A Contest for Christmas Read online

  Two spinsters down and two to go, but only one mystery groom left.

  A Contest for Christmas

  Spinster Mail Order Brides

  Book 24

  By

  Patricia PacJac Carroll

  A Contest for Christmas Spinster Mail Order Brides Book 24

  Copyright © July 2020

  Published by Patricia PacJac Carroll

  ALL rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, (except for inclusion in reviews), disseminated or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or audio. Including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, or the Internet/World Wide Web without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Cover Designer: Virginia McKevitt

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  A Contest for Christmas

  Spinster Mail Order Brides

  Book 24

  Chapter 1

  Kate waited nervously in the small room at the front of the church while Adelaide, Diane, and Mary Louise fussed over her dress and the laced veil in her hair.

  Adelaide stepped back. “Perfect. Oh, Kate, you’re the first of our Thursday Night Ladies Club to walk down the aisle.” She looked at Mary Louise. “You’ll be next as soon as Christmas comes.”

  Diane sobbed into her hanky. “I’m so happy. You’re beautiful, Kate.”

  “Thank you, Ladies. I have to admit, I doubted this day would ever come.” Kate hugged Adelaide, who was closest to her.

  Adelaide sighed. “And you captured the first Mystery Groom. Peter is so handsome and looks so happy. And it is so cute to see John standing with him.”

  Kate put a hand to her heart. “This is the happiest day of my life. I’m getting a husband and a son.”

  Diane went to her and hugged her. “They are getting a wonderful wife and mother. When is the new schoolteacher coming?”

  Kate smoothed out her dress. “Peter said sometime before the fall. I’ll finish out the spring semester. It’s only a few more weeks.”

  Adelaide nodded. “And then you’ll go on your honeymoon?”

  Kate blushed. “Yes, Peter is taking me to San Antonio. John is staying with Claire, and then when we come home. Then, we’re all going to visit Peter’s parents. They’re in Virginia close to Washington D. C.”

  Diane sighed. “His father is a congressman. That is such a blessing. Think of all the history you will see.”

  Kate smiled. “As a teacher, I am thrilled. First, I’ll see the Alamo and then Washington D. C. and all the historical sights. It’s a dream come true, but the best part is Peter.”

  The music began to play, and Adelaide led Diane out of the room to find their seats.

  Kate peeked out the door and saw Peter. He was so handsome, and as soon as she began walking down the aisle, she could see the love in his eyes for her.

  Mary Louise smiled at Sheriff Kirk Taylor as he stood next to the groom. He grinned at her. She couldn’t wait for the months to go by before they would be married. He’d let her pick the date. She had always wanted a Christmas wedding, so they would marry December 24th.

  Soon, Kate took Peter’s hand, and the preacher bound their hands together with a white ribbon. “Folks, we are gathered here to celebrate the wedding of Kate Mulvaney to Peter Gabriel.”

  The preacher smiled at John. “And after that, I will acknowledge the adoption of John Houseman into the new family as John Gabriel. Son of Kate and Peter Gabriel.”

  The boy grinned.

  “Peter Gabriel, do you take this woman to be your wife and pledge to love and honor her, provide for and protect her, all the days of your life?”

  “I do.”

  “Kate, do you take Peter to be your husband. To love and honor, respect, and care for her all the days of your life?”

  “I do.”

  “I now pronounce you as husband and wife. And I also pronounce John as the adoptive and henceforth the legal son of Kate and Peter Gabriel. John Gabriel.”

  “Peter, you may kiss your bride.”

  Peter gathered her in his arms and kissed her tenderly, pledging his life and love to her forever.

  Kate returned his kiss. And then John went to them, and they all hugged as a family.

  Adelaide sighed. “That was lovely.”

  Diane nodded. “Yes, it was.” She turned to look, but Mary Louise was already in the sheriff’s arms. “Oh, Adelaide, it’s just us left. And only one mystery groom. Although now, he’s not much of a mystery. Angus let the secret out after he sent that last letter to the paper.”

  Adelaide grinned. “Yes, he did, didn’t he? Well, at least we have one man still looking for a bride.”

  “But which one of us will win?”

  Adelaide looked at her. “The right one.”

  Chapter 2

  Adelaide straightened the counter at her dress shop. Business had been good for the past three weeks. Seems many had wanted to dress up for Kate and Peter’s wedding. Now, however, there wasn’t a bit of work to be done. Yet, the bills still came due.

  She glanced at the back where Diane was putting in a hem for Mrs. Heart. Actually, Diane was letting out the seams as the mayor’s wife had outgrown her new skirt. But to make it sound less embarrassing, she’d requested the hem to be let out and resewn.

  Adelaide picked up the paper and gazed at the latest Mystery Groom letter. Why Angus continued to sign it mystery groom was beyond her. Both she and Diane knew it was him.

