The Holiday Bride

By Cia Leah

Sweet, clean, western romance short story.

When Libby Granger's Pa died, her brother sold the farm, and left her behind, arranging for her to have a mail order husband. When she arrived in the small cowtown of River's Bend to meet her husband, Jace Conner's wasn't there. At a quandry as what to do, she became employed by Jace's Aunt Hannie and Uncle Thurman to wait tables at their hotel restaurant.

Jace berated himself for being late to meet the stage with his mail order bride on it, but knew his aunt and uncle would see to it that she was taken care of. What he didn't figure on was Libby not wanting to marry him since he didn't meet her as agreed. Smitten with her beauty, he vowed to change her mind and wed her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cia Leah
• Release date: Oct 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386051138

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 One

Libby Granger stepped down from the stage in the small cow town of River’s Bend and looked around.  Several people went about their business shopping and whatnot, but no one was there to meet her.  She inhaled a shaky breath as the stagecoach driver threw down her trunk, which landed beside her in the dirty snow.  She prayed her mirror didn’t break and the other breakable things she had packed in it.

She held her satchel tightly in one hand and her reticule in the other.  What was she supposed to do?  She barely had any money left that her intended had sent her for the trip here.  Surely there wasn’t enough for a hotel and food.  What am I going to do, she thought, when the stage driver came up to her.

Miss, it doesn’t look like Jace Conners is here to meet you.  Of course, this is one of those days we are about an hour early, so he may be along soon.

I hope so.  She whispered, seeing a couple cowboys leaning against one of the buildings leering at her.  Their faces were enough to make her shiver and hop back onto the stage, but she straightened her shoulders and turned to face the stage driver.  Is Jace’s ranch very far from town?

About three miles out, Miss.

She groaned inwardly.  She couldn’t walk that far and the wind was beginning to pick up making snow devils swirl up the middle of the street.  It was getting bitterly cold and her coat wasn’t thick enough to keep her warm.  Where can I go and stay until he gets here?  She wondered if maybe he changed his mind about marrying her, but pushed those thoughts aside.  His letters seemed sincere enough and there was no use worrying until she had to.

The hotel is right there.  I’m sure they could get you a room or you could go to the dinning room and have some dinner.  Jace will look for you here first.

What about my trunk?

I’ll just carry it into the lobby.  No one will mind it being there.

Thank you, she said, and then walked up the steps into the hotel.  A bald headed man stood behind the counter with the registrar sitting on it in front of him.  He glanced at her.

You want a room?

No, I’m waiting for Jace Conners.  I’ll just go into the dinning room and have some tea.  The stage driver will bring my trunk inside if you don’t mind.

Nope.  Most people do that if they are waiting for someone to come and get them.  If you decide you need a room, then just let me know.

She nodded and walked into the adjoining dinning room and chose a table at the back in the corner.  She set down her satchel under her chair, and placed her reticule in her lap when a woman came up to her.

What can I get you?

A cup of tea and a biscuit with butter and jelly, please?  She saw the woman shake her head. 

I bet you are hungrier than that.  Are you Jace Conner’s mail order bride?  I heard the stage come in.

Yes, I am.  She wondered if the whole town knew she was arriving today.

I’m his Aunt Hannie.  He told me you’d be arriving today and to take care of you if he wasn’t here when the stage pulled in.  I’ll be right back with