Caleb Read online

  The Surprise Brides: CALEB

  By: Callie Hutton

  Caleb Fraser is the town bad boy and enjoying the single life to the fullest. He has no intention of marrying. No time soon, anyway. He keeps telling his mama he will chose a wife shortly, just to keep her off his back. However, Mama Fraser takes the situation in hand and sends for mail order brides for all four of her sons.

  Lily Parker is running from humiliation and is on her way to marry a stranger. She’s traveling with three other women, all of them contracted to wed the Fraser brothers. What they don’t know is the men have no idea they’re about to be hog-tied.

  Both Lily and Caleb are in for a surprise. But will Lily’s surprise be too much for Caleb to handle?

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  The Surprise Brides: Caleb

  COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Callie Hutton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Publishing History

  First Edition

  2015 Digital

  Published in the United States of America

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to fabulous authors, Sylvia McDaniel, Caroline Clemmons,

  and Cynthia Woolf for making this project a lot of fun

  Dedication

  To Scott, Jessica, Carson, and Mason

  Prologue

  *NOTE: This same prologue is included with each of the Surprise Brides: Jamie, Caleb, Gideon, and Ethan. If you’ve read one of the other Surprise Brides books, you’ll probably want to go directly to Chapter One.

  Angel Springs, Colorado, October 1880

  Caleb Fraser looked northward. “Snows coming down fast and thick for this early. Gonna be a hard winter.”

  His brother, Gideon, pushed closed the corral gate. “Pete better hurry back or he’ll be stuck in town with our supplies.”

  Caleb turned up his collar. “I’m heading to my house. I don’t aim to stand around waiting on Pete, no matter what Mama says.”

  His oldest brother, Jamie, shot him a stony stare. “She doesn’t ask much of us. Won’t kill you to hold off on carousing for a couple of hours. Besides, you won’t be able to head into town in this weather.”

  Ethan, their youngest brother, laughed and nudged Caleb. “He don’t have to. Has him a sweet little gal stashed at his house.”

  Caleb pushed at Ethan’s chest and sent him tumbling onto the snowy ground. “Keep your mouth shut, little brother. Nobody’s business but mine.”

  Ethan hopped up and Jamie stopped him before he tackled Caleb. “Settle down. We have more important things to do than wrestle in the snow

  The jingle of sleigh bells interrupted their quarrel. Good thing Pete had attached the skids to the farm wagon earlier. Mama must have been listening for the ringing because she came out onto the porch all bundled up against the cold.

  A tingle ran down Caleb’s spine at the uneasy look Jamie cast at their mother. Before he could ask about it, Jamie said, “Let’s go stand with Mama.”

  “Why?” The feeling grew stronger as his older brother tried harder to look anywhere but at his brothers.

  What the hell is that all about?

  All four brothers loved and respected their mother. Since their beloved father’s death five years before, they’d been especially considerate of her feelings. Without receiving his answer, Caleb trudged along with the others to stand with her while the sleigh came into view.

  Gideon craned his neck. “Looks like Pete’s got passengers. Who’d be coming here in this weather? You expecting anyone, Mama?”

  She straightened her spine. “As a matter of fact, I am. I’d appreciate you boys staying right here with me. I have something important to say to you in a few minutes.”

  Pete pulled on the reins and the sleigh came to a sliding stop. Caleb narrowed his eyes. Four women sat in the sleigh with Pete. Women he’d never seen before

  Jamie rounded on their mother. “Mama, there’s four of them, not three. What have you done?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “What needed doing. Now you help unload the girl’s belongings. Pete doesn’t need to do all the work.”

  Jamie called over his shoulder, “Come on, boys, lend a hand.”

  Caleb was first behind him. “What’s going on?”

  All of Jamie’s uneasy looks had vanished, replaced with a flushed face and tight lips. He stomped toward the sleigh. “We have to get these women and their belongings inside so Pete can put up the horses. Mama will explain then.”

