Mail-Order Matches

It’s a perfect plan—best friends Leah Bowen and Jake Lure will each advertise for mail-order spouses in the papers, and then Jake will help select Leah’s future husband, while Leah picks Jake’s bride-to-be! Surely the ads will find them what they seek: a wife who’ll appreciate Jake’s shy charm and a groom who’ll take Leah away from the Idaho Territory she detests. When the responses to the postings pour in, it seems all Leah’s and Jake’s dreams will soon come true. But the closer they each get to the altar, the less appealing marrying a stranger becomes. Is it too late to turn back—or to turn around and find the happiness they truly seek together, at last?

“We obviously posted ads for a spouse at the same time.”

“Please don’t say anything to my family, Jake. Promise me,” Leah said.

“Okay...but on one condition.” His gunmetal-gray eyes snagged hers.

“What’s that?”

“That you’ll help me pick out a wife.” He held up his own package of letters with a crooked grin.

“Why do you need my help?”

“You’re a great judge of character, and you know me better than anyone else. Do we have ourselves an agreement or not?”

“Agreed.” Leah smiled up at Jake and the dimples on each side of her pink lips winked. How he would love to— Jake stopped his mind from taking him down that well-worn path to nowhere. Soon Leah would be another man’s wife.

“Well, let’s get this over with,” Leah said, her smile looking forced now.

“Have to put it that way?”

“No, no. I just meant...”

Jake placed his fingertips on Leah’s soft lips. “It’s okay—I know what you meant.”

DEBRA ULLRICK

is an award-winning Christian romance author. In addition to multiple full-length novels, her stories have been featured in several novella collections, one of which made the New York Times bestseller list. Debra is happily married to her husband of thirty-eight years and has one daughter. For more than twenty-five years, they lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado Mountains. She now lives in the Colorado flatlands. Debra loves animals, classic cars, mud-bog racing and monster trucks. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drawing Western art, feeding wild birds and watching Jane Austen movies, COPS, or Castle.

Debra loves hearing from her readers. You can contact her through her website at www.DebraUllrick.com.

Groom Wanted

Debra Ullwick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A man’s heart deviseth his way,

but the Lord directeth his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

To my daughter, Sharmane Wikberg.

Remember, kiddo, when you brought home

those Christian romance books from the library eons ago, and how you had to beg me to read them? Look what happened when I finally did. Who would have ever thought it, huh? Thank you, Sharmy. And thanks for being such a loving daughter. God sure blessed me when He gave me you. I love you, girl.

((MEGA HUGS))

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

Paradise Haven

Idaho Territory, 1886

Nine men had replied to her “Groom Wanted” ad.

Leah Bowen couldn’t believe she’d received so many that quickly. Her heart skipped as she fingered the envelopes that might very well hold her future and her only avenue of escape from the nightmares that plagued her.

“You, too, huh?”

“Twinkling stars above!” Leah gasped and whirled toward the sound of Jake Lure’s deep voice. Her nose came within an inch of jamming into the napped wool shirt covering her friend’s massive chest. Pleasant scents of springtime and sunshine floated from him.

Near the front door of Paradise Haven’s post office Jake stood, looking over her shoulder at the posts in her hand. Most people were intimidated by his massive size, but she wasn’t. Underneath that outdoorsy, muscular exterior was a gentle giant.

“What—what do you mean, ‘you, too’?” Leah glanced at the top envelope with the very noticeable masculine script and tucked them into her reticule. She tossed the end of her purple knit scarf over her shoulder and gathered the edges of the collar of her wool coat closer together.

Jake held up a packet of letters. “Got these in the mail today.”

“Oh? What are they?” she asked with all the innocence she could muster.

“Same thing as that stack you just put in your purse.”

“What? You mean letters?”

“Those envelopes you have aren’t just any ole letters.” One of Jake’s eyebrows rose. “They’re answers to your advertisement.”

Advertisement? She swallowed hard. Did he know she’d placed an ad for a husband? “What are you talking about?” Leah hated playacting, but she had no choice. She refused to offer Jake any information concerning her personal ad. Just because he had mentioned how he wanted to place an advertisement for a wife during one of the many times she and Abby had visited him over the past eleven months didn’t mean she had to confide in him that she, too, had wanted to do that very same thing. So how did he know? Or was he only speculating?

Jake cupped her elbow.

Her gaze flew to the spot where his large calloused hand rested, then back onto his face. “What are you doing?”

“Taking you someplace where we can talk without being overheard.” Even through a whisper, his voice sounded deep.

Their footsteps echoed on the plank-covered boardwalk as he led her away from prying eyes to a more secluded place to protect her reputation, no doubt, for which she was extremely grateful though she still tried to look annoyed. Truth was she didn’t want people getting the wrong idea about the two of them. They were friends and nothing more.

They’d become good friends after he’d slipped on some shale at the top of a hill on his place almost a year ago. He’d tumbled down and hit his head, leaving him with a bleeding gash on his forehead and rendering him unconscious. If Leah’s brother Michael and his wife, Selina, hadn’t found Jake that day, he may have died. Selina’s kindness in doctoring him and making sure he had food and his needs were met changed Jake. He realized how wrong he had been for judging her for her lack of social graces and regretted his heckling. After that, he changed, and he had become the person to everyone else that he had always been to her.

Through it all, Leah had always believed that Jake was a nice man, a good man, even when he was heckling people. Years before, she’d learned that most people who teased others were either jealous or insecure or did it to protect themselves. Leah wasn’t sure just why Jake had. But her friend Dottie Aimsley had once told her that she’d heard the reason Jake acted like that was because when he was growing up he himself had been ridiculed because he had a fear of crowds. Although Leah didn’t know all the particulars of his phobia, hearing that had secured her compassion toward him, and the two had quickly become the best of friends.

And he was a handsome friend at that.

A man who could charm any woman. Except her, that was. Leah had her sights set on a different type of man. A man exactly like her late father—before he had become a rancher. The mere thought of him brought the pain surging into her chest. She couldn’t let it reside there, though. She had to evict it as she had so many times before or it would escalate until it became so bad she could barely breathe.

She sighed and blew out a long breath. It really was a shame Jake wasn’t a city man. City men didn’t encounter anywhere near the hazards farmers and ranchers did. She knew that for a fact because, even though it had been fifteen years since her family had moved from New York to the Idaho Territory, she still kept in contact with her friends back East and all of their fathers were still alive.

Marrying a farmer or a rancher who risked his life every day working with unpredictable animals and dangerous farm tools and equipment wasn’t for her.

And Jake was one of them. Her father had been one of them, too. Getting away from city life and owning a ranch had been her father’s dream. It was that dream that had gotten him killed.

Her heart felt the pain of his loss as if it had just happened yesterday instead of years ago. Her hand balled into a fist and pressed against the center of her chest as she tried to make the memories stop. But they came with even greater force. In desperation, her mind grasped backward through time to the father who had doted on her.

Had loved her.

Had made her feel special.

Secure.

Protected.

And fearless, even.

Oh, sure, after his death her older brothers—Haydon, Jesse and Michael—had tried to take his place. Tried to make her feel secure. But no one could take the place of a father. Especially in a little girl’s heart. No one.

And no one could stop the nightmares that visited her on a regular basis since his death.

She’d learn to suppress the nightmares because she had to be strong for her little sister, Abby, and her mother, whose grief at that time had ripped at Leah’s soul. Oh, if only she hadn’t heard her father gasping for air as his lungs filled with blood or had seen his broken body crushed underneath that huge tree. But she had.

Leah slammed her eyelids shut to blot out the gruesome memory that chased her like a haunting ghost. In one shaky breath she willed her father’s healthy face to come into focus, but only a shadowed image filled her mind. Time had faded his features until she could no longer see them clearly. And that scared her.

It was all Paradise Haven’s fault. She despised and blamed the Idaho Territory for the loss of the one person she had loved most in the world. Moving back to New York would help the nightmares stop. Of that she was convinced because there were no phantoms there. Only fond memories.

Memories of better, happier times.

Memories of her father walking and talking and holding her until whatever was bothering her at that time disappeared. Father had made everything okay. Only he couldn’t make this okay. Nothing would bring him back to life. This place had killed him.

New York was where she longed to be.

Getting there couldn’t happen fast enough for her. Why she had waited this long she didn’t know. But the sooner she moved, the better off she would be. And maybe, just maybe when she finally got there, those dreaded nightmares would end.

“Leah?”

She blinked and yanked her attention upward and onto Jake. “What?”

“You okay?” His dark blond brows met in the middle.

“I’m fine.” Or she soon would be when she moved away from here.

The look on his face said he didn’t believe her. “You gonna answer my question?”

“I just did. I said I was fine.”

“No. Not that question. Still waiting for an answer to—” he pointed to the stack of posts in her reticule “—if those letters are what I think they are.”

“I don’t know. What do you think they are?”

He gave a quick glance around. No one milled about anywhere close to them. “Answers to your advertisement.”

She studied his eyes, gazing at her from under his brown cowboy hat. His irises were a light silver-gray with a dark gray circle surrounding them, reminding her of a tabby cat she once had. A knowing look filled them. There was no denying it any longer.

“How did you know?”

“Put two-and-two together.”

“What do you mean?” Panic and fear settled into her spirit, knowing that if anyone in her family discovered what she was doing and why, they would put a stop to it right away. It didn’t matter that Haydon and Michael had gotten wonderful wives that way. There was no way they would let their sister traipse off to New York by herself to meet a complete stranger, even if she was twenty-four years old.

Jake’s gaze slipped to the boards at their feet. “Truth is, Leah, I saw your advertisement when I looked through the papers for the one I’d placed. We obviously posted ads for a spouse at the same time.”

Oh, no. He did know. Fear dug its claws into her chest.

“You don’t look too good. You okay?”

She nodded, then changing her mind, she slowly shook her head. “No.” She gazed up at him, imploring her eyes to show how much this affected her. “Please don’t tell my family.”

“You mean they don’t know?”

“No. I didn’t tell them. Please don’t say anything to them, Jake. Promise me you won’t.” Desperation pricked her skin.

He ran his fingers down the place that once had a thick, dark blond mustache but now only held stubble and kept repeating the action. “On one condition.” His gunmetal-gray eyes snagged onto hers.

“What’s that?” Worry nipped at the heels of her mind as she waited for his response.

“That you’ll help me pick out a wife.” He held his own package of letters up, and his lips tilted into that normally lazy, crooked grin of his. The one that really was quite endearing.

“Are you serious?”

“Yep. Sure am.”

“Why do you need me to help you do that?”

“’Cause. I don’t trust myself. When it comes to women, I haven’t had the best of luck.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks. Turning down Jake’s marriage-of-convenience proposal a couple months back had nothing to do with his luck with women but with her wanting to flee this place. “What makes you think I’ll do any better?”

“You’re a great judge of character, and you know me better than anyone else. Not only that— Women seem to have a sense about these things. Men don’t. So. Do we have ourselves an agreement or not?” He held his hand out for her to shake.

