Phebe’s Promise by Cathryn Chandler

His head is in the clouds, but her feet are firmly on the ground. Can they ever find a way to make a life together? Phebe became an orphan the day she was born. Her mother died giving birth, waiting for her husband and son to return from the gold fields in California. But neither one was ever heard from again. Still, it makes no difference to Phebe that twenty-five years have passed, she’s determined to find them. After all, she’s promised her “angel mom” she would. But she’s never had a chance to keep that promise. Until now.

When Madam Wigg, the head of the orphanage and school where Phebe grew up and became a teacher, offered her the chance to start a school of her own anywhere she wanted, how could she say no? The mountains of California would be the perfect place to start her school! She could take in all the orphans of the miners and keep her promise to search for her missing family. But first she had to find a way to get there. Becoming a mail order bride seemed like the perfect, and practical, answer! Henry has a problem. A woman he doesn’t like at all has tricked him into an innocent, but seemingly compromising, position, to force him into an unwanted engagement. Which is exactly what will happen if her ruthless father has anything to say about it.

As a scientist and an inventor, Henry can be brilliant with his experiments, but he’s also accidentally started a fire or two and maybe blown-up something on occasion. And he doesn’t know one thing about women, romance, or how to get out of marrying someone he can barely tolerate. Even so, he’s stunned when his family comes up with a solution—he can’t get engaged if he’s already married. A mail-order bride is just what Henry needs. And they are sure they’ve found the perfect match for him!

But Henry’s not too keen on the idea. He might be simply trading one problem for another. And when Phebe meets Henry, she’s not at all certain he’s husband material. He’d likely blow-up or burn down her new school! Will these two opposites ever work their unlikely marriage out and find happiness together?