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  A Bride for Deke

  The Proxy Brides Book #40

  Marianne Spitzer

  A Bride for Deke

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.

  A Bride for Deke ©2020 Marianne Spitzer

  Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

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  Acknowledgements

  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.

  My editor, Elise, at EMSA Publishing helped me make this book a better read.

  A special thanks to Tammy Lewis for helping choose the name of the family ranch, The Double S, in a contest on the series’ Facebook page, The Proxy Brides Readers Group. Thank you again, Tammy.

  Prologue

  The hotel’s lobby was as clean as twenty-year-old Amalie Brassel could get it. She worked hard after the dining room had closed, and most of the hotel’s guests had retired for the evening. She blew a loose auburn curl out of her eyes and retreated down the hall toward the storeroom.

  Mister Caldwell opened his office door just as Amalie passed and said, “Miss Brassel, would you please come into my office as soon as you’ve put your cleaning supplies away.”

  Amalie groaned to herself and answered, “Yes, sir. Just give me a minute.”

  The sound of the office door closing caused Amalie to sigh, knowing that, once again, she would have to face her new employer and his unwelcome suggestions. She wished Mister Caldwell’s uncle was still the hotel’s owner but wishes alone were not enough to help her deal with the overly ardent young man.

  Two minutes later, she knocked on the door and entered, responding to Mister Caldwell’s call of, “Come in.”

  Amalie closed the door behind her and stood with her hands tightly clenched in front of her.

  “Ah, Miss Brassel—or should I call you Amalie? Have you considered my request?”

  Amalie blushed and nodded. “I have, and I can’t do as you asked, sir. I just can’t.”

  Arthur Caldwell sat behind the large mahogany desk and stared at Amalie. “I told you there would be consequences if you did not accept the offer to warm my bed at my request. You are aware that you are still under contract with the hotel for another six months?”

  Amalie nodded but refused to look at him.

  “Now, I have the legal authority to terminate your employment and ruin your reputation so that you will not find another decent job in this town, but I have found a better solution. I also have the right to sell your contract to another employer. I’ve spoken to Rex Horrison at the new saloon across the river, and he’s looking for working girls for his upstairs enterprise.”

  Amalie gasped and said, “You wouldn’t. How could you do that to me? I just want to work and live my simple life.”

  Mister Caldwell laughed, and it made Amalie’s skin crawl. “You have one week to make up your mind. You will either come to me willingly, or I will sell your services to Rex. One week, Amalie—you decide. Now, leave me.”

  Amalie didn’t respond before turning to rush from the office. She couldn’t do what he wanted, and she’d die before she became a soiled dove. Amalie nearly bumped into her friend, Nate, who was the hotel’s handyman, on her way out.

  Nate reached out and took her arm. “The walls are thin. I heard what Caldwell said to you. Don’t be afraid. I knew he wanted to do something like this when Rex was here for his meeting earlier today, but I think I have an idea. Go to your room, and please try not to worry. I won’t let them hurt you. If all goes well, you’ll be safe in a week’s time.”

  Amalie nodded, whispered, “Thank you,” and hurried to the small room at the back of the hotel that she called home.

  Chapter 1

  Nate Sperling wasn’t exactly sure what he could do to help Amalie out of the situation into which Caldwell had put her, but he knew of one man who might be able to help him find an answer.

  Judge Alexander Evans had been a lawyer and judge since before Nate was born twenty-three years ago. If anyone had an answer, Judge Evans would, and if not, he would know where Nate could find one.

  Nate walked as briskly as his damaged leg would allow and hoped the judge would be in his office. Luck had followed Nate when he found the judge free and in his office.

  “Come in, Nate. Always good to see you. What brings you by?” Judge Evans asked with a smile and an outstretched hand.

  Nate shook the offered hand, sat in a chair across from the desk, and explained the situation.

  “Hmm,” Judge Evans said as he leaned back in his chair. “That is a despicable situation, but unfortunately, Caldwell has the legal right to sell Miss Brassel’s contract; however, Rex would be in the wrong to force her into the life of a soiled dove, but that would be difficult to prove—it would be her word against his.”

  “What can I do to help her? You’ve met her at the hotel. She’s a sweet young woman. She’s had a hard life and doesn’t deserve what Rex has in store for her,” Nate answered.

  “None of the women working for Rex deserve the lives they are living, but most would tell you they are happy as they fear the saloon owners who run their places with an iron fist, and many have brutal associates,” the judge explained. “Amalie needs a legal way to exit Caldwell’s employ, and the only one I can think of is marriage.”

  “Marriage?” Nate exclaimed. “How can we find someone to marry her?”

  “I would suggest you marry her, but I’m afraid that between Caldwell and Rex, you might turn up in the river.”

  Nate nodded. “I wouldn’t doubt that.”

