Chapter One

Rosabelle Winslow,known simply as Rosie, clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her sisters flanking her like steadfast sentinels. Elizabeth Tandy looked at the three sisters sitting side by side, Rosie with her blond hair, Izzy a brunette, and Ana the redhead. They were triplets, but though they did look like sisters, they weren't identical.

As a matchmaker, Elizabeth Tandy had spoken to them of traveling west and leaving town immediately, going to a town where three bachelors were looking for wives. She handed each sister a letter and waited as they read them.

As Rosie read her letter, she felt that it would better suit her sister Izzy, and Izzy had the same thought. They swapped their letters, and Rosie settled in to read the new letter in her hands, hoping this one would suit her better than the first.

June 1898

Dearest Madam,

As I pen this letter, I look out my window at the bustling streets of Hope Springs and the mountains that cradle our town. My name is Charles Jordan, and I have the honor of serving as the mayor of this vibrant town, a role that brings great responsibility. My two closest friends and I are all penning letters at the same time, hoping that we will all receive brides who are already friends.

Hope Springs is a place where individuals from all walks of life come together in pursuit of dreams.

In this role, I have dedicated myself to the welfare and prosperity of our community, guiding Hope Springs through the difficulties that mining towns often face. Yet, I find myself longing for a partner to share in the beauty and burdens of this life

I envision a woman of strength and grace, one who finds beauty in the rugged landscape of Colorado and the honest toil of its people. A lady whose heart beats in rhythm with the pioneering spirit of the West, and whose presence would bring light and warmth to the home we would build together. In her, I hope to find not just a wife but a true partner, someone to stand by my side as we forge a future filled with love, laughter, and the shared triumphs and trials that life inevitably presents.

My aspirations for our life together are humble yet filled with the promise of richness that comes not from the silver in the mines, but from the moments of connection and growth that we would nurture. From quiet evenings spent under the vast, starlit sky to lively gatherings with friends and neighbors, our life in Hope Springs would be one of deep community ties and the simple pleasures that make life truly meaningful.

If these words resonate with you, if you too dream of a life built on the foundations of love, partnership, and mutual respect, then I invite you to come to Hope Springs and marry me. Together, we could explore the vast tapestry of life in the West, hand in hand, heart to heart, building a legacy of love and leadership that will illuminate the pages of Hope Springs' history.

With an open heart and hopeful anticipation,

Charles Jordan

Mayor of Hope Springs

As Rosie read the letter again, more slowly this time, she realized that Charles's words spoke to her. She liked the idea of being his wife and helping him with his political aspirations.

"I think this is the man for me. I want to marry this Charles Jordan, mayor of Hope Springs, Colorado."

Laughter bubbled up between them, a shared acknowledgment of the absurdity and beauty of seeking love in such a manner. Yet as the laughter faded, a sense of purpose remained, as tangible as the letter now resting in Rosie's possession.

Within an hour, Rosie and her sisters were at the train station there in Beckham, Massachusetts, waiting for their train to board. Rosie couldn't stop looking around her, worried that their father would appear from behind every person, there to drag them back to the farm kicking and screaming if that's what it took.

She missed her mother with everything inside her, but she also knew her future was with her sisters and not the father who had so enjoyed taking his belt to each of his daughters, and even to his wife on occasion.

She shook her head and got the image of her father out of her mind. He was the past, and she was running toward her future. A future she and her sisters were determined to share out west. In Hope Springs.

After many days on the train, Rosie once again opened the letter and read it.

The words were penned in a strong, assertive hand seeming to leap from the page. Charles Jordan, the mayor of Hope Springs, wrote with an earnestness that captivated her, each sentence weaving the image of a man both grounded and seeking—a kindred spirit, perhaps.

She hoped she was what he was looking for because once she was in Hope Springs, she had nowhere else to go.

"Companionship and a shared journey," she murmured aloud. It was exactly what she wanted from Charles, the man she would soon marry. If they ever got to Hope Springs that was. She was tired of being on the train, and she wanted to reach her destination...with her sisters at her side.

