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  A Bride for Mason

  The Proxy Brides Book 24

  By Marianne Spitzer

  © August 2019

  This book is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.

  Acknowledgments

  There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.

  The cover was created by the talented Virginia McKevitt. You can find her on Facebook at Virginia McKevitt, Author.

  A Bride for Mason

  Chapter One

  Prairieville

  Wyoming Territory

  Elizabeth Bishop, the former Elizabeth Hutchison, sat in the parlor of the Hutchison ranch house with her sister at heart, Grace. Both young women were chatting and laughing while working on mending projects when a knock sounded at the front door.

  Cora, their housekeeper and family friend, hurried to open the door. She said a few words to the young lad at the door, handed him a coin, and returned to the parlor holding a slip of yellow paper.

  “A telegram?” Grace asked. “I hope it isn’t bad news.”

  Cora shrugged. “Not sure, it’s for Mister Hutch.” She turned and knocked on the door of Grandpa Hutch’s study.

  “Come in,” Grandpa’s gravelly voice instructed.

  Cora opened the door and walked to his desk, handing him the yellow slip of paper. “This came for you.”

  He nodded, “Thanks.”

  Cora smiled at him as she left him to read his telegram. A few moments later, he walked into the parlor.

  “I just received a telegram from my brother.”

  Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. She had recently obtained an annulment from her former husband, Wade, after he left to live with Grandpa Hutch’s brother in Montana. From the look on grandpa’s face, the news wasn’t good.

  “Is something wrong?” Elizabeth asked her voice shaky with worry.

  Grandpa Hutch nodded. “It seems Lucinda left the small Montana town near my brother’s ranch with a gambler. Wade had been seeing her every chance he could.”

  “She followed him?” Elizabeth stammered. “Clay was right. An annulment was my best option. Wade never cared and only married me to win a bet. Well, he certainly taught me a lesson. I’ll be much more careful with my life and heart in the future.”

  “There’s more,” Grandpa Hutch explained. “My brother said Wade was furious when Lucinda left town. He said she was his and he’s left my brother’s ranch.”

  Grace’s eyes opened wide, “He’s going after her? With his temper, he could hurt her and the man she left with.”

  Grandpa slowly shook his head. “My brother did his best to keep him from leaving, but he said he was going home to claim what was rightfully his. He’s on his way back here for you, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth stood suddenly dropping her mending to the floor. “He can’t. Well, he can this is his home, but I’m not his. He was sent a copy of the annulment. What am I going to do? I don’t want to pay the price of his anger that’s aimed at Lucinda.”

  Grace stood and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth. “Don’t be frightened. We’ll protect you.”

  “I’m not frightened. I grew up in an orphanage. I know how to deal with being mistreated and to fight for my place in this world. I just hoped this was going to finally be my home. The Hutchison family would finally be my family. I’m angry, and I intend to fight for my happiness.”

  Clay, who had been listening to the conversation from the kitchen rose from the table, told Cora he had to go into town, and he’d be back soon. He left quickly before she had a chance to reply.

  ~ * ~

  Clay reined his horse up outside the telegraph office and hurried inside. He picked up a pencil and began to write:

  Mason Callen

  Quincy Hotel Chicago STOP

  Lucinda ran off with gambler STOP

  Wade furious STOP

  On way home to claim what he says is his STOP

  Elizabeth in danger STOP

  Can I send her to Chicago STOP

  Will you protect her STOP

  Clay Hutchison

  Prairieville Wyoming Territory STOP

  Clay handed the slip of paper to the telegraph operator and said, “Send this immediately and please mark it urgent. Send someone out with the reply as soon as it arrives.” He dropped several coins on the counter.

  The man read the words on the paper and raised his eyebrows. “Will do, Clay. I’ll make sure this is handled immediately.”

  Clay could hear the operator clicking out the message before he left the office. Clay knew Mason cared for Elizabeth and would do all he could to protect her. Without any family to send Elizabeth to, Mason could keep her safe while the family dealt with Wade’s return.

