Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)
    Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)
    Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)
    Ebook144 pages2 hours

    Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)

    By Kate Whitsby

    3.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    A historical western cowboy romance about a mail order husband.

    This second episode of The Montana Brides Series follows middle sister, Iris Kilburn, on her journey of self-discovery to win the heart of her mail order cowboy, big, black haired Mick McAllister. When the sisters’ guardian, Cornell Pollard, winds up dead in the library, everyone is a suspect. And when Sheriff Tom Maitland shows up at Rocking Horse Ranch and starts asking questions, the three mail-order couples begin to see each other with new eyes. Could Iris’s new love be a murderer?
    Iris finds a depth of feminine sensitivity within herself she didn’t know she had when she falls in love with Mick, despite his rough edges. Meanwhile, Mick finds out Iris’s secret. Not only has she been running the Kilburn family ranching operation behind Cornell’s back, but she actually puts on a hat and boots and rides out to help the cowboys herd and tend the cattle. Can big, tough Mick handle a wife who can rope and brand and ride as well as he can?
    With just one more day left before the sisters’ triple wedding, the skeletons in the Kilburn family closet come out in force. The murder mystery deepens, and fingers point in all directions. No one knows who to trust or who to believe. Can Mick and Iris’s budding romance survive the pressure? Will Iris marry her mail-order cowboy?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGold Crown
    Release dateJun 19, 2014
    ISBN9781311545572
    Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)
    Author

    Kate Whitsby

    Kate Whitsby is a historical romance author who has found a love for writing western mail order bride romance. Kate writes from her home in Virginia and loves spending time with her two children when she's not busy writing.

    Read more from Kate Whitsby

    Related to Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)

    Titles in the series (4)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Western Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Our Dog Jack

      Aug 25, 2023

      Our Dog Jack
      4 min read

    • Article

      POISON ON Pink Paper

      Dec 23, 2019

      POISON ON Pink Paper
      8 min read

    • Article

      Fool’s Gold

      Mar 1, 2021

      Fool’s Gold
      13 min read

    • Article

      Pin A Smile On YOUR FACE

      Mar 15, 2023

      Pin A Smile On YOUR FACE
      6 min read

    • Article

      Stranger Danger

      May 18, 2022

      Stranger Danger
      10 min read

    • Article

      The little NIGHTINGALE

      Dec 21, 2022

      The little NIGHTINGALE
      9 min read

    • Article

      The PROMISE

      Sep 1, 2021

      The PROMISE
      9 min read

    • Article

      Stranger Danger

      May 18, 2022

      Stranger Danger
      10 min read

    • Article

      Never Done THAT

      Oct 20, 2020

      Never Done THAT
      6 min read

    • Article

      Outer Source

      Oct 26, 2021

      Outer Source
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Nemesis

      Jan 4, 2021

      DI Isabel Blood stood at the edge of the crime scene with DS Daniel Fairfax, the newest member of Bainbridge CID. “Ready to tackle your first murder investigation here in Bainbridge, Dan?” she said. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” He smiled nervously as he

      6 min read

    • Article

      Decluttering

      Dec 9, 2020

      Decluttering
      6 min read

    • Article

      RESIDENT Ghosts

      Jan 29, 2020

      RESIDENT Ghosts
      8 min read

    • Article

      The PROMISE

      Sep 8, 2021

      The PROMISE
      9 min read

    • Article

      Caught between TWO WORLDS

      Nov 2, 2023

      Caught between TWO WORLDS
      2 min read

    • Article

      His Lordship’s LAST GAME

      Jan 17, 2024

      His Lordship’s LAST GAME
      9 min read

    • Article

      POISON ON Pink Paper

      Jan 8, 2020

      POISON ON Pink Paper
      8 min read

    • Article

      NEVER Done That

      Mar 4, 2020

      NEVER Done That
      6 min read

    • Article

      Secrets and LIES

      Mar 17, 2021

      Secrets and LIES
      6 min read

    • Article

      Now The Leaves Are Falling Fast

      Apr 10, 2021

      I watched my wife leave our neighbor’s house, her empty hands shoved deep in the pockets of her red anorak. She came inside through our carport. I met her in our kitchen. “Beverly was really happy for the soup,” she said. “Honestly, it was a little s

      8 min read

    • Article

      LOVE Is The Word

      Jan 3, 2023

      LOVE Is The Word
      6 min read

    • Article

      Every CLOUD

      Aug 31, 2022

      Every CLOUD
      6 min read

    • Article

      Listen My Dear Alones: Notes on Gina Berriault’s ‘Women in Their Beds’

      Aug 16, 2017

      Berriault must have known that good work, the best work, may not always pay the bills, but sometimes, if we’re lucky, it outlasts the counting. The post Listen My Dear Alones: Notes on Gina Berriault’s ‘Women in Their Beds’ appeared

