Amanda Read online

  Amanda

  A Needful Bride

  Danni Roan

  Copyright © 2020 Danni Roan

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN: 9798681112051

  Cover design by: Erin Dameron-Hill

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Introduction

  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

  Epilogue

  Books In This Series

  Introduction

  Teddy Lewis has waited long enough to receive his mail-order bride, but she is nowhere to be seen. As impatience mounts, the young cowman doesn’t let an opportunity go to waste when an emergency calls Olive Hampton away, leaving the newest arrival in Needful, Texas entirely on her own.

  Amanda Antonia has lost everything she ever owned and loved when her mother remarries, scandalously soon, after the death of Amanda’s father. Seeking a new start in life and a loving protector of her own, she is soon tossed into the wilds of Texas, utterly unprepared for rowdy cowboys, roaming cattle, and riotous romance.

  Chapter 1

  “Olive! Olive Hampton!” Teddy Lewis came charging into the small town of Needful, Texas, bellowing at the top of his lungs, mere seconds behind the stagecoach from Colbert’s Ferry.

  “Olive!” The young puncher hit the ground before his black and white pinto had come to a stop at the front of the hitching rail. Stomping onto the porch, Teddy bellowed again, “Olive!”

  “Lands sakes,” Olive Hampton opened the door, her dark eyes sharp. “What on earth is the matter with you, Teddy?” The aged, yet slender boardinghouse keeper asked, drying her hands on a dishtowel.

  “Daliah sent me for you. She says she needs you to come to the ranch. Pete’s horse fell on him, and she needs you to help set his shoulder. It’s hangin’ like a broke limb in a winter storm.”

  The young man let his arm dangle at his side as if it were no longer attached to his body in a grotesque parody of the real injury.

  A soft gasp made Olive and Teddy turn as a young woman in a dusty white dress stepped off the stage, her pale blue eyes wide with repulsion.

  “I’ll fetch my things,” Olive said. “Orville will be around with fresh horses for the stage, and then he’ll bring me to the ranch.”

  “Are you Mrs. Hampton?” the petite dark-haired young woman stepped daintily toward the pair. “I’m Amanda Antonia.”

  “Good heavens,” Olive sighed. “I’m afraid you’ve arrived at an inopportune time. If you’ll go into the boarding house and let one of my daughters-in-law know who you are, they’ll fix everything up. I’m afraid I’m needed elsewhere. Excuse me.”

  The sound of galloping horses and the crack of a pistol shot rang out across the town, making the young woman scream and crumple toward the boardwalk.

  Teddy leapt, his strong arms catching the slight form of the pretty woman before she crashed to the hard planks of the boardinghouse front stoop. Her face was pale, her eyes closed, and her body trembled in his hands.

  “Now what?” Olive snapped, spinning and seeing the prone young woman. “Oh my!”

  “You go on, Olive.” Teddy scooped the girl into his arms. “I’ll see to this one. Daliah said she needed you something terrible. Said no one else could understand what she was tellin’ them to do.”

  Olive looked between the cowhand and the corner of the boarding house where her husband was bringing a fresh team of horses for the stage. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. One of the girls will help you with our new arrival.” She shook her head once, then hefted her long skirts and stepped into the street headed for the livery as she called to her husband.

  ***

  “Miss, Miss.” Teddy’s voice was soft as he gazed into the lovely face before him, but the young woman was beyond hearing. She was out in a dead faint, possibly brought on by the rowdy cowboys whooping their way through town. “Now, don’t you worry none,” Teddy drawled. “Ol’ Teddy will look after you.”

  The sound of a buckboard racing away from the livery told Teddy that Olive and Orville were on their way to the ranch, even as the livery hand, Darwin, came to help change horses for the stage.

  Theodore Lewis was on his own to care for the new, probable, Needful bride. Teddy had placed an order for a bride with Olive several months ago, but so far, it seemed that every time a new woman arrived in Needful, another lucky man snatched her up before Teddy had a chance to say howdy-do. A bright glint sparkled in the young man’s eyes, and looking around him, an idea was born.

  Down the street, Theodore Lewis could hear the sheriff shouting at the overly enthusiastic cowboys who had startled this delicate flower, and the stage, now equipped with fresh horses, was headed out of town.

  Lifting the slight form in his arms, Teddy hurried to his pony, slipping a boot into a stirrup and tossing his burden over the saddle swells. Adjusting his seat so that the young woman’s head rested against his breast, he snatched up the bridle reins and laid spurs to his painted horse, dusting it out of town before anyone else could see him with his prize.

  ***

  Teddy didn’t slow until he was close enough to the ranch to see the outbuildings, then he eased his heaving mount to a slow walk, turning toward the old pools and the tiny cabin he had built over the past few months in his spare time. The place wasn’t much, but with a woman’s touch, he was convinced the little place would make a fine home.