She stared at it, debating what to do, until she realized she didn’t have any other choice. Having peace in her life depended on her moving. With a short nod, she clasped his hand, and gave it a quick shake before releasing it. “Agreed.”

* * *

Jake shook Leah’s hand and plastered a smile on his face. He wasn’t kidding when he said he needed help picking out a wife. His past record had proven that. At eighteen he’d asked Gabby Marcel to marry him, but she’d said no, saying she wanted to marry Jeffrey Smith. He didn’t even know she liked the man. Jake thought Gabby was in love with him, but she’d just used him to get close to his friend. Backfired on her big time. Jeffrey wanted nothing to do with her and neither had Jake after that.

Then a few months back Leah had turned him down, too, saying she had her reasons and that it had nothing to do with him, but her.

Too bad she hadn’t accepted his proposal. He didn’t blame her for rejecting him, though. Nothing had been mentioned about love. Only about how it would be nice since they were friends and all. A friendship he treasured and didn’t want to lose. Jake’s hope at the time had been that if they did marry one day his heart would love Leah the way a man loves a woman, but right now he only felt friendship toward her. So, it was probably best she’d turned him down.

Besides, she was way out of his league, anyway. Going from a large home to a small three-room house would be hard for anyone used to living in the luxury she was accustomed to. Plus, staying where she was, Leah never had to want for anything. If she married him, she would. Oh, he could support her by keeping food on the table and clothes on her back, but there wouldn’t be much left for anything extra. And the woman deserved every good thing life had to offer. None of that mattered now, anyway. Leah had made it clear that nothing would stop her from moving back to New York. Why she wanted to go there, he had no idea.

Personally, he hated the city and would go crazy if he ever went to one again.

Literally.

His childhood had seen to that. In 1864 fire blazed throughout Atlantic City. The crowd had gone berserk trying to flee to safety and in the process he had gotten separated from his mother. The crowd trampled him, leaving him for dead at six years old. Ever since then, he had a fear of crowds. He could be around a small group of people, but he couldn’t handle being closed in a building or surrounded by people—he felt trapped. For twenty-two of his twenty-eight years he’d tried to overcome his fear. Had even made a trip back to Atlantic City. Big mistake that was. While walking down the crowded streets, suddenly everyone seemed as if they were right on top of him again, just like when he was six.

He’d felt trapped.

Closed in, even.

His heart had pounded hard and fast, his breathing came in short gasps, his arms felt heavy, his palms coated with moisture, and his head swam until his vision clouded.

The need to flee had pressed in on him.

Only when he had escaped to an open field had his heart stopped racing and his breathing returned to normal.

Even now, whenever he found himself crowded in, even by the smallest mob of people, fear stampeded over him. His only recourse was to get alone until his heart and breathing returned to normal and the fear lifted. When people asked him what was wrong, he’d make up an excuse because a long time ago, he’d learned not to tell anyone or ask for help. The few times he had he’d been made fun of and he hated how small that made him feel. For a man his size, it was hard to make him feel small, but ridicule did. The worst part of this whole thing was his phobia punctured the dream of him ever moving to New York to be with Leah.

“You do know, Jake, that I will have to bring Abby with me again. Propriety and all that, you know.” Leah’s voice snatched his mind back from the dark caves of the past. “That means she’ll know what you’re doing, too.”

“Already figured as much. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Wouldn’t do anything to ruin your reputation, even if that means having Abby know what I’m up to.” He gave a quick nod. “So be it. Besides, I enjoy your sister. Who wouldn’t? She’s a pistol.”

“She sure is. A very discreet pistol, though, I assure you.” Leah smiled and the dimples on each side of her pink lips winked.

“Well, let’s get this over with.”

“Have to put it that way?”

Leah waved her hand, “No, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant...”

He placed his fingertips on her soft lips. “It’s okay, Leah. You don’t have to explain. I know what you meant. Was just teasing you.” When he realized where his fingers were, he quickly removed them.

“When do you want to start?” She fiddled with the strings of her reticule.

“Now, if that works for you.”

Leah’s gaze brushed his. She tilted her head in that cute way of hers, then stared at him as if she were considering his offer.

“Hmm.” She settled her fingertip against her lips. “I am finished in town, and Mother isn’t expecting me until later. So now will work just fine. I’ll run and go get Abby, then follow you to your place.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, ‘no’?” Leah tilted her head even farther and a blond lock slipped across her eye.

He reached to brush it away, then snatched his hand back to his side. Doing that seemed intimate somehow. A line friends didn’t cross. “Think about it, Leah. How would that look, us riding off together?”

Leah tapped her forehead. “How could I have been so dim-witted? Of course, you’re right. Thank you, Jake.”

He glanced out to the dirt street that ran right through town. “Tell you what. I’ll head on out now. You and Abby leave ten or fifteen minutes after me?”

“What time is it now?”

He pulled his pocket watch out of his vest pocket and flipped it open. “One forty-five.”

“I’m supposed to meet Abby at her friend Phoebe’s house around two. So that will work perfectly.” There were those dimples again.

“Great. See you at my place in about half an hour then?”

This smile went all the way up to her eyes. Eyes the color of a spring day dotted with clouds.

“We’ll be there.”

Unable to think of anything else to say, Jake clasped the brim of his hat, gave a quick nod and headed toward the blacksmith shop to pick up his horse.

* * *

“Phoebe!” Leah gaped at Abby’s friend, who was a little more than a year older than Abby’s seventeen. “Your wedding dress is absolutely gorgeous. You look so beautiful in it. Like Cinderella at the ball.”

Phoebe’s lips curled upward and her face turned as red as her hair. Her big green eyes were shielded when her eyelids lowered. How the sweet girl ever managed to snag Markus Donahue, the banker’s son, when she was so shy was beyond Leah, but she was glad Phoebe had. If anyone deserved a nice man like Markus, it was Phoebe.

“Tomorrow’s the big day. Are you excited?” Leah curled a stray strand of hair around her ear.

Phoebe dipped her head down and nodded. Two seconds later her head popped upward and alarm marched across her face. “You two are still coming, aren’t you?”

Leah walked over to Phoebe and grabbed her hands. “Of course we’ll be there. Nothing would stop us from coming.”

“But you know how unpredictable the weather is here in May. What if it rains or snows and you can’t get into town because the roads are too muddy?”

Horrified was the only way Leah could describe Phoebe’s face.

“Then we’ll ride the horses into town. They’ll be able to make it even if the buggy can’t.”

Phoebe’s head jerked with short, nervous nods. “Oh. Okay.”

Leah clasped Phoebe’s hands again. “We’ll be there, Phoebe. I promise. Now.” She released her hands. “Come on, Abbynormal.” Leah used the nickname she often called her sister. The one that best suited Abby’s personality. Abby was anything but normal, but Leah loved her sister for it and envied her at the same time. How wonderful it would be to be so carefree. “We need to get going.”

Abby stopped talking with Phoebe and faced her. “Why?”

“Because...” She gave Abby that look. The one that let her know she was going to Jake’s again. Something the two of them had done ever since his accident many months back when he’d fallen and hit his head. Back then, the idea of him alone and needing help had eaten at Leah until she couldn’t bear it. She was so glad Abby had agreed to go with her to help him until he had healed. During that time Leah and Jake had become great friends.

Make that the three of them. Abby enjoyed going to Jake’s farm as much as Leah did and thought it was great fun playing the role of her older sister’s chaperone. Leah was glad she found it fun, but it was necessary more than anything. If she didn’t drag her sister along, Leah could never have gone to a single man’s house alone. It would be improper and, most importantly, her reputation would be ruined.

Being seen with Jake too much in public would give people the wrong idea about the two of them. Like a wildfire out of control, all of Paradise Haven would spread rumors that they were courting. She’d seen it happen to several other couples who eventually wed or ended the whole thing in a ruinous scandal—neither of which she wanted with Jake. Besides, it wasn’t like that between her and Jake. To be sure, they enjoyed each other’s company, but neither of them had feelings that went beyond friendship.

Leah loved having a male friend as special and caring as Jake. She looked forward to their visits. Despite the fact they wanted different things out of life, he was the one person she felt she could talk to about anything.

Well, almost anything.

He didn’t know the real reasons why she had turned down his proposal and why she wanted to move. No one knew about the nightmares except for her former friend Marie. Former for two reasons—one, Marie had moved away, and two, Leah hadn’t associated with her since the day she’d confided in Marie about the nightmares and how she blamed this place for killing her father. Marie had laughed and said she was just being silly and that she needed to get over it. Oh sure, as if it were that easy.

“Ohhh.” Abby nodded, then turned to her friend. “I’d better scoot along now, Phoebe. Sister dear has places to go and things to see. But fear not, I shall see you on the morrow. You have my word.” Abby, the dramatic one in the family, grabbed her cloak, swung it around her shoulders with the grace of a queen and, with her arm outstretched holding her cloak, glided toward the door.

“Thank you so much for helping me make my dress and for putting the finishing touches on it.” Phoebe scurried after Abby and hugged her.

Abby pulled back and waved off her friend. “You are quite welcome, my dear.” Abby’s British accent imitation needed help. She sounded nothing like the Manvilles, their British neighbors back in New York City, or even like Rainee, their sister-in-law, who mixed British with Southern quite nicely. “And now, I must make haste and take my leave.” Abby swung the door open and, with a flourish, headed outside.

Leah shrugged toward Phoebe’s direction. “What can I say? You can’t help but love her.” With that, she followed Abby out the door and onto the wagon. They turned and waved goodbye to Phoebe before she disappeared into her house.

“So, we’re heading to Jake’s again.” Abby waggled her eyebrows.

“We sure are.”

“Well, then, sister dear, what are we waiting for?” Abby faced forward. “Make haste. Make haste, my dear.”

Leah shook her head. She should have never let Abby read the well-worn copy of Pride and Prejudice that Rainee had given Leah years ago. Ever since then, Abby imitated the British often. She hoped Abby never found the copy of Sense and Sensibility that she kept hidden in the bottom lining of her trunk. She shuddered just thinking about how Abby would act after reading that one.

Leah wondered if Abby would follow in her footsteps.

The real Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, not the one Elizabeth Bennet thought he was before she had gotten to know him better, reminded Leah of her father. Mr. Darcy had rescued Elizabeth’s family when Lydia’s infidelity would have shamed them. He was a man with integrity, a big heart, a protector, just like her father. From the moment that realization had struck Leah, her love and respect for Mr. Darcy had her praying that someday she would find her very own Mr. Darcy—a man who represented everything her father had stood for.

“C’mon, Leah. What are you waiting for?”

“Pushy.”

“Me, pushy? You were the one who was in such an all-fired big hurry to go.” Abby nudged Leah’s shoulder.

“True. True. I hate it when you’re right.” Leah tittered and with a quick slap of the lines on her horse’s rump the buggy pitched forward. “Oh, you won’t believe this, Abbs, but Jake knows about my advertisement.”

