Rose's Mail Order Brides And Grooms: Western Prairie Brides, #5

By Bobby Hutchinson

  A Mail Order Husband?

It's 1898 on the Canadian prairie, and women's roles are strict and well-defined. But Rose is determined her friend Esther won't be shamed and left in the lurch.

All she needs to locate Esther's beloved, Gabriel, is an arrest warrant from the North West Mounted. Not exactly mail order, but effective, nonetheless.

But will Esther's father greet Gabriel with a shotgun? Esther's father is also Rose's boss, and he's anything but pleased with Rose's plotting.

Will she lose her job?

Rose relies on the new Reverend, Joel, to keep order and bloodshed to a minimum. And she's also finding him unnervingly attractive.

But Rose has a dark secret that will prevent any romance with a reverend.

WILL TRUE LOVE TRIUMPH?

CAN ROSE'S PLAN RESULT IN HAPPILY EVER AFTER?

She doesn't know what will come of her plans for Esther, but she knows she loves the danger, uncertainty and intrigue that comes with matching up woman and men, object--matrimony. She can see the potential for a business if she dares to flout convention and become a business woman at a time when women's roles are strictly confined to marriage and raising a family.

IS SHE BRAVE ENOUGH TO FLOUT CONVENTION AND VENTURE INTO A CAREER? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bobby Hutchinson
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781927785461

Bobby Hutchinson

Bobby Hutchinson spends her time reading, writing, riding a three-wheel bike all over the place and towing Calamity Jane, her refurbished old travel trailer, to camping spots all over B.C. Getting old is fantastic; she can do whatever the heck she pleases and write what fascinates her. She loves hearing from readers and appreciates any ideas they have for interesting situations. 

Book preview

1

As always, Rose Hopkins loved the delicious yeasty smells in Gunderson’s Bakery when she arrived for work at seven AM. The July morning was still cool, and the bike ride from her aunt Harriet’s house along Medicine Hat’s quiet city streets had been pleasant.

She parked the bike in the shed and went in the back door, flinching at the wave of heat that poured over her. On the porch, she removed her bonnet, took a clean and starched voluminous white apron from the cupboard and wrapped it around her slender waist, making certain her thick mane of curly blonde hair was pinned up securely under a cap before she entered the kitchen.

Morning, Mr. Gunderson. The portly man had his back to her, bending to take a batch of cinnamon buns from the oven of the massive black stove.

He wasn’t talkative, but usually, he at least responded. But this morning her employer didn’t reply. He upended the buns on the table with an angry thump, seeming not to even see Rose. He muttered under his breath, slamming the pan into the huge sink so hard it bounced.

Puzzled, Rose waited a moment and then headed out front.

Mrs. Gunderson was arranging fresh crusty loaves of sourdough along the shelf behind the counter, but instead of her usual wide smile and cheerful greeting, Rose could see that the round little woman had been crying, and probably for some time. Her pale blue eyes were swollen and bloodshot, her nose scarlet from blowing.

She looked at Rose and tried to smile, but then she shook her head as fresh tears poured down her plump cheeks.

Sonia, whatever is the matter? Concerned, Rose hurried over and put a hand on her arm. What is it, how can I help?

Rose had worked at Gunderson’s Bakery for five years, ever since she was nineteen, and they’d always treated her as part of their small family. Their only child, Esther, was just back from some fancy chef school. She’d been helping out at the bakery, and the slight, pretty woman and Rose had become friendly.

Esther was the Gunderson’s pride and joy. She’d come along late in their lives, and they’d scrimped and saved to send her off to study gourmet cooking at an exclusive school in Montreal. She’d returned a few weeks ago, and now the Gunderson’s were planning to open the fancy restaurant they’d always dreamed about, and Esther would be the head chef.

It was exciting, and Rose was thrilled for them all. But this morning, something was wrong.

Sonia, what can I do to help? It’s—there’s nothing’s wrong with Esther, I hope? It dawned on Rose that Esther was supposed to be at the bakery this morning.

A knot of apprehension twisted her belly.

Sonia shook her head and blew her nose, obviously trying to gain control, but then she put her hands over her face and sobbed uncontrollably.

Rose went to the door, locked it, and made sure the CLOSED sign was turned outwards. She guided Sonia to a stool and filled a