Meghan's Story: Brides of Fall River: Fall River Saga, #2

By Chloe Emile

Book 1: The Fall River Family Saga
Book 2: Meghan's Story
Book 3: Molly's Story 
Book 4: Annie's Story 

 

1868, Fall River, Massachusetts

 

Meghan Lochlan dreams of having a great love, but the handsome lieutenant she has been falling for suddenly leaves town and breaks her heart. When she goes to Washington to visit her cousin Holly, she meets Adam, an aide to a congressman in Pennsylvania. However, Holly quickly moves in on him, and Meghan returns to Fall River heartbroken once again. 

 

Christian Churchill, a medical student and a newcomer in town, flirts with her and instills the hope of love in Meghan again. But is Christian right for her? Or does her heart belong with Adam, a man she barely knows?

 

Meghan's Story is a standalone novella. Meghan is Abby and Ryan's daughter from The Fall River Family Saga. This is her love own story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chloe Emile Romance
• Release date: Jul 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513006703

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

1868, Fall River, Massachusetts

When Meghan came into this world, she was destined to reach the stars. She was the first child born to Abby and Ryan Lochlan. Ten minutes later, a second child, Molly, followed. Not long after that, the third girl, Annie, joined the family.

The triplets all shared the same birthday, but each girl was different, not only in looks but also in personality and temperament.

By the time she was able to walk, raven-haired Meghan positioned herself to be the natural leader of the group. Even though a few years later, their twin brothers Tom and Daniel joined the clan and their cousin Holly came to live with them, Meghan still remained the leader.

At a young age, she developed a great love for books, and her favorite room in the house was the library. Molly, her late grandmother, had been an avid reader and had homeschooled Meghan’s mother and aunts.

Although Abby had given Meghan and her siblings the basics in education, they all went to the school in Fall River. Meghan quickly took to the classes, and she was always happy to help her sisters and brothers with their homework problems.

Abby thought maybe Meghan would become a teacher someday, but Meghan had all kinds of talents. Meghan was a tomboy, and she was Ryan's favorite little girl. Her bond with her father was strong, and not even the birth of her twin brothers could detract from it.

Meghan was the first to climb onto a horse without any fear and gallop down the road from the house. While both her sisters preferred to be in the kitchen with their mother, learning how to cook and sew, Meghan was with her dad.

Abby wondered if Meghan would ever grow out of being a tomboy and become a lady like her sisters. She never expected to see the day when that girl would step out of those jeans and flannel shirt and put on a dress. Abby wondered if Meghan would develop an interest in men as she had, when she was her daughter’s age.

And then one day it happened.

A young army lieutenant by the name of Michael Tucker rode up to the front door of the house, followed by a few of his men.

To fifteen-year-old Meghan, who was sweeping the top porch, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. With his dark hair and eyebrows, he was masculine and rugged, like a hero in one of the novels she loved.

He had come to Fall River with a regiment of soldiers to secure the payroll coming by train later that week. A shipment of gold was also being sent to New York by ship the same day. The Secretary himself wanted Michael to turn over the orders to Mr. Lochlan.

He dismounted and came to the door. As he knocked, Meghan scurried inside, tentatively poking her head out the window. A few seconds after, Abby answered the door.

Hello, she said brightly. Can I help you, Lieutenant?

He took off his hat and flashed her his most winsome smile.

Ma’am, I'm Lieutenant Michael Tucker. I have some orders for a Mr. Ryan Lochlan.

That would be my husband. Do come in, Lieutenant, and have your men relax. Abby looked out to the men and smiled to welcome them. Can I get you gentlemen some coffee?

The lieutenant looked back at the sergeant.

Sergeant, have the troops dismount.

The sergeant addressed the troops. Company, dismount.

The troops obeyed. One of them noticed Meghan on the top porch and let out a whistle. Meghan looked away, blushing.

Lieutenant Tucker was quick to set him straight. Soldier, another outburst like that, and you will go on report. He turned back to Abby. Ma’am, I apologize for my men.

Oh, the boy's only giving a compliment to my daughter. Meghan, you get inside and tell your daddy he's got company. She turned back to the lieutenant. Won’t you come inside? She stepped back to allow him into the house. She pointed in the direction of the library. Do make yourself at home. My husband should be down directly.

She left him to go to the back end of the house. A few minutes passed before an older gentlemen came in.

Lieutenant Tucker imagined it must be Mr. Lochlan. He stood up. Mr. Lochlan?

Ryan nodded amiably. Yes. My daughter tells me you have some orders for me, Lieutenant?

Lieutenant Tucker took out an envelope from the inside of his shirt.

Sir, I was told by the secretary that you would know what to do after you read this. He handed Ryan the envelope.

As Ryan read the contents, the expression on his face turned serious. He looked up at the lieutenant. Are you aware of what is in this document, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir, I am. I have been sent here to make sure these orders are followed out.

Ryan needed a plan. He had to find a way to teach this new lieutenant how things were done out here.

I would like to suggest that your troops scatter about. It would be a better idea since if stragglers do plan on stealing the gold, they are not going to do it in a group. And they will not take on a regiment of soldiers.

Yes, sir.

Ryan figured the lieutenant had to be right out of the academy, to snap with the sirs so much.

One more thing, Lieutenant. I'm not in the army. You don’t have to ‘yes sir’ me each time I tell you something.

Yes— He caught himself and stopped.

Ryan suppressed a chuckle. Do follow me to my study. He looked over the men. I won’t forget about you, either.

Ryan led the lieutenant down the hall. When they walked into the study, Meghan had already placed the coffee on the table and was on her way out the door.

Meghan, make sure the men outside have some refreshments also.

Yes, Papa.

As she walked out, Ryan noticed the young lieutenant sneaking a glance at her. As a father, he didn’t know whether to be upset or pleased about that.

So, Ryan asked, have you men found quarters to stay until the shipment comes to Fall River?

If it’s all right with you, sir, we were thinking of camping down where the railroad men used to be.

I’m sure that can be arranged. You can use the main cabin. It has a telegraph to keep in touch with the train, to find out when it should arrive in Fall River.

My thoughts exactly, si—Mr. Lochlan.

Ryan smiled at him. You’re learning, son.

The two sat in the study for some time as Meghan stood by the kitchen door, waiting to hear signs of when they would be leaving. She smoothed out her hair and her dress, hoping she looked okay.

Abby watched her while making apple pies. Her daughter seemed to have taken a fancy to the young man. Well, it was about time. After all, Meghan was going to be sixteen next year. Though Abby had never really worried, Meghan just seemed to have always marched to a different drummer.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Ryan and the lieutenant came out. Abby left the kitchen to talk to them.

Lieutenant, I have made far too many pies for us here. Would you please take some of them for yourself and your men?

The lieutenant was about to decline, but after one look at Abby’s kind smile, he couldn’t. There was something about Abby—she had her late mother’s trait of putting everyone at ease. He found it hard to say no to someone like that.

It will be a pleasure, ma'am. It’s been a long time since we've had any home cooking. I'll have one of the men come to the back and fetch them.

He nodded to Meghan as he followed Ryan to the front of the house, meeting her gaze just a second longer than was needed. A lovely home you have here, Mr. Lochlan.

Thank you. It was my wife's family home. Abby loves it here.

They walked out to the porch. The lieutenant noticed the roses, and a smile came to his face. My mother had a rose garden in front of our home.

Yes, my mother-in-law loved yellow roses, and Abby decided to keep the tradition. Where's your home, Lieutenant?

Oh, it's in a little place in Maine. Haven't seen it in over three years now.

"You should get back there one day. I myself