  The women were so bundled up Caleb couldn’t see more than each one’s eyes and nose. Without a word to any of the ladies, they helped each one down from the wagon and gestured for them to go inside. He hefted a trunk that weighed so much the coffer must have included everything the owner ever possessed. His brothers were carrying stuff as well, and soon they had the sleigh emptied of women, luggage, and supplies. Pete raised his eyebrows and hopped into the sleigh like his tail was on fire. With a flick of the reins, he headed toward the barn.

  Inside, the parlor was a flurry of wraps being removed and female chattering. Four women huddled near the fireplace. Although markedly different in appearance, each one was attractive in her own way. Especially if you took into account the cold was responsible for each girl’s red cheeks and nose.

  Milly, the Fraser’s cook, set down a tray holding mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies. “One of you boys help me get the rest of the mugs instead of lollygagging. I can only carry so much you know.”

  Gideon followed her to the kitchen and returned with another tray. “Mama, I believe we deserve introductions and an explanation.”

  His brothers were standing around staring like they were at a church dance, awkward and unsure. The tingle running down Caleb’s spine had turned into flat out panic.

  Attempting a smile, Mama licked her lips and gestured toward the women waiting expectantly. “Ladies, these are your grooms.”

  Caleb jolted. “What the hell?” He nodded to the women. “Excuse me, ladies.” Lowering his voice he leaned toward his mother. “I hope this is a joke of some kind and you’re not serious.”

  She straightened her shoulders and narrowed her eyes at her sons. “Now boys, you all promised me you’d marry someday, but you never did anything toward keeping your word. I decided this was a good time to help by finding you wives.”

  Ethan and Gideon’s eyes were wide as saucers at a ladies tea as they gaped at their future wives.

  Mama turned toward the women who stared wide-mouthed. Comparing them to the photos she held, she took a willowy blonde by the hand and led her to Jamie. “Olivia, this is Jamie, my oldest at thirty-two and your groom-to-be.”

  Next, Mama took Caleb by the hand and led him to a brown-eyed woman with black hair. “Lillian, meet Caleb, next to oldest at twenty-nine.”

  Lillian didn’t smile. She assessed him as if he were for sale. From the way her eyes narrowed, she found her future husband wanting.

  Well, hell, he found her wanting too. Wanting another man. He had no intention of getting married for a long time, and when he did, it certainly wouldn’t be to a woman who looked as though she had a stick shoved up her backside.

  Mama grabbed a redhead with green eyes, by her hand. “Ruby, this is Gideon, who’s twenty-seven and the Angel Springs’ preacher.”

  Unlike Olivia and Lillian, Ruby appeared happy with her lot. She smiled
at Gideon and slipped her hand in his.

  Nudging Ethan, she led him to a stunning hazel-eyed woman with brown hair. “Beth, this is Ethan, my youngest at twenty-two.”

  Beth was one of the most attractive women Caleb had ever seen—and he’d seen a lot. She wore the fanciest dress, or it would have been if it had been clean. He pegged her as a spoiled rich girl, but her disheveled appearance made him wonder. Why would a wealthy girl become a mail-order bride—and why didn’t she wear a clean dress?

  Caleb ran his fingers through his hair and strode toward Mama. “You can’t mean you did this without consulting us. I’m capable of choosing my own wife when the time comes...”

  Olivia put her hands on her hips. “You mean that letter wasn’t from Jamie Fraser? Mrs. Fraser, you wrote to me?”

  Mama raised her hands to quiet murmurs of rising complaints. “Everyone, just hear me out. You girls wanted grooms, and these are the four best men in this state or any other. They each need a wife and to settle down and have a family.”

  Jamie clasped his mother by the shoulders. As kindly as he could manage, he asked, “Mama, may I see you in the kitchen?” He glanced at the women watching him with curious eyes. “Excuse us a moment, ladies.”