Abby whipped her head so fast in Leah’s direction that one of her curls whacked her sister across the face. “How’d he find out?” Abby’s eyes gleamed as she searched Leah’s. Her sister loved a good story and loved to tell them, too, but she wouldn’t tell this one. She’d been sworn to secrecy.

“He started getting newspapers from all over, including back East where I placed mine. When he searched the papers to see his ad, he saw mine and put two-and-two together.”

“Oh. What are you going to do if he tells Michael?”

“He won’t.”

“How do you know he won’t? Jake and Michael are good friends. If Michael finds out, you know he’ll tell the rest of the family. And Haydon and Mother will put a stop to your plans.”

“They won’t find out because Jake and I made an agreement and shook hands on the bargain.”

“Oh, yeah? What kind of agreement?”

“Well—” she shifted toward Abby “—he won’t tell anyone if I help him find a wife. You know, help him decide which of the letters he should respond to.”

“Ohhh. This could be fun.” Her sister’s eyebrows danced.

Fun? Leah hadn’t thought about it being fun. But it just might very well be. She gave a quick flick of the leather lines to get her horse to pick up her pace. “Don’t tell anyone, Abbs. This whole thing will be our little secret, okay? Promise?”

“I haven’t said anything to anyone before, have I?” Her sister looked slighted.

“No, you haven’t. And I know you wouldn’t, either. But with this concerning Jake, too, I just thought I would remind you, that’s all. Okay?”

“Okay.”

They rode in silence for a time. The only sounds were the horse’s hooves clunking on the hard road and a flock of geese honking above them.

“It’s too bad you have your heart set on moving to New York. Otherwise, Jake would make a great husband for you,” Abby said out of nowhere.

Leah glanced over at her sister. “Jake is a friend and nothing more. But if I wasn’t so dead set in pursuing my dreams, who knows, I might have considered Jake.” Turning down his proposal hadn’t been easy because she enjoyed his company immensely. Good thing she wasn’t in love with Jake. Saying no would have been extremely hard, but necessary.

“You would?” Abby clasped her hands together and her eyes sparkled.

“I said if, Abbs, if.”

“But Jake is sooo handsome,” Abby said dreamily with her clasped hands pressed against her heart.

“If you think he’s sooo handsome, then why don’t you marry him?”

Abby yanked her hands away from her chest and her wide eyes stared at Leah. “Me? He’s way too old for me. But if he wasn’t, I sure would try for him.”

“Why?” Leah found she really wanted to know.

“What do you mean, ‘why’? Just look at him. He’s dreamy and so handsome.”

Handsome, yes. But dreamy? She never thought about Jake as being dreamy. “Jake is handsome. I’ll give him that. But looks aren’t everything, and he is not my type.”

“I know, I know.” Abby rolled her eyes. “Your type of man is one who wears waistcoats, ties and fancy suits and lives in a big city.”

Only because that was how her father used to dress. Another pleasant memory she held on to.

Abby laid her hand on Leah’s. Gone was the humor from her face. Serious now replaced it. “What if you find someone, Lee-Lee, and once you get out there, it isn’t anything like what you dreamed it would be? Then what?”

Good question. Just what would she do? What if she got out there and the nightmares didn’t stop? No. She couldn’t think that way. She had to hold on to that hope. She just had to. “That won’t happen, Abbs, because before I go anywhere, if a man intrigues me, I’ll request a picture of him and ask a lot of questions. If I like his answers, then I’ll go out and meet him in person first.”

“You know Mother won’t let you go alone.”

“She won’t know.”

“You mean you’re not going to tell her?” That same horrified look she saw on Phoebe earlier now shrouded her sister’s face.

“No. And neither are you.”

“I don’t like this, Leah. Not one little bit.”

Neither did she. But her heart was set on moving out East and nothing would stop her. Not her mother, her brothers or Jake. Jake? What did he have to do with any of this?

Chapter Two

Jake rode into the yard of his farm faster than ever before, unsaddled his horse and turned Dun loose in the corral. He ran to his house and stepped inside. One glance told him it was as bad as he had feared. Boots and jackets were sprawled on the bench and floor, dishes covered the table and newspapers surrounded his living room chair.

Every time Leah had come to his house, their visits had been planned and he always had a chance to spruce up the place first. This time that wasn’t the case because he hadn’t expected to see her today, much less invite her over. “Better hustle, Jake.” He snatched up his jackets and hung them on the hooks, then lined his work boots neatly underneath the bench.

Dishes rattled and clanged as he gathered the breakfast mess, tossed the dishes into the sink and covered them with a towel. After washing the table down, he flocked the pile of newspapers together and laid them in a neat pile on the coffee table he’d made.

Next he plucked his clean undergarments, shirts, pants and socks down from the clothesline he’d rigged near the cookstove, tossed them onto his unmade bed and closed the bedroom door behind him.

Banjo’s barking reached his ears. He peered out his living room window and saw Leah’s carriage coming down the lane.

He darted toward the wash basin and checked his reflection in the shaving mirror. His thick blond hair, part of his Norwegian heritage, stuck out everywhere. He snatched up his comb and smoothed the strands down, then headed out the door and met Leah and Abby right as they pulled in front of his house.

“Hush, Banjo.” His mottled-colored Australian shepherd tilted her head both directions, then darted onto the porch. Banjo laid down on the top step, placed her head between her legs, leaving her front paws dangling over the step, and let out a slow, pitiful whine.

Jake looked back at the ladies sitting in the buckboard phaeton with the parasol top, another reminder of the differences in their financial statuses in life. This phaeton was only one of the expensive carriages the Bowen family owned.

“Hi, Jake!” Abby waved.

“Howdy-do, ladies.” He nodded, then offered Leah a hand.

“Thank you.” She smiled up at him when she reached the ground.

He returned her smile, then helped Abby down.

“Thanks, Jake.” Abby looked around the yard. “Where’s Meanie?”

“In the barn. Had to put her in a stall.”

Leah tilted her head. “How come?”

“Kept running off. Down to Mabel’s barn. Eating all her grain. Caused all kinds of ruckus. Ornery old goat anyway.”

“Jake!” Leah gasped and her eyes widened. “That isn’t nice. Once you get to know Mabel, you’ll discover she’s really a very sweet lady with a soft heart.”

Abby giggled and darted up the steps, flopping down next to Banjo.

Jake couldn’t help but laugh. “Wasn’t talking about Mabel. Was talking about my pet goat, Meanie.”

Leah’s cheeks turned a nice shade of dark pink, the same color as the dress she had on, and her perfectly formed lips formed an O.

“Shall we get started?” He motioned toward his house. They walked side by side up the wide steps, past Abby and onto the porch. Jake opened the door and moved out of the way.

“You coming, Abby?”

Abby turned sideways. “Do you mind if I stay out here? It’s too nice to go inside. Besides, Banjo’s better company. Isn’t that right, girl?” Abby rubbed his dog behind her ears.

“Hey.” Leah planted her hands on her slim waist.

Abby glanced back and winked. “Just kidding, Lee-Lee. But I would like to stay out here on the porch, if you don’t mind. Even though the air’s a little nippy, the sun sure feels good.”

Leah looked up at him as if to question if it was okay or not.

Jake shrugged, seeing no reason why she couldn’t. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”

“I don’t mind. That’s fine, Abbs.”

“Would you like something to drink, Abby?”

“No. I had a cup of hot cocoa at Phoebe’s house right before we left, so I’m fine. But you two go ahead if you’d like,” she said, keeping her back to them as she continued to pet Banjo.

“You change your mind, just holler,” Jake said before he and Leah stepped inside his house.

“Where do you want to sit?” Leah asked him.

“The table. That way we can spread the letters out and be in plain view of Abby.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Jake took Leah’s wrap and hung it on a peg near the door before Leah headed toward his kitchen table.

The slab table with pine legs and the kitchen chairs made out of lodgepole pine with slab seats looked shabby next to Leah’s fancy kitchen furniture. Never once had she turned her nose down at them, though. She even made a comment one time about what a great job he’d done making them, how nice his handiwork was and how beautiful she thought they were. It meant a lot coming from her.

“Want something to drink?”

“No, thanks.”

A quick nod, then he hurried around Leah and held out one of the chairs and waited for her to be seated before he sat in the chair on her right. He removed the stack of envelopes from his inside vest pocket and laid them on the table in front of him.

Leah scooted her chair closer to his, and her skirt brushed against his legs when she did. Lilacs and crisp spring air swirled around her. “Well, which one would you like to read first?”

He glanced down at the pile and thumbed through them until he came across one from Tennessee. “This one.”

“Any particular reason why you chose that one first?” Curiosity fluttered through her eyes.

“Yep.”

“Care to share?” She looked hopeful.

He debated whether or not to tell her. She might think he was strange if he did. Clasping his hands in front of him on top of the table, he drew in a deep breath and said, “Know this sounds odd, but ever since Michael brought Selina here, I’ve been hoping to find someone like her.”

She shook her head and grinned. “You sound like Michael.”

“Come again?” he asked, not understanding her meaning.

“Well.” She dropped her hands onto her lap. “Ever since Rainee arrived, Michael wanted someone just like her.”

“He did?” That was news to him. Shocking news at that.

“Yes.”

“Don’t get it. Selina’s nothing like Rainee.”

“I know. Everything in her letters indicated she was like her, but her friend had written the letters for her and lied so Selina would find a good husband. It was a deceptive thing for her to do, but I’m so glad she did. Selina is a remarkable person. And I’m so thrilled to have her for a sister.”

Everything Leah just mentioned made him rethink what he was about to do. What if he, too, got a woman who lied to him and wasn’t what she said she was? Or even worse, what if he found someone who interested him and she turned him down because he wasn’t what she expected? After all, he’d been turned down twice before. Could he handle another rejection?

* * *

Leah studied Jake’s face. It went from fear to confusion to sadness.

“Maybe I shouldn’t do this. Maybe I should just give up this whole crazy idea.” Jake plowed his hands through his bulky blond hair and sat back from the letters, staring at them.

“Why?” Leah couldn’t imagine what had caused him to change his mind so suddenly.

“Well, what if the woman who writes me is nothing like she portrays herself to be?”

Oh, that’s why. Leah let out a relieved sigh. “Jake, because Michael was needed on the ranch, he married Selina without going out to meet her. You don’t have to do that.”

“I can’t afford to leave, either.” Again his fingers forked through his hair. Only this time they went all the way down the back of his head until they reached his thick, muscular neck where they lingered.

“You don’t have to. You can have her come here.”

His hand dropped to the table. He frowned. “Why didn’t Michael do that?”

“Because Selina’s father wouldn’t let her leave until she was married. Michael had prayed about it and had peace so he married her sight unseen.”

Jake scooted back his chair, scraping it against the rough wood floor, and rose. Leah’s eyes trailed up his tall, broad frame, wondering what he was doing.

He went to the sink, which she noticed was stacked with what she presumed to be dirty dishes, though a large towel covered them. Nervousness permeated his every movement. “I know I already asked you this once, but would you like something to drink now?”

