Chapter One
Cade
God must have a strange sense of humor. All I’ve wanted since I was eight years old and abandoned at a little bus stop in the state of North Carolina was a family of my own. But I’m in my thirties now. I’ve given up on that dream.
Yeah, I did all of the things you’re supposed to do when you’re looking for a spouse. I put myself out there. I went to the speed dating events. I went to the bars. Heck, I joined a dating app.
After years of searching, I finally gave up on the idea that there’s a woman out there for me. I’m meant to be alone in the world, and that’s how it should be.
Except when my late grandfather willed land to me and my seven foster brothers, he did it with a catch. Each of the Scott men must marry to inherit. He got us involved with a mail order bride service. But while my brothers have been finding their matches, I keep striking out.
“Did you have any luck yet?” River, my brother, asks as he joins me on the path from my house. His little baby daughter is strapped to his chest in some type of carrier and making a little cooing noise.
I glance at the bundle that arrived on his doorstep a couple of months back, turning this cowboy into a single father overnight.
“Nope. How about you?” I ask in an attempt to turn the conversation around.
He shakes his head, and he doesn’t have to say it. I already know why he’s having trouble finding a match. Hell, we all do. There aren’t a lot of women that are ready to step into the role of both cowboy’s wife and mother within the space of just a few days.
“What did Laney tell you?” He’s referring to the matchmaker. She’s the one that’s been matching us with women or at least, she has for my brothers.
Archer, one of my brothers fell in love with her when she was supposed to be matching him. He flew to Chicago, put a ring on her finger and brought her home to Courage County where she now runs her business. That’s great news for Archer. But it’s tough for me, seeing as I’m not going to be able to get out of this mess easily.
“Maybe something will turn out for one of us.” River sounds as stressed as I feel. We can’t afford to be the lone holdouts. If we don’t get married, we won’t be able to inherit our portion of the land and it will go to auction.
The only hope the family has of keeping this land intact is for each of us to do our part. Problem is I’ve got to figure out a way to do this without practically kidnapping a bride.
“I’ll talk with you later,” I tell River as we step on the path that will lead me to Archer and Laney’s house. She works from home and so does he.
The Scott Ranch covers over a hundred acres and when he was still alive, my grandfather divided it into parcels. The lots were randomly assigned to each of us and now we’ve all built homes on the land. It’s nice to live in the country but still have family nearby when you need it.
Laney and Archer are on their front porch. She’s sitting on the top step and he’s sitting two below her, so they’re eye level. They appear to be deep in discussion if the frown on Archer’s face is anything to go by. I hang back a few feet to catch their words so I can decide if I should interrupt or come back later.
“Tell her that you can’t help her,” Arch insists.
She puts a hand on his knee as if pleading the case. “You know I hate doing that. This woman clearly needs someone. She’s pregnant and alone. Probably scared too.”
Immediately, I’m on the alert. I hate the thought of a woman being scared and alone. For a moment, I start to think about that bus stop then immediately push it from my mind. That doesn’t matter anymore. I’m not that scared kid.
Archer argues with his wife, “But if you can’t help her, you can’t help her. It’s not fair for her to put this burden on you.”
“What burden?” I ask, deciding it’s fine for me to interrupt. They’re clearly not talking about me or River which I take as a good sign. Apparently, there’s someone in Laney’s client roster that’s more of a screw up than either one of us.
My sister-in-law blows out a breath and sends me a frustrated look. “I have a pregnant widow that is applying to become a mail order bride. Do you know how difficult that would be to match? I don’t want to turn her away, but…” She lets her voice trail off before narrowing her eyes, “And you’re late for this meeting.”
I gesture behind me toward my house before explaining that Hazel was having some trouble this morning. She’s my German Shepherd that recently gave birth to a litter of puppies.
I know they’ll understand because it’s no secret how much I love my dog. I found her in a ravine last year. I’ve searched for her owners and posted about her on social media but never found them. Since I can’t place her, I’ve kept her and tried to give her a good life.
“Is your dog OK?” Archer asks.
I give him a nod and focus my attention back on Laney. I know I haven’t made her job easy these past few weeks and I feel guilty over it. Still, an idea is forming in my head. One that doesn’t involve having to kidnap a woman. “Tell me about the widow.”
My brothers tease me because I have a habit of taking in strays. I don’t mean to. It’s just something that happens. Whether it’s a stray dog or a wounded horse or even a woman who needs help, there must be something that calls them into my life.
