Mail Order Bride: The Counterfeit
After a disastrous first marriage, Will Jeffers hasn’t the stomach
for another emotionally entailed union. All he needs is a wife to
cook, nurse his mother, and look after the homestead. But good
women are few and far between in Colorado mining country.
A mail order bride is the perfect solution.
Amelia Johannasen is running for her life. Her mother has decided
it’s time her daughter joined the family business, shattering
Amy’s dreams of marrying for love. Imagine her surprise when
she is mistaken for Will Jeffers mail order bride.
Amy’s dreams of marrying for love. Imagine her surprise when
she is mistaken for Will Jeffers mail order bride.
With a head for numbers and talent for spinning tall-tales but no
notion of how to cook or nurse a manipulative old woman how
can she reach the heart of a man once burned so badly, he’s
sworn off love?
can she reach the heart of a man once burned so badly, he’s
sworn off love?
Excerpt: Mail Order Bride: The Counterfeit
“I’m happy to see you made it safe, ma’am. I apologize for
being late, but as I mentioned in my letters, my ma, well, with her
sick and all. I figured we oughta to start back right after the
ceremony.”
sick and all. I figured we oughta to start back right after the
ceremony.”
She froze still as a statue. “Ceremony?”
“Our nuptials. I’m afraid I can’t leave Ma alone for long. No
tellin’ what kind of—” He chuckled, but even to his own ears
it sounded forced. “We can, uh, talk about that later. Your nursin’
skills and all.”
Those lovely eyes blinked up at him. And once again, he found
himself drowning in bewitching sensations.
She heaved in a deep breath and let it out slow. “We’re to be …
m-married? Now?”
He hardened his tone. “Yes’m.” He had no time for cold feet or
feminine hysterics. “It’s what we agreed on, ma’am.” He bit out
the words, tamping down the surge of irritation…and something
he couldn’t define. Panic, that she wouldn’t follow through? It
was ridiculous, an outrageous thought. He shook it off and pressed
on, determined to see his plans fulfilled. “Er, I don’t get to the
Springs all that often. And there ain’t no preacher within twenty
miles of Cripple Creek.”
Her plump lips turned down. The sight coiled his insides tighter
than a rattler ready to strike. “Cripple Creek? That’s a long way,
right?”
Was she trying to renege? He steeled his spine. He’d done wasted
enough time and money getting’ her here. More than anything he
wanted, no needed, to secure this marriage.
Something banded his chest, squeezing out every square inch of
air, at the same time, softened him inside. Desire rippled through
him. “I’m working the mines near there,” he said gently. “The
homestead isn’t quite that far out.”
The small breath and small nod she gave, released his own held
breath.
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s a long way.”
About Kathy L Wheeler
Kathy L Wheeler (a.k.a. Kae Elle Wheeler for her Cinderella Series) has a BA in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Oklahoma that includes over forty credit hours of vocal music. She was a computer programmer for the Hertz Corporation for over fifteen years and utilizes karaoke for her vocal music talents. Other passions include the NFL, the NBA, travel, musical theatre, painting, reading, and writing.
She is a member of several chapters of the Romance Writers of America: Greater Seattle chapter, Olympia and Eastside chapters, The Beau Monde Chapter and Hearts Through History.
Her main sources of inspiration come from mostly an over-active imagination. She currently resides in the Seattle area with her musically talented husband, Al, and their bossy cat, Carly, and sweet dog, Angel.
Thank you, Kryssie!
ReplyDeleteGosh! I could feel his tension and hers, as well! Nice excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteHappy release day!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Kathy! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteHi nice readding your blog
ReplyDelete