  Clay returned to the ranch and found his family deep in discussion at the kitchen table while enjoying or trying to enjoy Cora’s coffee and pie given the uncertain circumstances. He wanted to share his idea, but he needed to wait for Mason’s reply. He knew what the answer would be, but he still needed to have a few more details.

  Grandpa Hutch spoke up, “Glad you’re back, son. You hear what’s going on?”

  “Yeah, Grandpa, I heard just before I left,” Clay answered as he hung his hat on the hook by the back door.

  Elizabeth stirred her coffee for a moment and looked up. “I need to leave town. I know you said I should stay here, and I’d be safe. I’m sure I would be, but this is Wade’s home. I’m the intruder. He won’t care if our marriage was annulled. The telegram said he’s coming home to collect what’s his. I’m not his, and I will never be, but he may not accept it. It’s kind of you to ask me to stay, and I love each of you dearly. I can’t put myself or any of you in danger.”

  Clay cleared his throat, “Even if Wade takes the train, it will be several days before he arrives. Grandpa knows a lot of people. Allow us a bit of time to find a safe place for you and to see you arrive there without Wade’s knowledge.”

  Grandpa nodded, “Clay’s right. Let me write out a few telegrams and find you the safest place. I refuse to allow you to go off without someone there to have your back. I don’t care what the annulment paper says, you’re my granddaughter and always will be.” He pounded his fist on the table for emphasis and smiled at Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth smiled back. Oh, how she loved the old man. It would break her heart to leave this family, but once Wade accepted the situation, they could write to each other.

  The conversation continued, and Grandpa Hutch interjected thoughts as he wrote out what he wanted in the telegrams he intended to send when a knock interrupted them.

  Elizabeth jumped.

  Clay stood. “Relax, Elizabeth. Wade couldn’t get here this fast, and he certainly wouldn’t knock. I’ll see to the door.”

  The same teenage boy stood on the porch with a yellow sheet of paper in his hand. “Good afternoon, Mister Clay. This telegram is for you.” The boy smiled broadly as Clay generously tipped him for the quick delivery from town.

  After handing the boy a coin, Clay closed the door, read the telegram, and smiled. He walked back into the kitchen and announced he had a
solution. All eyes turned to him.

  “I sent a telegram to Mason in Chicago. I thought it would be the last place Wade would look for Elizabeth. I just received his reply,” Clay explained.

  Clay Hutchison

  Hutchison Ranch

  Prairieville Wyoming Territory STOP

  Elizabeth needs my protection STOP

  Contact Judge Clancy about proxy marriage STOP

  Send her to Chicago with my name as protection STOP

  Will set up legalities on my end STOP

  Mason Callen

  Quincy Hotel Chicago STOP

  Elizabeth sat with her mouth open as both Cora and Grace smiled. All three women knew Mason had feelings for Elizabeth but were surprised he’d offer her the protection of his name.

  “I can’t,” Elizabeth stated. “It wouldn’t be fair to Mason. I’ll go wherever Grandpa suggests.”

  Grandpa Hutch slapped his knee. “You’re going to Chicago. Clay and Mason have the best idea. Having the protection of Mason’s name is your best option. I’ll pay your way and get you anything you need to travel. You’ll also have money to take care of yourself once you arrive but knowing Mason, he’ll take good care of you.”

  Elizabeth could only sit and shake her head. This was all moving so fast.

  Grandpa Hutch continued, “Clay, you go speak to the judge. We’ll invite him to supper as soon as Mason has the legal information on his end taken care of. No one in town will know Mason and Elizabeth are married and that way Wade will never try to look for her in Chicago. Then you can take the stage with Elizabeth until she is safely on the train. Everyone agreed?”

  Elizabeth sighed, “I agree, but it seems a shame to do this to Mason and two annulments in my life are two too many, but it does seem to be the best course of action.”

