Mail Order Bride: Mabel - The Unexpected Bride: Brides Of Paradise, #2
4/5
()
About this ebook
1876. Bachelor Hector Dawes owns the stagecoach business in Paradise, Iowa; but it's also next door to his overbearing mother's, Lizzy Dawes, dress and garment shop.
Hector's bachelor routine is thrown into disarray when Lizzy puts out an ad for a mail-order bride on Hector's behalf, without his knowledge.
Stubbornness and sparks run amok when young Mabel Lynn arrives in Paradise, thinking her future is secure...
Book 2 in the Brides Of Paradise mail order bride series BUT can also be read as a standalone novelette!
Download Your Copy Right Now
Tags: Mail Order Bride Romance, Historical Religious Christian Frontier Western Romance, Historical Short Stories & Series
Read more from Grace Heartsong
Cowboy Romance: His Ebony Obsession Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHistorical Western Romance: Wild West Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Mail Order Bride
Titles in the series (6)
Mail Order Bride: Hattie - The Peace Of Paradise: Brides Of Paradise, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mail Order Bride: Mabel - The Unexpected Bride: Brides Of Paradise, #2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mail Order Bride: Esther - Paradise Mistaken: Brides Of Paradise, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Cora - Paradise Lost And Found: Brides Of Paradise, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Arabella - Emotions Entwined: Brides Of Paradise, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Opal - A Diamond In The Rough: Brides Of Paradise, #6 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related ebooks
Mail Order Bride: Arabella - Emotions Entwined: Brides Of Paradise, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecrets of the Heart: Brides of Lilac Grove, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Deputy's Son Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mail Order Bride: Hattie - The Peace Of Paradise: Brides Of Paradise, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mail Order Bride: Annalise - Book 2: Mail Order Bride Series: Annalise, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Esther - Paradise Mistaken: Brides Of Paradise, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAmelia's Mail Order Husband (Texas Brides Book 2) Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5His Most Suitable Bride Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride - Deadlines And Love Lines: Mail Order Brides Of Small Flats, #2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Arkansas Weddings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Crippled Mail Order Bride Meets Sheriff (Mail Order Bride): No Pretty Brides Wanted, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Castles in the Sky Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Cora - Paradise Lost And Found: Brides Of Paradise, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride 4 Book Box Set Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rose's Mail Order Husband - (Montana Brides #3) Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Molly Switches her Man: The Mismatched Mail-Order Brides, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAllegra's Mail Order Husband (Texas Brides Book 3) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fragile Blessings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Blinded By Love (Brides Of The West: Book 1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5'Tis So Sweet: Orphans of the West Novellas, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mail Order Brides: Husband of the Bride: Mail Order Brides, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBride By Choice (Chance Creek Brides Book 1) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mail Order Bride: Redeemed by the Soldier: Redeemed Western Historical Mail Order Brides, #10 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mail Order Bride - The Journey: Part Three (Western Mail Order Brides: Book Three) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Logger's Christmas Bride Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Rancher's Fiery Bride: Montana Westward Brides, #0 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prairie Madness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMail Order Bride: Widowed, Jilted, & Pregnant On The Wagon Train West (A Sweet Romance Novel) Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Maggie Shifts her Gent: The Mismatched Mail-Order Brides, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Historical Romance For You
Slave Girl Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Barbarian's Concubine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Simply Sexual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bred By The King In Public: Dominant King Erotic History Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Lady's Tutor Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Devil’s Submission Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5West Side Story Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Something Wonderful Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Seven Years to Sin Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pride and Prejudice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lover Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Once and Always Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Once Upon A Time: A Collection of Folktales, Fairytales and Legends Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Bit of Rough Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pride and Pleasure Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Highlander's Bride Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Bride Most Begrudging Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Kingdom of Dreams Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bastard Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cold-Hearted Rake: The Ravenels, Book 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When I Come Home Again: 'A page-turning literary gem' THE TIMES, BEST BOOKS OF 2020 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5True Alien Seduction: Outing the Flames of Passion Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Guardian of Lies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Visitors Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5As You Desire Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Accidental Empress: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Whitney, My Love Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Great Gatsby (Deluxe Illustrated Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Forgotten Home Child Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for Mail Order Bride
2 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Mail Order Bride - GRACE HEARTSONG
FREE BONUS
Annalise – Part 1 & 2
Afree bonus 2-part short story at the end! Our gift for purchasing this book!
C:\Users\Business\Google Drive\MyBusinesses\Kindle Publishing\Authors\Fiction\Grace Heartsong\Giveaway - Historical Western\Covers\Annalise Book 1-2_thumbnail.pngEnjoy!
MABEL
THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE
BRIDES OF PARADISE BOOK 2
MAIL ORDER BRIDES
BY GRACE HEARTSONG
THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE
Hector Dawes sat nearly up to his ankles in fashion catalogs, colorful designs, silky fabrics, frothy bows, and pricking, insistent whalebone corsets. How his mother, Lizzy, dealt with this everyday—he did not know. But he respected her for it was something fierce. Lizzy had come to Paradise to set up shop at a time when virtually no females braved the west alone. She’d used an inheritance to fulfill her dream, and had soon after met his father, Wayne, the previous owner of the stagecoach business.
But an accident with a tipped stagecoach ended his father’s life when Hector was just ten, leaving the business in the hands of a trusted colleague until Hector had been old enough to take over the business himself. That had been five years ago, and now at a mere twenty-three, Hector Dawes was one of the wealthiest men in Paradise—hell, all of Iowa put together.
And with the continued success of his mother’s business, for people always required new clothes, the meager Dawes family had a fortune to flaunt.
Just a few more minutes, Hec!
his mother called from behind a dressing screen. Her latest appointment had run late—a young woman trying to find a gown and corset large enough to fit own her swelling pregnancy.
