Montana Destiny Brides Box Set: Books 1-3

By Amelia Rose

Three Irish brides long for a fresh start. Could leaving behind everything they know to marry a stranger really be their path to true happiness?
Declan O’Bryan and Margaret McGreggor have both left Ireland to seek fortune and adventure in the new world, but both have different approaches. Declan is not convinced by the idea of writing off for a wife, but what choice does he have? His bride has a thirst for adventure and is desperate to escape her sister’s cramped apartment: for Margaret, marrying a stranger seems like the perfect solution. Can these two stubborn free spirits really find happiness together?
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Nothing has gone well for Kathleen Grady, but with every hardship she’s faced, she’s emerged strong and determined. After the death of her fiancé and her endless fight with her tyrannical brother, she desperately needs change. So when she’s presented with the chance to marry a stranger, she’s faced with a difficult decision: should she escape Ireland for a fresh start, or will a new life in Montana put her in even more danger?
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Brianna Darcy leaves Ireland full of hope. Marrying a stranger should bring her the fresh start she needs, but she finds herself faced with surprise after surprise. She brings her own secrets with her too, and for her new husband, Cassidy Campbell, this presents a challenge. He’s made a name for himself in Montana, and Brianna isn’t quite what he was expecting. Can they overcome the tangle of secrets that threaten their freedom in time to find happiness together?
In Mail Order Brides - Montana Destiny Brides Box Set - Books 1-3, you’ll find riveting tales of hardship and longing. Join three brides on their adventures as they seek a fresh start and the happiness they deserve. Could marrying a stranger really be the answer to finding happiness?
To lose yourself in three captivating tales of romance and adventure, click “Add to Cart” right now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gold Crown
• Release date: Dec 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310955327

Amelia Rose

Amelia Rose holds a PhD in Literature and Language; she specializes in teaching positive, self-reliant principles to children and adults of all ages.  Dr. Rose lives with her husband and three children in the Hudson Valley, New York area, where she enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family and friends.   Matthew Maley is an artist with nearly twenty-five years in the fields of Illustration and Design. His work has appeared in publications such as Archie Comics, Marvel, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Children’s Television Workshop. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife, daughter, and a variety of animals.

Book preview

Mail Order Bride Margaret: Book 1

Chapter One

Are you comin’ to the tavern with us, Declan? a burly man called out from where he was standing, filling the doorway with his oversized frame.

Nay Osgar, you go on ahead, I’ve got things to do. I’ll see you in the morning, though, to be sure. The younger man tipped his cap back over his shaggy brown hair and picked up his dinner pail, readying himself to go.

Aye, you never make time for the boys no more since becoming a working man on your own farm! What’s the problem, you can’t hold your drink now that you’ve grown into long pants? his friend jested, grinning in that way that always put people at ease despite his massive size.

Not to worry, my drinking’s just fine, thanks! I’ve just got better ways to pass an evening than to spend it staring at all of your ugly faces! he fired back, keeping a long-running joke going between them. Osgar hooted a deep rolling laugh, then waved one last time as he headed to join the others.

So, you’re not joining up with that bunch of your old buddies at the tavern tonight? Odd, I thought you Irish loved nothing more than to sit around a table with a mug of that black stuff you all seem to love. Coming from anyone else, Declan would have taken offense and taken swift action to remedy it. But coming from the kindly old foreman, he knew it was nothing more than a light-hearted joke, the kind that made the workday go by faster.

Not tonight, Mr. Sawyer. Got better ways to spend my wages than staring down into an empty glass!

That’s right smart thinking, son. You keep that kind of head on your shoulders and you’ll have your claim paid off and every bit of it legal in your name in no time! The old man waved goodnight, then tottered off to his meager quarters around the side of the building.

Declan couldn’t help but smile to himself as he walked to the small stable where the men stalled their horses during the work day. He saddled his black mare and rode towards his claim, letting the horse lead the way while he stretched his sore back and leaned this way and that. Working at the saw mill nearly eleven hours a day was hard work and didn’t leave much time for working his land, but it was one of the best ways for a homesteader to earn the materials for his house, his barn, and the hated fenced he was required to put up.