  Clay reassured Elizabeth, “This was Mason’s idea. I only asked him for help. He plans on returning home for good this summer. With any luck by then, Wade will settle down, and you can return here back to your family.”

  Elizabeth nodded and smiled.

  Cora looked at Grace and winked. Both women knew this marriage would not end up in an annulment.

  Chapter Two

  Montana Territory

  Wade Hutchison sat at a table in the back of a saloon in a small town in south-east Montana. He lifted the glass to his mouth and threw back the fourth shot of the rotgut whiskey the bartender claimed was their best. Wade didn’t know the name of the saloon or the name of the town, but he didn’t care. All that concerned him was he missed the stagecoach that had carried Lucinda and the rotten gambler who took her away from him.

  Wade brushed off the attentions of the saloon girl that sauntered his way. “I’m busy thinking. Leave me alone,” he growled at the young woman who immediately did as he requested.

  Wade poured another shot and mumbled, “I’m sure the ticket agent knows exactly where Lucinda is headed. South. All he said was the stagecoach was headed south. South can be anywhere.”

  Wade glanced up when a shadow crossed his table and stared into the eyes of a young man dressed in dirty clothes and a slouch hat.

  “What do you want?” Wade slurred.

  “I heard you was askin’ about the pretty lady on the coach.”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “I heard her say where she wanted to go.”

  Wade’s eyes opened wide, and he tried to shake the alcohol’s effect from his brain. “Where?”

  The young man smiled. “What’s it worth to ya?”

  Wade held up the bottle. “Want a drink?”

  The young man shook his head.

  Wade dug into his pocket and placed some money on the table, the young man snatched it up and said, “She told the dandy she was with that since their problem was stayin’ in Montana that she wanted to go home.”

  “Home.” Wade smiled. “Thanks. I know where she’s headed.”

  The young man nodded and left.

  “Home,” Wade said and slammed another shot of whiskey back. “I’ll go home, too. Won’t Lucinda be surprised? I’ll show her and the gambler what a problem I can be.”

  Wade stood and stumbled out of the saloon and mounted his horse. He rode north out of town to head back to his uncle’s ranch. He needed money, supplies, and his belongings before heading back to Wyoming.

  The two-hour ride to the ranch didn’t do a lot to sober Wade, and his uncle met him on the porch of his home.

  “Where have you been?” Wade’s Uncle Burl demanded to know.

  “None of your business. I’m leaving here in the morning. I know where Lucinda is going, and I’m following her and that no good gambler she ran off with,” Wade declared.

  “Wade Hutchison,” Burl shouted. “You know full well you are supposed to remain here until your grandfather sends for you.”

  Wade snorted. “I can go wherever I want whenever I want. Ain’t you or nobody else gonna stop me. The only reason I’m stuck here is the old man thinks I should be punished before I inherit any of his money or part of the ranch. For all I know, he could already be dead, Clay is running everything, and they cut me out.”

  Burl took a step closer and lowered his voice, “My brother isn’t dead. If he were, I’d know it. He wants you here to change your ways and return the man he hopes you can be.”

  Wade shook his head. “Nah, I’ll never be good enough for them. I won’t get a piece of the ranch, but maybe I’ll get Lucinda back. She’s mine and had no right to run off with that gambler. She followed me here when I left Wyoming, and I was good enough for her until that fancy man showed up.”

  “Wade listen, running after that soiled dove if only going to cause you trouble,” Burl said as he stepped off the porch and walked toward Wade who was still sitting atop his horse.

  Wade sat there shaking his head and glaring at his uncle.

  “Listen, son, there’s nothing back there for you in Wyoming until you can show your grandfather that you’ve changed your ways. You’re fortunate that Grace didn’t press charges against you for abducting her.”

