Mail Order Mishap: Christian Romance (Kansas Brides Book 1) (2 page)

Mr. Charles Turner

Hunter’s Hotel

Hunter’s Grove, Kansas

Dear Mr. Turner,

As you may know, since the war we have a shortage of males here in the South; thus, the necessity of answering your ad. My sister, Margaret, is content to stay in Virginia and become a spinster, but I want a family, and children, especially. It has always been my longing. I would surely consider living in Kansas and being courted by you. I have just started my twenty-second year, and I have lived here all my life. Previously, we had slaves, but they were freed and are now paid servants. My mother died just a year ago. I have several aunts and cousins who live nearby, and I am hoping they will move in and keep Margaret from being alone, should I decide to leave Virginia. I have a fairly large dowry that will help with setting up a household. I do hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Amber Lou Wakefield

Miss Amber Lou Wakefield

144 Grace Street

Richmond, Virginia

Dear Miss Wakefield,

Thank you for responding. I anxiously awaited your letter. As previously mentioned, I own a hotel here, in Hunter’s Grove, and have for several years. I also desire a happy home and children. I keep house for my brother Garrett, and myself, but the hotel cook prepares our meals. I’m in my twenty-fourth year; Garrett is nearing his thirtieth year and claims to be a confirmed bachelor. I own a comfortable home, two horses and have a bit of savings, but my hotel needs extensive renovating, and I hope to do that soon.

Yours,

Charles Turner

Mr. Charles Turner

Hunter’s Hotel

Hunter’s Grove, Kansas

Dear Mr. Turner,

I also await your letters with anticipation. You write a very eloquent letter.

Richmond is so different from what it once was before the dratted war. We lost so many brave men. I was betrothed to a man named Frank who was killed at Fredericksburg, and my father was killed at Lexington. It’s all so very sad. I would not feel any remorse in leaving Richmond, had I the opportunity for an adventure elsewhere.

Yours,

Amber

Dear Miss Amber,

The mail takes a long time to arrive and I am always hungry for your news. If you would like, you could stay with a dear family friend of mine here in Hunter’s Grove, as would be proper, and I could court you appropriately. If you agree, I shall gladly send you a train ticket, post haste. I shall be anxiously awaiting your reply, my dear Amber.

Yours,

Charles

Dear Charles,

It is always pleasant to hear from you, as well. I would consider coming to Kansas if you send a ticket, but I do have one requirement: I will not consider doing any domestic work. You see, here we have servants, and I am not knowledgeable about domestic duties, nor do I wish to learn. I am hoping it matters little to you since I’m sure you have domestic help in the hotel. I’m sure my dowry will come in handy to renovate the hotel.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Amber

Dear Amber,

Enclosed you will find a train ticket. My hotel does, indeed, have domestic help. You will not be required to lift a finger around the hotel or our home. As I mentioned, I do all the housekeeping in our home, and I actually enjoy it. I look forward to meeting you soon. I will meet you at the train station.

Yours,

Charles

When Garrett returned from work—to the house he shared with his brother, Charles—he wasn’t surprised to see that his bed made and the home neat and clean. He smiled. Living with an obsessively tidy brother had its advantages.

Garrett followed his nose into the kitchen‒something sure smelled appetizing. He found Charles there, bent over a pot, stirring it furiously.

“Beef stew?” Garrett asked.

“Yep.” Charles moved the pot off the fire. “Straight from the hotel kitchen”

“Well, it does smell good.” Garrett sat down at his usual seat at the table.

Charles ladled a huge portion of the stew out for Garrett. The steam was hot enough to make Garrett back away from the bowl.

“Wow, that’s hot.”

“We can talk a bit while it cools,” Charles said as he sat down in front of his steaming bowl.

“Was that Fanny from The Longhorn I saw you with last night?” Charles asked, blowing on his stew.

“Maybe it was.”

“Garrett, you really need to find one woman and settle down.”

Garrett laughed. “Like you did? Besides, who’d want to marry a man who lives in a tiny house behind a shabby hotel with his brother, and doesn’t have more than a small nest egg to his name?”

Charles gave him a patronizing smile. “You’d have more if you didn’t spend it all on saloon women and drink. I also know you have a rather large nest egg set aside.”

“I never touch alcohol. I drink seltzer water or juice at the saloons.” Garrett spooned some stew into his mouth and quickly spat it back into the bowl. “Land's sake, that's hot!”

Garrett continued after gulping down a cup of water, “When Mother died, I swore I’d never marry after seeing her farce of a marriage. Furthermore, you need to think about your own future and stay out of mine.”

“I sent for a mail order bride,” Charles blurted.

“What? You’re joking! But you’re—”

“Look, Garrett, I’ve been running this shabby hotel here, in Hunter’s Grove, for several years. I’m planning on expanding and making the hotel bigger and better, and I don’t have quite enough saved for a complete refurbishing.”

“Where will you get that kind of money?”

“My mail order bride has a large dowry.”

“What? But, you’re—”

“That doesn’t matter,” Charles cut in.

“What do you mean it
doesn’t matter
?”

“You’ll see‒it will all work out. Eat your stew before it gets cold.”

Garrett simply shook his head. “What about Clint?”

“He’ll understand. His job here at the hotel will improve with the new enhancements. As assistant manager, I’ll see to it he gets his own office.”

Garrett shook his head. “So where did you find this woman?”

“
The Matrimonial News
. Sam’s Barbershop had a copy. Hey, maybe you could‒”

“No!”

“Why not?”

“Besides my having nothing to offer a woman, especially after seeing the mess our parents’ made of their marriage. Why would you or I even think about marrying? You're opening up a huge packet of trouble with this idea. Why couldn’t we just spruce this place up a bit? Can of paint, a little spit shine‒”