the horse cleared the fence. If you ever catch him, you’ll have the fastest horse in Texas.

When I catch him I don’t intend to ride him. I’ll use him with my best mares and raise some winners. Can you imagine what Fancy would produce next year if she was bred to him? Think of the money I could win. Zack and Rex dismounted and tied their horses in the shade. They strode to the fence.

They’d make a perfect match. Fancy has the drive to be ahead of every horse in a race, and he has the speed. Rex removed his hat and slapped it against his leg. Clouds of dust erupted. I know you’re my boss, and you can tell me to take a hike if you want to, but you’re liable to get in trouble with big ambitions like that.

Zack propped his elbows on the fence and watched the prancing herd of various colors while he mulled over Rex’s words. Trouble? With who?

Rex rubbed the stubble on his chin. I’ve heard the boys grumble about losing their wages to you at the horse races. It’ll be an even bigger temptation to put your money on a fast horse. Sooner or later somebody is going to get sore and pick a fight.

Zack’s fists clenched. Let ’em. I don’t care. I’ve never cheated anybody, and I can hold my own in a fight.

Even if it was a fair fight, which it probably wouldn’t be, your father is getting mighty disgusted with your gambling.

You think I care? Zack snorted. I’m done listening to him and his iron-fisted, senseless rules. When he and Aunt Mabel cooked up this mail-order bride plan I drew the line. He turned toward Rex and held his gaze. I’m not ten years old anymore, and I don’t need him, or some simpering, useless female telling me what to do. He huffed. Who in their right mind would demand that their son marry a woman he’s never seen before, and do it before Christmas?

Your brothers are perfectly happy with their mail-order brides.

Yeah, they got lucky, and if I have to act as dopey as they have when they’re around their wives, forget it. He shook his head. They act like they’ve been hit over the head with a fence post.

Rex chuckled. I think its called love.

I think it’s called ridiculous.

Rex cleared his throat and tugged at his collar. Back to the trouble with fast horses. There’s a higher power who never has approved of gambling.

Heat crept up Zack’s neck. Rex was right. Did he know God made him feel ashamed each time he placed bets? Was it that obvious? Still, he was tired of being the youngest, trying to measure up to his older brothers and please his dad. Don’t you go preaching to me too. I’m a man now, and I’ll be responsible for my own actions. I’ve had people telling me what to do all my life. No more.

Rex lifted his hands in surrender. Okay. Now, what are you going to do with these horses? He nodded toward the corral.

Put some salt in there and wait until a few of them have found it then open the gate. We’ll build the fence higher and make a gate in the other end of the corral. In time the horses will get used to passing through here, and will come back to lick the salt. He scanned the canyon rim and caught a glimpse of the red stallion watching them. We’ll block the path he took. About three weeks from now we’ll make another drive.

I’ll get started on the fence now. Rex made his way to his horse with Zack following.

Zack tightened the cinch and mounted. I’m going home to put Fancy and a couple of the other brood mares in the corral near the barn. They’re going to foal soon, probably before Christmas. His brows drew together as he squinted at Rex. I want you to check on them several times a day. If you can’t get anything else done, keep an eye on Fancy. Her foal should be a winner, but nothing like her next one with the red.

I’ll take care of her. Rex turned toward the corral. See you in church Sunday morning.

Zack nudged his mount into motion and growled, Don’t bet on it.

~*~

Ida Mae McAllister swiped the inside of a huge vat with a dish towel that didn’t have a dry thread left. Droplets of water sprinkled her face when she flapped the towel and pinned it to a short clothesline inside an enormous, dark pantry. After she emptied the pans of dishwater outside, she slipped a dingy gray apron off over her