The Preacher's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (Brides of Birch Creek Book 6) Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Description

  Prologue

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Also Available

  About the Author

  The Preacher’s Bride

  Brides of Birch Creek

  Book 6

  A Brides of Golden Valley Story

  By

  Laura D. Bastian

  Copyright © 2020 by Laura D. Bastian.

  All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author.

  Cover Design by Lange House Press

  When Amelia’s parents pass away from illness, she doesn’t know what to do with her life. She hates the thought of burdening her relatives and is desperate enough to do almost anything. When her neighbors tell her their grandson, a preacher out in Birch Creek in the Idaho Territory is in need of a wife, and that she’d be perfect for him, part of her thinks it’s a viable solution. Especially since she knew him before and admired him from afar.

  When Reverend Benjamin Morrison receives his grandfather’s letter, he’s certain he can help Miss Amelia Clover find a husband, completely misunderstanding his grandfather’s hints in the letter.

  When she arrives expecting to marry the preacher, he’s at a loss and not sure what to do until the town sheriff convinces him that married life really isn’t all that bad. But can the two of them actually fall in love, or will they be doomed to a loveless arrangement of a housekeeper and companion?

  Prologue

  Dear Benjamin,

  I suppose I should refer to you as Reverend Morrison, but you’ll forgive your grandfather, I’m sure. It has been good to hear from you regarding your ministry to the good people of Birch Creek, Idaho. We are proud of the work you do and we are certain the Lord is proud of you as well. It is heartening to hear of the progress that has been made there in your town, as well as your work in providing spiritual nourishment and performing the marriage ceremonies of so many couples.

  Because of your unique position and the opportunities available to a man of your influence, your grandmother and I have a request. You will perhaps recall the Clover family. Unfortunately, they have suffered quite the loss with the influenza that was so tough on many people this year. Their youngest daughter, Amelia, is in need of a new situation now that her parents have both passed on. She could use the care and guidance a man like you could offer.

  As we considered how we might best help, you and your work on the frontier came to mind. You have talked about how there are so many opportunities for young women to come out into the west and to find the right kind of man to marry. We think you would be the perfect man to lead Amelia through this transition from daughter to wife. She is a good person and has a strong love for the Lord.

  It is our hope and prayer that you will accept her into your care and give her what is most desired in her time of need. Finding a good man to marry here has proved futile. Please send word if you will accept her into your care and we will send her out to you right away.

  Much love,

  Grandpa and Grandma Morrison

  Benjamin looked the letter over. He remembered the Clover family as people who were hard working and neighborly. Amelia had been a very studious youth. She had hardly been more than fifteen the last he’d seen her. From what he could recall, she had pleasing features and her family was of good quality. His own parents had moved away from Ohio when Ben was still finishing up his schooling. He had stayed with his grandparents while he completed his training at the seminary in his early twenties. He’d gone to join his parents for a few short years in Illinois before feeling the need to continue out west. He’d found his place in Birch Creek Idaho and had loved serving the people here.

  In the few years he’d been here, he’d seen plenty of growth, and there were a lot of men needing wives. Ben was certain he could help her find a good situation. There were all kinds of little shops and businesses popping up, and more and more residents moving in all the time.

  Benjamin took out a new piece of paper and composed a letter to send back to his grandparents. He would make sure Amelia was cared for and help her find a good husband.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Amelia looked at the pocket watch that had been her father’s. She still couldn’t believe both her parents were gone. They had succumbed too quickly to the illness that had spread throughout her community, and though she was one of the lucky ones, she still wasn’t certain she would consider it luck.

  The passing land outside the window of the train looked so different than what she was used to in Ohio. It would take her awhile to get used to the differences here, but she prayed she would be up for the challenge.

  At first, when her kind neighbors, the Morrisons, had told her they had a plan on how she could start fresh and move away from the place that held such heartbreak for her, she had been reluctant to consider it. Now, three months later, she had found comfort in her Bible and in knowing the west needed good strong people to help it grow. She was happy to do her part and if that meant marrying someone who was now practically a stranger, then she would put her faith in the Lord.

  Another glance at the pocket watch let her know she’d be arriving in Birch Creek within thirty minutes. She wasn’t sure if she should try to do something to freshen up so she could look acceptable to her new fiancé, or if she should refrain from trying to make herself more appealing.

  All of this was coming too fast. Amelia closed her eyes and tried to slow time the same way she slowed her breathing and focused on the good that could come from this whole situation.

