Mail Order Brides of Perry Lake (A Western Romance Book)

PART 1

The Big Feisty Bride tamed by Her Scarred Banker

1

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1902 Perry Lake, Kansas

Daniel Price rose his head with a smile on his face as the front door to his bank swung open. Upon seeing who it was, his face fell. He didn’t even acknowledge the visitor before going back inside to his ledger. His lack of acknowledgement didn’t seem to matter.

Say it ain’t so! Mark Bishop cried. The man was positioned by the entrance in the most dramatic of stances. His hands gripped the opened door jam, he swung his head low and closed his eyes. He looked to be praying.

The man knew how to call attention to himself. Daniel rolled his eyes before returning to his ledger. It ain’t so, he finally replied.

Mark whistled in relief, a hand wiped invisible sweat from his brow. He then strolled into the room like the confident cowboy he was. Good. I knew it couldn’t be true. Mark cupped his face in one hand and leaned an elbow into the counter, looking right at home. His blue eyes sparkled. There’s a nasty rumor going round town that you’re gettin’ hitched. But I knew you wouldn’t do that to us.

Daniel sighed. I am getting married, Mark. Daniel’s words made Mark stand up straight, now paying closer attention. What? But what about the bachelor life? You can’t do this to me, Daniel. If you get married then I’ll have no more single friends. I’m not ready to settle down. There was plea in his blue eyes. Mark was what people called a handsome man, which was something Daniel would never be called. Not ever again. Mark wore his dirty blond hair short and had natural highlights. He wore his face shaved clean and smiled with ease. If Mark wanted something, he would most likely get it... but not Daniel.

Looking up at his friend, Daniel shook his head. The two were practically brothers. They’d grown up together, caused trouble together, and had moved to Perry Lake, Kansas together.

Perry Lake was an up and coming city that was only a day’s drive from Kansas City. Daniel had rode through the place and knew at once this was where he would settle down. He’d built his bank and hand got a few clients rather quickly. Loans mostly. Everyone needed money for lumber, feed, and seeds. It was easy to lend people money, but Daniel hadn’t got too many people willing to let him hold their money. That was why he was getting himself a wife. I’m getting married, Mark. I got to do something to make these people trust me. A good woman will do that.

Mark looked instantly defeated. He sighed. Well, could you at least tell your best man what the woman’s name is?

Daniel returned to his papers. I don’t know. A pain was beginning to radiate on the left side of his face. He reached up to rub the groove of the long and rough looking scar there. I’m mail ordering.

Mark let out another one of his long whistles. That’s gonna piss off a lot of the local mamas around here. Even with your scar, you’re still considered a catch around here. You may not be all that attractive, but you’ve got money.

Daniel gave Mark a blank stare. Thanks a lot. He knew Mark’s words should have been encouraging, but they weren’t. The girls here are too young for me. I need a mature woman. A grin crept slowly on Daniel’s face. His black eyes twinkled. Though, they’re just perfect for you. And they truly were.

Thanks for looking out for me, old buddy, but I’ll be fine. He shot Daniel one of his good boy grins. You still coming to the meeting this week?

The ‘meeting’ Mark spoke of was for a Men’s Bible Study Group. Daniel and Mark had originally only attended the church in an effort to keep a promise they’d made a while back. Now, the guys went because they were truly interested in what the Bible had to say. God was turning a corner in both of their lives. It was almost enough to give Daniel hope. Almost. Yes, I’ll be there.

Mark headed for the door. Good. He stopped right before he left and turned back. Daniel, I’m happy for you, but don’t forget. We don’t deserve happiness.

Their eyes held. No words needed to be shared between the two. They allowed their memories fill in the void. Daniel gave a single nod of his head before returning to his work. There wasn’t much of it, but hopefully, the new wife would help him build the reputation he needed in order to turn a profit.

