Lucy's Miner: Mail Order Bride Series, #2

By R L Butler

This is a clean Western Historical Mail Order Bride Romance book that does not contain any foul language or sexual situations.

Lucinda Reynolds' teaching contract with the local school has just ended. In an unusual turn of events, the local preacher has offered to help her start a new life out west.  Although she enjoyed teaching school, she was ready for a change. Since Lucinda has no marriage prospects in Paducah, Kentucky, she's now considering moving to Tucson Arizona.

Will the move to Tucson allow her to find her finally find love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mail Order Bride Press
• Release date: Jun 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386135388

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lucinda Reynolds hated living in Paducah Kentucky, especially after the arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad. The connecting Ohio and Tennessee Rivers had turned Paducah into a thriving town, but since the arrival of the railroad, she hated it even more. She was ready for something new, especially now that it is the middle of summer. With all the heat and humidity, she couldn’t do anything without dripping with sweat and she had finally had enough .

She had a decent job as a school teacher, but she was tired of that too. She wanted to do something new. The class she had recently taken at the YWCA had given her an idea. Now that she knew how to use a typewriter, she could probably get a job that didn’t involve working with children all day. Her teaching job involved teaching five to six days a week, except in the summer when the children were working the fields with their parents. It was not that she did not like children, she just needed a break.

The city council had agreed to provide her with housing while she taught school which allowed her to save most of her money. It was just a small cabin behind the school, but it was perfect for her needs. She put away some money every week, which meant she could make it through the summer with no problem. This year she had actually saved enough money that she could leave Paducah and head west. She had heard that the summers in the west were still hot, but much drier and with less humidity. If she could get out of town before the worst heat of the season set in, she would be happy.

Lucy nodded and smiled at the mother of one of her student’s. Mrs. Gordon was one of the most fashionable women she’d ever met. She always looked nice in her dresses with the narrow skirt draped to show just a bit of the underskirt. Mrs. Gordon was able to present herself well with the form-fitting bodices too. As for Lucy, she liked the draping and narrow skirts, but the snug bodices bothered her. As thin as she was, they made her look almost like a boy. But that was the style in 1881, and she wanted to look modern.

Turning the corner, Lucy wiped perspiration from her brow with a handkerchief she had tucked into her long sleeve. Why did women feel they had to cover up so completely? It was barely the middle of May, and she was already uncomfortable. She really needed to move away to some place where people didn’t think ill of women who wore short sleeves and fewer layers of clothing. Maybe that would be the case in the West.

Lucy wondered why Preacher James Culligan had sent his son to her, requesting her presence at the church. What could she have possibly done to make the preacher want to talk to her? It was not that she didn’t go to church every Sunday. She was quite spiritual and always followed the Gospel, but she didn’t always consider herself a strong Christian woman.

Inside the church, she glanced around but saw no one, so she sank into a wooden pew in the empty sanctuary to await the preacher.

A six-year old, tow headed Joshua Culligan glanced into the sanctuary from what she knew was Preacher Culligan’s office door, and she waved at him. He waved back and disappeared into the room. Moments later, the preacher emerged.

A brown-haired man of medium height approached her, and Lucy mused that if he ever did anything against the law, nobody would ever think he could possibly be the perpetrator because his appearance was so average he would go unnoticed.

How are you feeling today, Miss Reynolds? Preacher Culligan asked as he sank in the pew in front of where she was sitting.

I’m well, thank you, she replied formally. And you?

Fine. He turned sideways on the bench and draped his arm over the back to converse with her. I suppose you’re curious as to why I asked you here.

Yes I am. I can’t imagine what I have done to cause you to send for me.

As you know, during services, I’ve been asking for prayers for my brother’s safety in Arizona Territory. He’s written me several times, but the last time he said that he and some of the other men there are longing for single female companionship.

What do you mean? Are there so few women there?

Apparently, there are very few women that aren’t either married or women of ill repute, at least in Tombstone.

Tombstone? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.

I understand it’s quite a wild town, the preacher explained with a smile. I begged Joshua not to go there, but he had his mind set on it. Apparently, there’s quite a bit of silver in the nearby mountains, so he went out there to see if he could strike it rich. I told him it was a foolhardy idea, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s always been hard-headed that way.

So why call me here just to tell me this? she asked, unsure where their conversation was heading.

Joshua wants me to see if I can find a few single ladies to go out there.

Are you’re suggesting that I go? Why would he even ask when he knows how dangerous it is?

"He didn’t ask for you by name, Miss Reynolds, but he did mention that they could use a