      10 min read

    • Article

      The Ghost Of A WEDDING

      Jun 23, 2021

      The Ghost Of A WEDDING
      6 min read

    • Article

      The heartbeat OF PARIS

      Apr 24, 2024

      The heartbeat OF PARIS
      9 min read

    • Article

      The King’s passion

      Aug 11, 2021

      The King’s passion
      11 min read

    • Article

      Murder Most Fowl

      Mar 12, 2023

      Murder Most Fowl
      2 min read

    • Article

      Resting On His Laurels

      Mar 10, 2021

      Resting On His Laurels
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2)

    3.5/5

    8 ratings1 review

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 2/5
      It's very basic.i didn't like Iris at all. Extremely prejudiced person. Mick is likeable.

      1 person found this helpful

    Book preview

    Iris's Mail Order Husband (Montana Brides #2) - Kate Whitsby

    Chapter 1

    The sheriff will be here soon. Violet Kilburn frowned when she saw her sister, Iris, pull on her boots and buckle her scuffed heavy chaps over her work pants.

    I know. Iris fished her hat out of the closet and stuffed her gloves into her belt.

    You aren’t riding out onto the range, are you? Violet asked. "Not now?"

    Why not? Iris asked.

    The sheriff’s coming, Violet repeated. He’ll want to question you along with the rest of us. It could look suspicious if you suddenly disappear at a time like this.

    If he wants to question me, he can. Iris slapped her hat against her thigh and a cloud of dust flew up from it. Violet wrinkled her nose at the dust. Iris saw her and smiled to herself. She would have slapped the hat again if she hadn’t cared not to upset Violet by doing it on purpose. 

    You ought to stay around the house. Violet pressed her lips together and glanced away toward the window. That’s what I think.

    Out of habit, Iris lifted up her hat to slap the dust out of it, but she stopped herself in time. Look, Violet, I know what you think. But I have work to do out there, and I’m sure the sheriff will understand that. I won’t be far away. If he wants me, he can come and find me. I’m not hiding from him.

    "What if Mick sees you—like that? Violet scanned Iris’s outfit. You’re getting married tomorrow. I thought you decided to wait just a little bit longer before you let him see you dressed like that."

    I realized after I met him that he probably won’t care, Iris told her. Besides, didn’t you say he and Jake are going out hunting today? He made it pretty clear yesterday he wasn’t going to spend his last day before the wedding working when he didn’t have to. He won’t see me out on the range. And if he does, well, then, I’ll deal with that when it happens.

    You’re taking a big risk, doing this, Violet insisted. Cornell Pollard, our guardian and the executor of our estate, is lying dead from gunshot wounds downstairs in the library. Every single one of us has a motive to kill him to get control of our money. We should all make an effort to show the sheriff we have nothing to hide. He’ll be looking for anyone of us to act suspiciously.

    That’s exactly why I’m going to work, Iris replied. I have nothing to hide, because I’m not the killer. I’m not going to sit around the house wringing my hands. I’m not happy about Cornell being killed, but I’m not going to go out of my way to make myself look innocent. I’d only make myself look guilty if I did.

    I know you’re innocent, and Rose, too, Violet assured her. I’m not suggesting either of you killed Cornell.

    So what are you suggesting? Iris demanded. You think one of the men killed him, and I’ll bet you don’t think it’s Chuck.

    I’m certain it isn’t, Violet shot back.

    Of course you’re certain, Iris snapped. You’re marrying him tomorrow. You think either Mick or Jake killed Cornell. But I could tell you just as categorically that Mick McAllister didn’t do it. Maybe you’d believe me and maybe you wouldn’t. That leaves Jake Hamilton, and I’m sure Rose would declare his innocence just as certainly.

    I’m sure we all think the best of our mail-order husbands, Violet admitted. But how much do you really know about Mick? He could be dangerous.

    No, he isn’t, Iris declared.

    Just look at the way he beat that man to a pulp at the train station, Violet reminded her.

    That man stole Mick’s wallet, Iris replied. You know that.

    And there’s the fight Jake got into at the hotel, Violet went on.

    That man threatened Jake first, Iris replied. You heard him yourself.

    Violet waved her hands in exasperation. Yes, I know. But I’m just saying we’ve seen both these men in violent confrontations in less than twenty-four hours since we first met them. We really don’t know anything about them. They could be capable of anything.

    Iris regarded her older sister. Let me ask you something. How do you know Chuck didn’t kill Cornell?

    He couldn’t have, Violet told her. I left him at the Fort House just a few minutes before the shots rang out, and then he ran down the hill from the Fort House afterward. He almost ran me over.

    He could have come around to the other side of the house, Iris pointed out. He wasn’t actually with you when the shots were fired, so you didn’t actually see that he was in the Fort House.

