The Unbridled Bride — Leah Atwood

Lyle Galveston sent for a bride, sending whispers through the town of Pine Prairie, Wyoming. In the eyes of everyone, he had it all; a successful ranch, natural good looks and charming (if not a bit arrogant) personality. Why send away for a mail-order bride when he could have his pick of the eligible women in town?

No one was prepared for Winifred "Winnie" McArthur. Outspoken, daring and unconventional, she was everything Lyle wanted and couldn't find in Pine Prairie. There was only one problem. While she gave her all to everything else, she kept a tight rein on her emotions, disallowing a relationship with Lyle beyond work.


Are they destined to be nothing more than colleagues or is a greater relationship in store for the rancher and his mail-order bride?

Please enjoy this family friendly, sweet, historical, mail-order bride western love story of 50 pages.

***EXCERPT***

A crowd was already gathered at the depot. Only a few of those present had loved ones arriving. Mrs. Wilson's sister was arriving for an extended stay, as was Caleb Smith's mother. Jane Little was to be returning to Pine Prairie after spending six months in Ohio caring for her elderly father, who'd passed away several weeks ago. A small portion of the people were here to meet the new women, but the majority of them wanted to meet Winifred McArthur, the mail-order bride.

The older women wanted to see what this woman could possibly offer that their daughters couldn't. The young women looked on coyly, perhaps with a twinge of jealousy and a bit of awe, to view the woman who'd claimed the town's most eligible man. And the men waited in anticipation; if Lyle's bride was a keeper then it might be an idea to consider for themselves.

Jane Little was the first to step from the train onto the wooden platform. Her husband greeted her with a brief embrace before others stepped forward to offer their condolences. The remaining passengers whose stopping point was Pine Prairie disembarked, but Lyle still saw no one matching Winnie's description. Scanning the area, he looked to see if he'd somehow missed her.

A collective gasp rang from the crowd. Hands covered mouths, ineffectively trying to conceal shock. Prim and proper Marsha Franks fanned herself rapidly. Nancy Radcliffe, the mayor's wife, snorted in disgust. Men dropped their jaws in disbelief. Like Moses parting the red sea, the crowd separated leaving a clear path from Lyle to…Winnie?

Looking straight ahead, Lyle's gaze collided with the most stunning woman he'd ever seen. Her hair was the color of wheat, highlighted by the late afternoon sun. Perfectly shaped eyebrows rested above expressive eyes so light a blue they may have been gray. Lowering his gaze, his mouth curled to a smile in undisguised enjoyment. When his gaze traveled back up and met his betrothed's, he had the distinct feeling his life was about to become a whole lot more interesting.