Take a Chance _Josie Read online

  She could certainly keep him in order and David was more than happy to let her do just that.

  However, he wasn’t sure how to deal with things straight away. Despite his size, David was not a brute. The thought of being married to a stranger was difficult to get his head around. What would she expect from him? A blush crossed his face... he wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do. They had gotten along so well but how did you take the next step. For a moment, he imagined them sleeping in separate rooms until they were old and gray. What was he to do? A sigh escaped him and he realized he was being silly. All he needed to do was focus on getting his wife to his side, and then everything else would fall into place.

  Now that moment was arriving rapidly and David was beginning to feel the nerves. It was hard to imagine that after so much time writing that they would finally meet. Right then he wasn't sure if he was excited or dreading it.

  "David."

  David turned and saw a tall, slim man with dark hair crossing the platform towards him. He relaxed.

  "Morning, Doctor Farley."

  "Morning." Charles Farley joined him and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

  "I was going to ask you the same question."

  David wasn't prepared to share his news, not just yet. While a lot of people around them had had successful marriages with women from the east coast, he didn't want to be seen as desperate. Well, Charles Farley considered it as desperate and he was one of David's good friends.

  "I was passing and I saw you here trying not to pace like a caged animal." Charles chuckled. "Got a wife coming in, have you?"

  David blinked.

  "How did you know?"

  It took a moment for Charles to realize that it wasn't a joke. He stared in amazement.

  "Seriously?"

  "Seriously. She's just coming in on the next train."

  She was on the next train, and it was due anytime now but to David that few minutes felt like three hours.

  Charles shook his head, still looking stunned.

  "I didn't think you'd be one to find a bride in a newspaper."

  "What have I got to choose from around here?"

  Charles paused. They both knew the status of the women in Canyon. There weren’t that many and of those, they were either married, too young or of ill repute. Single and ill repute-free was rare.

  "Good point," Charles conceded. "So, who have you chosen?"

  "Her name's Genevieve Ardmore." David tried to sound casual. "She's not afraid of hard work and she sounds like she would be good around the house."

  Charles laughed.

  "Most men would talk about their virtues and their looks. You sound like you've hired a housekeeper."

  David flushed. He didn't know how to talk to women or about women. That was another reason he had looked in the paper for a bride. The women around Canyon laughed at him and not all of it was nice.

  "I'll think about the wifely duties later," he mumbled. "I don't want to rush her."

  Charles chuckled. "Chivalry never died with you, did it?"

  David growled. He was distracted from the urge to take a swing at his friend by the train as it pulled into the station. Realizing they were moments away from meeting his future wife, he straightened his jacket and checked that his hair wasn't too unruly. He couldn't get it cut but he could try and keep it as tamed as possible.

  He saw Genie as soon as she climbed off the train. She had sent him a picture of herself but black and white didn't do her justice. Genie Ardmore was beautiful in color. Petite with a curvy figure, jet black hair and a pale complexion, she looked like the perfect wife. David knew he was going to be more than happy having Genie on his arm. He gulped as his mind began thinking of what to say to her and all the things they would have to cope with. It was too much, for now he needed to think of what to say. Those first words were important.

  Charles made a noise of approval beside him. "She's pretty. I wish I could find someone like her."

  "Why don't you try it? You might be surprised."

  "No, thanks." Charles shuddered. "I prefer the usual way to meet women."

  "We haven’t gotten much to choose from in Canyon, remember?"

  "Nevertheless."

  David would never be able to figure Charles out with regards to the mail order bride idea. He seemed completely against it. But he was always talking about wanting a wife and never being able to find one. David had learned not to push the subject. Charles was a private person and you were lucky if you found out anything about his private life.

  His friend was a strange one.

  David watched as Genie picked up two suitcases and made her way along the platform, looking around trying to find him. David wished he had a picture to send to her, so she wouldn't be so confused, but he had been worried she might not like what she saw. Then she wouldn’t have come and he couldn’t bear that. Now she was here... he hoped she would stay. Bracing himself he approached her.

  "Genie?"

  Genie looked up... and carried on looking up. Most people did that with David, who was taller than very nearly everyone at six-two. Her eyes widened momentarily before she blushed.

  "David?"

  "That's me." David smiled, trying to put her at ease. Not the most momentous of first words! He wanted to reach out and give her a hug but wasn't sure how she would react so he kept back. "How was your journey?"

  "Long." Genie rubbed at her eyes and gave him a tired smile. Even tired she was beautiful. "I'm glad the ground's not shaking."

  "You'll get used to it."

  David bit back a growl as Charles moved to his side. He had hoped he would be able to talk to Genie without Charles looking over his shoulder. Mostly, whenever women saw Charles they forgot about David. He hoped this wouldn't happen with Genie.

  Charles gave Genie a brilliant smile.

  "Charles Farley." He held out a hand. "I'm the local doctor."

  "Genie Ardmore." Putting down her suitcases, Genie shook his hand, giving him a pleasant smile. "Nice to meet you."

  David growled and glared at Charles. His friend seemed to sense he was butting in and stepped back, a smirk on his face. David turned to see Genie nervously moving from foot to foot. He felt bad for her now.

  "Don't look so scared. It's not that bad, getting married."

  "I know." Genie looked uncomfortable. "This is just something I've not done before."

  "Getting married?"

  "Moving so far away from home."

  David smiled. He understood. Bracing himself, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. It looked unusually large on her.

  "Don't fret so much. I won't rush you into anything."

  "Thank you."

  The grateful smile he was given made David feel like he was ten feet tall.

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  About the Author

  Indiana Wake was born in Denver Colorado where she learned to love the outdoors and horses. At the age of eleven, her parents moved to the United Kingdom to follow her father’s career.

  It was a strange and foreign new world and it took a while for her to settle down. Her mom raised horses and Indiana soon learned to ride. She would often escape on horseback imagining she was back in the Wild West. As well as horses, Indiana escaped into fiction and dreamed of all the friends she had left behind.

  From an early age, she loved stories. They were always sweet and clean and more often than not, included horses, cowboys and most importantly of all a happy ever after. As she got older, she would often be found making up her own stories and would tell them to anyone who would listen.

  As she grew up, she continued to write but marriage and a job stole some of her dreams. Then one day she was discussing with a friend at church, how hard it was to get sweet and clean fiction. Though very shy about her writing Indiana agreed to share one of her stories. That friend loved the story and suggested she publish it on kindle. Together they worked really hard and the rest, as they say, is history.

  Indiana has had multiple number one bestsellers and now makes her living from her writing. She believes she was truly blessed to be given this opportunity and thanks each and every one of her readers for making her dream come true.

  Belle Fiffer is not your ordinary girl. She grew up in the west where she loved to ride horses and walk in the wilds. At fifteen, she moved to England when her father’s job took him across the pond. Leaving behind all her friends she lost herself in books and if she is honest she fell in love with food. She is not ashamed of her curves and loves stories about good, honest men that love their women on the large side.

  As a committed Christian, her books are clean, sweet and inspirational. Belle hopes you enjoy the books.

  ©Copyright 2017 Indiana Wake

  All Rights Reserved

  Indiana Wake

  License Notes

  This e-Book is licensed for personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to others. If you wish to share this book, please purchase an additional copy. If you are reading this book and it was not purchased then, you should purchase your own copy. Your continued respect for author's rights is appreciated.

  This story is a work of fiction any resemblance to people is purely coincidence. All places, names, events, businesses, etc. are used in a fictional manner. All characters are from the imagination of the author.