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  Some of your favorite authors present 21 all-new stories told through the looking glass—including a new Elizabeth novella!

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  A

  BRIDE

  WORTH

  BILLIONS

  Rocket Books, California

  An imprint of Joyce Random House LLC

  373 Hudson Street

  A BRIDE WORTH BILLIONS

  A Joyce Book / Published by arrangement with authors

  Copyright 2015 by Joyce Random House LLC

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  PUBLISHING HISTORY

  Version_1

  JR mass-market edition/October 2015

  Cover Images: “Landscape” by Petra Rasmussen

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Introduction

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  STRANGER’S LOVE

  I was enjoying an ordinary night outside Denver, Colorado in 1876. The evening when the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains was my favorite time of night. Not so much because the scenery was pleasant, with the snowcapped peaks of the mountains. I liked that my father was not home yet and Mother was busy cooking dinner. Abe Slyker wasn’t doing anything noble he was at the saloon and my Mother was burning dinner because she was in a moonshine induced haze. I heard my father barreling up the dirt road to the ranch, which was followed by my Mother ringing the dinner bell.

  “Get up here quickly Faith Slyker. I got you an early 18th birthday present,” Abe Slyker, slurred as he climbed off the wagon.

  “My birthday is ½ a year away and you have never given me a gift. What is it?”

  “You mean who is it? I got you a husband Faith as part of a business transaction. His name is Mert Flanders I was waiting for you to find yourself a man and I thought I would take this opportunity to help you out.”

  “Father, you’re crazy. Who is he?”

  I was mad, which made my face so red that it blended perfectly with my hair. I was particular when it came to men, which is why I had not yet found a mate.

  “He’s new to Denver. Came all the way from Chicago because he heard about the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. He’ll give me a cut of what he finds, if I provide him with a sturdy frontier woman. He were gonna bring one with him but he thought he’d get one that was accustomed to the ways of the west. I told him that my girl Faith was young enough to bear him as many children as he wished and you’d keep the ranch house clean. I also added that year a good cook, which I’m not sure of but I said it anyway.”

  Abe Slyker was proud of his recent transaction that was likely made while he was leaning against the bar in the saloon. I felt ready to explode so I ran to my happy place. A stream that trickled beyond the ranch property was a place I could be alone with my thoughts. Well, almost alone because my friend Henry Stanich went there too. We had known each other as long as we could remember. Through the years, we had flirted and when we were, 10 we showed each other our naked bodies. We were friends above all else and were probably better off that way.

  “Didn’t expect to find you here at this time of day. Morning is you’re time of day,” Henry growled,

  “I didn’t know I had to make a reservation to come to my secret spot.”

  “Since when is it you’re spot?”

  “Since never Henry. Sorry to sound like such a brat but I’m in a hell of a bad mood. My father arranged for me to marry a man from Chicago. He’s a prospector with bold new ideas that’s he willing to exchange a cut of for a bride.”

  “You’re father’s always coming up with get rich quick schemes but this one takes the cake. Have you even met the man yet? Where does he plan to live?”

  “I haven’t met him Henry but I don’t expect much if he can’t find a wife on his own. I don’t know where he plans to settle. There are quite a few vacant ranches that were left by folks when they failed to strike it rich.”

  As Henry continued whittling his stick, which he did when he was thinking, I started to think myself. I wouldn’t have these moments with my best friend much longer. One thing was sure; Mert Flanders would not be as pleasing to the eye as Henry. I had not always noticed Henry’s soaring height, square jaw; and green eyes that sparkled when he was excited. Lost in my thoughts; Henry snapped me back to reality.

  “I’m still your friend no matter what Faith and we’ll always have our special spot. If this Mert character starts bugging you, you’ll know where to find me.” Henry’s face tightened. “If the guy ever lays an unkind hand on you I’ll kill him. Don’t look at me like I’m telling a joke cuz I will – I’ll slit his throat.”

  “Bad idea Henry. They’ll throw you in jail; besides, I’ll kill Mert myself.”

  “I have a question Faith. Who has a name like Mert anyways? It ain’t right.”

  Faith and Henry burst out in laughter, which was usually the case when they were together. They had a way of cheering each other up.

  I stayed in my bed as late as possible the next day. Mother and Father had let me be in the past and probably thought I was already in the barn starting my daily chores. It wasn’t the case on this day.

  “Faith Slyker, I hope you’re getting cleaned up and putting on a nice dress because Mert Flanders is coming early to meet you. I guess you can say he wants to see what he’s getting and we don’t want to disappoint the man,” Mary Flanders called to her daughter.

  I got out of my bed and cringed at the thought of climbing into bed with a strange man. I pinned up my wild red hair with a clip. One of the only things I had left from my dear Grandmother, who was my protector while she was alive. She would not tolerate the way that I was being treated but she was gone and I had to follow my Father’s orders.