  “No, we need someone whom no one would dare go up against. How about your brother? I can arrange for a proxy marriage. The marriage can be annulled after a short time, but it would at least give Amalie a legal and safe way to leave town, and no one would dare question your brother or injure his wife,” the judge explained.

  “Deke?” Nate stammered. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. He might not agree.”

  “Only one way to find out—send him a telegram and ask him.”

  ~ * ~

  Nate hurried to the telegraph office, knowing he only had a few days to do what he could to help Amalie. He stood there for several minutes before picking up the pencil to write his message:

  Deacon Sperling

  Prairieville Wyoming Territory STOP

  Need help STOP

  Female friend in danger STOP

  Must hide her
immediately STOP

  Judge suggests proxy marriage STOP

  Will you agree to marry her STOP

  Can I send her to you STOP

  Nate

  Caldwell Hotel

  St. Louis Missouri STOP

  Nate walked back to the hotel, wondering what he might say to Amalie. He’d promised that he’d help her and told her not to worry. Could he keep his promise?

  Nate was surprised to find Amalie sitting in the kitchen, sipping a cup of tea.

  “I thought you’d be hiding in your room,” Nate said.

  Amalie shrugged. “He gave me a week. I might as well enjoy my freedom until then. I refuse to work for Rex, so this might be my last week of life. I’ll die before I do what Rex or Caldwell expects.”

  “Don’t worry. I spoke to the judge. He said you could get married and legally break the contract.”

  Amalie smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “How am I supposed to do that? No one would marry me even if they wanted to. They’d be too afraid of Rex.”

  “Not as afraid as Rex would be of my brother. I sent him a telegram, and if he agrees, Judge Evans can marry you in a proxy marriage, and the Sperling name will protect you.”

  “I don’t understand,” Amalie said. “How is a name enough to protect me?”

  “Umm…my brother has a reputation for fighting for what’s right. He’s a powerful man, and no one would dare injure his wife.”

  Amalie bit her lip and stared at Nate. “What, exactly, does your brother do for a living if people fear him?”

  “He’s a rancher, and only men who walk on the wrong side of the law fear him,” Nate explained.

  “A rancher? What else? Is he a lawman?”

  “He was. Now he assists the law whenever he can.”

  “I see.” She paused. “Are you sure this will work?”

  “I hope to find out as soon as he responds to my telegram.”

  As if on cue, a freckled-faced young man entered the kitchen and said, “The desk clerk said I could come back here to give this to you, Nate.”

  Nate gave him a coin, thanked him, and said that if he had a response, he’d walk down to the telegraph office himself, not wanting anyone to hear his plans.

  Nate read the telegram and smiled.

  Nate Sperling

  Caldwell Hotel

  St. Louis Missouri STOP

  Agree to marriage as protection STOP

  Use my name as leverage for protection STOP

  Contact a judge for legalities STOP

  Judge here will complete paperwork STOP

  One condition STOP

  You bring her home STOP

  Deke

  Prairieville Wyoming Territory STOP

  Nate stared at the yellow paper in his hand. There was no way to disregard the meaning of his brother’s words. Deke wanted him to come home, and no matter how much he tried to ignore Deke’s request, he knew it was the only way to help Amalie, although going home was not part of his plan.

  He looked at Amalie and said, “My brother agreed. Pack your things. We’ll see the judge in the morning and leave on the noon train.”

  “Where are we going?” Amalie asked, not sure if the situation would truly help her.

  “Wyoming,” Nate answered.

  “I’ve never been out of St. Louis. Is the West as wild as I’ve heard?”

  “No,” Nate assured her. “Well, parts of it can be, but our ranch is safe, and you’ll like the town and the people.”

  “Then why are you here?” Amalie inquired. “You make it sound good, but you left. If you were unhappy, why do you think I should go besides the fact that I wouldn’t have to work for Rex.”

  “Not working for Rex is enough of a reason, but that doesn’t explain about me. It’s because of my leg. I thought I could do everything when I was sixteen. I tried to break a horse that my pa and brother told me to leave alone, but I wasn’t going to listen. I thought I knew better. They were right. I was bucked off and broke my leg. There was no doctor around, and it didn’t heal right and left me with the stiff leg and limp.”

  “I’m sorry,” Amalie told Nate. “That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

  “When I turned eighteen, my ma and pa caught a fever and passed. That left Deacon and me to take care of the ranch. I knew I wouldn’t be anything but a burden, so I left. Deacon searched and found me, but I refused to go back. I let him know when I settled here, in St. Louis, but I told him I’d never return,” Nate explained with slumped shoulders. “That was six years ago.”

  “And now he wants you to return?”

  “Yes. It was a part of the agreement to provide you with protection.”

  Amalie smiled. “You’d do that for me?”

  “Yeah. We’ve been friends for three years since you came to work here. I can’t let you go to Rex’s saloon as a…as a…well, you know.”

