The Prairie Princess Read online

  The Belles of Wyoming, Book 22

  The Prairie Princess

  ________________________________

  Lisa M. Prysock

  Lady Mia, Joshua, and Ambrosia, the main characters in this novella, are on a journey of transformation, and you’re invited.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  The Belles of Wyoming Series Page

  Copyright

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Theme Verse

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Author Biography

  Which book is next?

  Coming Soon

  The Belles of Wyoming Series Page

  Christmas 2018 (Theme: Holiday)

  Book 1, Christine Sterling, Wynter’s Bride

  Book 2, Marianne Spitzer, Holly's Christmas Wish

  Book 3, Cyndi Raye, A Tin Star for Christmas

  Book 4, P. Creeden, A Pony for Christmas

  Book 5, Julia Ridgmont, Natalie's Surprise Engagement

  Spring 2019 (Theme: Renewal/Redemption)

  Book 6, Christine Sterling, The Homecoming

  Book 7, Ginny Sterling, Blessings of Love

  Book 8, Cyndi Raye, Mercy’s Gift

  Book 9, P. Creeden, Moments of Grace

  Book 10, Julia Ridgmont, Emeline's Redemption

  Summer 2019 (Theme: Summer Love /Barn raising)

  Book 11, Ginny Sterling, Lightning Strikes Twice

  Book 12, Julia Ridgmont, In the Nick of Time

  Book 13, Jenna Brandt, June’s Remedy

  Book 14, Lynn Donovan, The Wrong Bride

  Book 15, Marisa Masterson, Grace for a Drifter

  Book 16, R. Castro, Lupe’s Luck

  Book 17, P. Creeden, Blue Steel

  Book 18, Cyndi Raye, Stealing Her Heart

  Book 19, Cheryl Wright, Eleanor’s Dilemma

  Book 20, Jo Grafford, Wild Rose Summer

  Book 21, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Summer’s Love

  Book 22, Lisa M. Prysock, The Prairie Princess

  Book 23, Marie Higgins, Whispers of Yesterday

  Book 24, Amelia Adams, Butterfly Kisses

  Book 25, Margaret Tanner, Flynn's Debt

  Book 26, Mimi Milan, September’s Switch

  Book 27, Julia Ridgmont, Daring to Love Again

  Book 28, Christine Sterling, A Matter of Marriage

  Book 29, Ginny Sterling, Change of Heart

  Book 30, Christine Sterling, The Barn Raising

  Copyright

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the author.

  The Prairie Princess

  Copyright © 2019 by Lisa M. Prysock

  All rights reserved.

  Clip art and illustrations used are public domain and illustrations by the author noted by initials LP or by Lisa Prysock, if any. Any internet links, addresses, or contact information in this book are not guaranteed for the life of the book.

  Interior text edited by Rachel Skatvold.

  Proofed by Tina Caudill Conder.

  Author Photo by Alaina Broyles.

  Cover Artist, Virginia McKevitt, www.virginiamckevitt.com.

  For information or to contact the publisher or author: Lisa Prysock, 7318 Autumn Bent Way, Crestwood, Kentucky, 40014, USA.

  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 or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  This work is cataloged in the Library of Congress.

  Unless paraphrased, otherwise noted or indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

  The Prairie Princess

  Copyright © 2019 by Lisa M. Prysock

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN:

  ISBN: 9781078414166

  Imprint: Independently published

  Book Cover

  Book Description

  Joshua Stanton is a handsome Virginia widower with a tomboy daughter named Ambrosia. When he brings her to live in Belle, Wyoming and soon after inherits the family ranch, Silver Aspen, he also inherits the informal title his Pa used to hold, ‘The Cattle King.’ Now, he’s one of the largest Cattle Barons in the area. Running the ranch is a tremendous job for someone who has been a Virginia crop farmer studying philosophy, theology, and agriculture most of his life. To make matters worse, the weight of the world is on his shoulders when Ambrosia is expelled from school in the middle of her term.

  Lady Mia has inherited her mother’s beautiful Italian looks and a courtesy title from her English father. She is escaping an arranged marriage to an Earl from Devonshire. Instead of marrying, she has convinced her father and friends in America to indulge her one passion. Now she’ll be free to explore the American western frontier and pioneer life as the new governess for Mr. Stanton’s daughter. However, avoiding her attraction to Joshua Stanton may prove to be more of a challenge than transforming his tomboy daughter.

  Get your copy of this novella today and enjoy an inspirational, sweet, western historical romance with adventure and faith! Each of the novellas in this series may easily be read as a stand-alone.

  Dedication

  This story is for my son Aaron and his bride, Danielle. They’re about to become married and our home is alive with wedding plans. It’s an exciting time in our lives. I’m delighted to be gaining a daughter and so happy for my son. He’s the one who has always been the middle child, the middle baby, squished between the demands of the other children. He’s the one I have always had to remind to do his homework, clean his room, and all that. I wanted to just throw my arms around him and say, let’s just forget the housework and go to the movies, or take a walk. We finally did go on an outing which included a long bike ride followed by lunch, and another time we went shopping for dishes for his future apartment, but it’s often been a huge challenge to find alone time with our middle son. When the oldest moved away and the youngest went off to college, Mom and Dad finally had two years with just our Aaron. About that time, he also gained a girlfriend, which was really cool because mom is a busy writer, and dad has the family business to keep going.

