Daisy's Prince Charming

By Ruth Ann Nordin

Daisy’s always envisioned marrying a tall, dark, handsome man with literary prowess who appreciates classical music. Fate, however, has other ideas when she meets Otis Mills while visiting a friend in Montana. Otis is nothing like she envisioned. He’s a blond, short ranch hand who never reads books or listens to fine music.

Aware that she must be polite with her mother nearby, Daisy gently rejects Otis’ courtship. Or, at least she thinks she does. To her horror, Otis follows her all the way back to Nebraska. Not only does he believe she wants to marry him, but her parents decide it’s a great idea if she marries him, too.

This is a romantic comedy where Daisy learns that behind every frog is a prince.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Ann Nordin
• Release date: Jul 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005242473

Ruth Ann Nordin

Ruth Ann Nordin has written almost 100 romances, ranging from Regencies to historical westerns to contemporaries. She plays with other genres from time to time, but her first love is romance. She has been happily married for twenty-two years to a sweet and funny guy, and they have four sons, who are all taller than Ruth now that they're 16, 17, 19, and 20. The good thing is she doesn't need a ladder. She considers herself very lucky to have led such a charmed life. Being able to play with characters and create stories is just icing on the cake. Hopefully, she'll get to keep doing this many years to come.

Book preview

Husbands for the Larson Sisters: Book 4

Daisy’s

Prince

Charming

Ruth Ann Nordin

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and also represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher.

Daisy’s Prince Charming

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2022 Ruth Ann Nordin

Design Credit: Images and Cover Art Illustration by Period Images, Pi Creative Lab and MM-1152. Cover Text, Logo, and Branding by Ruth Ann Nordin.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without expressed written consent of the publisher/author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Boaz’s Wager

All the Larson Books

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Chapter One

July 1899

Lewistown, Montana

Daisy Larson sat in the stagecoach with her mother, Aunt Mary, and Margaret Connealy, who was her mother’s friend. When she found out the three women were planning the trip to Montana to visit Eva and Rachel, she had insisted on coming along. She hadn’t seen Eva in two years, and while she and Eva faithfully wrote to each other, she wanted nothing more than to see her dearest friend face to face again. Since there was no direct railroad to Lewistown, the trip took longer than she’d expected, but it was worth it. She could hardly contain her excitement at finally seeing her friend.

I’m glad you three came along with me on this trip, Margaret said.

Daisy turned her attention to Eva’s mother.

I wanted to visit Eva and her family but was afraid to take this trip all the way up north by myself, Margaret continued.

Daisy’s mother smiled and clasped her friend’s hand. I’ve never been out of Nebraska. This has been a real adventure. She turned her gaze to Aunt Mary. I bet you’re excited to see your daughter.

Aunt Mary waved the fan in front of her face. I am. It’ll be nice to see how Rachel and her family are doing. Thank you for inviting me to come along.

Since Eva and Rachel are in the same town, it only made sense to bring you with us, Daisy’s mother said.

Dave wanted to come, too, but with the farm, it was impossible, Aunt Mary replied. I promised I would have someone take their photograph and take it back with me.

Margaret’s eyes lit up. Oooh, I love that idea! I’ll have to get a photograph of Eva and her family. Joseph will be happy to see that.

Daisy wasn’t sure if there would be a photographer available. There wasn’t even a train station. Sure, there was one in Butte and in Billings, but both were a long way from Lewistown. There was barely anyone out along this hilly terrain. Just a ranch here and there. They had been staying to the main path so as not to come across any of the native tribes. The stagecoach driver assured her the journey was safe, but she wondered if that was true when he and the man working with him carried guns.

This takes me back to when I first arrived in Omaha, Aunt Mary said. Everything is so different here than what I expected.

I can imagine, Daisy’s mother mused. Tom told me that back East, they have a lot of fancy shops and events to go to.

Aunt Mary paused before answering. When I came to Omaha, there weren’t as many stores or events, but I loved it. It was quaint. That’s a lot like this place.

