A Mail Order Bride For Charlie: The Carson Brothers of Kansas, #1

The Carson Brothers of Kansas

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A Mail Order Bride for Charlie

A Mail Order Bride for Bronson

A Mail Order Bride for Wyatt

A Mail Order Bride for Grant

Chapter One

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The Carson Ranch, Kansas, June 1869

I was the youngest of four brothers, the two eldest having been through the war, while Grant and I had been too young to participate, which was a blessing. Our pa, Chuck Carson, who was a Free-State man, had moved us west from Massachusetts, but he lost his life in a skirmish with a small army of Missourians. Our mother had been widowed, although my older brothers, Bronson and Wyatt had taken over the farm before setting out to fight in the war.

When they returned, they weren’t the same, and, although our farm prospered, first from wheat and corn, then from the stockyards, my older brothers had changed. It was rumored that Bronson had taken to robbery, while Wyatt enjoyed wild nights at various saloons. Grant was fond of the ladies, romancing a married woman in town, whose husband was frequently away on cattle business. My mother, Maggie, beside herself with worry over her wayward sons, had taken matters into her own hands, and it wasn’t until a day ago that I realized just how desperate she had become.

Charlie, she had said. You’re such a good boy. You’re the only one of your brothers I can count on. I’ve something I need you to do for me.

I had been about to saddle a horse, standing in the stable with the bridle in my hands. Yes, Ma? Lord, what is it now?

She stood before me in a faded purple dress with an apron tied around her waist. I’ve...been, well, I’ve an errand for you, son.

I gotta check the fence. We got some escapees.

I know, but once you’ve done that, I...have something important that needs tending to.

Can’t Grant do it?

He’s been gone for two days. Her expression darkened. I know what he’s been doing. I know all about Mrs. Forrester. Nothing good will come from being associated with that woman. The rumors are true, I’m afraid.

He’s a grown man. You can’t tell a grown man what to do.

Why did my boys have to turn out so wild? What have I done to deserve this? We never should’ve left home. It was a mistake moving west.

Pa wanted more land, you know that. He worked hard to build the farm. He did better than most. She had yet to forgive him for his part in the skirmish that had resulted in his death, but...that was years ago. Those, who had committed the murder, were now gone too. They had paid for their crimes.

I need you to go to Topeka. I have something important arriving at the station that needs to be picked up.

I’m busy. I placed the leather straps around the horse’s muzzle. Ask Cutter or Derrick to do it.

I can’t. This is a delicate matter, Charlie. I need someone I can trust.

I’ll look for Grant later. He can take care of it.

"That won’t do. The thing that’s arriving is for Grant. It’s a sort of...present."

I glanced over my shoulder, feeling a growing sense of irritation. I ain’t no errand boy, Ma. Make him get his own stuff, that lazy cuss. I placed the saddle pad high on the horse’s withers.

Oh, goodness.

Derrick’s got nothin’ going. He’s dithering around in the bunkhouse. He needs a job.

I have something to tell you. I know you’ll be angry with me, but it’s too late now. The wheels are in motion.

I stared at her, my mouth turning down. Oh, what now? What have you done?

I’ve taken matters into my own hands. Your brother needs a wife, Charlie. There are plenty of women back east, lookin’ for a fresh start. There are advertisements for mail order brides in the newspaper every week. I—

Then it dawned on me, what she had done. Oh, Lordy! I barked with laughter, not being able to help myself. You didn’t.

I’ve begun a pleasant correspondence with a lovely young woman from New York.

Let me guess; she’s showin’ up on the afternoon train.

Yes, she is.

Chuckling, I shook my head, laughing at the insanity of the situation. It ain’t gonna work. You just wasted your time and energy on nothin’. I glanced at her. Did you have to pay for the ticket?

I...did, but she thinks Grant’s responsible. I’ve been sending letters...but I made them sound like something Grant would say.

I had finished with the saddle, fastening the front clinch. Boy, oh, boy. He’s not gonna be too happy about that. I snorted with laughter, imagining Grant returning home tonight to face his future wife, although he would never marry this woman. You gone and done it now, Ma.

Not really. I’ve only hurried the matrimonial process. But... She looked worried, wringing her hands.

What?

