Nicole and Harrison: An anthology of Mail Order Bride Romance

By Sarah Amberson

Nicole looked out the window of the moving stagecoach. The bushes, rocks, and other bits of terrain rushed past. It had been far too long since she stood on solid ground. She was going to arrive in Terran, Texas any minute now. From what Harrison had told her in his letters, it was a tiny town with not much to offer besides the people and its community. Needless to say, it was better than what she was leaving behind. Nicole thought back to the suburb of Chicago where she had lived for most of her life. It wasn't the town that was bad, but the people.

Her parents had passed away almost three years ago and then she had found Arlen. He had been the worst mistake of her entire life. She sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back into the stagecoach seat. Maybe she was making a mistake by coming west to marry a man she barely knew and while doing so, doing it dishonestly. She hadn't told him about Arlen or her past. She didn't know how he would respond if he knew. And she prayed he would not be at all like Arlen.

Harrison had never asked directly about her past and from what she could tell he was very conservative as well as worried about the mail order bride system. If he had specifically asked her, she would have had to tell him, but since he didn't, she had said nothing. She was pretty sure that if she had told him that she had been in a relationship before, he most likely would have never agreed to marry her.

The town finally came into view. She immediately spotted a small hotel and saloon. They were right there on main street, along with a bank, a blacksmith shop, a feed store, and a few other buildings. The place was so much smaller than Chicago. Past the shops on main street were buildings that looked like homes. Then past that was land and smaller roads that most likely led to people's ranches. It was a quaint little place, but it looked safe. That was what Nicole liked most about it. There was something unnerving about Chicago, always having to look over her shoulder to make sure no one was after her. Here the buildings were simply made, just for the convenience. Each and every building looked useful like it was made with a purpose. There were no pompous houses or places that made her think of the wealthy, there were just simple little cabins and small businesses. Of course, there were some buildings which were larger than others. Maybe wealthy families living better than the rest was something that she would find everywhere, even in this tiny town in Texas.

When the stagecoach came to a stop, Nicole peered outside, looking for any sign of Harrison. He was going to be there, she was almost certain. He'd told her that he would be there. She already had some fond feelings for him from their shared correspondence, but she had no idea what he looked like. There was a man, leaning against a building that had a sign which read, "post office," on it.

He was tall, with dark hair that bordered on black. He was clean - shaven and had dark tan skin as if he spent a lot of time in the sun. He was handsome, so much more handsome than Nicole had expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pettway Publishing
• Release date: Jun 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201983437

Book preview

NICOLE AND HARRISON

––––––––

SARAH AMBERSON

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ALL THINGS SHALL BE MADE NEW

AMISH COMPLICATIONS

ABIGAIL’S DILEMMA

SMALL TOWN CHURCH ROMANCE

AMBER & ABEL

Nicole looked out the window of the moving stagecoach. The bushes, rocks, and other bits of terrain rushed past. It had been far too long since she stood on solid ground. She was going to arrive in Terran, Texas any minute now. From what Harrison had told her in his letters, it was a tiny town with not much to offer besides the people and its community. Needless to say, it was better than what she was leaving behind. Nicole thought back to the suburb of Chicago where she had lived for most of her life. It wasn’t the town that was bad, but the people.

Her parents had passed away almost three years ago and then she had found Arlen. He had been the worst mistake of her entire life. She sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back into the stagecoach seat. Maybe she was making a mistake by coming west to marry a man she barely knew and while doing so, doing it dishonestly. She hadn’t told him about Arlen or her past. She didn’t know how he would respond if he knew. And she prayed he would not be at all like Arlen.

Harrison had never asked directly about her past and from what she could tell he was very conservative as well as worried about the mail order bride system. If he had specifically asked her, she would have had to tell him, but since he didn’t, she had said nothing. She was pretty sure that if she had told him that she had been in a relationship before, he most likely would have never agreed to marry her.