  Dear Ladies,

  I’m ready to meet my bride. I want a sturdy woman who is not afraid of hard work. A pretty lass, she shall be, and I will treat her like a lady. I have a lovely house. I am well established and will provide for my bride as if she were a princess.

  I’m looking forward to the social. I’ll be waiting for you to ask me to dance.

  Mystery Groom.

  Diane had come from the back and was reading over her shoulder. “Well, I hardly think I qualify.” She looked at Adelaide. “You meet all his requirements.”

  “Ach. I am not pretty or a lass. I don’t know why he thinks some pretty young thing would be interested in him with his kilt and knobby knees.”

  Diane laughed. “You’re right. I remember him in that kilt. Do you like him, Adelaide?”

  “I really don’t know him very well. What about you?”

  “Same. I guess we should get to know him and decide if he is husband material.”r />
  The door opened, and Jennifer Grant walked in. “Hi, ladies. The wedding was lovely, wasn’t it?”

  Adelaide stared at her. “Yes. It was.” She hated to admit it, but Jennifer fit what Angus was looking for. Pretty, younger by a few years, but still close to spinster age.

  They’d rescued her from a town gone bad. The Thursday Night Ladies Club had gone on an excursion that hadn’t turned out so well. One of their destinations, the little town of Dry Springs, had been taken over by a gang of ruthless men. They had held Jennifer prisoner, and she had escaped from the hotel. Mary Louise had rescued her at great peril to the rest of them and the sheriff.

  Later, the sheriff and his men had helped free the town from the gang and dispatched them straight to jail. They’d found two more women who had been held prisoner and set them free. Jennifer had stayed in Lone Oak and joined the Thursday Night Ladies Club. The other two women had gone to their homes in other towns.

  Well, Adelaide wasn’t giving up and handing Angus over to Jennifer without a fight. She’d get to Angus and let him see what a match she would make for him.

  “Are you ladies going to the social this Friday?” Jennifer picked up a piece of material.

  Diane stared at her. “Yes, of course.”

  Jennifer looked at them. “I thought I might go. If I could go with you. Would that be all right?”

  Adelaide darted a glance at Diane. Her friend shrugged. “Yes, that would be fine. We try to get there a little bit early.”

  Jennifer nodded. “Why is that?”

  Adelaide stared at her. She didn’t know. She just always wanted to be on time. “I like to be there and see who comes.”

  “I see. That’s a good idea.” Jennifer looked at a blouse. “Claire has been so kind to me, letting me stay in the boarding house, but I am going to have to find a job. Do you need any help here at the dress shop?”

  Adelaide shook her head. “No, I can’t say that I do. I was just thinking to myself how slow it’s been. You might try Trent’s General Store.”

  “I will. Thank you. In fact, I’ll go right now. I need to pick the pieces of my life up and do what I can. Thank you again for letting me sit with you at the social Friday.” Jennifer looked longingly at the blouse and then left.

  Yet, Adelaide had seen a gleam in the woman’s eyes. For some reason, she didn’t trust Jennifer. Adelaide felt shallow and knew the woman had really wanted that blouse. But Adelaide had a business to run. She couldn’t be going around giving her clothes away.

  Diane sighed and looked sadly at the door. “Adelaide, I think Jennifer really wanted that blouse. Should we have given it to her?”

  “No, we shouldn’t have given it to her. It is sad what she went through in Dry Springs, but that wasn’t our fault, and we were the ones to rescue her.”

  “I do feel sorry for her.” Diane chewed on her bottom lip. “But, Addy, isn’t it bad enough that you and I are going to have to fight over Angus without adding Jennifer? She’s prettier than either one of us.”

  Adelaide felt her head nodding before she had a chance to stop. “We aren’t going to think that way. Angus knows that we’re the two he should choose from. I hope he does anyway.”

  Diane faced her. “What about us? How are we going to conduct ourselves in a fair manner? You’re taller than me. Own a business. I can’t compete with that.”

  “Angus didn’t ask if you owned anything. He wants a nice-looking woman who works hard.”

  “That doesn’t sound like either one of us. Does he want us to herd cattle?”

  Adelaide stared at her. “I hope not. I don’t know anything about cattle.”

  Diane smiled. “Maybe we should learn.”

  “Why would we do that?”

  “In one word, Jennifer.” Diane leaned against the counter. “She may have been held captive, but that time is over, and she is looking for a man to take care of her. I can see it in her eyes. She’s going to the social. Why else would she go?”

  “Good point.” Adelaide tapped on the counter. “We could talk to Fred and get him to tell us all about cattle.”

  “Fred? He’s married.”

  Adelaide grinned. “And his new wife needs clothes. So, we go out to take measurements for the dress we’re making for her.”

  “Her complimentary dress?”

  Adelaide nodded. “Yes, as a wedding present. We have to do something. That or Jennifer will get her hooks into Angus as sure as we are standing here doing nothing.”