“Yes. Thank you. A glass of water would be great.” Her mouth felt dry as trail dust. She watched as he held the glass under the spout and raised and lowered the water pump handle in the sink. His broad shoulders and arm muscles bulged as he filled the glass. Only a few drips of water landed onto the dish towel. She hoped to find someone as tall as Jake. He had to be at least six-foot-four or -five. And at five-foot-eight-and-a-half, she was either the same height as most of the men she knew or taller. The thought of being taller than the man she married bothered her.

Jake turned and walked back toward her. What a fine male specimen he was. He would make some woman a good husband. Of that she was certain.

He set a glass of water in front of her and one in front of himself before lowering his bulky frame onto the chair. Worry creased his forehead. This time she thought she knew why.

Wanting to put his mind at ease, she laid her hand on top of his arm, and his hard muscle jumped under her fingertips. She removed her hand and rested it on the table in front of her. “Listen, Jake. Before you get too involved with someone, you could always make it clear you want to meet them in person and spend time getting to know them before either of you make any real commitment. And...” She sat back in her chair. “I don’t know what your financial situation is, but you could inform her that you would send her a round-trip ticket in case things don’t work out.”

His shoulders relaxed and the creases in his forehead disappeared. “That’s a good idea. Think someone would do that?”

“Of course they would. It’s done all the time. I know I’m going to. There is no way I’m going to marry someone without meeting him and without spending time with him and his family first.”

“You scared, Leah?”

Was she? “A little. But the sooner I get away from here, the happier I’ll be.”

“You sure about that? Won’t you miss your family?”

“Yes and yes. To be perfectly honest, the idea of staying here bothers me more than the idea of missing my family or the fear of the unknown does. I actually find that part rather thrilling.”

“What do you find thrilling?”

“The fear of the unknown.”

He narrowed his eyes and searched hers. “Why do you dislike it here so much?”

She shrugged, wishing she could confide in him about the nightmares and just why she hated this place as much as she did. But she didn’t want him to think she was being silly like Marie had, so she used her standard reply. “I miss New York City and the lifestyle I used to have back then. Plus, I want some excitement in my life. As crazy as this may sound, I crave adventure.” That part was true. She could use some adventure in her life.

“The Idaho Territory doesn’t provide you with enough adventure?” A hint of humor warbled his voice.

“No. It’s so boring here. Nothing exciting ever happens.”

“You don’t call the war with Nez Perce Indians exciting?” His blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“There was nothing exciting about that war. Frightening was more like it.” She shifted in her seat. “But I don’t want to talk about that. Let’s take a look at those letters. Would you like to read them first, or do you want me to?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather you read them.” Jake opened the envelope from Tennessee and gave the letter to Leah.

Leah could hardly decipher the sloppy penmanship. “Hello, my name is Betsy. I’m a single mother of four young children.”

“Whoa.” Jake’s hand flew up. “Forget that one. Not ready to be a father yet. Especially to a herd of kids.” He frowned. “How old is she, anyway? Does she say?”

Leah scanned the letter. “She’s thirty-nine.”

His eyes widened. “Thirty-nine? That’s eleven years older than me. No, thank you.” He tugged the letter from her hands and ripped it into several pieces before setting the shredded pile far from him.

Leah took the liberty of going through his stack of posts. She couldn’t believe how many women were looking for husbands. “How about this one? The postmark is from Mississippi.”

He shrugged, then nodded.

“Dear Mr. Lure. Me name is Samantha O’Sullivan. I be twenty-seven years old, six feet tall and one hundred and twenty pounds. Me hair is fiery red and me eyes are brown. Me pa said I must be gettin’ married soon afore I become an ole maid. I dinna want to wed, but me pa said if I dinna and dinna write to you that he would toss me backside outta the house.”

Leah looked over at Jake and put on her most serious face. “I think she sounds just like what you’re looking for. You should write her back right away.”

“You—you do?” The shock on his face pulled a guffaw out of Leah.

“No, no. Don’t look so worried. I’m just teasing you, Jake.”

Relief flooded over his face and his taut lips relaxed. “Whew. Had me worried there for a moment.”

Leah sat up straight and in her best Irish imitation she said, “Blimey, Mister Jake. Ye must pick me. Aye, ye must, even tho’ I dinna wanna marry. And even tho’ me be gone in da head for even tellin’ ye such a thang in da first place, won’t ye please consider sendin’ fer me anyway and spare me from becomin’ an ole maid?”

She laughed and so did Jake, but his laughter had a nervous flutter to it.

Seconds later, Jake shredded that letter, too. “Next.”

Leah continued reading the responses he’d received. Each one was worst than the first, but Jake didn’t shred any more of them— He just stacked them in a pile. She opened the last one and a photograph slipped out. Leah picked it up and her mouth fell open.

“What you got there?” Jake asked.

Leah slid her attention from the photo and onto him. “She sent you a picture.”

“Who did?”

Leah handed the picture to him and looked at the signature at the bottom of the letter. “Evie Scott. She’s very lovely, isn’t she?”

“Yep, she’s pretty.” He said it with very little enthusiasm.

Was the man blind or something? The woman was striking, and yet Jake seemed unfazed by her beauty.

He laid the photo on the kitchen table. “Don’t care what a person looks like. I care about the type of person they are in here.” He pointed to his heart. “What’s her letter say?”

Leah drew in a breath and read the letter. “Dear Mr. Lure. My name is Evie Scott. As you see, I have enclosed a photograph of myself. I am twenty-two years old, five-feet-seven inches tall. Ever since the War Between the States, men have been scarce out here in Alabama. It is my desire to marry and to raise a family. I am willing to travel out West and marry straightaway, or if you so desire, we can spend time getting to know one another first before a commitment is made by either one of us. Of course, I will expect proper accommodations for a lady of my standing and—”

“Whoa. Stop right there,” Jake interrupted.

Leah looked at Jake. “What’s the matter?”

“Heard enough. She’s not someone I’d consider marrying.”

Leah tilted her head and frowned. “Why? She sounds lovely.”

“Obviously, she’s a woman of rank. I want a wife I can feel equal to. Not someone who comes from money.”

She came from money, so why had he asked her to marry him? Wait a minute. Did he think she had turned him down because he didn’t have money? That bothered her. A lot. She didn’t care about that. But she didn’t want to ask and embarrass him, either. So she’d let it go. For now, anyway. “Okay.” Leah placed the photo in the letter and put it back into the envelope. “What now?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I’m in no hurry to get married. I’ll wait to see if anyone else answers my ad.”

“Oh, okay.” She nodded.

Neither spoke.

“Leah.” Abby chose that moment to appear at the door. Leah looked over at her sister. “We’d better get on home or Mother’s going to wonder where we are. She may even send out a posse or the cavalry looking for us,” Abby said with her usual dramatic flair.

“What time is it?”

Jake pulled out his pocket watch and told her the time.

“Sweet twinkling stars above. Abby’s right.” Leah scooted her chair out. “I’ve got to go. Mother will be worried.”

Abby darted down the steps. Banjo followed her, leaping and hopping at her heels.

“Meant to ask you, where’d that expression come from, anyway?” Jake asked, following her out. “You’re the only one I ever heard say it.”

“Say what?”

“‘Sweet twinkling stars above.’”

“Oh, that.” Her face lit up. At the edge of the porch she gazed up at the sky. “When my father was alive, many warm summer nights we’d grab blankets and go lay outside. Father used to tuck me under the crook of his arm and we’d stare up at the stars. Father used to say that back in New York you couldn’t see them as clearly as you could here. He even made up a song about sweet twinkling stars above and used to sing it to us.”

“How’s it go?”

Leah turned her attention onto him, then to where Abby was, near the phaeton playing with Banjo.

“Sweet twinkling stars above; there to remind us of our Heavenly Father’s love. Each one placed by the Savior with care; as a sweet reminder that He will always be there. Oh, sweet twinkling stars above. When my children gaze upon you remind them, too, of my love. Each twinkle is a kiss from me; a hug, a prayer, a sweet memory. Oh, sweet twinkling stars above.” Leah stopped singing in the softest, sweetest voice he’d ever heard. One filled with reverence and joy. And yet, her face now only showed sadness. “Okay. Now you know. And I need to get going,” she blurted as if her tongue were on fire, and down the steps she bolted.

Jake caught up to her and they walked side by side until she reached her carriage. She stopped and faced him. All of a sudden, something barreled into her backside and sent her flying forward. Her face smacked into a firm wall. Her arms flung out, clutching onto something solid. Something warm. Something very muscular.

* * *

Jake stared at the top of Leah’s head plastered against his chest. Her hands clung to his upper arms as he caught and held her there. He froze in place and the air around him suddenly disappeared. Having her this close to him, her hands touching him and her head so near his heart, caused his pulse to buck and kick like an untamed horse. That had never happened to him before. Course, she’d never touched him that closely before, either. Still. What was going on?

“Um, Jake, could you help me up, please?”

Jake blinked. “Oh. Yeah. Sorry.” As soon as she was steady on her feet, he released her.

“What just hit me, anyway?” Leah ran her hands over her skirt.

“Meanie’s what hit you,” Abby said from behind Leah.

Abby had Jake’s pet goat by the collar, yanking it away from her sister.

“Meanie! How’d you get out?” Jake grabbed the goat’s collar and tugged her close to his leg. The animal stretched her head toward Leah and started gnawing on her skirt.

Jake yanked the cloth from the nanny’s mouth and tapped her on the tip of the nose. “Stop that, you ornery old goat.” Meanie latched onto Jake’s fingers and shook her head fast and hard.

Banjo barked and bit Meanie in the backside. The goat chomped down harder on Jake’s fingers. Jake struggled to pull them away while simultaneously holding the goat and knowing he looked like a blooming idiot. “Down, Banjo!”

The dog immediately dropped onto his belly.

Jake tugged, trying to free his now-throbbing fingers. One more yank and they were free. Shaking his hand, he glanced over at Leah. “Gonna hang that brother of yours. Should have never let Michael talk me into taking this goat off his hands.”

Leah covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes crinkled into a smile.

“Go ahead and laugh. We both know you want to.”

Her laughter pealed across the farmyard. It only took a second before he and Abby joined her.

With a hard jerk on his arm, Meanie broke free and took off in the direction of Mabel’s house. Banjo ran after her, nipping her heels and dodging the goat’s quick kicks.

“Oh, no! Not again.” Jake darted after them, hollering over his shoulder, “See you ladies tomorrow. Got a dog to stop and a goat to catch.”

Their laughter followed him.

It took a quarter mile, but he finally caught up with Meanie and the dog, corralled them both and headed back to the house. He fully expected Leah and Abby to be gone, but they weren’t. Keeping a tight hold on Meanie, he walked up to Leah’s rig, panting from the exertion. “Something wrong?” he asked between gasps of breath. He struggled to keep the nanny from breaking free again.

