Housekeeper Bride

By Mildred Colvin

Her goal is to pay back the debt her father owed.
His is to keep her away from his family.

Maggie Thompson believes she owes the Lewis family more than she can give because of her father’s illegal actions... and because she failed Jim Lewis’s father by fearing to tell him the truth. When she agrees to become their housekeeper, she doesn’t know Jim’s mother and his daughters have an ulterior motive in offering the job. The antagonism Jim shows her is hurtful, but understandable. After all, isn’t it her fault his father died?

Jim Lewis believes he could have prevented his father’s death, if only he’d paid more attention to what was going on. He knew Maggie’s father was a conman, but he didn’t realize how dangerous the man was until it was too late. His attraction to her is immediate, which makes him fight her appeal all the harder. If he can, he’ll run her off before she charms her way into his mother’s and daughters’ hearts...and his.

Can Maggie work long enough to pay for Jim’s loss of his father? Could their two lives brought together in love smooth the path to healing? Or can forgiveness ever be given when a life has been taken?

Housekeeper Bride is a Mail-Order Brides of Sweet Water, Kansas story. It is a clean and wholesome romance. Download your copy now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Colvin
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005831936

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

Book preview

Housekeeper Bride

Mildred Colvin

Historical Christian Romance

Housekeeper Bride

Copyright ©2021 by Mildred Colvin

All Rights Reserved

Cover photo copyright © Mildred Colvin

Smashwords Edition

Scripture portions are taken from the King James version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

A Sneak Peek at Gun Totin’ Bride

About the Author

Note From the Author

The Sweet Water Mail-Order Bride Series

Other Historical Romances

Chapter 1

Spring of 1894, Sweet Water, Kansas

Maggie Thompson disembarked from the stagecoach and looked around the tiny town of Sweet Water, sitting on the Kansas prairie several miles west of the Missouri line. She straightened her tired, drooping shoulders and stepped out of the way as the other passenger stepped down.

Are you expecting someone to meet you? He’d tried striking up a conversation with her several times as they traveled south from Topeka’s train station. She hadn’t been interested then, and wasn’t now.

She stepped to the side. Yes, I am. If you’ll excuse me, I need to see to my luggage. Without waiting for a reply, she hurried to the back of the coach and found the driver.

By the time she had her luggage, comprising two small trunks, stored at the station, the other passenger had disappeared. Thankful he wouldn’t be bothering her again, she looked around the town, uncertain what to do. Her life had taken a strange turn a few weeks ago when she received a summons to lunch with Sarah Parker. She and Sarah attended the same church in New York, although they had never been close friends. Mere acquaintances would be a more accurate description of their relationship. But the offer of food when scrimping had become her normal lifestyle since her husband’s death, so she accepted the invitation and wondered at Sarah’s intent. As a result, she now stood on a practically deserted boardwalk out of the way as the driver and his guard prepared to take a new passenger on down the line. Mrs. Langdon should be here to welcome her, but she saw no one who looked like the older woman she remembered.

While she tried to decide what to do, she watched a woman enter the mercantile next door while another came out and walked away. A burst of wind ruffled her skirt and stirred a few strands of hair that had come loose from her bun. The creak and rattle of a wagon passing caught her attention as a stray dog barked and ran after it. There was something quaint about this town. Perhaps it was the relaxed attitude of the few people as they strolled about. She’d lived in many places, but always within the city, yet if she could live somewhere else, this looked like it would be a good place.

Drawn to the mercantile, she stepped forward and soon pushed the door open, setting off a bell to announce her arrival. There were only a few customers, and they quietly browsed, glancing up to look her over before going back to selecting their purchases. Probably watching her from under lowered eyelashes. She ignored them and walked to the back where the clerk stood behind a tall counter.

May I help you, Miss?

She glanced into gray eyes beneath shaggy, gray brows. Curiosity brightening his eyes. Yes, I wondered if you might tell me where I could find Mrs. James Lewis?

She said a young woman might come in here looking for her. Thought you might be the one. His smile welcomed her. Said she feared she’d miss the stage, and to ask you to wait here for her. There’s a bench near the front where you’re welcome to sit, or look around if you’d rather.

What else could she do after coming from so far? She was tired enough to sit, but she imagined she still felt every bump and sway from riding the stage and meandered through the store until she reached the fabric table. There she kept glancing toward the door while admiring the cloth and dreaming of the dresses she could make if she had any money. Maybe with this job and a place to stay, she could save enough to buy a few yards. No, she still couldn’t afford anything for herself, because she’d come for one purpose, and would do everything she could to fulfill it.

She’d gone through almost every bolt of fabric before a woman who looked familiar came through the door. She ushered two small girls in before her to the bench set under the windows. They must be her grandchildren.

As the woman busied settling them down, memories of their linked past rushed through her mind. Attending the same church, she and her husband visiting with Mama and her father, the day Mr. Lewis come looking for her father and she’d been afraid to tell him the truth. How she regretted her fear that cost a man his life. She would never forgive herself for that transgression. But she was here now to do what she could to pay back a small portion of what the Lewis family had lost from her father’s evil greed.