  Teddy had arrived in Texas with his former commander, Dan Gaines, now Mayor of Needful, and had made the place his home. War-weary and jaded by all that he had seen, the young man, though youthful in appearance, was old of soul.

  Teddy wanted nothing more than a few head of cattle, a decent horse under him, and someone to love. So far, Olive and Peri, the local matchmakers, had failed to bring him the desire of his heart, but today the Good Lord had seen fit to lay her right in his lap. Maybe he wasn’t the best cowpuncher, the brightest mind, or the best looking man in Needful, but Teddy knew he would make a wonderful husband and provider if given half the chance.

  Flicking his dark eyes to the light burden resting across his knees, Teddy smiled. “You wait and see,” he said. “You’ll find I’m just what you were lookin’ for here in Needful. I have a lot of love to give, a nice little place, and faith that everything will be alright in the end.”

  ***

  “Did you ever see someone put up such a fuss?” Olive sighed, stumbling into the boarding house, hours later, through the back door with Orville on her heels.

  “Now, Olive, Pete was in a good deal of pain,” the tall old man with the shock of white hair ran a hand over his face.

  “I’m not talking about Pete,” Olive snapped. “I’m talking about the other men that were there to help put his shoulder back. They cringed like mice, every time we told them to hold Pete, that arm would have been set much sooner if everyone wouldn’t have worried so about hurting the man.”

 
“Well, Pete is their friend.” Orville’s voice was reasonable, but Olive still shot him a stern look.

  “A moment of pain to set things right is better than suffering for weeks. It’s a good thing you men aren’t the ones having babies,” she added with a grin. “The human race would disappear.”

  Orville chuckled, spinning Olive toward him as he grasped her hand and kissing her on the lips. “You’re a wonder, Olive Hampton,” he grinned, heading to the kitchen to wash up. “I hope supper’s ready. I’m starved.”

  “Arabela?” Olive walked toward the outer kitchen, looking for her daughter-in-law. “Girls, where are you? What have you done with Amanda?”

  “Hello, Mother Hampton," the tall, black-haired beauty greeted. “Who is Amanda?”

  “The new bride who arrived on the stage today,” Olive said, peering into the dining room of the boarding house. “I told her to come to one of you girls, and you’d get her settled. Teddy was there when she arrived.”

  “We have no new guests.” Arabela raised a brow. The woman could appear cold at first glance but was a good and loving wife to her husband and family.

  “Guests?” Ellen Hampton walked into the kitchen, an empty serving tray in her hands, and looked questioningly at her mother-in-law. “We don’t have any new guests. The stage delivered the mail and was gone.”

  “I was on the porch when the girl stepped off the stage,” Olive grumbled. “I saw her with my own two eyes. She can’t have simply disappeared.”

  “She didn’t come in here.” Ellen slipped her long blonde braid over her shoulder. “You don’t think she wandered off, do you? It’s still barely safe for a decent woman to walk through town on her own. Why just this morning, Sheriff Gaines arrested a group of cowboys for shooting their way through Needful.”

  “I’ll check the rooms,” Olive offered wearily, “you send one of the children to the sawmill and ask my sons if they’ve seen a stranger.” The older woman tapped her lip with her index finger. “I’ll send for the preacher as well.”

  “The preacher?” Shililaih, Olive’s third daughter-in-law, stepped into the now crowded kitchen, a pitcher in hand. “Why do we need the preacher?" the pretty strawberry-blonde grinned. “Who’s getting’ married?”

  “Olive lost a bride,” Arbela’s face was passive, but her blue eyes sparkled with delight. “She swears a young woman got off the stage, but none of us have seen her.”

  “What if she was kidnapped?” Shililaih asked excitedly. “Do you want me to fetch Sheriff Spencer?”

  “Shi, don’t be dramatic, “Olive scolded, running a hand over weary eyes. “The girl has probably just wandered off.” Her face grew still as her eyes widened. “No, I don’t think so.” Olive’s dark eyes sparked with realization. “I remember now. Teddy Lewis rode in to tell me Daliah needed my help at the ranch. Amanda, that’s the girl’s name,” she snapped her fingers. “She fainted when those cowboys came whooping through town. Teddy said he’d take care of her.”

  “Then where is she?” Ellen sighed, shaking her head.

  “Exactly!”

  Chapter 2

  Amanda opened her eyes, blinking to bring the room into focus. She had been shot, with an anguished cry she sat bolt upright running her hands over her body to find the bullet hole.

  “Easy there now,” a warm, rich voice washed over her, and Amanda looked up into a man’s strong, handsome, and youthful face.

  “I’ve been shot!” she screeched.

  “No, no, you’re all right. You ain’t been shot. It was just some rowdy cowboys havin’ some fun.” The man smiled, flashing even, white teeth as he knelt before her. “I’m Teddy,” he grinned. “Teddy Lewis.”