“You said you would see us tomorrow, but I can’t come by tomorrow.”

“Won’t be here even if you did.”

“Huh?” Leah tilted her head in that charming way of hers.

“Guess Michael didn’t tell you, then.”

“Tell me what?”

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be working for him.” He jerked on the goat’s collar to keep her under control.

Leah’s eyes widened. “Y-you are?” She glanced around his spread and then turned her attention back onto him. “But who’s going to take care of your place?”

“Only gonna work part-time, until Smokey gets back from taking care of his folks’ affairs and Michael feels comfortable leaving Selina home with the twins. Can you believe it? Michael. A father? To twins?”

“It’s hard to picture Michael a father. But I’m so happy for my brother and Selina. It’s hilarious watching him with those babies. Every little whimper and he rushes to their cradles. Selina has to almost wrestle him to the ground to keep him from picking them up all the time. He’s paranoid to leave them and Selina alone.

“Mother, Abby and I promised him we’d help, but with Lottie Lynn and Joseph Michael only a few days old, he doesn’t want to leave them or Selina. And if he does, it’s only for a minute or two. I can understand that.” She looked at Jake and her smile lit up her whole face. “I’m glad you’ll be at the ranch, though. It’ll be fun having you around.”

Jake’s insides grinned at her announcement. Maybe being a hired hand on the Bowen ranch just might be a fun thing after all.

Chapter Three

Leah removed her coat and scarf, hung them up on a wooden coat tree near the front door of her house and looked around. Dinner was on the stove waiting to be heated, everything was sparkling clean and the laundry was finished. With Abby still outside and her mother only who knew where, the house was so quiet that the only sound she heard was the grandfather clock ticking. Knowing she was alone and that she wouldn’t have to wait until later to read her letters, her spirit skipped with excitement. She darted toward the stairs.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Mother’s voice stopped her.

Masking her disappointment for the delay in reading her posts, she put her reticule on the step and turned toward her mother. “Hi, Mother. Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

“Of course you didn’t. I was in my room until I heard the front door. Did you have a nice time in town today?”

“I had a wonderful time.” Soon Mother would know just how wonderful of a day Leah really did have. Right now, however, she had to keep that information tucked inside those hidden, secret compartments in her mind. When the time was right, she would tell Mother of her plans.

Arm in arm they went to the living room and sat down. Mother crossed her legs in Leah’s direction. “Were you and Abby able to help Phoebe get everything finished for her wedding?”

“Yes, we did. Oh, Mother, Phoebe’s gown is so pretty, and she looked so beautiful in it. Markus will absolutely love it.”

“I’m sure he will. I wish you could find a nice man like Markus. Anyone caught your eye yet?” Eagerness and hope brightened her mother’s beautiful face.

“No. Sorry, Mother. Not yet.” But hopefully someone will very soon. She thought of the letters sitting on the stairs, waiting for her and calling out to her to come read them.

Mother patted her hand. “You will. God has someone special for you. I’m sure of it. When the time is right, He’ll bring the right man into your life. Unless He already has and you don’t know it yet.”

She tilted her head and frowned. That same strand of hair that always seemed to escape its pins fell across her cheek. She reached up and curled it around her ear. “What do you mean? Do you have someone in mind?”

Mother leaned forward. “Let’s just say I’ve been praying.” She reached for Leah’s hands and held them in her own, hands that were starting to show a few age spots and wrinkles. “Sweetheart, sometimes God places something right before our eyes but we don’t see it because we’re too busy looking somewhere else or for something else. Something that may or may not be God’s will for us.”

Did her mother know about her plans? No, she couldn’t because only Abby, Jake and Selina knew, and none of them would have said anything to her. Of that she was certain. The need to know what her mother meant hovered inside her until she could no longer stand it. “What do you mean, Mother?”

“I’m just saying that there are a lot of young men here who would make a wonderful husband.”

That was true. But the problem was they lived here, not in New York.

“What about Jake? You two seem to get along really well. You even entered the sack race at last year’s harvest party with him. He’s a nice man who loves the Lord. He’d make a wonderful husband.”

Her eyes snapped to her mother’s. “Mother, Jake is a nice man, but he’s not the one for me.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just know. Well, Mother—” Leah rose “—I’m sorry to end this conversation, but I have some things I need to do.”

The look on her mother’s face said Leah wasn’t fooling her, but she nodded and smiled. “I need to get busy, too. Just think about what I said, okay?”

“I will.” They hugged, then Leah headed up to her room. She removed the letters from her reticule and locked them in her nightstand before heading back downstairs and out the door where she planned on having a long talk with the Lord. After the conversation with her mother, she needed one.

* * *

Two hours later, after the dinner dishes were finished and the kitchen cleaned, Leah excused herself and went up to her room, shutting the door behind her. With one right turn of the passkey she locked the door, then tossed the key in her armoire drawer and quickly readied herself for bed. Against the headboard she propped up her pillows and settled herself on top of her lavender quilt. With a quick turn of the brass skeleton key, she unlocked her nightstand drawer, removed the letters, a pencil, and her Mr. Darcy diary and opened it up to the next blank page.

Dear Mr. Darcy, she penciled in as she had been doing ever since Rainee had given her the journal. Somehow Leah had felt silly just writing to her journal, but this way she felt like she was writing to a real, live person somewhere—someone who understood what she was going through. Someone who didn’t make fun of her. She thought about calling it her Dear Daddy diary, but that hurt too much, so she named it the next best thing after her father, Mr. Darcy.

Today, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had received many letters to my advertisement. I can’t wait to read them, and I want you here when I do. My greatest hope is that I will find you in one of them.

For years I’ve dreamed of finding someone as wonderful as my father. You’re the closest thing to that. But you already know that, don’t you? I’ve shared it with you enough times.

I so desperately need to move. To escape the nightmares. I can’t take them much longer. They’re getting even worse and are coming more often. I just have got to find the peace I had before tragedy took Daddy away from me.

She grimaced.

Before the Idaho Territory took him from me.

Fresh anger roiled inside her.

I hate this place, Mr. Darcy! My father would still be alive if we hadn’t ever moved here. I miss him terribly.

She brushed away a tear, let out a long sigh and forced her shaking hand to continue.

I want to go back to New York. That’s why I placed an ad in the New York Times. I’m going to stop writing now so I can read my letters, but I’ll be back to let you know how they are. See you in awhile.

Love,

Leah

She set her diary off to the side and picked up the first letter postmarked from New York. Her heart raced as she tore open the envelope. Was this it? Was this the man who would make everything good again? She couldn’t wait to see.

Dear Madam,

I am answering your advertisement because I am in need of a wife. It is my father’s wish that I marry a woman who is willing to bear me many sons so as to continue the Hamlen name and lineage.

Leah felt heat rush into her cheeks. The man was rather forward with his mention of bearing children. Such an intimate detail for him to openly share. Most inappropriate. But then again, if that was his design in marrying, then she could understand why he would bring it up. Still, the very idea that he did made her uncomfortable.

With uneasiness squirming through her, she continued to read.

The women here refuse to submit to my authority, and I will not have that. I will say straightaway that I am a strict believer in the Bible and where it says that the man is the head over the woman and she is to submit to her husband. If you do not have a problem with being submissive to me and calling me Lord, then please contact me. If not, do not bother responding.

Signed,

Mr. Gregory Joseph Hamlen III

Leah laughed. No wonder the man was still single. What woman in her right mind would ever marry such a man as he?

She imitated Jake and tore the letter and envelope into pieces. After she did, she wished she hadn’t and instead kept it to read to Jake. “If he thought some of his letters were bad, well, this one topped any of his,” she whispered into the empty room.

Leah scanned through the pile of letters. One with precise penmanship snagged her attention. She looked at the return envelope and her heart skipped a beat. Sweet twinkling stars above! She clutched the envelope to her chest and looked upward. “Lord, is this a sign from You?”

Pulling her attention back onto the letter, she read the name on the return label again.

Fitzwilliam D. Barrington.

Fitzwilliam was Mr. Darcy’s first name. She wondered what the D stood for. Darcy? No. Surely not. That would be too weird, even for her. Brushing all those thoughts and the strand of hair that had fallen against her cheek aside, she flipped the envelope over and carefully ran her finger over the red waxed seal with the fancy script B insignia.

Dear Miss Bowen,

As I have just moved to the United States of America from England, I have not had the pleasure to make many acquaintances as of yet. The women I have met do not share your good opinion to travel and to explore the world. I must confess, your exuberant advertisement has quite intrigued me, and I must meet you. If it is agreeable with you, perhaps I could come on Tuesday next or within a fortnight to meet you. We could spend time getting acquainted to see if there could be a future for us together. If this is agreeable, then please send a post to me straightaway.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Fitzwilliam D. Barrington

Relief drizzled over her. Mr. Barrington was willing to come here. She wouldn’t have to risk breaking her mother’s heart by traipsing off to New York by herself. She tossed everything from her lap onto the floor and rushed over to her writing desk.

Retrieving her best stationery, she dipped her pen in the ink well and penned her reply, making sure to use the swooping letters that looked so beautiful. Everything about this reply had to be perfect. After all, Fitzwilliam would make his decision about her and their future from it. Tomorrow she would take it to the post office. Bubbles of excitement popped through her. In her heart of hearts she felt she had at last found her very own Mr. Darcy who would come and whisk her away.

* * *

Jake saddled his horse and made his way to the Bowens’ house. No one would be expecting him for at least another hour, but he couldn’t sleep so he’d decided to head to their place early in hopes of seeing Leah. The morning nip brushed across him on a light breeze. He pulled the lapels of his wool coat tighter together, hoping the morning sun would soon penetrate the chilly air.

As he rounded the bend of pine trees nestled against the mountain leading to the Bowen ranch, his anticipation of seeing Leah caused his heart to beat erratically as he rode into their ranch yard. Leah had a way of making him feel special. He loved spending time with her.

He glanced toward the barn. There she was, sitting on a bench outside the barn door, petting Kitty, the family’s pet pig. Jake reined his horse in that direction. Leah raised her head and leaped up. Grabbing the ends of her light pink wrap together, she scurried toward him, her lavender dress swinging like a bell around her feet as she did. Her warm welcome made his heart smile.

“I was hoping I would catch you this morning. You won’t believe what I have to tell you.” She was practically bouncing on her feet.

“Morning to you, too.” He grinned.

There were those dimples again. Her eyes sparkled and her face shone brighter than the morning sun glistening off the dewdrops. Something had put that glow on her face. How he wished it was him, but he knew better.

“What won’t I believe?” He dismounted and stood in front of her. Kitty nudged her nose into the palm of his hand.

“Kitty, leave Jake alone.”

“She’s all right.”

“She’s a pest.” Leah leaned over and tapped the pig on the nose. “Aren’t you, girl?”

Kitty sniffed the air with her round snout. Jake patted her shoulder and gave a quick scratch behind her ears. Content with the attention, Kitty waddled slowly in the direction of the field blooming with purple camas flowers, no doubt to have her fill of camas bulbs. “That pig’s quite a character.”

