Excerpt from Mail-Order Moriah 

Chapter One

Pearson Grove, Texas

November 1884

 

Scott Ferguson thought of himself as easy-going and pleasant to everyone. Since his former fiancée, Alexandra Novak, had ended their engagement two weeks ago, he had lost his good humor. His pride was dented. But, not only was his heart intact, it was not even slightly cracked. Lately, however, his patience was exhausted.

Alexandra’s friends had been making tormenting him their mission. Currently, he forced himself to be polite her two friends, Evelyn Baker and Deborah Taber. As the owner of the town’s mercantile, he depended on good will for business but these two stretched the limits of his self control.

Evelyn had—deliberately he was certain—turned stacks of clothing into a jumble. With no one to help him man the sales counter, he’d have to straighten those shelves after closing rather than now while customers were constantly in and out of the store.

He ambled up to the twosome. “Was there something in particular you wanted to see, Miss Baker?”

The minx had the nerve to drop the shirtwaist she held so that it slid to the floor. He was glad he kept the floor swept even if he didn’t get all the dusting done. “I was looking for something new but these are all too shabby and out of fashion. Come, Deborah, let’s go visit the dressmaker.”

Deborah sent him a puzzling glance before she followed Evelyn out of the store. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was embarrassed by Evelyn’s behavior.

Scott hastily picked up the shirtwaist and straightened the others enough to leave them until tonight and returned to the front counter.

Virgil Witt, who was Scott’s best friend and also the county sheriff, leaned his tall, lanky frame near the cash register. His gaze followed the departure of the two young women.

The sheriff spoke quietly, “Like Alexandra, those two are troublemakers who think they’re the center of the universe and everyone else is beneath them. You’re lucky to be out of that engagement.”

“Yeah, but I’m still feeling duped. I have no idea why Alexandra targeted me.”

“Targeted is right. Man, she pursued you like a cougar does an aging deer.” Virgil studied Scott. “I guess if I were a female I’d think you’re handsome. Since I’m not I think you look like a muddy road.”

Scott laughed at his friend. “Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better.” But talking to Virgil did boost his mood.

He accepted Mrs. Paine’s purchase and rang it up then wrapped it for her. He thanked her and she left. For now at least, he and his friend were alone in the store.

“Since her father owns the bank, wouldn’t you think she’d find out how much money I have?”

“Maybe she doesn’t understand how much you have to pay for the goods you sell here. Or, that all the farmers paid at fall harvest and you have to carry them until next year. Your cash might look pretty flush if she didn’t take those into account.”

“You don’t suppose Byron let her see the accounts, do you? That doesn’t sound like him.”

“Naw, but her daddy probably told her you don’t have a loan on the store because it’s paid for. Maybe she thinks you have money from some other source.”

Scott ticked off on his fingers. “Not enough to buy a house, hire a housekeeper, hire a cook, and hire at least one person to work here so I could spend more time taking her places. Of course there’d be the expense of the places she wants to visit.”

Virgil shook his head, a frown on his usually smiling face. “She’s always had money from her father. Probably never occurred to her you wouldn’t take care of her just like her banker daddy.”

Scott considered himself fortunate to have learned her true disposition before he married her. “You didn’t see her when I told her I wouldn’t… actually couldn’t do those things. I added she would be expected to work in the store with me and that we’d live in my rooms upstairs.”

Virgil pushed his hat back on his head. “Scary, huh?”

“Whew, I thought she was going to turn me into a frog.” He shook his head as he recalled the spiteful look she’d given him as her temper spiraled. “She is not pleasant when she doesn’t get her way.”

“You don’t sound as if your heart is broken.”

“Aw, you know I never thought I was in love with her, only that we might grow fond of one another over time.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the counter. “Virgil, I haven’t told anyone else so keep this to yourself. I never actually proposed.”

His friend’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean it.”

Scott gave a shrug. “Actually, she assumed we were a couple. Imagine my surprise when, before I knew what happened, I learned I was engaged and the wedding plans were underway.”

He straightened and gestured at his surroundings. “Now I’m back where I started—single and in need of a wife who’ll help me in the store and be content to live upstairs.”

“You’re better off this way.” Virgil picked up a copy of the newspaper, which included a new advertisement. The sheriff tapped a finger on the page. “You do need help in here, as well as someone to take care of your home. Why don’t you send for a wife? You know, order a bride to fit your requirements?”

Scott read the boxed advertisement.

 

Do you long for someone to share your life?

I match brides with grooms. Discretion guaranteed.

Groom should include 2 references and a

letter to a prospective bride.

Write to Harriett Long, 300 Rock Creek Road,

Beckham Mass.

 

“Are you crazy? I could end up with someone who looks like a mile of muddy road. She could be a harpy as bad as Alexandra turned out to be—or worse.”

Virgil raised his eyebrows as he once more tapped the advertisement. “Or, she could be a nice woman who would help you here in the store, cook your meals, clean your house, warm your bed, and have your children.”

“That’s a tall order for any woman. Not sure any woman I’d want would volunteer for the job.” Scott tucked the newspaper under the counter because there were only a couple of copies left and two customers had entered the store. “Guess I’ll think about it. Where the heck is Beckham, Massachusetts?”

The sheriff raised his hands in surrender. “You’re asking me? Man, I barely remember where the state of Massachusetts is on a map. I could probably point to Boston but I sure can’t tell you where any of its other towns are.”





In addition to her own blog find Caroline at these Team Blogs

Sweethearts of the West        Posting Date: 26th of each month
Cowboy Kisses                          Posting Date:  Fourth Monday
Smart Girls Read Romance     Posting Date:  2nd of each month