A Terrible Life Turned Around by God's Love

By Doreen Milstead

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful -- An amputee woman decides to move from Chicago to North Dakota & become both a teacher & then hopefully, a wife. She meets a young, half Native American man in the lawless small town & learns what it’s like to defend both your life and honor. All Odds Against Her -- This is a beautiful love story about an abused woman, pregnant by her dead & abusive husband, then traveling all the way to California, only to be rejected by her intended mail order husband.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Hart
• Release date: Mar 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463056967

Book preview

A Terrible Life Turned Around by God's Love

By

Doreen Milstead

Copyright 2020 Susan Hart

Table of Contents

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful

All Odds Against Her

A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful

Synopsis: A Woman’s Heart Is Beautiful -- An amputee woman decides to move from Chicago to North Dakota & become both a teacher & then hopefully, a wife. She meets a young, half Native American man in the lawless small town & learns what it’s like to defend both your life and honor.

Sitting in a mahogany colored sitting chair beside a silent stone fireplace, Mandy heard the front door close with the sound only angry disappointment could achieve. Bowing her head, she tossed her eyes down onto her lap. As she bowed her head, long, pretty, blond hair rushed forward over her frail shoulders, reaching down over a lovely blue and white dress from France—reaching to cover a broken heart and broken spirit.

You were wrong to deny Mr. Brown’s proposal, a sharp voice snapped at Mandy rushing into an expensive parlor decorated with furniture that, Mandy assumed, came from old parts of Europe that only her elders could name.

Unwilling to raise her eyes to meet her mother’s angry voice, Mandy placed her shaky hands together and drew in a deep breath of stale peppermint and old pipe tobacco that had stained the parlor’s atmosphere with good and bad memories. Mr. Brown wishes to marry me for money. He does not love me.

Love, Mandy’s mother hissed and then rolled her eyes, love is not an emotion that young women must depend upon to find a good husband.

Feeling her mother angrily fold her arms, Mandy cowered down and waited for another tongue thrashing. Even though her mother was a small woman with dark black hair, she somehow overpowered Mandy with just the look in her eyes and the words from her hateful mouth. Mother, please, I just wish to be left alone.

Left alone, Mandy’s mother snapped. Unlocking her arms, she threw them down the dark purple dress, she was wearing and then bawled her hands into tight fist. Your father and I cannot take care of you forever. We have been very patient because of your…condition. However, we are becoming impatient with you. We wish to move on with our lives.

My condition, Mandy whispered. Against her will, she allowed her eyes to drop down to her right leg like hard stones. Even though the dress she was wearing covered her right leg, beneath the dress from the right knee down there was only empty space. I have lost my leg from the knee down. I do not have a condition, mother. I was in a horse accident…a horse ran wild and toppled the buggy I was riding in. The buggy crushed my right leg.

I’m aware of the accident, Mandy’s mother said impatiently. I am also aware that because of your condition, certain young men are no longer interested in accepting you as a wife.

I know, Mandy agreed as tears began to drop from her eyes. I am aware that I am a cripple and a horrid sight to the men who once chased me for my beauty. I am also aware Father bribed Mr. Brown to propose to me. Mr. Brown is a shallow man. His heart is set on the dollar.

Your father and I only want—

Leave me alone, Mandy begged. Throwing her hands up to her face, she began to cry. Mother, leave me alone this very instant.

Snarling her voice up into an ugly knot Mandy’s mother stood silent and watched her daughter cry. Finally, she decided to speak as a hard rain began to fall outside. Your father and I are taking a trip to France next week. Summer has arrived. It has been a long, difficult winter. I suppose you should come along with us now that you have insulted Mr. Brown.

Mandy shook her head no. I am still a school teacher. I have...been considering taking a teaching position in North Dakota.

Shocked, Mandy’s mother slowly refolded her arms. Continue.

Dean McMillan has made it very clear to me that teaching at Academy is no longer an option for me. He politely insinuated that my age was the factor for his decision. But we both know that is a lie, Mandy explained forcing her tears to the side. I am twenty-two years old. I have two years teaching experience. Yes, I am still young. However, only experience can allow me to develop into a better teacher for my students.

Listening to the heavy rain fall outside Mandy’s mother simply nodded her head as a selfish idea began to form in her hard mind. Dean McMillan dismissed you because of your condition. Your father and I debated on whether to object to his decision, but we both know that any objection would end in failure. However, I am somewhat taken back by your sudden announcement. Why haven’t you expressed interest in this teaching position before now?

Dean McMillan may have dismissed me, but only because the Board pressured him. He isn’t a horrible man.

I see. So, it was Dean McMillan who brought this position to your attention, then? Mandy’s mother inquired. Walking over to a double window covered over with a dark green drape, she carefully peered out onto a front cobblestone street being drenched with heavy rain

Yes, Mandy confessed and wiped at her tears. I have been debating on this matter all winter. I am a cripple and such a trip will be very difficult on me. However, Dean McMillan has assured me that the town of Black Bear, North Dakota, is in desperate need of a schoolteacher as well as decent women who wish to become mail order brides. I have made plans to become both and have been corresponding with several men.

It seems to me, Mandy’s mother answered as a selfish grin slipped across her thin lips, that you have already made your decision.

Dreams of dining at expensive Paris restaurants and sipping delicious wines cheered her mood.

Understanding her mother’s tone pained Mandy’s heart. Yet, she knew that her mother’s wish for her to move away held no room for personal considerations toward her emotions. I have, Mandy confessed. I have informed Deal McMillan. I am due to leave next Monday. I was going to tell you and father tonight over dinner.

Widening her grin Mandy’s mother looked through the hard-falling rain into a warm and blooming Paris. "Your father and I will do all that we can to