That’s a good girl, Declan said quietly when they came to a stop outside the unfinished barn. He climbed down and petted her velvety nose while she stamped her forefoot eagerly. He knew what she was after with that impatient stomping, and he smiled before reaching into a small barrel by the door and retrieving an apple core. He hated giving his horse his leftovers, but until he had his claim settled and was bringing in crops, there was nothing to spare.

I know, I know, don’t go looking at me like that. I’ll get this barn finished for ya soon enough, then you’ll have four sturdy walls around you to keep you safe at night. I’m aiming to get started in the morning if’n the weather holds. Declan patted the horse’s nose one last time and went inside his cabin to make his supper.

After eating and washing up, he headed back out to the barn where his own bed waited. With only a roof and four supports covering the small fenced-in stalls where he penned his animals, the farmer himself had a duty to keep watch at night. Coyotes were the biggest threat to his farm that he’d faced out here. Until the barn could be shut tight against danger in the dark, he’d kept his bed made on a series of hay bales.

It had been a long journey to this farm. After agreeing to sign onto a merchant ship, Declan had earned his passage from Ireland over the course of two years of hard work. Then it had taken him another year of criss-crossing the country by working for different overseers in several different industries to reach the Montana territory with a little money to his name. After all that, sleeping on hay that he’d brought in from his own fields, under the cover of a roof that he’d made from trees he’d felled himself, felt every bit as luxurious as if he’d had his own castle.

Declan spread out his sheet on the pile of hay after fluffing a small mound of it into a pillow. He took off his shoes and hung his clothes on a nearby nail, eyeing the gun he kept overhead to ward off predators. He stretched out under the blanket his mother had sewn for him before he ever left home. He called out a few words of goodnight to his horse and the rest of his small stable of livestock, then patted the hay to call his watchdog to come up and sleep at his feet.

It was heavenly, and there wasn’t much missing from his life. Declan smiled wearily as he took one last look at the stars shining just beyond his property, and closed his eyes.

It felt like only minutes later that his dog licked the back of his hand, signaling him to get up. He startled for a second, ready to face whatever danger there was head on, but realized it was only sunrise that had the animal so agitated.

Aye, I’m up, Blue. There’s a good dog. You’re better’n any fancy church bells, aren’t you? More reliable, anyway. He scratched the dog’s ears and laughed when the collie seemed to smile, then climbed out of his bed to get the day started.

With no work at the mill on Saturdays or on the Lord’s day, Declan had the whole weekend ahead of him to work on his farm. He’d cut down some more trees and hauled them to the mill to be turned into boards several weeks ago, and now that they were slightly weathered, he could start work on the barn walls without fear of them shrinking and pulling at the nails. Before he could hammer away at the walls, though, he needed to move the animals to shady grass within easy reach of the creek, so as not to stir them up with all the noise.

After leading his horse, his two pigs, and the handful of goats to the creek that ran through his property—he knew the chickens would scatter at the first swing of the hammer, so he didn’t bother with them—he got to work on the barn. Blue sat in the thin slice of shade provided by one of the young apple trees and observed him, panting as the sun rose higher in the sky. When Blue suddenly jumped up and began to bark, Declan looked up in the direction the dog faced.

Hallo, O’Bryan! a man called out from his saddle, raising one arm in greeting. I’m here to work on ya barn with ya!

That’s good of you, Ned! Declan called back. He waved and finished the row of nails he’d started before climbing down from his ladder.

I’ll start right over here and meet you in the middle, the older man suggested, pointing to the boards that Declan had already leaned against the wall to measure them for spacing.

Aye, sounds good! And in case we’re both beat to death by dinnertime, let me thank you now for coming out, he answered with a laugh.

Oh no, it’s the least I can do, seeing as how you’ve already helped me get my barn up and most of my fence put in. As soon as we get a few good weeks of rain to soften the ground, I’ll be back to help you with your property fence.

They each went to their work, but conversation was impossible over the pounding of the hammers and the sheer size of the barn. Even without speaking, though, having another body on the place made it less lonely, and the sky overhead less intimidating.

That’s some good looking trees you’ve put in, Ned Jackson said when they stopped for a drink of water. I remember you planting them from just thin little sticks, and they’re already getting tall. Are you thinking to turn this into an orchard?

Oh no, hay will most likely still be my main crop. But apples always keep well come winter, plus they’re good for your livestock. I put ‘em in when I dug in my root cellar, seeing as how I had enough room to store more than just carrots and potatoes.