* * *

Erie, Pennsylvania

Katherine Blake’s back went rigid as Neil Peters walked into the living room. He took a seat across from her, placing his hat on the table between them. He was smiling; a good looking man. Most of the women in Erie wanted the man, but not Katherine. Katherine wanted nothing to do with the criminal. Yes, he was a criminal. Though the courts couldn’t prove it, Katherine know a snake when she saw one and didn’t feel the need to wait around for it to strike. Neil dealt in everything illegal under the sun. Everyone in town knew it too, but no one did a thing about it.

Neil leaned back into his chair, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a cigar. He reached into a side pocket of his brown suit and pulled out a golden lighter. Katherine had no doubt that the lighter was made out of real gold. Neil had plenty of money. Unfortunately, the man just didn’t have any class to go along with it.

You can’t smoke that in here.

Neil’s hands paused. His smile had fallen, but his green eyes still glittered. Would it really make a difference? Once we’re wed, I’ll have this place flattened. I’ll need room for the theater I’m building. You like the theater don’t you, Katherine? He lit the cigar then. He inhaled and blew a cloud of smoke up above his head.

Katherine balled her hands onto her lap. I do enjoy the theater, but I have no intention of going with you.

Katherine! Olivia, Katherine's mother stood by the entrance. Katherine hadn’t known she’d been standing there. But it made sense. No man would be allowed to call on an unmarried woman without a chaperon. It didn’t matter that Katherine was twenty-eight, and it also didn’t matter that Neil was rich. Rules were rules.

Neil slid further down into the cushion of his armchair. He threw one knee over the other, making himself terribly at home. Oh, Mrs. Blake, don’t mind Katherine. His smile was back. I enjoy making conversation with a woman who knows herself. His smile then fell. She’ll need a little correcting is all. Nothing I can’t handle, of course. Neil sprinkled his ashes on the wood floor, letting both women know what he thought of their home. The Baker home was in ruins. The floors were coming apart, paint was peeling off the window frames, and there was no money to do anything about it. Still, the insult hurt.

Olivia opened her mouth to speak, but Neil cut her off. Mrs. Baker, is that pie I smell? I do love pie. His intentions were clear. He wanted her gone from the room.

Olivia hesitated. I’ll be right back.

Mama! Katherine cried.

Hush girl, and with that, Olivia was gone, leaving Katherine alone with the wolf, but not before she gave Katherine one of her famous ‘you-better-behave-yourself’ looks. Katherine would try and remain ladylike, but would not let Mr. Neil run over her.

You know, you’ll never want for anything again, Katherine. His words brought Katherine’s pale blue eyes back to his green ones. He kept speaking. I own the entirely of main street. Your father’s refusal to sell his property put an annoying little hole in my growing empire. A flash of anger made his eyes glow for a moment. But now that he’s much more willing to sell, I’m happy to take it off his hands... you too.

Katherine didn’t move from her position. If she had, she probably would have done something stupid, like slap the man. The reason her father, John Baker, was selling in the first place was Neil’s fault. A strange series of unfortunate events had ruined John’s farms. Now, Katherine's father wasn’t sure how he would manage to feed his family come winter. Selling the land was their only hope and with the sale of the land, Katherine had to leave as well. The settlement wouldn’t be enough to move and feed three mouths. So, either Katherine married Neil or died of starvation. Starving was starting to look more and more to Katherine’s liking with every passing minute.

Olivia came back with a slice of pie. She placed it in front of Neil. Neil reached for the slice, picked up the forkful, and positioned it in front of his mouth. His cigar was still position between two of his fingers. He looked over at Katherine. No tea?

Olivia flushed and ran back to the kitchen. Katherine had never seen her mother so nervous. No one ever told Olivia Baker what to do. The woman only took orders from her husband. It occurred to Katherine that they must truly be at the monster's mercy. She turned back to Neil and caught him watching her.

He positioned the fork in her direction. Want some pie, Kat? Or did you already have some.