Daisy’s eyes widened. Quaint wasn’t the word Daisy would use for the town up ahead that seemed to have a couple of buildings planted in the middle of nowhere. She hadn’t realized how spoiled she’d been in Omaha where there was so much available. Eva had written to let her know the state of Montana was relatively new to the union. Daisy should have expected a less-than-civilized territory. Before coming here, she had considered staying here if she were to find a suitable man to marry, but after seeing all of this, she decided she couldn’t give up the Omaha area for anyone. Out here, there was nothing. How did Eva manage this strange wilderness?

You’ve been quiet, Daisy, her mother said. I bet you’re ready to eat dinner and go to sleep.

I am hungry, Daisy admitted. But I’m too excited about seeing Eva to be tired. Recalling her aunt’s daughter, she hurried to add, It’ll be nice to see Rachel again, too.

Aunt Mary offered her an understanding smile. I know you and Eva were close. It’s good you’ll get to see your friend.

Daisy relaxed. It was just like her aunt to be accepting of everything. That was a trait she always liked about her.

The stagecoach started to slow, and everyone peered out the window closest to them. They were approaching the first building. Daisy saw that it was a schoolhouse during the week and a church on Sundays.

Do you ever miss going to school? her mother asked her.

No. It was boring, Daisy replied. I couldn’t do any cooking or sewing there. The books were alright since Eva and I would have read them anyway, but I don’t miss the other subjects. To be honest, school was a waste of time.

Aunt Mary chuckled. You sound like Uncle Dave. He says beyond learning the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, his time was better spent on the farm.

Uncle Dave is right, Daisy agreed.

Margaret shook her head, but her grin betrayed her amusement. You better not let Eva hear you say that. She still loves the pursuit of knowledge.

While that is true with books, I can’t recall a time when she said she wishes she knew more about arithmetic, Daisy pointed out.

Margaret thought for a moment then nodded. That’s true. She never did care for math or science, though she didn’t mind teaching those subjects to the students.

I bet she’s happier as a wife and mother, Daisy’s mother said.

She is, Margaret replied. She hasn’t come out and said she’s glad her stagecoach got overtaken by a pair of crooks, but, deep down, I know she is. From what she said, Lewistown has more men than women. As soon as an available woman comes to town, the men fight over who gets to marry her.

The women grew silent and turned their attention to Daisy.

Daisy’s eyes widened. Oh, I’m not here to get married. I’m just here to see my friend and cousin.

Her mother grinned at her. You never know. Prince Charming could be waiting for you.

Daisy grimaced. I’m very selective. I can’t just marry anyone. He has to be worthy of me.

She didn’t see how anyone in an itty-bitty town like this could be the right one for her. Maybe he would be alright for one of her sisters, but she had higher standards than they did. Not that she thought their husbands weren’t wonderful. They were. She just had her sights set on a dashing young man who would sweep her off her feet. She wanted the kind of romance she’d read about in books where the man was willing to do everything, even give up his own life, in order to be with her. She didn’t want an ordinary courtship. She wanted an extraordinary one.

The stagecoach came to a stop, and the women retrieved their purses.

The driver opened the door. Welcome to Lewistown. He held his hand out to help the woman nearest to him down from the stagecoach.

That woman was Margaret. Daisy was the farthest from him, so she got out last. As soon as she did, she was shocked to see how many people were gathered around the mercantile to get a glimpse of her and the other three visitors. After a quick scan of the crowd, she found her friend and followed Margaret so she could greet her.

I’m glad you made it here without someone taking over the stagecoach, Eva told Daisy as the two hugged. It feels like forever since we last saw each other.

Can you believe it’s only been two years? Daisy asked as they pulled away from each other.

Eva rolled her eyes but grinned. I mean that it felt like it was forever. ‘Time flies over us but leaves its shadow behind.’

"You got that from The Marble Faun by Nathaniel Hawthorne."

Eva gasped in excitement. You remembered!

I haven’t forgotten any of the conversations I had with my very best friend.

I haven’t forgotten all we’ve discussed, either. I’m glad you came here for a visit.

When I found out your mother and my mother were coming, I had to come. I want to see this handsome man you married and your three adorable children.

They’re waiting for us away from the crowd. Boaz didn’t want to overwhelm the children. Come. I’ll take you to them.

