Battered Soul: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Three

  Battered Soul

  Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Three

  Kathleen Ball

  Copyright © 2019 by Kathleen Ball

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  This book would not have gotten done if not for Kay Springsteen Tate, Sheri McGathy, Steven Ball, Bruce Ball and the Facebook Accountability Group I belong to. You’ve all encouraged me to keep going.

  To the members of my Facebook Kathleen Ball Western Romance Readers Group Thank you for your support and love.

  And as always to Bruce, Steven, Colt, Clara 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

  Epilogue

  The End

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  About the Author

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  Chapter One

  “Please! Please stop!” She screamed as they pushed her from one soldier to another. Each had vile things to say to her as they lay their hands on her. The soldiers all laughed, finding merriment in threatening her virtue.

  Her hat lay on the ground, and her vibrant red hair was falling down from the way she’d had it styled. Her blue eyes were wide with terror.

  “She’s just another prostitute for the Sink Hole Tavern,” Captain McGregor tossed out as he threw her to Corporal Cade.

  “I say we take her inside and have a turn before she goes to work there,” Corporal Cade said. He sneered as he ripped the front of her burgundy dress.

  Sergeant Hollanda, one of the worst the Union Army grabbed her next. “I’m pulling rank!” He laughed as he tried to put his hand down her ripped bodice.

  “If we’re pulling rank, I’m first!” Captain McGregor announced.

  Lex Willis had seen enough. The good folks of Spring Water, Texas could not carry firearms in town, but that did not leave him helpless. He strode over and grasped the lady’s arm, pulling her away from McGregor. The crack of flesh striking flesh cut through the raucous laughter as he punched the captain in the face.

  “Run,” he whispered to the girl, looking at her.

  Wide eyed, she took off running down the dirt road.

  McGregor touched his nose and looked at the blood on his fingers. His face flushed in a rage. “You’re going hang this time, Willis.” He took a step toward the other man.

  “Hold it right there!” Major Cooke ordered. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, and his disgust toward Captain McGregor was clear. The captain picked up the burgundy hat and cocked his brow. “Would you like to explain this?”

  “Major it belongs to a whore from the Sink Hole. We were just having fun. No harm done, sir,” Captain McGregor told him as he stood at attention.

  “Which soiled dove would that be?” Major Cooke asked.

  “Sir, she arrived by stage.”

  “She told you she would work at the tavern?”

  All the soldiers glanced down at their feet.

  “That’s what I thought. Mr. Willis, do you know the female?”

  “No, I don’t, but after they ripped her dress and Hollanda tried to put his hands on her. Then McGregor had ahold of her. I felt as though I had no other choice but to punch him to make him stop.”

  Major Cooke nodded. “Willis, did she look to be a girl that would work at the Sink Hole?”

  “No sir, I didn’t get that impression. She looked terrified. I told her to run.”

  “Would it be too much of an inconvenience if you were to find her and make sure she got to where she intended to go? Let her know my soldiers will never be disrespectable toward her again?”

  Willis opened his mouth to answer, but before he could form the words, the captain gave him the woman’s hat.

  He took it and picked up the bag that sat on the boardwalk. “I’ll see to her to safety.” He glared at McGregor and turned in the direction the redhead had gone.

  He didn’t see her anywhere. Did she run right out of town? Crossing the street, he put her bag and hat into the back of the wagon and then climbed up and urged the horses forward. McGregor had been a pain in the neck since the first day he’d arrived. The army should have left Spring Water a couple months ago.

  Willis shook his head; they were causing more problems by the day. He looked on both sides of the street as he drove the wagon until he hit the edge of town, where a shantytown of sorts had been erected by the freedmen, who had named it Liberty. After he stopped, he pulled the brake, tied off the lines, and jumped down.

  A beautiful woman named Adelle signaled to him. So the woman was there somewhere. Now to find out where she belonged and to get her there.

  Willis nodded to the two men who guarded the front entrance to their town and walked to Adelle.

  “She’s at my place. Poor thing is shaking so hard. I’m glad I spotted you. I wasn’t sure what to do with her.” Adelle turned and led him to her shack that looked as though it was ready to fall down. They had built the town with what they could find. He’d have to remember to have lumber delivered to them.

  He stepped inside Adelle’s home, spotting the woman right away in the cramped space. With a soft cry, she ducked her head.

  “Ma’am, I promise you’re safe with me. I was in the Confederate Army. I’d be happy to take you where you need to go.”

  She glanced up at him. Her bedraggled hair hung in a tangled mess, and she held the pieces of her dress together with one hand.

  “I’m… I’m here to marry Lee Jackson. I’m his mail-order bride.” She lifted her gaze to meet his. “He wasn’t waiting for me when I got off the stage. I’m sure he’s just late.” Hope flared in her eyes.

