Rebecca Mail Order Bride: A Ready Made Family

By Cia Leah

Clean and wholesome novelette.

Creed Connor felt like the luckiest man alive after marrying his mail order bride, Rebecca. On their way to his ranch, they passed Spike Bender's place and Spike was beating his daughter, Jessie. Rebecca insisted he stop and help. She ran headlong into the fray to protect the girl, and he joined in to protect his wife.

Rebecca wasn't one to sit back and watch a man hurt his kids. They took Jessie home with them and her little brother and sister. She was sure Spike would cause trouble, but she wouldn't let anyone harm the children no matter what she had to do. She just hoped Creed wasn't disappointed that their wedding day hadn't turned out like they planned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cia Leah
• Release date: May 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393258391

Cia Leah

Cia Leah is a multi-published author written in a variety of genres. Her favorite genre to read and write are westerns and historical romances. She successfully completed the Writer's Digest Short Story Course and a creative writing course. She is a member of Romance Divas and highly recommends it and the wealth of knowledge provided on the site for readers and writers. Semi-retired, she writes as time allows due to real life and thanks her readers for their support. At present time, she is writing western short stories, novelettes, and novellas.

Book preview

DEDICTION:

To my readers. I love you all and pray you and your families stay safe and well. God bless all those who are on the front lines in this pandemic. You are the true heroes.

Chapter 1

Creed Connor drove the buckboard down the road leading to his place and couldn’t believe his luck at having such a beautiful bride. Her long, curly, red hair shone in the sun, hanging to her waist. Rebecca was a prize of a wife and he saw how the men in town watched them as they walked to their buckboard loaded up with a month’s worth of supplies along with her luggage.

He glanced at her as she watched the land around them. He had a thousand acre ranch and loved the wide-open spaces where a man could loose himself in nature. As he neared the closest neighbor’s place, he tried to draw her attention away from seeing Spike Bender beating his daughter, Jessie, with a switch. Of course, her screams would draw anyone's attention.

What is he doing to that poor child? Rebecca spoke up, scooting out to the edge of her seat as they drew closer.

Spike’s beating his kids again. That’s Jessie, the oldest one. I've tried to stop him and so have others, but there isn't any law that says you can't beat your wife and kids. Sheriff Buckman has tried too to no avail.

Where’s their mother? She saw a small girl standing outside the door with her thumb stuck in her mouth and a little boy holding her hand. Her heart wrenched at the sight of the little ones watching their pa beat their sister. They were probably scared to death they’d be next in line.

Mavis died right after the twins were born. Folks say it was because he beat her so much and she couldn’t take anymore."

Stop the buckboard! She saw the man hit the girl several more times with the switch as Jessie fell to the ground, curling into a ball to ward off the vicious attack.

Rebecca, we can’t interfere. He'd beat you too if he could.

I said stop or I’ll jump off and go help that poor child! She pulled her white, knitted shawl off her shoulders and laid it on the seat.

Creed groaned and pulled the buckboard off to the side of road by Spike’s yard. He watched Rebecca jump off the wagon, holding up the folds of the satiny material of her wedding dress as she ran towards Spike. Creed put the brake on and jumped to the ground, following her. Rebecca!

He watched Rebecca run to Spike, grab the switch off him, and smack Spike with it.

Stop it, or I’ll tan your hide good, you hear me? There's no sense in hitting these innocent children.

Mind your own dang business lady, Spike yelled advancing on her.

Creed jumped in front of Rebecca and watched Spike stop dead in his tracks. Don't touch my wife, Spike. You won't live another second if you do, he grated, watching Rebecca run to kneel down by Jessie.

You need to tell your woman to get off my property and leave me and my kids alone.

I tried, but she has a mind of her own. What did Jessie do to deserve such a beating?

I told the gal to go slop the hogs. She said she didn’t feel good. I don't care if she feels good or not. When I tell them kids to do something, they better do it, and do it right away.

Is she sick?

"Just lazy if you ask me. Worthless bunch of kids I ever saw. Them two over there ain’t old enough to do spit. No good for anything but eatin’ and sleepin’.

You can't expect the little ones to do your work for you.

"I expect them to do