Winning The Deputy's Heart (Mail-Order Brides of Salvation 1) Read online

  Love and Faith

  on the American Frontier

  Winning the

  Deputy’s Heart

  Faith Parsons

  Copyright 2015 - First electronic publication, July 2015

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distribute via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the author's permission.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely incidental.

  Salvation, Texas -- A Small Town With A Big Heart

  A MAN WITH A MISSION

  Deputy Jacob Anderson wants a wife with some sense in her--he's not interested in a flighty young thing who'll distract him from the thing God put him on this Earth to do: catch outlaws.

  A WOMAN WITH FAITH

  Seamstress Abigail Huxley is in danger of becoming an old maid. Orphaned at fourteen and raised by her loving aunt, she can't offer her new husband a dowry. All she's got is her skill with a needle and her faith that God has a plan for her.

  Longing for a family of her own, Abigail prays long and hard before deciding to become a mail-order bride.

  A MARRIAGE UNDER ATTACK

  When Abigail arrives in Salvation, she's confronted by a reckless young woman named Sarah who's determined to drive a wedge between Abigail and her new husband.

  Is Abigail's faith in God strong enough to protect her from the fears lurking in her own heart?

  Winning the Deputy's Heart is a clean, inspirational romance. While this book is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone book.

  Love and Faith on the American Frontier: in this heartwarming series of clean inspirational romance stories, God-fearing men and their mail-order brides join together to make a new life on the Western frontier.

  Book 1 - Winning the Deputy's Heart

  Book 2 - Winning the Rancher's Heart

  Book 3 - Winning the Doctor’s Heart

  Book 4 - Winning the Homesteader’s Heart (coming in September 2015)

  Book 5 - Winning the Wrangler’s Heart (coming in October 2015)

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  Chapter One

  The sun was already up and the grass was twinkling with dew as the train snaked through the Texas prairie. In a few hours, Abigail would reach Salvation, Texas, where Jacob Anderson would be waiting for her. She didn’t feel ready.

  She wondered what her fiancé was doing at this moment. Was he as nervous as she was?

  This wasn’t the first big turn her life had taken—ten years ago, God had taken her parents from her. At the age of fourteen, she’d become an orphan.

  But this time the change was her decision: to become a mail-order bride. She’d prayed over it for weeks. What if she’d misunderstood God’s plan for her? What if this wasn’t the right choice?

  “Trust in God and trust in your husband, and the rest will take care of itself,” Aunt Cecilia had advised when she’d dropped Abigail off at the train station.

  But Abigail wondered if that would be enough.

  The sun was high on the horizon when Abigail became once again aware of the world around her. The small and very pregnant woman sitting a few seats in front of her—she’d introduced herself as Joan Stevens—had been motion-sick almost the whole ride, and Abigail had been happy to assist her any way she could.

  Joan leaned forward and covered her mouth with one hand. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the edge of her seat with the other. Poor woman.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Abigail asked.

  Joan nodded as she shifted, trying to get comfortable on the hard seat. Abigail hurried to fetch a cup of water from the jug at the back of the passenger car.

  “Thank you,” the young woman said, accepting the tin cup. “It is very kind of you to help me. I usually don’t have such problems with trains,” she said, resting her hand lightly on her belly. “But my little angel here seems to feel differently.”

  Abigail smiled and nodded as Joan sipped from the glass. “Are you travelling far?”

  “Back to California, to rejoin my husband in San Francisco. It seems like an eternity since I have seen him. It will be good to be home.”

  “What have you been doing so far from home?” Abigail asked her, hoping to distract Joan from her discomfort.

  “I went to visit family back East. Once the baby is born that will be even more difficult,” Joan explained. “I came here as what some people call a ‘mail-order bride’. My Douglas bought me a train ticket to San Francisco after we exchanged letters for only six months. I never expected to be so happy so far away from home.”

  “Really,” Abigail exclaimed, surprised. “What was that like?”

  Then she realized she should have thought before asking. “I’m sorry, that was rude. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  “It isn’t a problem.” Joan smiled at her. “When I went to San Francisco, I was terrified I’d made the wrong decision. But God’s plan for me was generous. I fell in love with my husband at first sight and we’ve been living happily ever since.”

  Abigail had mixed feelings about hearing Joan’s story. Ever since she'd left Boston, she'd slept in brief moments, always awakening with her mind full of worry, and she prayed for the answers to all the questions that troubled her. Would Jacob be the good man that he’d seemed to be in his letters? Would he be happy with her? How hard would it be for a seamstress from Boston to adapt to the hardships of life on the frontier?

  The train chugged down the other side of the hill, through the meadow, over another hill, and skirted close to a strip of woods. Abigail felt lured by the wood’s mysterious shadows, the twittering birds and singing leaves. The fantasy of hiding amidst the trees brought some peace to her weary, anxious mind.

