Shattered Trust: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Two Read online

  Shattered Trust

  Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Two

  Kathleen Ball

  I dedicate this book to my son Steven. He’s a hard worker and he’s such a good father to his daughter Mavis. I’m very proud of him.

  And as always to Bruce, Steven, Clara, Colt, Emery and Mavis because I love them.

  Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Writer’s Note

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  Cinder’s Bride

  About the Author

  Other Books by Kathleen

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  Love Before Midnight

  By Kathleen Ball

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  Chapter One

  Parker smiled as he stared down at the baby sleeping in his wooden cradle. Douglas Parker Eastman, his son. The baby had dark hair and lots of it. In his opinion his son looked just like him. With a bit of reluctance, he turned from the cradle and took a seat on the sofa next to his wife, Georgie. Gently, he put his arm around her.

  “Best thing I’ve ever done, having a son.”

  She elbowed him in the ribs. “I think I deserve the credit. I did all the hard work.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re still going to talk to them, aren’t you?”

  He shifted his weight a few times, trying to find a comfortable spot. “Are you sure it’s a good idea? I mean I really don’t want to get involved in the men’s personal lives.”

  “Yes, but Douglas will need playmates, and just think we could have a school right here on the ranch if we had more children on it.”

  Parker found it near impossible to say no to Georgie. “Well, so far we have a grand total of one child. I don’t see as your plan will make a difference.”

  “I wouldn’t mind a few more females around to talk to. You can’t let your friends stay lonely. You’ll be doing them a favor.” Her smile lit up the room. “Now go on and have your meeting. I’ll want details when you get back.”

  Parker stood and opened the door. He glanced over his shoulder at his beautiful blond wife. She wanted the ranch to become more of a community. He had a sneaking suspicion she wanted to build a town on his land. There were too many northerners in the nearby town of Spring Water for her taste. She still woke up screaming at times. The civil war had been hard on most folks, and she was no exception.

  He sighed and went into the barn to meet with three of his men. They stood as soon as he walked in.

  “Sit, we aren’t in the army anymore. Actually, you might want to hear what I have to say siting down anyway.”

  The three men before him had followed him into every battle, and they had a bond that hadn’t been broken. Sergeant Austin Maxwell, Corporal Kent Sandler and Corporal Lex Willis were the best friends a man could have.

  Parker paced back and forth for a minute. The he stood still. There was no reason to drag it out. “Georgie wants more children.”

  Willis turned red. “I’m not sure that’s something we can help you with, Captain. You did just fine with your first one.”

  Parker waved his hand. “Let me start again. Georgie would like for you to find wives.” He smiled at the downhearted expressions on their faces. “As an incentive, whoever gets married first will have a house built.”

  Sandler narrowed his eyes. “Built where?”

  “Close enough you can walk to the barn. Georgie wants to build a community of families.”

  Maxwell scowled. “No offense to your wife, Captain but why do we have to do what Georgie, says? We’ve gotten along well enough without interfering women around. I’m not saying that your wife is interfering. I’m not even sure there’s a lady in town I even like.”

  Sandler jumped up. “I’m going to town and I’ll bring back a bride. I always wanted a house of my own.” He ran out of the barn and quickly mounted his saddled horse and was off.

  “Figures Sandler wants to get to town first. He always wants to win,” Willis practically growled.

  Parker laughed. “Just because he gets to town first doesn’t mean he’ll find a bride first. You have to court a woman, ask for her hand in marriage and plan a wedding. I think this is anyone’s house to win.”

  Willis started for the door. “I know a short cut.”

  Maxwell and Parker exchanged grins.

  “Aren’t you going to town?” Parker asked.

  Maxwell shrugged. “In everything you want to win, there must be a plan. I’m going to the bunkhouse and think about this for a bit.”

  Parker watched Maxwell walk to the bunkhouse as if he was out for a stroll. He wasn’t hurrying a bit. What was Maxwell up to?”

  Chapter Two

  Two weeks later, Veronica Nolan righted her green hat, held on tight to the bundle she carried, and exited the stagecoach. A few people walked by and nodded to her, but she didn’t see anyone who could be her intended. The stage coach driver took down her two small bags and set them at her feet. He tipped his hat and climbed back on to the coach. The coached creaked and the harnesses jingled as the horses set off in a thunder of hoof beats, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

  Standing right across the road from her was a Union Soldier. She instantly shivered. She’d been told the army had left this part of Texas. He stepped down from the wooden walkway, and she turned her back to him. There wasn’t a kind word in her body for such a man.

  Her heart beat faster as she desperately watched for anyone who could possibly be her intended. Her body relaxed slightly when a wagon was driven between her and the major.

  The driver of the wagon was well groomed with rich caramel colored hair and deep brown eyes. “Miss Nolan?” he asked as he hopped down.

  “And you must be Mr. Maxwell,” she said with a honeyed southern accent.

  He saw the bundle, and his brows furrowed. “Ma’am, is that a baby?”