That’s some smart thinking! Ned replied, impressed. That’s why your claim is going to be successful, where others have already had to turn tail and head back east. You plan ahead, that’s what you do.

I don’t know that I’m any more capable than anyone else. Look at your place! You’ve already brought in enough crops to pay off the fees in just the first two years! Declan answered, lifting his tin cup of water to the other man in admiration.

Well, I got an early start, and of course, I wasn’t trying to work at the mill while getting my property squared away. You’re doing double duty out here! Ned took a long sip of water before refilling his cup from the pail. You know what we’re missing on our claims?

What’s that? Declan said, but inside he was thinking there was a lot missing from his property, namely a finished barn, furniture in his cabin, the fence to mark his borders, and a good three hundred acres of plowed fields.

A wife, Ned said quietly. And I aim to fix that.

How can you be thinking of providing for a wife and a family when we’ve just barely got the roofs over our heads? Declan demanded, so surprised by his neighbor’s answer that he started laughing. And where would we find such creatures anyway, given the herd of mostly men who live around this part of the territory?

Why, you find a wife same way you find a plow or a new bag of seed crop… you have to order one.

Declan spit out the sip of water he’d just taken and started coughing. When he could finally catch his breath, he turned to stare at Ned.

No! You don’t order a person the way you order yer farm equipment! Leastways not someone as would be worth having for a wife! Are you daft?

I’m telling you the plain truth, I swear it! There’s agencies to write to, or you can place an advertisement in all the farm journals… there are really women looking to find a husband who’s come out West. They want to get away from the cities, and they’re willing to marry a man they’ve never laid eyes on. You can even write off for an Irish bride for yourself if you’re missing the gals back home!

Declan sat silently, both appalled and intrigued by his neighbor’s words. Writing off for a wife? Like he’d sent five dollars and a letter to get his dog? The image of waiting at the train station down in New Hope on the appointed day and signing for the small barking crate made him shake the thought out of his head. It was too bizarre.

Well, that’s enough sitting around, I’ve got work to be doing myself. Let’s get this last wall up so I can head home to my chores! Ned said brightly, jumping up from the stump where he’d been resting. He didn’t seem the least bit bothered by the notion he’d just put in Declan’s head.

Together they finished the final wall as the sun started to head towards the horizon. Ned said his goodbyes, taking a pan of cornbread that Declan offered him as thanks. When he was alone on his property, Declan went to the creek to retrieve his animals and show them their new home.

You like the new barn, dontcha girl? he asked his horse, Bonnie. You got four walls to surround you now, just to keep you safe and sound. That’ll be a help in making you sleep good at night, I wager!

With the animals penned in their various stalls, Declan set about filling a long linen sack with fresh hay. He tied the end shut and carried it into the cabin for his bed, pleased that he’d finally sleep with a roof over his head and walls on every side of him as well.

Chapter Two

Oh Mags, I can’naw believe you’re really leaving me, Brigid said, squeezing her sister tight. What will I do without you underfoot all the time?

Oh Bri, don’t be teasing me now! The train arrives any minute, and I can’naw let myself think of it carrying me off, the young woman said fretfully, her long black hair escaping the bun she’d hastily tied it back in. Tell me happy things to send me off!

Well, here’s a word of happiness. I know you’ve written to this gentleman for a while now, and he seems like a hard-working and godly man. He’s Irish to boot, saints be praised for that! I know you’ll be blessed and filled with joy in this new marriage. Brigid smiled and hugged her younger sister once again. And if you’re naw, you just send word. My Seamus will ride all the way to Montana to fetch you back, and probably clobber this husband upside the head for his trouble!

Margaret couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of her enormous brother-in-law striking fear into another man. She knew he seemed to be scarier than most, but she also knew him like most other people didn’t. He was the most tender-hearted man a wife could hope for, gentle with his children and loving with his wife. He’d even opened his home to Margaret, practically a stranger and yet another mouth to feed, when she came from County Cork to join her sister in America.

Bri… I’ll miss you, Margaret said, her eyes welling with tears again.

