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    A New Year for Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas
    A New Year for Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas
    A New Year for Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas
    Ebook176 pages2 hours

    A New Year for Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas

    By Doreen Milstead

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    The Seamstress From Boston Teaches The Angry Nebraskan Rancher How to Love - A seamstress from Boston decides to head out to Nebraska and become the mail order bride to a rancher, but when she reaches the station and sees her cowboy, he is much older and much angrier than she would have ever imagined PLUS The Smallest of the Orphans - A destitute woman in New York gives birth to a tiny baby and the orphanage there is unsure of the newborn’s survival. After feeling that it’s the baby’s only chance for a good life, a friend of the orphanage takes the baby out to Indiana for adoption by a childless couple PLUS The Strong English Woman & The Outlaw In Arizona - A mail ordered bride expects to be met at the railway station by her intended but he’s nowhere to be found PLUS The Second Chance Town - Two female con artists decide to scam a couple of rich men out west so they take two priests with them to get married, as the town’s population is only fifty people.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLulu.com
    Release dateDec 19, 2017
    ISBN9781387454877
    A New Year for Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas

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      Book preview

      A New Year for Love - Doreen Milstead

      A New Year for Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas

      A New Year For Love: Four Historical Romance Novellas

      By

      Doreen Milstead

      Copyright 2017 Susan Hart

      The Seamstress From Boston Teaches The Angry Nebraskan Rancher How to Love

      Synopsis: The Seamstress From Boston Teaches The Angry Nebraskan Rancher How to Love - A seamstress from Boston decides to head out to Nebraska and become the mail order bride to a rancher, but when she reaches the station and sees her cowboy, he is much older and much angrier than she would have ever imagined. 

      Thomas McGregor overlooked his ranch and sighed. It had been ten years since he’d lost his wife and children, and ten years since he’d known happiness. He’d been avoiding the real problem, but it was time to face the truth. He was nearing fifty with no heir to the ranch. The ranch itself wasn’t much. For the past few years, most of it was dry and barren, but he still thought that one day it might flourish. And it would be nice if, when that day came, his own flesh and blood would be in charge.

      The sun rose over the land, shining light on the dust and withered plants. Thomas hated the mornings. Every night his help went to bed saying that maybe tomorrow would be different, but the morning was never different. The sun rose hot as ever, baking everything in its path with no remorse. When would they give up hope?

      Not that he was any different. This heir business was nothing but the last glimmer of hope in Thomas’s chest that he could do something with this family land. When he’d been a boy, his father had told him that he’d do great things. What would his father say now when he looked over the wasteland and realized its destruction had come from Thomas?

      Good morning, McGregor.

      Thomas turned to see Linda coming up the front walk. Her old and tattered dress, already covered in dirt, swayed slightly in the wind. Thomas narrowed his eyes. Linda had been his maid for thirty years and for thirty years, she’d been driving him mad.

      Christ woman, aren’t you dead yet, he demanded. Linda had to be nearing sixty years old, but her hair clung to its rich brunette color. Only the weathered and wrinkled skin of her face hinted at her age.

      You think you’re unhappy now? Wait until the day you don’t see me making this godforsaken hike. You’ll probably starve to death, she snapped back.

      The way you cook, it might be a blessing, he muttered.

      She turned a fierce gaze his way. What was that?

      Nothing. Get to work, woman!

      She hobbled up the steps and leaned on him when she got to the top. What are you doing out here anyways? You’re usually in the fields by now.

      Not that it’s any of your business, but I had an errand I needed to run.

      Jake’s boy sick again? Jake’s son, Ben, was Thomas’s errand boy.

      No, he said gruffly. It was a personal errand.

      She narrowed her eyes as she studied him. Thomas shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. Linda knew him better than anyone here and despite his gruff words, he respected the woman. And what was so personal that you couldn’t have the errand boy do it, she asked suspiciously.

      None of your business. Quit asking questions!

      Thomas McGregor, if you are putting this farm up for sale without telling anyone, I will take you over my knee and wear you out, she said coldly.

      I’d like to see you try. Besides, I ain’t putting the farm up for sale, he snorted. I’ve been speaking to someone about one of those mail order brides back East.

      Her eyes grew as big as saucers. Thomas, you want to wed again?

