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Silver Lining
Silver Lining
Silver Lining
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Silver Lining

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Abducted by white slavers.

By the grace of God, Danya Morrison barely escapes a life of forced prostitution. Fearing to return to her boarding house, she answers an ad in a discarded newspaper and within days leaves New York City for the plains of Kansas. Surely even marriage to a man she’s never met would be better than the danger awaiting her in the city.

Matthew Tucker hasn’t told his family and friends what happened to him three years ago. They don’t tell him they’ve ordered a mail-order bride for him until she arrives without warning. Matt might not object to their surprise, except he can’t marry Danya, or ever find happiness in marriage. Not after what he did. And he can’t stand by and watch the woman he admires more every day find happiness with another man. Not when he desires his own forever after with Danya.

Just when their problems seem beyond solving, another surprise enters their lives, bringing more complications, or is this the answer they desire? Will they ever find a silver lining in the cloud surrounding them?

Silver Lining is a clean and wholesome romance set in 1890s Kansas. How often have we heard there’s a silver lining in every cloud? The clouds covering our skies are often because of our own erroneous actions. Will Danya and Matt turn their problems over to God and trust Him to show them the silver lining so they may find the answer that only faith can reveal?

LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 3, 2014
ISBN9781310545955
Silver Lining
Author

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

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    Book preview

    Silver Lining - Mildred Colvin

    Silver Lining

    Mail-Order Bride series
    Book 1

    Mildred Colvin

    Historical Christian Romance

    Silver Lining

    Copyright ©2014 by Mildred Colvin

    All Rights Reserved

    Cover photo copyright © Arantxa Rodriquez

    Smashwords Edition

    Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

    No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

    Contents

    Dedication

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 8

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 10

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 16

    Epilogue

    About the Author

    Note from the Author

    More Mail-order Bride Stories

    Other Historicals You Might Like

    DEDICATION

    To Debbie, a wonderful Christian girl who is willing to help where needed. Thanks for your help with this book and for your sweet disposition. May God bless you always.

    Also to Danya, who was willing to let me use her name for the heroine of this story. When I learned her name, I’d never heard it before and thought it was very pretty and unusual and just as sweet as the Christian woman who carries it. Thank you, Danya! May God bless you!

    Chapter 1

    October, 1891

    Danya Morrison’s shoes clicked against the bricks of the dark, back street in New York City. A cold north wind whistled around the corner, forcing her head down while her fingers clutched the worn woolen coat that barely covered her body. Only October. But already winter was making itself known. How would she survive without her parents?

    A black streak darted past her feet, causing her heart to leap into her throat. She stifled the scream that rose with it. Only a cat. It was nothing.

    She hated this awful walk home from work every evening. Guilt stabbed her conscience. Her job at the department store was a blessing. She must remember that fact, despite the late hours and hard work. Thank You, Lord, for my room, even though it’s small and contains only the bare necessities of life. At least I have what I need. And this dark street isn’t so bad. I suppose the neighborhood could be worse.

    Remorse filled her heart. How could she pray such a prayer? Even to her, it sounded full of complaints. She took in a cleansing breath. I’m sorry, Lord. You know the best. Not my will, but Thine be done.

    Rustling startled her. She glanced over her shoulder. Of course, no one was there. The street was deserted. Just as it was every night when she hurried home from work. She scoffed at her fears. She was becoming a frightened child. Especially at night. Darkness closed in on her with strange noises she couldn’t identify.

    Eeetch.

    She slowed to hear better. Scratching in the bushes that lined the yard she passed calmed her. Surely it was only a small animal digging in the leaves.

    While her pulse returned to normal, she turned her thoughts to Mama and Papa. Had they really been gone six months? She missed the happy times. Of Papa reading to her and Mama from his extensive library. Mama kneading bread in her cheery kitchen. Working with Papa in the museum. Anything to block out the fear creeping over her with each step she took. Only two more blocks, and she’d be at the boarding house.

    Clip clop. The steady rhythm of a horse’s hooves entered her awareness. She cringed at the sound. Was it the same hack that had passed each of the three previous nights? She glanced over her shoulder as it approached. Yes, and it was slowing just as before. Tonight, the black-covered vehicle edged close to the side of the road. She pushed against the bushes away from it and picked up her pace. A shiver traced fingers of fear throughout her body.

