A Convenient Marriage
Blake Latherop needs a wife in order to keep his business, and his betrothed has apparently eloped with another man. So when his fiancéeâs sister, Audrey Prescott, steps off the train in Whisper Creek offering to be his bride, heâs in no position to refuse. But itâs hardly the marriage he had in mind.
Audrey knows she shouldnât have answered Blakeâs letters in her sisterâs name...but she couldnât bring herself to tell him of his fiancéeâs betrayal. Now the only way to fix things is through a temporary marriage. But as she comes to love her new life in the West, Audrey dreads the day Blake finds another solution to their situation. Because what started as a marriage of convenience has become so much more for her...
âAudrey, wait!â
His hand wrapped around her upper arm, brought her to a halt. âI didnât notice the flour in your hair until just now when we were talking. It was barely visible. Truly. I was only teasing.â
Blake was so close she could feel his warmth on her back. She glanced at his hand on her arm, so strong yet gentle, and held her breath against the quivering in her stomach, the ache in her throat. âI know. I was only having a...a âredheadâ moment.â
âThen Iâm forgiven?â
The bell on the door jingled. âOf course. Now, I have bread waiting to be baked, and you have a customer...â She stood quietly, waited for him to release her arm.
âYou back here, Latherop?â Garret Stevenson strode through the doorway, came to an abrupt halt. âOh, sorry, Mrs. Latherop, I didnât mean to intrude.â
Blakeâs hand fell away from her arm. She felt him take a step backâno doubt embarrassed to be seen in what could be interpreted as an intimate moment with her. She turned to rescue him. âNot at all, Mr. Stevenson.â The only thing you intruded upon is my foolishness.
Dear Reader,
When, in answer to prayer, the Lord gave me the idea for this new series, I was very excited. The unique twists to the familiar mail-order-bride story that came to me intrigued and motivated me. And the comforting truth behind the premises for the stories inspired me.
I love the idea that God quietly and lovingly guides His children, even when we think we are the ones making all of the decisions. As William Cowper wrote: âGod moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.â How calming and reassuring to know that we truly can rest in Him.
And there was another reason the idea for this series excited meâthe research. Iâve always wanted to ride one of the old trains and experience the sway of the car, the clickety-clack of the wheels against the track and the faint smell of smoke as the steam engine chugs on its way West. Iâm doing that now (in my imagination) as I write.
How about you, dear reader? Would you like to come along on my next journey to Whisper Creek? I understand there is a new resident. That the apothecary will soon be open for business. And there is that reversion clause in the contract...
Thank you, dear reader, for choosing to read His Substitute Wife. I hope you enjoyed Audrey and Blakeâs story. I truly appreciate hearing from my readers. If you care to share your thoughts about this story, I may be reached at [email protected] or www.dorothyclarkbooks.com.
Until the next âAll aboardâ call sounds,
Award-winning author DOROTHY CLARK lives in rural New York. Dorothy enjoys traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research and gaining inspiration for future books. Dorothy believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing stories for Love Inspired. Dorothy enjoys hearing from her readers and may be contacted at [email protected].
Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her...
âProverbs 31:10â11a
To my first great-grandchildâ
may you read this when you are older and know the joy you have brought to me.
And Sam. Once again. Thank you.
âCommit thy works unto the Lord,
and thy thoughts shall be established.â
Your Word is truth. Thank You, Jesus.
To God be the glory.
Chapter One
Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming Territory
August 1868
âNext stop, Whisper Creek!â
Audrey Prescott caught her breath. They were almost there! A sharp spasm in her stomach pulled her gaze from the mountains sheâd been watching outside the soot-filmed window. More than a few of the soldiers sharing the passenger car on this last leg of her long journey from New York were staring at her with open admiration. Heat crawled into her cheeks. She locked her gaze on the lanky conductor standing just inside the door, his legs splayed against the rocking of the train.