  Wade began laughing. “Grace is a lady. She didn’t have the guts to tell the sheriff I hid her in that line shack. She said she forgave me. I think she was more worried that the people in town thought she ran off with me on purpose instead of me stashing her away for a few days,”

  Burl threw his hands up in expiration. “Wade, you had a good life back in Wyoming. You have a family that cares for you. You were to inherit half of the Hutchison ranch. You had a beautiful wife. You threw it all way for greed and a soiled dove.”

  Wade leaned forward in his saddle and grinned at Burl. “That’s right. I got me a wife back home, too. She’ll do until I find Lucinda.”

  “Has the alcohol muddled your brain? You know you’re not married any longer. The judge sent you a copy of your annulment.”

  “I don’t think that’s real. You can’t get an annulment if both people aren’t there. I didn’t sign nothin’. Elizabeth’s still my wife.”

  Burl tried to grab the horse’s reins, but Wade pulled back.

  “I’m done talking to you, Wade. Go on if you want, but I’m going to send your grandfather a telegram in the morning and let him know what you’re up to and maybe he and Clay can put a stop to your foolishness.”

  Wade leaped off his horse, tied the reins to the hitching post, and stormed toward the front door yelling over his shoulder. “Do what you want. I’m getting my stuff and leaving. Maybe if they know I’m comin’, Cora will bake a cake.”

  Wade strode through the house past his aunt without saying a word and rushed up the stairs to his room. He threw his belongings into a large canvas bag and pulled the small tin from under his bed that held his money. He shoved the tin into the bag and hurried back downstairs.

  “I need supplies for my trip,” Wade told his aunt.

  His aunt glared at him and responded, “Not from my kitchen after the way you talked to your uncle and are treating your grandfather.”

  Wade
swore under his breath, gave his aunt a hateful look, and stormed from the house. He ignored his uncle’s warnings as he climbed onto his horse and headed for town.

  The sun had just kissed the horizon when Wade rode into town. He was hungry and debated whether to eat supper at the café or stop at the saloon for a beer and a bowl of whatever stew they had on hand. His good sense won out, and he decided on the café.

  Walking through the doorway, he caught the eye of the lovely red-haired waitress and smiled.

  Abby smiled back and said, “Good evening, Wade. I heard you left town.”

  Wade shrugged. “I came back.”

  “I’m happy you did. What can I get you? Our special is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and biscuits. We have fresh honey for the biscuits if you’d like.”

  Wade nodded, “Sounds good.”

  Abby turned, and then looked back over her shoulder her blue eyes meeting Wade’s. “Coffee?”

  “Yeah,” Wade answered and began to think that maybe he would stay in Montana. He mused; Abby seems to like me. She’s a beautiful girl. Maybe I should stay here and forget about Lucinda and Elizabeth.

  After eating his supper and speaking to Abby for a while, Wade was almost convinced that he’d stay in Montana, work for his uncle, maybe get his own ranch, and court Abby.

  Wade headed for the hotel to get a good night’s sleep before heading back to the ranch to speak with his uncle when he decided a beer would taste good.

  Entering the saloon, he immediately thought of Lucinda. She should be here serving drinks and not off in a stagecoach somewhere with the gambler. He gave up the idea of one beer before bed and ordered whiskey.

  After three shots, Wade forgot about Abby, buying his own spread, staying in Montana, and letting Lucinda live her own life.

  Lucinda told him she loved him. You don’t lie about loving someone.

  The more Wade drank, the more he was convinced that the gambler had stolen Lucinda from him and that she didn’t leave voluntarily.

  As he stumbled his way back to the hotel to sleep, Wade made his decision. As lovely as Abby was, she could never take Lucinda’s place. He’d head back to Wyoming. He’d find Lucinda and have Elizabeth as his wife. He could buy a small ranch and have a wife there to take care of things and buy a saloon for Lucinda. She did like working in the saloon back home. Yes, Wade decided, going home, finding Lucinda, having Elizabeth, and defying his grandfather would make him happy.