    The hack stopped. It had never done this before. Her heart pounded, her breath quickened. What could they want? Her gaze darted about the street and yards. She hurried past. She wanted to run, but sensed a sudden move would bring the threat into the open. Another look over her shoulder revealed nothing but the dark street. Surely the hack had nothing to do with her.

    Yeowl!

    The cry slammed against Danya’s nerves, bringing forth the primal instinct of survival—and terror. Her heart pounded. She sucked in a quick breath. Her feet pounded the stones as she took flight. Safety. So close, yet so far. The dark hack glided past, but she didn’t slow. Maybe the danger was over, but fear still controlled her reasoning. She only wanted to reach the safety of her room.

    Danya ran until she felt her lungs would burst. If she could get into the boardinghouse, she’d be safe. She had no other place to hide from terrors in the night. Her feet flew over the bricks as one house after another blurred past. No longer did she hear frightening noises. Only the beating of her heart filled her ears. Then the boarding house came into sight. Safety.

    She stopped. The same dark carriage stood in front of the house. Danya almost fell as she tried to step back. To reverse her direction. Where could she go? This was a nightmare. Tears filled her eyes. Lord, help me! Deliver me from evil!

    A dark shape took form beside the hack. She screamed and stumbled on weakened legs. An enormous bulk of a man stood between her and the boarding house. Gathering renewed strength, she pivoted and ran back the same way she’d come.

    Pounding footsteps closed the distance. Fear crept up her neck with shivering fingers. She was tired, so tired. Her steps slowed. She couldn’t get away.

    Ragged breaths sounded behind her. The hack appeared to the side, rolling along the edge of the street. She wouldn’t reach safety. If there was any safety to reach. Yet she’d never give up. Never!

    A heavy hand closed over her shoulder, dragging her to a stop. Ya gave me a merry chase, girl. I gotcha now. The man’s words came quick and fast, releasing putrid breath into her face as he breathed hard.

    She turned away, gagging and gasping for fresh air. I have no money.

    He grunted.

    Let me go. She tried to jerk away, but he held her even tighter.

    She swung hard at his head and connected, hurting her fist.

    Ya little spitfire. He cursed.

    She kicked his shin and almost fell from the impact.

    He grabbed her up close to him, his unwashed body odor gagging her. Stop right now. I ain’t gonna hurt ya.

    She couldn’t move. Why didn’t someone in the boarding house hear the struggle? They should’ve come to her rescue.

    Got a live one there, Buck? Another deep, raspy voice joined them. Let’s get her out of here afore she attracts attention.

    Before she fully registered the unfamiliar man’s presence, he stuffed a coarse, rank-smelling rag in her mouth and plopped a cloth bag over her head. She sputtered and tried to throw it off, but couldn’t. When he jerked her arms behind her back, she bit the rag to keep from crying out.

    A rough rope scratched her wrists, digging into them as the man tied her hands together. Buck lifted her in a bear hug, leaving her feet dangling. She squirmed and kicked, but he laughed aloud. Quitch er fightin’, gal. Ain’t gonna do ya no good. Ole Buck’s gotcha now, and ya can’t get away.

    He hoisted her, then loosened his hold, letting her fall. She tried to catch her balance, but the ropes stung her wrists, and a whimper sounded in her ears as she landed in a heap on the floor of the hack. The bruises and scrapes added to her hurting spirit. Abducted for no reason. She wanted Mama and Papa. Darkness as deep as the night closed over her soul. Lord, help me!

    Think I better tie her feet, too, Ed? Springs squeaked above her.

    Ain’t skeered of a little gal, are ya? Ed’s gravelly laughter matched his gruff voice.

    Shut up and git us outta here afore the coppers show up. Buck kicked her unbound feet to the side as he stretched out his legs. The door slammed shut.

    A bounce of the hack suggested Ed was back in the driver’s seat. More’n likely be some snoopy neighbor. Cops don’t care ’bout this part of town. His voice drifted in as the hack jerked into motion. Haw, get on there.

