Railway Bride

By Victoria Morton

Mae drew in a breath and steadied her gaze on the old man. Frederick Alonso was the richest ranch owner in Pinedale and the other towns of the Great Plain. He was a man in his middle ages, and had a lot of fame for his womanizing ways. Mae had seen the man once, and he had tried to flirt with her. She didn't like him.
Mae knew about the range war that had taken place in the Pinedale Valley many years before she was born. Her father always spoke about a man, Paul. This Paul once lived in Pinedale and he was a successful ranch owner too. One day, Paul had stepped on Frederick Alonso's grazing area, and a war had broken out. Alonso had called on her father to help fight Paul's men off with a promise of helping him start a ranch. Johnny had agreed, but on getting to the valley, Paul's men had already prepared themselves.
That day, Paul lost five of his men, while Alonso lost ten horses. Johnny had failed to keep the deal of protecting Alonso's property. And Paul had become his greatest enemy.
And Mae's greatest desire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201799335

Book preview

RAILWAY BRIDE

VICTORIA MORTON

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RAILWAY BRIDE

THE AMISH WEDDING SEASON

THE BABY BUGGY

PRIDE BEFORE THE FALL

AMISH LOVE’S FORGIVENESS

DEEP IN THE AMISH HEART

HANNAH

RAILWAY BRIDE

Pinedale is a little town in the Great Plain. Mae Harvey had lived all her live in Pinedale. Nostalgia washed over her as she walked across the field of wild grasses, leading to her home. When she was a kid, her mother would grab her by the waist and together, they would both run through the tall grasses. But those memories were only in the past, Lily Harvey, her mother, had passed away when she had been only six. She was left alone in this cruel world, and her father’s ambition and greed were making things worse for her.

What took you so long? Johnny Harvey, a thin and scrawny looking man barked at his daughter Mae Harvey. He wore dirty brown stockings and worn out clothes which were threadbare. He had won the same boots for many years now. Johnny Harvey was a small scale farmer, who grew wheat and barley but wasn’t satisfied. He desired to own a ranch soon. He had always dreamt of breaking free from poverty; and he knew the key that would open the door to his breakthrough.

Mae had gone to the local market to sell some of the farm produce; not many people had patronized her goods, but she was able to sell much wheat. Mae gently dropped the basket which contained the remaining goods on the rocky floor, next to where her father was standing.

There weren’t many people in the market father, and most had come to buy themselves new horses. Mae replied calmly. Apart from being overly ambitious, her father was a grumpy man. Johnny Harvey was foul tempered and impatient. Since the death of her mother, something had changed in him and Mae feared he would never be the same again.

Johnny scowled, this is the reason I have always wanted a ranch. Ranch owners never lack what to eat. They make a lot of money from those animals. I just wished that fool never ruined my chances of partnering with Frederick Alonso. I regret that day all the time.

Mae drew in a breath and steadied her gaze on the old man. Frederick Alonso was the richest ranch owner in Pinedale and the other towns of the Great Plain. He was a man in his middle ages, and had a lot of fame for his womanizing ways. Mae had seen the man once, and he had tried to flirt with her. She didn’t like him.

Mae knew about the range war that had taken place in the Pinedale Valley many years before she was born. Her father always spoke about a man, Paul. This Paul once lived in Pinedale and he was a successful ranch owner too. One day, Paul had stepped on Frederick Alonso’s grazing area, and a war had broken out. Alonso had called on her father to help fight Paul’s men off with a promise of helping him start a ranch. Johnny had agreed, but on getting to the valley, Paul’s men had already prepared themselves.

That day, Paul lost five of his men, while Alonso lost ten horses. Johnny had failed to keep the deal of protecting Alonso’s property. And Paul had become his greatest enemy.

Father, you should let go of the past. Fredrick Alonso is a selfish man. If he had really wanted to help you, he shouldn’t have given you any conditions. The farm business isn’t working for us in Pinedale. Maybe we should move to another town and settle there. There’s nothing left for us here. Mae saw how unhappy her father was; she hoped he would consider her suggestion.

Johnny scoffed, ‘you are still a child Mae, though you have grown into a beautiful woman. It isn’t easy to start a new life in a new place for a person of my age. We have lived all our lives in Pinedale, and we shall stay here and start that ranch business I have always dreamt off."

Mae wondered why her father sounded so confident about ranching.

We will need a lot of money for that Papa. Horses are very expensive. We will need to build more rooms. You will need men to tend after the animals. How do we even begin? Mae searched his eyes carefully, after spotting a smug on his lips.

The old man knew something or was plotting something. She didn’t like the look in his eyes, because he looked devious.

I tell you what...Johnny drew close to his daughter and cupped her tiny face between his palms.

What? Mae’s lips trembled.

You and me would go together to see Frederick Alonso. I hear he has a thing for dark haired women. The man laughed and released his daughter’s face at once.

Blood crept to Mae’s cheeks as she glared at her father in shock.

That man is a dog! I can never go close to him. Mae spat on the floor as she remembered Alonso’s advances towards her.

The laughter died from her father’s eyes immediately, don’t you ever say that Mae. You will do whatever it takes to get us a new ranch. You are a gift from heaven and you will marry Frederick Alonso. I will collect a bride price of twenty horses.

Mae could see that her father wasn’t joking. He was a man of his word and she couldn’t stand up against him. Her hands trembled as she imagined being married to a man like Frederick Alonso. The thought of it made her nauseous. She was determined not to be used a pawn in her father’s game of greed.

I’d rather die. Mae whispered silently.

We ride early towards his ranch in the morning. Get yourself prepared.

