A Bride For Samuel Read online

  Table of Contents

  A Bride For Samuel

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Free Chapter An Outlaw's Honor

  A Bride for Samuel

  by

  Cyndi Raye

  Sons Of Nora White

  Book #3

  Copyright © 2018 www.CyndiRaye.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  Cover art by Madison of Silverheart Publishing

  To CJ, a sweet, happy smiling face that always sweetens the world with her sunshine and laughter. She truly has a rare gift indeed, one that will change the path of each person she meets. Embrace the many adventures in this journey called life.

  To our sugar pie honey-bunch, know that I love you!

  ***

  Author’s Note:

  I took a little author creative with the history of the North Texas Lunatic Asylum, which was actually built in 1885. Since my stories are in the 1870’s, the asylum wasn’t built yet in North Texas, only in Austin. This asylum was built North of the Texas and Pacific railway tracks. When the building was opened, only 1/2 of the wings were complete, which would make it easier if Callie had to sneak in and rescue her uncle.

  Another thing I learned was about the Poor House or Poor Farms. You may remember your parents or grandparents talking about going to the poorhouse. These were usually farms back in the 1800’s and the patients worked for their room and board. There is one story I want to pass on to you. In Texas, if the patient was too lazy to work on the farm, they gave him a train ticket and cash to get out of Texas to never return! How’s that for work ethic?

  I hope you enjoy this story of Samuel and Callie!

  Chapter 1

  Samuel flipped open the pocket watch, then snapped it shut before stuffing it back in his vest. “The train is ten minutes late,” he told the pastor’s wife, who stood beside him, hands clutched together in annoyance.

  Mrs. Conners pursed her lips in an angry fashion. “It’s not unusual for the train to run a few minutes late. Perhaps I should go back to the church to prepare for the service.”

  “It’s up to you, but I do appreciate your husband’s understanding of our unique situation.”

  The pastor’s wife was always a quiet woman, except for today. She didn’t fail to let Samuel know her displeasure. “Sir, you standing in for your brother while he marries someone else is highly unheard of. What if this mail order bride doesn’t want you?”

  Mrs. Conners sure was blunt. Who knew this little lady had it in her to be so forward speaking? She had always kept to herself, never saying an unkind word during her husband’s tenure in Wichita Falls.

  He had always thought she was a dignified, shy woman. Now, she was agitated and vocal. Samuel turned to her, tipping his hat. “I’m so sorry, ma’am, but Adam is about to marry his childhood sweetheart. He thought she was out of his reach and agreed to a mail order bride and then, suddenly she was back, and they fell in love all over again. Can you imagine a love so strong to withstand all the years of separation and then suddenly, there they are, face to face?”

  Mrs. Conners had a dreamy look on her face, exactly as Samuel had planned. He had gone a bit overboard in theatrics but found it was his duty to make sure nothing stopped Adam and Melody from tying the knot today. It was his brotherly duty.

  Just like it was his brotherly duty to marry this mail order bride. Even if he didn’t want a bride. Samuel knew it would be his turn next, his Ma had planned for each of her three boys to marry, except he hadn’t planned to get married so soon. Actually, if it hadn’t been for the circumstances that found Melody and Adam together at last, he had thought about talking his Ma right out of ordering a mail order bride for him.

  Samuel didn’t want to be tied down to a wife and then have a bunch of little children running around. His oldest brother Luke was waiting for his first child to be born and Samuel figured he’d enjoy having a niece or nephew at the ranch but for himself, he loved being a free soul. He liked riding the ranch by himself, having a good time with the other ranch hands and living life on the open plains.

  Now, he had to marry a complete stranger because he promised his brother’s new wife and his Ma he’d do it so Adam and Melody could be together.

  He’d do anything for his family. Even marry someone he didn’t want to marry. How horrible will his life be now? He flipped open the watch again, getting more agitated. The only reason he agreed was because of the clause in the marriage contract that gave them both a three month trial to change their minds. Samuel was determined in those three months he’d make sure to be the worst husband ever. His bride would be happy to high-tail it far from the White Ranch by the time he was done with her.

  No way was he going to stay tied down. His young life was only beginning. Adam and Luke were willing to settle down to a mundane life with a wife and kids. Not Samuel, no sir! He wanted fun, excitement and to sow his wild oats. Even though he wasn’t sure what that entailed, he still planned to sow them!

  A rumble began under his boots as the train’s whistle was heard in the distance. The pastor’s wife took his arm, afraid of falling from the constant shaking movement. “It looks like she’s here,” Samuel mentioned.

  Mrs. Conners nodded, grasping onto his arm with her other hand. She didn’t come to the depot often and wasn’t prepared for all the racket a train made. When Samuel had explained to Pastor Conner the circumstances of needing a marriage ceremony right away, he had asked his wife to go to the station to make sure the bride-to-be was comfortable with the changes. Hence, the pastor’s wife hanging onto his arm like it was a fence post sticking out of the ground.

