Mission: Children
Rounding up a gaggle of orphans isn’t Wyatt Reed’s specialty. Still, the bounty hunter is being paid handsomely to bring these children from Evans Grove to the next town. And then he sets eyes on one pigtailed, pint-sized complication, and the beautiful widow who needs his help.
Charlotte Miller’s marriage lacked love, but at least it gave her the right to adopt little Sasha. Now without a husband, she can’t be a mother. Wyatt agrees to be her groom-for-hire—only until Sasha is hers. But the man who couldn’t wait to leave town is finding unexpected reasons to stay…and glimpsing a future surpassing any fortune he’s known.
“I won’t lose my daughter.
I’ll do anything to keep her.”
Wyatt flinched and looked away. “I’m sorry. I tried my best.”
“I know.” Charlotte boldly grasped his arm, forcing his gaze back to her. “Thank you.” The time had come. “Will you help me again?”
Confusion clouded his expression. “How?”
She opened her bag and pulled out the wallet. “Charles left me some money. Whatever Mr. Baxter paid you, I’ll pay double.”
He pulled back. “It’s not that simple.”
“Of course it is.”
“No, it’s not. The Orphan Salvation Society has an agreement with Greenville. If the judge rules that the children must go to Greenville, then I have no choice but to take them.”
Charlotte shook her head. He didn’t understand. “I’m not talking about all the children. I’m talking about Sasha.”
Instead of walking away or shouting at her, he spoke firmly. “There’s nothing I can do to help you keep Sasha.”
“Yes, there is.”
He stared at her. “No, there’s not.”
“You can marry me.”
CHRISTINE JOHNSON
A small-town girl, Christine Johnson has lived in every corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. She loves to travel and learn about the places she visits. That puts museums high on her list of “must see” places and helps satisfy her lifetime fascination with history.
A double finalist for RWA’s Golden Heart award, she enjoys creating stories that bring history to life while exploring the characters’ spiritual journey—and putting them in peril! Though Michigan is still her home base, she and her ship captain husband also spend time exploring the Florida Keys and other fascinating locations.
Christine loves to hear from readers. Contact her through her website at www.christineelizabethjohnson.com.
The Marriage Barter
Christine Johnson
Special thanks and acknowledgment
to Christine Johnson for her contribution
to the Orphan Train miniseries.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28
For those who’ve lost earthly parents,
may Our Heavenly Father hold you close.
My deepest gratitude to fellow authors, Allie Pleiter and Linda Ford, whose gracious guidance and assistance helped me through many a rough patch. You taught me so much!
Also, thanks go to Elizabeth Mazer,
whose insights opened my eyes to new possibilities. It’s been a pleasure working with you.
Above all, the glory goes to God,
without whom there would be no story.
For out of weakness, He brings strength.
Contents
Chapter One
Evans Grove, Nebraska
Late April, 1875
Get in, do the job and get out.
It sounded simple, but Wyatt Reed knew that “simple” jobs seldom turned out that way.
All he had to do was escort a bunch of orphans to Greenville. That’s what the town’s wealthiest citizen, Felix Baxter, had told him. Apparently, the kids had gotten off in Evans Grove when robbers held up their train. They were supposed to continue on to Greenville the next day. Two weeks had passed, and still no sign of the children.
Baxter had sent telegrams and