***

She found it difficult to sleep at night. Mae tossed on her bed a million times, wondering why her father would take such a decision without considering her opinion. She had lived with the man for twenty five years, she when he was joking, and when he was serious.

Mae felt her heart leap as she thought of the visit to Frederick Alonso’s ranch. What if her father had already made arrangements for her to be given to him? What if he was taking her there to become his wife?

No, she rose from the bed and began to pace her room. She moved towards the window and stared at the beauty of the night. A soft wind rushed towards her, and ruffled her black curls. Her emerald eyes twinkled like the stars in the sky. The Gibbous moon was in sight, and she couldn’t help but stare at the majesty of the heavenly body. Adoring nature distracted her mind for a few minutes.

Mae knew she had to be careful with the old man. Johnny Harvey would do anything to have the ranch he had always wanted, including selling her off to a man she hated. Even though he’d wanted to give her in exchange for some horses; she wouldn’t have a problem with that. Her only worry was that the man in question was Frederick Alonso, Pinedale’s finest womanizer.

Mae had never been with a man before. But she had always wished to have a blissful and quiet marriage like that of her parents. She wanted to be with a man who loved and cherished her. And not some middle aged philandering man.

She hated to think there was no way out of this. If she remained in Pinedale, her father would never stop talking about Alonso. And the next thing that would follow would be his incessant nagging and complaining of her refusal to do his bidding.

Old Jules, a sigh escaped Mae as an idea presented itself to her. She had to be prepared for what was coming her way.

Apart from ranching and farming, Pinedale was known to have the highest number of matchmaking houses. A lot of young women from the poorer families were ready to get fixed with men who would take care of them. This eased the burden on their families. The most famous house belonged to Juliet Combs, and she was popularly known as old Jules.

The old lady was Mae’s friend. In fact, Old Jules had advised Mae to try putting herself up for a potential mate, but the idea sounded ridiculous to Mae. But now, she was having a rethink. She’d rather be married to a total stranger, than someone like Frederick Alonso.

Mae peeled herself from the window and hurried to a wooden trunk, where she kept her special dresses and pictures. Without waste of time, she pulled out her finest picture. She had taken it when she was just nineteen. Pinedale had been visited by some photographers who were interested in taking pictures of the rural dwellers.

Excellent, her eyes danced as she stared at her image. She would follow her father to Alonso’s ranch first; and if things didn’t work out well. She would have no choice but to put her picture up in the catalogue, in search of a husband.

***

The ride to Frederick Alonso’s ranch was quiet. Johnny said nothing to Mae; and Mae remained silent. He couldn’t wait to show off his exquisite daughter to his old friend, Alonso. He knew quite well that Alonso favored brunettes. And his daughter was perfect for him.

It wasn’t long before they sighted the wooden gates that caved the ranch in. Johnny’s heart thudded with excitement. It was only a matter of time, before he owned a ranch as enormous as this. He brought the horse to a halt as they reached the ranch.

Be nice Mae, having our own ranch depends on us now. Johnny announced.

Yes father, Mae nodded.

The men on Alonso’s ranch glared lustfully at Mae as she got down from the horse. She was the prettiest woman they had ever seen. Her petite figure added to her allure. She wore a yellow dress, which clashed with the greenness of her eyes. Her black curls tumbled in waves down to the middle of her back. She had a small waist, and ample bosom whose peaks were incredibly smooth and creamy.

Where is your master? Johnny asked one of the men. He had come to the ranch several times, so they knew who he was.

Erm, he is in, the man stuttered as he peered on at Mae.

Mae gritted her teeth angrily as she strolled towards the bungalow with her father. She could feel the lusty eyes of the wranglers on her small frame. They were definitely undressing her in their minds.

You are a beauty like your mother. See how they all adore you. Alonso will not refuse my offer. Johnny’s smile was satisfactory. He loved the confusion that Mae’s beauty caused in the ranch.

They hadn’t reached the entrance of the bungalow, when a pot bellied man stepped outside with a scowl on his face. He was short, stout and the sides of his face were covered with white hairs. He looked like he was about to burst. Frederick Alonso had come out to punish some of his wranglers for disobeying his orders, but the sight of Johnny Harvey’s fine daughter; all his anger fled.

Johnny? Alonso got rid of the scowl and surged forward. He remembered Mae’s face quite well. She was one of the finest women in Pinedale who had refused his advances.

What a long time Alonso. Johnny moved closer to his friend and they hugged each other, like old friends would do. Mae stood quietly and watched their exchange. She ran her eyes over the big bungalow and the ranch. It seemed Alonso had taken half of Pinedale for himself. She was impressed by his hard work and industriousness, but she could never marry him.

Alonso was yet to say a word to her. Instead, he decided to show her father around the ranch, while she waited for him.

Angrily, Mae began to stamp her feet. She quickly pulled out her picture from the little purse she carried with her. She couldn’t wait to hear the outcome of this visit.

After what seemed like eternity, Johnny returned with Alonso to where Mae had been waiting. While taking a tour on Alonso’s ranch, Johnny had gone straight to the point of his visit. He wanted his daughter to be Alonso’s wife, in exchange for some horses.

My beautiful one... Alonso flashed a smile and advanced towards Mae, who quickly got on her feet.

Without her permission, he grabbed her wrist and placed a soft kiss upon it.

I always knew that we were meant to be together. Your father has stated your wishes to be my wife. I do not object. I will be travelling to Mexico shortly, to purchase a finer breed of cattle. Once I return, we shall have our wedding. Alonso guffawed, and Johnny joined him.

Hmm, Mae forced a smile that hurt her chin. So, her father had been serious about this eh? She couldn’t wait to get home. She