The Pregnant Bride's Trouble Read online

  The Pregnant Bride’s Trouble

  Hands and Hearts Mail Order Bride Agency

  Indiana Wake

  Belle Fiffer

  Fair Havens Books

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  35 Sweet Western Brides – Preview

  Also by Indiana Wake

  About the Author

  ©Copyright 2018 Indiana Wake

  Introduction

  The Pregnant Bride’s Trouble

  The tradition of mail order bride’s dates back to 1620 but most of us are more familiar with the 1800s.

  The first mail order bride adverts appeared following the gold rush. Men went West and became prosperous but without the possibility of family they soon became morose. They drank too much and so the first matrimonial adverts began.

  At first men write to their churches, in the hope of finding moral ladies who would take on such an adventure and travel West to become their wives.

  Often the men would offer their hand in marriage in return for the lady coming West. Offers of petticoats, shoes, and caps were also made.

  In time women began to place their own adverts hoping to attract a prosperous man.

  That is where the idea of this series began. Each of the books is a complete tail and they can be read in any order.

  In the first book a young woman is offered a man’s Heart and Hand and from this an idea emerges in her mind.

  Just like the brave pioneers she begins a new life and a hope to bring order and civilisation to a land that needed love and family to make it complete

  I hope you will enjoy these books as much as we have writing them.

  If you missed book 1: The First Bride grab it now.

  Blessings.

  Each of these books can be read alone but if you wish to read them all find them here:

  The First Bride

  The Bride who Stole his Heart

  A Bride for the Faithful Groom

  The Pregnant Brides Trouble

  The Bride who Ran Away

  1

  Bryony hadn’t expected it to be so terribly hot. The weather was unpredictable, although the majority of the days were very warm. But today, was the hottest of the year so far. She could feel the sweat pouring off her forehead and down her back. How she wanted to take off the top layers, just so she was in the modest dress underneath her shawl and cardigan.

  But that would mean revealing her state. Bryony wasn’t about to do that. Not just yet.

  She should have stayed back in Philadelphia. At least she could give birth there and not have to wear lots of layers to hide her swelling belly while looking for a husband. Men would take one look at her and decide they didn’t want to raise another man’s child. Bryony couldn’t blame them. She didn’t ask to get pregnant at this time, but there was nothing she could do about it.

  A small part of her wanted to keep hold of this child. It was the last memory she had of her husband. Andrew Malekou had been loving and kind. If he hadn’t been knocked down and killed by a horse and wagon four months before coming out to San Francisco, Bryony wouldn’t be here now. She would be home and loved and secure, looking forward to a future... those were foolish thoughts. That life was gone. Quickly she wiped away a tear.

  Andrea had told her it would be an exciting adventure. There wasn’t anything left for them back home, and Bryony didn’t want to be separated from her sister-in-law. Andrea was a close friend, all she had left, so she had agreed.

  It hadn’t been easy. Bryony had hidden the fact she was with child from everyone, including Andrea. If they knew, they would look at her differently. She would struggle to find a husband. As she began to get bigger, she covered herself up more and withdrew, choosing to focus on working with Melissa at the church.

  Once the baby arrived, it should be easier. But Bryony would be damned if anyone expected her to give up her baby, so she would be able to marry without any baggage. Getting rid of her child was out of the question. However, men wouldn’t think the same way. And from the way Bryony had witnessed men leering at them from a distance, children from another man wouldn’t go down well. What could she do?

  If only she was confident. If only she could find a sweet man like Gareth Stanier, a decent man like Philip Anthony, a gentleman like Steven Baltrusch. Even Melissa had fallen for Pastor Sean Foster, although she would never admit it. Bryony was the only one who didn’t seem to have anyone in sight.

  That was a lie. There was someone. But Bryony couldn’t bring herself to approach him. Her nerves got the better of her when he came near, and she had to leave. They had barely spoken to each other, but the sight of him had Bryony’s heart picking up speed, her palms getting sweaty and her mouth going dry.

  She was an absolute mess. This wasn’t good. Bryony wished she had never come here.

  “Bryony?”

  Bryony jumped when someone shook her shoulder. She looked up and saw Melissa standing beside her, her blue eyes narrowed at the other woman. Then Bryony remembered where she was. In the church, helping to clean before the morning service. Not the best place to daydream and worry about her future prospects.

  “Melissa.” Bryony squared her shoulders and tried to smile at her friend. “What is it?”

  “Are you all right? You were staring off into the distance. I don’t think you moved for five minutes.”

  “I’m fine,” Bryony protested even as she flushed. “I’m just a little tired.”

  “I think you’d better sit down.” Melissa shook her head and took Bryony’s arm, steering her to a nearby pew. “You’re as white as a sheet.”

  “Really, I’m fine.” Bryony tried to pull away. “Stop fussing, Melissa.”

  Then a tall, redheaded man appeared on Bryony’s other side before she realized he was there he took Bryony’s other arm and helping her to the pew.

