A Garden Full of Love: A Trio of Historical Romance Novellas

By Doreen Milstead

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful - An amputee woman decides to move from Chicago to North Dakota and become both a teacher and then hopefully, a mail order bride because she has been corresponding with several young men who seemed interested, but she has not chosen one yet. She meets a young half Native American man in the lawless small town and also learns what it’s like to defend both your life and honor.

The Strong English Woman & The Outlaw In Arizona - A mail ordered bride expects to be met at the railway station by her intended but he’s nowhere to be found. She eventually trudges two miles to his home, but is repulsed by both his attitude and appearance, and his gang who are exceptionally seedy. Someone rescues her and as the days pass, and she’s holed up in a cabin with him and his ancient crone of a mother, things begin to heat up.

The Cowboy With The Haunted Past In North Dakota & His Singing Bride - A woman decides to become the fiancé of a cowboy farmer in North Dakota but finds that his stubborn willingness to discuss his past is an obstacle she’s not sure she can overcome.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Hart
• Release date: Jun 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370844159

Book preview

A Garden Full of Love: A Trio of Historical Romance Novellas

By

Doreen Milstead

Copyright 2017 Susan Hart

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful

The Strong English Woman & The Outlaw In Arizona

The Cowboy With The Haunted Past In North Dakota & His Singing Bride

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful

Synopsis: A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful - An amputee woman decides to move from Chicago to North Dakota and become both a teacher and then hopefully, a mail order bride because she has been corresponding with several young men who seemed interested, but she has not chosen one yet. She meets a young half Native American man in the lawless small town and also learns what it’s like to defend both your life and honor.

Sitting in a mahogany colored sitting chair beside a silent stone fireplace, Mandy heard the front door close with the sound only angry disappointment could achieve. Bowing her head, she tossed her eyes down onto her lap. As she bowed her head, long, pretty, blond hair rushed forward over her frail shoulders, reaching down over a lovely blue and white dress from France—reaching to cover a broken heart and broken spirit.

You were wrong to deny Mr. Brown’s proposal, a sharp voice snapped at Mandy rushing into an expensive parlor decorated with furniture that, Mandy assumed, came from old parts of Europe that only her elders could name.

Unwilling to raise her eyes to meet her mother’s angry voice, Mandy placed her shaky hands together and drew in a deep breath of stale peppermint and old pipe tobacco that had stained the parlor’s atmosphere with good and bad memories. Mr. Brown wishes to marry me for money. He does not love me.

Love, Mandy’s mother hissed and then rolled her eyes, love is not an emotion young women must depend to find a good husband.

Feeling her mother angrily fold her arms, Mandy cowered down and waited for another tongue thrashing. Even though her mother was a small woman with dark black hair, she somehow overpowered Mandy with just the look in her eyes and the words from her hateful mouth. Mother, please, I just wish to be left alone.

Left alone, Mandy’s mother snapped. Unlocking her arms she threw them down the dark purple dress, she was wearing and then bawled her hands into tight fist. Your father and I cannot take care of you forever. We have been very patient because of your…condition. However, we are becoming impatient with you. We wish to move on with our lives.

My condition, Mandy whispered. Against her will, she allowed her eyes to drop down to her right leg like hard stones. Even though the dress she was wearing covered her right leg, beneath the dress from the right knee down there was only empty space. I have lost my leg from the knee down. I do not have a condition, mother. I was in a horse accident…a horse ran wild and toppled the buggy I was riding in. The buggy crushed my right leg.

I’m aware of the accident, Mandy’s mother said impatiently. I am also aware that because of your condition, certain young men are no longer interested in accepting you as a wife.

I know, Mandy agreed as tears began to drop from her eyes. I am aware that I am a cripple and a horrid sight to the men who once chased me for my beauty. I am also aware Father bribed Mr. Brown to propose to me. Mr. Brown is a shallow man. His heart is set on the dollar.

Your father and I only want—

Leave me alone, Mandy begged. Throwing her hands up to her face, she began to cry. Mother, leave me alone this very instant.

Snarling her voice up into an ugly knot Mandy’s mother stood silent and watched her daughter cry. Finally, she decided to speak as a hard rain began to fall outside. Your father and I are taking a trip to France next week. Summer has arrived. It has been a long, difficult winter. I suppose you should come along with us now that you have insulted Mr. Brown.

Mandy shook her head no. I am still a school teacher. I have...been considering taking a teaching position in North Dakota.

Shocked, Mandy’s mother slowly refolded her arms. Continue.