Mags, if you’re not sure about this… Brigid said urgently, taking both her sister’s hands and squeezing them. If you’re not certain, you do naw have to go! You can stay on at the yarn mill, I know Mr. O’Conner will give you back your job! And if it’s Seamus, he’s never once uttered a word of complaint about having you stay with us, not with you being such a help to our little ones…

You’re too kind, but no, ‘tis not that. I just can’naw believe how far it is! Days and days on the train, they said. Why, ‘tis longer to cross this country than it was to cross the ocean! How will I ever see you again? Real tears spilled down her cheeks now that the moment to leave had finally arrived.

We’ll see each other soon, I’m sure of it! Why, perhaps Seamus might think on moving to the land of open skies and grassy plains, places where children can breathe freely rather than the soot of the city. But never you mind that, we’ll write to one another often, and just know that I’ll always be here if you have need of me. I love you, my sister!

They hugged one last time before Brigid had to say her goodbyes. I hate it that I can’naw see you off, but I’ve left Mrs. Mantiglioni watching the children and you know how testy she gets when she thinks we’ve put her out. I love you, Mags. I know you’ll be so happy.

Margaret could only nod as she continued to sniff back her tears. Her heart was breaking at leaving her sister, whom she’d only gotten to live with again for a couple of years. She was excited to finally meet this Irishman who’d written for a wife, but the nagging feeling that she was leaving for good tore her heart in two.

She took a seat on the bench overlooking the track, clutching the handle of her bag and keeping an eye on her trunk. Strangers milled about from every direction, and unlike the passengers who waited at the docks for the ship that brought her here, the people moving here and there were a stranger hodge podge of different cultures, speaking to one another rapidly in different languages. It was overwhelming, and made her somewhat fearful.

Margaret passed the time with imaging what she could piece together about Montana, and about this stranger named Declan. His letters had been perfunctory but polite, kind and businesslike if not overly romantic. Brigid had assured her that romance and things of the heart would be hard to judge in a letter from a stranger, but had encouraged her greatly when she pointed out the things that Declan hadn’t so much as said.

He’s tall, and has brown hair, Brigid had explained when she read through the letters one by one. See? He also works in a sawmill, so he must be strong. That means he’ll be in good health, and the fact that he farms his own land and still works for an employer means he will be a good provider. He’s not afraid of hard work, and nor does he shirk his duties. That’s something as to be proud of!

I suppose you’re right, she’d answered at the time, but the more she thought on it, the more she’d come to love that about this man she’d never met.

Margaret snapped back to the present when the echoing moan of a train whistle sounded in the distance. She patted her black curls, fluffing them lightly where they hung down her back, trying to make sure everything was just. The lady at the agency had told her not to dress too fine for the journey across the country, since she wouldn’t want to give any ruffians the idea that she had any valuables. She’d purposely packed her grandmother’s opal-crusted abalone hair combs in her trunk, and used only a simple leather chord to tie some of her hair back from her face.

You’re boarding, miss? a cabin boy asked when she handed over her ticket. Have you stowed your luggage?

No sir, this is all I’ve got, Margaret answered, holding up her oversized bag and pointing to the trunk filled with items that the brides’ office had told her she’d need. There were linens to outfit her home, but sewing supplies, cooking and canning implements, even some medicines and bandages. Most men who wrote, she’d been told, were set up in their homes but were bachelors who had no time to think of the little touches.

I’ll carry that aboard for you, miss, but I hope there’s someone waiting on you who can carry it the rest of the way to your destination. The cabin boy reached for the handles on either side of the wooden trunk and lifted it with ease, hoisting it up to his shoulder and climbing the steps into the train car.

I hope so too, Margaret thought with a slight flutter of nerves. She shook her head. That’s no way to think, Mags. Declan has been writing for weeks, and ‘tis at his bidding that I’m coming West. He’s asked me to marry him, and I’ve accepted. That’s all there is to that.

It seemed like hours before the train finally began to roll, and those first few ear-splitting screeches of the large iron wheels against the metal tracks were the most unnerving sound Margaret had ever heard. When they finally began to move with some measure of speed, the swaying of the cars was almost as upsetting to her stomach as the rolling waves of the Atlantic had been. This would be the longest journey of her life, and one that she met with equal parts joy, excitement, and dread.

Chapter Three

You call this a home, O’Bryan? Ned called out from the doorway of Declan’s cabin. It looks more like a bear’s den!