They had a reservation for dinner at the Claremont, the most upscale hotel and restaurant in all of Paradise (never mind the only other option of a restaurant next to the modest, rough and tumble White Horse Saloon.) Although they lived apart, it was not uncommon for Hector to treat his mother to a nice dinner at least a few times per month. Or she treated him, citing the nonsensical insistence of a mother to son as her excuse.
Only, his mother had made these dinner plans...earlier than he’d expected for the month. They usually dined in a reserved room at the White Horse Saloon, and he found it odd that his mother would reserve a table at the Claremont when there were no holidays or birthdays on the horizon.
Perched atop the highest hill in Paradise, the Claremont was both imposing and elegant. It cut regal curves of red brick and gray stone, with intricately carved wood railings, porch, and lintels. The Claremont was usually reserved for Hector’s business meetings with clients from out of town—city clients from Chicago or Dubuque who expected that sort of thing. The locals didn’t usually pay the Claremont mind, being that it was too expensive, or that they simply worked there.
Mother, my appetite is growing quite impatient,
Hector called.
Lizzy’s voice fizzed and popped in a flurry of expert salesmanship, and soon, the rounded, blonde woman was being sent on her way with the promise of a custom order.
At the door, Lizzy watched her go, flipped the open
sign to closed
, then turned and sighed.
Busy day?
Hector said, detaching himself from the trove of garment paraphernalia littered about him.
Lizzy slumped for only a moment, then propelled herself away from the door and began plucking the catalogs and swatches from the floor.
Hector caught her arm and pointed to his pocket watch. If we’re late at the Claremont, we’re bound to get a reputation for rudeness. And then I wouldn’t be able to show my face there at all. And you wouldn’t want that, would you, mother? My business could suffer.
Lizzy slowly nodded, then plopped all that she had gathered onto the pink chaise. I suppose you’re right, as always.
She disappeared behind the screen for a moment, then returned with a sleek leather briefcase and a powder blue, lace-trimmed parasol. Your father was always trying to keep me on a schedule too, you know,
his mother said, happily taking his arm.
They strode out of the shop, the interior looking as if a twister had just torn through.
Lizzy caught his gaze and waved her hand, don’t worry, Hec. The shop girl comes in the morning. And believe me, she’s used to it,
she said, locking the door behind her. She snapped her parasol open, then comfortably fit her arm once more within Hector’s. And she’s seen worse.
Busy time of year, I suppose. Lots of new brides and babies in the spring and summer, it seems,
Hector mused as they briskly made their way to the highest hill in Paradise.
Lizzy’s arm suddenly tightened around his, her expression markedly taut.
I should think that would be good for business,
Hector said.
Lizzy gave a nervous little laugh. Of course it is, Hec, it’s only—
You’re tired,
he said, shaking his head. We’ve talked about this before. You know you don’t have to keep on working like that. We have plenty of money to hire a full staff. A woman of your age shouldn’t be—
A woman of my age?
his mother abruptly pulled away and primly straightened the collar of her azure gown.
Hector sighed. He’d really gone and stepped in it this time. An empty stomach had a persistent way of making him say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
"I’ll have you know that forty-two is not old at all, Hector Dawes," she said, bursting forth.
Hector rubbed his temples, then broke into a slow jog to catch up to her. He laced his arm through hers once more, and tightened his grip when she sought to pull away. Come on now, mother. You know I didn’t mean it like that.
She did a double take, a slow and hesitant smile building on her face. She flicked a curl from her forehead, deep brown and streaked with gray. You sound just like your father when you croon like that. Best you know the right words to say when you get a—
she unceremoniously slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide.
Hector stared at her, the Claremont growing closer. When I get a what?
His brow furrowed.
And then his mother was all sweetness, patting his hand and nestling her head against his shoulder. Nothing dear, we’ll discuss it over supper.
She smiled innocently up at him, but he wasn’t buying it. He knew all too well when Lizzy Dawes had something up her fashionable sleeve.
THE CLAREMONT STAFF was none too pleased with their arrival, a mere five minutes after the set reservation time. The Claremont were sticklers for class and decorum, and even the famous and wealthy Dawes were not exempt from their looks of judgement.
Well I say, it is quite chilly in here, is it not?
his mother quipped, playfully drawing her shawl around her shoulders.
Shhh,
Hector said, signaling a young, blonde waiter over.
Yessir, Mr. Dawes, oh and Mrs. Dawes, what a pleasure to have you both,
the waiter said.
See, mother, here’s a pocket of warmth,
Hector said, grinning at the young man beside their table.
I’ll have a scotch. Neat,
Lizzy said, without preamble.
The waiter fumbled with his pencil and paper. Oh! Yes, of course.
Hector raised a brow at his mother, who had abruptly become very interested in a menu consisting of only three options.
He cleared his throat. I’ll take the same. Check on us in a few minutes,
he said to the waiter.
Very good, sir,
the waiter said, marking it down and striding off.
The string quartet guided their silence, his mother’s salt and pepper hair still bent over the menu. The waiter returned with the glasses, for which Lizzy’s hand shot out. She took a hearty gulp, leaving the waiter wide-eyed once more.
Ready to order?
he asked, tips of his ears reddening.
I’ll take the lemon chicken and rosemary potatoes. Thank you, lad,
she said, pushing the menu back into his hands with a sweet smile.
Steak, medium rare. Onions and string beans. Thanks,
Hector said, handing his own back.
Very good, Mr. Dawes—Mrs. Dawes.
The waiter flashed a nervous smile and set off again. He hadn’t even crossed the room by the time Lizzy drained