A wistful smile graced Rosie's lips as she envisioned the mountains of Colorado, so different from the flat horizons she was used to. Hope Springs. The name alone promised something more than the stifling confines of her current world. Could she dare to dream of a place where her fiery independence would be cherished rather than chided?

Yet no sooner had the spark of adventure ignited than the looming shadow of doubt crept over her. To marry a man whose face she had never seen, whose touch was as foreign as the untamed West—was it bravery or foolishness? Rosie shook her head, trying to dislodge the trepidation that coiled like a snake around her heart.

"Love is a gamble at the best of times," she mused. This was not just a matter of the heart, but a negotiation of her very future.

"Change requires courage," Elizabeth had said, her assurance echoing in Rosie's mind. True enough, but it also demanded a certain recklessness—a willingness to step off the edge of the known world and hope for wings on the way down.

The silence of the room pressed against her, laden with expectation. Outside, the gentle hum of daily life in 1898 carried on, unaware of the crossroads at which one woman stood. Rosie took a deep breath, the scent of ink and anticipation mingling in her senses. A new life beckoned, a canvas blank and broad, hers for the taking—if only she dared reach for it.

"Elizabeth," Rosie began, her voice cutting through the thick silence of the parlor, "I will marry him." Her words were not just a whisper of consent but a declaration of intent. She lifted her chin, her gaze meeting Elizabeth's steady one, a silent pact forming between them in that look.

The matchmaker's lips curved upwards, a smile blooming like a desert flower after rain. "Bravery suits you," Elizabeth said.

"Thank you," Rosie managed, her hands now still, folded demurely atop her lap. "Your faith in me...it gives me strength."

"Strength is already there," Elizabeth returned. "All three of you have shown great strength in leaving your father's farm. Now you simply have to let it take you on the next step and see where it leads."

"Even all the way to Colorado?" Rosie said. It was a feeble attempt to lighten the load of her decision, yet Elizabeth chuckled—a low, knowing sound.

"Especially to Colorado," she affirmed. "Remember, love is the greatest adventure of them all."

"Then it's settled," Rosie said, her earlier trepidation transforming into a thrill that gave her energy. "We shall embark on this adventure, come what may."

"Come what may," Elizabeth said, pleased that the sisters were going to get away.

Only an hour passed before the sisters all took seats on the train that would take them to their new lives—and hopefully their new loves.

Rosie shook her head as she realized she was on the train and just remembered the time in Elizabeth's office. A smile tugged at the corners of Rosie's lips. With each thought of Hope Springs, the excitement kindled within her, warming her from the inside out. She envisioned herself stepping onto those dusty streets. There, she would no longer be a woman defined by her past but one who could forge her own destiny. Perhaps she'd tend a garden or stand by Charles's side as he navigated the tribulations of being mayor.

As the train chugged along, Rosie's anticipation grew with every passing mile. She sat by the window, watching the landscape change from the familiar sights of Massachusetts to the unknown.

Rosie's mind wandered to Charles, the mayor who had captured her curiosity from afar. She imagined their life together in the quaint town, picturing herself by his side as they faced the challenges and triumphs that lay ahead.

She could picture how it would be. Despite his initial aloofness, there would be a depth to his character that would come out the longer she was there. She wouldn't see him and know that he was the man she needed to complete her. No, it would be slower than that. More subtle. People who met and immediately fell in love were works of fiction, and she wanted a love that would last her entire life.

Lost in her thoughts, Rosie barely noticed when Izzy nudged her and pointed out the window. As she turned to look, a vast expanse of rugged mountains and sprawling valleys greeted her gaze. The breathtaking beauty of the untamed wilderness filled her with a sense of awe and wonder.

In that moment, Rosie knew that her life was about to change in ways she could never have imagined. The train slowed as it approached the station, and Rosie's heart fluttered with nervous excitement. Stepping onto the platform, she felt a rush of anticipation mingled with a touch of trepidation at the unknown future that awaited her in Hope Springs.

