The Cowboy's Bride With A Dark Secret (Mail Order Bride): Western Brides of Virginia, #1

By Leah White

Mail Order Bride: The Cowboy's Bride With A Dark Secret, A Clean Western Historical Romance (Western Brides of Virginia, Book 1)

The year is 1869 and Josiephine Vanstine, a former soiled dove decides to become a Mail Order Bride.

Josiephine Vanstine has learned to find forgiveness with God. But even though he has forgiven her sins, the people of Culpeper Virginia haven’t. In order to find a fresh start, the young woman heads west to Nebraska and her fiancé.

Kirk McCubin doesn’t know about Josiephine’s past. When they marry, he begins to fall in love with the person she has become. But when a former customer brings her past to light, he can’t forget her deception and throws her out of his house.

Does Josiephine's past has caught up with her again? Does she has to go back to her former vile life or will her new husband be able to forgive her? Will their Love has a chance to survive the past?

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leah White
• Release date: Nov 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540188373

Book preview

Introduction

This is the first book in the Western Brides of Virginia Series. This is Josiephine '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 1869

Josiephine Vanstine hunched her shoulders as she made her way to the post office, trying to make herself a smaller target for the laughter and judgment she knew would come. Even though she had exchanged the mauve gowns of her previous life for the plaid gingham of her new one, people didn’t forget. They’d always know.

Nothing about her was the same. Her golden curls were wrapped into a tidy, unassuming bun. Her eyes focussed on the ground. Her clothes covered everything. But the past does not easily release people, especially people like Josiephine.

She should have known that folks would never see a lady where once a soiled dove stood. It didn’t matter if it had been six months or ten years. She’d always be seen as nothing more than a prostitute.

When Josiephine passed, the Gospel sharp’s wife pulled her daughter away. The girl was roughly the same age as she was. They both stayed in the boarding house run by Mrs. Sheeley, who had bought out the contract that had been holding Josiephine to the brothel.

As she pushed through the door of the post office, the weight of judgmental gazes vanished. Miss Tilly, the postwoman, smiled kindly at the young lady that stood, chest heaving from the miles of walking she’d done.

Miss Vanstine, it’s lovely to see you. When Josiephine raised an eyebrow, the spinster laughed. Yes, yes, I know, you’re here for a letter from your man.

Josiephine blushed, but it was the truth. She’d begun writing letters to a man in Nebraska who’d been looking for a wife. His name was Kirk McCubin, and he seemed unbelievably kind. She’d taken to praying for him though the practice of it was new.

He’s not my man yet, she said, taking the envelope Miss Tilly held. We haven’t met, and even if we had, he hasn’t proposed.

If you wish to be in denial of your obvious care for the man, I suppose I can do naught but leave it be.

Tossing a hasty farewell over her shoulder, Josiephine exited the post office and nearly ran for the boarding house. She had to tell Mrs. Sheeley, as well as her dearest friend, Anastacia, daughter of the kindly widow.

The moment Josiephine entered the boarding house, Mrs. Sheeley was there, asking what the letter said, if Kirk had proposed yet.

I don’t know, Josiephine said with a laugh. I haven’t opened the letter, let alone read it. Mrs. Sheeley sigh, settling onto the divan in the sitting room.

Well, get on with it, love. I’m curious. You know my daughter will be asking about it, too.

Sitting beside Mrs. Sheeley, Josiephine ripped the envelope open, praying for good news. Every time she got a letter, she assumed Kirk would say he was no longer interested. Never in her life had anyone but Mrs. Sheeley and the boarding house girls wanted her.

Reading the words penned in his careful script, a