The Clerk's Bride: Brides of Birch Creek

By Laura D. Bastian

She flees one problem only to find the alternative is just as bad, until he steps in.

After her friend moves out west as a mail-order bride, Annabelle decides to do the same and leaves for the same town. After all, no man can be worse than the factory owner who won't leave her alone.
Colten couldn't understand why someone would be crazy enough or desperate enough to order a bride through an advertisement. When Annabelle arrives to marry the worst possible man Birch Creek has to offer, Colten decides to help out. He just never expected to end up married to her.
Without any plans or preparation for a wife, Colten has to figure out how to take care of a woman he didn't want while Annabelle has to come to terms with the new direction her life is headed. Can the two of them grow to love each other, or will her fears from her past and his concerns for the future keep them from finding love in the moment?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lange House Press
• Release date: Aug 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9798223847816

Book preview

The Clerk's Bride

Brides of Birch Creek Series

A Golden Valley Story

By

Laura D. Bastian

***

After her friend moves out west as a mail-order bride, Annabelle decides to do the same and leaves for the same town. After all, no man can be worse than the factory owner who won't leave her alone.

Colten couldn’t understand why someone would be crazy enough or desperate enough to order a bride through an advertisement. When Annabelle arrives to marry the worst possible man Birch Creek has to offer, Colten decides to help out. He just never expected to end up married to her.

Without any plans or preparation for a wife, Colten has to figure out how to take care of a woman he didn’t want while Annabelle has to come to terms with the new direction her life is headed. Can the two of them grow to love each other, or will her fears from her past and his concerns for the future keep them from finding love in the moment?

***

Copyright © 2019 by Laura D. Bastian.

All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author.

Cover Design by Lange House Press

Prologue

Annabelle stared at the door of the post office. Could she actually do this? If she didn’t, her only hope would be to continue working at miserable jobs like the factory she’d just been released from. Annabelle didn’t want to ever see Mr. Staley again. She would never return to work at his clothing factory no matter what he tried.

When Susan, the girl Annabelle had only known for a few weeks, had announced she had decided to move to Birch Creek, Idaho to become a bride to some blacksmith out there, Annabelle had thought the girl crazy. Who in their right mind would want to go marry some complete stranger and live in the west with all the things going on out there?

Annabelle looked at the outgoing letter in her hand then pulled out the folded one she’d had in her apron and opened it once more to read Susan’s letter she’d received months ago.

Dearest Annabelle,

I know you have been worried about me so I thought it would be wise to send you this letter to let you know how things have gone with me. I arrived in Birch Creek with only a small problem when the train was delayed by weather. The storms in Kansas caused us to be late by a day. I did worry Michael would be upset. My concerns were unfounded and I have been welcomed to Birch Creek with kindness and excitement.

We were married the day I arrived and the whole town was here to celebrate with us. I can’t believe how kind and welcoming everyone is. Now I am discovering I truly love my new home and my husband. Any fears I had of marrying a stranger were completely unfounded. Michael has been a wonderful and very kind man to me. I do believe I can safely say I am in love.

If you ever do want to leave New York and all the congestion and bustle there, then don’t be afraid to look at answering the advertisements like the one Michael sent. And if you come out to Birch Creek as well, you’ll always know you’ll have a friend here already. I’m working on getting a boarding house built up for the chance to help women come out west and have a place to stay. Unfortunately, it will take a while before it’s ready. I’d love to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.

With all my love,

Susan

Annabelle smiled at the thought of her new friend so happy. It gave her courage to make her next move. Tucking Susan’s letter back in her apron pocket, Annabelle took the last few steps up to the post office and opened the door. She smiled at the man behind the counter and handed over her own letter with the few coins required to post it before she could change her mind.

If Lester hadn’t already found a bride and still wanted her after she sent him the letter, she’d be able to go find Susan in Birch Creek in the Idaho territory herself.

