Just As I Am: Hymns of the West Novellas, #5

By Faith Blum

Just as I am, without one plea/But that Thy blood was shed for me/And that Thou bidst me come to Thee/O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Eve and Evangeline Collins are adventurous twins who decide to take a risk and head west as mail order brides. Their parents are less than pleased, but do nothing to stop them. Eve and Eva don’t realize their danger until they stop just outside Cheyenne. Will they ever see their family again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faith Blum
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386267164

Book preview

Prologue

Ross had everything in place. His plan was so flawless even the best detective would have a hard time finding anything out.

The letters had been sent with all the needed tickets. The trap had been set and now they had to wait two weeks for it to spring. As the days passed, Ross wondered if he had made a mistake. They had never tried five at a time before. As soon as the thought came, he rejected it. There was no mistake. There could be no mistakes. He had thought everything through.

Of the five young women, three were quite desperate. They would be no problem at all. The other two simply wanted adventure. Adventure was something Ross excelled in doling out and the twins would get it in more abundance than they had ever dreamed.

Two more weeks. Two more weeks and he could leave Cheyenne for good. Two more weeks and he would be away from the prying eyes of the Pinkerton detective. Away from the investigation that would suddenly fizzle out and die after ten long years. Away from all the suspicious looks. Two weeks...

Chapter One

Just as I am, without one plea

Rancher needs wife. Must be a good cook. 18-24 years old preferred. Allen Reese, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Evangeline! Look at this! This is just what we wanted.

Evangeline Collins hopped out of her bed and crossed the room to her twin sister. What is it?

Someone is advertising for a mail order bride out in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Eve said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Evangeline grabbed the paper from her sister and read it. Ooo! He’s a cowboy, too. I wonder if he has a brother or friend who wants a wife, too.

Eve grinned. Let’s write to him and ask.

A slow smile grew on Evangeline’s face. Yes, let’s!

An hour later—after much debate over wording—they had the letter finished.

Dear Mr. Reese,

My name is Evangeline and I’m writing this letter with my twin sister, Eve. We are 20 years old and very interested in coming out West. We love adventures and there just aren’t that many adventures here in Ohio. Do you have a brother or friend who would also want to get married? We can either write for some time with you and your friend,or come out there and decide who gets whom.

A little about ourselves. I, Evangeline, like to do almost anything. Crocheting, knitting, sewing, cooking, riding horses, tending the garden, or even just sitting around a table and talking.

I, Eve, am not quite as good at cooking, but still much better than most. I also enjoy doing things with my hands, riding horses, tending gardens, and talking. Both of us are social people.

We look forward to your response,

Evangeline and Eve Collins

***

Three weeks later, Evangeline ran into the house, calling for Eve.

Shh! Mrs. Collins hushed. I just put your brother down for a nap.

Evangeline gulped. Sorry, Ma. Do you know where Eve is?

She’s out in the garden where I thought you would be as well.

Evangeline ignored her mother’s unspoken question and ran outside. Eve! We got a letter back from him!

Eve jumped up. Have you read it yet?

No, I wanted to wait until we could read it together.

Well? Open it already!

Evangeline squealed and ripped the envelope open. There are tickets with it! She looked at Eve with wide eyes. Can this really be happening?

What does the letter say?

Dear Evangeline and Eve,

It was a pleasure to hear from you. I talked with my dearest friend and he is interested in marriage as well and has chosen to pay for one of the tickets. Once you arrive, we will get you a room at Mrs. Teasdale’s boarding house where we can then court you for a short time at least until we decide which twin will marry which of us.

We look forward to meeting you,

Allen Reese and Leland Granger

We’re going to Cheyenne! Eve exclaimed.

Evangeline sobered. What will Pa say?

Eve’s eyes widened. I don’t know.

Evangeline looked at the tickets. We need to tell them tonight. These tickets are for three days from now.

Eve jumped up, her red curls bouncing out of her loose bun. We’re really doing this?

Evangeline grinned. We’re really doing this.

Let’s get this weeding done while we figure out how to tell them.

***

At supper that night, Eve looked around the table at her four brothers and three sisters. She knew refusing so many offers of courtship had been hard on the family and had confused her father. But she wanted more from life than just being the wife of a boring man in Cincinnati and so did Evangeline.

She made eye contact with Evangeline who nodded. The conversation had lulled and almost everyone had finished eating. Evangeline and I have some exciting news.

Does it have something to do with Evangeline yelling through the house for you earlier today? Mrs. Collins asked.

Evangeline gulped. Yes, Ma’am.

We’re going to go to Cheyenne to become mail order brides! Eve exclaimed. She risked a glance at her father and saw his face turn red.

Why? Mark, the oldest of their brothers, asked. You’ve had plenty of suitors here. Why not marry one of them?

Evangeline shrugged. They’re all boring. We want to see places, do something new.

And these young men for sure want to marry you? Mrs. Collins asked.

Yes, Eve answered. They sent us tickets with the last letter.

Tickets? Mark asked. Oh yeah, I suppose there would have to be two. Pa, you’re bein’ awful quiet.

When are you supposed to leave? Mr. Collins asked in a deceptively quiet voice.

Evangeline and Eve exchanged glances. In three days.

So on Friday?

Yes, Sir, Eve said.

And nothing I do or say will stop you, right?

Evangeline nodded. Correct.

And you like these young men?

Yes, Sir, Eve and Evangeline said together.

If I were to lock you in the cellar, I suppose that wouldn’t help.

Evangeline chuckled. No, it wouldn’t.

Mr. Collins shook his head. I don’t like it. We know nothing about these men.

Eve shrugged. We’ll have a few weeks to get to know them once we’re there.

Unless they make you—

Mrs. Collins interrupted her husband with a firm clearing of her throat and a pointed look at the younger children.

Evangeline held out the tickets. They already paid our way out there. And I don’t see what could go wrong.

Mr. Collins grunted. If anything goes wrong, telegram me immediately and I’ll do what I can.

The twins nodded. Yes, Sir. Thank you, Pa.

What will you two do for wedding dresses? Mrs. Collins asked.

We have our matching dresses from the last dance, Evangeline said. We can wear them.

I can’t believe you’re going to get married and I won’t be there.

Evangeline pouted. I know, Mama, but it’s the easiest way.

At least you’ll be happy and I have two other daughters to enjoy the weddings of. She paused and sighed. Well, no use dawdling. We have a lot of work to do before Friday.

They all followed Mrs. Collins’s lead and got up to do their respective jobs.

Chapter Two

But that Thy blood was shed for me

On Friday, Evangeline and Eve said tearful goodbyes at the house. Mr. Collins brought them to the train station, asked the conductor to keep an eye on his girls, and then went back home with a prayer in his heart.

Once they got on the train, Eve and Evangeline chattered to each other about all the people on board and the scenery that hurried past. They made up stories for some of the more interesting-looking people and buildings.

After one of the stops, a mother with two young children sat across from them. She had a fussy little girl and an older boy. The boy looked restless, so Eve and Evangeline told him some of the stories they had made up earlier on the trip. The next day, his mother thanked them for entertaining her son.

Evangeline beamed. You’re welcome, Ma’am. It was nice having an audience besides my sister.

Ten days later, they arrived in Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

I am exhausted! Eve exclaimed.

"Me, too. But there’s no rest for the weary. We only have a couple hours before the stagecoach leaves for Cheyenne. Maybe we’ll be