  “Now I’m sorry,” Joan said. “Perhaps I’m burdening you with my story.”

  Abigail started. “No, not at all. I confess that I, too, am a mail order bride. I am happy for you, but I don’t believe something like that would happen to me.”

  Her practical mind wouldn’t let her believe that two strangers could so easily fall in love with each other.

  “Nothing is impossible for God, you know,” Joan continued. “From my own personal experience, I can say that love is not so difficult to find as some might think, if you open your heart and have faith.”

  Abigail nodded but had trouble truly believing Joan’s words. For her, marriage wasn’t about love, passion or eternal bliss. No, all she wanted was to find in Jacob someone she could respect and be happy with. To have a family and children. Love wasn’t something to disregard, but Abigail was too practical to believe that one day she might fall in love with the man she was marrying. She had given upon love.

  Jacob had told her that he was a sheriff’s deputy. He’d written of the close-knit community in Salvation, and the beauty of the area. He’d made it sound like a wonderful place to live, not cold and cramped like Boston.

  He’d also written of his desire to settle down and start a family. But he’d n
ever mentioned parents, or brothers and sisters, and knowing the pain of missing her own parents, Abigail had decided not to pry. She’d find out soon enough if members of his family lived in Salvation. And if they’d accept her as Jacob’s wife.

  Joan leaned back and sighed. “Why did you decide to become a mail-order bride?”

  “I was only fourteen when my parents died from scarlet fever. My kind aunt took me to live in her house. Aunt Cecilia is a seamstress who never married and she raised me as if I were her daughter.”

  “Your Aunt is still alive?”

  Abigail nodded. “It was hard to say goodbye to her. But she thought I was doing the right thing. She was constantly matchmaking for me, but it’s hard to find a man whose faith in the Lord is true.” She signed with sadness. “Now, at twenty four, I fear I am already too old. I did warn Jacob of my age, and he says he wants a mature, responsible woman. But…I worry that I won’t suit him.”

  Joan smiled at her with a slow, understanding smile, while cradling her stomach lovingly. “Believe me, Abigail, honesty and straight talk are the pillars of every successful marriage. You can resolve almost anything with an open and straightforward talk. If you attend to your marriage, all else will be well. Age, beauty and money are not important when it comes to love.”

  “Thank you for your wise words, Joan.” The pregnant woman looked so happy and so sure of what she was saying that Abigail felt some kind of comfort fill her heart.

  She knew that it would not be easy, but she would hold strong to her faith, and trust that He would help her to overcome whatever was to come.

  Chapter Two

  Salvation, Texas looked like most of the other frontier towns that the train had stopped at during Abigail’s journey: a row or two of buildings, mostly wood, a few brick. The railroad was residents’ only connection to the far-away cities of the East. The raucous bustle of big city life was harder for her to remember here in the slow and simple life of Salvation.

  Jacob had told her that the customs of people in Salvation reflected the environment around them, and people here lived straightforward, pragmatic lives. He’d explained that nature here was unforgiving—arid and hot during the summer, and cold and wet during the winter. Many of the older men had been soldiers in the war, soldiers bearing old wounds as proof of their service to their country. The women, too, were forced to become stronger by the hard life they were living and their broad responsibilities.

  The train arrived early in the morning and Abigail was the only one to get off it. A few men stood nearby and watched porters unload mail and other cargo, but only one of them approached her. It had to be Jacob.

  As he walked her way, dressed in dark brown pants and black coat, with a revolver hanging low on his right side and a hat in his hand, Abigail judged him to be in his late twenties. He had dark eyes and brown hair, and his face, although serious at the moment, showed signs of strong character and quick intelligence.

  “Hello, Miss Huxley,” he said, while holding out his hand to greet her. “Welcome to Salvation, Texas.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Anderson,” Abigail responded and gently placed her hand in his. She took a breath and looked all around her. Here at the edge of the town, she could see the untamed land all around them. Spring had just dressed the trees and plains in green, reminding everyone that nature had awaken from the long winter sleep. “You live in a very beautiful place.”

  “I am glad you like it,” he responded to her remark, but she could see that he was studying her. “I hope that you had a pleasant trip?”

  “Yes, thank you, it was a pleasure to see the landscape outside of Boston, and I even made a friend during the trip.” She smiled at the memory of Joan and her sweet words.

  Jacob smiled back. Once the smile touched his lips, his whole appearance changed. He was a handsome man, after all.

  Abigail could see with that smile, and how it touched his eyes, that he was pleased to see her, although he would probably never say so.

  She felt an irrational disappointment for not falling in love with him at the first sight, but also thought that her reaction was more than logical. She was not Joan, and it was not in her character to let feelings make all the decisions for her.

  Jacob paid a pair of young boys to take her suitcases to his house. Then he escorted her to the saloon, which doubled as Salvation’s only restaurant during the early part of the day.

