Emily Read online

  Emily

  Brides of Montana

  Book One

  Cheryl Wright

  Contents:

  Copyright ©2020 by Cheryl Wright

  Thanks

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  From the Author

  About the Author

  Author Links:

  EMILY

  Brides of Montana – Book One

  Copyright ©2020 by Cheryl Wright

  Cover Artist: Black Widow Books

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book

  Thanks

  Thanks to my very dear friends (and authors), Margaret Tanner and Susan Horsnell for their enduring encouragement and friendship.

  Thanks also to Alan, my husband of over 45 years, who has been a relentless supporter of my writing for many years.

  And last, but by no means least, thank you to all my wonderful readers who encourage me to continue writing these stories. It is such a joy to me knowing so many of you enjoy reading my stories. I love writing them as much as you love reading them.

  Chapter One

  Spring

  Grand Falls, Montana - 1880

  Emily Stanton swept the dirt and debris away from the front door of the boarding house.

  W.J. Stanton and Sons had been in her family for over fifty years. The worn and sign still stood over the door. Not as proudly as it once had, but it was there, nonetheless.

  She had recently repainted the second half of the sign to make it more visible.

  Clean Rooms for Discerning Gentlemen

  She didn’t want any riffraff to apply, and neither had her father, or indeed, her grandfather. They only allowed upstanding young gents who would behave themselves and pay their rent on time.

  In return, Emily would clean their rooms, make their beds, and supply a cooked breakfast and evening meal. Packed lunches would be provided for a little extra.

  Speaking of cooked meals, she needed to go to the Mercantile and the Butcher Shop and buy the necessary items for tonight’s meal.

  She would have six hungry men chomping at the bit come supper time, and their food needed to be ready on time.

  Six-thirty every night without fail their meal was placed in front of them. Once the prayers of thanks had been said, they tucked in.

  She looked up at the freshly painted sign. Father would be pleased she had continued on with the business. Mother perhaps not so much. She’d hated this place. Hated having to do most of the hard work because of course, it was women’s work.

  According to Father anyway.

  He usually pottered around making minor repairs, napping in-between jobs while Mother did all the hard and endless work. Emily did her share even before she left school. At least it had taken the pressure off Mother.

  And now? Now she was doing it all alone. Some days were harder than others, but what choice did she have?

  She glanced across at the broken chair sitting in the corner. What she needed was a man who could do all the necessary repairs, but finding someone like that in Grand Falls had proven to be impossible.

  The only carpenter in town was far too busy building cottages to attend to small, tedious jobs like hers.

  After putting the broom back where it belonged, she pulled on her bonnet, and readied herself to for shopping.

  This was her daily routine after cooking and serving breakfast, doing the clean up afterwards, and making all the beds. If she was extra quick, Emily got to sit down and have a cup of tea or coffee before leaving the house. Most often coffee – it’s what the men preferred, and there was usually left-overs.

  After her parents had died, the people of Grand Falls had snickered at her decision to keep the boarding house going.

  They thoroughly objected to a young, single woman running a boarding house full of men. She’d had a strong lock fitted to her private apartment for her own peace of mind.

  She vowed to keep the family business going. After all, it wasn’t her fault she was born female.

  Of course she could have sold the business, but Father would have rolled over in his grave. On the other hand, she could imagine the smile on Mother’s face. And there was no doubt in Emily’s mind her mother would be nodding profusely.

  Mother would have been more than happy to wipe her hands of the place back in her day.

  Emily sighed. She was an upstanding young woman of high moral values. She would be safe she’d told the naysayers, and she’d proven that to be so. She’d not once had a problem with one of her boarders.

  The rules were clear – no women on the premises, no alcohol, and no fraternizing with management.

  Meaning Emily.

  In addition, rent must be paid on time or they would be asked to leave immediately. So far there had been no problems with any of the rules.

  Most of her young gentlemen were happy to have a roof over their heads, and food in their bellies. They were also quite protective of her. Not that she’d ever really needed help in that area. Not really.

  Although there was that one time… No, she preferred not to think about it.

  The majority only stayed long enough to secure long-term employment in the area, and had moved on soon after.

  There were times when the house wasn’t full, but provided she was able to cover her costs and have a little left over, Emily was happy. She was building a nice little nest egg for her future by depositing her profits into the local bank.

  So far she hadn’t needed to dip into her savings, but she knew it was inevitable. If she could find someone to do the repairs needed around the place, at least she would have the money to pay him. And right now, there were lots of repairs to be done.

  Cecil Delbert from the Mercantile had been a dear and allowed her to put a notice in the window of his store for a carpenter or someone who could do repairs. So far there had been no takers.

  No one in Grand Falls was qualified or had the necessary skills. With the town’s influx of newcomers, she hoped that would change soon, but she wasn’t holding her breath.