  Once she felt a little more relaxed, Amelia opened her small satchel and pulled out the well-worn Bible. She flipped through the pages, searching for something of comfort. As the familiar words she had loved since she was a tiny girl on her father’s lap washed over her, she felt as if she was being held by her father once more.

  This would be all right. She was coming to the right place. She had to trust the Lord, just like her mother had told her to the last time they had talked.

  Soon, the whistle for the train blew and Amelia was surprised to realize she was no longer as nervous to arrive at her destination. In fact, she was actually looking forward to stepping off the train and seeing her new home for the first time. And hopefully, when she saw the man that would be her husband, she’d feel the same kind of peace she had right now.

  ***

  Reverend Benjamin Morrison stepped out of the church where he’d been working on his newest sermon. The whistle for the train had alerted him that it would be arriving soon. Thankfully he was close enough to walk there to meet the young lady he would be supervising until he could find her a suitable husband.

  He should have started looking right away once he’d sent the letter back to his grandparents. He was completely willing to
take on the role of guardian for the girl until he could get her a husband, or situated in some employment if no one would take her.

  Yet, try as he might, he hadn’t been able to think of the right man for this girl. He had thought briefly about the banker, but the man wasn’t the kind he would wish a young girl to endure. The bakery owner, Mr. Peterson, was a kind man, but the young widow who was working for the town’s new doctor had begun to be receptive to his interest in her.

  Ben knew there were dozens of farmers and ranchers who were single and could use a wife, but until he knew what kind of girl this Miss Amelia Clover was, he didn’t want to promise them she could handle the hard physical labor that was necessary.

  Ben had decided he’d wait until he actually met the girl again to see what the best option would be for a future husband. Besides, showing up on the train station platform with a potential husband to welcome her off the train and into the town of Birch Creek seemed as if it could be a little overwhelming.

  He closed the door to the church and walked down the stairs toward the train station. He would reach it before the train arrived, and that would give him time to locate a good place to watch for her. Upon arriving at the station, he saw Colten Howard, the son of the mercantile owners waiting on his wagon bench so that he could haul the supplies his parents and wife would have ordered for their businesses.

  Sheriff Mills was also there and Benjamin nodded in response to the sheriff’s wave of hello. The sheriff had recently gotten married and was the last marriage Benjamin had officiated over. Though there would be another here soon. As soon as he could settle on the perfect groom for Miss Amelia.

  Ben took a few minutes to look around the area, in case any eligible bachelors happened to be out. The saw mill had some employees, but once again, Ben would need to wait until he found out what kind of girl this Amelia was. She’d only been fourteen or fifteen when he’d left eight years ago. A lot could change with a young woman in that time. Twenty-two and still not married in Ohio could mean quite a few things.

  He just hoped she would be nice enough and biddable into accepting the offer of marriage he would set up for her. And if she was attractive, that would help him find a willing husband sooner.

  ***

  Amelia slipped her Bible back into her bag and took a long, slow breath.

  “You can do this,” she whispered to herself. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison had assured her that their grandson would be the perfect man for her. She appreciated knowing he was committed to the Lord and they would have that in common. She could remember him from when she was younger, though he had always been very studious, he had never looked at her more than a time or two when the neighbors would get together to attend church. He had always been nice though, even if he ignored her and her one-time infatuation over him.

  Of course, he would have changed some over the years, but she was certain she could recognize him when she got off the train.

  There were a half dozen or more passengers getting off here as well, so she allowed them to go first. Double checking her seat once more to be certain she hadn’t left anything behind, she knew it was time to go. There would be no more waiting. Her ticket only went this far, and she didn’t want to back out on her word.

  Twenty-two steps took her to the doorway of the train. Four steps down placed her on the platform. Sixteen steps into the center of the platform as she looked out at the different faces. No one looked familiar, and no one seemed to be searching for her. She turned around again and saw them place her trunk containing her personal effects out away from the edge of the train and Amelia moved over to it. She wanted to pull out her father’s watch from the pocket sewn into her skirt, but she didn’t want to bring attention to it or seem impatient. If she could just check the time and see if the train had arrived earlier than planned. Perhaps Reverend Morrison hadn’t expected it yet, though that was unlikely.

  The whistle that had sounded a mile or so out had been repeated a few times as they approached the town. Amelia shifted her small satchel into her other hand and searched the faces that remained. A few of the other passengers had headed over to the office where they would be able to purchase tickets on the stage coach that would take them the remainder of their journey. The others had been greeted by those sent to meet them.