Laney sighs, “She’s a woman by the name of Natalie. The weird thing is she actually comes from Courage County. She apparently lived here as a teenager.”
There’s only one woman who’s ever caught my attention. She moved away years ago, and I haven’t heard much about her since other than the fact that she got married. I don’t even know the name of the lucky bastard who gets to hold her at night. All I know is that I’ve never been the same since I met her in high school. “Did she say her name was Natalie Barlow?”
She looks at her tablet and gives me a nod. “That’s her maiden name. Do you know her?”
“Sort of,” I answer forcing air through lungs that feel too tight. It’s not possible that she’s in a desperate situation, is it?
Archer is studying me, trying to figure out what’s going on. He wasn’t here when I met her. He didn’t come in until after she’d graduated and moved away, breaking my teenage heart.
Laney sends me a look that’s part warning and part sympathy. “I heard about you, Cade. I know what you’re like, but you can’t save her.”
“You’re not going to take her on as a client, right?” I ask, a plan already forming in my mind. Even if Laney won’t tell me where she is, I’ll search the whole world for Natalie. I won’t leave her alone when she’s scared and hurting.
Laney hesitates but finally agrees.
“Then there’s no harm in letting me talk to her,” I answer. She’s looking for a cowboy husband and there’s nothing on earth that could stop me from stepping up and being that man.
***
Natalie
I felt like I was going right back into the mouth of hell by applying to be a cowboy’s bride. But I didn’t see another way.
I rub the back of my aching neck and glance over at the other hotel bed. Jamie, my eight-year-old son is curled up on his side and sleeping soundly.
Content that he’s fine, I turn my attention back to my aging laptop. I’ve been at this for hours and just now finished writing my tenth article of the day. The two of us—well, three if you count this baby bump—are hiding out in a hotel room in Asheville.
I didn’t think my life would turn out this way. I didn’t think that I would be pregnant and widowed. But here I am with dwindling funds and hope fading by the day.
When my husband died, I finally had my shot at freedom. Hank had kept both me and our son under lock and key for years. The few times I was allowed to leave the property, there were at least three ranch hands following me.
So when he died, I saw my chance to run. I gathered Jamie and what little clothes I could get for him. I left that night while everyone was still reeling from Hank’s death and everything at the ranch was in chaos.
That was six months ago, and leaving with no resources means that we’ve been living in a crappy hotel room that I rent by the day. I write dozens of cheap articles to buy my son the little dinosaur pastas that he likes to eat.
This isn’t the life I imagined for him or for me. But here it is, and I’m trying to make the best of it. That’s why I applied to be a bride. Since I’ve never done anything other than be a cowboy’s wife, it seemed like a solid bet.
I can’t pretend that I wasn’t nervous when I applied. Both my father and my husband were cowboys. They were neither kind nor good. Still, I’m worried every day about keeping a roof over Jamie’s head and providing for him.
With my pregnancy in such a late stage, I haven’t found any luck with a job. I’m scared, broke and alone. Getting married might be my only hope.
As soon as I think the thought, my prepaid cell phone rings, and I scramble to answer it before it can wake Jamie.
“Hello?” I ask in a soft tone, glancing toward my boy. Thankfully, he’s still sleeping.
After exchanging pleasantries, the matchmaker, Laney gives me the news that I had already expected. She doesn’t want to accept me into her program. I’m not surprised. I knew it was a long shot.
At thirty-five, I’m not the right age for the program, and I don’t imagine there are a lot of cowboys that are looking for a pregnant widow with a son. An instant family is not a good thing to many men. I know this, but it didn’t stop me from hoping.
I bite down on my lip as a tear rolls down my face. This was my last hope, and I don’t know how I’m going to survive in the coming weeks. As it is, every day is a struggle. I want to give my children stability. I don’t want them worrying about where we’re going to live next or how we’re going to eat.
“Thank you anyway,” I manage to croak out the words from around the lump in my throat. I already know that when I hang up, I’m going to have a good cry before I square my shoulders and make a new plan. One that will give me and my boys a better life.
“But I might have a solution for you,” Laney continues. “It’s kind of complicated but one of my clients heard your story. He’s willing to consider an instant family arrangement. Would you be interested in meeting with him?”
My heart beats double time and I quickly agree. It’s not much but the meeting is enough hope and right now, I desperately need that. Maybe me and this cowboy will connect, and I can at least give my kids shelter and safety for a few months. Maybe things are turning around for us.