    That’s true, Violet admitted. There’s another reason I know he didn’t do it. When I look into his eyes, I know he couldn’t kill Cornell even if he wanted to. I know Chuck Ahern is the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man in the world. She gazed toward the window. And he’s mine. I’m can’t wait until we get married tomorrow.

    Iris watched her sister drift off into reverie, and she regretted calling her back. I feel the same way about Mick. And Rose feels the same way about Jake.

    But what about….? Violet began again.

    So he beat that man up, Iris interrupted. At least he got his money back. Do you really think Chuck wouldn’t beat someone up if he was provoked enough?

    No, I don’t, Violet replied.

    But you don’t really know for certain, do you? Iris pointed out. You don’t know because you haven’t seen him provoked.

    Violet crossed her arms over her chest and clamped her lips shut. Iris knew that look all too well. If Violet knew something about the way her fiancé reacted when he was provoked, she wouldn’t tell Iris.

    I’m going now, Violet, Iris told her. If the sheriff wants to talk to me, you know where to find me.

    Iris slapped her hat against her leg again and walked out of her bedroom, down the stairs, and out of the house to the barn. She left Cornell’s dead body in the library in the custody of Violet. Violet always handled family emergencies well. She could handle this one, too.

    Chapter 2

    In the dusty sunbeams of the barn, Iris went through the comforting routine of leading her horse out of his stall, brushing him down, and saddling and bridling him. She took her time and savored the hypnotic simplicity of the procedure.

    Iris finished tightening the cinch around her horse’s belly and led the animal out into the sunshine. She swung up into the saddle and adjusted her feet in the stirrups. She cast one last glance around the yard. No one moved in the main house, the Fort House, or the barn yard. They were all either out hunting or still in bed.

    She urged her horse forward and cantered away from the ranch house. In another minute, the open range engulfed her, and her cares fell away behind her along with all traces of civilization. She loved her home at Rocking Horse Ranch, but she loved the open range more. She could ride under the wide sky all day and all night for the rest of her life without ever losing interest.

    She rode between two hills across the plain and through a canyon to the pasture on the other side. She broke through a stand of cedar trees and came out onto a crest overlooking the cattle grazing on the valley floor below her.

    At the edge of the herd, two horsemen surveyed the animals. As soon as Iris appeared, one of them spotted her and trotted up the hill. He wheeled his horse around and parked next to her. They gazed down at the herd together.

    Morning, Pete, Iris greeted him. Nice day for it.

    I should hope so, Pete Kershaw replied. You’re late getting’ out this mornin’, Miss. Everything all right up at the house?

    Everything’s fine, Iris replied. I mean, all except this business with Cornell. That’s why I’m late. Violet wanted to talk to me about it.

    Pete grimaced. I had a shock when your man came out to the bunk house last night to tell me to go for the sheriff. That’s the first time I’ve ever had anything to do with the law. Shoot, I never even laid eyes on the sheriff before. Scared me half to death. I guess you heard he’s coming out this mornin’ to sort this whole mess out.

    I heard, Iris told him.

    Pete squinted one eye at her. To tell you the truth, I’m a little surprised to see you here. I thought you’d all be up at the house, waiting on the sheriff.

    Iris shrugged. If he wants to talk to me, he knows where to find me.

    Yeah, but I mean, all of you being under suspicion of murder and all that, Pete explained. It don’t exactly look good for you to be gallivantin’ around the countryside instead of staying where the sheriff can get hold of you when he wants you.

    Now you’re sounding like Violet, Iris shot back.

    Pete grinned. I suppose that’s your idea of an insult.

    Iris laughed. Doesn’t work, does it?

    Not much, he replied. But you know what? Your man was out here having a good look around.

    Iris pricked up her ears. What? You mean Mick?

    Don’t know his name, Pete told her. It was the same one who sent me to Butte to get the sheriff.

    That’s Mick. Iris flushed scarlet and looked away. So what was he doing here?

    Inspecting the cattle, Pete replied. "I tell you what, I never saw any stock agent inspect a herd of cattle more closely. He made me squirm, I can tell you, and they ain’t even my cattle."

    Iris cringed. Mick, inspecting the cattle? Yikes! So what did he do when he finished?

    Finished? Pete repeated. He didn’t finish. He’s right over there. I think you better go talk to him, Miss, before he starts making the cattle nervous.

    Iris followed his outstretched finger with her eyes. She recognized Wade Jackson’s form not far away, but sure enough, there on the other side of the pasture, another man on horseback steered his horse among the cows, studying them with a critical eye.

    Iris made a face at Pete and he laughed. I’ll go talk to him.

    Iris kneed her horse and ambled forward. She got half way around the cattle herd when she remembered she was wearing

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1