  Caleb followed behind the two of them. Somehow he had a suspicion that Jamie had been a part of this. Being too agitated to notice they weren’t alone, Jamie launched into a whispered tirade, “May I remind you I have a family?”

  “Do you? Those children need a mother.”

  Jamie forked a thumb at his chest. “I had a wife, remember? Why did you send for a bride for me?”

  “For the same reason as your brothers. I told you they needed wives so they wouldn’t be alone, and you need the same thing.” She shoved at his shoulders. “Now, get back in there and be civil.”

  Caleb seized on her wording and narrowed his eyes at his brother then back to Mama. “Did you say you told Jamie? Did he know about this and just happened to forget to tell us?”

  “He knew, but I swore him to secrecy. He didn’t know I’d included Olivia for him, but he needs a wife same as the three of you. Lands sakes, you know Jake and Cat need a mother to tame them.”

  Mama met the angry gaze of each son. Caleb recognized the steel in her and knew he was doomed. “I want you boys to have the same thing your father and I had. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have a life partner who shares everything and always supports your ideas.”

  Hell, he saw it coming and braced himself for her tears. None of them could resist her when they thought she was going to cry.

  She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. “We can talk more about this later.”

  She motioned toward the stairs. “Ladies, if you’d like to freshen up after your long ride, go on up. Olivia and Lillian are in the master bedroom at the end of the hall on the left. Ruby and Beth are in the second room on the right.”

  Ruby rubbed a handkerchief across her forehead. “I could sure use a few minutes rest.” She turned and climbed the stairs.

  Beth hugged her arms as she followed Ruby. “I don’t think I’ll ever get warm again.”

  Olivia sent Jamie a speculative look before she headed for the stairs.

  Lillian was the last to leave. She cast Mama a cool glance. “I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, ma’am. But you shouldn’t have impersonated your sons. That’s cheating and not fair to anyone concerned.”

  “I did what I thought best for my sons,” Mama responded, her voice filled with steel.

  “But what about the rest of us? Didn’t we deserve husbands who actually wanted us?” She shook her head and followed the rest of the brides upstairs.

  With the women gone, all four men began to speak at once. Jamie’s voice was loudest, but Caleb figured his measured almost as noisy. Ethan’s face turned red with anger. Even peacemaker Gideon was tight-lipped.

  Mama left the room and returned clanging the dinner triangle to get their attention. “Calm down, boys.”

  Caleb leaned forward. “We’re not boys any longer, Mama. It’s time you realized we’re grown men with the right to choose our own wives.”

  “I know you’re men, but you’ll always be my boys, so don’t sass me. Caleb, you worry me most. Don’t think you’ve hidden that you’re out carousing until all hours. I know you’re going down a dangerous path and I aim to see you settle down and raise a family if I have to hogtie you to achieve that goal.”

  She took a deep breath. “Milly has the table ready for you to sit down like the gentlemen I raised and we’ll talk this through.”

  They stomped into the kitchen. Danged if he didn’t already feel hog-tied. He could visualize a big red bow on the rope’s knot. When they’d all seated themselves, Mama took her place at the head of the table.

  “Your father and I had always believed you four were the best sons anyone ever had. I still believe that, but you haven’t honored your promise to marry. Ethan, you’re the only one who can skate by on that vow because you’re still young. But I see you trying to copy everything Caleb does.” She dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes.

  Damn, even though he’d suspected this was coming, Caleb couldn’t bear seeing his mother cry. He leapt to his feet. “Mama, you’re making me sound like the blackest soul in all of Colorado. I do my share of the work same as Jamie and Ethan.”

  Jamie yanked on his arm. “Sit down and listen to what Mama has to say. She isn’t through yet.”