Katherine gave a gasp. He was referring to her weight now. Katherine was a little on the heavy side. There was no getting around that. While growing up people had been nice to her face about it, but those same people would always use it as the first insult when they got mad at her. It was the first thing people noticed about Katherine. It didn’t matter what she wore or how she styled her golden hair. She was fat, but that didn’t mean she’d lay down when a fight got started. Oh, no pie for me. That pie is only for our most special of guests. We put something extra special in it, just for you Neil, Katherine dragged out his name. A dimpled smile finally came to her lips. Enjoy.

The laughter left Neil’s face. He looked at the pie then, not sure whether or not he should eat it. Should he? Did he dare? Would the Blake family really poison him? Decisions, decisions.

John Blake came through the front door then. He took one look at Neil, and immediate anger came over him. Mr. Peters.

John. The man had no couth.

Katherine, her pa’s eyes were looking at her. Come outside with me for a moment.

Katherine straightened her shirt and then headed for the door, leaving Neil in the living room alone. Normally, that would be rude, but Neil was slowly wearing down on the Blake’s hospitality. Katherine walked the few crumbled steps that led down from the front porch and walked up to her father. His bony hand rested on their old wagon.

Both John and Olivia were small people in both weight and height. Often enough, Katherine wondered where she’d got her heavy appearance. She was their only child, but Katherine imagined that if she’d had any siblings, they would have taken after her parents.

The sun was setting. The sky was bathed in a red that was slipping behind the other residential homes in the area.

You don’t have to marry Neil if you don’t want to.

Katherine turned to her father and sorrow consumed her. Before the sorrow, there had been a millisecond of elation, but Katherine had quickly dismissed it. Katherine would not let her family go hungry because of her. Neil would still take the land with or without her, she made no mistake about that, but Katherine would not be a burden to her family any longer. It’s alright, papa. We all must do what me must, Katherine placed a hand on his thin shoulder. His clothes were in disarray. No doubt, John had been trying to salvage what he could out at their farm, but the work had been futile.

Katherine stared into the eyes that looked so much like her own. Her pa’s expression was unreadable as he placed his hand on top of the one Katherine had placed on his shoulder. He gave it a squeeze. You don’t understand. You don’t have to marry Neil, because you’re marrying someone else.

Katherine slipped her hand from underneath her pa’s. What do you mean? She was confused. Who else could she marry? Who else could possibly want her? Katherine wasn’t a catch. A man would nearly break his back carrying her over the threshold. Before, John had thrown her into the deal for the land, Katherine had believed she’d die a spinster. Now, that wouldn’t be so. Who am I to marry?

A man out west. He owns a bank. He’s looking for a wife that can do just the basics. You won’t have to work on a farm ever again. You can be a real lady. The thought made John smile. It was what he’d always wanted for Katherine, but had never been able to give it to her. John had no sons, and Katherine was the only good hand he could afford after a while.

Katherine shook her head. Papa, I don’t know. Neil owns a bank. That doesn’t say much about a person.

John shook his head. Katherine, you’re going to have to make a decision.

Katherine looked away. Does he know? Her question was clear to the two of them. Did her prospective husband know she was fat?

John nodded. He knows and he doesn’t care.

Katherine’s blond brows drew together. What kind of man doesn’t care?

The kind that you’ll be marrying.

Their eyes remained locked. They always communicated best in silence. It was like the two shared their own language. John had been the best pa a girl could ever hope for. If he thought that Katherine should marry some man she’d never met, then she would. Katherine reached out and embraced her pa in a hug. He returned it. She was going out west. The decision was made.

*   *   *

2

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Daniel saw her immediately. Who couldn’t see her? She was making a scene at the depot. People were starting to gather. He moved quickly, almost jogging in her directions. When he reached the scene, the chatter around him died. His scar tended to do that. The only person who hadn’t stopped talking was his fated wife. Her back was towards him and she yelled at the buggy boy who was looking up wide eyed at Daniel.

You’ve ignored my bags repeatedly. Is my coin not good enough for you?

Daniel scratched his head through his dark brown hair. It was apparent to him that she wouldn’t be needing him to fight any of her battles. On the contrary, Daniel was probably going to have to tame her. This was already not looking up. 

