Mail-order Stories

My eyes water, as the huge steamer ship brings me closer and closer towards the man I didn't love or even know. Glancing over the huge expanse of water, I glimpse the barely visible strip of land that used to be my home. I chuckle quietly to myself. As if I would ever call it that. The little shack I called home was barely a place to sit, much less lay down. The only reason I was even on this stupid crap of a boat was it said I could win a better life and actually have a future. I don't believe it of course, but a girl could hope right? Besides, it was my last chance. Robin O'Connor is done living the life she was living. The cold, the hardship, dealing with all crap she put up with being a small orphan girl on the streets. She needs a change, and a new grasp on life. This is where she's at. Cedric Lockington is a man in dear need of a wife. Someone strong and can put up with his crap. Someone to love him and look after him. He has never married because of his appearance. Woman seem to dislike him, claiming that it was his personality but he knew it was his looks that put them off. What will happen when these two outspoken and bold individuals come together? Are they compatible or are they wrong for each other? Find out in Loving You Silently

Diana Foster has dreamed of getting away from the crowded streets of Chicago and traveling the country in search of her Happily Ever After. But Diana never would have imagined that her ticket out of the smoggy suburbs would be to join the Mail-Order Bridal Service. And so, the moment Diana is shipped off to her new life on the other side of the country, she embarks on an incredible journey of friendship, passion, hatred, and maybe even love.

THIRD PLACE IN HISTORICAL FICTION - 2020 SOAP AWARDS With nothing to remain for or even forget, Allison Bleeker listened eagerly to the descriptions offered by the agent who encouraged her signature on the marriage contract that would see her travelling west, dreaming of a new start in life with the man who sent for her. The nightmare awaiting her would give her something she would never forget.

All Fiona O'Toole ever dreamed of was running her own millinery shop and seeing her creations worn on the general public. Easier said than done, if you're a woman, and Irish! Sick of being turned down in business just because she happens to be both those things, with nowhere else to turn except to perhaps a brothel, Fiona O'Toole does the unthinkable: she agrees to be a mail order bride, and travels out west to meet her intended, with the hope she'll be able to open that shop as well. Unlucky at love and tired of being alone, Edward Townsend sends away for a mail order bride in search of a perfect match without all the fuss and work of courting. But Edward isn't prepared for the woman who answers his ad, or her lofty ambitions, and what happens next is anyone's guess! Will Fiona be too much woman for the narrow-minded, small town banker, or will Edward be able to tame this "Wild Irish Rose," and in the process perhaps learn something about himself before someone else captures her heart?

Rose McGregor flees the post-civil war south as a mail-order bride, with no other hope than to have a home of her own, a full stomach, and someone to take care of her. She never expected to find more pain and hardship than she's already suffered as her past catches up with her future. Least of all does she expect to find a love far beyond her wildest dreams in the arms of the stranger she has sworn to honor and obey.

Nebraska 1876 Jeremiah Freeman and his family have a prosperous homestead near Gage County, NE. His family was one of the first to file a claim under the 1862 Homestead Act. He and his five remaining son's have worked hard to get to where they are now. But one of his sons, Jacob, is still grieving the lose of his fiancée and younger brother after an influenza outbreak back in 1873. Jeremiah and his wife, Justine, are worried that their son will never come out of his grief. Jacob, knowing his parents are concerned that he'll never marry, decides to send for a mail-order bride back east. Claire Olsen, an orphan from Massachusetts, has been living with an aunt and uncle since her parents death when she was thirteen years old. She see's an ad for mail-order bride's and feels like God is leading her to become one. Jacob and Claire are brought together through a matrimonial agency, and begin to exchange letters. Jacob proposes, and Claire accepts. Once they meet they're neither what the other thought. Can this couple who have different views on faith, reconcile their differences and make their marriage work.

**1st Draft, this will eventually be edited!**

**1st Draft, this will eventually be edited!** "Excuse me sir? Will you please tell me where I can find Mr. Wade?" The man frowned slightly then pointed to the building not far from them "Thank you sir." she said as she quickly fixed her hair and place the hat back on. She took a deep breath and went towards the building that the man had pointed to. She opened the door when load piano music assaulted her ears A Saloon? What would George be doing in a saloon? The saloon was full of only men. Not even saloon girls were in sight. She looked at the man behind the counter he had long blond hair that was curly, he would seem handsome to most, but December didn't want anything to do with a man who worked in a saloon. "May I help you Ma'am?" He asked "Seems you could use a drink." Choosing to ignore that comment December replied "I was looking for Mr. Wade." The man seemed surprised "You're looking at him, what can I do for you?" "You're Mr. Wade?" she asked in shock "As you live and breathe." the man said with a cocky smile "B-but you're not a sheriff...are you?" December asked quietly