Caleb Read online

  “I didn’t know the girls were arriving, did I?” He stabbed a finger against Jamie’s chest and leaned closer. “Because my brother kept that fact a secret.”

  Jamie knocked away his brother’s hand. “Only because Mama made me promise on my honor. I only found out when I caught her writing the letters. If she hadn’t looked so guilty when I walked in, I never would have read part of the page.”

  Caleb rubbed his hands together. “Well, you three can make yourselves a bed wherever you find a spot. I’m going to my room with Desiree.”

  Jamie stepped in front of him, stopping him at the door. “No you’re not.”

  Gideon stood beside Jamie. “This has gone on long enough, Caleb. Not only are you leading a reckless life, you’re encouraging Ethan to follow you. Starting tonight, you reform and tomorrow you marry Lillian, the pretty woman who’s waiting for you.”

  “Hell and damnation. Who the hell died and left you in charge? I deserve one last night before I become a shackled husband. Desiree’s waiting for me on the other side of that door. It’s taken me months to get her out here.”

  Jamie smirked. “That’s cause she was busy making the rounds of everyone else’s beds.”

  “You bastard.” Caleb pulled his arm back to swing at Jamie, but Gideon grabbed his fist to stop him. “I know we’re all taken aback by this, but fighting isn’t going to solve anything.”

  Tugging on the cuffs of his shirt, Caleb said, “That Lillian looks like she has a steel rod up her—“

  Gideon put his hand over Caleb’s mouth. “Don’t besmirch any of those women. Each came here with good intentions thinking one of us had sent for her. If we don’t marry them, not only will we ruin their reputations, but we could ruin Mama’s standing in the community.”

  Caleb batted away his brother’s hand. “Is that right, little brother? Well Mama just likes to reign over the other mothers because you’re a preacher. Anyway, who’s going to know if we don’t marry those gals?”

  Jamie said, “Everyone who saw them get off the train, or who knows someone who saw them. Which means, everyone in Angel Springs and for miles around.”

  Caleb gave a derisive laugh. “Let me get this straight. You think I’m going to marry that stiff-necked spinster and settle her in with Desiree and me? Don’t forget she’s snowed in for a few days too.”

  Gideon met Jamie’s gaze. “What about Pete’s house? Desiree could stay there and he could move into the bunkhouse.”

  Jamie nodded. “Sounds like a good plan. Pete’s a decent guy and will help us out. We can sneak her over there at dawn tomorrow.”

  The door opened a crack and Desiree peeked out. “I can hear you, you know. I’m not a chair or a lamp to be shoved around like unwanted furniture.”

  Gideon bowed slightly. “Begging your pardon, Miss Desiree. We’re merely trying to accomplish what’s best for you and for the rest of the people on the ranch until the snow lets up and you can go home.”

  Her generous breasts heaved, drawing the eyes of all four men. “If you put it that way. I’d appreciate some time off. My feet could use a rest from all that lugging drinks back and forth. But y’all better be ready to calm Charlie down after I don’t show up at work.”

  Caleb pulled his gaze away from her chest and tried to concentrate on her eyes. “We’ll be sure to see someone explains the situation and makes it right with him.”

  “Well, all right. Goodnight.” She closed the door.

  Caleb glared at each of his brothers. “See what you’ve done? I could be sleeping on a soft mattress with a warm, willing woman. Instead, I’m stuck in here staring at your sorry faces.”

  He shook his head in disgust. “Look, I don’t have enough covers to supply pallets. Unless Mama included bedding in your valises, everybody has to sleep on the hard floor. I’m taking the spot nearest the fireplace. I hope you three freeze your asses off.”

  But instead of lying down, he sat cross-legged on the floor. For a few seconds the only sound was the fire crackling in the grate. “I swear I will not marry that Lillian. Guess she’s not that bad looking, but I’m not ready to wed. When I am, I can choose my own wife, and it won’t be some old dried-up spinster virgin”

  Gideon sat beside him. “Let’s talk, big brother.”

