Bethany House Publishers
297 pages
December 17, 1884
Emily McCarthy was raised in an orphanage in Chicago, and when she turned 18, there was no place for her, as younger children needed her room. It was suggested, strongly, that she go to Montana and marry a weathy widower, Bart Axel, who had advertized in the Chicago Daily Tribune for a wife. Unable to find a teaching position, or any other job, she finally sees no alternative, and gets on the train, heading west.
Billings Montana, December 24, 1884
Luke Sullivan is heading to the place where he was raised, when he overhears a lawyer talking about a 'package' he is to deliver to Bart Axel, a man who had cheated his father out of his land and money, in a crooked card game, 20 years earlier. Luke decides to take the money back, that was stolen from his father, so he stops the stage coach, and relieves the lawyer of $1,000.00, giving him back the rest. When Emily sticks her head out, and it is announced that she is Axel's future wife, Luke decides to save her from marrying a 60+ year old man, who's last wife had died under mysterious circumstances.
Emily thinks he has taken her to sell her to a house of ill repute, imagine her surprise when she reads the name plate near the door New Hope Foundling and Orphan Asylum. Christmas Day Bart Axel shows up to claim his bride to be, but finds she isn't quite willing to go with him. When he says he'd given the orphanage in Chicago $300, Luke pays him the money back, and invites him to leave.
This book was a very pleasant surprise, I think Yvonne Harris has taken what could have been a typical western story, and made it very much a story that should appeal to everyone who loves a good book.
I was provided a free copy of this book to read and review. No other compensation was given. I am not required to write a favorable review, and all opinions expressed here are my own.
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