  “Yes, it’s my daughter, Bridey.” Veronica swallowed hard. He’d be within his rights to send her away. She never mentioned the child. She searched his eyes for understanding, but she didn’t find any.

  “I see. I thought you said your husband had been dead going on four years now?”

  “It’s fine Mr. Maxwell. I’ll find a job. I didn’t tell you because the other ad I answered didn’t want my girl. He expected me to give her away. It was a pleasure to correspond with you as well as meet you. Could you point me in the right direction of a rooming house?” She tried to be brave and articulate, but her voice betrayed her and wavered. No one wanted to take on another man’s baby.

  As she bent to grab both bags in one hand, Bridey began to cry. While she tried to soothe her daughter, one of her bags fell. “Mr. Maxwell, do you know of any other man, a kind man who might take me and Bridey on?”

  Maxwell bent down and picked up the bag and then took the other one from her hand. “I think we’ll do just fine. There’s a wedding planned this afternoon at the ranch if that is all right with you.”

  Her gaze started at his fine boots up his strong thighs, to his lean waist and to his wide shoulders and strong arms. His lips were twitching when she reached his face.

  “Wel
l? Do I pass inspection?”

  She widened her eyes. What he must think of her! “You more than meet my expectations Mr. Maxwell.” She ducked her heated face and stared at her baby.

  “I suspect we should get going,” he said. His voice was full of disappointment, but she couldn’t blame him.

  His hands on her waist as he helped her up sent warmth through her. As soon as she settled herself and Bridey, she shivered. There was something about Mr. Maxwell that affected her. He could have refused her and left her standing on the walk. He hadn’t bargained on her child, and she’d been on pins and needles the whole trip from Louisiana.

  She couldn’t go back—she wouldn’t go back. She stole a glance at his face and it looked to be set in stone. Oh dear, this didn’t bode well.

  “Is the ranch far?”

  “No, not really.”

  “I bet it’s beautiful!” She smiled hoping he’d turn his head, but he didn’t.

  He kept driving as though she wasn’t there. What had she expected? She was lucky he decided to take her to the ranch. They still weren’t married. What if he changed his mind?

  Bridey fussed and then cried loudly.

  He turned his head. “What’s the problem? Is she hungry?” He slowed the wagon to a stop.

  “I expect so. I can try to sit in the back and feed her while you drive. She’s a very slow eater and she often falls asleep right in the middle. I usually have to stroke her cheek to wake her up to continue.”

  “Let me set up the blankets so you’ll ride more comfortably. It can get a bit bumpy.”

  Bridey continued to cry as Veronica rocked her and talked to her.

  “Here, give me the wee one while you climb in.” She hesitated before she handed her baby to him. She scrambled into the back of the wagon and sat on and against the blankets. Bridey wasn’t crying.

  Mr. Maxwell was smiling and rubbing his nose against Bridey’s. She was wide-eyed and appeared to be fascinated by the big man. He looked up and quickly put Bridey in her arms.

  “She’s cute as can be.” He climbed up onto the wagon and began to drive. He held his back rigid as though he hadn’t meant to say Bridey was cute.

  Veronica unbuttoned her dress, and Bridey latched on. Just as Veronica expected, the baby fell asleep before she was even moved to the other breast.

  “Now, Bridey, you have to put more into your tummy.” Veronica stroked her cheek but Bridey still slept.

  “Try tickling her feet,” Mr. Maxwell suggested.

  “That’s a fine idea.” The tickling of the feet worked, and Bridey woke and latched on again.

  “Thank you, Mr. Maxwell. It worked.” She didn’t expect him to glance at her over his shoulder, and she could feel herself blush from her chest to her forehead when he did. It was a quick glance, but Veronica was a private person. Hopefully, people would respect that about her.

  The barn and a big two-story log style house came into view. There were two corrals a bunkhouse, and another good-sized house. Both houses were adorned with gardens containing flowers of various shapes and colors. She had pictured a small ranch with just Mr. Maxwell. Her heart raced. Just how many people lived on the ranch? If Mr. Maxwell told them her husband had died four years ago they would see her shame.

  It had been bad enough being a widow and trying to survive. Men thought widows were easy. She’d lost count of how many knocked on her door at night. Then she was with child and the attitude of the community became too much to bear. She refused to name Bridey’s father but they all knew who it was. It had been so frightening.

  The wagon jolted to a stop and as soon as Mr. Maxwell was on the ground he came to help her out of the wagon. People seemed to come from every direction to meet them. Her dress was threadbare and she’d mended it numerous times. Her dark hair was dull; somehow it had lost its shine.

  She held Bridey close and braced herself for the scandalous names she’d be called. There would be too many questions. Starting over was the worst idea she ever had. She pasted a faint smile on her face and stood next to Mr. Maxwell waiting.

  “Oh my,” a women with bright blond hair said. “Come, let’s get you and the baby inside. You can meet the others later. It must have been an exhausting trip for you.”

