A Mail Order Bride for the Fur Trader: Joy & Henry (Love by Mail #3)(2)

Joy gasped. Maybe she finally found her dream husband. She did get less calls in the last few months since she’d turned down that grubby farmer. A wealthy merchant wasn’t as good as a noble, but she figured she might need to tone her ambitions down a little. After all at nineteen, nearly twenty, she wasn’t getting any younger.

“Wait here.” Her mother disappeared into the bedroom, then came back carrying a large, gift-wrapped box. “Here, open it.”

Joy pulled at the ribbon, tore away the paper and pulled the lid off the box.

“Oh, Ma, it’s amazing!” Joy squealed as she pulled out the fine purple dress.

“Isn’t it?”

“And a hat! There’s a hat! It looks just like the one Virginia’s mother wore to church. This is a Godsend.” She pressed the dress to her chest and turned to her mother. “Who is it, Ma? Who’s asking for my hand?”

Her mother giggled. “Earnest Karth!”

Earnest Karth... Earnest... “Wait, did you say Earnest Karth?”

“Yes! Dear Earnest was so determined to court you that he sent these gifts ahead. And he’ll be coming to Redemption in a few weeks’ time!”

Joy’s mouth opened. “No! It can’t be! Anyone but Earnest!”

“Now Joy, we’ve talked about this.” Ma gave her a serious look and crossed her plump arms. “What’s wrong with Earnest?”

“Everything!” Joy’s cheeks burned. “I don’t like him. In fact, I think he’s no better than a highwayman!”

Her mother gasped, and clutched the front of her blouse.

“Joy Marissa Fletcher! Enough is enough! You’re being unreasonable. You can’t turn everyone down hoping one day to find a prince. You spend too much time with those girls putting silly notions in your head. At this rate, you’ll be a spinster and who’ll take care of you then?”

Joy rolled her eyes and dumped the dress back in the box. “I’d rather be a spinster than take Earnest to be my husband.”

Ma shook her head.

“Silly girl, I’ve had enough of this fuss. You had plenty a chance to make up your mind, and now your father and I have decided. You’ll be marrying Earnest Karth and that’s that.”

“But I’m not in love with Earnest!” Joy crossed her arms and turned her back on her mother.

Ma placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“Love comes with time Joy, pray to the Lord, and you will find your happiness.”

Joy twirled around. “Except that I definitely won’t be happy with that - that despicable man!”

“Stop telling fables, lassie.” Ma sighed. “I have not heard one bad word about Earnest. He can provide for you! When your father and I are no longer on this earth, you’ll have no one to take care of you, but your husband. If only your brother and sister hadn’t died in the womb...”

“Oh, Ma.” Joy hated when her mother brought up the stillborn twins. “I do want to find a husband, but not Earnest.”

But her Ma wasn’t listening. “I’m sure you just need to give the boy a chance.”

With those final words she left Joy alone.

Her fate was sealed and a dark pit formed in Joy’s stomach. She shook her head. She would not marry Earnest. Not after what she saw, not after what he did to Margaret. But maybe her mother had a point. There was one thing Joy could do. She could pray.

Joy pulled out her white leather bound bible from the drawer next to her bed and knelt of the soft rug. Yes, if anyone could help her now it was the good Lord, she thought as she closed her eyes and prayed.

*

But her mother did not miraculously change her mind overnight. Joy relaxed into the rocking chair. The breeze on the porch was a welcome respite from the heat.

No, her mother would not budge. And not for Joy’s lack of trying. She prayed harder than ever before and several times a day. Still, two days had passed and no other suitor called.

Joy rocked back and forth in the chair watching passersby stroll down the street. The afternoon sun cast an orange glow on their faces. Joy’s eyes lingered on a woman, someone unfamiliar, carrying a paper bag. A little boy, Jackie Miller, running from the opposite direction bumped right into her.

“Oh, sorry, Ma’am,” he said. “D’ja need help? Here let me carry that for you.”

Without waiting for a reply, he took the woman’s paper bag. Joy rolled her eyes.

“Oh, thank you so much,” the woman said, blushing under her bonnet.

“Stop right there, Jackie!” Joy got up from her chair. The little rascal may have fooled that woman, but Joy was wise to his ways. She walked towards the pair and crossed her arms at the boy. “Give that back.”

The woman looked at Jackie, then at Joy. “Wha -?”

The boy pouted, then presented an apple in his open palm. “I was just lookin’ for a snack.”

“Then ask your mother,” Joy said. The boy sniffed, and her face softened. “Weren’t you listening to the sermon last Sunday? Remember, we don’t take other people’s belongings.”

Joy took the apple, placed it back in the paper bag and gave it back to the woman.

“What do we say?” Joy glared at Jackie.

“Sorry, ma’m.” He blurted, turned on his heels and ran.