Sweet Matrimony: Carson Valley, #3

By Eliza Ester

Carson Valley is still undergoing new developments; with only one main street and a cluster of ranches and buildings to its name. Not much scope for love for Russ's new deputy, Edward Warner for him to face the world beside. So, he reaches out to a mail order bride agency in the hopes of filling the void that exists in his world.

 

Back someone into a corner – and there is a good chance they'll go out fighting.

 

Katrina Langan may be small in stature – but she has shouldered many hardships. It is always a struggle to survive, sometimes never knowing when the next penny will fall into her hands. Two instincts she's gone by all her orphaned life: fight or flight. With a guilty secret on her shoulders, her last hope of survival is going to a mail order agency under an alias, finds herself leaving New York behind her to travel to Wyoming to meet Edward.

 

Living in the past hurts the hopes of the future.

 

They agree to live together for a month to get used to each other before their marriage, but the ghost of the past cast many shadows – and they hound Katrina. The spark between them is there, but can they peel back the lies and scars they bear to lay these demons to rest once and for all?

 

This clean western romance series can be read in about an hour. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Majestic Owl Publishing LLC
• Release date: Jan 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201732462

Book preview

ONE

Edward

"I have to say, Edward Warner said to Russ when they sat down at the kitchen table for supper, being a deputy sheriff out here is so much more rewarding than I ever thought it would be." He had grown up in Dakota as the son of a farmer but since he was a child he’d known that he wanted to help people instead.

It’s very satisfying work, Russ agreed.

His wife, Dory, finished setting the food on the table and sat down too.

You’ll find that things can get very wild around here, sometimes, Dory said. Never a dull moment.

Edward smiled. That’s just what I’m looking for. A little adventure and a reason to keep doing what I’m doing.

Sheriff Russ had had a deputy before. A man named Gideon had worked with Russ for two months but he’d been called back east to take care of his ill mother and Russ had advertised for a new helping hand. When Edward saw the ad, he knew this was what he was meant to do. He’d applied and gotten the job and he’d never looked back.

The Burkes were great people, and Russ and Edward had become fast friends. Edward, being a bachelor, spent most of his free time with the Burkes. They had become like a second family to him.

You’re definitely in the right place, Dory said. With the baby on the way it’s great that Russ can take some time off now and then. It will be needed once the baby arrives.

Edward nodded. Dory was pregnant and just showing. The baby wouldn’t come for a while yet, but the past six months as deputy sheriff had taught Edward enough to know what to do when the time came for Russ to spend more time with his wife and newborn child.

Russ reached his hand over the table and Dory smiled, taking it. They looked into each other’s eyes and love passed between them in a way that made Edward a little jealous. He wished the happy couple well but he wanted love like that of his own. He was twenty-eight already and with no woman. It was time for Edward to settle down and find himself a wife.

You two are very lucky that you found each other, Edward commented.

Oh, yes, Dory said. Very lucky indeed. I would never have guessed that being a mail order bride could be this successful. When I got off that coach, I just knew.

She smiled at Russ again before looking at Edward.

Why don’t you try it? she suggested.

Yeah, give it a shot, Eddy, Russ said. I’m the happiest man alive.

Edward shook his head, spearing a cube of meat with his fork.

I don’t know… You two were lucky that you hit it off so well. What if I don’t?

Reverend Shreve sets up the matches and he knows what he’s doing. There have been a handful of mail order brides in this town and I don’t know of one that’s unhappy. Look at us. We’re happy as can be.

And Caroline and Travis Davison have been married for a couple of years now, too. They’re just as happy.

Edward nodded, thinking. Maybe a bride was just what he needed. Reverend Shreve knew everyone in town well enough to know what they needed. Evidently, that counted for love.

So you think I should try it? he asked.

Definitely, Russ said. I did, and look at this beauty I received.

Dory blushed and Edward smiled at his two friends. They were very happy together.