Mail Order Match: Brides of Beckham, #35

By Kirsten Osbourne

Since Bridget Mitchell was two, it was just her and her father. As her father nears the end of his life, she has no idea what she will do after his death. All that she knows for certain is that she cannot live in the house she's always been in.

When Elizabeth Tandy comes into the post office where Bridget works, she tells her to come see her because she has a letter she believes was written just for Bridget—a letter to become a mail-order bride.

Felix Potter is obsessed with getting married. He sends off for a mail-order bride, fully expecting the woman to be ugly as a toad when she arrives. Instead, the woman who comes all the way across the country to marry him is quite beautiful.

Both of them are full of worries that the other person won't find them worthy of staying beside. When tragedy strikes, they have to decide whether they care for one another enough to keep going, or if they should just give up and go their separate ways.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unlimited Dreams
• Release date: May 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201427559

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Chapter One

Bridget Mitchell spotted Elizabeth Tandy walking into the post office, and quickly pulled Elizabeth’s letters out to give the other woman. How’s business? she asked, feeling tired.

Elizabeth smiled. Going really well these days. I left the baby at home with the nanny, and I’m out walking for an hour or two. I need to be back soon because the baby is always so hungry.

Bridget smiled at that. He’s a handsome boy.

Takes after his father, Elizabeth said. "How’s your father?"

Bridget felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Not well. The doctor doesn’t expect him to last the month.

I’m so sorry! Elizabeth covered Bridget’s hand with her own. What will you do after he passes?

Elizabeth knew a great deal about Bridget’s situation because the two women had talked often over the years when Elizabeth was either sending off letters for her business or receiving them. I have no clue. Bridget wiped her eyes. My father is allowed to live in the house we’re in until his death, but after that, I don’t even have a place to go.

Elizabeth sighed. I know you’ve thought my business was a little silly for years, but...Maybe you could consider becoming a mail order bride? It would give you a place to go and a new purpose to your life.

I’ve thought about it more than once. Especially these past few days. Bridget rubbed the back of her neck nervously. I know I’m easy to replace here. The post office had let her know they’d be happy to replace her if she needed to go once her father died. She’d thought she was important to at least her work, but apparently not.

Well, if you decide that’s how you want to handle things, you just let me know. I have a letter at home that’s practically screaming your name. I know it would be the perfect situation for you.

Cocking her head to one side to think about it, Bridget nodded. I’ll make sure I come over and talk to you about it the first chance I get. What Bridget left unsaid, but she knew Elizabeth understood, was that she would be over after her father died.

All her life, Bridget and her father had been alone together. Her mother had died in childbirth when Bridget was just two, and her father had never remarried. Her father was her life, and he always had been. The mere idea of losing him had left her in tears every night for weeks now, but she prayed he would go peacefully with little pain.

That evening when Bridget got home from work, her neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, met her outside. I’m sorry, Bridget.

Nothing more needed to be said as the kind older woman took Bridget into her arms and Bridget wept. How was she supposed to go on without the rock who had been at her side for every good moment of her life?

After a short while, Bridget straightened and went into the house. She’d been slowly packing everything up so she wouldn’t have to take care of the task while she was mourning her father, and she was able to pack the remaining things into two crates.

Bridget and her father had long-since sold their team of horses, so she put the boxes outside their small home.

When she had finished, the pastor of her church was there, and they sat together and talked about the arrangements for her father’s funeral, which they decided would take place on Sunday. Two more days.

After the pastor was gone, Bridget headed toward Elizabeth’s house in the upper-class section of town. She knocked on the door, and Elizabeth’s husband, Bernard Tandy, opened it to her.

I need to speak with Elizabeth, please. Bridget tried to keep her face expressionless as she asked for the matchmaker.

She’s in her office, Mr. Tandy said. Down the hall and the last door on the left. He opened the door wider for her. I’m very sorry for your loss, Miss Mitchell.

Thank you, Mr. Tandy. With that she walked down the hall and opened the last door on the left, where Elizabeth was sitting with the baby. Elizabeth. Her words were soft, but Elizabeth heard and jumped to her feet.

Oh, I’m so sorry, Bridget. Elizabeth hurried across the room and opened her arms wide, allowing Bridget to cry a little more. What can I do to help you?

Bridget knew she could ask to stay with the Tandys while she found a place of her own, but she refused to be a burden on anyone. I would like to see that letter. I need to start over, and there’s no better way than marrying a stranger. Bridget wasn’t sure she meant what she said, but she would at least try to be positive. If she was going the route of marrying a man she’d never met, then she would do it with a good attitude.

Elizabeth smiled and walked to her desk, flipping through the pile of papers there. Sit down, Bridget. You look like you’re about to fall over. You’re staying for supper.

Bridget did as she was told, sitting on the sofa that faced the desk. Thank you. She couldn’t argue, as she knew she wouldn’t eat if she went home, and she was already far too skinny. At least that’s what her father kept telling her. Of course, he’d never say that again.

Elizabeth handed her the letter in question, and Bridget got quiet as she read it.

Dear Matchmaker,

I’m a bachelor living in Montana, near Cauldron Valley. I have a ranch here, and it’s going quite well, but I find that I spend most of my time alone. There are several men who work for me, but it’s not the same as having a wife.

I need someone who can cook and clean and doesn’t mind sharing my bed. I’ve always wanted children, and I think it’s just the right time to have a few. I’m thirty-four years old, and I don’t want to spend even another year without a wife. Looks are not important to me. I just need someone willing to be my wife in every sense of the word.

I’ve enclosed a bank order for her train fare and some spending money along the way, as well as paying your fee. You do not need to write back, as I would be thrilled to have her show up at any time. She’ll ride the train right into Cauldron Valley and ask anyone where my spread is. Anyone in town can give her directions.

Sincerely,

Felix Potter

Reading over the letter once more, Bridget nodded. Yeah, he’ll do. I have to go to the post office to see when they can let me go, but the manager will be there in the morning, and he already knows my father died. I’m sure he’ll just let me go. They’ve had someone waiting so I could take some time off after his death.

"Do you need a place to stay until