Mama Was A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Bride Series Book 14)

  Mama Was A Mail Order Bride

  Susan Leigh Carlton

  Amazon Publishing

  Copyright © 2014 by Susan Leigh Carlton.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Book Layout ©2013 BookDesignTemplates.com

  Mama Was A Mail Order Bride/ Susan Leigh Carlton. -- 1st ed.

  Contents

  Description

  Prologue

  Life on the Lazy K

  Amanda Plays the Piano

  Surprise, Surprise

  Christmas Day

  You Can’t Take Abby

  Laramie County Court

  Abby’s Aunt Susan

  Life Goes On

  School Starts

  Abigail Kendall 1

  Abigail Kendall 2

  Abigail Kendall 3

  Abigail Kendall 4

  Christmas At Home

  Laurie Kendall 1

  Laurie Kendall 2

  Laurie Kendall 3

  The Wedding

  Epilogue

  Susan’s Other Books

  Description

  This is a western romance short story of just over twenty-two thousand words. The sexual heat level of this book is less than 1 out of 5.

  This story is a total departure from any of the previous western romances. There are no sex descriptions in this book that go beyond kisses. Bedroom doors are kept closed.

  It is a five part sequel of Amanda’s Mail Order Cowboy, and picks up the lives of the three children of Amanda and Rance Kendall.

  Part 1 begins with the early married lives of Amanda and Rance, and Abby, their daughter on the Lazy K Ranch in Cheyenne. It covers the legal fight when a relative tries to take Abby to get their hands on the trust fund established by Rance.

  Part 2 covers Abby’s life through college at the University of Wyoming, and her admission to Juilliard in New York City.

  Part 3 tells of the Christmas at home with the entire family home, following Abby’s certification as a music master.

  Part 4 is the story of Laurie, the natural daughter of Amanda and Rance.

  Part 5 is the wedding of Laura to Doug Pierce, the son of Cal and Pierce, the main characters in Cheyenne Mail Order Bride.

  Michael is covered in the Epilogue in addition to a brief mention in Part 1.

  Prologue

  Amanda Taylor was a thirty year old school teacher in Elmira, New York. Randall Cunningham had been courting her for over five years. After Amanda caught him red handed, cheating on her, she decided any future she might have for happiness, lay elsewhere. She placed an ad for a husband in a matrimonial newspaper.

  Rance Kendall was a thirty-two year old ranch owner from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Rance had never married, the main reason for this, there were no marriageable ladies his age in Cheyenne.

  He and his foreman found Abigail Russell hiding under a bed after her parents and brother had been killed by a raiding party of Oglala Sioux. Rance took Abigail home, where his housekeeper could care for her. He decided she needed a mother and he needed a wife, so he placed an ad in The Matrimonial News, a paper dedicated to those searching for a wife or husband.

  After exchanging several letters, Rance invited Amanda to visit Wyoming and if compatible, marriage. Amanda found the idea of traveling 1,600 miles to the other side of the country too daunting and declined the invitation.

  Not one to give up easily, he asked if he could come to Elmira instead. She agreed, so he and Abigail traveled by train to New York, where the meeting took place. They met, he proposed and they were married.

  They returned to Wyoming and the Lazy K Ranch. They legally adopted Abby and were enjoying the perfect life when an unanticipated threat presented itself.

  The following pages describe the threat, and Abigail’s maturity into a beautiful and talented young lady.

  It describes the life of Laurie, the natural daughter of Amanda and Rance, including her wedding to the son of the characters in Cheyenne Mail Order Bride.

  Part 1

  Chapter 1

  Life on the Lazy K

  May 1882

  Amanda, Rance, and Abby were waiting in the ante-room of the Judge of the Circuit Court of Laramie County, along with their attorney, Henry Calhoun They were waiting to see the judge. It was the day for a review of their filing for the adoption of Abby.

  “What happens here, Henry?” Rance asked.

  “If it is handled the same as when the orphan train came through, we give him the papers, he talks with Abby privately, and then you two separately. If he has no problems, then he signs the papers. It’s usually in and out in fifteen minutes.”

  “Even though it’s cut and dried, I’m nervous about it,” Amanda said.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Henry said. “The papers are in order.”

  The judge bustled into the room, and took his seat on the bench. “I remember you,” he said to Rance. “Is this the little girl with the trust fund we set up?”

  “Yes, Your Honor,” Rance said.

  “And what is the status of the trust now?” the judge asked.

  “Your Honor, Henry Calhoun representing the Kendall family in this matter. The trust is alive. Mr. Kendall is keeping the ranch house in good order, and has rebuilt the barn. The cattle are branded with the Rocking R Brand. Mr. Kendall markets them separately, and brings the proceeds from the sale to me. I deposit them into the fund. Mr. Kendall does not have access to the funds.”

  “What about the expenses of running the ranch?”

  “Mr. Kendall takes care of all of those out of his pocket, Your Honor.”