  Having a middle child wasn’t easy because ours were all so close in age, and it made me feel as though there wasn’t enough of me to go around as a mother. Aaron has always been this huge help to my husband’s small business. I’m so proud of him for working so hard alongside his father. For years, he’s taken a seat on the front row at church among a few of the other young single men there. This made me so full of joy. When he met Danielle and they grew into this wonderful couple doing devotions together and taking their bikes to the park, having game night, and just having fun, I can’t tell you how sweet and romantic I thought it was. I know they’re going to be an amazing couple and I hope they give me tons of grandchildren.

  Danielle is sweet, loves Jesus like my son does, and she loves the beach. Plus, we both know all the words to most of the latest Christian songs by Toby Mac and our favorite bands. When Aaron, Danielle, and I went to see Toby Mac in concert, it was snowing, cold, and windy outside, but one of the best times ever. We’ve also had some really
awesome cookouts and swimming days in the backyard pool. I’m turning my son over to this wonderful girl, and I hope she knows I did my very best to put everything awesome in him. I’m sure there are a few areas where he’s rough on the edges, but we think he is absolutely without a doubt, perfect, because that’s how we roll here. Love only sees perfect, even if he doesn’t clean his room so it looks kinda ‘Better Homes & Gardens-ish.’ Just know how much Rob and I both love you two. Stay close to Jesus and try to remember, we think you’re both amazing.

  Acknowledgements

  Wow! Where do I begin? Well, I like to start at the top. Thank you Jesus for making me a writer.

  Thank you to my family for picking up the slack when I can’t because I’m pushing it close on a deadline for a book.

  Thank you to my editor and proofer. You ladies rock! Oh my goodness, you really are awesome!

  Thank you to my writing friends who cheer me on, pray for me, and share insight. I think it’s really cool you still talk to me when I can’t make half the writing meetings because I’m seriously trying to make a deadline, so I’m always writing and there’s only one of me.

  Thank you to the authors in this series. It has been so much fun getting to work with each of you. I’m honored to write alongside all of this amazing talent. I love how you are all so encouraging and supportive. Like Christine says, we’re like a family.

  Theme Verse

  WHEREFORE, MY BELOVED, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12, KJV

  Title Page

  The Prairie Princess

  Lisa M. Prysock

  Chapter 1

  SHE IS CLOTHED WITH strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25, NLT

  “THANK YOU, PA-PAW!” Lady Mia Arabella squealed, dancing with a wide smile of sheer joy around the library. It was a spacious room where she spent many hours of solace curled up in the window seat, reading books she carefully plucked from the floor-to-ceiling shelves, sipping her favorite bergamot or orange spice tea. Today however, she would spend her afternoon packing her trunks. She stopped twirling about, bent down, and plopped a quick kiss on his cheek. “You won’t regret it. I shall be so happy; you can’t possibly imagine how happy.”

  “Off with you now, Mia Arabella.” Lord Charles Morley chuckled, waving his daughter away. “Leave me to my book and tea. This is completely against my better judgment, but I know if I don’t let you spread your wings before you settle down into a match with the Earl of Canby, I shall never hear the end of it. Now hurry away, lest I change my mind.”

  She neared the door to the hall running the length of the center of the country house and tossed him a look over one shoulder. “You know very well I haven’t made up my mind if I shall marry the Earl, but not even the mention of the prospect of marriage can ruin this happy of happiest days!”

  “Nonsense, my dear girl! Lord Edmund Rochester is a perfectly suitable match, and you have turned down half-a-dozen others. We have run out of titled Englishmen in Devonshire and Somerset.”

  “Perhaps in all of England.” She laughed lightly, escaping the library before he could respond, thinking that remaining unmarried offered her far more advantage, the first—her independence. She had no intention of marrying the Earl, but since Papa had agreed to let her sail across the Atlantic to explore the wonderful wild of the American frontier, she wouldn’t risk upsetting him too much.

  She hurried up the staircase, nearly floating in a cloud of happiness, her dark brown curls bouncing and her brown eyes sparkling as she bounded toward the second floor, hoping she’d find her companion, Miss Flora, to help her with packing. She’d need clothing for every season, and especially summer, for it would be the very best time to see the western territory like the pioneers and explorers she read and dreamt about. Besides, she’d have to convince Miss Flora of her plan, for Papa had said she must take a companion to look after her. She’d need to send a letter off at once to her dear friend in Virginia, formerly Miss Ada Baldwin, now Mrs. Ada Smith, married to the Reverend Marcus Smith. However, she knew Ada would be delighted to have her as a guest.

  Lady Mia Arabella danced pirouettes on the way down the hall, spinning around effortlessly in her low-heeled ankle boots, only to collide with her older brother. This resulted in a fit of giggles as she teetered into his arms.