  Willis shuffled his feet. He’d have to tell her the bad news. “Ma’am, I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, but Lee’s been dead for going on two weeks now.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. “How? We’d corresponded, and he asked me to marry him.”

  “Did Lee ever mention how old he was?”

  “Why, yes he did. He’s thirty-five.” She stared at him.

  “Could be he wished he was thirty-five again.” Willis shrugged. “He lost both sons in the war. He lived in a place similar to this one on a rocky piece of land and was a very nice old man. You have my condolences.”

  She seemed to shrivel before him. Her eyes dulled as she nodded. “Thank you, Mister… I didn’t get your name.”

  “I’m Lex Willis.”

  “I’m Iris Sands from Virginia but…” She hesitated and looked around. “I’m not sure what to do next. I don’t suppose there are any jobs available?”

  “I don’t think there are many, if any,” he replied.

  She nodded and stood. “I’d best get going then. I heard a place called the Sink Hole is an establishment where I can find a roof over my head.”

  “Miss. Sands, do you know what type of work they’d expect?”

  “Mr. Willis, I have tried to avoid such a fate, and I guess there’s no avoiding it now. I thank you for what you did. You are a true Southern gentleman.” She held her dress, so her knuckles whitened. “If you’ll excuse me?”

  She had guts, and he admired her, but there was no way she was working at such a place. Not as long as there was another option. “Come home with me.”

  Her brows rose and her chin came up in a show of defiance. “Why do men think they can take advantage of my plight? All the way from Virginia to Texas men have been trying to ‘do me favors’ or ‘help me,’ and not out of the goodness of their hearts. Their intentions were selfish. I realize I came alone without a traveling companion, but Lee only sent me enough money for my transportation.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Not that I was offering anything of that nature, but you want to go to the tavern, I’ll take you.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Pure bravado if you must know. It seems I now have no choice. I’m taking you up on your offer. Now how does this work? Do I have a separate residence or do we share your house? You’re not married, are you?” She sighed. “You’re married. Why else would you need a mistress?”

  “Your bag and hat are in the wagon. We should get going.” Willis offered his hand.

  After the slightest hesitation, she put her hand in his, and he sighed in relief.

  * * *

  So far the ride to Lex’s place had been silent. Iris didn’t know what to say. She’d seen plenty of women—women of high standing—go with men who had no intention of marrying them. Lex would use her and discard her, leaving he
r as poor as she started. She’d felt so blessed to be traveling to her intended husband. She had thought herself above the women she knew who resorted to such arrangements.

  Now here she was. How would he treat her? Would he be gentle? Would he leave her with dignity? Turning her head, she stared at his profile. He had dark hair, blue eyes, and a strong-looking chin. Her face heated. Lex caught her staring and smiled.

  “Just how old was Lee Jackson?” she asked.

  “I believe he was in his eighties. He was one of the oldest men around. I guess he was lonely.”

  She stared at the immense amount empty land as they drove by. The grass was all brown, but the trees had green leaves.

  “What will your wife say? You never said if I’d live in your house or not.” If she kept talking, maybe she wouldn’t cry.

  “I don’t have a house. I live in a bunkhouse on a big ranch. It’s one of the biggest around.” He didn’t elaborate.

  “Stop the wagon. Please stop.”

  Lex pulled back on the reins. “You can’t get out now. You’ll never make it through the night.”

  Iris jumped down and ran behind a big oak tree. Tears burned her eyes as she coughed and was sick. There hadn’t been a lot to eat in the last few weeks, but her stomach didn’t seem to know that. Both legs shook and threatened to give out, she leaned against the tree.

  The heat from his stare warmed her before she even heard him approach. He stood behind her and reached around to hand her a bandanna. As she reached to take it, she swayed. To her surprise, he lifted her into the air and cradled her body as though she was a child.

  “You’re not well.”

  The tears fell after she wiped her mouth with a corner of the bandanna. The rest she used to mop her eyes and face. Her belief of her upcoming marriage had carried her for a while. But now, despair shrouded her, and she knew it would become her constant shadow.

  He set her down on a felled tree. “I’ll be right back. I think I can find something to settle your stomach.”

  It didn’t take long before he returned. “Chew these.” He held out his hand.

  “You want me to chew leaves? Is that what Texans eat?”

  He smiled. “No. This is mint, and it will settle your stomach.”

  She eyed him with suspicion but took the leaves he offered and gave a sniff. They smelled like mint. After popping them in her mouth it surprised her they tasted like mint.

  “Have you been sick long?”