      Beth’s been dead for ten years, Linda, so don’t make me feel guilty about this, he warned.

      Oh Thomas, I wanted you to marry ages ago. You’ve grown mean in all these years alone. You need a woman, she chastised gently.

      He turned a sharp eye towards her. The only reason I need a woman is so I can have an heir. And I swear Linda, if you start spreading gossip around the farm about this marriage, I will fire you, he threatened.

      Clearly used to empty threats, she smiled. Everyone here will be pleased and you just don’t want everyone congratulating you. Why are you ordering one from the East? There are plenty of women here who would put up with that nasty temper of yours.

      She wasn’t wrong. He knew he had a reputation for being stern and gruff, but still men paraded their daughters in front of him. Part of him as disgusted that men would so willingly marry their daughters off to someone twice their age, but he knew that he sat on a desirable piece of land. And despite his age, he knew he wasn’t a bad looking man.

      I don’t really fancy having to merge with any of the families here, he said finally. Most of them are lazy and I have no doubt their daughters would be just as lazy. I need someone to pick up your slack around here.

      My slack, she said indignantly. I’m just as good as they day I started here, thank you very much!

      You’re getting old, Linda and you’ve slowed down. I’m not dumb. You need help around the house and I should have hired someone to help you years ago. You’re going to retire soon.

      Please, she said leaning over to smack him. I can’t retire until I know you’re going to be just fine. And clearly that ain’t happening anytime soon. Come on inside. If you ain’t going to the fields just yet, you might as well have a decent breakfast.

      His stomach growled and he followed her inside. Normally he just heated up some oatmeal, but he’d gotten an earlier start and now he was craving some eggs. She pulled out a pan and heated up the stove. So, what did they say about this mail order bride of yours?

      Her name is Amelia Saunders. She’s a seamstress from Boston and her only stipulation is that she’d be able to do some work on her own around the house. I don’t love the idea of strangers trampling in and out of the house while she mends things, but apparently she’s no stranger to hard work. She can cook and clean and she’s quiet. That’s all I need, so I guess I can put up with her making her own money from time to time.

      Linda cracked a few eggs over the stove. What do you mean that’s all you need? Do you know anything about her family life? Is she pretty? Does she have sturdy bone structure? Is she educated? You’re looking for someone to mother your child and you’ve got absolutely no information about her!

      This company has assured me that all of their girls are educated. Many of them are orphans that picked up trades, but they all offer a nice dowry. I don’t care what she looks like as long as she’s quiet and does what she’s told. I’ve already got one mouthy woman around here. I certainly don’t need another.

      Linda opened her mouth to respond, but there was a knock at the door. Thomas shot her a cold look as he moved to the door. His heavy boots rattled the furniture as he passed, and he swung open the screen with displeasure when he saw Jake standing on the other side.

      I told you yesterday I’d be late, Thomas snapped.

      It ain’t that, boss. Jake took off his hat nervously. My wife is going into labor and I’d like to be there for her.

      Thomas narrowed his eyes. He didn’t have time for this. I’ve got two mares about to give birth, a field that needs tilling, not to mention all the extra watering we’ve got to get done. I don’t have the luxury to give you the day off.

      Thomas McGregor, Linda came up behind him. Don’t you start that nonsense today. Jake, would it be all right if your boy helped Thomas out while you spend some time with your wife?

      Ben? Thomas whirled around. The boy is ten years old and skinnier than a string bean. What kind of help is he going to be?

      Jack nodded his head emphatically. Ben could absolutely help and Thomas, I promise that I’ll give you fifteen hours of straight work to help you catch up as soon as the baby is born. It’s been a complicated pregnancy for Sara and I’m afraid for her.

      Thomas felt pain wash through him as he thought of his own wife. Beth had been the most beautiful, dainty, loving woman ever, but she couldn’t survive the birth of their son. He could still remember the moment the midwife came to tell him that she’d gone to meet her maker. He’d wept bitterly.

      With a stoic look on his face, he crushed the pain. That was ten long years ago. He was a different man now. As soon as that baby is born, I expect you by my side, he snapped. Send Ben over and tell him that if he gets out of line, I’ll bend him over my knee, you understand?

      Thank you, McGregor, Jake babbled. Oh, thank you!

