A Match Made By Mail
Needing a home and a husband to help her raise her orphaned nephews, Bella Wilson travels to Wyoming in response to a mail-order bride ad. But when she arrives, she discovers Pony Express rider Philip Young didnât place the ad. With her groom-to-be insisting heâs not looking for a wife, Bella must convince him to marry her for the sake of the children.
Philip never planned to marry, but he canât possibly turn away a woman in distress and allow her nephews to end up in an orphanage as he once had. A marriage of convenience is the perfect solution. But when he slowly discovers that family life may be what heâs been looking for all along, can he convince Bella to give love a chance?
Dear Reader,
Writing Philipâs story was fun. Bella and the boys were just the special delivery he needed to make his life interesting. Years ago my husband, James, came up with the idea of sending a mail-order bride on the Pony Express. I liked the general idea and tweaked it a little for Philipâs story. I hope you enjoyed meeting Philip and Bella and the boys as much as I did. Feel free to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. Also, if youâd like to receive my newsletter, email me at [email protected]. I love connecting with my readers. You may also write to me at: Rhonda Gibson, PO Box 835, Kirtland, NM 87417.
Warmly,
Rhonda Gibson
âYou are our last hope to stay together,â Bella said.
âWhat do you mean?â Philip asked.
She couldnât explain about her fiancé breaking their engagement. That sheâd refused to let the boys end up in an orphanage.
Bella watched the emotions rush across Philipâs face. He was a handsome man with deep blue eyes and straw-colored hair.
So far sheâd been timid with him, but her future and the future of her nephews depended on this man. She squared her shoulders and lifted her head high, then said, âLook, you placed the advertisement and I have arrived in answer to it. Are you going to marry me or not?â
Would he abandon her and the boys to their fate? Sheâd answered the advertisement expecting him to marry her. Itâd never dawned on her that he might not have placed it.
Sheâd been wary of who might be at the end of the trail, but now that sheâd met Philip, Bella knew God had a plan. If only Philip would see it, too, sheâd be able to relax.
RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life, and writing stemmed from that love. When she isnât writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
âDeuteronomy 31:8
Thank you Michelle Matney for being such a great friend and critique partner. A special thanks to James Gibson for being my best friend and brainstormer, my books are not complete without you. Most importantly, I thank the Lord above. Without Him there would be no books by Rhonda Gibson.
Chapter One
Wyoming
January 1861
Philip Youngâs horse raced into the Turnstone Pony Express relay station. Extremely tired and chilled to the bone, Philip prepared himself to jump onto the cold saddle that awaited him. Relay stations were every ten to fifteen miles on the trail and this one had been fifteen. They were the places where Pony Express riders exchanged horses and continued on until they reached their home station.
Thankfully this was the last time heâd change horses before he would reach his familyâs farm and his home station. After a couple of daysâ rest at the home station, Philip would head on to the relay station he and his brother Thomas ran on the other side of Dove Creek.
He prepared to swing onto the saddle of the horse that the relay station manager, John Turnstone, held for him. âGlad to see you made it.â Johnâs grin spoke volumes of his pleasure and yet didnât tell him anything as to what he was getting pleasure from.
Philip paused with his foot in the stirrup. âWhatâs going on?â
Johnâs shoulders shook as he tried to hold back his laughter. He held the horseâs head and said, âA special delivery arrived for you today by stage.â