A Bride For Obadiah Read online

  A Bride For Obadiah

  Proxy Bride Series

  Allyson Carter

  Esther promises to honor and obey, certainly not love, a man she’d never met. To escape the attentions of a devious moneylender, she impulsively answers the mail order bride advertisement. The last thing she expects is to be dragged kicking and screaming on an expedition in the vast unexplored area of Wyoming by her husband, Obadiah who forgot to mention his occupation as an outlaw.

  Obadiah Longtree knew the only way to get revenge on the man who killed his mother was to marry. Following his brother’s example, he sent for a bride. Anyone would do as the only way to join the expedition exploring unchartered territory in the Wyoming expanse is to have a wife. When he meets Esther, he at first has no interest in the woman who is only a means to an end. Yet, under the mysterious sky, he comes to see her as more than an end. In her eyes, he discovers there may be another reason than revenge to live. But when plans for his revenge bring her close to harm, will he abandon them or force her to execute his plans along with him?

  Copyright © 2020 by Allyson Carter

  All rights reserved by the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, recording, by the information storage and retrieval or photocopied, without permission in writing from Allyson Carter.

  Cover design by Black Widow Books

  Prologue

  Winter 1869…

  He set the paper on the kitchen table jabbing a finger on the ad. It said “Mail Order Brides” and right next to it a drawer wanted for an expedition. Obadiah smiled at the newspaper. James’s face looking back at him. Now. This might be the plan he needed to get revenge on James.

  “What’s this?” Jedediah, Obadiah’s twin brother asked as he rocked the baby in his arms. The child never stopped crying, and this wasn’t a complication they needed to handle at this moment. Except his brother didn’t agree, for some reason that he wouldn’t share with him.

  “Work.”

  “Why don’t I believe this?” He walked over to the table to look at the paper. His brow arched as he read. “No. Don’t go on this. Besides,” he pointed with his index finger. “it says you have to be married.”

  Obadiah scoffed, rolling his eyes. The one thing his brother picks up on and doesn’t recognize the name of one of the explorers. He’d done forgot about their Ma and how this man ripped their family apart. His brother forgot, but he didn’t, and this man had to pay. That’s how things worked. He’d take this on by himself if need be.

  “I’ll send off for one of them brides like you did.”

  “Heaven help us. I didn’t get married by proxy because I wanted. This baby needs a ma, and it was the best way to handle the situation.”

  “Stop being a “good boy”.” Obadiah made framed “good boy” in air quotes. “No one is impressed anymore. You could have sent the brat to an orphanage.”

  He’d had enough of his brother and his holier than thou attitude. They’d both came from the tribe. Hard life at times, and he had something to prove or at least he felt this way with his twin. Living with him had gotten on his last nerve, and Obadiah had to do something. The expedition could be the good push he needed. He’d get the bride, and then he’d be allowed on this trip and could start working on a place for them to live.

  Chapter One

  Summer 1870, Jade, Wyoming.

  6 months later…

  Esther Jacobs wondered if her new husband would take exception to her hands.

  She turned them over, staring at the chapped skin and the callouses she’d gained from the endless hours of washing laundry. It was backbreaking work, lifting heavy loads of washing into and out of the giant tubs, boiling the water, adding the soap, and hanging them to dry.

  Her hands had sacrificed their right to be soft and well-kept all to save her soul.

  Don’t think about that anymore. You’re away from that place.

  Taking a deep breath, Esther clutched the bar on the side of the stagecoach as they rounded a tight corner. Her teeth snapped together as the stage went over the rocky trail. Traveling by stage left much to be desired. Though the window was open, a fresh breeze was as rare as gold. Her stomach rolled uncomfortably again for the umpteenth time in fear of the violent motion of the stage

  Snow covered mountain tops moved closer as she stared out the window. They were much bigger than those she’d seen closer to home

  The stage had room for nine people but only six occupied the seats. One couple, a Mr. and Mrs. Smith and a Mr. Lockwood, who traveled alone, hadn’t much to say during their time together.

  Seated across from her, Ruth Westerly’s head lolled back and forth, her mouth slightly open. Esther shook her head. Her best friend was peculiar that way. She could sleep no matter where she was. Esther didn’t trust fate that much. She’d hardly slept the entire time it took to travel to Jade, Wyoming.

  Jade. What sort of man awaited her there? Who was this husband she had never met, and she’d given her life to.

  For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. Till Death do us part.

  The coach seemed to leap into the air, and she gripped her seat tighter, her teeth grinding together. What she wouldn’t give to get this journey over with. If only to walk on solid ground again. Esther knew if they ever stopped, she’d probably fall to her knees and kiss the ground she stood on.

  To take her mind off her discomfort, she thought back to the ceremony that had made her Mrs. Obadiah Longtree. Longtree. What an odd name. They were married by proxy a few weeks ago. As she stood in the tiny room overlooking the street of Pennsylvania in the proxy agent’s room, she’d wondered if she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.