As the sisters gathered their belongings and followed the bustling crowd toward the town, Rosie couldn't shake off the feeling of being on the cusp of a new chapter in her life. The dusty streets of Hope Springs stretched before her, lined with quaint storefronts and bustling activity that spoke of a community united by both hardship and hope.

The three sisters stood together, waiting for the men who would soon be there to take them away from each other. First, Ana left with Dr. Mercer, and though the man Ana was marrying looked very tired, she had a feeling they were a perfect match.

And then came Albert Thoreau with his perfectly tailored suit and his air of superiority. She worried a little bit for Izzy, but she knew her sister could take care of herself. They were all strong because they'd had to be. They'd taken many beatings for one another over the years. No more though. Their father was many states away with no idea where they were. It was better that way.

Left alone, Rosie stood watching the town for a few minutes before finding a bench and putting her things on it before sitting beside them. Rosie knew she could choose to be upset that Charles was late, but it was easier to imagine that he was doing important work for the town. Of course, the town would have to come first. He hadn't even met her yet.

She waited for almost an hour before she spotted him. Charles Jordan stood at the end of the platform, his gaze steady as he watched Rosie. There was a flicker of warmth in his eyes that surprised Rosie, a hint of vulnerability that mirrored her own emotions at that moment.

With each step closer to him, Rosie felt a surge of courage welling up inside her. The air crackled with anticipation as she finally stood face-to-face with Charles. His usual aloof demeanor seemed to soften in the golden glow of the setting sun, casting a warm light on his rugged features.

"Rosie," he began, his voice deep and resonant, "I'm glad you're finally here."

Rosie felt a rush of relief flood through her at his welcoming tone. She managed a small smile before replying, "I'm glad to be here, Charles. To start this new chapter together."

As they walked through the streets of Hope Springs, Rosie couldn't help but notice the subtle change in Charles's demeanor. The townspeople greeted them warmly, and Rosie felt a sense of belonging settle over her like a comforting blanket.

"We need to go to the church and get ourselves married first. I was told you were coming here with your sisters?" he asked, looking around to see if he spotted any other new women around.

"Dr. Mercer was waiting for Ana when the train pulled into the station. Izzy had to wait a few minutes for Mr. Thoreau, but they've been gone a long while as well. It was nice having time to just sit and watch the town and get used to its rhythms," Rosie said softly.

Charles frowned and pulled out his pocket watch. "I had no idea it was so late. I had thirty minutes before your train pulled in, and then I decided to read one last document before signing it and come here to the station. I lost track of time, and I'm sorry for that, Rosabelle."

Rosie smiled. "Everyone calls me Rosie. My sisters and I were born Anabelle, Isabelle, and Rosabelle, but all our names were shortened quickly."

"I'll keep that in mind. Rosie."

"Do you have a nickname?" she asked as they approached the church.

Charles shook his head. "No, I've always been known as Charles."

They stepped into the church, and the pastor was at the front eating something with a young woman, and a baby who was sleeping on the floor.

As soon as they spotted the pastor, Charles called out to him. "I'm so sorry! I was late to the train station to pick up Rosabelle—Rosie."

The pastor put down the plate of food beside the woman who must be his wife. "Promptness doesn't seem to be in your vocabulary, Mr. Mayor."

Charles sighed. "Not for lack of trying!"

Rosie smiled. "Perhaps I can help keep you on schedule. I wouldn't mind," she said sweetly.

"I believe I can manage that on my own," Charles said, sounding slightly annoyed.

"All right then," Rosie said, unsure what she'd done to upset him, but she was sure she was just reading him wrong. She needed to stop trying to figure out what he was thinking.

The pastor rose and they had a five-minute wedding. It was enough time to speak their vows, and that was all they really needed. When the pastor invited Charles to kiss her, her new husband brushed his lips against her cheek instead of kissing her lips. But that was all right with Rosie. She was going to fall in love with him slowly, so she needed time before they kissed.

Everything was happening according to plan. She couldn't be happier.