  “May I say, Mr. Kendall, you seem to be an extraordinarily honest man,” the judge said. “Will you continue to do this if I grant the adoption?”

  “Yes sir,” Rance said. “Being my daughter has nothing to do with the trust fund. It will be hers to do with as she sees fit, when she achieves her majority.”

  “Would you folks please wait outside, while I talk with Abby?”

  Rance, Amanda and Henry waited outside the courtroom. Amanda said, “Abby, the Judge wants to talk to you. Papa and I will be right outside, okay?”

  “Yes Mama.”

  “Abby, how are you doing today?” the judge asked.

  “Fine”, she said, clutching Sarah and Mary, her two dolls.

  “What are your doll’s names?” he asked.

  She held up the homemade doll, and said, “This is Sarah, and this is Mary.”

  “Where did you get them?” he asked, stroking his white beard.

  She held up Sarah. “Santa.” Then she held up the nicer of the two. “Mama gave me Mary, from when she was a little girl.”

  “Do you like your Mama?”

  She nodded.

  “Do you like your Papa?”

  Abby nodded again. She still hadn’t smiled.

  “Abby, do you know why we’re here today?”

  She nodded once more, as somber as ever.

/>   “So I can be Mama’s little girl.” She said.

  “Do you like being Mama’s little girl?”

  “Yes,” Abby said.

  “Abby, will you go with this nice man and wait with your Papa outside while I talk to your Mama?”

  Abby nodded, and took the clerk’s hand.

  Amanda came in. “Is Abby always so solemn?” the judge asked.

  “Yes, she is. She’s really quiet most of the time. The only time she is very vocal is when she’s playing with Laurie.”

  “Who is Laurie?” the judge asked.

  “She’s our two year old. Amanda loves to play with her.”

  “Do you think Abby’s a happy girl?” he asked.

  “Yes, I do. The only time she gets upset is when she sees the Indians that come looking for food. She’s not as bad as she used to be, but it’s still there,” Amanda said.

  “Mrs. Kendall, are you a party to this petition of your own free will, and without coercion?”

  “Yes, I am. Abby has been my daughter in spirit, if not in name, since I first met her in New York.”

  “She’s been to New York?” the judge asked.

  “Yes sir. Rance brought her with him when he came to ask me to marry him,” Amanda said.

  “Your husband is one of the finest men it has been my privilege to know,” the judge said. “I have never seen anyone as diligent as he is about protecting a child’s interests.”

  “I agree with Your Honor, sir. He met with my approval and my parent’s approval on our first meeting.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Kendall. Would you send your husband in, please?”

  “Mr. Kendall, are you a party to this petition of your own free will, without any coercion?”

  “Yes sir,” Rance said.

  “Mr. Kendall, in my opinion you will make an excellent parent for this little girl.

  “Clerk, would you ask the others to come back in?” the judge said.

  When they were all assembled, the judge said, “Plaintiff’s petition for adoption is granted. The petition to change the surname from Russell to Kendall is also granted.

  “Abby, these nice people are now your Mama and Papa, and you’re their little girl.”

  It was the first time the judge had seen Abby smile. She hugged Amanda, and then hugged Rance when he picked her up and held her in his arms.

  “Folks, granting this petition has been one of the biggest pleasures I’ve had in a long time. She is a fortunate child to have two such caring parents.” He rapped his desk with this gavel, and said, “Case closed.”

  The judge stepped from the bench, and shook Rance’s hand. Mr. Kendall… Rance, thank you. I appreciate what you are doing.”

  Rance shook the proffered hand heartily. “Thank you Judge. Abby is a special little girl, aren’t you, Punkin?”

  She nodded.

  “Whew, I’m glad that’s over,” Amanda said, her relief obvious in her smile.

  “Me too,” Rance said, “Though I never doubted he would approve, it’s nice to get it behind us.

  “Henry, will you keep these papers in our file, please?” he asked.

  “Of course. Any other business for me today?”

  “I have a question,” Amanda said. “You mentioned an orphan train. What was that all about?”

  “In a way, it was similar to mail order brides,” Henry said. There are a lot of orphaned children back east, and out here, there are a good many childless families, or families that have lost their children. The Catholic Church sponsored taking fifty to one hundred children on a train to areas where they were wanted. It’s still going on. The children are adopted right off the train.”

  “On the one hand it sounds terrible, on the other, it sounds like a blessing for both sides,” Amanda said.

  Rance said, “Henry, I’d like for you to draw up a will for me. Everything to Amanda if anything happens to me, and if she predeceases me, then equally divided between the girls. I’ll sign it the next time we’re in town.”

  “You’ve never mentioned that to me,” Amanda said. “I don’t even want to think about such a situation.”

  “I have to think about you and the girls, honey,” he said.

  “I know, but I still don’t want to even contemplate it,” she said.

  “Consider it done,’ Henry said. “Anything else?”

  “No, I’m going to take my wife and daughter to lunch, then shopping, and then we’re going home,” Rance said.

