Kathryn Albright - The Prairie Doctor's Bride

Wedding bells in Oak Grove...

Raising her son alone, penniless Sylvia Marks has had enough of being the subject of town gossip. But when her son is seriously injured she’ll do anything to save him...even kidnap handsome Dr. Nelson Graham!

Nelson knows what he wants in a wife; she’s to be amiable, biddable and skilled in domestic chores. Gun-toting Sylvia Marks isn’t what he had in mind, but as the two are forced together he realizes she’s exactly what he needs!

“Climb in the back.”

Nelson took hold of the edge of the wagon and then paused. “You do realize that this is kidnapping?”

Sylvia shut out the twinge of guilt she felt. Tommy was all that mattered. “Can’t be helped.”

“I could shout. Call out for help.”

“Everyone is at the town hall. There’s no one around to hear you.”

“You’ve planned this well.” He swung himself into the wagon bed. “If I forced your hand they would hear a gunshot—”

“I don’t think you want to take that chance, now, do you, Doc? I been living off the land most my life. I don’t miss what I aim for.”

“I see your point.”

“Now, lay down on your back.”

“I hardly think that is neces—”

She threw a tarp over him. “I’m in charge here, in case you ain’t noticed. Now, no more shenanigans. I never heard someone talk so much during a kidnapping.”

“So this is a common occurrence?”

“Ya gotta come with me, Doc,” she said softly, mostly to herself. “I can’t give you no choice in the matter.”

Her heart hurt, tight with remorse. It wasn’t right, her using him this way—especially after he’d done her a good turn a few days back at the mercantile—but it couldn’t be helped. Tommy came first, despite how guilty she felt about forcing the doc.

She snapped the reins. “Get up, Berta!”

Author Note

My life before writing full-time entailed years as a professional nurse. I drew on that background in writing about Dr Graham and his medical practice in 1880. Medicine in the United States at that time was in its infancy. In Boston, where Dr Graham attended school, medical education consisted of going to lectures by part-time instructors and taking an exam at the end. All that was required to start that school was payment for the individual lectures and a high school diploma. Things have certainly changed!

I was fortunate to have in my life a ‘city’ grandmother and a ‘country’ grandmother. Sylvia Marks is the embodiment of my country grandmother in her can-do attitude, her generosity, love of family and common sense. I remember going with my grandmother as she delivered fresh eggs from her chickens to all her neighbours along the long country road where she lived, visiting with each for a moment to catch up on their lives and their families—no phones! She truly cared about and enjoyed people.

Sylvia Marks has had to work hard, homesteading a patch of Kansas dirt with her son, using nothing but common sense and optimism. When she encounters Dr Graham sparks fly. I hope you enjoy this story, in which opposites attract.

The Prairie Doctor’s Bride

Kathryn Albright

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KATHRYN ALBRIGHT writes American-set historical romance for Mills & Boon. From her first breath she has had a passion for stories that celebrate the goodness in people. She combines her love of history and her love of stories to write novels of inspiration, endurance and hope. Visit her at kathrynalbright.comand on Facebook.

Books by Kathryn Albright

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

The Rebel and the Lady

Wild West Christmas

‘Dance with a Cowboy’

Western Spring Weddings

‘His Springtime Bride’

Mail-Order Brides of Oak Grove

‘Taming the Runaway Bride’

The Prairie Doctor’s Bride

Heroes of San Diego

The Angel and the Outlaw

The Gunslinger and the Heiress

Familiar Stranger in Clear Springs

Christmas Kiss from the Sheriff

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk.

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Dedicated to my Grandma Gladys,

a heroine herself in all her optimism,

common sense, generosity and love of family.

And to my father, a man who inherited

the best of her traits.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Wedding bells in Oak Grove... Raising her son alone, penniless Sylvia Marks has had enough of being the subject of town gossip. But when her son is seriously injured she’ll do anything to save him...even kidnap handsome Dr. Nelson Graham! Nelson knows what he wants in a wife; she’s to be amiable, biddable and skilled in domestic chores. Gun-toting Sylvia Marks isn’t what he had in mind, but as the two are forced together he realizes she’s exactly what he needs!

Introduction “Climb in the back.” Nelson took hold of the edge of the wagon and then paused. “You do realize that this is kidnapping?” Sylvia shut out the twinge of guilt she felt. Tommy was all that mattered. “Can’t be helped.” “I could shout. Call out for help.” “Everyone is at the town hall. There’s no one around to hear you.” “You’ve planned this well.” He swung himself into the wagon bed. “If I forced your hand they would hear a gunshot—” “I don’t think you want to take that chance, now, do you, Doc? I been living off the land most my life. I don’t miss what I aim for.” “I see your point.” “Now, lay down on your back.” “I hardly think that is neces—” She threw a tarp over him. “I’m in charge here, in case you ain’t noticed. Now, no more shenanigans. I never heard someone talk so much during a kidnapping.” “So this is a common occurrence?” “Ya gotta come with me, Doc,” she said softly, mostly to herself. “I can’t give you no choice in the matter.” Her heart hurt, tight with remorse. It wasn’t right, her using him this way—especially after he’d done her a good turn a few days back at the mercantile—but it couldn’t be helped. Tommy came first, despite how guilty she felt about forcing the doc. She snapped the reins. “Get up, Berta!”

Author Note Author Note My life before writing full-time entailed years as a professional nurse. I drew on that background in writing about Dr Graham and his medical practice in 1880. Medicine in the United States at that time was in its infancy. In Boston, where Dr Graham attended school, medical education consisted of going to lectures by part-time instructors and taking an exam at the end. All that was required to start that school was payment for the individual lectures and a high school diploma. Things have certainly changed! I was fortunate to have in my life a ‘city’ grandmother and a ‘country’ grandmother. Sylvia Marks is the embodiment of my country grandmother in her can-do attitude, her generosity, love of family and common sense. I remember going with my grandmother as she delivered fresh eggs from her chickens to all her neighbours along the long country road where she lived, visiting with each for a moment to catch up on their lives and their families—no phones! She truly cared about and enjoyed people. Sylvia Marks has had to work hard, homesteading a patch of Kansas dirt with her son, using nothing but common sense and optimism. When she encounters Dr Graham sparks fly. I hope you enjoy this story, in which opposites attract.