  * * *

  Patrick Harper stared out the window of the clattering train.

  In the light of day, the scenery was nice. You could even call it pretty. In the cold hard cover of night, it looked quite frightening through the dusty windows.

  He’d tried to sleep, but the jolting of the train in addition to the excitement of his new venture had caused sleep to be fleeting.

  Patrick had been contracted to build new homes and businesses in the suddenly expanding Grand Falls. It would be quite busy to begin with, he was certain. At least until they caught up with demand.

  This was a whole new venture, and one he had prayed for over many years.

  Hard work and diligence had finally brought this to fruition.

  There had been no time to arrange accommodation. Nor did he know if or where he would find any. He might end up staying at the hotel – assuming Grand Falls had a hotel, that was.

  He shifted in his seat. He’d been on this rickety contraption for a little under twenty-four hours, but was wholly sick of it. He felt sorry for those who were doomed to longer trips.

  The conductor strolled past on his way to the next carriage. “Excuse me,” Patrick said, looking up at the uniformed gent. “How much further is it until we reach Grand Falls?”

  �
��Not long, Sir. Another twenty minutes and we’ll arrive.” He touched his hat and was on his way before Patrick could thank him.

  Twenty minutes. That wasn’t too bad; he could endure that. He stretched his legs as far as he could, but it wasn’t enough. So instead, he stood and stretched.

  Stretching his arms upwards, his fingertips touched the roof of the train. He quickly pulled them away. It was good to stand, even if only for a few minutes.

  He didn’t dare move from his seat for fear his bag of tools would be stolen. His main luggage had been placed with the rest of the passenger’s luggage, but he couldn’t risk losing the tools of his trade.

  Not only were they expensive to replace, but it would take forever for them to arrive. No, he would stay right where he was.

  He craned his neck and glanced along the walkway between the seat. A number of other passengers were doing the same – stretching their legs before reaching the next station. After this amount of time limbs went numb, making it difficult to disembark.

  He stared out the window again then returned to his seat. Grand Falls was said to be bigger than Dayton Falls, where he’d just left after working with his brother who was a baker there. Building and setting up his shop and home had taken quite some time, but it had been satisfying work.

  Grand Falls promised to be satisfying too. Perhaps even more so.

  Patrick was really looking forward to this new chapter in his life. But first he needed to find accommodation at an affordable price.

  * * *

  Strolling along the sidewalk after arriving at his destination, Patrick surveyed the town. It was far bigger than Dayton Falls, but not as large as he’d envisioned.

  He felt a little dismayed, but then remembered there were contracts for several houses and stores.

  He grinned.

  Hard work and diligence. That’s what Father had preached his entire life. After he had gone, his brother Ethan had told him the same. He ought to know – he had his own bakery store in Dayton Falls now. And what’s more, Patrick had been paid to build it and the adjoining house.

  He glanced around and spotted the diner, the bank, and the office to the saw mill. He stopped when he stood outside the Mercantile. The large poster in the window caught his eye:

  Carpenter Needed

  Well he was a carpenter, but he already had work lined up, so he was far from interested. Despite that, his eyes continued to scan the information.

  It was signed Emily Stanton, Owner, and was on the letterhead for a boarding house. That part really piqued his interest.

  He checked the address carefully. Stanton Way, Grand Falls.

  Hmmm. The street was obviously named after an ancestor. Now all he had to do was find it.

  He was about to enter the Mercantile and ask for directions when he almost collided with a young woman who was leaving.

  “Excuse me,” he said, staring at her amazing brown eyes. “Can you direct me to Stanton Way?”

  She pursed her lips. “As it happens, I am heading that way myself.” She had her hands full, and so did Patrick, so he was unable to offer to assist with her packages.

  He indicated his overladen hands. “I apologize, Ma’am. I would help you if I could.”

  She looked down at his luggage. “You’re new in town.”

  It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. In a town this size, no doubt everyone knew everyone else. “Yes Ma’am. Just arrived,” he said.

  “Do you have business here?”

  She was nosy, that was for sure, but Patrick didn’t mind. Not really. It was a good way to get to know a local. “Yes Ma’am. I’m joining Harry Johnson with building new houses.”

  She turned to him and grinned. “Sawdust Harry, do you mean?” He could have sworn she was holding back peals of laughter.

  “That’s cute,” he said, trying not to laugh himself. “I wonder what they’ll call me?” It was his turn to grin.

  “Ooooh, you’re a carpenter too?” She looked more than a little relieved. Curious.

  She stopped where she stood and waited for his response. He frowned, then put down his luggage. “Patrick Harper,” he said, extending his hand and grinning. “Carpenter extraordinaire.”

  She juggled her shopping around and shook his hand. “Emily Stanton. I don’t suppose you’re looking for accommodation?”

  “Yes Ma’am, I certainly am. I’m particularly keen on a boarding house that supplies meals.”