  But what could she have done? The moneylender had threatened her and also Ruth. They couldn’t allow him to take their virtue. The lowlife! He’d kept adding interest to their unpaid debt like links to a chain. No wonder they were unable to pay their debt off.

  “If either of you really wants to pay off your debt, there’s one way you can do it.” He had leered at them, with his beady eyes and thick lips coated with saliva from his constant licking. “You meet me at this place here two days from now and we’ll… discuss it.”

  It didn’t take too much to realize what the man implied. That part of Pennsylvania hosted a disreputable crowd of humanity. Gangs, strumpets, and thieves congregated together.

  Thankfully, Ruth had taken matters into her own hands. “We may be born of unwed mothers,” Esther remembered her saying, “but we are still deserving of respect. I will not let that man take advantage of you or me.”

  It was Ruth who had concocted the whole plan. It was she who had seen the advertisement and she who went to the proxy’s office.

  “We can’t do this!” Esther had exclaimed, shaking at the idea of giving herself to a man that she didn’t know.

  “If not this, then what will we do?” Ruth had countered in her calm voice.

  What else could she have done? Was a marriage to an unknown stranger better than an unscrupulous moneylender? Esther fought down the disappointment as she gazed out the window. For years, she’d promised herself she would marry for love and not for a need or a way out, and here she sat in this stagecoach doing just that.

  “Jade, next stop.” The driver called out. “One hour stop, folks.”

  Esther took in a deep breath, trying to still the rolling in her stomach. She’d committed herself. There was no turning back.

  Your ne
w life as Mrs. Obadiah Longtree begins now.

  Reaching over, she nudged her friend. “Ruth, wake up. We’re here.”

  Ruth blinked a few times, and then she straightened. Glancing out the window, she said one word. “Oh.”

  It was one word, but it seemed to speak for both of them.

  Esther clutched her handbag with one hand and Ruth’s hand with the other. They held on tight. Her knuckles whitening from the strain. The butterflies in her stomach churned had nothing to do with the ride this time. On the other side of that door, their husbands waited.

  The stagecoach rocked as the driver climbed down from the seat.

  The door opened with a creak. More butterflies flew about in her stomach. She glanced over at Ruth. A serene smile graced her face and Ruth squeezed her hand. There was so much said in that one squeeze. With that one tiny grip, a lifetime of friendship was again confirmed. No matter what happened, they’d always have each other. Ruth worked hard to make the best of any situation, and Esther wished the good Lord had given her this gift. He hadn’t and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.

  “Ladies, we’ve arrived. Allow me to assist you down.” The driver placed a stool on the ground from the back of the coach.

  “Thank you.” Esther stepped down and looked around the new town they were going to call home.

  The windows of one mercantile store across the road stared back at her. Glancing down the dusty road, she saw a post office and a saloon. A boarding house was across from the saloon. She had known it would be a lonely town but there really was nothing here. Pennsylvania had towering buildings, theaters, and many things to do, even if you didn’t have much money. They may have made a mistake coming here. No fancy boardwalks…nothing refined in sight. She coughed as the dust stirred. Esther chewed on her bottom lip.

  How far was their home from the center of town? Would they have neighbors?

  Ruth’s voice shook as she turned to Esther, her smile somewhat shaky. “Things will be fine, Esther. We’ve lived in worse conditions before.”

  She wasn’t wrong. The Magdalene home had not been easy to live in at times. “I know. It’s hard to even imagine we won’t wake up in the same bed as we have had for the past eighteen years.” The many nights of staying up later than was allowed, whispering under the covers. Planning out their lives together. How they would not end up as their mothers did. Picking out names for their children and how they would be the best of friends as well. Time to put all the innocent and childish things aside and face life and the hand they’d been dealt.

  Behind them, sat a jail. Bars on the single window. Only a single cell there? Did they even have a sheriff in town?

  Mr. and Mrs. Smith walked over to the girls. The other man had already gone, dipping into the saloon. She hadn’t wanted to say a bad word about him, but he’d smelled strongly of whiskey. She wondered if he had a family here or was on his way to another place. Esther plastered on a smile as the couple stopped in front of them.

  “Is this your first time in town?”

  They had not spoken to them except to say hello as they boarded a few stops back. Why now? The question pricked the back of her mind. Esther nodded as Ruth spoke. “Yes, first and last, as we’re moving here.”

  Mrs. Smith’s brown eyes widened in surprise. She placed a hand on her chest. No reaction from her husband. She must be one for dramatics. The obviously new and very stylish dress hugged her body. They certainly seemed to come from money and might be the only well-off people here in the town if what Esther saw was any indication. “Oh, please forgive me for not speaking up more on the ride. If I’d known, I would have told you more about this place.” She gestured with her hand at the town around them as she spoke.

  “Nothing to forgive, Ma’am,” Esther replied.

  “If you need anything, please come find me in town. You see, my husband is the mayor. We can help you find anything you need. Who are you waiting for?”

  “Mr. Longtree.” They both replied.