  “Don’t say too much when Mr. Flanders comes. Men don’t like their wives to say much. The fewer opinions you have the better.”

  “I’ll try to act as dumb as a door nail Mother.”

  “Can’t see that being too difficult for ya.” Abe Slyker laughed.

  The first sign that Mert Flanders would not be the man of my dreams came as I heard him walking across the wooden front porch. Clop-clop, drag, clop-clop drag. Either the man was dragging a sack of goods or he was dragging his legs and using a cane. I tensed my fists so tight that my nails dug into the palms of my hands. The door was pushed open and I saw my future husband. I tried hard not to gasp but it couldn’t be helped. I was 5’1” and Mert was not any taller i
f he even reached my height. His belly poured over his trousers; he had met my father in the saloon so it was likely that his gut grew from too much drink. His hair was yellow, greasy and combed over the top to conceal baldness. I was almost 18 and Mert Flanders looked as he was double my age.

  “Abe my friend. I’m here for a proper introduction to Miss Slyker.” Mert approached. “A redhead with blue eyes. A rare one for these western towns. They tend to gather in places like Boston. I got myself a unique wife.”

  Mert proceeded to poke me like a loaf of bread. Even my Mother thought Mert was a bit too handy. The worst came when he squeezed my tit. I yelped. He chortled and tapped my bottom.

  “She’s feisty too. I think our transaction will be beneficial to both sides. Does she talk?”

  “I do. It’s nice to meet you Mr. Flanders,” I said.

  “You’d better start calling me Mert because that’s how a wife addresses her husband. I purchased the Depew ranch, which is just up the road. It’s on the same stream that runs behind this place so it’s not far from where you already are. That doesn’t mean you can run to mama if you get homesick. I know that life’s difficult in Denver, which is why I wanted a sturdy frontier woman and not some weakling from Chicago.”

  My Father spoke. “Faith’s everything you need. I’m looking forward to learning your new mining skills and we can get started on the project as soon as you’re willing.”

  “First I have to marry your daughter. I see no need to waste time with a ceremony. A justice will do a fine job and there’s no need for frilly foolishness. Are you in agreement Faith?” Mert’s smile showed a cracked front tooth.

  “I was expecting that we’d take time to become acquainted. A brief courtship perhaps.”

  Mert laughed. “I already have permission from your Father; therefore, I don’t see why the day after tomorrow is too early.”

  “We would love to have you as out guest for dinner tonight Mert. It will give you and Faith an evening to get to know each other before she moves to your ranch. You can use the day tomorrow to secure the justice and I’ll gather a few things for Faith’s new home.”

  “I’ll be here tonight before the sun sets.” Mert smiled and squeezed by buttocks before he left.

  The door closed behind Mert Flanders as I was about to start a miserable life of servitude. I would be joined in marriage to a hideous man who apparently had no regard for hygiene or women. I grabbed my favorite blue coat and ran out to the barn where I cried and tended to my chores, which included milking three cows and gathering eggs. Doing these things only distracted me for a couple of hours before I ran like a wild stallion to the stream.

  I climbed upon my favorite flat rock, which was surrounded by gnarled pines beside a stand of aspen. The rock heated beneath the afternoon sun so it felt good as I laid down and closed my eyes. I heard a light splash in the water; I looked down to see Henry Stanich skipping stones.

  “Hey up there. I know something’s wrong cuz you only climb up there when you’re desperate. It’s impossible to not contemplate leaping into the cold stream. I know it’s something you ponder when you’re up there but I hope you find some reason not to jump. Either the shallow water or the ice chill will do you in for sure,” Henry said from below.

  “I’d never jump but I can’t think of a time when it’s been more tempting. Are you coming up here or do I have to come down?”

  “I’ll be up Faith.”

  It only took moments until Henry was sitting beside me. He immediately told a story about an antic filled day he had spent with his brothers. Henry had a way of telling stories that made me forget my troubles. His animated and boyish behavior caused be to laugh till it hurt.

  “So we caught no fish and my brother Daniel ended up looking like a wet rat. The story has no moral and we ended up not bringing home dinner.”

  “Your mission to cheer me up is accomplished Henry. I don’t know if you make your stories up but I don’t care because they temporarily take me away from my melancholy. If you were to see my future husband, you’d know why I’m upset.”

  “How bad could it be?”

  “I never expected it to be this bad. The man makes my stomach turn and I’m expected to bear him children.”

  “That alone makes my skin crawl. I can’t imagine another man’s hands on you.”

  “Another man’s?”

  “I’m just protective of you. I think of you as my Faith but probably have no right to say that because I’m just like a brother to you. Right?”