Dean McMillan has made it very clear to me that teaching at Academy is no longer an option for me. He politely insinuated that my age was the factor for his decision. But we both know that is a lie, Mandy explained forcing her tears to the side. I am twenty-two years old. I have two years teaching experience. Yes, I am still young. However, only experience can allow me to develop into a better teacher for my students.

Listening to the heavy rainfall outside, Mandy’s mother simply nodded her head as a selfish idea began to form in her hard mind. Dean McMillan dismissed you because of your condition. Your father and I debated on whether to object to his decision, but we both know that any objection would end in failure. However, I am somewhat taken back by your sudden announcement. Why haven’t you expressed interest in this teaching position before now?

Dean McMillan may have dismissed me, but only because the Board pressured him. He isn’t a horrible man.

I see. So it was Dean McMillan who brought this position to your attention, then? Mandy’s mother inquired. Walking over to a double window covered over with a dark green drape, she carefully peered out onto a front cobblestone street being drenched with heavy rain

Yes, Mandy confessed and wiped at her tears. I have been debating on this matter all winter. I am a cripple and such a trip will be very difficult on me. However, Dean McMillan has assured me that the town of Black Bear, North Dakota, is in desperate need of a schoolteacher as well as decent women who wish to become mail order brides. I have made plans to become both and have been corresponding with several men.

It seems to me, Mandy’s mother answered as a selfish grin slipped across her thin lips, that you have already made your decision.

Dreams of dining at expensive Paris restaurants and sipping delicious wines cheered her mood.

Understanding her mother’s tone pained Mandy’s heart. Yet, she knew that her mother’s wish for her to move away held no room for personal considerations toward her emotions. I have, Mandy confessed. I have informed Deal McMillan. I am due to leave next Monday. I was going to tell you and father tonight over dinner.

Widening her grin Mandy’s, mother looked through the hard falling rain into a warm and blooming Paris. Your father and I will do all that we can to accommodate you financially. We will support you on your new endeavor completely.

And if I decided to return home, Mandy dared to ask. I was born and raised in Chicago. I may not be able to adjust to a location that isn’t Chicago.

Then, Mandy’s mother admitted without turning away from the window, You will live here in this house, but you will no longer be a burden to me or your father. But, I have a feeling this new position will not be one that you will give up on so easily.

Leaning back in the sitting chair Mandy drew in a deep breath. Yes, mother, I pray you are right.

So do I, Mandy’s mother replied. Walking away from the window, she strolled over to the door to the parlor like a cruel finger pointing hateful accusations. Dinner will be ready at its usual time. Over dinner we will discuss what financial assistance you will need for your trip.

Watching her mother leave the parlor, Mandy bowed her head. Against her will, she began to cry again. Her tears reached out into the wet front street and mingled in with the hard falling rain—mingled into a dance of fear and pain. You can do this, she whispered in a trembling voice.

Stepping down from a dusty stagecoach with the help of an old man that looked as rugged as a sun soaked stone, Mandy coughed as a storm of dust ran at her face in a dry laugh. She felt dust was consuming everything from her hair down the light gray dress she was wearing.

Gripping the wooden cane in her right hand, she slowly eased her way down onto a dry, dusty street. This drought ain’t gonna let up no time soon, the old man helping Mandy down from the stagecoach said with a dry tongue. Worst I’ve seen in years. Winter didn’t bring much snow, so there ain’t no snow melt off.

I see, Mandy said, forcing a polite smile to her lips. The old man helping her was a nice enough man. The clothes he was wearing were ragged, worn down, dusty and hot. His short gray hair was messy and sweaty. But he had a kind, honest, face that wasn’t capable of spilling out a single lie; not intentionally anyway. I am supposed to be meeting a Mrs. Landon?

Ah, the old man said and wiped sweat from his forehead, Mrs. Landon ain’t one to ever be on time. She’s on up in her years, but she’s tough as nails. It just takes her a whole to hitch her horses. She’ll be along shortly.

Nodding her head Mandy walked her eyes around the small, dry, town before her. Her heart sank in misery. A single dirt street stood before her, lined with wooden buildings desperately in need of painting. In the middle of the street, she saw a hotel. A general store, sheriff’s office, and saloon stood across from the hotel. A few horses were hitched in front of the saloon; the horses all had their head down, too hot to keep them raised.

Daring to raise her eyes skyward again, she witnessed a blazing blue sky that was forcing any hope of rain away. What can tell me about Black Bear, Mandy asked the old man.

Not much to tell, the old man replied and scratched the back of his head. "The hills surrounding this town once had some gold in them, but that gold ran dry. But