Mail-Order Mishap

By Mildred Colvin

A man looking for a wife to further his political career, a woman who needs a home after her husband’s death at the end of the Civil War, and the trusted escort who needs to forgive and find forgiveness with the father he hasn’t seen for ten years. Together they journey an emotional road of danger and healing.

After receiving word of her husband’s death, Olive Williams accepts the opportunity to marry a wealthy rancher in New Mexico territory. Mike Dugan is from Olive’s hometown, but she doesn’t remember meeting him. Reluctantly she begins the long journey and meets Mr. Dugan’s foreman who will be her escort. Samuel Conner is also from her hometown, and she remembers him as her rescuer when she was only ten and he was a troubled boy of thirteen.

Sam also remembers Olive, and her presence reminds him of his family and the deep rift between him and the father he hasn’t seen for ten years. After the shocking truth of her husband’s death is revealed, Olive becomes determined to stop at her brother’s farm for a visit, and Sam agrees when he learns that Olive’s brother is married to his older sister.

By now, Olive and Sam are thrown into emotional turmoil as they have fallen in love, but their loyalty to Mr. Dugan stands in the way of their happiness. Then outlaws with a vendetta against Sam threaten his and Olive’s life. Will they even make it as far as Kansas City before they’re torn apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Colvin
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463817704

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

Book preview

Mail-Order Mishap

Mail-Order Matchmakers series

Book 1

Mildred Colvin

Historical Christian Romance

Mail-Order Mishap

Copyright©2019 by Mildred Colvin

All Rights Reserved

Cover photo copyright©Period Stock.com

ID 27073459©Joe Sohm|Dreamstime.com

Smashwords Edition

Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews.

Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Dedication

About the Author

Note from the Author

Preview of Next Book

More Historical Romances

Dedication

I owe so much to my first readers. Jim, thank you for taking time to read every book I write and looking for my many errors and typos. You are the best! Also a special thanks to Linda Cushman who catches things I haven’t even thought about. She has some wonderful Christian romance books listed at most online bookstores. I can heartily recommend them all.

Chapter 1

St. Louis, Missouri, early June 1865

"Watch your step, miss." The porter held out his hand.

Olive Williams accepted his help as her carry-on bag, hanging from her arm, bumped her side. She stepped from the train, landing on a stone, and teetered.

Careful there. The helpful man steadied her until she regained her balance.

Thank you. She stepped away as the porter turned to help another passenger. If only she wasn’t so tired. The train had left Ohio days ago, and there’d been little to do but sit and sleep. Sadly, her journey was not over yet.

She glanced at the building before her. A sign hung above the door. St. Louis, Missouri. The St. Louis depot for the SF & KC railroad was long and low, covering almost a city block with the train tracks running close beside it. The note she’d received from Mr. Dugan said there would be an escort waiting for her near the door leading into the depot. He would be wearing a feather in his hat brim.

No such man appeared anywhere near the depot.

A couple jostled against her as they hurried by. She clung to her bag and stepped aside as another woman brushed past. All right, she wouldn’t panic. If the man had been delayed, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t come.

Olive. Lacy Thompson, the young pastor’s wife who had befriended her on the train, touched her arm. Is your escort here?

Olive forced a smile past her tired muscles. I’m sure he will be soon.

Lacy’s brows drew together. I still don’t like the idea of you going off alone with a man you don’t know. Even if your intended says he’s honorable ... She shook her head. Well, it just doesn’t seem right.

I know. My aunt would have accompanied me, but as I explained, she became ill before I departed. I’m sure I’ll be fine.

But what of your reputation?

Olive laughed. I don’t think my reputation is in danger. From Mr. Dugan’s letters, I’ll be going to the ends of the earth into New Mexico territory. As long as my virtue is intact, I’ll be fine, for no other white woman will be there to question my reputation.

At the look of alarm on her friend’s face, Olive hastened to add an assurance she hoped was true. Don’t worry, Lacy. I will be fine. She swept her gaze over the bustling depot. If that man will only get here, that is.

Where was Mr. Conner? Samuel Conner was the name Mr. Dugan had mentioned. If the man was no more reliable than this, she might indeed be in trouble. Could something have happened to him? After all, they were only months past the War with the Southern Rebels, and from all newspaper accounts, Missouri was still a hotbed. Not from the armies, but guerrilla activity remained a problem, bringing out outlaws of every sort to prey on innocent people. Of all the times to take off across the country, she’d picked the worst one. Not that she’d planned any of this. It wasn’t her fault Joshua had gotten himself killed in the conflict. Of course, it wasn’t his fault either. If anyone should survive this madness, she’d assumed it would be Joshua. Taking care of himself first had always been his priority in life. She still couldn’t believe he was dead.

Yes, who can know these days if any will survive? Lacy’s comment mirrored Olive’s thoughts. What with so much wickedness going—

Her friend’s eyes widened, and she gasped then stared past Olive’s shoulder as if she saw a ghost.