  She tilted her head back so she could see his face. “No. Just now is all. I think my nerves got to me. Or maybe I admitted the truth of what my life will become. There was never any guarantee that Lee would have been good to me. I took a leap of faith never letting myself consider how wrong things could get. My stomach has been tied in knots since the beginning of the war, and I haven’t stopped to breathe.”

  “It’s not fair to string you along any longer. I didn’t realize just how distressed you are. There are plenty of families on the ranch, and the owners, Parker and Georgie Eastman, will see to you. They’re generous like that. If I had told Georgie about you, she would have made me turn right around to get you. And I’m not married, nor do I ever plan to be. Don’t worry you won’t be my woman. Like I said, there are families there.”

  Not knowing what to say, she stared at the hem of her dress. He’d led her to believe the worst. The stiffness in her shoulders relaxed.

  “You’re angry with me, aren’t you?” He sat down next to her. “I’m sorry. I guess I never thought about what it must be like to be at the mercy of men. It was cruel of me, and I’m sorry.” He took her hand into his larger, warmer one. Turning his head toward her he gave her a faint smile and his eyes seemed apologetic. “I promise to keep you safe.”

  She took her hand back and clasped it together with her other one. The shaking wouldn’t stop. “Keep me safe from what?”

  Lex reached out and put a finger under her chin then tilted her head back until they were eyed to eye. “I will protect you from unwanted attention and any danger you might encounter.”

  Danger? “I thought Texas was quieter than many of the Southern states. Are bands of ex-Confederates wreaking havoc? Is the ranch safe? Was all the food and livestock stolen? What about those Yankees in town? Do they help themselves to whatever they want, including other men’s wives?” She would have asked more, but she was out of breath.

  He reached and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. It made her stiffen, but she said nothing.

  “The Eastman Ranch is well guarded. We have families of freedmen living and working there, and yes they get paid.”

  She gave him a quick nod. He’d read her mind.

  “We’ve had trouble but nothing we couldn’t handle. We protect our own as best we can.”

  Tears filled her eyes again. “Real protection? You’re not just saying it to make people feel better?”

  “We have armed guards. We keep our eye out for Pale Faces and other troublemakers.”

  “I guess we should continue on and get to where we’re going,” she suggested. Standing, she waited for him. He put his hand on the small of her back to guide her and she jumped out of her skin. “I’m easily startled.”

  Lex removed his hand. “It happens to us all.”

  “If I see you and you take my hand, it doesn’t upset me as much as if someone touches me from behind.” They continued to walk to the wagon. “For example, I know you would help me up to the wagon seat and that’s fine.” Her face heated at the look of understanding he gave her.

  Soon they were off, and it was no time at all before they passed armed guards, who Lex nodded to. She would need to make a good impression; she had nowhere else to go. Her heart pounded, and she was sure that Lex could hear it.

  He pulled the wagon up to a fine house. It looked to be rather new, and the large porch and blooming flowers welcomed her. Lex jumped down and rounded the wagon to help her down.

  “It will be just fine.” He put his hands around her waist and lifted her down.

  Iris stared into his eyes, hoping beyond hope he was being truthful. Lord, I could use help today. I’m at the end of the line.

  The door swung open, and a very attractive woman with blond hair stepped out onto the porch. She looked to be expecting. She smiled, and Iris sure hoped the smile was for her.

  “Leave it to you, Willis. I send you to get supplies and you bring home a female.” She chuckled and waited for them to join her on the porch. “I’m Georgie Eastman.”

  Iris was suddenly tongued-tied. She held her ripped bodice together and took a deep breath.

  “This is Iris Sands. She was to marry Lee Jackson. I found her being thrown from one Yankee’s arms into another.”

  Georgie nodded. “I’m sorry about Lee. He was a kind man. I’m surprised he sent for a bride, but I’m glad you’re here. May I call you Iris?”

  Iris’ stomach clenched. “Of course. It’s very nice to meet you. It was shocking to find that Lee was deceased. I hope I can find a job here. I ran my father’s household before the War Between the States. But all the jobs dried up in Virginia. I’m a hard worker, though, and I learn quickly.”

  “Let’s get you inside. Willis, can you get her bag?” Without waiting for an answer, Georgie opened the door and gestured for Iris to go inside.

  “Your home is beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Iris. Please have a seat.”

  Iris sat on the sofa and sighed. It was the most comfortable place in which she’d sat in a long time. The braided rug under her feet was a luxury she’d been without for too long.

  “Sondra, could you bring Iris and me some coffee? Iris, this is Sondra,” Georgie said.

  Iris smiled until Sondra gave her a slight glare. “Nice to meet you, Sondra.”

  Sondra didn’t respond, just disappeared, presumably into the kitchen.