Daisy glanced her mother’s way and saw that she was with Aunt Mary, talking to Rachel and the man who had to be her husband, Herb. They were saying something to the eight-month-old girl in Rachel’s arms. She turned her attention back to Eva and followed her through the crowd of onlookers. Margaret was holding a six-month-old baby who had to be Annie. The six-year-old boy and five-year-old girl had to be Leroy and Hannah. The man with the goatee standing with them had to be Boaz.

Daisy wondered if she should be surprised that Boaz wasn’t wearing a suit. He was only wearing a shirt and a pair of denims and a cowboy hat. Minus the goatee, he reminded her of Alex, who was married to her sister Erin. She had envisioned Eva only marrying a man who wore a tie every day. After all, that had been one of the things on Eva’s list when they carefully planned out her perfect husband.

But then, Eva hadn’t chosen to marry him. He had won her in a bidding war the men in this town had when she and Rachel were brought here. She gave a quick look around the town, and sure enough, the men did outnumber the women and children. One of the men stepped out from the crowd. He was blond and looked to be in his late twenties. He gave her a smile and tipped his cowboy hat at her.

She blinked in surprise. He wasn’t letting her know he wanted to meet her, was he? He was not her type at all. His hair went past his shoulders, he wasn’t clean shaven, and his tattered clothes had dirt on them. It was ridiculous that he expected her be interested in him when he didn’t take much time into his appearance. Plus, he was a blond. Being a blond herself, the two of them would clash. She needed a man with dark hair to best complement her.

Daisy ignored him and hurried after Eva. It was just as Eva said. Men in this town were desperate for women. They would take anyone.

Children never stay little for long, Margaret told Boaz. As soon as they’re born, they grow up fast.

Aren’t we better when we’re bigger? Leroy asked. All Annie does is sit and roll around. Hannah and I can do more than that.

A lot more, Hannah agreed.

Boaz laughed. It’s not a competition, kids. While it’s true that you can do more as you get older, each one of you is important.

Margaret nodded. And that doesn’t change, no matter how old you get. Eva is still my little girl even though she’s your mother now.

But you don’t treat her like a kid. You aren’t going to help her get dressed or feed her, are you? Leroy challenged.

Daisy’s lips curled up in amusement. She rather liked Leroy. He wasn’t the least bit shy about saying what was on his mind. It wasn’t necessarily a good trait as a pupil in school, but it was when one grew up. A person had to learn to say what was on their mind, or they’d end up in a bad situation. Why, just last year, a new farmer in town took an interest in her, but he wasn’t to her liking. She let her parents know it when he asked to court her. That would have been horrible if she had ended up with him. He wasn’t the least bit attractive, and he practically put her to sleep whenever he talked. A woman ought to find her husband appealing, shouldn’t she? Even if she was twenty-two, Daisy saw no reason to settle for anyone.

Daisy’s mother came over to them. Rachel invited us to stay in her house while we’re here.

I can’t stay with Eva? Daisy asked.

You can spend all the time you want with her during the day, but considering the fact that Eva has three children and Rachel only has one, I think it’s best if you sleep at Rachel’s.

Daisy supposed that was a good enough compromise. Alright, but can I go to Eva’s for dinner? I really want to talk to her.

Her mother smiled. Yes, of course, you can. Aunt Mary, Rachel, Herb, the baby, and I will be going to Eva’s after dinner at their place. You can come back with us to the house when it’s time to go to bed.

That was a relief. At least Daisy would get a chance to talk to her friend for a little bit today. She and Eva had so much to catch up on.

Boaz and Herb gathered the travel bags, and since they were ready to leave, Daisy gathered the edge of her skirt to protect it from the dusty road and left the mercantile.

Chapter Two

Daisy finally got a chance to talk to Eva alone while they were making dinner. Margaret was in the parlor with the children, and Daisy could hear Leroy and Hannah arguing over whether or not snakes were gross. It reminded Daisy of the time when Nelly

Reviews for Daisy's Prince Charming

[Susanne Stinson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The intimate tender scenes between husband and wife; reading about familiar characters.