“She sure is.” Leah laughed, then turned her attention from the retreating pig back onto him. “Come and sit down. I can’t wait to tell you my good news.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.

There was a lilt to her walk. The air around her rolled with joy. She let his hand go and he followed her to the same hewed-out bench she’d been sitting on when he’d arrived. After he tied his horse to a nearby hitching post, he sat down with her, careful to keep the appropriate amount of distance between them.

“Okay, bright eyes. What’s your good news?”

Her smile bracketed by those dimples was contagious, and he found his own lips curling upward.

“I think I found my husband.”

He wasn’t expecting that, and it took him a minute to gather his wits about him. “Oh, yeah?” He knew he should be happy for her. That it would happen someday. But the thought of losing his best friend made his gut twist into a painful knot.

“Yes. He moved from England to New York City and he wants to come here to meet me. I’m sending my consent today. I’m so happy. He sounds like just the type of man I’ve been looking for.” She went on and on oblivious to the pain her declaration was causing him. Pain he couldn’t articulate.

“Morning, Jake.” Michael’s voice drifted toward him from yards away. “I wasn’t expecting you here so early.”

Jake snapped himself together and stood. “Morning, Michael.”

Leah hopped up beside him. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “I thought you didn’t want to leave Selina alone.”

“I don’t. But she’s finally asleep now.”

“What do you mean, ‘finally’?” Leah tilted her head.

“The babies kept her up most of the night.”

Jake anchored his arms across his chest. Concern for a woman he’d come to greatly respect pressed through him. “How’s Selina doing?”

“Other than being exhausted, she’s doing well. Having twins is a lot of hard work. But Joseph and Lottie Lynn are sure worth it.” His eyes sparkled, then a wide yawn stretched his lips. It was then that Jake noticed the bags under Michael’s eyes.

“So, what are you doing here?” Leah inquired again.

“I wanted to show Jake what to do.”

“Can’t Haydon or Jess do that?”

“They could, but...”

“You know both Haydon and Jess are going to hang you for not trusting them to show Jake what to do,” Leah interrupted her brother.

Michael frowned. “It’s not that I don’t trust them. I wanted to be here to welcome Jake. To show him around and...”

They continued to talk about Jake as if he weren’t standing right there between them.

“Fine, fine. If you insist on being the one to show him what to do, I’ll run over and sit with Selina and the twins until you get back. I know that will help put your mind at ease and help you to relax a bit.”

“It sure will. Thank you, Leah. But don’t wake her or the babies. And don’t knock. Just open the door quietly and let yourself in.”

“Yes, yes, Michael.” Leah dragged out the words and rolled her eyes at her brother. “You worry too much. You really need to learn to lighten up.”

“Just wait until you have children. Then it will be my turn to tell you to lighten up.”

She shook her head and glanced over at Jake. “See you later, Jake.”

He gave a quick nod and watched her as she headed toward Michael’s house.

“You like her, don’t you?”

Jake yanked his attention to Michael. “Sure I like her. She’s been a great friend to me.”

“She’s more than a friend. I can see it in your eyes.”

Jake shook his head and waved Michael off. “The only thing you see in my eyes is respect.”

“If you say so, buddy.” The smirk on Michael’s face bugged Jake. Couldn’t a guy have a female friend without everyone making a big deal about it?

Best change the subject before Michael put together any more pieces that didn’t fit. “So, what do you want me to do?”

“Changing the subject, huh?”

“Michael.” Jake sent Michael a warning glare. “I’m here to help, not discuss my friendship with Leah. You want my help or not? Besides, thought you didn’t like leaving Selina alone.”

Worry crowded into Michael’s face immediately followed by determination. He glanced at his pocket watch. “Oh, man. I’ve got to hurry. I’ve been gone ten minutes already.”

“Ten minutes? That long, huh? We’d better hurry, then.”

“Okay, wise guy. Just wait until you become a father. Then you’ll understand. Come on.” He motioned for them to go inside the barn.

Jake hoped someday he would know exactly how Michael felt. Once again, he wished Leah hadn’t turned his marriage offer down. He knew she’d make a good wife and mother, and he admired her and respected her more than any other woman he knew.

Thoughts of Leah answering some strange man’s ad and inviting him there trailed through Jake’s mind. Would he be able to handle seeing his best friend hanging out with another man?

A man who could possibly become Leah’s husband and take her away from him?

God, give me the grace to let my friend go and to make it through this time. Make it a large dose. ’Cause I’m sure gonna need every ounce You can spare.

Chapter Four

Steps creaked under Leah’s feet. She cringed, hoping the noise wouldn’t wake Selina. Michael would give her a good scolding if she did. Of that she was certain. Quietly she opened the door and stepped inside. Her eyes popped open. She’d never seen Selina’s house this messy before. Never.

Dishes were scattered all over the table and piled in the sink. If Selina saw them, she would be so upset, and Leah couldn’t have that. After she peeked into Selina’s bedroom to make sure everything was all right, she closed the door. Leah grabbed an apron from off the hook, rolled up her sleeves and, as quietly as she could, she washed the dishes and tidied up the house.

Squeaking hinges caught her attention. She turned to find Michael stepping inside the house.

“Is she still asleep? Are the twins okay?”

She barely heard his questions his voice was so low.

“Yes. They’re fine.” She, too, kept her voice down.

“Good.” He nodded. “Leah, would you mind doing me a favor?” He looked away and then back at her. “Oh. Thanks for doing the dishes and picking up the place. I really appreciate it. I hadn’t gotten to that yet.”

“You’re welcome, Michael. That’s what sisters are for.” She smiled. “Now, what did you want?”

“We have a cow that’s down and needs doctoring. Everyone else is busy and Jake will need my help. Would you mind staying here with Selina a bit longer? I don’t want to leave her alone.” He ran his hand over his face. “Man, I wish I didn’t have to help. I hate leaving Selina. But Jake can’t do it alone and no one else is around.”

Leah laid her hand on his arm. “I can stay with her. She and the twins will be just fine.”

Worry crowded his face. It was happening a lot these days.

“Michael.” She turned and gave him a push toward the door. “Go. They’ll be fine. Selina’s a strong woman.”

“She is, isn’t she?” Pride puffed out his chest.

“Yes. Now go. I’ll wait until you get back.”

“If you need anything—”

“Michael, she’ll be fine.” This time, Leah pushed him out the door.

“I’ll be back in about an hour.”

“I’ll be here.”

She watched Michael leave, then shut the door.

With Selina and the babies still sound asleep, Leah searched her brother’s cellar and pantry and made a pot of stew and some biscuits.

Nearly an hour later, Leah heard a baby cry. She headed over to the bedroom, slowly opened the door and peered inside. Lottie Lynn’s little arms were moving in short, choppy movements. A wail came from Joseph’s bed and his arms and legs imitated his sister’s. Leah scurried inside, not knowing which one to reach for first.

“They sure have mighty good lungs,” Selina said with a voice filled with sleep.

She started to rise, but Leah shot up her hand. “You stay there. I’ll bring them to you.”

“I ain’t helpless. I can get them.”

“I know you’re not. But Michael would have my hide if he knew I let you get out of that bed.”

Selina rolled her sleepy eyes. “Such fussin’ that man does over me. I can do it.”

“Please, Selina. You stay there. Let me do this for you,” Leah said over the wails of the twins. She picked up Lottie Lynn, who stopped crying instantly. Leah hugged the baby girl to her chest. Someday she hoped to have a houseful of her own children. Her thoughts went to the letter still in her pocket, the one destined to be mailed today. Maybe that someday wasn’t too far off.

She changed the baby’s diaper and handed her to Selina who was now sitting propped against the pillows, looking more tired than Leah had ever seen her. No wonder Michael seemed so worried. She made a mental note to tell her mother that despite Michael’s protest, they needed to come and help Selina...and Michael.

“Thank ya kindly, Leah.”

“You’re welcome.”

Joey’s loud wail pierced the air. Leah scuttled over to his crib and, securing his head, lifted him out. Muddy diaper odor stung Leah’s nose with its potency. Ewwww. She wrinkled her nose and blinked her eyes.

“Sweet twinkling stars above. You need changing, little man,” she cooed to him as she walked over to the changing table Michael had made. She laid him on the wooden slab with the feather-filled flannel quilt on top and changed her nephew’s diaper. His crying stopped. She picked him up, kissed his cheek and turned toward Selina. A light blanket covered Lottie Lynn’s head while she nursed.

“Do you want me to leave and you can holler when you’re finished?”

“No. It don’t bother me none. Unless you’re uncomfortable.”

She shook her head, sat down in the rocking chair next to the bed and rocked Joey.

Leah knew it was time to make the announcement. She let out a long breath to settle the butterflies flitting about in her stomach. “Well, I finally did it.”

Busy with the baby, Selina hardly looked up. “Did what?”

“I placed an advertisement for a husband. And I’ve already received several answers.”

Selina’s eyes went wide as they jerked up, and her brows puckered. “Does your family know?”

“No.”

“They ain’t gonna like it. You goin’ off to who knows where.”

Leah found that weird coming from Selina, who had traveled across the country to be with Michael.

“I know what you’re a-thinkin’. I did it. And I personally see nothin’ wrong with it. But your family is mighty protective of you.”

“I know they are. But...” She handed Joey to Selina and took the newly fed Lottie Lynn from her mother. With a cloth draped over her shoulder Leah patted her niece on the back until a loud burp echoed in the room. Selina and Leah giggled.

Selina settled Joey and then turned her attention back to Leah. “But what?”

“But, I don’t think they’ll have a problem with it once I tell him that Fitzwilliam will be coming here, and I won’t be traveling alone.”

“Fitzwilliam? Ain’t that an interestin’ name. Never heard it before.”

“I love his name. And—” she shifted Lottie Lynn and cradled her closer “—I really believe God is in this.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, ever since reading Pride and Prejudice I’ve prayed for a man like Mr. Darcy. In the book, Mr. Darcy’s first name is Fitzwilliam.”

“Oh. I see.” She waved her head back and forth, confusion flooding her face. “No, I don’t see. What’s that gotta do with anythin’?”

“It’s simple, really. I’ve been praying for a man like Mr. Darcy. Then I get a letter from a man with Mr. Darcy’s first name. And he lives in New York City.” Oops. She shouldn’t have said that. Leah didn’t want Selina asking her why that was important, so she rushed on before she could. “You see, these are all signs.”

“Signs?”

“Yes. From God.”

“Leah, it ain’t none-a my business—”

“What isn’t any of your business, sweetheart?” Michael interrupted Selina as he stepped into the room.

Leah’s gaze flew to Selina. With her eyes only, she begged Selina not to tell him.

Her brother strode into the room and kissed Selina, then took Lottie Lynn from Leah. “So, how are my favorite people in the whole world doing?” Michael sat on the bed next to Selina.

“Oh, I didn’t know you thought of me as one of your favorite people. I’m honored, and I’m doing great,” Leah teased her brother.