  Early the next morning the women darted around in a frenzy but once again gathered in the master bedroom.

  Olivia held up her lavender dimity gown and shook it. White lace trimmed the neck, cuffs, and flounces. “I should have hung this up last night so more of the wrinkles would disappear. I wonder if we have time to press our things?”

  Lillian shook her head in response. “I already asked, but there’s too much going on in the kitchen with food preparation. We’ll have to make do.” She held up her white grosgrain dress decorated with pink embroidery. Smoothing her hand along the skirt, she touched the pink roses and trailing vines and leaves. It wasn’t the dress she had planned on wearing to be married, but since that dress was long gone, this one was a nice substitute.

  “That dress looks pretty with your dark hair. It will also be lovely for church and other occasions,” Olivia said, giving Lillian a warm smile.

  Ruby touched her stomach. “I’ll wear my green traveling suit. I brushed it this morning and I think it looks better than anything else I have.”

  Looking forlorn, Beth glanced down at the wrinkled and soiled dress she’d worn on the entire trip. “This is the best thing I have.”

  Lillian suspected it was the only thing she had. Her small valise couldn’t hold more than one other dress, if that. “Why don’t I ask Mrs. Fraser if she has something more appropriate?”

  Beth chewed her lip for a few seconds. “I-I don’t know. I guess you could.”

  Lillian hurried downstairs to explain the situation.

  Mrs. Fraser greeted her with a bright smile as she dried her hands on her apron. “I have just the thing. I think my own wedding dress will fit her. Of course, it’s out of style, but it’s very pretty.”

  Lillian followed her to the room at the opposite end of the hall from Jamie’s. Her soon-to-be mother-in-law opened a trunk at the foot of the bed.

  After removing items and stacking them on the coverlet, she pulled out a cream silk gown. “Here it is. Let’s see if Beth can wear this.”

  Not only could Beth wear the elegant garment, but when Lillian and Mrs. Fraser presented the gown to the young girl, she beamed. “This is lovely. I’ll have the best dress there. Uh, no offense meant.”

  Olivia rolled her eyes at Lillian. “None taken.”

  Mrs. Fraser said, “I need to get back to the kitchen. Ten o’clock will soon arrive and I still have to change and do my hair.”

  When she’d gone, Beth twirled to straighten the train. “I could do a whole lot worse. Ethan is handsome and Mrs. Fraser really is a nice woman.”

  Lillian gave the girl a tight smile. “Who’ll soon be our mother-in-law, even though she deceived each of us, as well as her sons. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I had no intention of marrying a man who was being dragged to the altar.”

  Certainly not, given her luck with men so far.

  Ruby sat on a rocker. “She had her boys’ welfare in mind and we each needed a groom. I don’t see the problem as long as the men show up and go through with the wedding.”

  “Don’t you think them wanting to show up would be better? Don’t you all feel a little bit manipulated?” Lillian said.

  The other three women all cast their eyes in different directions, avoiding Lillian’s gaze.

  Beth’s eyes widened. “If we’re snowed in, who’s going to perform the ceremony?”

  In spite of her appearing a bit sly, Lillian wondered how bright Beth was. “Gideon is a minister. He can officiate.”

  As the hands of the clock moved closer to the hour, the room quieted. Chatter ceased as the women contemplated their upcoming vows. Lillian glanced around the room at the ladies she would forever be tied to, her new sisters-in-law.r />
  For better or worse, they were all about to take a huge step by marrying men they’d just met. A knot formed in her stomach at the thought of Caleb, her soon-to-be husband. She’d planned on weeks of getting to know him and suddenly she was being thrust into marriage with a wedding night only hours away with a man she hardly knew. She would have to deal with that issue very shortly.

  At ten o’clock, Milly rapped on the door. “The men are ready. It’s time.”

  Lillian breathed deeply, trying to get a grip on her nerves, relieved the men had shown up for the wedding. That had to be a good sign—one that showed they respected their mother. And would hopefully transfer that respect to their wives.