She expects to be married...today.

This announcement sent me over the edge, as I hooted uncontrollably. I tossed my head back, while my belly clenched with the force of my amusement. Oh, tarnation! There’s no way on God’s green earth Grant will marry this woman today or ever.

This isn’t funny, you blockhead! This is important, Charlie! I’ve played around with this poor woman’s life, promising her the moon and the stars. Now she’s nearly here, and there’s no Grant.

Did you romance her sweetly in those letters, Ma? Another fit of laughter had me in its grips, as I doubled over. You sure have a way with words. Bet you wrote some poetry too, eh? Tears were in my eyes, but the laughter would not abate.

Get a grip, Charlie! I need you to retrieve her. Tell her the wedding’s been slightly delayed, and bring her home.

I shook my head. Of all the crazy things you’ve done. This one sure takes the cake.

She remained unapologetic. When Grant sees her, he’ll make an offer. I have it on good authority that she’s handsome.

I’m sure. I doubted it, but why should I throw water on a perfectly good fire?

Will you go get her?

"You’re the one doin’ the courting. Why don’t you get her? This idea was so ridiculous; another fit of laugher escaped, until my belly ached. Lordy, this has been fun. Haven’t laughed this much in ages."

You knucklehead! Anger blazed in her look now. She was all fired up. I’ve not had an easy go of life, son; you know that. Your father’s death and the war have dealt us blows we never recovered from. You’re the only one I can count on in this family. You’re the only one who won’t let me down. You stayed to help and make the farm prosper. All I ask is that you go to the train station and retrieve this woman. Is that so hard?

I got no qualms about pickin’ stuff up, but I can’t look at this person and lie to her. She came out here on good faith, and you’ve been lying the entire time. What do you think she’ll do when she finds out you faked those letters? My hands went to my hips. She’ll hightail it on outta here, is what she’ll do.

She can’t. It’s a one way ticket.

My belly rumbled again. I began to cough; the sound was loud enough to upset the horse. I patted her flank. There now, Sonny. Sorry about that. Don’t pay me no mind. I’m just tryin’ not to die over here.

Will you get the woman?

You mean, will I help perpetuate the lie?

Not for long. Just bring her here, and I’ll explain everything.

Why not go get her yourself? Tell her what you told me, and let her decide what to do. Give her the fare, and she’ll get back on the train and go home. It would be for the best.

I don’t want that! She’s the perfect woman for Grant. I didn’t make promises for nothing, Charlie. Once Grant sees her, he’ll fall in love.

Just like that, huh? My smile had yet to falter. That’s all it takes?

Oh, stop making fun of me. I raised you better than that.

Yeah, you did. I got me a fine conscience that’s telling me what you did was underhanded and manipulative. You lied to this poor woman, and you’re lying to Grant. The only person payin’ the piper on this one will be you. I pointed a finger at her. You’re gonna have a lotta explaining to do.

That’s fair. I’ll take that. I deserve it, but it’s high time my boys are married and settled. I’ve raised four of the most ungrateful wretches ever. Your older brothers are nothin’ but wastrels. They came back from the war all messed up in their heads with bellies full of whiskey. I’ve lost hope that either of them will ever marry. Then Grant took up with a married woman! Oh, the shame. And they’re hardly discreet. I’ll do anything to get him away from that cheating, conniving Mrs. Forrester. That woman should be ashamed of herself for carrying on like that.

It ain’t up to you to be the judge.

"No, but it won’t happen with my son!"

Grant’s a big boy. He makes his own decisions.

He’s not had a father around for guidance. Chuck would’ve never stood for this sort of behavior. He would’ve taken a firm hand to him and set him straight.

That worked real well for Wyatt and Bronson, I remarked dryly.

Oh, those boys. She closed her eyes. I can only concern myself right now with the ones worth savin’. Grant’s not too far gone...yet.

You’ve given up on Wyatt and Bronson then? Are they as good as dead to you?

No, of course not. I haven’t seen either of them in months. I check the paper every week to see...

My humor had vanished. To see what?

The arrests and the obituaries. I expect to read all about it there.

She had a point, and I would not be able to argue with her on that score, although I had seen Wyatt last week. He had come to town on a job, looking