      Get out of here before I change my mind, he said gruffly. The younger man bounced down the steps and took off running.

      What’s the matter with you? You were really going to make him work today and don’t you dare deny it because I know that look on your face, Linda ranted.

      Lay off me, woman, he muttered as he took a seat back in the kitchen. I have a ranch to run.

      Linda wasn’t done. After what you went through, I can’t believe you even thought twice about it. How would you have felt if that man lost his wife and instead of being by her side, he was working in the fields?

      Thomas stood. He wasn’t going to just sit here and take it. Forget the breakfast, he muttered. He opened the cabinet door and grabbed his bottle of whiskey. I’m going out working.

      It doesn’t matter how much you drink, Thomas McGregor, she called out behind him. Nothing is going to make things better for you until you change your attitude.

      Thomas rolled his eyes and took a swig from the bottle. Nothing was wrong. He treated his employees fairly and he expected them to work hard in return. There was nothing wrong with telling a man that he had to work, and besides, he gave Jake the day off, didn’t he? The only thing missing in his life was an heir, and soon he’d fix that problem.

      Everything was just fine and dandy.

      Amelia Saunders trembled as read the message. It had arrived hours ago but she had ignored it as she finished up Widow Mary’s dress. The dress was so ripped and torn that she brought it in nearly once a month to have it mended, but she wouldn’t consider throwing it out. Every time she brought it in, she mentioned that it was once her husband’s favorite dress and she would wear it in his memory. Of course, Widow Mary had buried four husbands and Amelia wasn’t sure which husband the old woman was referring to. Still, she had do doubt that Widow Mary would be buried in this dress, but it would probably be in pieces by then.

      She’d struggled with the material all the while casting glances at the envelope. She knew it was from the agency. Several weeks before, she’d answered an ad about a man needing a wife in Nebraska. He needed help with some things around the house and he wanted some companionship.

      Amelia was looking for love and adventure and she’d felt a strange connection with the man from the ad. She pictured a young and handsome cowboy that had spent too much time working and not enough time wooing. Nervously, she’d answered stipulating that she only needed the time and space to work within the home.

      When she finally finished the dress, she blew out her breath and ripped open the envelope. It smelled of whiskey and cigars and she frowned. Had the messenger been drinking when he delivered it?

      ‘That’s fine. Ticket enclosed. Thomas McGregor.’

      That’s fine? Clearly, he was a man of few words. Thomas McGregor. McGregor was a nice strong name. Amelia McGregor. She liked the sound of it. The ticket was stamped with Wednesday date and her eyes widened. But today is Monday, she gasped. How on earth would she get ready in time?

      Amelia? Amelia are you in here?

      Hearing Samantha’s voice, Amelia quickly pocketed the ticket. I’m in the back, she called out. Her friend came around the corner with her arm hooked around Widow Mary.

      Amelia, is my dress finished, the old woman croaked out.

      She pulled the dress of the sewing machine and held it up for inspection. Samantha was studying her closely. Amelia? Why on earth are you so flushed?

      Amelia swallowed hard. She had yet to tell Samantha about her application to the agency, let alone that they’d already found her a husband. It’s a bit warm in here. Perhaps I should open the windows, she said as she moved across the room.

      Amelia Emily Saunders, are you hiding something from me, Samantha demanded.

      Her friend knew her too well. Widow Mary had put the dress down and was watching the two younger women. Amelia squared her shoulders and faced her friend. Samantha, I do love you. In addition, I love it here, but you know I want more, right?

      Samantha narrowed her eyes. Did that Jacobs fellow propose to you? I keep telling you, Amelia, he’s nothing but a lazy scoundrel!

      No! Amelia shook her head. No, I know that about Jacobs. In fact, I believe that most of the men here are nothing but lazy scoundrels. Besides, I don’t have much in the way of a dowry to offer, so I started looking at other options.

      Widow Mary burst out laughing. Child, you put an application at that transcontinental marriage agency, didn’t you?

      She wouldn’t, Samantha said, rolling her eyes. Amelia turned bright red and Samantha gasped. Amelia! What were you thinking?

      Samantha, I’m twenty-two. In a few years, I’ll be at an undesirable age for most men, and I can’t work here forever. What was I supposed to do? Don’t be angry, she pleaded.

      Her friend sat down on a stool and

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