  And here she was, still alone.

  Slipping her hand into her pocket, she gripped her father’s pocket watch, then heard the sound of boots behind her. Turning around with hope that this would be Reverend Morrison, her heart lifted with joy to discover she hadn’t been left alone.

  Reverend Benjamin Morrison was actually rather handsome. He had definitely filled out from a youth to a man of strength and stamina. What a relief. Of course, she shouldn’t have been worried about that. She hadn’t come here to marry some attractive man that could make her heart flutter at the sight of him. She’d come to marry a man that needed a wife to care for him while he performed his duties and service for the people here in Birch Creek.

  Yet, it still helped her feel better about the whole thing knowing he was attractive. His physical heath and strength just proved he was strong and capable of doing good for the people.

  “Are you Miss Clover?” the preacher asked.

  “I am,” Amelia replied. “It is good to see you again, Benjamin. You look well.”

  He seemed surprised at her words, and she wondered if she shouldn’t have called him by his given name. She had just gotten accustomed to the idea that they would be married she had started to think of him in more familiar terms. Perhaps she should have waited until the marriage was official.

  “Thank you, Miss Clover.” He looked at her bag in her hand, then at the good-sized trunk by her feet. “Is this all you’ve brought?”

  Amelia nodded. “I hope that is all right. I didn’t want to start off my marriage overwhelming my husband with too much.”

  “Quite sensible of you,” Reverend Morrison said. “Now, I suppose we should get you to the boarding house right away and drop off your things there. After you’ve had a chance to rest, we can talk about your future husband.”

  Amelia looked up at him. “I thought we’d be wed right away.”

  “I appreciate that you have such faith in me. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I have shirked my duties a little long. I haven’t found you a suitable husband quite yet. I wanted to have a chance to talk with you again once you arrived and be sure I understood your wants and interests. Besides, I wasn’t certain what kinds of skills you might have.”

  “You haven’t found me a husband?” Amelia asked, unsure what he meant. Did he think he wasn’t right for her? “I can assure you, Reverend Morrison, I will be the best wife I can be. I know all the homemaking skills, and I am capable of running a household. I will also make a good assistant when you need my help with your work.”

  Benjamin paused mid-bend as he had begun to reach for her trunk.

  “I appreciate your willingness, but I won’t be needing any help from you. I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

  Amelia’s heart sank. Her husband wouldn’t want her to interfere with his work. That was all right, she told herself. She could still support him in other ways.

  “Whatever you think best,” Amelia said, hoping that would help ease his disappointment in her earlier comment.

  Benjamin grabbed her trunk and stood with it then walked it over to the edge of the platform before setting it down. “I’ll grab this once we’ve come down the stairs. Now let’s go see about getting you a room at the boarding house. Mrs. Clark will be thrilled to meet you.”

  “Of course.” Amelia followed him down the stairs, and saw the church a little way in the distance. “The church is a lovely building. It looks well cared for. Do you live there, or do you have a place nearby?”

  Benjamin looked at her as if bothered by her question. “There is a small residence nearby on the property there.”

  “I do hope you’ll show me soon,” Amelia said, then thought of something
that hadn’t occurred to her at first. “Oh, by the way, who will perform the ceremony?”

  “I will,” Benjamin said, lifting the trunk from the platform and beginning to walk so that she had to follow quickly.

  “How is that possible?” Amelia asked. “I didn’t think a man could perform the marriage for himself.”

  “For myself?” Benjamin asked, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

  “Yes,” Amelia said. “You and I can’t be married to each other with you doing the officiating at the same time. Can we?”

  “Marry each other?” Benjamin asked, the color draining from his face.

  “Yes,” Amelia said. “I’ve come to be your wife. Your grandparents told me they worked this all out with you.”

  “Oh, no,” Benjamin said, setting the trunk down and staring at her. “How could I have been so stupid?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Amelia clutched her bag to her chest and looked at Benjamin. He didn’t want to marry her. That was obvious. The look on his face when she’d said the words was all the proof she needed. He turned around and looked at the people passing by as if searching for someone who could help.

  “I thought this was all settled?” Amelia spoke softly, hoping to keep the tears that threatened from falling.

  “How could they have thought this?” Benjamin said. “They asked if I would make sure you were introduced to a good man out here. Wanted me to watch over you until you could get settled.”

  “They told me the letter they sent explained how my parents were gone and that I was in need of a new home. They said they specifically requested you marry me. I was to be a help for you here. But you…” she could hardly continue.