The town finally came into view. She immediately spotted a small hotel and saloon. They were right there on main street, along with a bank, a blacksmith shop, a feed store, and a few other buildings. The place was so much smaller than Chicago. Past the shops on main street were buildings that looked like homes. Then past that was land and smaller roads that most likely led to people’s ranches. It was a quaint little place, but it looked safe. That was what Nicole liked most about it. There was something unnerving about Chicago, always having to look over her shoulder to make sure no one was after her. Here the buildings were simply made, just for the convenience. Each and every building looked useful like it was made with a purpose. There were no pompous houses or places that made her think of the wealthy, there were just simple little cabins and small businesses. Of course, there were some buildings which were larger than others. Maybe wealthy families living better than the rest was something that she would find everywhere, even in this tiny town in Texas.

When the stagecoach came to a stop, Nicole peered outside, looking for any sign of Harrison. He was going to be there, she was almost certain. He’d told her that he would be there. She already had some fond feelings for him from their shared correspondence, but she had no idea what he looked like. There was a man, leaning against a building that had a sign which read, post office, on it.

He was tall, with dark hair that bordered on black. He was clean - shaven and had dark tan skin as if he spent a lot of time in the sun. He was handsome, so much more handsome than Nicole had expected. When the stagecoach pulled to a complete stop, he pushed off the building and started toward her.

Nicole took a deep breath before she stood and stepped off the stagecoach. She was nervous. This was the man she’d agreed to marry, the man she would share the rest of her life with. Of course, she was worried about whether he would like her, or if he would think that she was the right person for him. If he didn’t like her, she had a long journey back to Chicago, if she even decided to go. She really didn’t ever want to return to Chicago. The things that had once made her call the place home were gone.

She tried to shake the dismal thoughts from her head. She was about to meet Harrison for the first time, and she didn’t want to ruin it by having thoughts about the past.

Nicole? the man's voice was deep but soft. He sounded kind and that made Nicole's racing heart slow just a little. Maybe this was going to be the fresh start that she needed to make everything right.

That would be me. You must be Harrison. Nicole extended her hand and forced a smile. She was still not comfortable enough with this man to give a genuine one. She was going to have to get to know him before she started trusting him with her true feelings.

Hi. I’m Harrison. How was your trip? Do you have anything else to get from the stagecoach? I brought my wagon, to take everything home. Harrison looked nervous, his big brown eyes jumping to the stagecoach and then back to her.

Nicole felt a soft smile curl her lips despite herself. It was sweet to see Harrison so worried and preoccupied. No, this is everything I brought. Nicole held up a small case which contained a few changes of clothes and her last personal effects. She had lost most everything over the years and had left Chicago in such a hurry, that she had nearly nothing to her name.

Well, if you should need anything, I am sure we will be able to find it in town. It is a small town, but surprisingly, you can find almost anything here.

Thank you. Nicole found herself relaxing just a bit. Harrison so far seemed to be nothing like Arlen. She certainly hoped that he wasn’t. If he was, she was going to have to run again and that was something she dreaded. There was nothing to make her think Harrison would be anything like Arlen. For now, she planned to make the best of this marriage and give it her all. It was all she had left.

—-*—-

Harrison kept glancing over at Nicole as they walked toward the chapel. Harrison had made sure the minister would be in town when she arrived so that they could get the marriage out of the way. He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but Nicole certainly wasn’t anywhere close. She was so beautiful! Her soft blonde curls hung down her back, creating a cascade of light beauty that was almost unearthly. Her blue eyes were big and wide and full of curiosity and a certain mystery that he was determined to solve. Her slender figure moved with grace and confidence, even though her eyes didn’t seem to sit still for a second as if they were constantly searching for something.

He had never expected that Nicole would be such a beauty. Harrison almost expected one of his friends to jump out at any minute and tell him about the delightful joke they had fooled him with. He wanted to believe that Nicole was there for him, but after his streak of bad luck, it seemed unlikely. He’d been searching for a wife for quite some time but had found not a single person who was genuine as well as interested in the bleak little town called Terran, Texas. He wasn’t complaining, Terran had some great ranching land and the people were good, there just wasn’t much option when it came to wives.