  Passengers scurried off the train, dust covering their faces and clothing, dresses wrinkled and dishevelled. Samuel waited until the very last person got off and then looked around for the bride.

  “Wonder where she got to?” he muttered.

  “Right here’s where I got to. You must be the phenomenal Mr. White. Well, hello, how do you do? I am the future Mrs. White.”

  A slim hand slaked out from a person in a pair of strange looking trousers and a button down baggy shirt. The trousers were held up by a pair of suspenders while a black sack coat covered a slim body from shoulders to thighs. Samuel never saw blue pants before!

  The pastor’s wife gasped. She clutched tighter on Samuel’s arm, pulling him closer. “What is that?”

  Samuel shook his head, a grin spreading over his face. “I have no idea?”

  “I am Callie Johnson, the future Mrs. White. Please ignore the lack of dress, I am undercover.”

  Samuel looked into the bluest pair of eyes he had ever seen. They were filled with humor as if she enjoyed shocking others with her strange clothing. “Undercover?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I’ll explain after we are married.”

  Samuel thought the pastor’s wife would faint dead away. He moved to the bench and forced her to sit. “Take a breather, I’ll find out what is going on?”

  After settling Mrs. Conners and prying her hands from his arm, he turned back to the woman wearing men’s clothing. “You say you are in disguise? Before we become man and wife, I’m going to need to know why you are undercover?”

  She pulled off the black wool hat, it’s wide, flat brim hiding the fact there was a beautiful woman underneat
h with perfect creamy skin. Her blonde wavy locks spilled out and fell across her shoulders. She pushed them back with slim hand. She gave him the brightest, widest smile he ever saw. It made him want to smile right back but he had to be stern, didn’t he? This was not what he had expected in a bride!

  “Mr. White, it is imperative I marry immediately, if not sooner. Do you have everything prepared?”

  Samuel was dumbfounded. He was asking her questions and she was throwing other ones right back at him. It made no sense. He answered anyway. “We’ll be going to the church and getting married right away. It doesn’t look as if you are prepared for a wedding ceremony, I’m afraid. Would you care to clean up and change?”

  The woman looked appalled. “There’s no time for changing. We must be married right away.”

  Samuel scratched his head, puzzled. “Well, that’s fine if you want to wear those things but I ain’t never seen blue pants before.”

  Callie flung her head back, revealing a milky white neck and laughed out loud. She slapped her hand across her thigh. “That’s because they are a brand new invention.” She slid her hand through Samuel’s arm. “Let’s get to the church and I’ll explain on the way.”

  Samuel held out his other hand for Mrs. Conner, helping both ladies from the platform. Once they were all on steady ground, he inclined his head towards his new strange bride-to-be. “I’m listening,” he told her with a grin.

  “A man named Levi Strauss invented these and calls them blue jeans. Why, in San Francisco, the gold miners were flocking to buy these durable copper riveted jeans because they have deep pockets to keep the gold from falling out. I sound like an advertisement for the blue jeans, oh dear!” She giggled to herself at such a thought.

  “You come from San Francisco then?” He had no clue where Miss Addie found this woman! She sure was a strange one but she made him smile. Her soft hand lying on his arm felt nice, real nice. When she spoke, she turned and looked right at him as if he were the most important person in her line of vision.

  “Mr. White, I have a story to tell you that will shake the very ground you walk on. I am not from San Francisco but my uncle and my father were gold mining a few years back. That’s all I can say now because here is the church.”

  Samuel turned to follow the pastor’s wife inside, allowing Miss Johnson to go ahead of him. Samuel wondered if the pastor would even agree to marry the two of them. Why a woman wearing improper wedding material on his right arm was scandalous, wasn’t it?

  Samuel wasn’t certain himself if he wanted to marry her!

  Yet, he had promised his Ma and Melody that he would do so, even if he planned to have the marriage annulled in three months. He remembered how Luke planned to arrange an annulment at first until his oldest brother fell in love with Abigail.

  Samuel glanced over at the woman walking down the isle with him? What was he going to do with a woman wearing pants? Why was she wearing such odd clothing? He leaned in, whispering so she was the only person to hear his words. “I must tell you the truth. You came to marry my brother Adam but his childhood sweetheart came back and he is marrying her today at our ranch. I have agreed to step in and honor the agreement. However, I can only give you three months, Miss Johnson. Have you read the clause in the marriage contract?”

  She seemed surprised at his words, then she turned and smiled, her little perky nose lifting up in the air as they made their way closer to the front of the church. “I’m sorry to hear this but nothing surprises or shocks me! You should know I read every contract I willingly sign. Now, Mr. White, It doesn’t matter which brother I marry and if it’s the only way to make you marry me today, right now, I will agree to three months, but as I said in the letter sent earlier this month, I have no intention of retracting the marriage contract if you chose to have me. After we are married today there may be a few teeny, tiny favors I will ask of you. It’s why this marriage is so very important for me right now. If you are fine with these tiny issues and details, then I will agree to whatever you want.”