  Veronica stared at the woman and then nodded. She followed her into the house.

  “I’m Georgie, come sit down. Would you like some coffee or perhaps water?”

  Veronica sat down on a lovely brown sofa. “Coffee doesn’t sit well with Bridey.”

  “Water it is.” The gracious women went into another room.

  A baby blanket lay across on one of the chairs, and Veronica wondered if there were other children about.

  “Here you go.” Georgie set the cup on the table in front of the sofa. “Can I take a peek?”

  Veronica moved the blanket back from Bridey’s head while her stomach churned in dread.

  Georgie sat right next to Veronica. “Oh, a girl! How wonderful! How old is she?”

  “Four months.”

  “It must have a long trip for you both. Would you like to rest a bit before the wedding?”

  Veronica shook her head. She was too nervous to sleep. “I’m not tired. I’m a bit wound up. You see Mr. Maxwell didn’t know I was bringing a baby. I half expect him to call the whole thing off.” Her eyes teared, adding to her mortification.

  “Babies are always a blessing!”

  “May I speak to Mrs. Nolan for a moment?” Mr. Maxwell asked.

  Georgie smiled. “Of course, Max. I’ll just go check on little Douglas.”

  Veronica’s heart sank but she wasn’t surprised. She tried to smile when her intended sat down next to her. To her surprise he took her hand and it had a wonderful calming effect.

  “May I call you Veronica? I go by Max instead of Austin. ”

  She nodded not trusting her voice.

  “Your husband died four years ago?”

  “Yes,” she hung her head.

  “You’ve had a hard time of it, haven’t you? So many of our loved ones never came home from the war. Those that did aren’t the same. I heard it’s been bad in Louisiana with the riots and the killings. I would be proud to have you as my wife. The other house you saw as we drove up is to be ours.” A grin spread across his face. “We built it in record time. The reverend will be here in a less than an hour.” He leaned forward and caught an errant tear on Veronica’s cheek with his thumb.

  “Yes, I’ll be ready.” She glanced up at him and expected a smile, but she had the strange feeling that Max was marrying her because he was a man who kept his word. Without saying anything else, he left the house.

  A tall, dark man walked in. “I’m Parker, Georgie’s husband. I have strict orders to pour the hot water for your bath and then to guard against any male from coming near the house.” He smiled. “Max is lucky to have you. He’s been looking forward to this day.”

  “I’ve been looking forward to it too.” She watched as he filled the copper tub with water. “A towel is on the chair and so is the soap. Knowing Georgie she’ll be down to help you. She’s so excited to have another woman on the ranch.” He finished and was about to go out the door when a woman came in. “This is Sondra. She helps Georgie around the house.”

  Sondra wasn’t much older than Veronica. She wore her hair in one long braid down her back. It was brown and shiny. “Let’s get you into the tub and ready for your wedding. I’m so excited, and I’m not the one getting married.”

  Sondra turned her back and Veronica undressed and got into the tub. As she slipped her body under the steamy water she sighed. She took the soap, and it smelled like lavender.

  “Here, I’ll wash your hair,” Sondra offered.

  “I’ll get your dress pressed. Which bag is it in?” Georgie asked.

  “I thought the dress I was wearing would be fitting. I haven’t seen new fabric in years.”

  “We’ve all been there. I have one I think will work.” Georgie went back up the stairs
.

  “She’s a nice woman,” Veronica said.

  “She sure is. She had a hard time of it too, only in Tennessee. She knows how you feel.” Sondra finished rinsing Veronica’s hair.

  Her bags had been set on the floor in the sitting room. She wrapped herself in a towel and took out clean underthings to wear. They too were threadbare. There was no help for it. She put them on.

  Georgie brought down a pretty blue dress with white trim. It was so beautiful that it brought tears to Veronica’s eyes.

  “No tears, it’s your wedding day. We have to hurry,” she said as she helped Veronica into the dress. “There, you look beautiful.”

  Sondra nodded. “You sure do. I’m staying inside to watch the little ones. You two best get there.”

  Sondra gave Veronica’s hand a quick squeeze before Georgie led her out to the porch. Too many people were there to watch her, to judge her, to find her lacking. For a moment, she felt dizzy. She got a hold of herself and set her shoulders and raised her chin as her mother had taught her.

  A bouquet of flowers rested on the porch rail, and Georgie picked it up and handed it to Veronica. “A perfect bride!” Let’s go.”

  Georgie went down the aisle between all the people standing. She smiled at them and Veronica wished she felt as happy. It felt less like an aisle and more like a plank. She swallowed hard and while keeping her gaze on Max she walked to him.

  * * *

  Max recognized the dress Veronica wore, and it looked nice on her. Her long brown hair hung around her shoulders and down her back. She seemed of fine disposition. There was no indication she was shrew. She’d lived on a farm, so she must be used to cooking and the like. But the baby was part of the bargain and the omission of Bridey in the letters bothered him He had a good heart but could he learn to love the baby obviously born on the wrong side of the blanket?