Mail Order Bride - Isabelle's Destiny: Faith Creek Brides, #2

By Karla Gracey

Isabelle Landry is beautiful, wealthy and courted within the highest echelons of Massachusetts' society. But every man her Mama thinks a suitable match, she finds dull and often repulsive. She longs for a simpler life, one where her worth has nothing to do with her annual income, or her vast inheritance. A new friend gives her the confidence to follow her own path, and she answers an advertisement, praying it might change her life forever.

John Kimball has become a lone wolf. Strong and quiet, he drives the Stage coach, delivers the mail and keeps himself to himself. But even a lone wolf needs a mate. A chance encounter makes him realise that his life isn't as good as he has led himself to believe, and putting past heartache behind him he decides to take on the challenge of becoming the new Sheriff of Faith Creek. As he faces his first challenges in keeping the town free from a gang of vicious bandits he also hopes to find love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: KG Publishing House
• Release date: Jan 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386183761

Book preview

Chapter One

THE STAGE HURTLED THROUGH the landscape. John Kimball cracked the whip. Har! Keep it up, he yelled at his team of horses. He could barely make out their rumps in the darkness, but he knew the roads blindfolded – as did they. He had to be in Fort Worth by dawn. Mayor Williams had pressed a letter into his hand and had pleaded with him to leave early. The kindly Mayor rarely asked anyone for anything, much less requested that John change the time that the stage coach would leave for Fort Worth and Dallas. He had asked no questions, just tucked the letter safely inside his jacket, to keep it safe, and assured Mayor Williams that it would be delivered to Governor Pinkiss post haste. John was not going to let him down. Driving the stage coach wasn’t the most arduous of occupations for the brain and definitely had more than its share of dangers, but just occasionally it was most certainly vital. The look of fear and anxiety written, not just on Mayor Williams’ face but in the way he held his shoulders all tight and hunched, the way he had been wringing his hands, and perspiring a little more than was usual, told John that whatever was inside the thick parchment envelope was vital. He wouldn’t let the Mayor down, his friends, his chosen home town. Faith Creek might be small, but it was the greatest place on the earth to his mind. If there was anything happening that had its gentle and wise leader so frightened, it must be important to everyone there.

He was relieved when he saw the lights in the distance, knowing he did not have far to go. Fort Worth seemed to grow every year, and at times John wondered if he would one day arrive here and not be able to find his way. The fort itself was in darkness, but lights and music filled the night air, as he drove along the busy Main Street with its saloons and theatres. He drove up and out of town, to the narrow path that led to Governor Pinkiss’ home. Mayor Williams was sure that John would find him here, though he split most of his time between his duties to the State, in Washington and Austin. He brought the coach to a halt outside the large Victorian house, and wondered whether Governor Pinkiss thought it as fine as he once had, after all the time he now spent in the elegant Greek Revival Mansion that had become his residence upon his election.

There were no lights on here. John and jumped down, leaving the reins draped over the dashboard. He raced up the steps and pounded on the door. A tired looking maid appeared, pulling a ragged beige shawl around her shoulders holding a gas lamp up so she could see him. She threw the front door wide, though she left the screen door between them closed firmly shut. Is Governor Pinkiss home? John asked. She nodded. Praise the Lord, he said, sighing with relief. I am not sure that my horses could have taken a trip to Austin tonight too. She smiled wanly, her eyes darting around - clearly not knowing whether he was a madman, or someone she should admit at once. Sorry, he said grinning at her. I am quite safe, I assure you I am too tired to be anything else. But I must see Governor Pinkiss. Mayor Williams sent me from Faith Creek. I have a letter for him and am to wait here until the Governor gives me a reply. He took the letter from his pocket and showed it to her. She peered at it, and grudgingly opened the screen door. John handed it to her.

Should I wake him? she asked cautiously. He nodded.

I think so. Mayor Williams was insistent this couldn’t wait. She turned, and shut the door behind her again. He saw the bobbing light of her lamp as she made her way up the stairs towards Governor Pinkiss’ chamber.

He paced up and down on the wide verandah, watching as the sun began its steady trek across the sky. He loved the dawn. There was something magical about the way everything could be made new with its arrival every day. The wait was interminable. John was not a patient person, but he felt reassured as he heard the stirrings of life inside, lamps were lit to ward off the early morning gloom and footsteps could be head upon the

Reviews for Mail Order Bride - Isabelle's Destiny

[a.sri.123 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A delightful read! Loved the character of Elliot Grady As a loyal friend!