  “Careful there, Em!” Viscount Alfred Morley, the younger Master and heir of Bridgehaven Hall, steadied her and chuckled. Unable to pronounce Mia as a toddler, he’d always called her ‘Em.’ “I say, you’re in a jovial state. Pray tell, why are you so exuberant this morning?”

  “Because Alfie, I’m going to America! I’m finally going to explore the western frontier. Isn’t it exciting?” She spun out of his arms and pirouetted again, this time stopping the twirl by placing both of her feet solidly apart as she held her arms out in the air for perfect balance in the most elegant fashion she could manage.

  “As long as you stick to exploring and not dancing, I think you’ll be fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest, a glum look spreading slowly across his face, his smile fading.

  “My dancing profession has never truly launched, so brave explorer and pioneer ‘tis!” Ignoring his sad expression, she fished the miniature spyglass from the folds of her hidden skirt pocket and extended it at once. “Ahoy, chap!” She focused it on his face and peered into the looking glass with one eye, staring at a much closer view of the successor to her father’s title and estate. Seeing he didn’t respond with the grin she’d hoped for, she closed the spyglass at once, tucking it back in her pocket. “Why the downcast appeal?”

  “I believe it is ahoy, mate,” he corrected, disregarding her question at first. Then he sighed. “Do hurry back to us, Em. I am without a hostess for entertaining, which means I shall be forced to muddle through a great many tea and dinner parties with Lady Alice expecting the privilege of assuming your role.” He sighed and then rolled his eyes. They both knew this would only give Alice higher hopes of an impending proposal. While it was indeed his duty to eventually marry, and though he cared for Lady Alice Brantley a great deal, Mia knew he wasn’t ready to be tied down yet, in spite of the inevitable.

  “’Tis not such a bad thing. I like Lady Alice. You could do a lot worse, Alfie. She’ll make ye a fine wife someday.” In truth, she didn’t like the prospect of Lady Alice becoming the future Mistress of Bridgehaven Hall anytime soon, but what choice did she have in the matter? It was bound to happen eventually, and at least in America, she’d be away from the Earl of Canby’s weekly visits.

  “I suppose you are right. Times are changing, but I’m enjoying my life as a young, eligible bachelor.” He smiled mischievously.

  “Yes, well, don’t enjoy it too much!” She lowered her voice in case the servants were within earshot. “There is little need for me to languish around the halls of Bridgehaven once you’re married. I’d merely be a nuisance to the next Lady Morley and bumping about the walls of this great country house. I’m going to travel, see the world, and explore the west I’ve always dreamed of visiting.”

  “Soon you’ll be married and have your own estate to manage, Em. In any case, you’d never be a nuisance to us when I marry. Bridgehaven Hall is your home as much as it is mine.”

  “Nay, Alfred, I don’t plan to marry anytime soon! You’re a good brother, but always remember, I’ll be holding you to that promise. I don’t intend to marry anyone. I am going to travel the world and be most happily independent. Your first act as Earl shall be to increase my allowance for the many travel expenditures in my future.” She tossed him a radiant smile, glad her remarks drew a chuckle from him and replaced his sour look of disapproval.

  “I don’t believe you one little bit, Em!” he called after her as she glided down the hall toward her room, the train of her bustled gown sweeping the tiled floor as she proceeded, practicing holding her arms out in perfe
ct balance.

  JOSHUA STANTON SQUINTED, looking into the horizon, wondering why a lone figure on a buckboard would be heading out to Silver Aspen Ranch. As the conveyance drew closer, he recognized the schoolmarm holding the reins. He’d best leave the brushing of Midnight to one of his wranglers and see what matter brought Miss Grace Winkleman this far out of her way.

  “I’ll finish brushing Midnight, Mr. Stanton. Looks like you have a visitor from Belle.” Henry leaned on the pitchfork where he’d been mucking a stall.

  He handed the reins to Henry and nodded, tipping his hat. “Thank you, Henry. I guess I’ll see you at dinner.” He strode toward the front porch, hoping Ambrosia wasn’t in any trouble.

  Joshua was waiting at the covered porch when the teacher finished driving the buckboard up the lane and pulled in the reins to a stop. “What can I do for you, Miss Winkleman?”

  She climbed down without any help. “Hello, Mr. Stanton. I wish I could say this was a pleasure visit, but I’m afraid it isn’t.”

  “Has Ambrosia Rose been giving you some kind of trouble at school?” His eyes narrowed, wary of what she might have to say, keenly aware of the fact his daughter could be difficult to manage.

  The teacher stepped onto the porch after tethering her horse to the hitching post. He watched her glance around and spot the wooden porch swing. “Can we speak privately here on the porch, or is Ambrosia nearby?”

  “She went fishing with Frankie. Have a seat.” He held out a hand, indicating they move toward the swing. He sat down on the bench a few feet away, and she sat on the swing, smoothing her black skirt. Miss Winkleman removed her bonnet, allowing it to hang down her back.

  “Thank you.” She offered him a weak smile and then began removing her gloves. “Where do I start?”