Mail order bride for the.., p.1
Mail Order Bride for the Scrooge, page 1
Mail Order Bride for the Scrooge (Mistletoe Love Series) by Ember Davis
Copyright © 2023 Ember Davis
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, organizations or locals is entirely coincidental. The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as an advertisement. Trademark names are used editorially with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
For permission requests, email Ember.A.Davis@gmail.com
Contains explicit love scenes and adult language. The suggested reading audience is 18 years or older.
Cover Design: Cormar Covers
This book is available exclusively at Amazon.com. If you’ve obtained it anywhere else, you have an illegal copy.
For anyone who has ever wanted to start a new life and go on an adventure.
I hope a hot, reclusive mountain man is the pot of gold at the end of it for you.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
EPILOGUE
MISTLETOE LOVE SERIES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER BOOKS BY EMBER
CHAPTER 1
LAKE
I haven’t let myself think about what I’m doing while I’ve been on the road for the last few days. Because I knew if I did, I would turn my car right back around and go back to Seattle. I don’t want to go back though.
I want something new, something fresh. I want a life that is all mine.
Going to Jasper Ridge is my chance, even if I’m going to marry a stranger. People have done wilder things, right? I never have before, but everyone should rebel a little in their lives at some point.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself as the last few miles tick by before I get to Jasper Ridge. My GPS is only taking me into town and then I have written directions to get me to the cabin where Gannon lives.
Gannon Parsons.
That’s pretty much all I know about the man, other than he’s former military, he has a dog, and he lives out in the woods.
Honestly, this sounds like the beginning of a true crime podcast the more I think about it. The one time I try to be impulsive in my life and I’m going to be murdered because of it.
My brother will find a way to raise me from the dead just to kill me if this all goes badly. He’s the reason I’ve never given into the little voice in my head, the one spurring me on to make bad decisions and live life to the fullest. He’s always been overprotective, but when I turned 18, I learned I had no idea what the word really meant. Not when it comes to Nico at least.
Nico, or ‘Crucify’, as his Devil’s Saints MC brothers call him, was pissed on the day I turned 18. It was the day after my high school graduation and the same day our parents packed up their RV with all their stuff and put our house up for sale. I’m pretty sure they didn’t look back as they drove way either.
Honestly, I was surprised they stuck around that long. They were only around physically. Barely. Mentally and emotionally was a whole other thing. I’m still not sure, six years later, why they had kids. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to find out we were both accidents, with me being an even bigger one than Nico, considering he was eight when I was born.
Nico was my protector and the only steady person I had in my life right from the start. Should an eight-year-old boy have been changing my diapers and making sure I had something to eat? No, it was never his responsibility, but he took it on anyway.
When he moved out of the house to live in the DSMC clubhouse, I was heartbroken. He didn’t let more than a few days go by without seeing me and bringing by groceries or anything else I needed.
I remember one day when I had a really hard day at school, and I was angry, sad, frustrated, and lonely all at the same time. When Nico came by in the afternoon, I scowled at him with all the ferocity my little twelve-year-old self could muster.
When he asked me what was wrong, I huffed, “As if you care. Just go back to your little clubhouse. I’m fine here on my own.”
The part about being fine was true. Nico taught me how to be self-sufficient from an early age and gave me the skills he had to learn on his own. Looking back on our childhoods, it could have been worse—our parents could have been abusive or hateful. But it’s not like being neglected makes you feel all warm and cozy.
I could almost taste how much hurt I was radiating that day, but Nico didn’t get mad. He didn’t yell at me or tell me I was being ungrateful. And he didn’t turn around and leave, even though I told him to. He sat on the couch and pulled me into his arms, giving me a hug full of reassurance.
“I’m not leaving you behind, Lake,” he assured me. I wasn’t even aware how scared I was of being left behind until he said those words. “I needed to move out so I could work. Being part of the club means I have people at my back, and because of that, you do too. I had to move out so I could take better care of you. I’m sorry that it means I’m not here for you all the time.”
Even though it made me feel like a weak baby, I cried into his chest. He soothed me and listened to me tell him all about my twelve-year-old woes. Were they big ones? It certainly felt like it at the time, but now I don’t even remember what exactly had me in a tizzy. I do remember how Nico made it all better.
He always made things better until I got old enough to feel like I was being smothered instead of protected. He tried his best to keep his life with the DSMC separate from me. When I turned 18 and our parents hit the road, he didn’t have much of a choice but to let me into that world, at least a little bit.
By then, Nico wasn’t living in the DSMC clubhouse anymore. He had his own place and he moved me in right away. I was grateful, but it was clear he didn’t like me hanging out with his brothers. I loved it because I was surrounded by guys who were respectful of me, probably because they were afraid Crucify would kill them. By then he had worked up to the position as an enforcer for the club.
