Free Montana Sky: Mail Order Machinations (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Kirsten Osbourne Page A

unmarried men here, and it wouldn't look right.  But thank you for thinking of me."
    They finished the dishes in silence.  Esther glanced over her shoulder at Brody, who looked upset by the whole conversation.  She wished she knew what to tell him.  He had every right not to want her sister there, but her sister had a right to not want to marry just anyone.  She felt as if she was caught between a rock and a hard place. 
    Immediately after the dishes were done, Coral flounced away to her room, shutting the door with a distinct snap. Esther walked to sit beside Brody at the table, taking his hand to hold in hers.  "I'm sorry she was so upset. I don't know what to say to her."
    Brody sighed.  "I understand. It's got to be hard for her, but it's hard for us as well. I'm not going to force her to marry, but I do wish she could live at the boarding house in Morgan's Crossing or even live as a maid to someone in Sweetwater Springs.  I don't know how to make it happen, though."
    "I don't either.  I really don't know what to do, but I don't want to hurt her feelings, and I don't want to upset you.  I feel trapped."
    "I can see that.  Hopefully Jackson Smythe is everything she's looking for in a man.  He's gotten good reports from the people who send their children to his school."
    "Coral would make a good schoolteacher.  It's too bad there's already one here."
    "She wouldn't be able to live alone though.  She'd still need to board with someone."
    Esther frowned.  "Where does Mr. Smythe live?"
    "He's got a small teacher's house right behind the school house.  A man can live alone out here, but a woman really can't."
    "I suppose that's true.  I just wish I knew how to make things better for my sister."
    He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it softly.  "There are no quick answers.  We'll find someone who will suit her perfectly.  Someone that she will suit as well.  She's a good, capable young lady.  There's no reason she can't get married quickly with the number of men we have out here."
    Esther nodded.  "Of course not.  Are you going to send a message to the teacher? And when will you invite him for?"
    "I'll go first thing in the morning.  School starts at nine, so I'll be at the schoolhouse at quarter ‘til nine, and he and I will talk.  I'm sure he's going to want to meet her."
    Esther hoped so.  She wasn't sure how much longer things could go on as they were.  Brody seemed more tense and upset by the day, and Coral was at the end of her rope as well.
     
    *****
     
    Brody had a quick talk with Joseph first thing the following morning, before heading to the schoolhouse.  Surely the man would understand his predicament and marry his sister-in-law. He briefly considered settling a dowry on her, but that would be ridiculous.  That was done with the upper class in England, but it sure wasn't done out West where there weren't enough women!
    He rode up to the schoolhouse, seeing the smoke coming out of the small building's chimney. 
    Striding into the building, he called the man's name.  "Smythe?  You in here?"
    The teacher was sitting at his desk.  "I'm right here.  How can I help you?"
    "I'm Brody Finnegan.  I want you to come for dinner tonight."
    Jackson Smythe's eyes widened with understanding.  "You're the one who donated the property for the school and my home.  I thank you for that."
    "And you'll come to dinner?" Brody pressed.
    "Why?"
    Brody sighed.  "I sent off for a mail order bride, but she brought her younger sister.  My house is too small for a wife and a sister.  I need to find a husband for the sister."
    "Oh?"
    Brody studied the other man. He seemed like someone Coral would like. "She's real smart, and she knows it.  I haven't seen anything she can't do.  Her cooking is so good you'll be willing to do anything to marry her once you taste it."
    Jackson looked at him for a long moment, his dark eyes narrowed in thought.  "I suppose it won't hurt to meet her.  What