  “You shouldn’t argue with your friend, Bryony,” he scolded gently. “And I think you should sit down. Pastor’s orders.”

  “I thought it was doctor’s orders.”

  He grinned, his dark eyes glinting.

  “Mine’s the next in line and just as good. Now sit.”

  Bryony couldn’t really argue with him. Sean Foster was a man who could charm a hind leg off a donkey. Women fell at his feet and men practically ate out of his hand. Having a handsome pastor from Dublin, with a thick Irish accent was a temptation nobody could resist. Certainly not Melissa, who kept hovering near him whenever she could. It was sweet to watch. Bryony was surprised the confident girl hadn’t said anything.

  Then again, she was hardly one to talk.

  She sat in the pew with Melissa standing guard next to her. Sean slid into the pew in front and turned to face her. He gave her a gentle smile.

  “What’s going on with you, Bryony?”

  Bryony huffed.

  “I wish everyone would stop being so worried about my welfare.”

  “Well it’s maybe because some people are more caring than others.” Sean shrugged. “And I like to think of myself as caring.”

  Melissa thought that, but Bryony didn’t say anything. She wasn’t about to embarrass her friend. She looked down at her hands twiddling in her lap, aware of her belly trying to push through the many clothes she had put on that morning.

  “I keep thinking about Andrew,” she said quietly. “It’s still so raw.”

  That was as close as she wanted to get to the truth.


  Sean nodded.

  “I understand that. But there’s something else.”

  Damn the man for being sharper than he made himself out to be. Bryony gritted her teeth.

  “I’m just not used to the heat, Sean. Philadelphia was never this warm. Just let me rest for a moment. I’ll be fine.”

  “Why do I not believe that?”

  Bryony snorted.

  “Because you’re a suspicious man, that’s why. And God has nothing to do with it. He didn’t save my husband from death, so I don’t want to hear about him.”

  Working in a church had been vaguely ironic for Bryony, seeing as she had lost her faith. God hadn’t been there for Andrew, and he clearly wasn’t here for her now. Bryony didn’t know what she had done wrong, but she had more important things to worry about. Like an impending birth that nobody knew about. That in itself, was terrifying.

  Sean still looked like he didn’t believe her, but he nodded and patted her hand before he stood.

  “All right. Just take it easy.”

  “I plan to.”

  Bryony watched as Sean walked away. So did Melissa. Then she spotted Bryony looking at her and blushed.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” Bryony grinned. “I think you two would make a very good couple.”

  Melissa’s blush deepened even more.

  “I very much doubt he would find me suitable.”

  “You’re still holding out for the man of your dreams, then?”

  “Yes. I’m beginning to think he doesn’t exist.”

  “Maybe you need to ask someone who hasn’t asked for a wife.” Bryony winked. “Maybe check with the pastor himself. I’m sure he will give you some advice.”

  Melissa scowled.

  “That’s not funny, Bryony. Clearly you’re feeling better.”

  “I certainly do.” That was a lie, but Bryony wasn’t about to be sent home. “Let’s get back to work.”

  She stood, and that’s when the world tilted.

  2

  It had been a quiet day. Doctor Lee Lambert liked these days. It meant he could catch up on the paperwork that kept building up and up. There was never a day off for him, not with the people from the mines constantly getting into accidents. It was hard work, but Lee liked it that way.

  If he had a family, it would be a different matter. But when it was just him, there wasn’t much point going home when there was nobody waiting there. Lee had debated about getting a dog, but he wasn’t around enough to look after it. It was easier just to stay at the office.

  He sighed... there wasn’t anything, or anyone, enticing enough to pull him away from his lonely office.

  Only, that was a lie. There was someone, but Lee had a feeling she wouldn’t appreciate his affections. Whenever they were in the same room, she would blush to the roots of her raven hair and hurry away. She was frightened as a mouse. Lee didn’t know what he had done or how to go about fixing it.

  It was probably best to leave it alone. A mousey, scared wife wouldn’t be suitable for a doctor no matter how he felt.

  Lee was startled out of his thoughts, his pen jerking across the page, when the door burst open and Melissa Clarke ran in, red-faced and out of breath. She almost collapsed against the desk.

  “Whoa, Melissa!” Lee jumped up and hurried around to hold her upright. “Where’s the fire?”

  “It’s Bryony,” Melissa gasped. “She collapsed at the church.”

  Lee felt his heart stumble. Bryony had collapsed? He swallowed.

  “Where is she now?”

  “Pastor Foster’s bringing her over.”

  Then Lee saw Sean coming into the outer office, carrying Bryony in his arms. The man wasn’t even breaking a sweat. A quick glance showed Bryony pale and wrapped in so many layers. It was no wonder she had collapsed, wearing that much in this heat.

  “Get her in here, Sean,” he instructed, hurrying toward them he pointed to an examination couch in the corner.

  “Yes, Doctor.”

  “I’m fine,” Bryony protested as Sean approached. “I can walk. Put me down, Sean!” She punched his shoulder. “Now!”

