A Bride for BlakeThe Proxy Brides Book 43
Marianne Spitzer
Contents
Acknowledgments
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
The End
By Marianne Spitzer
© July 2020
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.
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Acknowledgments
There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.
The cover was created by the talented Virginia McKevitt. You can find her on Facebook at Virginia McKevitt, Author.
Chapter 1
Amalie heard the loud knock on their front door and heard her husband call out, “I’ll see who it is.”
“It’s Blake,” Deke called again, and when Amalie heard the frantic voice of their friend and neighbor, she hurried to the front door to see what was causing the commotion.
Blake was pacing back-and-forth in the parlor, shaking a piece of paper in his hand. He turned to Deke and said, “I can’t believe this. How could she?”
Deke asked, “Believe what, and who is she?”
Blake thrust the letter toward Deke and said, “Here, read it yourself.”
Deke took the offered letter and scanned it quickly before returning it to Blake with a smile on his face. “Why are you so upset?”
Blake threw up his hands and nearly yelled, “Didn’t you read it? I can’t believe my great-aunt would do this. Who decides that a man should get married and sends him a letter saying she’s found a wife for him and is going to bring her along when she visits? My great-aunt has never been out of New York. She’s getting up in years, and I don’t know why in the world she’s traveling here.”
Deke shook his head at his friend and answered, “I wish I knew why you are so upset. Why don’t you sit down and explain it? I know you’ve thought about marrying. Is there something about the young lady you don’t like?”
“Like? I barely know her,” Blake explained. “I met her once at a party when my parents took my brother and I back East to visit our grandparents when I was fourteen. This is all my great-aunt’s idea. Knowing my great-aunt, she will show up here with her butler, maid, the young woman, a pastor, and probably someone she’s found along the way who will tote a rifle and insist I marry the young woman immediately. Not to mention, they’ll have enough luggage to fill one of the bedrooms in my house.” Blake dropped into a chair near the fireplace and drew in a deep breath.
“All right,” Deke said. “I’m beginning to understand. From your great-aunt’s letter, it sounds as if you knew the young woman. Your great-aunt seems determined that you marry. Maybe you should’ve married the schoolmarm before she ran off with that cowboy last summer.”
Blake snorted, “Miss Lucille? There was no way I would marry that young woman, but now I fear whoever my great-aunt is bringing will be far worse. She’s a fancy socialite from New York who will hate every minute living on my ranch. I know the young woman will try and force me to move to New York, which is what my great-aunt wants. After my brother married last year, my great-aunt wrote to me several times, asking me to move to New York. She even threatened to withhold my inheritance if I remain here in Wyoming.”
Deke nodded while trying to find something positive to say. “Why don’t you just see how things will turn out. You have that big house you built, and maybe your great-aunt will see that you’re happy here.”
Blake stood and began pacing again. “I built a big house so I could marry and fill it with children. I don’t want to marry a socialite. I want to marry a girl who loves the country. One who’ll ride horses and won’t faint when a calf is born. Did you read her name? Who names a child with three first names? What am I supposed to call her? I can’t do this. I won’t do this. I think I’m going to sell my ranch and move to Montana before my great-aunt gets here.”
“Calm down and take a seat. Before you run off to Montana, sell your ranch, and ruin your life, let’s address this sensibly and come up with an idea,” Deke suggested.
Amalie took that break in the conversation to excuse herself, “I have to check on supper.”
Deke smiled at his wife, and Blake nodded, “I’m sorry I interrupted your day. I needed to speak with Deke.”
“It’s not an interruption,” Amalie said. “I understand.”
Amalie hurried out the back door and toward the house that her brother-in-law, Nate, and her best friend, Faith, shared. They’d married a few months earlier, and Amalie was thrilled to have her friend living close.
Nate saw Amalie hurrying across the yard and opened the door. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, or it will be if you, Faith, and I can work out a problem. Can I come in and talk to both of you?”
“Of course,” Nate answered, opening the door wider for Amalie to enter.
Faith greeted Amalie and hugged her. “What brings you here at suppertime?”
“Blake is up at the house, and he has a problem I think