She stepped forward as Mrs. Lewis turned. Hello. I’m Margaret Thompson. It’s good to see you, Mrs. Lewis. I believe you are expecting me?

A smile broke out over the older woman’s face. Maggie, I’m sorry to be late, but more glad to see you than you know. I hope your trip was uneventful.

This was a welcome she hadn’t expected and didn’t deserve. Forcing a smile to her face, she took the soft hand offered. Yes, tiring, but uneventful. I’m thankful for that. I’ve heard of train and stagecoach robberies, and prayed I wouldn’t be involved in either. The Lord is good.

Yes, He certainly is. A light sparkled in the depth of Mrs. Lewis’s eyes, and Maggie wondered, but was glad to see it. She’d envisioned her as a bitter, hateful woman, not vibrant and cheerful. Certainly not welcoming the daughter of the man who caused her husband’s death. She felt her body relax as a tug on her sleeve brought her attention to the smallest girl.

Large, dark brown eyes looked up into hers. Are you going to be my new mommy?

Maggie sucked in air, almost choking, then croaked out one word. No!

She turned to the twinkle in Mrs. Lewis’s eyes. The older woman put a hand on the little girl’s shoulder. Let’s not rush things, Clara. Sit down so we can talk.

Her smile included Maggie, and feeling the need to collapse, Maggie sat as far from the children as she could get.

As Mrs. Lewis explained her job, she tried to listen. You will do light housekeeping, prepare meals, occasionally watch the girls. That’s about it. Are you still interested in the position?

She felt as if she’d stepped into a strangely different world where nothing made sense. Sort of like the children’s book Alice in Wonderland. What did Mrs. Lewis mean about not rushing things? Why hadn’t she told the little girl that, of course, she wasn’t there to become her mother? She looked into the kind eyes, waiting for her answer. I’m not sure I understand. Do your grandchildren not have a mother?

The older woman’s smile slipped as she glanced quickly toward the children. When she turned back, her expression had softened. I’m afraid their mother took sick and passed on. I came to live with them and to help where I could. That was two years ago, and I feel it’s time to step down and let someone younger take care of things. We aren’t a fussy bunch. I believe you’ll find us all very easy to get along with.

The mother had died? And the children thought she came to take her place? As a housekeeper, she supposed she had. But not as their father’s wife! She shuddered to think of ever marrying again, no matter how nice the man was. She’d thought her husband was nice, too, with his cheerful personality, joking and teasing her. He’d been loving and kind to her, and then she’d found out what he did for a living. While she thought he worked in an office downtown, he spent most of his time with her father, plotting and planning so they could fleece the unsuspecting victims they handpicked for their dastardly deeds. Such as Mrs. Lewis’s husband.

She spoke. Yes, of course. I’m still interested. I hope you haven’t changed your mind.

The twinkle returned to the older woman’s eyes. Oh, I haven’t, but I’m not the one who will make the final decision.

Oh? Maggie pulled back as if someone had punched her. They had led her to believe the job was hers, and now what? Who must I talk to? The children’s father? I’ve traveled so far…

Mrs. Lewis’s smile never slipped, but of course not. She wasn’t the one put on the raft without a paddle, but Maggie felt very much adrift at the moment. She watched the woman turn to her grandchildren as if ignorant of the tension she’d caused. Or was this some sick way of getting back at Father for what he did? Surely, she didn’t think Maggie had anything to do with the things he and her husband had done.

Girls, it’s time for you to meet Mrs. Thompson. The voice was as cheerful as her smile had been. She pulled the two girls forward. Maggie, I’d like for you to meet Emma, nine years old, and Clara, seven. They will decide because it’s a very important decision, isn’t it, girls?

But… She wasn’t sure what she could say. This was very unusual. A flutter in her stomach did nothing to settle her nerves.

Well, girls, you must ask Mrs. Thompson questions to determine if she is the one we want. The woman settled back as if to watch, her eyes dancing with delight while a smile hovered about her mouth.

The oldest child, Emma, cocked her head to one side. She appeared as uncomfortable as Maggie felt. Mrs. Thompson, I’m glad you came to see us. Do you like our town?

Maggie glanced toward the window. She hadn’t seen enough of the town to make a judgement, but tiny as it was, it might be better than what she was used to. How could she know? I suppose what I’ve seen of it, I like fine. Do you enjoy living here?

Emma ducked her head and nodded. I have lots of friends. Maybe you can make friends, too. Do you go to church?

That was an easier question. Yes, I’ve always attended church. In fact, at one time your grandmother and I attended the same one.

Then you’ll go to church with us?

I would love to. Maggie smiled at the little girl. She seemed shy, but wasn’t afraid to ask questions.

It’s my turn. Clara tugged her sister’s arm, then turned to Maggie. Do you have any children?

Another straightforward question. Maybe she could do this, although she couldn’t see what it had to do