So, this is the chapel? Nicole’s soft voice brought Harrison’s thoughts back to the present from their wanderings.

Yes, it is quite the quaint little building, isn’t it? The minister is only going to be here today and tomorrow, so I thought we would get the formalities out of the way. Harrison watched her face expectantly, expecting her to say that the ruse was over and that she was going to go back to the stagecoach so she could continue on to her real destination. But instead, she just nodded.

I think that is a perfect idea. Is the minister expecting us?

Uh, yes, he is. Harrison was caught off guard. What could someone like Nicole possibly be doing out west marrying someone like him? Surely someone like her had many options, many much better options.

Nicole, wait. Harrison stopped her right as she was about to walk up the steps to the chapel.

What is it? Nicole looked up at him with what seemed like a mixture of surprise and worry.

I just...I don't have a lot to offer. I have my ranch and am willing to give as much hard work as it takes to make this all work, but I just wanted you to know, I can't afford fancy things, I don't have a lot of wealth or even smarts.

Nicole laughed softy and Harrison was almost positive it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard.

I don’t need any of that. I just need a place to stay and a place to build and create and make into my home. And a husband to share a family with. That’s all that’s really important. It helps that you seem to have a good heart. Nicole paused and for a moment Harrison was certain she was going to mention someone who hadn’t been kind to her. The thought of it made anger stir in Harrison’s heart. The thought of anyone being unkind to Nicole did not sit well with him.

Shall we then? Harrison felt suddenly nervous.

Of course, Nicole placed her hand into his. Hers was so much smaller than his. It was soft and tiny and fit inside his hand perfectly. It sent a jolt of electricity through him when he took her hand in his. He led her up the steps of the chapel and then held the door for her. The minister was at the front of the chapel, moving about as he prepared for the brief ceremony. When they walked in through the back door, he paused and looked up.

There you are, Harrison. I was starting to wonder if you were going to show up. I have to get going a day early. I got a telegram this afternoon. There was a death in Riverside, and they need me to perform the ceremony for the burial. I’m sorry I won’t be able to stay for very long, but I’m glad I will be able to marry the two of you before I leave. The minister offered them a grin and then took his Bible and walked around the pulpit and smiled at Harrison’s new bride. You must be Nicole. Harrison hasn’t been able to stop talking about you arriving. The minister turned his attention to Harrison.

Harrison saw the happiness and amusement in Nicole’s eyes as she glanced over at him. There was something else there, hope.

The ceremony went quickly. Everything went smoothly and the next thing Harrison knew they were in his wagon riding up the little road that led to his ranch. Nicole hadn’t spoken much since they had left the chapel.

The more time Harrison spent around Nicole, the more he thought she was hiding something from her past. She seemed skittish when he said certain things and there was that lingering sadness and hurt in her eyes. He recognized it well because it reflected his own.

He thought back to Anita and his parents. The people he loved who he had lost nearly a year ago. Their memory was still fresh in his mind. But all of his tragedies were not things he needed to be thinking about right now. He had just gotten married to an incredibly beautiful woman and he couldn’t be happier about it.

Can I ask what made you come west? You never spoke much of it in your letters. What was it about Chicago that you disliked? Harrison asked, at last, unable to hold back his curiosity any longer.

Well, I- Nicole looked shocked like she hadn't been expecting the question and also like she wasn't prepared to answer it. There were a few reasons I wanted to leave Chicago. I decided that I wanted to become a mail order bride and then we started speaking through our letters. I came here for you. Nicole smiled and this time, Harrison was relieved to see that it reached her eyes. He had only known her for one short afternoon but already wanted to see her happy.

I see, I’m glad you came. Harrison was glad that she had come, but he’d also noticed her avoidance of telling him why she had decided to leave Chicago in the first place. Maybe there was something that she was embarrassed about. Maybe he just needed to give her time and eventually, she would tell him. He decided that was the best approach. They were married and had