  Mr. Jones, who ran the saloon, was a plump, cordial man with a ready smile. Abigail was pleased to see that he greeted Jacob with respect. He’d prepared a late breakfast for them: eggs, sausages, toast, and best of all, fresh, hot coffee with a touch of fresh cream and honey. Abigail’s mouth watered as the rich, bitter aroma surrounded her.

  “Salvation is a good town,” Jacob explained. “It’s my job to make sure it stays that way. The few problems we have come either from people passing through. It’s rare that folks here forget their manners.” He smiled. “Sheriff Eisley is a God-fearing man—and a man who can put the fear of God into those that need reminding. He’s the best boss I’ve ever had.”

  Abigail listened, eyes on Jacob as she took a small sip of her hot coffee. “Did you always aspire to be a lawman?”

  Jacob’s smile wavered, then returned, though not as strong. “No, not always. It took me some time to realize that this occupation was my calling.”

  He stared into the distance for a moment before returning to her face. “I used to be a ranch-hand, and even wanted to own my own ranch. I was a headstrong young man.”

  Abigail wondered what had happened to change his mind.

  But before she could ask, Jacob changed the subject, and the rest of the meal was spent in amiable small talk. Her future husband answered her questions about the town and the people she would soon meet.

  Abigail relaxed a little. Jacob was a very gentle man with a good sense of humor, and he never made her feel uncomfortable. He told her about the mild controversies surrounding the town’s efforts to build a larger schoolhouse, and of Minister Rowland’s efforts to raise funds for a bigger bell for the church’s bell tower.

  “Salvation has grown to such a size that we have had a few folks to the south of town claim that they forgot to come to church on Sunday because they couldn’t hear the bell,” he said, wryly.

  Abigail returned Jacob’s smile, basking in the warm glow of shared humor.

  “Please take your time washing up.” Jacob said. “I’ve some business to attend to, but I’ve asked Mrs. Eisley, the sheriff’s wife, to accompany you to the church. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Ah…” Abigail wasn’t the fainting type. But she had the sudden sensation of being on the train again, with the world flashing by so fast that it made her dizzy to focus on any one thing.

  Jacob raised one eyebrow. “Unless you’re having second thoughts?”

  “No,” she blurted. Blushed again. She’d never lost control of her tongue simply because she found herself in the presence of an attractive man before. But she was tired. And hot. “I’m sorry, I’m a bit fatigued.”

  His forehead creased slightly—with concern? Or disappointment? Her stomach sank as she realized what a terrible impression she must be making. She was older than the average mail-order bride, no doubt he’d been expecting someone prettier. If she didn’t stop putting her foot in her mouth, he’d think her simple too. This wasn’t at all how she’d hoped to begin married life.

  “We’re still strangers to each other. If you have any reservations about marrying me, I understand.”

  Good grief, she’d only been her for a few minutes, and she’d already put him off. Was he afraid that she didn’t want him? Or was he having second thoughts, and hoping that she’d back out?

  She had no idea what to say that wouldn’t make things worse. Somehow, I want to marry you even more now that I’ve met you seemed too rude to utter.

  So she went with, “I haven’t known you long enough to have reservations, sir.”

  “Fair enough. M
inister Rowland and most of the townsfolk will be waiting at the church, so don’t dally.”

  “I’ll hurry, I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

  He stopped, sighed. “I didn’t mean to imply you would.”

  How did things manage to get so complicated so quickly?

  “We’ve only just met each other,” Abigail said carefully. “It’s natural that we might have a misunderstanding or too. We’ll have to make allowances for each other, until we’re better acquainted.”

  He smiled. “That sounds like a fine plan.”

  Jacob paid for breakfast and offered Abigail his arm, but before they could leave, a pretty, young girl in a dark red dress approached. Her eyes were outlined in lampblack, and she’d painted her cheeks with rouge. Abigail fought back her shock.

  “Good morning, Jacob,” the girl purred, making a point to ignore Abigail. “Why don’t you stay for a drink?”

  Abigail’s mouth dropped open. How dare she? Did she not know that Jacob was engaged? Or did she simply not care?

  The girl smirked. She didn’t care. Abigail’s mouth snapped shut again, her jaw clenching with fury. She looked at Jacob. Surely he would say something?

  Jacob was clearly struggling to remain polite. “Miss Sarah, this is my fiancée, Miss Abigail Huxley.” he said stiffly. “I do not take kindly to your disregard for her presence by my side, and to your propositioning me in such an uncouth manner. I will thank you to show Miss Abigail due respect.”

  Sarah looked Abigail’s way. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Abby” she said, over-sweetly. Immediately she turned her full attention back to Jacob and said, “The offer stands, darling. See you tonight.”

  Sarah winked at Jacob and laughed at Abigail’s stunned expression, then swung around and sashayed up the stairs at the back of the room.