  Diane groaned. “Then where would we be. As it is, one of us will be left behind. Oh, I hope it’s not me, but I can’t bear to think it’s you either.”

  “You are a sweet one, Diane. I will remember that. But you and I are in a contest to gain the attention of Angus McDonald, the last mystery groom in Lone Oak. You need to remember that. So, while we are best friends, we will have to compete with one another.”

  “Yes, I understand. I don’t like it, but Angus is ours and not Jennifer’s. Even if she is the pretty one.”

  “Stop it, Diane. We are pretty.”

  “We are?”

  “Yes, we are. You are pretty with your dark red hair. And those green eyes. Why any man would want to look deeply into those pools of green.” Adelaide nodded for emphasis.

  Diane smiled. “And look at you. You’re tall, strong, and not afraid of anything.”

  Adelaide stared at her friend. “Thank you. But we are going to have to prove ourselves to Angus. To help choose one of us. As you said, we can’t hand him over to Jennifer.”

  “How do we prove to Angus that we are the one for him?” Diane sat on the divan by the window. “I don’t know anything about ranches or cows.”

  “We can learn. Mr. Landers keeps a couple of cows in his pens in the back.”

  Diane stared at her. “And what would we do with them? They scare me.”

  Adelaide shook her head. “We learn what to do with them. We can find someone to help us.”

  “Maybe Mr. Landers. Too bad he’s not younger, or he could be one of our men.” Diane twirled a lock of her hair around a finger. “I have a bad feeling about us, Adelaide.” Diane peeked out the window. “Jennifer is walking to the store.”

  Adelaide joined her at the window.

  “She walks differently than we do, and I just saw the mayor do a double-take when she walked past him.” Diane sighed. “Maybe we need to ask Jennifer how to walk the way she does. I don’t think we’ll learn that from the cows.”

  Adelaide watched as Jennifer swayed back and forth on her way to Trent’s store. Diane was right. The men who saw her stopped and turned to watch her. Jennifer definitely had their attention.

  “Yes, we can do that, too. I think I have a book on proper etiquette.” Adelaide stood to go and look in her books in the back.

  Diane shook her head. “I don’t think my body can do that. Oh, what’s the use.”

  “Now, now. We cannot give up. I don’t think Jennifer would like Angus.”

  “She’s desperate, Addy. She’ll go after him. Mark my words, the woman will have Angus following after her like a lovesick calf.” Diane stood and tried to walk like Jennifer.

  Although she had no intention of laughing, Adelaide found herself chuckling. “Diane, let me find the book, and we’ll work on our walk.” Adelaide glanced out the window and then turned and strutted to the back.

  Diane laughed out loud. “I’m sorry. But you look more like a proud chicken than Jennifer.”

  Adelaide scowled. “You didn’t have to laugh so loud.”

  “You laughed at me. Besides, maybe we have other qualities we can show Angus. I have heard that men like food, and their hearts live in their stomachs. So, I think I’ll cook him up a wonderful dinner. I can cook.” Diane grinned at her and winked.

  “Well, Diane. I don’t think I’ve seen that side of you before. But yes, I do believe you’re onto something. I have Scottish blood in my veins. My Granna taught me how to do the Scottish dance that lasses do in Sco
tland.”

  “Oh, good, Addy. That should win you points.” She picked up a pad of paper and put a pencil to her lips. “As long as one of us wins the mystery groom, that is what counts.”

  Adelaide sighed. “But we aren’t going to tell Jennifer about the contest. It’s our secret.”

  Tapping the pencil on the paper, Diane nodded. “That is until she reads the newspaper and sees the letter in the paper.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. We better get to work.” Adelaide glanced in the mirror and wondered what kind of chance she’d really have with Angus.

  Chapter 3

  Angus walked with a faster step than usual. It was a bright day, and he’d just read his mystery groom letter in the newspaper. He was sure to stir up a couple lasses with his words. After the success of Peter and Kirk with finding their women, Angus was sure he would find his.

  He was ready. The ranch was doing well, and the herd was growing. Yet, the nights were getting longer and lonelier. It was time. His Granda had told him not to wait too long to find a wife or life would leave him old and sitting alone.

  Angus wanted a woman to love and children at his knee. He prayed he’d not waited too long, but he’d wanted to work hard to have something a woman would want. Besides, he knew that he would catch the eyes of the unattached females around Lone Oak once he got serious.

  There weren’t that many. Two had already been picked up by Peter and Kirk. They were pretty lasses, but not for him. He wanted a sturdy girl who wouldn’t be afraid of the rancher’s life. Right now, he could count three women who might meet his needs.

  There was Adelaide Stewart, who owned the dress shop. She was an enterprising woman with her own business. Tall and stalwart, she didn’t look like she’d be afraid of anything. And to be honest, he found that a bit intimidating. Not that he was a small man, but he didn’t want a woman who would want to rule his ranch. A man needed to be king of his castle.