A tingle crept up Olive’s back. It must be Joshua! He was still alive.

Olive swiveled around, her hand pressed against her heart as she gazed into clear blue eyes. A lock of black hair blew in the breeze to brush the man’s forehead. She followed its movement. This was not Joshua. Who then would be so bold as to approach her with his eyes trained on hers, a gentle smile curving his lips?

Mrs. Williams? An eyebrow arched.

Y ... yes.

I believe I’m your escort.

Humph. That disapproving sound came from behind her.

Olive swung around. Oh, this is Mrs. Thompson. She and her husband have been a godsend on my journey, taking care of me and seeing that no one— Olive pinched herself to stop the flow of words. What was wrong with her? Must she chatter like a magpie as if she had no sense? But that clear, blue gaze trained on her face ...

She coughed and lifted her gaze to meet those eyes again. But I’m at a disadvantage since we haven’t been introduced.

The man’s eyes twinkled as his smile widened. He gave a slight bow then removed his hat and held it in front of him. Samuel Conner at your service, ma’am. I’m afraid I lost my feather on the way here and haven’t found the opportunity to replace it. Mike Dugan said he would write to let you know I would escort you to his ranch.

Yes, he did. So this man was her escort. He looked no more than four inches taller than her, and she was only five foot two. However, his broad shoulders and trim physic more than made up for his short stature. The gun belt hanging low on his hips, with a sixshooter in each, seemed a part of him as if he knew how to use them and would if needed. But his eyes, the color of a warm summer sky, were by far his best feature. Interesting. Not that his appearance mattered, of course. After all, she was betrothed to Michael Dugan. She could only imagine what he might look like since she couldn’t remember ever meeting the man, although her aunt assured her she had.

Well, dear, I’ve secured a hack. Are you ready? The male voice penetrated Olive’s mind.

She spun around. Of all things! She’d been staring into Mr. Conner’s eyes. Warmth crept into her cheeks. She met her two friends’ concerned expressions. I’ll be fine, honestly. Your mother needs you now, Lacy. My prayers will be with her and you as she recovers from her illness. Don’t waste another moment worrying about me. I’ll write to you just as soon as I get to New Mexico.

But you have no chaperone! Lacy covered her mouth as if she hadn’t meant to blurt out the obvious.

Ahem. Mr. Conner pressed forward, his warmth invading Olive’s composure. I haven’t had time to explain to Mrs. Williams, but I have secured the company for our journey of a married couple who are traveling to live with their son. So, you see, Mrs. Williams will be appropriately chaperoned.

The air rushed from Olive’s lungs as she eased to the side away from Mr. Conner’s overpowering presence. Going off alone with only an escort had concerned her. Especially this escort now that she’d met him. Not that Mr. Conner would violate her trust—or Mr. Dugan’s trust. Of course not. But she’d been brought up to obey social decorum and besides, Mr. Conner had extremely nice-looking eyes set in a quite pleasant-looking face.

She released her pent-up emotions in a quick peal of laughter. See, Lacy, there’s nothing to worry about. Thank you for your companionship. Here, give me a quick hug then you go see about your mother.

Lacy obeyed, but her arms tightened around Olive for a brief moment as she whispered. Promise you’ll be careful. This man is not to be trusted. Why, his eyes fairly flashed when he looked at you. Mark my words, he’s attracted, and you’ve only just met. Stay close to your chaperones.

I promise. Olive clamped her lips together after her whisper to keep from bursting out in laughter. To think a man such as Mr. Conner would be a threat. She’d seen no flirtation in his eyes. Only honesty and responsibility. If anyone became a threat, it would more likely be her because she’d never seen such a lovely shade of blue surrounded by long dark lashes on a ruggedly handsome face before. For that reason, she’d do her best to keep her distance.

~*~

Allow me to escort you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Howell, the couple we’ll be traveling with. After that, I’ll pick up your luggage. Samuel offered Mrs. Williams his arm and was gratified when she slipped her hand in place without a murmur. She smiled at him, bringing an envy he didn’t want or need. Mike Dugan was a lucky man. Too lucky in some ways. Attracting beautiful women was just one of them. Gambling and politics were two other vices at which he seemed to excel. But Dugan’s sins weren’t Samuel’s business. Delivering the man’s bride unharmed was.

I assume Mike told you we’d be traveling to New Mexico? He glanced at the woman beside him.

Yes, although I was under the impression we’d be taking the train most of the way. Her large light-brown eyes seemed to search his as if she didn’t trust him.

He cringed inside. She had enough reason to run screaming from his presence, but if he was lucky, she’d never learn of his past sins, and there’d be no trouble on the second lap of this journey to cause more. He curled his lips into the grin from his youth that his mother had never resisted and hoped Mrs. Williams would be as forgiving. He tilted his head ever so slightly. "Yes, ma’am. That was the plan, but … well … I ran into a spot of trouble on