  He grinned then broke into a wide smile. This was too easy! “Are you saying you will agree to annul the marriage in three months time and give me back my wonderful freedom?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Why not then!” He walked her to the front of the church where Pastor Conner and two witnesses stood. The pastor stared at Callie Johnson for a moment or two then opened his tattered bible and lowered his head mumbling something about judging others and Jesus.

  “We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Samuel White and his mail order bride, uh, name please?”

  “Miss Callie Johnson.”

  Samuel tuned the pastor out, instead thinking of the woman who stood beside him, her hand gently resting on his arm. Who was this lady? She was beautiful, even if the clothes she wore spoke of secrets and mystery. Perhaps he should have demanded she reveal her hidden agenda. Except he knew all about secrets, so if she didn’t want to discuss them yet, he was obliged to respect her wishes. The good Lord above knew he had his own secrets.

  She had taken the stiff, wide-brimmed hat off, making it obvious there was definitely a woman underneath those britches, or, as she called them, blue jeans. Samuel smirked at the thought, causing the pastor to stop in mid-sentence.

  “You alright there, Mr. White?”

  Samuel cleared his throat. “Uh, yes. Continue, please, my apologies.”

  Instead of becoming upset at his interruption, Callie Johnson elbowed him in the ribs which make him jump. He turned to see a slight smile on her profile. He grinned and turned away before the preacher took notice.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.”

  Samuel had no problem with this part of the ceremony. He placed his arms around her and pulled her slim figure towards him. She rested against his chest, her hands lying flat against his shirt. Samuel leaned down, watching her reaction.

  Her head was tilted back, her eyes half closed, her hair falling in waves down her back over his arms. Samuel leaned in and gave her a kiss right on her plush mouth. As soon as their lips touched he pressed her closer, kissing her more fiercely as if he wasn’t able to get enough of her sweetness.

  Someone called out. “Dear God in heaven!”

  Another witness protested.

  “Oh, my! Please, stop!”

  Callie pushed away from him, a surprised look on her face. “Why, Mr. White, you sure are a fine kisser!” Her voice shot out across the church, causing the pastor’s wife to gasp again before lifting the bunch of flowers in her hand over the bottom part of her face. It almost looked as if Mrs. Conner was smiling.

  Samuel felt about ten feet tall. He liked how she complimented him on their first kiss. He brushed a hand across his brow, not quite sure what to do next. So he told her what was on his mind. “Well, Mrs. White, I’d say you are quite the fine kisser yourself!”

  She blushed before turning to the pastor. “Pastor Conner, thank you for marrying us on such short notice. Now, we have to get going.”

  There was no hurry to get back to the ranch except for the wedding of his brother and Melody. Since the train was late to begin with, his brother was probably already married by now. He figured they’d miss the wedding but he was doing his brother a favor by marrying the mail order bride. They would take their time and enjoy the day.

  Boy, and what a day it was turning out to be! What a fine wife she would be. As they left the church she asked him, “Can we get a bite to eat before we start our journey to your ranch and then I’ll explain those teeny, tiny favors to you.”

  Samuel was anxious to hear what she had to say. Jenna’s café was right down the street, so they slipped inside and got a table near the back. Most of the diners were sitting far enough away they could speak without interruption.

  “Well, well, well, I hear we have a new bride and groom. Congratulations are in order. The meal is on me.”

  Samuel turned to see Miss Jenna striding towards th
em. If anyone knew what was happening in this town, it was her. She seemed to know everybody’s business even before it happened. How she stayed single so long was beyond him. He had tried flirting with her several times but she always shot him down and put him in his place. She was from the big city before opening a diner here in Wichita Falls and knew how to speak to all kinds of people.

  Jenna didn’t take any sass in her cafe. Everyone in town and who came to town learned that about her. He smiled when he saw her. “Morning, Miss Jenna. We’ll have a hearty breakfast and some coffee to boot.”

  Jenna nodded his way before turning to his new wife. “Welcome to Wichita Falls, Mrs. White.”

  “Why, thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

  Jenna grinned. “That wedding outfit will be sure to be the town’s gossip for the day, I’m sure.”

  Callie lifted her chin and smiled away, showing bright, even teeth. Her smile was infectious. “I’m sure it will and that’s what I do best, leave a trail of gossip in my wake.” She shrugged as if it didn’t make no difference who spoke ill of her.

  “I’m pleased to meet someone who doesn’t give a fig about gossip. I’ll be right back with your order.”

  While they waited on breakfast, Samuel noticed how his new wife watched the small Chinese family through the big picture window. They were staring at the patrons inside and looked hungry. After a few minutes, the head of the family came inside, holding a small bottle, using hand signals to try to speak to the waitress.

  “Will you excuse me, please?” Callie stood and walked over to the little Chinese man and began to speak in his native language. Samuel was dumbstruck as she held a very meaningful conversation with the stranger. His wife knew Chinese? What else did she know?

  Within minutes, she explained to the waitress what he wanted to order and stood with him while they packed it up so he was able to take it along. The Chinese man bowed to Callie and then handed her the strange bottle before he exited from the café.