  Sean winced, and his grip loosened. Bryony slid down and put her feet on the floor. Pushing away from the pastor, she suddenly swayed and tipped forward.

  Lee grabbed at her, catching her before she landed flat on her face. She was pressed against him, in his arms for the first time. Lee could almost feel her through the many clothes and she felt so good, right, in his arms.

  God himself wouldn’t have been able to get him to let go. He half-smiled at her.

  “You shouldn’t argue with a man of God and a doctor, Bryony.”

  Bryony glared up at him.

  “I’m not an invalid, Doctor Lambert,” she snapped.

  “I beg to differ.” Still holding onto her, Lee moved her gently. “Come on in.”

  Bryony grumbled, but she went with him. Lee guided her to the couch and sat her down.

  Melissa hovered nearby, looking nervous.

  “Do you want me to stay, Doctor?”

  Lee glanced at Bryony, whose face was now red and angry... and scared. What did she have to be scared of? He shook his head.

  “I think we’ll be fine, Melissa. I can defend myself.” Where had the shy mousey Bryony gone?

  “That’s not funny,” Bryony grumbled.

  Melissa grinned and touched her friend’s shoulder.

  “I’ll be outside. If you need someone, just scream.”

  Bryony rolled her eyes.

  “I’ll be fine, Melissa. Doctor Lambert’s not going to hurt me.”

  Lee’s chest tightened. Those gray eyes of hers when they lifted to his…they just snared him to the spot. He cleared his throat and nodded.

  “Sure. Stay close by, if you wish, but I’ll look after her.”

  Still looking dubious, Melissa nodded and headed through the door with Sean. As the door closed behind her, Lee fetched his bag from behind his desk.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Nothing, really.” Bryony looked very flustered. “I just got overcome by the heat, that’s all.”

  Lee snorted.

  “I’m not surprised you got overcome. You’re wearing far too many layers for this weather.”

  “I feel the cold.”

  That didn’t make any sense. Bryony looked like she was going to pass out again from the sudden heatwave San Francisco had been hit with. Even if she felt the cold, she wouldn’t need this many layers on. Then Lee remembered when he was holding Bryony. There was something very different about her, and he had an idea about what it was.

  Putting his bag down, he knelt before her. Lee wanted to touch her, offer her some comfort, but she looked like she was ready to bolt out the room if he tried. Keeping his hands to himself, however, wasn’t easy.

  “What are you hiding, Bryony?”

  “I’m not hiding anything,” she protested.

  That was too fast an answer. She was hiding something. And Lee was getting more and more sure of the answer. Was that why she had been so elusive? The other women had come to him with their ailments in the past few months. The only one who hadn’t had been Bryony, even when she ended up with an obvious chest infection. Lee had thought she was fearful of him... of doctors. She was, but not in the way he expected.

  “I’m your doctor now, Bryony. You can trust me.” He gave her a smile. “If there’s anything wrong, you can tell me.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  Bryony looked down at her hands. She looked like she wanted to sink into the floor. Her voice was quiet, almost so quiet Lee couldn’t quite hear her.

  “You’ll keep your distance as well.”

  Lee snorted.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t keep my distance during the smallpox outbreak three years ago.”

  “I don’t have the pox or anything catching.”

  “But you do have a baby growing inside you.”

&
nbsp; Bryony jerked away from him like he had slapped her. Her gray eyes widened in horror, staring at him as her face paled even more.

  Lee thought she was going to faint.

  Bryony swallowed hard.

  “What…what makes you say I’m carrying a baby?”

  “Why else would you be putting extra layers on, even in this heat? I don’t believe the cold bit for a minute.” Lee reached out and brushed his fingers across her jaw. “Besides, with the paleness of your skin and the fact that others have mentioned you’ve been feeling nauseous... it suggests that something has happened to your body and it’s not a regular illness.”

  Bryony’s face went from pale to red.

  “Have you been sick?”

  Bryony chewed at her lip. She nodded.

  “Yes. Mostly when I get up.”

  “Exactly. And parts of your body are looking…” Lee cleared his throat. “Bigger and firmer. Like your breasts and your belly. It’s not noticeable unless you get up close, but it’s there. That’s due to the baby in your belly.”

  Bryony’s eyes widened.

  “Did you just suggest my breasts were bigger?” Bryony’s eyes were full on indignation.

  Lee had been speaking as a doctor. The words had just tumbled out. Then he realized where he was staring and turned away, reaching for his bag.

  “I’m a doctor. That is a medical statement, nothing personal. I’m sorry but sometimes I have to be blunt.” He fished out his stethoscope. “How far along are you, do you think?”

  “I don’t know,” Bryony said shyly. “I found out I was pregnant while I was on the train. Nobody else knows.”

  “Nobody?”

  “No.”

  Lee could understand why. The world was a hard place and to survive, especially with a child, she would need a husband. The problem was that no man wanted a pregnant woman as a wife. Bryony was stuck. But that wasn’t what he was worried about right now, even if the thought of Bryony being married to one of the roguish miners turned his stomach.