The Cowboy's Arrogant Beautiful Bride (Mail Order Bride): Western Brides of Virginia, #3

By Leah White

Mail Order Bride: The Cowboy's Arrogant Beautiful Bride. A Clean Western Historical Romance (Western Brides of Virginia, Book 3)

The year is 1871, and Anastacia Sheeley, a snobby, arrogant  daughter of a boarding house owner, becomes a Mail Order Bride to prevent old maidenhood.

Anastacia Sheeley has never known hard work or true struggle. When she becomes a mail-order bride, her oh so comfortable life changes.

In the wilderness of Montana Territory, she and her new husband, Franklyn Chittick, begin to make a life together. The problem? Everything from Franklyn’s scars to attacking wolves.

As Franklyn falls for his wife, all she can think of are his scarred face and his limp. But when he saves her life, Anastacia begins to think differently.

Can love overcome vanity? Can forgiveness mend wounds left by pride?

***Leah White writes clean Historical Western Mail Order Bride Romance books***

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leah White
• Release date: Nov 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540175885

Book preview

Introduction

This is the third book in the Western Brides of Virginia Series. This is Anastacia 's story. All three books can be read alone. They are complete stories but if you would like to read them in order:

●  Josiephine 's story is book one. Read Josiephine 's story here: The Cowboy's Bride With A Dark Secret.

●  Hertha’s story is book two. Read Hertha’s story here: "The Cowboy Wanted For Murder."

●  Anastacia’s story is book three. Read Anastacia’s story here: The Cowboy's Arrogant Beautiful Bride.

Chapter 1

Culpeper Virginia, April 1871

Anastacia Sheeley stood before the mirror in her room, admiring her reflection. The pink traveling suit she wore fit perfectly, as did the sunbonnet she placed neatly over her perfectly tidy hair. Fastening the bonnet with a large bow under her chin, she was satisfied with her appearance.

Even so, she sighed discontentedly, recalling the reason for the lovely new clothes. She was twenty-three, an old maid already by most standards. That was why she must go, off to Coffee Creek, Montana Territory to marry a stranger.

Her mother, really, was the one who’d wanted Anastacia married. Several men in the town had thought well of the young woman’s looks and come calling, only to change their minds when the time for a proposal came. For whatever reason, no man wanted her.

That was when they’d found Franklyn Chittick, a man who’d fought in the civil war. He owned a decently sized homestead, which he said would have proper housing by the time she arrived. Apparently, he’d been living in the barn he’d built.

Anastacia’s nose wrinkled at the thought of living in a barn, like some kind of beast. She imagined sleeping in a pile of hay, waking up with a filthy man in a filthy barn, smelling just like a filthy animal.

Don’t think that way, Anastacia. Franklyn will be wonderful. He’ll be handsome and kind, and you’ll never want for anything. She gave her reflection a wink. Besides, darling, you know Mama would never marry you off into a disgusting barn.

Anastacia, she heard Mama call. Your coach is here.

Despite her trepidation, she snatched her reticule, looping it over her wrist, then took her valise in hand. She glanced back, just once, saying a silent goodbye to her books, all full of adventures and information. Besides her mother, she’d miss her books most.

Lord, she prayed, hurrying down the stairs. Keep me in your care. Watch over me in the days to come. And please, let Franklyn have a house ready.

Sitting in the coach, Anastacia began to wonder about what her fiancé looked like. He’d never described himself, but she had been imagining him as a tall, strong, handsome man. Her face warmed as she recognized her vanity.

It had always been a struggle for Anastacia not to think too highly of herself, or expect far too much of other people. She judged them on their looks though she knew it was wrong. Still, she treasured beauty.

When the coach stopped, her face paled. Though she always tried to seem calm and ladylike, she was afraid. Not once in twenty-three years had she been alone. She’d never gone more than twenty miles from Culpeper, let alone left Virginia.

Saying a quick prayer, she composed herself and stepped out of the coach. She pulled a few coins from her reticule for the coachman, then retrieved her valise. Giving the man a polite nod, she headed for the train.

It was a frightening thing to set foot on the train. It reminded her of a whale from her books in size. The metal beast had a heart lit aflame and breathed smoke from its spout. Yes, the train was a very frighteningly new thing.

Hello, ma’am, said the conductor, tipping his hat. Anastacia nodded, gingerly stepping into the train car. "Don’t you worry.