    Danya worked the foul-tasting rag from her mouth, but she didn’t cry out. It’d do no good. She squeezed herself into a ball, taking up as little room as possible. These men weren’t robbers. Her purse still hung from her arm. In fact, it was gouging her backside. She shifted to relieve the pressure. Her muscles ached, and her eyelids drooped with the gentle swaying of the hack. Finally, her heart settled into a steady rhythm. They’d kidnapped her. How ridiculous. Her clothing was threadbare, her coat barely kept her from freezing. She obviously had nothing. No one who would pay a ransom to get her back. Her landlady would be happy to sell her few belongings and rent her room out again.

    Each sway and bump of the hack added to Danya’s distress. She tried to pay attention to each turn every time they slowed, but soon lost a sense of direction and distance. Even if she got away, she’d lose her way in the city. Lord, please help me get out of this. You’ve promised to be with me always. To watch over me and direct my paths. I need—

    Whoa. The hack jerked to a halt.

    Danya bumped her head against the wall. Her stomach heaved at the sudden stop. She swallowed, willing herself to not get sick. Not now.

    The hack bounced and creaked as Buck opened the door and stepped down. His hand closed around her ankle and tugged. Come on, girlie.

    She jerked her foot away, scrambled into a sitting position, and scooted toward the sound of his voice. Her feet found the edge of the floor, and she pushed forward until she could stand outside the hack.

    Buck’s hard, vise-like hand wrapped around her upper arm and pulled her toward him as he turned and moved ahead.

    She stumbled in total darkness. Buck’s hand on her arm repulsed her, but she had to trust him to lead her safely past obstacles. Into what, she didn’t know. She couldn’t think beyond the moment. Nothing seemed real.

    Only one step at a time. One pain. One fear. She concentrated on placing her feet, letting each step take her closer to an unknown fate.

    Finally, he stopped. Muffled bumps and the sound of scraping wood filtered through the bag over Danya’s head. A door squealed in protest, its hinges obviously rusty and unused to being opened.

    Buck shoved Danya over a threshold. They were in a building. In her mind, she felt the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. Then up some steps, around a corner, then another. Her steps were smooth now as they walked on the wooden floor. A few more steps and Buck stopped again while the clink of a key turning in a lock set Danya’s heart pounding.

    There ya be, sweetie. You’re at yore new home. He laughed. Leastways for a couple of days.

    Don’t be gettin’ friendly with the merchandise, Buck. Ed’s gravelly voice boomed so close to Danya’s ear she jumped.

    Ed laughed in the same rough voice. Don’tcha worry. I ain’t gonna touch ya exceptin’ ta get this here bag off your head.

    He jerked the bag from her and grunted. Huh, lost your gag. It don’t matter now. Scream all ya want. No one’s gonna hear or care if they do.

    She looked up at a tall, rough-looking man who appeared as old as her father had been.

    He grinned, his teeth amazingly white and even. Well, got us a pretty one this time. You better keep your hands off her, ya hear me, Buck? The boss wants her untouched.

    Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Ed’s order didn’t stop Buck’s gaze from sliding over her face and down past her coat to her high-topped shoes, then traveling the same route back.

    He couldn’t see past her coat, but she felt violated. He was a tall, stocky-built younger man with sandy hair and blue eyes. Finally, he licked his lips and turned away to push the door open.

    A bedroom. His hand on her back forced her to enter. In the dim light coming only from the moon shining through a lone bare window, Danya saw two beds and a dresser. Nothing else.

    Buck’s hands at her wrists startled her. She stood still and let him untie the rope, grateful for that much consideration. He lit a lantern on the dresser near one bed.

    Danya rubbed her wrists and startled when he gave her a shove toward the bed. She landed in an undignified heap on her side. Afraid to move, she lay where she’d fallen and stared up into his leering face.

    Ya ain’t a bad looker. A calculating spark entered his eyes before he turned, blew out the light, and left, closing the door with a decisive click.

    Danya sprang to life, looking frantically about. Surely, there was something she could use to protect herself if he came back. Darkness reached toward her from the far corners of the room. She stumbled toward the door and tried to turn the knob. As she suspected, he’d locked it.

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