  Amanda felt her heart rate begin to slow as she clutched her middle, feeling the nervous jitter in her stomach. “Where am I?”

  “You’re safe.”

  Amanda relaxed a bit at the man’s words. He seemed a nice sort of fellow, though dusty and rather rugged in attire.

  “I was supposed to meet Olive Hampton.” Amanda looked around her again, this time, her brain taking in the simple hut around her. She was sitting on a bench covered in cowhide with the hair still on. “Is this the boarding house?” She looked down into the man’s face as he squatted before her.

  “No, no. Not exactly,” Teddy rose to his feet, abruptly pacing to a fireplace and pouring a cup of coffee. “Here, you drink this. It’ll make you feel better.”

  Amanda reached up, taking the tin cup from his hand, a questioning look in her eyes. “If this isn’t the boarding house,” she asked, taking a sip of the bitter brew, “where am I?”

  Teddy licked his lips, pacing to the door, which stood open, letting in a soft breeze. “Well,” he began, shoving his hands in his back pockets. “You see, when you fainted, I was worried for ya, and so…” he turned, meeting her pale eyes. “Ya, see… I kinda brought you home.”

  “Home?” Amanda’s eyes grew wide as she gazed around her at the four walls and simple appointments. “Whose home?”

  “Mine.”

  Amanda’s hands began to shake, the coffee threatening to spill over onto her dust-bedraggled dress as tears filled her eyes.

  “You brought me to your house,” her voice quivered. “How could you? I’m a single woman alone with a man I’ve never met before. What will everyone think?” A bright tear splashed onto her cheek and Teddy’s heart cracked.

  “It ain’t like that,” he pleaded, running his hands through his light brown hair. “I mean, I know we’re alone, but the door has been open this whole time.”

  “And who knows I’m here?” Amanda asked. “What, what are your intentions?”

  “My intentions?” Teddy’s eyes grew wide. “My intentions are honorable. I assure you. I’d never hurt a woman. I just. Well, I just wanted…”

  “You wanted what?” Amanda’s stomach turned over with fear. Why had this strange man brought her to his home instead of taking her into the boarding house where she would have been safe? What was he playing at?

  “I just wanted a chance to meet you is all.”

  “Meet me!” Amanda’s voice was shrill. “You kidnapped me. What kind of man are you? I came here to be a bride and some crazy cowboy kidnaps me.”

  “It’s ain’t like that,” Teddy raised his hands as if in surrender. “See, Olive promised me a bride, but every time a new girl comes to town she’s married before I hardly even knew it. I just wanted a couple of minutes alone with you, so you’d know who I am.”

  Amanda’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes met his. He seemed so sincere, yet his behavior was beyond inappropriate.

  “I’m sorry for your troubles,” she said, standing on shaky legs, “but what you did was wrong. You’ve put me in a terrible situation. What man is going to want me knowing I’ve spent an afternoon in your accommodations, completely alone?” Fresh tears spilled over, dampening her cheeks, and Amanda felt her hopes evaporate in the hot Texas sun. “I’m ruined.”

  “No, no, you ain’t.” Teddy stepped up, placing his hands on her shoulders, removing them quickly when she cringed. “I guess I wasn’t thinkin’,” he admitted. “I just saw a chance and took it. There you were, pretty as a picture, the most lovely girl I ever did see, and you was alone and helpless. I figured it wouldn’t hurt if I brought you to the ranch for a minute, so’s we could get to know each other.”

  “Well, it was wrong of you,” Amanda sniffed, wringing her delicate hands. “I’m leaving.” She shuffled toward the door keeping an eye on the young man to see if he would try to stop her. Emboldened by his look of chagrin, Amanda slipped through the door and out into the bright sunlight of a late summer’s day.

  Gazing around her, Amanda spotted a well-worn trail and stepped out boldly, hoping it would lead her back to town and the safety of the Hampton’s lodging.

  Teddy studied the tips of his scuffed boots for several seconds, his thoughts muddled as the implications of what he had done struck home. He hadn’t meant to cause probl
ems for the newly arrived young woman. He had wanted to meet her was all. What harm was there in bringing her here? All the ranch hands were respectable, or at least well behaved after Dan Gaines had laid down the law to them.

  Everyone knew Teddy Lewis to be a hard-working, upstanding member of Needful, Texas, a dependable, law-abiding, and God-fearing young man. No one would think the worst of him having Miss Amanda in his home.

  Teddy scratched his head, pondering the issue. It looked like his bright idea had not gone to plan. Instead of impressing the young woman, he had frightened her away.

  Everything seemed to snap into focus as Teddy’s head jerked up. Where had she gone? He had thought she had simply stepped out onto the tiny porch of his cabin, but now she was nowhere to be seen. Snatching his hat from its peg, Teddy smashed it onto his head and strode out into the open prairie around him.