  Mrs. Smith blinked a few times as she turned to look at her husband. A slow smile curved his lips, the kind of smile that made Esther wonder why. She didn’t have to guess long, and as his wife turned back, Esther masked her emotions. “I see.” Mrs. Smith lifted her gaze over their heads and nodded. “Well, there they are. Over on the other side of the boardwalk. I wish you luck. I do mean it when I saw if you need anything— and I have a feeling that you might— please come and see either of us.”

  The couple left without another word.

  Esther’s nose scrunched up. Ruth let out a nervous laugh. “The way she reacted was odd, wasn’t it?” Esther asked.

  Ruth swallowed. Long moments passed without Ruth replying. Even happy go lucky Ruthy couldn’t put a good spin on this. What if their husbands were criminals or something? Had they traded in one bad guy for another? Esther pressed a hand to her stomach to calm the nerves fighting to come up. They’d make it through this. They had to. There were no other options.

  Finally, Ruth said quietly, “A little. It will be okay. Do you want me to go with you to meet him?”

  Esther mulled over the offer. Of course, this would make her feel better, but she didn’t want her new husband to think she was a child and needed a friend to hold her hand. No, this was something she must do on her own no matter how afraid she was. Please God, help me. Taking a deep breath in, she slowed her breathing, so that she would not pass out. Her sweaty hands slipped on her reticule; she grabbed the strap at the last moment. “No. This must be done alone. We’ll see each other soon.”

  They hugged one last time, holding on a little tighter, giving one another the strength to do this walk. Once they pulled away, Esther went to the right and Ruth to the right. She steered her gaze away and over to her husband. One man paced back and forth, like a squirrel trapped in a cage. The other leaned against the pillar, one foot raised, a hat low over his eyes and arms across his chest. She heard her friend talking to the other man. Of course, she got the one who looked to have an attitude.

  “About time you got here.”

  Esther cocked her head not believing the words that came out of his mouth. Did his Ma forget to teach him manners? She steeled herself from replying with a smart remark. It wasn’t proper for women to talk back. Except no one at their former home would describe her as proper. She’d always been the one to speak her mind. “I couldn’t come any faster than the stagecoach goes. I’m assuming—”

  A smile cracked on his lips. He pushed off the beam coming to his full height. He was tall. Her neck hurt as she followed him with her eyes. The wind blew some strands of jet-black hair to the front of his face. It was very long. Unheard of for a man to have long hair. She caught herself staring and cast her gaze downward but notbefore she saw him raising an eyebrow.

  “I’m your husband.” Not a question.

  This must be a joke. This massive tan man, muscles straining against his white shirt and suspenders was her husband? What was wrong with her? The long trip must have affected her head. She shifted from one foot to the other. “Well, then. At least I found the right man.” She stretched out her hand to him and he shook it while shaking his head. Was she too forward? This proper stuff was often a mystery to her. How do you greet the man you married by proxy? For sure not a hug or kiss! Oh, gosh, what if he had expected that?

  “That would make for a funny story though.”

  She ignored his comment. “Anyway, I’m Esther. Which way is our home? I’d like to get freshened up and then we can sit down to talk about this marriage.”

  “Ma’am, I don’t know how to break this to you. We’re not going to our home.”

  He has lost his mind. What did he mean? Where did he expect them to go from here? It wasn’t like there was much to this town. She didn’t expect to see any more stores or anything close by, so they’d have to be staying somewhere. She crossed her arms, staring him down, her forehead creasing. He didn’t give a thing away. The sly smile was still planted on his lip
s irritating her more by the minute.

  “Well, where pray tell are we going?”

  “On an expedition. Come on, we must hurry to get there on time. My brother will take your trunks to the house, but I suggest you get a few dresses out that you don’t mind getting messy. I have a bag for you to use.”

  He started toward her trunk, not waiting or looking back at her. Her feet remained rooted in place. She had married a mad man. There was no way she was going on this expedition with him. This wasn’t what she had signed up for. A quiet life being a wife is what she wanted. Not some adventure seeker. No! Esther stormed over to where he stood, about to open her chest. She pushed the lid shut.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “You have two options, either stay here unprotected or come with me. We have renegade Indians and ruffians in the area and there ain’t no protection against them. Or you can come with me and be protected.” He shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t care which option she chose. He would leave her there unprotected. Her eyes narrowed at him. What an arrogant man. She had to see if there was a way to get this marriage dissolved and marry someone else. “What makes you think you can protect me?” she spat at him.

  He looked her dead in the face without any expression. He leaned in too close for her comfort and whispered. “I’m one of them — Indians.”

  Chapter Two

  Obadiah relished the shocked look on her face when he said he was Native American. It wasn’t a lie. He was half Indian and half white. His Ma had married a white man, which wasn’t a common thing and she took a lot of heat from the tribe, but he proved himself trustworthy to the chief. His new wife, Esther, didn’t look like the delicate type and truthfully he was thankful for this because he needed someone who didn’t mind getting dirty and sometimes in trouble by his side even though his brother would like him to settle down instead. Maybe once he caught the man who had killed their Ma, he could.