  Mama dabbed her eyes again and sniffed a couple of times while she waited for Caleb to take his seat. “This snow means the ladies are stuck here so we’ll have to have the wedding right away. Milly and I will have everything ready by tomorrow. The brides have come here in good faith and their reputations are at stake. Mine, too, if you don’t cooperate. And we can’t have single men and single ladies sleeping under the same roof. You four will spend tonight at Caleb’s.”

  Jamie and Gideon glared at Caleb. Ethan wore a smirk. Well, dammit to hell. There went the fun night he’d planned. Shaking his head, he stretched his long legs out and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the table.

  Ignoring the exchange, Mama gestured to the corner. “Milly and I packed clean clothes for all of you except Caleb in those satchels. Take them and get out of here until ten o’clock tomorrow morning.” She pointed a finger at each brother. “See that you show up then or I’ll bring Pete with a shotgun. Don’t think for a minute I won’t.”

  After checking their rooms, all four brides gathered in the master bedroom. Lillian approved of the tidy condition and the massive mahogany furniture. The quilt on the bed was a beautiful wedding ring pattern in bright red and blue instead of the pastels she’d seen used before. Near the window, a small lamp table separated two rocking chairs where a couple could sit and read of an evening.

  She wandered to stand before a painting that must have been Caleb’s parents. His father was a handsome man and probably how Caleb would look in years to come.

  She whirled to face the other girls. “I’ve a good mind to leave the minute the snow stops. We were deceived.”

  Olivia faced her. “We’re here, so let’s wait and see what Mrs. Fraser has to say this evening. I haven’t met Jamie’s children yet. I wonder why they didn’t run out from wherever they’d been playing to meet the sleigh.”

  Lying on the bed and looking pale, Ruby waved a limp hand. “Y’all can do what you want. I’m staying and marrying Gideon. He’s a good looking man and has a sweet smile.”

  Beth hugged her arms. “All four are handsome and they act respectful. And Ethan’s emerald gaze certainly warms a girl and left me breathless. Don’t think I’ll leave for now.”

  Olivia sent her a glance. “What do you mean, for now? If we go through with the ceremony, then we’re married. Once we’re wed, you can’t change your mind like you would about which hat to wear.”

  Beth tossed her thick brown hair over her shoulder. “Of course you can. Haven’t you heard of divorce?” />
  Lillian gasped. “Divorce? That’s no way to think of marriage. If you wed Ethan, it will be forever.”

  Beth rolled her eyes. “Wise up. Not every marriage is made in heaven. My parents’ certainly wasn’t.” Her sour expression lent testimony to her words.

  Lillian took a step toward her. “But that doesn’t mean yours won’t—“

  “Ladies,” Olivia clapped her hands for silence. “This isn’t solving our dilemma. If you’ve glanced out the window, you know we’re already buried in snow and more’s still falling. We can’t leave for who knows how long. If we don’t wed then our reputations will be ruined.”

  Lillian tapped a finger against her cheek. “Not only that, but I don’t have the money to repay Mrs. Fraser for our expenses and the marriage broker’s fee.”

  Beth’s eyes widened. “You mean we’d owe them money if we don’t go through with the marriage?”

  Lillian regarded the youngest of the brides. “Of course. Didn’t you read the contract? If we renege, we have to return the money provided for the fare and meal costs, and repay the broker’s fee.” She studied the young girl and placed her hands on her hips. “Surely you did read the document before you committed, Beth.”

  Refusing to meet their gazes, Beth stared at her hands. “I was in a bit of a hurry so I just signed. If you remember, I barely made the train.”

  Olivia sighed then held out her hand. “I’m staying. Who’s with me?”

  The other three brides stacked their hands on top of hers.

  Ruby was first to break contact. “I’m returning to my assigned room and rest until someone calls us. That train ride jarred me to the bone and the sleigh ride froze me. Sure glad our bedroom has a fireplace.”

  Over the rise and inside Caleb’s house, Jamie got up into his face. “What the hell do you use for a brain? As if things aren’t bad enough with four brides arriving, you’ve got a saloon girl stashed here.”