The Barefoot Mail Order Bride
By Cia Leah
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About this ebook
Betsy Perkins's life changed the day her grandpa passed away and she traveled west to marry Cole Cordell, a man her grandpa arranged for her to marry. Her grandpa had assured her that Cole was a good man and would take care of her.
When she arrived to marry Cole, a woman kept seeing her husband and talking to him. Betsy was sad that maybe Karen Dormont meant more to him than just an acquaintance and Cole only married her because he promised her grandpa he would and take care of her.
After they married, a little neighbor girl, Jenny Foster lost her ma and had no living relatives and the Sheriff would probably send Jenny to an orphange. Betsy's heart went out to the girl, knowing how it felt to lose the most important person in your life. She prayed that God help her to help Jenny and to straighten out the relationship between her husband and Karen. When she married Cole, they were married for life, and she wasn't one to share her husband.
Cia Leah
Cia Leah is a multi-published author written in a variety of genres. Her favorite genre to read and write are westerns and historical romances. She successfully completed the Writer's Digest Short Story Course and a creative writing course. She is a member of Romance Divas and highly recommends it and the wealth of knowledge provided on the site for readers and writers. Semi-retired, she writes as time allows due to real life and thanks her readers for their support. At present time, she is writing western short stories, novelettes, and novellas.
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Book preview
The Barefoot Mail Order Bride - Cia Leah
Chapter 1
COLE CORDELL WAITED for the stage to arrive. When he heard it coming, he turned and watched Buggy Billard bring it to a rocking halt in front of the hotel. Cole stepped forward and opened the stagecoach door. An elderly man and woman stepped down and then a small woman with long brown hair and brown eyes held up her dress skirt and stepped down. He couldn't help but notice she had no shoes on. Betsy Perkins?
He looked down at her as she held tightly to her ragged and torn satchel.
Mr. Cordell?
Yes. Please call me Cole. We're going to be married in a couple hours. No need to be formal.
I'm sorry. I'm a little nervous.
It's fine. Don't worry. Would you like to go inside the hotel and get something to eat and drink?
I'm afraid I'm not dressed good enough to do that. Can we just get married and go to your place?
Cole tipped his hat back and stared at the woman who was to become his wife. You are dressed just fine and no one would dare remark on your appearance. Come along.
He took her hand, escorted her into the hotel, and to the dining room. He chose a table in the back and held the chair for her.
Thank you.
You're welcome. You can sit your bag on the floor.
He smiled at Patsy as she walked up to them.
Are you two ready to order?
Yes we are. What's the special today?
Boiled potatoes with ham and gravy. There's apple pie for desert.
We'll have that and a glass of milk for Betsy and coffee for me.
He waited until Patsy left to get their food and turned his attention to Betsy. How was your trip?
It was a long one. The older couple was very nice to me.
I'm glad to hear it. Did you have enough money to eat and things?
Yes. I have some left over. I'll give it to you.
He watched her reach for her satchel. There's no need to do that. You can keep what's left over and after we are finished eating, I'll take you to the mercantile and buy you a dress and a pair of shoes to be wed in.
He saw her blush and lower her head. He reached over and took her small hand in his. Betsy, I want you to be happy. I'm not a rich man by any means, but I do have money enough to take care of you properly as a husband should.
My grandpa told me not to burden you with frilly things because he owed you so much.
Hank didn't owe me a penny. Shoot, he saved my life twice. I'm the one who owed him and I'll take good care of you. Besides, girls like pretty things, don't they?
I don't rightly know. Grandpa and I stayed to ourselves on the farm. He taught me how to read, write, and my numbers at home because the kids always made fun of me because of the way I was dressed. He said he couldn't stand to see me miserable or cry every time I went to school. I miss him something terrible.
He was a good man.
He saw her swipe away the tears glistening in her eyes when Patsy stepped up to table with their food.
Cole, you making this little girl cry?
No, Ma'am.
He watched Betsy sit up in her seat.
He didn't make me cry. I'm just missing my grandpa.
Cole watched Patsy set the food down in front of them. Her grandpa passed on a couple weeks ago. She's my mail order bride. We're getting hitched as soon as we eat and go to the mercantile to get her a new dress and some other things.
I thought you and Karen were...
Cole shook his head. There never was anything between Karen and I other than friendship. Now we best eat before it gets cold, get wed, and out to my place. I'm sure Betsy is tired."
Congratulations, Cole and Betsy.
Cole looked at Besty. She sat there with her hands folded in front of her and looked like she'd