Forced into Marriage Read online

  “Since Brandon isn’t upset with me for dropping him off the way I did, we’ll take you up on your offer,” Joe replied.

  “You won’t be sorry,” Brandon said. “Lokni is the best cook in the area.”

  Lokni gave him a pleased smile but corrected, “I don’t know if I’m the best.”

  “No? Then why did I gain a couple of pounds around the waist?” Brandon asked in a teasing tone as he patted his stomach.

  Michelle laughed. “It’ll be nice to get better acquainted. You two seem like a fun couple.”

  “I’ll close the mercantile at five,” Brandon said with a chuckle. “Come here then, and I’ll take you over to my home.”

  “We’ll be here then.” Joe picked up the box of items he had purchased from the counter and offered a nod to Lokni before he and Michelle headed out.

  Brandon gave Wilma another piece of candy. “A part of me thinks I should give Joe a gift because he did drop my sorry butt off in that town where we met. I have a lot to be thankful for.” He smiled at Lokni. “I honestly don’t think a man could do better than I did.”

  “A woman couldn’t do better, either,” she replied. “You’re a wonderful father and husband, Brandon.”

  With a glance around to make sure no one was watching them, he leaned over the counter and kissed her. “Is it any wonder I love you as much as I do? You make me a man I can be proud of.”

  “Papa, can I have another candy?” Clint asked.

  “You already had two,” Brandon said. “If you keep eating candy, you’ll spoil your dinner.”

  “Just one more?” He clasped his hands together and stared up at his father with sad eyes.

  Brandon looked at Lokni, silently asking her if it was fine with her.

  “I suppose one more won’t hurt, especially since we have company coming tonight,” Lokni said.

  “Alright.” Brandon dug two peppermints from another jar and gave one to each of their children. “You’re fortunate to have such a nice mother.”

  She grinned at Brandon and then proceeded to order the staple items she had come to get for cooking. He would take them home with him later that day. She could tell him what she wanted before he left for work, but she liked the excuse to go pay him a visit, and he never seemed to mind.

  Plus, on the way back, she got another chance to look out at the ocean and remember the times during their long journey when he had talked about it with a wistful expression on his face. It was during that time they had fallen in love with each other. So maybe it was more than the ocean itself that thrilled her. Maybe the ocean reminded her of his love for her.

  She smiled and guided her children home. She had a wonderful life, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

  Author’s Note

  This is the end of the Pioneer Series, and I thought I would give a brief update on what happens to the characters featured in the series.

  Richard and Amanda Larson had twin boys, Anthony and Mark, and a girl, Annabelle. I am going to write Anthony’s and Mark’s romances in the Misled Mail Order Brides Series, which are due out in 2018. The first book in the series is due out November 2017, and that features Sep Wilson, who was Joel Larson’s younger brother-in-law in Shotgun Groom (Book 6 in the Nebraska Series). So you will be seeing some more of Richard and Amanda as they continue to live their happy ending in this series.

  Jesse and Laura Palmer had Elliot, Benjamin, Mark, and Teresa. Amanda and Laura remained very close friends, and Jesse went on to acquire more farmland, which he farmed with two of his sons. They ended up selling a lot of their crops and made a good living this way.

  Joe and Michelle Otto did not have children. They did, however, often visit Jesse and Laura Palmer, and those children were like nephews and nieces to them. They also got to travel the entire country, including Canada and Alaska, and lived out a lot of adventures along the way.

  Brandon and Lokni Herman found their happily ever after in a quaint home in San Francisco. Brandon did work at the mercantile, and he eventually bought it from the owner who decided to go further north to set up another business. Brandon and Lokni had more children together. After Clint, Lokni gave birth to Wilma, Donna, and Matt. Donna and Matt were named after a couple they had befriended in California.

  So as you can see, all four couples lived happily ever after.

  Don’t miss the rest of the books in the Pioneer Series…

  Wagon Trail Bride (Pioneer Series: Book 1)

  Richard Larson has secretly loved Amanda for years, but it wasn't until she had nowhere else to turn that he had the courage to propose a marriage of convenience. Now as they make their way to Omaha, Nebraska for a new life, he wonders if she might ever come to return his feelings.

  When Amanda married Richard Larson, it wasn’t for love. It was because he was rescuing her from a painful situation. When they married, they agreed to a marriage of convenience. She didn’t realize he secretly loved her until after the vows were exchanged. Now she doesn’t know how to act around him. And worse, a young man from her past is the one leading the wagon train to Omaha, and he has plans for them to run off to start a new life elsewhere.

  The Marriage Agreement (Pioneer Series: Book 2)

  Jesse Palmer headed to Omaha with his expectant wife and his mother-in-law. When his wife dies in childbirth, his mother-in-law blames him. And worse, she refuses to let him take care of his son. In order to get his son back, he needs to marry someone–and fast. And who better than the one who makes the offer?

  Laura Rufus volunteers to marry Jesse so he can have his son, knowing full well he’s still mourning the loss of his first wife. The last thing she plans on is falling in love with him, but day by day, his tenderness toward his son makes her wish she hadn’t been so quick to propose a marriage of convenience. Will there ever be something more between them, or will she be stuck with the marriage agreement they made?

  Groom For Hire (Pioneer Series: Book 3)

  When Joe Otto accepted the job to lead a wagon train to California, the last thing he expected was to be asked to marry Mr. Heller’s daughter. Still pining over the one that got away, he’s not sure he has it in him to open his heart to another woman. Mr. Heller assures him the arrangement will only be temporary. Once Joe delivers her to her aunt and uncle in California, he can annul the marriage. Joe can use the money, and besides, it’s only a temporary arrangement. She won’t be his wife for the rest of his life. Reassured by this logic, he agrees to the marriage contract.