I was just glad to feel like I had some freedom. But that freedom only went so far. Nico still looked at me like a little girl. He still didn’t want me to date or have my own life. I started to feel like I had to balance on a tightrope constantly.
I started working in retail to save some money and ended up getting my own place. Nico was not happy about it, but he didn’t fight too hard either.
Even without continuing school, which was a huge sticking point between me and my brother, I was able to work up into management. I’m proud of that, but there was nothing about my job I found fulfilling. It was a paycheck and I put in effort because I of my own worth ethic.
I’ve felt lost and unhappy for a long time.
Something clicked inside of me when Nico called me last week. There was regret in his gruff voice, “I have to go out of town on club business. I can’t tell you more than that.” I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me, because I knew he couldn’t talk to me about club business. “I don’t think I’ll be back in time for Christmas.”
My heart sank because we’ve been the only family we have had for so long. We always spent Christmas together, even after he moved out and I was still a kid. He always made the time around the holidays because he knew our parents never would. I always felt bad for the little boy he used to be because he didn’t have anyone around to make the holidays special, not like he tried to do for me.
“Christmas won’t be the same without you,” I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice, even as a thought was bubbling up inside of me.
When we hung up, I sat for a long time thinking about my life. Nico had a whole life which involved his club, and I wasn’t a part of it. I didn’t have many friends and my job had become something which wore down my soul. The holiday season was the hardest in retail and I was in the thick of things.
I hadn’t dated anyone in a long fucking time. I was lonely and a little sad. I tried to tell myself it was just the holiday doldrums, but I wasn’t very convincing. The longer I sat with myself, the louder the little voice in my head got.
Go. Run. Find somewhere new, where you can live your life and have some adventure. Nothing is holding you back.
If you ask me how I found the ad for a mail order bride for a guy in Wyoming, I can’t tell you. I’m going to chalk it up to fate and think of it as a good thing. The moment I saw the ad talking about a former military man in Wyoming looking for a wife, I couldn’t ignore it. It felt right.
I sent an email with a photo, as requested, and a long diatribe about who I am. I didn’t even realize I had so much to say about myself until I was pouring my heart out to a stranger, who might or might not turn out to be a psychopath. Granted, I hadn’t considered that aspect until only miles outside of Jasper Ridge, but still.
When I got a response asking about how long it would take me t o get to Jasper Ridge, along with some information on my soon to be husband, Gannon, I sat and stared at my laptop with a goofy as fuck grin on my face for far too long. I called my boss, quit, and started packing without remembering to even respond at first.
Now I’m on an adventure I never pictured for myself, but it could be the start of something beautiful. At least, I hope it is.
I needed something, anything really, to give me a fresh start. Even if I don’t end up marrying Gannon because we don’t click, then maybe Jasper Ridge is the right place for me anyway. It’s beautiful around here.
Even if I decide to keep moving, I know for sure I’m not going back to Seattle. I can’t go back. Life needs to move forward, and I’ve allowed myself to continue to be the abandoned little girl I’ve always been. I want more. I want to grow.
Just as I cross a sign signifying that I’m in Jasper Ridge, my phone rings. I know, without even looking, it’s Nico. He’s been calling regularly, and I’ve been lying to him about what I’m doing and where I am. When he finds out the truth, he’s going to be pissed.
“Hi, Nico,” I chirp when I answer with a press of a button on my steering wheel. Nico’s the one who bought me my ride. I tried to refuse it, but he insisted on getting something safe for me and I couldn’t say no then. “How’s your trip?”
“Lake,” he growls, “since you’ve been acting strange as fuck, I sent Rites by your place. He just told me you moved out. You want to explain to me what the fuck is going on?”
I swallow hard as I grip the wheel tighter. I wish I could say my mind is racing with a million different lies and excuses, but it’s not. It’s blank of everything except the truth.
“I’m in Jasper Ridge, Wyoming,” I admit reluctantly. “I saw an ad for something, applied, and was chosen.”
I take a deep breath because that was vague as hell and when I tell him the truth of the ad, he’ll freak out. I wince as he starts cursing up a blue streak. He even busts out a few combinations I’ve never heard before.
He snarls, “What the fuck do you mean you saw an ad and now you’re in fucking Wyoming?”
Uh oh. Two fucks in one sentence. That is never a good sign.
I sigh, hoping I don’t destroy the relationship I have with the only family I have left. “I love you, Nico. You saved me. You’ve been teaching and protecting me my whole life.”
“Because you’re my sister. It’s my job to protect you, but how the hell am I supposed to do that right now?” He sounds like he’s on the verge of a rage filled panic and it makes my chest feel tight. I can’t even enjoy driving through the town and it looks kind of cute in that postcard sort of way. It’s nothing like Seattle. He growls, “Why the hell would you go to Wyoming?”