“Very funny. Ha-ha. I wasn’t asking you.”

“Really? Could have fooled me,” she teased him again.

Michael turned to his family.

Whew. Thank You, Lord. Michael’s forgotten all about his question. Leah stood. “It looks like you don’t need me anymore, so I’ll be on my way. There’s stew on the stove and biscuits in the warmer.”

Michael glanced over at her. “Thank you, Leah. I appreciate your help.” He turned back to Selina.

“Thank ya kindly, Leah.” Selina peered around him. Then, as if she weren’t even there, her brother and his wife started talking. They were so adorable to watch. Leah silently prayed for a marriage like theirs, like the marriages of all her siblings and her parents. Out of the house she bounded with a spring in her step. Time to ready her horse and head into town to mail the letter that might very well give her the future she desired.

* * *

Jake finished mucking the stalls. Rivulets of sweat streamed from underneath his cowboy hat. From his back pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief that had definitely seen better days.

“You need a new one of those.” Leah stepped in front of him, and what a beautiful sight she was.

He looked at the holes in his kerchief. “Sure do.”

“I’ll make you some.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I know I don’t need to, silly. I want to.”

It was hard for Jake to accept charity—always had been. He hated feeling less than in front of anyone. Feeling that way in front of Leah was even worse. “Only if I pay for them.”

Leah planted her hands on her slender hips. “No. You will not pay me for them.”

“Won’t take them then.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stood his ground.

Her eyes trailed the length of him. For some odd reason, he hoped she liked what she saw. “You think that stance is going to stop me? Well, it won’t. Besides, you have a birthday coming up and you can’t refuse a birthday gift from a friend. It would be rude.”

She got him there. He picked up the shovel again and changed the subject. “How are Selina and the twins doing?”

“Great. They’re so cute. You should see them.”

“I’ll give Selina a few more days to recuperate before I do. Besides, don’t think Michael’s gonna let anyone near her for a few days.”

They laughed.

“He sure is protective of them, isn’t he?” Leah said through a giggle.

“I would be, too.”

“I bet you would. You’ll make a fine father someday.” As she realized what she’d said, her face turned a deep shade of red. She spun and headed toward the tack room.

Jake followed her. “What you doing?”

“I’m going to get Lambie ready so I can head into town to mail my letter.” She kept her back to him and reached for a halter.

His heart felt as if it had been thrown from a bucking bronc, but he reached for the tack just the same. “Here. Let me do that.”

She turned to him and her smile was filled with gratitude. “I can get her. But thanks anyway.”

Jake gently tugged the halter from her grasp. “How about you let me help—or no handkerchiefs?” He grinned down at her.

She tilted her head and gazed up at him with those big blue eyes. “Okay. You win. But—” she held out her hand “—only if you promise me you will accept my gift.”

Jake glanced down at her hand. “Deal.” He accepted her handshake. Her hand felt small in his larger one. Soft, too, except for the few calluses he felt.

“Um, Jake.” Leah glanced down at her hand. “You can let go now.”

His attention drifted to her face and then to where their hands were still joined. “Oh, right.” He dropped her hand as if it were on fire and felt heat rush up his neck and into his face. He couldn’t believe it. He was blushing. Blushing. Like a woman.

Embarrassed, he spun on the heel of his boot and strode to her horse’s stall. “How you doing, girl?” he asked, slipping the lead rope around Lambie’s neck and then the halter on her head. Jake led the mare from her stall over to where Leah stood by the phaeton.

While they worked together to hitch up her horse Jake asked, “Lambie’s a weird name for a horse, ain’t it?”

“Yes. Abby named her.”

“Did she name Kitty, too?” He referred to the pet pig with the huge personality.

“Yes. When she was younger she wanted to name all the animals. My brothers didn’t have the heart to refuse her. They’re sorry for it now.” She laughed.

“Why’s that?”

“Well, we have a horse named Lambie and one named Raven. Kitty the pig.” She ticked each one off her fingers as she mentioned them. “Miss Piggy, the cat.” She paused. “Oh and there was Taxt, one of our bulls.”

“She named a bull Taxt?”

Leah laughed again. “Everyone asks that. And the answer is yes, she did.”

“Poor bull.”

Leah’s giggle at his comment pulled a chuckle out of him. Ever since they’d become friends, he’d found himself laughing more and more. It felt good. Real good in fact.

“There. All finished.”

“Thank you, Jake, for helping me.”

“Welcome. Anytime.”

She grabbed the lines under the horse’s chin and tugged on them. Jake hurried ahead and opened the double doors.

Outside the sun had knocked the midmorning chill out of the air.

Leah looked up at the sky and all around. “It’s sure a lovely day today.”

Jake shifted his focus from her sleek, graceful neck and placed it upward, glad his hat shielded the bright sun from reaching his eyes. “Sure is.”

“Well...” Her eyes collided with his. “I’d better go now. Mother wants me to pick up a few things for her, and I need to mail my letter.” Her face brightened at that, and his outlook dimmed.

Pushing his own stupid feelings aside, he offered her a hand into the buggy, even though he really didn’t want to aid her reason for going. “Mind picking up my mail while you’re there?”

“No. I’d be happy to.” She sat down and faced him.

“Leah.” He gathered the lines but didn’t hand them to her. “You sure you wanna do this?”

“Do what? Go to town? I have to. Mother needs—”

“No,” he interrupted her, unable to keep the frustration from his voice. “Answer that man’s ad.”

“Of course I’m sure. Otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it.”

“How can you be so certain?”

Her eyes brushed over his face as if she were contemplating her answer. She looked away and then her attention settled on him. “For years I prayed for a man like my father and Mr. Darcy.”

“Mr. Darcy? Who’s that?”

Her eyelids lowered to her lap.

Jake watched as she nervously tugged on her fingertips. In a bold move, he reached for her hands and held on to them. “Leah, look at me.”

Slowly, she raised her head toward him. “We’re friends. You can tell me who Mr. Darcy is.” Jake wondered if Mr. Darcy was the man who had just bought the livery stable. He couldn’t remember the man’s name, only that it started with a D.

“Promise you won’t laugh?”

“Promise.” He hiked his foot up, set it on the phaeton step and rested his forearm on his leg, waiting for her answer.

“Mr. Darcy is the hero in Pride and Prejudice.”

“What’s that?”

“A novel.”

Jake forced his eyes not to bounce wide open. A novel? She wanted a man like some imaginable character out of a book? Whoa! He hadn’t seen that one coming. Right now, laughing was the furthest thing from his mind.

“I know it sounds silly. But the man reminds me so much of my father.”

“So this Mr. Darcy is a rancher?”

She shook her head and her bouncy curls wiggled with the motion. He longed to wrap his finger around one of them, just to see if they were as soft as they looked. “No. He’s not a rancher. He reminds me of my father—before we moved here, that is.” She clamped her lips together tightly.

Jake thought he saw a shimmer in her eyes but wasn’t sure because she looked away. He placed his foot back onto the ground, not sure what to say or do.

Seconds ticked by. With a slow turn of her head, she dropped her attention onto him. “I’d better go, Jake. I have lots of errands to run.”

That was it. No explanation. He scanned her face. Though she tried to smile, he could see in her eyes that she was upset. He hated to see her leave like this, but he didn’t know what to say or do to make it better because he didn’t even know what was wrong.

She reached for the lines. Reluctantly, Jake laid them in her hand when what he really wanted to do was snatch them back and ask her what was wrong. But he didn’t. She said she needed to go, and he needed to respect that. He stepped back, out of her way. “Be careful.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For helping me with my horse and for not laughing at me.”

“Nothing to laugh at.” His grin was meant to reassure her.

She nodded and flicked the lines. Jake watched the buggy pull out of the yard. Curious about what type of person this Mr. Darcy fellow was, he decided that he needed to purchase a copy of that book. What was it called? Oh, yes. Pride and Prejudice. The title alone made him nervous. He’d never been much of a reader in school, but this was important. He could only imagine what was stuck in between the pages and who this Mr. Darcy fellow was. The sooner he found out, the better.

Chapter Five

Leah couldn’t believe she’d almost slipped. Telling Jake about wanting a man like her dad was bad enough, but she’d almost started to tell him why. Good thing she’d caught herself.

Two hours later, after running all of her errands, she headed for home. Seven letters had come for her and sixteen for Jake. She looked at the large bundle of Jake’s posts, and without warning or understanding, jealousy snipped at her. Why, she didn’t know. She wanted her friend to be happy. And if one of the women in those letters would make that happen, she’d be happy, too.

A light breeze swept by her and over the field of blooming camas. The purple flowers waved as the gentle wind drifted over them. Spring was her favorite time of the year. It meant winter was coming to an end and new life, new growth and new births were being ushered in.

From afar, she noticed Jake out in the field tending to the cattle and grinned. He had a way of making her smile. Another click of the lines, and she coaxed Lambie into a fast trot.

Jake spotted her, swung into his saddle and headed toward her. Her heart picked up as he neared. That happened a lot lately.

“Howdy-do.” Jake pulled his horse up alongside her buggy and rode next to her.

“Howdy-do yourself.” She pulled her horse to a stop and raised her hand to block out the sun as she gazed up at him.

Jake moved his horse until he blocked the sun from shining in her eyes. “Did you have a pleasant trip?” He thumbed the brim of his hat upward, and she got a clear look at his tabby-gray eyes.

“I sure did.” It was even more pleasurable now that her best friend was here. “How’d your day go? Did my brothers work you too hard?”

“Naw. I’m used to hard work. Think they went easy on me today, though.” There was that lazy grin she enjoyed.

“Why’s that?”

“’Cause. Didn’t do much.” He leaned over and rested his arm on his saddle horn and gazed down at her. His horse shifted and stomped its leg, trying to get rid of a pesky horsefly. Jake didn’t even flinch but remained relaxed.

Leah envied how relaxed he always was, whereas she was always restless and fidgety inside and out. Oh, to have his peace. Someday. Someday soon, she encouraged herself. “What all did you do?”

“Milked the cows. Doctored a few heifers. Cleaned the barn. Checked to make sure the pigs were all okay. That was it. I’m done for the day already.”

“Already?”

“Yep.”

“Sweet twinkling stars above. They really did go easy on you.” She grinned and nearly laughed outright.

He chuckled. “Yep. Told you they did.” Jake sat up straight. “Before I forget, did I have any mail?”

“Oh. Um. Yes. You did. Quite a bit, actually.” She moved her reticule, grabbed the tied bundle of his mail and handed it to him.

“You weren’t kidding.” He took the generous bundle from her and turned it around.

“Sixteen, to be exact.”

His attention drifted to her. “Sixteen, huh?” A knowing smirk accompanied his question.

Heat rushed to Leah’s face. She wished she could blame it on the warm sun, but the sun had been there for hours, and her red face hadn’t. She dipped her head and only let her eyes look up at him. “Yes. Sixteen.”

There was that chuckle again. “How many you get?”

