Rosalin, Maybelle, and Henry have been trapped working for a brutal crime boss. Anyone who tries to leave is executed in a very painful way, and all the other “employees” have to watch. Rosalin is tired of robbing and stealing. She just wants a decent life without hurting anyone. Rosalin plans an escape that takes her best friend, Maybelle, and a street urchin named Henry with her. The stakes are high, but Rosalin chooses freedom over fear. Here is the moment they are getting away. Enjoy this western historical mail-order bride romance novel.
An excerpt from Jesse and the Mail Order Bride by Caroline Clemmons
“We need clothes and a place to stay. Travelers without luggage arouse suspicion. Henry, we especially have to get you something else to wear, so you don’t look like a street urchin.”
His eyes widened and he patted his chest with one hand. “But, I am a street urchin. How else could I look?”
Rosalin gently tapped his nose with her finger. “Were, Henry. Now you are the respectable nephew of a respectable aunt and her respectable cousin, who is your respectable second cousin—or is it first cousin once removed?”
“I don’t know.” Henry rubbed his stomach. “Can us respectable people get something to eat? I’m real hungry.”
Rosalin laid her hand on Henry’s shoulder. “I know you’re hungry, but we have to get you some decent clothes before anything else. No place we’d want to eat would let you in dressed as you are. I see a second hand store. Let’s try there quickly, because they’ll probably be closing soon.”
Henry tugged on her arm and whispered, “Don’t we have plenty of money for new stuff?”
She matched his whisper. “Yes, but we don’t know how long it will have to last. Promise me you will never mention our money again. If anyone knew about it, we would be robbed—and likely killed,” She looked at Maybelle, “Or worse.”
He frowned. “I won’t say nothin’ about it. You know I can keep my mouth shut.”
“I know you can, and I know how dependable you are. Here’s the thing that worries me, though. Sometimes when people get angry, they tell things that are supposed to be secrets. The three of us have to remember that we can never reveal our secrets. Tonight in our room, we’ll figure out what we intend to tell people.”
Maybelle heaved a sigh, apparently relieved. “I’m glad, because I need facts and instructions. I’m not as smart as you, Rosalin, so Henry and I will let you lead the planning.”
Read more in Jesse and the Mail Order Bride, available from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
