Historical Cowboy Romance Two Book Box Set - Mail Order Brides Read Online Free Page B

had two young
children who needed him and he owed it to them to be strong. It
wasn’t that he shouldn’t mourn, but he had to keep it together for
their sakes. Lydia told him that Sarah would have expected that
from him, and she’d been right.
    Seth and Marcus had been on a drive at the
time and he’d had only Lydia and Charlie to fall back on. Lydia had
taught him some cooking, and Charlie had helped with repair work
and kept Dean moving each day. Dean had buried his pain in work and
taken comfort in his children. The last three years had been
difficult, but not without joy.
    Turning his mind away from all that, he
looked down at the letter in his lap and wondered who it was from.
He slit the envelope with a pocketknife and pulled out the letter.
He detected a faint scent of ladies’ perfume.
    Unfolding the letter, he read:
     
    Dear Mr. Samuels,
    I am responding to the advertisement placed
with the Brooks Agency of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I found it to
be touching and straightforward, which I appreciated very much. As
I understand it, you are looking for a wife and mother-figure for
your children.
     
    “What the hell?” he said. Then it came back
to him. “Marcus!” His younger brother, Marcus, had told him he
should get married again. Dean had said that he didn’t know any
single women, at least any reputable ones. That’s when Marcus had
told him about mail-order brides and said that would be the perfect
way to go.
    Dean had been joking when he said it sounded
like a great idea and why didn’t Marcus place an ad. “That
jackass!” Dean swore. “I can’t believe he did this.”
    Curious despite his anger, Dean read on.
     
    Allow me to tell you about myself. I am five
feet, nine inches tall and have dark brown hair, the color of a
dark bay horse. My eyes are deep blue and I have a slender figure.
I like to think I am kind and have good manners, although sometimes
my parents are a little put out with me because I do not always
follow the conventions of society.
    I have an excellent sense of humor and enjoy
the outdoors. I sit a horse well and can write, read, and do some
mathematics. Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, as I am informed
that many men are intimidated by educated women, but I somehow
think you are perhaps more forward thinking than that. I would ask
that you keep an open mind.
    I have never been married and have no
children, so I come unencumbered. I should like to have children so
I hope you aren’t opposed to having more. Although it’s been a few
years, I’m sure that you still deeply feel the loss of your wife
and I am sorry you have had to endure such a thing. I would never
presume to take her place, either in your heart, or in the hearts
of your children. Rather, I would like to make my own place in all
your lives and hope that we could be happy together.
    I am looking forward to corresponding with
you and becoming better acquainted.
     
    Yours truly,
    Theresa M. O’Connor
     
    Dean read the letter several times and he was
surprised to find that he was moved by this woman’s words. She was
honest and sensitive and had added a little humor. He had to admit,
his interest was piqued. Although tempted to write back, he had no
idea how to respond. He decided to sleep on it and see how he felt
in the morning.

Chapter Three
     
     
    “What the hell were you thinking?” Dean said
as soon as he saw Marcus the next day.
    Marcus had come to help Dean geld a couple of
colts. Seth was out moving part of the herd to a new pasture. Lydia
was on a walk with the kids. They’d gone to pick some early spring
berries they’d located on one of the trails.
    Marcus frowned. “What are you talking
about?”
    Dean snatched the letter from Theresa
O’Connor from a drawer in the kitchen and thrust it at his best
friend. “Read it.”
    Marcus unfolded the paper and began scanning
the page. His mouth curved in a smile that grew the more he read.
He finished and handed the letter back to