  With one last glance in the mirror over the washstand, she left the room, knowing after this moment, her life would be forever changed—for better or worse.

  “Good luck, ladies.”

  Chapter One

  The Circle F Ranch, outside of Angel Springs, Colorado

  October 15, 1880

  Caleb Fraser leaned in and brushed his lips over Lillian’s cool ones. His new wife.

  Wife.

  Her mouth was as cold as she was. Goddammit, he knew it. He’d gotten stuck with a dried up old virgin. Any minute he expected her to wipe her mouth with the back of her hand.

  Or spit on the floor.

  His wedding day. His and his three brothers. All because Mama decided they needed wives. He needed a wife like he needed a third arm.

  His brother, Gideon, the preacher, just performed the marriage ceremony for the four couples. Caleb wasn’t even certain if Gideon’s marriage was legal. Could a man marry himself? Or rather, perform a marriage ceremony for himself? It would just be like that sly little preacher to get out of marrying by doing something that didn’t stick for him.

  “Your mother has prepared a dinner for us all. Would you care to join me?” Lillian spoke softly and regarded him with raised eyebrows, almost as if she were challenging him.

  “Sure.” He waved in the direction of the dining room. “After you, Mrs. Fraser,” sarcasm dripped from his voice.

  Her eyes snapped in his direction and a slight flush colored her cheeks. She had no reason to be annoyed with him. He was the one who’d been hog-tied without his permission. On the other hand, she had been anxious to be a mail order bride.

  And that was another thing. Lillian was a beautiful woman. Black-as-night curly hair, deep brown eyes, porcelain skin, and underneath her stiff demeanor and high-necked clothes she had a voluptuous body. Why the hell would she have to apply to the bridal agency? Obviously there was something wrong with her.

  “All the couples should sit together.” His mother beamed at the disaster she’d created, visions of all the new little Frasers running about the place in a few years dancing in her eyes. Caleb looked around at his brothers. No one joined in her enthusiasm.

  Not even the women.

  He held out the chair for his wife, and sat next to her. Passing numerous plates of food that both Mama and Milly had prepared kept everyone busy enough so conversation among the newly shackled prisoners was limited.

  A whole lot of “yes, please,” “thank you,” “no, thank you” “please pass the rolls” made it seem as if everything were normal.

  “Why don’t each of my new daughters-in-law, tell us a little bit about yourselves.” Mama preened as she nodded at Olivia to begin the General’s Inquisition.

  Caleb didn’t even listen as each girl spoke of how she came to be sitting here, at this table, eating dinner with him and his recently hog-tied brothers. Until it came to Lillian. Then he perked up and was all ears.

  “I was a librarian in North Grove, Illinois, a small town about ten miles from Chicago.”

  Caleb barely held in a groan. A librarian? Dear God. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d picked up a book.

  “I wanted to live someplace different, and I love the idea of the Rocky Mountains, so I applied to be a mail order bride in Colorado.”

  That was it? She loved the Rocky Mountains? Wonderful. Why hadn’t she hopped on a train to Denver and gotten a job instead of invading his life? At least Desiree didn’t depend on some man to take care of her. Well, at least not on a steady basis.

  He regarded Lillian’s virginal face and could imagine a long, happy marriage—for her, anyway. Apparently, all she needed was a couple of books and a mountain. He, on the other hand, needed a robust sex life and freedom to do as he pleased.

  They had absolutely nothing in common.

  Once the meal was over, four awkward couples glanced sideways at each other as Mama tried desperately to fill in the void. Eventually, even the master of manipulation ran out of inane things to say and fell silent.

  Apparently wishing to save their mother any further humiliation, Gideon rose and helped Ruby from her chair. “I believe the ladies should take tea with Mama in the parlor while my brothers and I finish the day’s chores.”

  As if by magic, chairs scraped back as the four Fraser men helped their new wives up and escorted them to the parlor before they escaped out the back door of the house as quickly as possible.

  Bundled up against the snow, with scarves around their necks and hats pulled low, restricting any conversation, the brothers separated and took care of feeding the animals.