  “I know, and I appreciate this, I really do. I’m just not sure if I should cause you all this trouble. If you don’t want to go home, and you shouldn’t have to just because of me,” Amalie stated.

  “I don’t plan on staying. Once you’re safe and settled, I plan to head out and find a new place to live.”

  “You shouldn’t do that. Your brother sounds as if he wants you to come home regardless of your leg. He must love you.”

  “I’m sure he does, but I still don’t want to be a burden to anyone,” Nate insisted.

  Amalie offered, “Why don’t you wait until we get to Wyoming to make up your mind?”

  “Maybe, I will. I need to see the judge before he goes home for the evening and make the arrangements for tomorrow morning. Go pack, steer clear of Caldwell, and don’t say a word to anyone about our plans.”

  “I won’t. If this works, I’ll be free of both Caldwell and Rex.”

  “It’ll work. Between Deacon and Judge Evans, they’ll make sure it will,” Nate said as he hurried from the kitchen, leaving Amalie to wonder exactly what would occur in the morning.

  Chapter Two

  Amalie and Nate met with Judge Evans at nine o’clock the following morning.

  “It’s good to see you again, Miss Brassel. My wife and daughter are here as witnesses. Do you have any questions about the proceedings, or should we get right to it?” inquired the kindly judge.

  “We can start whenever you wish, sir,” Amalie responded.

  Judge Evans made the introductions, asking Nate for the details.

  “I have a telegram from my brother, Judge. He agrees, and a judge in Cheyenne has completed all the necessary paperwork there.”

  “Excellent,” Judge Evans said. “Now, first, I need to fill out the paperwork. Amalie, do you have a middle name?”

  “Yes, sir. It’s Mary.”

  The judge looked at Nate and asked, “Does your brother have a middle name?”

  “Yes, it’s James, Judge,” Nate answered.

  “Deacon James Sperling…and his residence in Wyoming?”

  Before Nate could respond, Judge Evans's daughter, Grace, exclaimed, “Deacon Sperling? Not Deke Sperling? Are they one and the same?”

  Nate nodded.

  “Oh, my goodness,” Grace gushed as she pulled a small book from her reticule. “Look here. I have one of the latest dime novels from the mercantile, and it’s about your brother: Deke Sperling, Bounty Hunter. I can’t believe you’re his brother, and Amalie is going to marry him. This is so romantic.”

  Amalie paled. “Bounty hunter? You said he was a lawman.”

  “No, I said he assists the law,” Nate defended.

  The judge cleared his throat, “Grace, put the book away. We will discuss this at home later. We’re here to see this young lady married and protected.”

  Grace nodded and slipped the book back into her reticule. “Sorry, Father.”

  The judge shook his head and continued with a simple reciting of vows because he hadn’t felt the need to conduct anything fancy. Amalie signed the papers, and Nate signed for his brot
her.

  “Congratulations, Amalie. You are now Missus Deke Sperling, with all the protection the name provides. Not even Rex would go up against Deke. Nate said the two of you are leaving on the noon train. The sheriff has assured me he will be there to make sure you are not harassed by anyone, although I doubt anyone would try.”

  Amalie wrung her hands and asked, “What do I tell Mister Caldwell? He said I could be arrested if I tried to leave before my contract was fulfilled.”

  The judge handed Amalie her marriage license. “This is your ticket out. As a married woman, the contract is no longer valid. You are under your husband’s protection, and any contract he didn’t sign can no longer be enforced. Show Caldwell the marriage license, and if he rips it up, assure him there is a copy here in my office. Nate will go with you to explain that both the sheriff and I are aware of the situation and your marriage, and if you are accosted for trying to leave town, he will be arrested.”

  Amalie nodded and gave her sincere thanks while doing her best to smile. She was married to a bounty hunter and one that everyone evidently feared. What was she to do? She had to leave town, but to what end?

  Nate escorted her out into the hall, and Grace followed them. She handed the dime novel to Amalie and said, “I can buy another. I think you should learn about the man you’ve married. He sounds wonderful. Good luck.” Grace rushed back into the office when she heard her father shout her name.

  Amalie blew out a breath. “All right. Let’s go tell Mister Caldwell, and then wait at the train station. I’m a bit scared to see him.”

  “I’ll be there, and I’ll explain it all. I am standing in for my brother, after all. I might as well start by protecting you from Caldwell.”

  ~ * ~

  Nate and Amalie hurried back to the hotel, and Nate knocked on Mister Caldwell’s office door.

  “Come in,” Caldwell called.

  Nate opened the door and followed Amalie into the office.

  “What is it?” Caldwell snapped. “I don’t have time to see you two right now, and why aren’t you working?”

  Nate spoke. “We are here to give notice that we both quit and are leaving town today.”