  Michelle Heller knows the only way she’s going on the wagon train is if she has a husband, so she readily accepts the deal her father makes with Joe. What she doesn’t expect, however, is that her new husband is the most attractive young man she’s ever seen. Over and over, she has to remind herself their marriage isn’t real. It’s only borne of necessity. But as the days pass on the trail, it’s harder to remember their marriage is only on paper, and it seems the two are at odds as to what they want this marriage to be.

  After Joe watched the woman of his dreams start a life with someone else, he vowed he would never open himself up to being hurt again. Can Michelle break through his wall, or will she have to annul the marriage once she reaches California?

  I have a brand new historical western romance series coming later this year!

  The Bride Price is the first book in the Misled Mail Order Bride Series.

  It’s due out November 19 or sooner.

  A mail order bride. A scarred settler. Will love stake its claim or send them packing?

  Angela Frank is tired of teaching other people’s children. Her job is a constant reminder that she has no family of her own and no prospects for a hometown husband. When she spies a mail order bride advertisement, she dreams of a life where her deformities are overlooked by a strapping Omaha frontiersman. She decides to risk everything for her last chance at a family…

  Sep Wilson carries scars from a troubled past. And while he’s not the marrying type, when he hears that
an unscrupulous local is running a shady mail order bride scheme, he can’t help but intervene. But he never expected his good deed to end with him married to the mysterious Angela…

  The two outcasts may have finally found someone who can help them heal their past. But in uncharted territory, the chance for love may not be enough to keep them safe…

  The Bride Price is the first book in a series of high-spirited mail order bride western romances. If you like fiery chemistry with a tender touch, gritty frontier settings, and unconventional heroes, then you’ll love Ruth Ann Nordin’s tale of love.

  Pre-Order The Bride Price to journey to the heart’s unmapped territory today!

  All Books By Ruth Ann Nordin

  Regencies

  Marriage by Scandal Series

  The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife

  A Most Unsuitable Earl

  His Reluctant Lady

  The Earl’s Scandalous Wife

  Marriage by Deceit Series

  The Earl’s Secret Bargain

  Love Lessons With The Duke

  Ruined By The Earl

  The Earl’s Stolen Bride

  Marriage by Arrangement Series

  His Wicked Lady

  Her Devilish Marquess

  The Earl’s Wallflower Bride

  Marriage by Fate Series

  The Reclusive Earl

  Married In Haste (coming soon)

  Standalone Regency

  Her Counterfeit Husband

  Historical Western Romances

  Pioneer Series

  Wagon Trail Bride

  The Marriage Agreement

  Groom For Hire

  Forced Into Marriage

  Nebraska Series

  Her Heart’s Desire

  A Bride For Tom

  A Husband For Margaret

  Eye Of The Beholder

  The Wrong Husband

  Shotgun Groom

  To Have And To Hold

  His Redeeming Bride

  Isaac’s Decision

  Chance At Love Series

  The Convenient Mail Order Bride

  The Mistaken Mail Order Bride

  The Accidental Mail Order Bride

  The Bargain Mail Order Bride

  South Dakota Series

  Loving Eliza

  Bid For A Bride

  Bride Of Second Chances

  Misled Mail Order Brides

  The Bride Price (coming soon)

  Montana Series

  Mitch’s Win

  Boaz’s Wager

  Patty’s Gamble

  Native American Romance Series

  Restoring Hope

  A Chance In Time

  Brave Beginnings

  Bound By Honor Bound By Love

  Virginia Series

  An Unlikely Place For Love

  The Cold Wife

  An Inconvenient Marriage

  Romancing Adrienne

  Standalones

  Meant To Be

  Falling In Love With Her Husband

  Kent Ashton’s Backstory

  Catching Kent

  His Convenient Wife

  The Mail Order Bride’s Deception

  Contemporaries

  Across The Stars Series

  Suddenly A Bride

  Runaway Bride

  His Abducted Bride

  Omaha Series

  With This Ring I Thee Dread

  What Nathan Wants

  Just Good Friends

  Standalone Contemporary

  Substitute Bride

  Co-Authored Romances

  Historical Romance Anthologies with Janet Syas Nitsick

  Bride By Arrangement

  A Groom’s Promise

  Contemporary Romance With Catherine Lynn

  Bride By Design (this is under my pen name Barbara Joan Russell)

  Other Genres

  Enchanted Galaxy Series (Fantasies)

  A Royal Engagement

  Royal Hearts

  The Royal Pursuit

  Royal Heiress

  Thrillers

  Return of the Aliens

  Late One Night (flash fiction)

  Nonfiction

  11 Tips For New Writers

  The Emotionally Engaging Character

  Where to Find Ruth

  To find out more about Ruth Ann Nordin’s books and upcoming titles, you can go to the following sites:

  Her Author Blog: http://ruthannnordinauthorblog.wordpress.com

  Her Website:

  www.ruthannnordin.com

  Her Timeline on Facebook:

  https://www.facebook.com/ruth.a.nordin

  Join Her Private Facebook Group:

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/830058207023257/

  Join Ruth Ann Nordin’s Email List!

  If you would like to receive an email when Ruth has a new book out, go to this link:

  https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.wordpress.com/sign-up-for-email-list/

  As a thank you for being on her list, she sends out a special scene to go with her new release, some interesting research she learned while writing the book, or how she came up with the idea. This is only available to people on her email list or in her private Facebook group. She will only email when a new book is out, and she won’t share your email with anyone else.