  The chores, however, didn’t last long enough to suit Caleb and he soon found himself outside the main house with Lillian at this side. The snow swirled around them as she looked at him expectantly.

  The sleigh he’d hitched up before retrieving his wife from the house stood ready to receive its passengers. The two horses stomped in the snow, shaking their bells and snorting their anxiety to be on their way.

  She eyed the vehicle and asked, “Where are we going? I assume to your house?” Her head snapped up. “You do have a house?”

  “Yes.” He waved toward the north part of the ranch. “Up over that hill.” He extended his arm for her to take, proving he was a gentleman. Lillian ignored it, turned on her heel and sloshed through the snow to the sleigh. The termagant tried to climb in herself, but finally allowed him to lift her into it. She pulled her coat closer around her body and crossed her arms over her breasts.

  With the snow crunching under his feet, he stalked to the other side of the sleigh and climbed in. He grabbed the blanket from the back seat and tossed it to her. She grabbed it without a word and wrapped the cover around her body.

  A slow burn started in his stomach and rose to his mouth. Which was probably not a good idea, because before he could think it through, he spoke. “I get the impression for some godforsaken reason you’re mad at me about something.”

  She glared at him. “Don’t cuss.”

  “I’ll cuss anytime, and anywhere I want to cuss.” Lord, he was sounding like a spoiled child. “Anyway, godforsaken isn’t a cuss.”

  “Any time you use the Lord’s name except in prayer, it’s cussing.” Her warm breath in the cold air rose from her mouth above her well-wrapped neck as she spoke.

  He snapped the reins and the horses moved forward. “Is that right, Miss Librarian? And where did you learn that, from a book?”

  “A possession no doubt with which you are very unfamiliar,” she bit back.

  How he would love to dispute the stuck up, virginal witch. It was almost as if she knew reading wasn’t something he spent a lot of time doing. Despite years of schooling, that particular skill had evaded him most of his life. He knew enough to get by, but not much more. Did men who read a lot look different? Talk different? Hell, he wasn’t about to ask her.

  “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you mad at me? I married you, didn’t I?”

  Lillian twisted in her seat and poked a stiff finger in his arm. “Oh, and I assume I’m supposed to be so very grateful that you did?”

  It was a good thing the horses knew their way to his house because her quick movement caused him drop the reins. “Well, dammit, woman—”

  “Don’t cuss.”


  “—I never sent for you in the first place.”

  “And it’s a good thing you hadn’t, because I would have known from your letter that you were not the man for me. That is, if you could even pen a letter.”

  “Is that right?” Caleb fumbled on the floor and picked up the reins. He tried very hard to reel in his temper. Ever since he’d been out of britches girls had fallen all over him. All he had to do was smile in their direction, crook his finger, and they would come running, ready to drop their drawers. Now he was married—married—to a woman who decided before he’d barely opened his mouth that he wasn’t good enough for her?

  “I’ll bet the only man for you is a cold marble statue.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

  Caleb glared at her. Snowflakes fell on the tip of her cute little nose, making him even angrier that she’d dismissed him so easily. He didn’t want to notice anything cute about this woman. “That means, Mrs. Fraser, that a real, live, in the flesh man, throws your virginal senses into a tailspin.”

  She stiffened at his words, and he looked forward again. Dear God, had he actually said that? He immediately wished to bring the words back at the look on her face. Her red-faced anger had paled into an expression he couldn’t read, but didn’t want to. Her eyes filled with tears.

  “Stop this vehicle!”

  “What?”

  “I said stop this sleigh or I shall jump from it.”

  When she made a move to do just that, he yanked the reins. Before they had come to a complete stop, she tumbled to the ground, falling to her knees in the snow. He watched in shock as she climbed to her feet and, holding her skirts in her fist, slogged through the snow to march away from him.

  Never had he felt so small, so mean. Not once in his entire life he had ever insulted a lady—had always been the most congenial gentleman with the opposite sex. If Mama heard him now she would box his ears, even if she had to climb up on a chair to do it.