The Toss-Up Mail Order Bride

By Cia Leah

Sweet western novelette

Jenny Candin arrived in Rainbow Creek expecting to marry Tate Adams. When several men started fist fighting before she even stepped off the stage, she didn't know what was happening. When the Marshal opened the stage door and helped her down, he took her to the hotel dining room to tell her that Tate ran out on her. She was devastated, not having money to pay for a hotel and food. She couldn't figure out what she was going to do, because she couldn't return home. Her aunt made her take a mail order husband to get her out of the house after Jenny's uncle passed away.

Bo Parker wished that Tate would have stayed in town and told the woman who came to marry him, that he'd changed his mind. What Tate did was tell the single men in town they could do a toss-up to see who married her. With women scarce, and Thanksgiving and Christmas coming, it was causing all kinds of trouble. To make matters worse, Jenny was a pretty woman, and had no way to support herself. He secured her a room with meals at the hotel in hopes to get her a job somewhere, and the only person he knew would help her out was his ma. Since his ma ran the saloon, he wasn't sure how Jenny would feel about working there, but his ma needed a bookkeeper. It would help both of them out, but trouble was brewing, and Jenny and Bo were caught in the middle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cia Leah
• Release date: Apr 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386260431

Cia Leah

Cia Leah is a multi-published author written in a variety of genres. Her favorite genre to read and write are westerns and historical romances. She successfully completed the Writer's Digest Short Story Course and a creative writing course. She is a member of Romance Divas and highly recommends it and the wealth of knowledge provided on the site for readers and writers. Semi-retired, she writes as time allows due to real life and thanks her readers for their support. At present time, she is writing western short stories, novelettes, and novellas.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Marshal Bo Parker was sitting in his office, sifting through the wanted posters, when his deputy ran into the office.  He glanced up at Corky Davis.  What's going on?

The stage is here and there's ten men surrounding it.  That gal that Tate Adams was going to marry arrived.

Are they giving her trouble?

Not yet, but she's still inside the stage, with the stage driver guarding the door, because a few of those men are fighting over who is going to marry her.

Bo stood up, grabbed his hat off the hook by the door, and stepped outside.  He looked towards the stage depot and saw four men fighting in the street.  If Tate Adams was here, I'd throw his sorry behind in jail for causing all these problems.  Whoever heard of ordering a mail order bride, and then telling those men they could flip a coin for her?  What the heck was wrong with him?

Don't rightly know, except maybe he got cold feet.

He did, but he should have sent that poor woman a letter telling her.  He left a week ago.

Sure enough, he should have.  What are you going to do?

We're going over there and get her out of the stage and into the hotel.

What if she ain't got no money for the hotel?  From what Tate told the men that night in the saloon, she was desperate for a husband who would care fer her.

Bo groaned and strode down the street to the stage.  He saw several men in the street fighting it out.  He pulled his gun out of his holster and shot a couple times in the air to get their attention.  Stop that fighting right now, or you are all going to jail.  Do I make myself clear?  He watched them stagger to their feet and look at him.  You are all sorry looking cusses.  He saw Pete slap his hat against his thigh to remove the dust and walk up to him.

I'm going to marry that lady in that stage and that's all there is to it.

Not unless she agrees to marry you, you aren't.  All of you get back to what you were doing before the stage got here.

We ain't goin' anywhere!  The men shouted.

Corky, keep your gun on them while I open the door for the lady to get out.  If any of you move an inch towards that lady, Corky is going to shoot you.  Do I make myself clear?  He stared at each man to make sure he got his point across.  He walked over to the stage and pulled the door open.  Miss, it's safe to get out now.

What's going on, Marshal?

He took her hand and helped her down the steps.  I'll explain everything at the hotel dining room.  Right now, I just want to get you away from these men.

What are they fighting about?

He tipped his hat back and looked at her.  You.  She was pretty with her brown hair, hazel eyes, and pink lips.  She was dressed well and carried a parasol.  Evidently, she was a lady.

Me?  Why would they do that?  They don't know me.  I'm supposed to meet the man I'm going to marry.  His name is Tate Adams and I'm Jenny Candin.

He saw the confused look on her face.  Tate left town a week ago, and I don't know if he's coming back.  Let's get out of here.  He took her by the elbow and escorted her to the hotel dining room.  Here, sit down.  He held the chair for her and sat in the one across from her.  When Kate came up to take their order, he ordered for them both.  When Kate left to get their food, he sighed.  Tate got cold feet, told those men out there that they could toss a coin to see who won to become your husband.

What?

Look, I understand that Tate paid your way here and he was supposed to take care of you.  I'll make sure you get a room here, and then you can figure out what you can do from there.  He saw the ashen look on her face.  He hated to be the bearer of bad news, but he thought it better to tell her exactly what happened so she could deal with it.

I used most of the money he sent me.  I have a small sum left, but it won't pay for a hotel room for a week, let alone meals.

Don't worry about it.  I'll make sure you have a room for as long as you need it, and that meals are included.  I don't know what else to do beyond that.  Can you go back home?

She shook her head.  No, there's no home to go back to.  I lived with my uncle and he passed away.  His wife kicked me out.

Why would she do that?

She said that she would have to think of remarrying again and if I were underfoot, every man she was interested in wouldn't give her a second look with me around.

Bo's eyes widened.  You're joshing me.  He couldn't believe that an