Chapter One

The train ride to Idaho would take about a week and Annabelle knew she couldn’t change her mind. She’d made an agreement with Lester and he’d sent the details about what ticket she’d need to buy. He’d sent a small amount of money that she would use for food on the long trip. Annabelle turned around and hugged her friend one last time.

I can’t believe you’re going. Grace held her tight and whispered the words into her ear.

I know, Annabelle said. I thought Susan was foolish to do it, but she’s there, and things worked out well for her.

You keep in touch, Grace said.

You could come with me, Annabelle said. Susan would have a place for us.

I can’t. Grace shook her head. Who would watch the boys if I left?

Annabelle nodded. Maybe when I get out there, and things are more settled, I can find a place where you and your brother can come. Susan said there is a lot of land out there. You could become farmers.

Grace laughed. I couldn’t do that with my bad leg. Besides, I don’t know a thing about farming. And neither do you.

I know, Annabelle said. But I can learn. Besides, I’m going to be there to cook and clean and keep house for him. He’s not a farmer. He works for a businessman out there.

The whistle on the train blew and Annabelle turned to look at the doorway she would be entering.

I wish you all the best, Grace said. Be careful and make sure you write.

Tell your brother and the boys goodbye for me.

Will do. Grace waved and stepped back, leaving Annabelle nothing else to do but board the train and look toward her future. She said a prayer that things would turn out well. Anything was better than putting up with the snide remarks and inappropriate touches or disgusting offers from Mr. Staley.

She could be a wife to a man out in the west. As long as he didn’t abuse her, she could handle most anything else.

***

Colten could practically smell the man the moment he walked in the door. Though there wasn’t a saloon here in Birch Creek, Lester Olsen was able to find any source of liquor and pour it down his gullet.

Need me something. Lester’s words were slurred enough to prove he’d found some alcohol already today.

Colten didn’t want to even venture a guess at what the man wanted this time so he waited as patiently as he could for the cogs in Lester’s brain to begin turning.

I got someone coming and I need to get her something purty.

Who’s coming? Colten asked.

Don’t know. Just coming today. Said she wants a place.

Colten looked at the man, wondering if he was so intoxicated that he was imagining things. What kind a place?

A place. Not a factory.

Colten shook his head. Lester, you’re drunk. You should go home and sleep it off.

Nah, Lester shook his head, then grabbed it as if it pained him. Coming today. I gotta get something purty.

What kind of thing? Colten decided to just go along with it and try to get rid of the man. It was doubtful Lester had any money anyway. Not with the way he smelled right now.

Purty. Like a woman. Flowers! Lester shouted.

There are some flowers, right outside. Colten took his arm and turned him around, then gently pushed his shoulder to get him to move back toward the door. Colten hoped there would still be a few wildflowers to send the man to pick.

Good. Lester moved over and bent to pick a flower, but missed and had to adjust his feet before trying again. The poor flower he grabbed was crushed in his hand and Colten nodded in mock support when Lester held it up high. Perfect. Now to find her.

Colten laughed under his breath at the antics of the drunk. He pitied the poor woman Lester would try to woo. Of course, any woman in her right mind would steer clear of Lester. As Lester staggered away toward the edge of town near where the train station lay, Colten returned to the store and picked up where he’d left off when Lester arrived.

A few minutes later, Colten looked up at the sound of the mercantile door opening, dreading the possibility of Lester again. But instead he was pleased to see who’d arrived. Good morning, Susan. How are things coming with your building? He still wasn’t sure why she was so adamant about the need for a boarding house. It’s not like all that many people wanted to come out to Birch Creek and live in the town itself. Most of the new residents of the valley were here to set up farms and even do some ranching with either sheep or the occasional beef herd.

It is almost to the point we could live in it. Though there is still a lot to be done.

Glad to hear it’s getting closer. And how are things with you?

Susan placed a protective hand on her belly. "Same as yesterday. This baby is still