Gentry is the first book of the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides series. He is a kind man who saves a man from death. The man repays him by making him a partner in his ranch. When the partner dies from being gored by a bull, Gentry reluctantly agrees to marry the mail-order bride on her way to the ranch. Enjoy this sweet western historical mail order bride romance.
Today, we are interviewing Gentry McRae, the hero from Gentry and the Mail Order Bride.
1. Tell me about yourself? What is your occupation? Why? What are your strengths & weaknesses?
Hello, there. Sure nice of you to ask me here.
My name is Gentry McRae, and I’m co-owner of the Bar MM Ranch in Harrigan Springs, Texas. That’s in Harrigan County in the Texas Hill Country, next to Bandera and Medina Counties. I’m easy going and slow to anger—but that sure doesn’t mean I won’t stand up for myself or my friends and family. While I was fighting for the Union Army in the war from 1861-65, I’d dreamed of getting away from all the destruction, going west, and owning a ranch. The Bar MM Ranch far surpasses those dreams. I’m a lucky man.
2. What’s your family like and how does your upbringing affect you now?
My parents were loving and kind people always willing to lend a hand to any needy neighbor or stranger. My brothers, Craig and Quinn, and I were taught to work hard and think things through. We lived in northwest Geogria, but signed up for the Union Army together. We were soon separated, and I’ve been hoping to find them ever since. Mama and Papa taught by example that has stuck with me. We learned we have a responsibility to work hard, share with others, and be an asset to the community.
3. What is your earliest childhood memory?
The first thing that comes to mind is sitting around the kitchen table at dinner, listening to our parents talk, and then us boys telling them about our day. Recalling at the same time is playing with my brothers—we were too full of energy and mischief to keep it bottled up inside. We sure were happy growing up.
4. What tangible object would symbolize you? (This could tie in with the theme of the story.)
You ought to ask my wife or our three ranch hands or our cook. You’d probably get a different answer from each one, though, so I’ll try to choose. Let me think here a bit … hmmm, guess you could say I’m like one of the willow trees down by the creek. You can push me and I’ll bend, but I won’t break. Instead, I’ll stand firmly rooted on the ranch I love.
5. How did you two meet? What was your first impression of heroine?
That’s kind of sad, because my partner ordered Heidi as his mail order bride—with his grandmother and a matchmaker’s help—from his hometown in Bavaria. But, my partner, who was also my best friend, died four days before his mail order bride arrived. He willed her a fourth of the ranch and me the rest. He also willed me his bride! I have to admit that poleaxed me. At first, I was mad at him and wanted to refuse. After a bit of ranting, I admitted I had to propose to her. Lucky for me she agreed.
When she stepped off the stage, I was almost knocked off my feet in surprise. She was about the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. Now, I don’t reckon I was pushy. All the same, talking her into accepting my proposal wasn’t easy. She’s not one of those shrinking violets who think they have to have a man do their thinking for them, I can tell you. She weighed the pros and cons of marrying me before she accepted. It’s kind of funny that after being mad at Joe when I learned he willed Heidi to me, I sure was relieved when she agreed to our wedding. We got hitched right away and then went to the ranch.
6. What do you like about the heroine?
There are so many things I like about Heidi that I’m not sure you have time for me to go into them, but I’ll try to be brief. Heidi is a beautiful woman who is not afraid of work. She has a kind heart, a good sense of humor, and blended in to the ranch family right away. She is excellent at keeping our ranch records up to date and filed properly—in fact, she redid our files. Another important thing is that Heidi is unusually good with children.
7. What is it that you want out of life?
I reckon I have everything I want—if you mean materially. The ranch is successful and Heidi and I plan to fill the house with children. Also, I want the respect of those I know, and to be a good husband, father, and rancher.
8. Has life handed you any major disappointments?
Aren’t you paying attention? I told you my partner died and I lost contact with both my brothers. During the war, our family home burned. Between that happening and learning our father had been killed , our mother died of sadness with none of us boys knowing about it or being able to help her. I don’t even know where my father is buried.
9. If you had an unexpected free day, what would you do with it?
That depends on the weather, of course. In spring or fall, I’d enjoy taking Heidi on a picnic down by the Medina River and lazing for a while on a big blanket. In winter, maybe we’d just sit by the parlor fireplace and read and watch the children play. I’m not hard to please. In the heat of summer, we’d probably sit in the parlor—no fire in the fireplace, of course—or take the buggy and visit friends.
10. Aside from your heroine, tell me about your best friend.
I met Johann Meyer in 1865, just a few months after I got out of the Army. He was from Bavaria originally, but returned to Texas after striking gold in Colorado. I called him Joe, which stuck and that’s what everyone around here called him. He sure was a good man. We met when I saved his life. We became best friends early in the ten years we were partners.
You can buy Gentry and the Mail Order Bride at Amazon or read it in Kindle Unlimited.