  An awkward silence fell over us, which was rare between Henry and me. I looked deep into his green eyes and saw something that I had never seen. The gaze was serious and it confused me.

  “Right. I guess.” I swatted away a gnat and the mood was broken. I popped up. “I don’t know where the time has gone but I have to prepare for dinner with Mert Flanders. Say good-bye to Faith Slyker cuz the next time you see me, I’ll be Faith Flanders.”

  Henry stood up and kissed me softly on the cheek. “Good luck Faith. Don’t forget; I’ll be here if you need me.”

  After dinner, which was chicken stew that tasted like flour. We discussed how my transition into married life would happen in the next few days. My father dragged crates into the house; ones, which were, covered in cobwebs and varmint feces. I was to pack all of my belongings into two of these. My mother would throw in a few pots and pans that she could spare and an iron skillet. My father would drop me off at the courthouse with my things, where I would marry Mert Flanders. I would unpack and have dinner on the table for my new husband by sundown. Every young girl imagines a dashing prince sweeping her away to a blissful life. That would not be happening in my case.

  “Dinner was fabulous Mary or should I call you mom.” Mert cackled. “Although brief Faith, I think we’ve had a sufficient courtship.”

  “Yep, tomorrow I become Mrs. Mert Flanders. Nothing stopping us now. Can’t wait”

  “Eager are ya? When the door closes tomorrow night, you’ll be all mine. I don’t expect it’ll be long before we have a Mert Jr. Crawling about.”

  I cringed at the thought of having sex with that oily beast. I was not a drinker like my parents but I would have to take a swig of whisky to get through a night with Mert Flanders.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow at noon. My father will drop me off with my boxes.”

  “Sounds perfect Faith. Walk me out to my wagon, as I’m sure your parents won’t mind. We deserve a short stroll together before our wedding day.”

  “Let me grab my coat. It gets cool when the sun goes down.”

  Mert grabbed his cane and we walked outside with arms latched. He and my Father had gotten into the whisky after dinner so he smelled like booze. We were almost to the wagon when he pulled me in tight and jammed his tongue into my mouth. He was forceful and bit my lip as he pushed me back.

  “Just making sure you have all your teeth. It was also your wedding present. Your first real kiss by a man as far as I can tell. Consider it a taste of things to come.”

  I felt like I was going to vomit but I was able to hold it long enough to say good night and turn away. I ran around to the side of the house and up came my Mother’s nasty chicken stew. It was not a good night.

  Wearing a yellow dress, which was nothing special, I proceeded to meet my fate at the courthouse. It gave my Father the opportunity to give me last minute marital advice. I thought it was something my Mother was supposed to do but apparently not.

  “You know what’s expected of a wife, don’t ya?” Abe Slyker asked.

  “I expect that he’ll want his way with me and I’ll take that as it comes.”

  “There won’t be any tears or denying the man what he has a right to as your husband.” Abe paused to cough. “I think that’s all you need to know. Mert Flanders will be able to provide for you and take care of the financial needs of your mother and me in the future. Your brothers both moved on to Cheyenne and as our only daughter you are required to take care of us. Tha
t’s why this match is a good one.”

  It became clear that was the only reason I was being married off so quickly. I was just a guaranteed meal ticket to my parents. They hadn’t done much in the way of parenting but those were the ways of life on the western frontier. I was being called to duty. It was my time to serve.

  “Mert and I will take a ride over to see you after we’ve settled into the ranch. You should consider a trip to the doctor Father. You and Mother have the same cough and it’s beginning to sound troublesome.”

  Mert and I met before the justice to complete the transaction that officially made me Faith Flanders. A silver band was shoved on my finger and we rode to the ranch as husband and wife. Mert had apparently been celebrating all afternoon because he smelled of stale liquor when he kissed me. When he did, I remembered the gentle kiss on the cheek given to me by Henry Stanich. I had to shake my head to get rid of the image cuz I knew that Mert Flanders would never touch me with such tenderness.

  The ranch house was a disaster. The Depew family left when they realized they didn’t have what it took to survive a Denver winter. It was obvious they left in a hurry. A table and three chairs were just about the only furniture left behind. I was afraid to peek in the bedroom to see if there was anything to sleep upon. I poked my nose in anyway and Mert pushed me through the door and onto the crude bed, which was left behind.

  “It’s just the two of us now.” Mert sneered and pulled at the laces of my dress. “I’ve been waiting for this since first I saw those pouty lips of your and that wild red hair.” He grabbed my grandmother’s pin and threw it to the ground.

  With one hand, he released his tight belt and unzipped his trousers. My prayers were answered when his penis lay there as limp as a noodle. He got up quickly leaving me disheveled on the bed.