Read Online McKenzie by Penny Zeller - Free Book Online
Authors: Penny Zeller
Tags: General Fiction
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penned on the page. “McKenzie Worthington, I can’t wait to meet you,” he said out loud, surprising himself.
That night, Zach wrote yet another letter, as if responding quickly would ensure receiving a quicker response from McKenzie.
November 26, 1881
Dear McKenzie,
No, I have not lived in the Montana Territory my whole life. I was born and raised in Chicago, and I have no siblings. My parents died when I was twelve, and I was placed in an orphanage near Chicago because I had no other known living relatives.
Two years later, I left the orphanage to strike out on my own. A photograph I once saw of the Montana Territory prompted me to ask questions about the land. I had always wanted to own my own ranch, as did my Pa, so after much prayer, I traveled to Montana. I worked for several ranches in various different towns to get experience. When I was nineteen, my best friend, Will Mitchell, and I decided to purchase some land together near Pine Haven and set up a ranch. The Lord blessed us beyond what we could ever imagine. Although Will and his wife, Bess, died of the fever three years ago, I continue to run the ranch with the help of some hired hands.
There are no hotels in Pine Haven. The nearest hotel is fifty miles north, in Windsor. Yes, I have heard of Canfield Falls. I once worked for a ranch in that area. It is about twenty-five miles west of Pine Haven. The closest town, Oak Winds, is fifteen miles away.
What are some of your hobbies? Does your family live in Boston? Have you ever been married? What made you decide to answer my advertisement?
Sincerely,
Zach
Zach stared at his completed letter. He felt tempted to erase the last sentence, but he really did want to know why she had responded to his ad—why she had chosen him. Hoping the question wouldn’t deter her from responding again, he folded the letter and placed it in the envelope.
***
Zach and McKenzie continued to correspond throughout the following months, each writing a response the same day they received a letter, and almost always the moment after reading it.
December 13, 1881
Dear Zach,
I’m sorry to hear about the death of your parents and the deaths of your best friend and his wife. Both of my parents are still living, as are my sisters, so although I cannot truly understand your loss, I can and do sympathize.
Some of my hobbies are social activities, knitting, taking care of Mother’s flower garden, and dancing. I attend many balls and tea parties in the city during the year. What are your hobbies?
Yes, my family lives in Boston; I’ve lived here my entire life. I reside with my parents, Arthur and Florence. My older sister lives in Boston with her husband, Maxwell, and their son, Maxwell Jr., whom we call Nate. (His middle name is Nathaniel.) My other sister moved away from Boston about three years ago.
No, I have never been married. I decided to answer your advertisement because I have long found the West to be intriguing. I am also matrimony-minded, and your advertisement was among the ones I found to be of interest. What made you decide to advertise for a mail-order bride? I’m sure you received many responses. I am curious about your decision to choose mine.
What are some of the social activities in Pine Haven? Do you travel to Canfield Falls often?
Most sincerely,
McKenzie
***
McKenzie sat in the chair in her room and thumbed through the letters she had received from Zach. She had lost count of the times she had read each letter. Thoughts of the man she would someday meet filled her mind, and she found herself thinking about him more often than she cared to admit. Did he think of her often? Was he eager to meet her? Would he help her find Kaydie? Yes, Kaydie, thought McKenzie, the very reason I find myself preparing to make such a carefully planned trip to a place thousands of miles away. Not to get married, but to rescue Kaydie. McKenzie sighed. It would still be some time before the weather was conducive to travel,
That night, Zach wrote yet another letter, as if responding quickly would ensure receiving a quicker response from McKenzie.
November 26, 1881
Dear McKenzie,
No, I have not lived in the Montana Territory my whole life. I was born and raised in Chicago, and I have no siblings. My parents died when I was twelve, and I was placed in an orphanage near Chicago because I had no other known living relatives.
Two years later, I left the orphanage to strike out on my own. A photograph I once saw of the Montana Territory prompted me to ask questions about the land. I had always wanted to own my own ranch, as did my Pa, so after much prayer, I traveled to Montana. I worked for several ranches in various different towns to get experience. When I was nineteen, my best friend, Will Mitchell, and I decided to purchase some land together near Pine Haven and set up a ranch. The Lord blessed us beyond what we could ever imagine. Although Will and his wife, Bess, died of the fever three years ago, I continue to run the ranch with the help of some hired hands.
There are no hotels in Pine Haven. The nearest hotel is fifty miles north, in Windsor. Yes, I have heard of Canfield Falls. I once worked for a ranch in that area. It is about twenty-five miles west of Pine Haven. The closest town, Oak Winds, is fifteen miles away.
What are some of your hobbies? Does your family live in Boston? Have you ever been married? What made you decide to answer my advertisement?
Sincerely,
Zach
Zach stared at his completed letter. He felt tempted to erase the last sentence, but he really did want to know why she had responded to his ad—why she had chosen him. Hoping the question wouldn’t deter her from responding again, he folded the letter and placed it in the envelope.
***
Zach and McKenzie continued to correspond throughout the following months, each writing a response the same day they received a letter, and almost always the moment after reading it.
December 13, 1881
Dear Zach,
I’m sorry to hear about the death of your parents and the deaths of your best friend and his wife. Both of my parents are still living, as are my sisters, so although I cannot truly understand your loss, I can and do sympathize.
Some of my hobbies are social activities, knitting, taking care of Mother’s flower garden, and dancing. I attend many balls and tea parties in the city during the year. What are your hobbies?
Yes, my family lives in Boston; I’ve lived here my entire life. I reside with my parents, Arthur and Florence. My older sister lives in Boston with her husband, Maxwell, and their son, Maxwell Jr., whom we call Nate. (His middle name is Nathaniel.) My other sister moved away from Boston about three years ago.
No, I have never been married. I decided to answer your advertisement because I have long found the West to be intriguing. I am also matrimony-minded, and your advertisement was among the ones I found to be of interest. What made you decide to advertise for a mail-order bride? I’m sure you received many responses. I am curious about your decision to choose mine.
What are some of the social activities in Pine Haven? Do you travel to Canfield Falls often?
Most sincerely,
McKenzie
***
McKenzie sat in the chair in her room and thumbed through the letters she had received from Zach. She had lost count of the times she had read each letter. Thoughts of the man she would someday meet filled her mind, and she found herself thinking about him more often than she cared to admit. Did he think of her often? Was he eager to meet her? Would he help her find Kaydie? Yes, Kaydie, thought McKenzie, the very reason I find myself preparing to make such a carefully planned trip to a place thousands of miles away. Not to get married, but to rescue Kaydie. McKenzie sighed. It would still be some time before the weather was conducive to travel,
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