“Seven.” She raised her chin, hoping her face was no longer red.

“You busy now? I mean, after you take your supplies home.”

“No. Why?”

“Well, was wondering if you’d help me go through these.” He raised the package of letters.

“Sure. You want to go through them now?”

“You mean right here?”

“Yes.”

“What about your supplies?”

“They’ll be fine. Besides, I got done earlier than I thought. Mother won’t be expecting me home for another hour or so. We could...” She looked around and pointed to the trees. “We could go sit on that rock over there in the shade?”

Jake followed her line of view. “Works for me.”

He dismounted, gathered both reins under his gelding’s neck, and wrapped them around the saddle horn and let go.

“Won’t he leave?” Leah asked, referring to his dun-colored horse.

“Nope. Dun’s trained not to go far when his reins are tied to the saddle. We do this all the time.”

“Our horses are trained to stand still when the reins are down, but I’ve never seen anyone do it like that before.”

“Yeah, well, I’m different.”

“That’s for sure.” A smile lit up her face.

It must have been lost on Jake because he whipped his head in her direction and his tone sounded defensive. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh. I see how that must have sounded, but I meant that as a compliment. Truly. That’s one of the things I like about you, Jake. You do things differently than most folks.”

“Like what?” His forehead wrinkled as he tied off the lines on her carriage.

“Well, for one, you keep that silly goat and put up with her silly antics when no one else would.”

“Yep. I do. ’Cause I know if I gave that little escape artist to someone else they would probably destroy her. That’s why I keep her.”

“Exactly. They would have put her down. And so you put up with all the trouble she causes rather than risk someone else destroying her.” Leah watched as he shrugged off her compliment. “You’re a softy when it comes to animals, Jake. That’s one of the things I admire about you. And another thing you do differently is... You asked another woman to help you pick out a wife. I don’t know anyone who’s ever done that. Do you?” She danced her eyebrows up at him and sent him a smirch of a smile.

“Got me there.” His lazy grin appeared. “Speaking of. We’d best get to it so we can get ready for Phoebe’s wedding.” Jake slipped the tied bundle of letters from her hand.

Under the clear blue sky the knee-high bunchgrass rustled as they walked through it side by side until they reached a large flat-topped boulder and sat down.

“Okay. What do we have here this time?” Leah pointed to the letters Jake held.

He untied the string and handed her the first one. Leah opened it and scrunched her face.

Jake leaned toward her. His breath brushed the hair near her ear, sending chills rushing up and down her back. Not understanding why that would happen, she turned her head, and her face was inches from his. Her gaze soared to his gray eyes. Eyes that searched hers, questioning hers, as her eyes did his.

A moment passed in which neither moved.

Then Jake pulled back, cleared his throat and looked straight ahead. Leah, realizing she hadn’t been breathing, drew in a long, quiet breath, wondering why her insides were suddenly fluttering.

* * *

Jake willed his heartbeat to return to normal. The urge to kiss his friend just now was so strong that he’d almost given in to it. Nothing good would have come from it, of that he was certain. And he would do nothing to risk his friendship with her.

No one understood him like she did.

No one accepted him just as he was like she did.

And no one filled his thoughts more than she did.

And therein lay the danger.

She was leaving soon.

It was time for him to find a wife. He looked back at her. “Well. Let’s get to it.”

Leah tilted her head. “Get to what?” Confusion infused her face.

Did she know he had been about to kiss her? If so, is that what she thought he meant? “The letters. Get to the letters.”

“Oh. Yes. Oh, um. Right. The letters.” Her attention dropped to the post in her hand. “I think we have to forget this one.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because.” She placed it under his view. “I can’t even read it.”

He squinted, trying to make out the sloppy cursive. He could make out only a few words. Saloon. Toothless. And ten babies. “Whoa!” He balled the letter up faster than he could say the word no.

“What?” Leah glanced at the wad in his hands.

“You don’t wanna know.”

“Well, now you’ve got me curious. Tell me?”

Reluctantly, he un-balled the letter and smoothed the wrinkles as best as he could. Heat drifted up the back of his neck as he pointed to each of the three words.

Leah’s eyes opened farther and farther with each one he pointed to. “Sweet twinkling stars above.” Her hands flew to her flushed cheeks, and her wide eyes darted to his. “Oh my.” She shook her head. “Oh my, my, my, my, my.”

“‘Oh my’ is right.” He took the letter from her and wadded it up again before he shoved it into his pocket to burn later. Apprehension and fear fisted inside him as he stared at the remaining pile. “Not sure I wanna do this anymore. Bad idea.”

“What’s a bad idea?” Leah’s color had returned to normal and she seemed to have recovered from the shock.

He wished he had. His gut was still being punched around. “Don’t think I want you to read anymore.”

“Why?”

His own eyebrows pointed upward. “Why? You ask me why after reading that letter?”

Leah’s lips quivered and her nostrils danced.

He watched, amused at her trying to hold back her laughter. His own lips now curled and twitched. Soon a belly laugh rolled out of him.

Leah’s hand rested on his arm and her sweet laughter joined his.

He didn’t know how long they laughed, but it was long enough that Leah had tears rolling from her eyes.

He would offer her his handkerchief, but it was too worn and would be too embarrassing. No need, anyway. She reached inside the pocket of her skirt and pulled a lace hankie out and dabbed at her eyes.

When they both had composed themselves, Leah asked, “What do you want to do with these?”

“Burn ’em!” he blurted.

They burst out laughing again.

“Seriously,” Leah said through a twitter. “What do you want to do with them?”

“Told you already. Burn ’em.”

She tilted her head. “Surely they can’t all be like her.”

He hiked a brow.

“Okay, Jake. Tell you what. I’ll turn my back to you and read them so you can’t see my face. If they’re bad, then I’ll slip them back into the envelope. If they aren’t, I’ll read them to you. Sound fair?”

After that last letter, he didn’t care what was in any of them. He no longer had any faith in this process. He’d rather remain single the rest of his life than marry a toothless woman who had worked in a saloon and wanted ten babies.

“Well, what do you think?”

“Think I’ll just forget the whole thing.”

Once again her hand rested on his arm and lingered there.

His attention trailed there and to the heat that now raced up his arm.

“Oh, sorry.” She yanked it back and rested her hand on her skirt. “You sure you want to do that, Jake? There might be some lovely ladies in here.” She patted the stack.

Debate did a roundup through his brain. He really wanted to get married, but some of the letters he’d received were downright scary. Okay, a few of them were. Still. Did he dare take a chance on one of them?

“Jake.” Leah’s soft voice reached his ears and he looked at her. “I know you’re scared. So am I. But if you don’t step out in faith, how will you ever know? Besides, like I said before, you can always have her come here before you make a decision. I mean, it isn’t like you have to marry her or anything before meeting her.” She shrugged. “What have you got to lose?”

Her words pinned his heart to the hard ground. It was once again obvious that she would never consider him. If she would, she wouldn’t have suggested he send for someone else. Is that what’s been holding me back? Hoping Leah would change her mind and marry me? Truth smacked him upside the head. That was it. Knowing that, he decided he might as well give it a try. “You’re right. Don’t have anything to lose. Okay. Open the next one.” If only she knew how hard those words were for him to say. When what he really wanted to say was, Are you sure you won’t reconsider my proposal and stay here? At least I know what you’re like. These other women are downright scary.

Leah pulled out the next one. One after another she read, and the second to the last one caught his attention.

Dear Mr. Lure,

My name is Raquel Tobias. I am a Christian woman looking for a Christian man to share my life with. I’m twenty-three years old, five foot seven, 130 pounds, with auburn hair and blue eyes. I’m currently residing in Chicago, taking care of my beloved Aunt Sally who encouraged me to not follow in her footsteps wishing she’d married. Therefore, I decided to take a chance by answering your advertisement.

Aunt Sally insists on paying my way there and back in case things do not work between us. It is her way of saying thanks for being a companion to her all this time. Aunt Tillie, her sister, is recently widowed and will be coming to live with her, so my aunt will not be alone if I leave.

So, if you would like to meet me, please reply to this post.

Thank you and God bless you.

Raquel Tobias

Leah shifted her focus from the letter onto him. “What do you think?”

“Well,” he stood, pondering Miss Tobias’s words. Seconds passed. “Like you said, I need to step out in faith, so I’ll answer her.” And what a leap of faith it would be. Bigger than any he’d ever taken before.

* * *

“Do you want help writing her back?” For some odd reason, the prospect of Jake actually responding to a woman who could potentially become his wife made Leah uneasy. Was the feeling a warning from God that this woman wasn’t right for him? She didn’t know. She couldn’t rightly discern why she felt the way she did. All she knew was something didn’t feel right.

“You okay?” Jake asked, shifting his vision down on her.

Leah gazed up at him. Once again, Jake, being the perfect gentleman, blocked the bright sun from shining in her eyes. She shook out the confusing thoughts. He was going to think she’d lost her mind. “Yes. Of course. I’m fine.” Only she didn’t feel fine. No. In fact, she felt sick. Even so, she forced a smile onto her face. Later on, when she was alone, she’d try to figure out just what was bothering her about this whole situation. After all, from the looks of things, everything seemed to be working out exactly as she had hoped. She realized then she was just being silly about all of it.

“Thanks for the offer, Leah, but I can manage.” Jake crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged.

That threw her completely off track, and she turned wide, confused eyes at him. “Manage what?”

“The letter.” He nodded at it still in her hand.

“Oh. Yes. That. Silly me.” She gathered the letters, handed all of them to Jake and then stood. “How could I have forgotten so soon?”

“’Cause you’re a woman.”

“Hey.” She slapped him on the arm. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just teasing you, Leah.” He winked at her.

Winked. She couldn’t believe her friend just winked at her. Even more befuddling...she couldn’t believe how her heart leaped in response to his wink. What was going on with her? Whatever it was, she wasn’t sure she liked it. “Yes, well, um. I’d better get home now. I have much to do before Phoebe’s wedding. So, I’ll see you later, Jake.” She brushed past him, scurried to her buggy and climbed aboard.

“What’s your hurry?”

“Me? I’m not in a hurry,” she answered without meeting his eyes.

Jake hiked a brow and stared at her. “Okay, Leah. Something’s wrong. What is it?”

Her hands shook and her insides weren’t any better, but she forced herself to not show any of it. “Nothing’s wrong. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all. And I really do have much to do before the wedding.”

His eyes searched hers, though she wasn’t really looking at him. She couldn’t. If she did, he would see everything.

He shook his head. “Not buying it, Leah. But neither will I push you into talking about what’s bothering you.” Hurt and disappointment marched across Jake’s face. “You got a right to keep your own counsel, I guess.”

Anger with herself for handling it all so badly trounced over her. Gathering her courage, she looked down at him. “Jake, I’m honestly not sure what’s bothering me, or I would tell you.” She looked him right in the eye, wanting to ask but not sure she should. “Do you ever feel like something’s wrong but you don’t know what it is?”

“Yep. Lots of times.”

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