  He was a hopeless cook, and besides, when would he have the time to make meals? It made perfect sense.

  “You have no idea how happy I am to meet you Mr Harper.”

  He stared at her. Her eyes were so mesmerizing, but it was more than that. Although Patrick couldn’t put his finger on it. “The notice about the carpenter was from you?” Everything suddenly fell into place. “Perhaps I can help out, but I won’t have a lot of time. I start work on Monday.”

  She sighed. “That doesn’t give you much time.” She picked up her packages again and Patrick did the same. As they turned into an alleyway, Emily indicated a building ahead of them. “That’s us,” she said, and picked up pace.

  “Does that mean you have a room I can rent?” His heart quickened. He had no idea it would be this easy.

  She glanced across at him. “I have only the one room available. You have great timing.” She relieved herself of her shopping again and rummaged in her reticule for her keys. Once located, she unlocked the door and ushered Patrick inside.

  He left his luggage in the entrance and hurried back to assist Emily with her shopping. Patrick wasn’t sure why, but he felt drawn to her.

  Then again, it could just be that he was being a proper gentleman. He’d probably never know which one it was.

  “Through there, if you don’t mind,” she told him, indicating he take her shopping through to the kitchen. It was tiny compared to the massive kitchen he’d built for his brother back in Dayton Falls. But on the other hand, that kitchen was gigantic compared to most.

  He glanced around. The kitchen really was quite small, and it would be difficult for more than one person to work in here. It could be far better with a few adjustments and some repairs.

  He kept his opinion to himself.

  “Come with me and I’ll take you to your room,” Emily said, snatching up a set of keys. “You’ll be in room five – it’s been empty for a few weeks, so I had a chance to thoroughly clean it.” She glanced across at him and grinned. “It also happens to be the biggest of the rooms we have here.” She fiddled with the keys for a moment, then opened the door. She pushed ahead of Patrick and tried to open the window to air the room out, but it was stuck. Probably from lack of use.

  “Here, let me,” he said, and his hand brushed against hers as he tried. Her skin was soft, and he loved the feel of it. She leaned closer trying to see what was wrong with it and he breathed in her fragrance.

  He stepped back. He was not here to breathe in the essence of Miss Stanton.

  “It’s was working fine before Mr Credent left.”

  “It’s probably just the change of weather.” He suddenly let go. “I’ll grab my tools. I’ll be back momentarily.”

  He felt her eyes on his back and tried to ignore it. He brought his luggage and tools into his new place of abode. “You haven’t by chance painted the window recently?” He looked at her curiously.

  Her hands flew to her mouth. “I have,” she said, sounding rather guilty. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to be sorry.” He reached into his toolbox and soon had the window moving freely again. “Some paint got into the tracks. All fixed.”

  She looked beyond relieved. “Thank you. I’ll introduce you to the other lodgers at supper. They’re all at work now.”

  She handed him the set of keys, which consisted of a room key and front door key.

  She pointed out where everything was, not that there was much, then excused herself to begin work on supper.

  “Wait,” he shouted to her bac
k. “I haven’t paid you yet.” As a matter of fact, he had no idea how much it was even going to cost him.

  She looked back over her shoulder. “You’ve already earned your first day here by fixing the window. I have plenty more where that came from, so if you’re agreeable…”

  He frowned at her. That wasn’t fair – he wanted to pay his way and not take advantage of this hardworking woman.

  She stopped in her tracks. “Is that a no? You don’t want to help?”

  The distress on her face made him feel more than a little guilty. “I don’t mind helping, but I must pay my own way. Tell me what the weekly rent is so I can pay it.” He realized he sounded quite forceful. It wasn’t his intention, but he needed to let her know how he felt.

  “I, I’m sorry,” she said, her voice breaking. “I didn’t mean to assume. I’m rather desperate for help.” She was talking quickly and he had to concentrate on her words. “I have a broken chair, damaged bookshelves. The kitchen cupboards need fixing…”

  He felt bad now that he’d refused her. “I noticed the kitchen cupboards.” He stepped toward her. “Perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement, but I won’t allow you to give me free board.”

  He held her gently by the shoulders. “Is that understood?”

  She nodded her agreement, and he stared down into her face. He saw her properly for the first time – she was an incredibly beautiful woman, but she was also harried. He had held her up, and now she was becoming anxious.

  “I must go and prepare supper,” she said, pulling out of his grip and stepping away. “We can talk more later.”

  Touching her had been magical. Patrick had never felt like this before. When their hands connected on the window, a thrill had gone down his spine.

  When he looked into her face just now, his heart pounded. One thing was for certain, he needed to keep his distance. He was here to work, and for no other reason.

  He wasn’t sure how he could keep away when he’d promised to fix all the problems around the building. Perhaps he needed to look for somewhere else to stay.