Mail Order Bride: Hannah's Dilemma

By Mary L. Briggs

If Hannah doesn't get out of Henson, Missouri fairly soon, she will find herself married to the local banker. A man that sends shudders down her spine at the very sight of him. So, when she reads Inez Pollard's advertisement for The Mail Order Bride Express, she promptly applies and is accepted. On her way to Silver Ridge, Colorado, she is confident that she has left her troubles behind. But has she?

Ross Pollard is a man with a lot on his mind. And his mother's crazy scheme to bring brides to Silver Ridge is just another problem for him to deal with. The last thing he needs to complicate his life is romance, but when he sets his eyes on Hannah Stillman, all of his resistance is bound to melt.

Hannah’s Dilemma is the first in a four book Mail Order Bride Series from Mary L. Briggs, author of the popular novella The Stagecoach Bride and The Chance Creek Brides Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary L. Briggs
• Release date: Jun 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463860137

Mary L. Briggs

Mary L. Briggs is a wife, mother, and registered nurse. She enjoys writing inspirational fiction and is also a free-lance writer. She has had two romance stories and one mini-mystery published in Woman's World Magazine. She enjoys reading, writing, studying American history, cooking, quilting, herb gardening, and crafting. Mary lives in a cordwood home in the Ouachita Mountains with her husband and two daughters. She also enjoys the company of five cats, a German Shepherd/Border Collie dog, and a flock of chickens.

Book preview

Hannah’s Dilemma

By Mary L. Briggs

Smashwords Edition

COPYRIGHT © 2018 Mary L. Briggs

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Inez Pollard, carrying a tray of coffee cups, stopped at the kitchen door and stared into the dining room. The big blond miner, standing in front of his table, and the smaller bald man she had never seen before tonight, were shouting. Mostly at each other, but a few other men were chiming in, yelling their opinions, as well. It was something to do with the game of dominoes that was on the table in front of them.

But, no doubt, things would be more serious in another bellow or two. She squeezed her eyes almost shut as the Swede was the first to let his fist fly, striking the bald man in the eye. The table that stood between them crashed in a heap, sending dominoes skittering across the floor, along with the bald man. A roar sounded from the rest of the men as they came out of their chairs. The fight was on.

Inez shook her head. How could they keep doing this to her? Stop it, she yelled, setting the tray back on the counter and taking a step into the room. If she had anything to do with it, they were wrecking her restaurant for the last time. A couple of men from Jacob’s Brewery got in on the argument, shouting insults to each other’s faces. More fists began to fly, along with all of her plates and cups, as one man fell against the counter. Thankfully, she had heeded her son Ross’s advice, and served only on metal dishes. They would survive the ordeal. The fate of the furniture and dining area were yet to be determined.

I said ENOUGH! she screamed once more, as a man sailed backwards through the large glass window that looked out on the street. The one that struck him climbed through after him, and others followed, moving the, by now, multiple fights into the street.

She felt a hand take hold of her arm and tug her back inside the kitchen.

We might as well watch from in here, her sister, Lenora stated. By the way, how many windows does that make?

This month or this year, Inez fumed, grabbing the shotgun she kept in the corner. These boys are sure keeping the hardware store and handy men in business, she said, heading out the door and into the muddy street.

One blast was all it took from her rifle to bring the rowdy brawl to a halt. Now, all of you get on home before I send off for the mayor and the sheriff!

Those on the ground stood, and most of them wiped the mud and dirt from their faces. A few gave her sheepish grins as they sauntered away.

Sorry about that, ma’am, the big blond miner apologized, using his sleeve to wipe a streak of blood from his nose. I guess it was mostly my fault. I’ll go ahead and board up the window for you.

That would be real nice of you, Kristopher.

***

With the last bit of glass swept from the rough plank floor, Inez took a seat and stared around her business. What a mess, she said, to no one in particular.

You can say that again. And probably again tomorrow night, her sister answered, coming out of the kitchen with two cups of steaming coffee. She set them on the table in front of Inez, then seated herself across from her.

I’m going to put a stop to this, Lenora.

Her sister smiled and took a sip from her cup. And just how would you do that?

Inez’s eyes narrowed. I’m going to marry them all off to nice girls.

Lenora’s eyebrows shot up. Not in this town, you’re not.

Oh, yes I am. They’ll be too busy with wives and children to spend their evenings in town wrecking my restaurant. When they do show up, it will be with wife and babies in tow. And I’m starting on the plan tomorrow.

Chapter 2

Ross Pollard slammed the door behind him as he entered The Pollard Mine offices. He removed his hands from his coat pockets and blew on them, then rubbed them together. There were times when he missed Tennessee weather. A place where, for the most part, March was more like spring than winter. He took off his coat and hat and hung them on the hooks in the entryway.

Good morning, Mr. Pollard, his secretary, Miss Bard, greeted him. Mr. Millard is in your office, sir.

Ross’s brow crinkled. Hopefully, there was no problem with his mother’s new house. The progress had looked good to him when he had stopped by the site a few days back.

He stepped into his office. Morning, Hiram.

Hiram Millard stood and returned the greeting. I’m sorry to bother you this morning, sir, but something has come up with your mother’s house and I just wanted to let you know.

Ross grinned and took a seat at his desk. She’s the richest woman in town, Millard. She can have whatever she wants.

Hiram Millard cleared his throat. Well, it’s about the bedrooms, sir.

Ross sighed. I went over and over that subject with her, Hiram. I know that ten bedrooms seems a lot to a woman used to not more than two, but I explained to her how important it is to have space for guests. As mine owners, we have to entertain a lot of people.

Millard nodded. But that’s just it, sir. She wants more of them. A lot more.

Ross leaned back in the leather desk chair and stared. He could tell by the man’s expression that there was more to this than he was saying. She asked you for more than ten bedrooms?

The builder nodded.

And did she say why?

Hiram Millard cleared his throat again, a pained expression on his face. For a boarding house, sir. Said she would need a lot of rooms.

Ross’s eyebrows shot up. And when did she tell you this?

Just this morning, sir. Said she’d like the entire top floor to be partitioned off into small bedrooms.

Ross felt his jaw drop and immediately

Reviews for Mail Order Bride

[benn9314 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A sweet story about love and marriage in the early west