“Give Me The FAT One!” Mountain Man SAID After Being Offered 10 Mail-Order Brides

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The Tale of Dileia Murphy and Jeremiah Stone

In the bustling town of Copper Ridge, a spectacle unfolded that would forever alter the lives of its residents. Ten mail-order brides, brought west in polished wagons, stood lined up like cattle at an auction block, each woman waiting for her fate to be decided. Among them was Cordelia Dia Murphy, a 28-year-old woman with broad hips and a soft face, who had crossed half a continent in search of a husband. Instead, she found herself alone, an extra body in a cruel joke played by fate.

As the men of the town—ranchers, merchants, and prospectors—selected their brides, Dileia remained. She watched as slender young women were chosen quickly, their forced smiles masking their own fears. The jeers and laughter from the crowd pierced her heart. “Too fat to marry,” one man sneered. “She won’t last a mile up here,” another chuckled. Dileia’s cheeks burned with shame as she stared at the dirt beneath her boots, feeling the weight of their scorn.

Cornelius Weatherbe, the slick businessman who had arranged this spectacle, cleared his throat, his smile sharp as a knife. “Well, gentlemen, it seems we have one bride left unsold. Any takers?” The crowd erupted in laughter, and Dileia felt more alone than ever. Just when it seemed no one would take pity on her, the heavy sound of hooves on cobblestones silenced the crowd.

Jeremiah Stone, known in fearful whispers as Thunder Peak, dismounted from a horse that seemed to dwarf the others. He was a mountain of a man, scarred by weather and wilderness, with gray eyes that scanned the line of women before settling on Dileia. “I’ll take her,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “The fat one.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Weatherbe’s grin faltered as the townsfolk recoiled from Jeremiah’s imposing figure. Dileia lifted her head, her heart racing as the mountain man’s shadow fell across her. For the first time, someone had chosen her, not for her looks but for something deeper.

Back in Boston, Dileia had been the dependable one, the sister who rose before dawn to care for her younger siblings. After her mother’s death, she had kept her father’s books in order. But with too many mouths to feed and too little money, her family had decided she was expendable. A mail-order bride agency in San Francisco offered a solution: ship her west, let another man take responsibility. She had boarded the train with hope, clutching a small satchel of handsewn linens and a Bible, dreaming of finding a man who could see her worth beyond her size.

But Copper Ridge had shown her no mercy. The other nine brides were thin and delicate, chosen quickly and paraded away. Dileia stood silently as the crowd shrank, her heart sinking until she was the only one left. “She’s a mistake,” Weatherbe announced, his voice dripping with disdain. The laughter that followed felt like daggers to her heart.

Then Jeremiah approached, a force of nature. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, his conviction was unyielding. “I’ll take her,” he repeated, laying down a heavy pouch of gold coins—$500, double the asking price. The crowd murmured in shock, but no one dared challenge him. Dileia’s knees shook as she placed her hand in his, feeling the strength of his grip.

As they left Copper Ridge behind, the jeers of the crowd faded, replaced by the silence of the open land. Jeremiah sat at the reins, shoulders squared, while Dileia sat beside him, unsure of what to say. He offered her food—a small cloth bundle filled with jerky and hard bread—and she accepted it, feeling the warmth of his kindness.

Days passed as they traveled further into the mountains. Jeremiah taught her how to ride, guiding her onto a horse with surprising gentleness. He spoke little, but when he did, his words were filled with respect. Dileia found herself humming old Irish tunes as she cooked, and to her surprise, Jeremiah didn’t scowl or turn away; instead, he listened, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

One night, as they sat by the fire, Jeremiah pulled out a violin. He played a mournful tune that filled the cabin with a haunting beauty. Dileia felt tears prick her eyes, realizing that this man, who had been feared and whispered about, was capable of such tenderness.

Their bond deepened as they settled into a rhythm of life on the frontier. Dileia found joy in cooking, in caring for the horses, and in the quiet moments shared with Jeremiah. He built a sturdy cabin, a true home, where she could feel safe and cherished. The scars of her past began to fade, replaced by a sense of belonging she had never known.

But peace on the frontier was fragile. Whispers began to circulate in town, fueled by jealousy and misunderstanding. Crawford, a man with a reputation for trouble, spread rumors that Jeremiah had kidnapped Dileia. The threat of violence loomed over them like a dark cloud.

One fateful night, as the wind howled outside, a shot rang out, shattering the calm. Jeremiah sprang into action, dragging Dileia to the floor as bullets ricocheted off the walls. They fought back together, their hearts pounding in unison. Dileia felt a fierce determination surge within her; she was no longer the fat girl left behind. She was a partner, a warrior fighting for her life and the man she loved.

When the dust settled, they emerged victorious. The men who had threatened their home fled into the night, leaving behind the echoes of their cowardice. Jeremiah turned to Dileia, his eyes filled with pride and admiration. “You saved us,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Dileia smiled through her tears, realizing that she had found not only a home but a love that transcended all doubts and fears. Together, they had forged a bond stronger than any obstacle life could throw at them. In the embrace of Thunder Peak, they discovered that love could rise above cruelty and doubt, transforming their lives into a story of hope and resilience.

As the sun set behind the mountains, painting the sky in hues of gold, Dileia knew she had finally found her place in the world—beside the man who had seen her strength and chosen her for who she truly was. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, their hearts intertwined in a love that would endure the test of time.