“You’ve been my rock for so long, but I realized that I’m not really living. I need the chance to do something on my own and to find my place,” my voice cracks. “You’ve found your place with the club. I love that for you. It’s where you’re supposed to be, but now it’s time for me to find the same. I’m taking a chance.”
“Fuck,” Nico sighs, one word filled with pain, torment, and a little resignation on the side.
I glance at the paper with the last part of the directions and know I need to focus so I don’t get lost. I hate upsetting my brother, but I’m not even sure how this is all going to play out yet.
“I’m sorry. I should have talked to you about how I was feeling, but I need to go.”
“You better call me and give me more details. Friar is dealing with some shit here in Tennessee, but if you need me or if I don’t hear from you my ass will be in Wyoming so fucking fast your head will spin.” There’s a warning in his voice, “I mean it Lake.”
“I know you do.” I find myself smiling as I promise, “I’ll call you and fill you in. I promise.”
“You better,” he grumbles before hanging up.
Talking to Nico makes me feel a little better, at least I’m not running away without him knowing it anymore. It was eating at me more than I realized. I know I’ll have some more explaining to do, but what can he really do? At least now I know how far away he is, it’s an advantage I didn’t have before.
I wonder what he’s doing in Tennessee while I make the last bit of the drive into the mountains. Honestly, I’ll focus on anything other than meeting the man I’m probably going to marry in just a matter of minutes.
I let out a small gasp when I stop in front of a stunning log cabin home. It’s not nearly as rustic as I thought it would be. It’s also a lot bigger than I imagined. It doesn’t look like a place a killer would live, but, then again, what does a psychopath’s home even look like?
I step out of my car on shaky legs and start to head toward the porch which looks like it wraps around the structure. I’m just lifting my foot to the bottom step when the front door swings open and I lock gazes with the deep blue eyes of the hottest man I’ve ever seen, and after being around my brother and his club that’s saying something.
His shoulders are so broad I’m fairly sure he’s going to have to turn to the side in order to step through the doorway. He has a beanie pulled down on his head and his beard is a little long, but neatly trimmed and clearly taken care of. The flannel he’s wearing is stretched across his chest and makes him look cuddly.
What does not make me want to curl up on his lap is the thunderous look on his face. It’s almost enough to have me step back, but I don’t. I’ve come too far to run away now.
Before either of us can say anything, a huge Alaskan Malamute barrels past his legs and bounds down the porch steps. I grip the railing to stop him from taking me down to the ground.
“Storm, sit,” the man barks and the dog sits at my feet but looks up at me with pleading eyes.
I sink down in front of him and pet him. It gives me comfort and a little strength when I need it. His fur is so soft and thick; I bet he’ll be a great cuddle partner.
“Hi,” I smile at the man as I stand and a giddy excitement about this whole arrangement fills me. This is my chance. “Are you Gannon?” When he nods, my smile stretches just a little bit wider; I won’t mind be married to this man at all if we’re only going by his looks. “I’m Lake. I’m your bride.”
Gannon’s eyes go wide, and his voice is a rough growl, “You’re my what?”
Well, shit.
CHAPTER 2
GANNON
What the fuck is going on right now? I was just about to check on dinner when I heard a car pull up outside of my home. I don’t get many visitors out here and was instantly on alert. I wasn’t the only one. Storm started pacing, but he wasn’t agitated or alerting me to any danger.
The whole situation had the hair standing up on the back of my neck. I learned a long time ago to listen to my instincts and trust them. It saved my ass more times than I’d like to admit while I was serving. If only my instincts had kicked in when I needed them the most.
But that’s all in the past. At least, it’s what I try to tell myself.
When I cautiously approached the door and looked through the window, I was surprised as fuck to find a woman climbing out of her vehicle. She had awe on her face as she looked at my home and, for some fucking reason, that had pride puffing up my chest.
I quickly pushed down my reaction and swung my door open before she could take a step up to my porch. No fucking way was I going to let someone looking to sell something get to my front door.
All the air left my lungs when I got an unobstructed view of the woman. Even now, after she said the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, I’m having a problem breathing and getting my dick under control.
She says her name is Lake. It suits her, somehow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful woman.
Her dirty blonde hair hangs a little past her shoulders and her body is slim, but she has curves in all the right places. It looks like the jeans she has on are painted on her damn body. And her legs, fuck me, they look like they go on forever. I’m not sure how tall she is yet, but if I had to guess I’d say 5’7”, which is still shorter than my 6’4”.
But at least I won’t squish her like a bug.
I shake my head, still hearing her words repeating in my mind.