  Part 1

  Chapter 2

  Amanda Plays the Piano

  First Methodist Church, Cheyenne…

  “I’m going visit with Margaret while you’re busy. When you finish, meet me at the church and we’ll go to the store.”

  “I’ll stop and drop off the order so they can start getting it together,” he said, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. He watched her walk away for a few seconds. One fine woman,

  Amanda walked to the church, her lips tingling from the slight touch of Rance’s lip. She smiled to herself. It never fails.

  Margaret Hutchison, the wife of the pastor, stood when she heard Amanda come in. Her hair protected by a head scarf, and a feather duster in hand, she had been dusting the pews.

  “Amanda, it’s good to see you. How have you been?” she asked.

  “Really well. How about you?” Amanda replied.

  “Oh, you know, about the same, trying to keep Clem straight, the church and the house clean. It keeps me busy,” Margaret said. “Mind if I keep dusting while we talk?”

  “Not at all. Is it all right if I play the piano? I’ve really missed it. Back home, I played nearly every day, in between teaching and giving lessons.”

  “Go ahead. A little music will be nice,” Margaret said.

  Amanda pulled the cushioned bench out and sat in front of the Steinway Upright. Bending her fingers back, she flexed and began playing “God be with you till we meet again”. That felt good. I’ve really missed this.

  Her hands felt loose, and she began playing concertos written by Chopin. With her eyes closed, she didn’t notice Margaret had stopped dusting and was sitting on a bench listening. Clem heard the music and came from his office and sat by his wife.

  Margaret leaned toward him and whispered, “Isn’t that beautiful? I knew she played, but not like this.”

  “We should ask her to play at one of our services. I doubt any of our people have heard music like this before,” he said.

  Rance finished his business at the land office and walked to the church. As he approached, he heard the music coming from inside. That is really nice. I’ve never heard Margaret play anything like that before. Wonder what the name of it is?

  He walked in to find Margaret and Clem sitting and listening to his wife play. Amanda stopped and looked around. “I didn’t know I had an audience,” she said, her cheeks reddening from embarrassment.

  “Don’t stop, honey,” Rance said. He turned to Margaret and said, “I’ve never heard her play before. I knew she could, but never heard it.”

  “I began taking lessons when I was five,” she said. “Mother insisted I practice every day. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I started playing today.

  “We had a neighbor who taught music at Elmira College. I took lessons from her.

  “I just had an urge to play when I walked in today. I guess I kind of lost myself there for a while.”

  “You took lessons at five?” Rance asked. “Isn’t that kind of young? You weren’t much older than Abby is.”

  “I guess that’s right, but it wasn’t a chore for me. I enjoyed it,” she said.

  “I can see why,” Clem said. You’re very good. Would you play for us some Sunday?”

  “I’d like that,” she said.

  Rance put his arm around her shoulders, and hugged her. “That was something else, Of course the only music I’ve ever heard has been at church, and the opera house a few times, but that—that beats anything I’ve ever heard. I had no idea.

/>   Amanda flushed with pleasure at the compliments. She didn’t recall Rance ever being so enthusiastic about anything.

  She stood on tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re sweet.”

  “I don’t think I’ve been called sweet before. I’m a man extremely proud of his wife. “

  “You are sweet,” Amanda said.

  “You two act more like sweethearts than a man and his wife,” Margaret said.

  “We’re both,” Rance said.

  “Listen to him,” Amanda said. “Just listen to him. If that isn’t sweet, I don’t know what is.”

  “I quit while I’m ahead,” Rance said. “We’ll see you two on Sunday.”

  “Amanda?” Clem called out, as they turned to leave.

  “Yes?” she said.

  “Let me know when you’re ready to play for us,” Clem said.

  “Anytime, Clem. Any time.”

  “I’ll take you up on that. This Sunday?”

  “Sunday will be fine,” she said.

  First Methodist Church Sunday…

  Clem strode to the altar. “What a glorious day! Let us give thanks to God. Let us pray.”

  Prior to the first hymn, he said, “You will note Margaret is not at the piano this morning. Instead, Mrs. Amanda Kendall will play today. Enjoy the music. I believe you will be as surprised as Margaret and I were, when we first heard her play. Amanda…”

  Amanda smiled at the congregation, and played the opening hymn. Rance’s heart swelled with pride as he watched and listened to his wife play.

  He leaned down and whispered in Abby’s ear, “Your mama is playing the piano. It’s beautiful, huh?”

  Abby nodded, enthralled by her mother’s music. Her smile was the biggest one Rance had ever seen from her.

  Amanda received compliments from many of those present. Jennie Pierce, her friend and neighbor hugged her and said, “Girl, is there no end to your talents? That was magnificent.”

  “Thank you Jennie. It means a lot, especially coming from you.”

  “It is well deserved. I’m in awe. I would never get anything done, if I could do that. I’d just sit at the piano all day. If I had a piano.”