The Doctor's Mail-Order Bride: Coal Valley Brides, #3
By Rose Andrews
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About this ebook
* A Novella*
Colorado, summer of 1880
Aurora McMullen, an orphan, has been left without family by her rich aunt's death. When the government seizes the small fortune given to her in the will, she takes a chance on her future and responds to a mail-order bride ad. Accustomed to a comfortable life in the city, she sets out to marry a man who defies her expectations and shows her the greatest riches come from the heart.
Elbridge Claywood, the doctor of Coal Valley, has been wanting to find a proper wife to share his home. A letter from his friend in Nashville helps him choose a volunteer nurse desperate to leave a bad situation. Always a gentleman, he marries this beautiful woman who brings warmth and hope into his lonely existence.
Together, they will discover they are destined for one another despite a good dose of homesickness and the rugged conditions of life in the west.
Rose Andrews
Rose Andrews writes about marriage, mountains, and adventure. She enjoys crafting stories about arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, and mail-order-brides in Western and 20th Century Historical Romance. Her sweetly toned, faith-inspired stories are about sassy heroines who wed good-humored heroes and live happily ever after. She is fascinated with history, especially the vintage years and the Old West. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family, reading historical and fantasy romance novels to her heart's delight. Connecting with readers is her favorite part of publishing fiction.
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The Rancher's Convenient Bride: Coal Valley Brides, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Sheriff's Jilted Bride: Coal Valley Brides, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Doctor's Mail-Order Bride: Coal Valley Brides, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Baker's Arranged Bride: Coal Valley Brides, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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The Doctor's Mail-Order Bride - Rose Andrews
COAL VALLEY BRIDES
The Doctor’s
Mail-Order Bride
ROSE ANDREWS
Copyright © 2017 Rose Andrews www.rosehistoricals.com
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
It is unlawful to copy or use this product in any form without written consent from the author.
1
Coal Valley, Colorado
June 1, 1880
DR. ELBRIDGE CLAYWOOD waited in line for assistance at the mercantile counter, an envelope shaking in his hands. He folded it in half, a little nervous that the woman standing behind him would catch a glimpse of the contents. A clearing of his throat and a shift of his body positioning ensured she’d never be able to tell he was ordering a bride.
Good morning, doctor,
she said with a smile. How are you this fine day?
I’m well, Mrs. Abbott,
he responded. How’s your boy feeling?
Oh, goodness. He’s much better.
Her voice carried a slight twang like his. That calendula salve got rid of his hives mighty quick. We sure are lucky to have such a fine professional as yourself serving our town.
Well, I appreciate the comment. Make sure he stays out of that poison ivy from now own.
Will do, sir.
Elbridge liked the light conversation, which distracted him from his heavy thoughts. Ever since he’d recommended bedrest to his pregnant nurse, Pearl, his medical practice had become more difficult to manage. He needed a helper. And a wife. At twenty-seven, he tired of slipping into a cold bed at night.
Company did a man well. His full schedule prevented him from socializing, so meeting women fared difficult. And he wasn’t much of a saloon girl womanizer either. He wanted a woman to share his life with and one who could also handle his long work hours.
Dr. Claywood, what will you be needing today?
Emelia Banks, the mercantile owner, tapped her fingers against the counter. A fading beauty, strands of gray mixed with the red in her hair. You do realize that the letter carrier doesn’t come until next week?
It’s for the telegraph.
Elbridge slid the paper forward. In a whisper, he said, it’s an ad for a wife. I need it sent to the Nashville hospital written here. A nurse would be a good fit.
A slow grin lifted her thin lips. Ah, I see. If that’s the case, then I’ll put it in right away.
Please, can we keep this between us?
He glanced over his shoulder at Mrs. Abbott searching for something in her purse. I’d like to keep my private affairs...well, private.
Sure thing.
Emelia placed the note in a cubby. You have a good day, now. I’ll have one of my sons send over the letters when they come in.
Elbridge nodded and waved a good-bye to Mrs. Abbott.
A bright, clear day greeted him outside. Beautiful as it was, dust particles from passing carriages tickled his nose. It needed to rain. Until it did, he’d continue treating allergy-induced colds. At least those cases were easy to handle without Pearl around.
He tipped his hat at friendly folks on his way to the office. What would his future bride look like? Be like? Unlike his friends back in Nashville, he’d taken more of a liking in his medical books and house calls than women. They’d all gotten married by age twenty and tended to their families. So he’d moved out west and started a new life in Coal Valley.
But a man could only live alone for so long.
He unlocked the front door of his office and stepped into the comforting scent of salves and herbs. Tidy and well-organized, his business space emitted peace and healing. A long window on one end allowed in plenty of natural light, and two leather loveseats made up the waiting area. A pile of paperwork littered his desk, the likes of which would take him hours to finish filling out.
Elbridge hung his hat on the rack, then his coat. It was lonely without Pearl greeting him and he wasn’t used to working alone. She was, by far, the most talented and compassionate nurse he had the pleasure of working with. Far along in her pregnancy, she’d developed health issues preventing her from doing much. Until his bride arrived, he would have to make do on his own.
***
Nashville, Tennessee
7 days later
Aurora McMullen paced the length of her late aunt’s study, a sickening sensation stubbornly swirling in her gut. She couldn’t unclasp her fingers, tangled together like the nerves at the back of her throat. Auntie Mae had been a cruel woman but surely she would have left her something in the will for having spent months nursing her until death...right?
At the sound of a carriage pulling up to the mansion, she paused at the window and pulled aside the laced curtains. Mr. Williams, auntie’s lawyer, hustled up the driveway carrying a briefcase. She bit her lip and frowned. Gauging the look on his face was difficult, and thus she didn’t know if good or bad news headed her way. In a few minutes, she would know for sure but for now, the suspense was killing her.
A deep inhale calmed her.
Bettina the maid gave a light knock at the door and poked her head through. Miss Aurora, the lawyer has arrived.
Send him up.
I’ll prepare some coffee.
Aurora sat by the fireplace and smoothed out her purple dress, taking care with each crease on the fine silk. Orphaned as a baby, Aunt Mae, ma’s older sister, had taken her in.