Dorothy Clark - His Substitute Wife

A Convenient Marriage

Blake Latherop needs a wife in order to keep his business, and his betrothed has apparently eloped with another man. So when his fiancée’s sister, Audrey Prescott, steps off the train in Whisper Creek offering to be his bride, he’s in no position to refuse. But it’s hardly the marriage he had in mind.

Audrey knows she shouldn’t have answered Blake’s letters in her sister’s name...but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him of his fiancée’s betrayal. Now the only way to fix things is through a temporary marriage. But as she comes to love her new life in the West, Audrey dreads the day Blake finds another solution to their situation. Because what started as a marriage of convenience has become so much more for her...

“Audrey, wait!”

His hand wrapped around her upper arm, brought her to a halt. “I didn’t notice the flour in your hair until just now when we were talking. It was barely visible. Truly. I was only teasing.”

Blake was so close she could feel his warmth on her back. She glanced at his hand on her arm, so strong yet gentle, and held her breath against the quivering in her stomach, the ache in her throat. “I know. I was only having a...a ‘redhead’ moment.”

“Then I’m forgiven?”

The bell on the door jingled. “Of course. Now, I have bread waiting to be baked, and you have a customer...” She stood quietly, waited for him to release her arm.

“You back here, Latherop?” Garret Stevenson strode through the doorway, came to an abrupt halt. “Oh, sorry, Mrs. Latherop, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Blake’s hand fell away from her arm. She felt him take a step back—no doubt embarrassed to be seen in what could be interpreted as an intimate moment with her. She turned to rescue him. “Not at all, Mr. Stevenson.” The only thing you intruded upon is my foolishness.

Dear Reader,

When, in answer to prayer, the Lord gave me the idea for this new series, I was very excited. The unique twists to the familiar mail-order-bride story that came to me intrigued and motivated me. And the comforting truth behind the premises for the stories inspired me.

I love the idea that God quietly and lovingly guides His children, even when we think we are the ones making all of the decisions. As William Cowper wrote: “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” How calming and reassuring to know that we truly can rest in Him.

And there was another reason the idea for this series excited me—the research. I’ve always wanted to ride one of the old trains and experience the sway of the car, the clickety-clack of the wheels against the track and the faint smell of smoke as the steam engine chugs on its way West. I’m doing that now (in my imagination) as I write.

How about you, dear reader? Would you like to come along on my next journey to Whisper Creek? I understand there is a new resident. That the apothecary will soon be open for business. And there is that reversion clause in the contract...

Thank you, dear reader, for choosing to read His Substitute Wife. I hope you enjoyed Audrey and Blake’s story. I truly appreciate hearing from my readers. If you care to share your thoughts about this story, I may be reached at dorothyjclark@hotmail.comor www.dorothyclarkbooks.com.

Until the next “All aboard” call sounds,

Award-winning author DOROTHY CLARKlives in rural New York. Dorothy enjoys traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research and gaining inspiration for future books. Dorothy believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing stories for Love Inspired. Dorothy enjoys hearing from her readers and may be contacted at dorothyjclark@hotmail.com.

His Substitute Wife

Dorothy Clark

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her...

—Proverbs 31:10–11a

To my first great-grandchild—

may you read this when you are older

and know the joy you have brought to me.

And Sam. Once again. Thank you.

“Commit thy works unto the Lord,

and thy thoughts shall be established.”

Your Word is truth. Thank You, Jesus.

To God be the glory.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming Territory

August 1868

“Next stop, Whisper Creek!”

Audrey Prescott caught her breath. They were almost there! A sharp spasm in her stomach pulled her gaze from the mountains she’d been watching outside the soot-filmed window. More than a few of the soldiers sharing the passenger car on this last leg of her long journey from New York were staring at her with open admiration. Heat crawled into her cheeks. She locked her gaze on the lanky conductor standing just inside the door, his legs splayed against the rocking of the train.

“We’ll be stopping at Whisper Creek long enough to take on water and coal. You’re all welcome to get out and stretch your legs if you’re of a mind to, but we won’t be more than twenty minutes at most, so don’t wander off. The town’s raw and there’s no food available—and no drink. Town’s dry.” The conductor’s piercing gaze slid her direction; a smile warmed his face. “I’ll be unloading your trunks for you, Miss Prescott.” He stepped back outside onto a small platform and closed the door.

Her trunks. Another spasm struck her stomach. What would Blake Latherop think when he saw her standing beside them at the station? The rhythmic clack of the train’s wheels against the rails, the rocking of the car as they rolled down the tracks were suddenly a comfort she did not want to stop. The train swayed around a mountain wall, blasted its whistle, then chugged through a growth of tall pines and entered a long, broad valley. She stared out the window at the vast field of grasses bisected by steel rails, her stomach roiling.

What had she been thinking, coming to Whisper Creek in Linda’s place? Her plan was foolishness—pure foolishness. She winced, opened her purse and withdrew Blake Latherop’s last letter to her sister. The paper shook. She frowned at the display of nerves and scanned the words she’d read so often she knew them by heart.

My Beloved,

At last! My dearest Linda, it is with great joy I write to tell you the construction of my store is finished. The first of the goods and supplies I have ordered came on Tuesday’s train, and I stocked the shelves this very evening. Tomorrow morning, I will hang the Open sign on the door.

My beloved, there is nothing to stand between us now. Our living quarters upstairs over the store are also completed. It is my hope that the furniture I’ve purchased comes in time for me to have it in place for your arrival.