Silver Boom - Mail Order Bride Historical Western Romance

By Johanna Jenkins

After the discovery of silver was publicized with the Comstock Lode in 1859 Wesley (Wes) Stockton heads to Utah territory to see if silver can make him rich. He spends his fortune, such as it is, and eventually hits a vein of silver that leaves him considerably well off. Unfortunately for him, what it can't bring him is a woman to spend his life with. 

Anna McFarland is a sassy, red-haired beauty whose blue eyes say everything her mouth refuses to speak. It isn't that she is unable to think or form coherent thoughts, more it's a condition of a terrible tragedy she suffered as a child. When she sees Wesley's advertisement for a wife, she jumps at the chance to build the life she's dreamed of. Can Wesley accept the love of a woman who won't speak, or will Anna find that true love can heal even the deepest of wounds?

A Standalone Short Story with no cliffhanger!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clean & Wholesome Romance Club
• Release date: Nov 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386112877

Book preview

Silver Boom

Chapter 1:

Silver Veins

New York, 1859

Y ou coming Wes? Daniel Barret asked as the train began to pull away.

I’m coming! he called, grinning as he blew a kiss to a pretty girl who stood on the boardwalk at the train depot. He ran hard to catch up to his friend, clasped his hand and was yanked up into the train car.

It’s about time you used your brain, Daniel chuckled. You keep making time with the ladies and you’ll be broke and single for life.

Nah, Wesley grinned. This is going to make us both rich.

I doubt it, Daniel smiled. Still, the two friends were too deep into their silver mining expedition to turn back now. But, if I break into the black, I’ll be satisfied.

The train trip from New York to Chicago was uneventful and from there Wesley and Daniel joined a wagon train that was headed to the Utah Territory. Two months after the announcement of the discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode, the two friends touched their feet down on that very same land. After quickly surveying the mining town of Virginia City, the two headed for the boarding house.

Hello, gentlemen, an older woman said as she stepped into the sitting room.

Hello, ma’am, Daniel said, quickly removing his hat. My friend, Wes, and I were wondering if you had any available rooms for rent?

Well, she smiled. "Follow me and we’ll see what we can do.

We’re awfully busy right now, she said as her blonde curls bobbed up and down with the motion of her walk. With the discovery of silver up there at the Comstock Lode, it’s not a wonder that we’re almost always booked solid for weeks on end. However, you two just happen to be in luck. You’ll have to share a room, but I have one available. I’ll even cut you a deal on the rent. Normally I charge twenty dollars a week per resident. For you two though I’ll go thirty on the both of you."

Thank you, ma’am, Wesley said, adding a grin. When the older woman winked at him he chuckled. He carried his luggage up the stairs behind Daniel and once they shut the door to their room, sunk down in a chair.

You shouldn’t encourage her like that, Daniel chastised. She’s nearly old enough to be our mother.

Oh please, Wesley scoffed. It does no harm as we both know nothing will ever come of it. An innocent flirtation never hurt anyone.

And what if she thinks it was more than that?

I’d have to respectfully decline, Wesley said. You know me Danny. There’s no way I’m going to take advantage of any woman, no matter how willing she seems. I know God has a woman out there for me and when it’s my time, I’ll find her.

Not if you keep turning the heads of women you know aren’t her.

Wesley didn’t pay much mind to Daniel’s rants. He figured his friend meant well so he often let it go. Tomorrow they’d obtain their mining licenses and pick a spot to dig for their fortune. More tired than he would have figured, Wesley fell asleep where he’d settled down, within an hour of