Mail Order Bride - Belinda's Destiny: Faith Creek Brides, #14

By Karla Gracey

Belinda Weatherhead has secretly loved Thomas Rawlinson her entire life. Tortured by seeing him every day, the easy friendship he shares with her brother makes him off-limits. So when he leaves town unexpectedly, Belinda decides that it is time she got over him and found herself a man who can see her as she really is.

Thomas Rawlinson has always been restless. He longs to get away from the confines of his ranching family, knowing he simply doesn't fit in there. But a year in Philadelphia has him missing the family he loves, and he longs to find a way to return, and to somehow save face whilst doing so. Finding an advertisement in the newspaper, he replies, not knowing how much it will change his life. But, will he like what he finds when he finally meets his mystery woman, or will there be another surprise he simply wasn't expecting?

• Language: English
• Publisher: KG Publishing House
• Release date: May 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386016298

Book preview

Mail Order Bride

Belinda's Destiny

Faith Creek Brides: Book 14

Karla Gracey

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

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Chapter One

I simply don’t understand why you wish to go. We are in the middle of calving, our busiest time of the year!

Papa, I won’t go until we are done. You know I would not leave you shorthanded. And I’m not entirely sure that I understand why I feel the need to go, either, Thomas said, not entirely truthfully, to his father. I know the ranch is doing well and you want me to stay here and work with you, but neither Joshua nor Paul have any intention of leaving the ranch. There isn’t enough work for us all, and we all know I am no cowman. Thomas raised his eyebrows and grinned. Papa laughed.

You are right there, my boy. But where will you go? What will you do?

I thought I might go back east. I’ve written to Grandpa. He says I would be welcome to stay with him and Grandma. There must be opportunities for a boy like me in such a big city. You know I won’t be idle. Papa looked at Thomas sadly.

You’ve thought it through, then, he said. Your Mama will be heartbroken, but you can always come back home – whenever you wish to. You will always have a home here with us. Don’t let that stubborn side of yours get in the way, if things do not work out the way you want them to. Thomas nodded and moved forward to embrace his father. It felt reassuring to have the older man’s arms around him, and he choked back a sob. He would miss his family, of course he would. But he would not stay here in Faith Creek. There was a big world outside the door, and he wanted to explore it.

I’d best go and tell her, Thomas said as they broke apart. He was surprised to see a tear in Papa’s eye. He knew his family loved him, but Papa had never shown his emotions much before. Thomas had truly believed that his decision wouldn’t have such an impact upon his father, but he was touched that it had.

No, I’ll tell her later tonight, Papa said. She’s a proud woman, won’t want you to see her cry. Go and purchase your ticket, spend some time with your friends, and your brothers. It will be a long night again tonight. You’ll need the respite, Papa said, and slapped Thomas on the back.

Thomas took his leave, looking back over his shoulder to see Papa sink into the armchair by the fire and sigh heavily. He knew his father needed more time to think about everything, especially how to tell poor Mama. He wished he didn’t feel such a strong urge to leave, and he felt badly that he had just lied to his father for the very first time. He knew exactly why he was leaving, but it was not a thought that made him proud, and was certainly not something he would ever admit to anyone else. It would be his secret, and it was best kept that way. He made his way slowly to the stable to saddle up his grey mare, Jinx. He smoothed his hand over her sleek coat, and patted her neck firmly. She nuzzled at his pockets as he slipped the bridle over her head, and he smiled at her. You think I have an apple for you, he teased her. She continued her search, until he relented and pulled out the treat she was looking for. He held out the juicy apple and grinned as she nipped it from his palm with her strong teeth. She crunched contentedly as he took his saddle from the pommel and placed it onto her back. He buckled it on tightly, then led Jinx out into the yard and mounted up. The view of the family’s land from horseback was breathtaking. Up here in the hills, the land was green, with only traces of the local red earth showing through the trees and meadows. A large herd of cattle grazed on the slopes above the house, and Thomas could make out the shapes of his brothers as they split the large herd expertly, bringing the last of the cows that were still pregnant down towards the fields nearer the house. Thomas would not go back on his word; he would stay until the final calves were born, but he wanted to make his move as soon as possible, before he talked himself out of it.

He squeezed