As if feeling his large shadow on her back, Katherine turned and gasped. Daniel’s expression showed his irritation. Had he just paid to move another person out west that would gawk at his face? I’ll get your bags.

Katherine composed herself then. She placed a hand on her bonnet before patting her yellow hair. She allowed her baby blue eyes a quick perusal of his form before speaking. No thank you, sir. My husband will be here soon. Katherine turned then, dismissing him. She was turning her attention back to the nervous bag boy who was trying to slip away.

Daniel didn’t understand the confusion. He’d written the truth in his letters, speaking about the scar that adorned the left side of his face. He didn’t understand how Katherine didn’t know about it.

He didn’t try and speak to her again, not here. The depot’s audience was still standing around. Instead, he reached for her bags and began to walk towards his wagon. She followed as he knew she would. And she was loud. Another thing he’d expected.

Excuse me, sir! Her voice sounded high-class and silly to Daniel’s ears, but he wouldn’t tell her that. If they were to marry, he’d have to listen to that voice for the rest of his life. Better to play nice. I said earlier that my husband would be here any minute.

Daniel sighed and turned towards her. Both her suitcases still in his hands. What does your husband look like? A dark brow rose.

Katherine smoothed down her baby blue skirt. She’d most likely worn the color to bring out her eyes. It had worked, but her fussing was being done to buy herself time. Daniel would allow her to have it. Katherine’s eyes finally fluttered up to his. I’m not sure.

Very well. Daniel loaded Katherine’s bags in the back of his covered wagon and then held a hand out towards her, offering to assist her into the chair. He didn’t say anything as he gazed down at her round face. His hand just closed and opened again, silently insisting that she take it.

Katherine looked at it as though she’d catch something if she touched it. I’m not going anywhere with you, she hissed.

Daniel dropped his hand. I was told you were more cooperative.

Katherine gave him a puzzled look. I don’t understand.

Daniel pulled a note from his pocket and began to read. Gold hair, blue eyes, stout. A gentlewoman. One who knows how to cook and clean. Educated in writing, reading, and math. God fearing and sophisticated. Daniel pushed the note into her hands.

Katherine didn’t know what the man was talking about, but read the letter. She recognized her mother’s handwriting instantly. She hadn’t known about her mother’s involvement until this very moment. Olivia hadn’t wanted her to marry Neil either. The thought warmed her heart. Katherine had never been close to Olivia, she’d known that her weight shamed her. When Katherine had been younger and they’d had money, Olivia had taken her on shopping trips, parading her around with great pride. That pride slid away with every pound that was added to Katherine’s hips. And the lack of love had only made Katherine want to eat more.

She looked up into the eyes of the man who had handed her the note. His scar was ugly and looked old. It started right before his eye and trailed down to his cheek. The cut looked to have been deep, causing the muscles on the left side of his face to lay limp. She caught his dark brown eyes and realized she’d been staring at his scar. Katherine looked away.

The man sighed. I’m sorry you didn’t know about the scar. I’d included it in my letters, but I’m guessing you never read them. If you want, I can have you on a train back in the morning.

Katherine looked up into his eyes then. They were unreadable. She had no idea what he was thinking, but couldn’t imagine it was anything good. She was acting improper. But Katherine if married him, she would have to look at his face everyday and she wasn’t sure if she could stomach it.

He was offering her a way out. It was generous of him. He’d just spent a tiny fortune to get her here, but he wouldn’t force her to stay. She could go home if she wanted to, but Katherine had no home. Neil owned it. Her parents had decided to move to Michigan to look for work on the water. Katherine's ma had always enjoyed the water. They’d told Katherine that they’d write to her when they found something promising. So, as it stood at the moment, the man in front of her was her only choice. No. I’ll just have to get use to it. Katherine didn’t look up at him when she said it.

Daniel didn’t reply either. He just held out his hand once more. After a moment of hesitation, Katherine took it. Once she was on her seat, she let go of his hand. Daniel walked around the wagon and took the reins. He gave them a slap and the horse took off.

The ride was quiet for the