I’m not finished yet, he shot back, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. Declan had neglected his work at the mill on the excuse of needing to make furniture for his cabin, something he’d been able to do without for these many months of his claim. But now that he’d followed his nearest neighbor’s advice and proposed marriage to a complete stranger, he felt the least he could do—apart from paying her passage to Montana—was have a decent chair built by a real hearth and a comfortable bed to sleep in. The barn had served him well as he tended his animals, but even he knew that any wife worth having would be furious—and rightly so—at not finding so much as a stick of furniture in the place.

Well, I’d loan you some of my own pieces, but with Clara just arrived almost two months ago, I can’t very well go telling her she’ll have to sit on the floor and eat her meals at the back of the wagon ‘causes I gave away all our sticks! Ned laughed, and Declan struggled to find the humor in it.

No, you’re right. ‘Twould not do at all! I just have to work faster, and I’ll have some things ready before she e’er gets here. Declan swept his hand across the newly constructed kitchen table he’d made, brushing the tell-tale signs of sawdust into his palm and throwing them out the door. The sawed-off tree stumps he’d arranged around the table would have to do until he finished the more necessary pieces.

You’ll be finished in no time, I’ll bring some of the boys out to help us tomorrow night. How does that sound?

I could naw put anyone out like that, he started to protest, but stopped when he saw Ned shaking his head, glaring fiercely.

Have you not learned this lesson by now, young ‘un? We help one another out around here! And you’ve already done more than your fair share of pitching in! Your farm won’t last a season if you don’t stop helping everyone else, and then refusing to be beholden to another! Now, we’re coming by tomorrow to make you some furniture, and you can either smile and help us or get out of the way!

It took Declan a moment to realize the older man was having some fun at his expense, but for those first brief few seconds he worried that he’d actually offended Ned. After all, it was the neighborly thing to do to offer to help out, but Declan had turned him down before the sentence was even finished being spoken.

Well then, I’m grateful to you. And I know Margaret will be, too, seeing as how you’re making it possible for her to sit in a proper chair or sleep in a proper bed! He blushed for a second at his accidental mention of their bed, but was relieved to see that Ned didn’t seem to think anything of it.

Ah, Margaret. Yes. The girl that my new wife can’t stop jabbering on about! he said, his eyes twinkling in a way that belied his words. She can’t wait for another female to live in these parts!

And I appreciate that Margaret will have someone else to speak to. I admit, I was greatly vexed at the thought of hauling a stranger out here and having her suffer from loneliness. I’ve seen those cities, and there’s not a moment’s quiet to be had anywhere. Out here, though, there’s nothing but quiet! ‘Twill do both Margaret and Clara good to have someone else like-minded to talk to.

True enough, Ned said with a sage nod. There’s a difference in their ages, to be sure, but I couldn’t very well expect a young lady to be too interested in an old goat like me. Clara lost a husband in the fighting, and she’s of a goodly older age. A calmer age, I’d say. She’s the right wife for someone like me.

And I’m proud for you to have found a match that ‘twas so sound, Declan said with a nod, acknowledging the wisdom in Ned’s approach. I can only hope that Margaret and I get along so well as the two of you.

I’m sure you’ll get on famously, ‘specially seeing as how she’s marrying you sight unseen. I had to invite Clara out and let her make up her mind for a couple of weeks before she’d even agree to take a look at my property. You, though… why, you’ve already asked her to marry you and everything! You don’t suppose… no, never mind.

What? I don’t suppose what? Declan demanded, a hint of fear in his voice.

Well, I do hate to be the one to put the thought in your head, but… you don’t think this girl was too quick to agree to marriage? She hasn’t even seen you, you could have two heads for all she knows, but she’s coming all this way to get married to a stranger.

Did naw your wife do the same thing? Come all the way to the Montana territory without knowing a soul, least of all you? Declan countered, trying to keep his anger and hurt from getting the better of him. Of course it was easy for someone in Ned’s position to be cautious; he was already legally wed.

That she did, but it’s as I said. She waited a while and got to know me. She made me court her like we were young ‘uns again. And only then did she give me her answer, after getting to know me in person. But now don’t be sore, I’m just wondering if there’s something this girl’s running from that she’s not telling you. That’s all. I hate to see a hard-working man like you get taken in, or taken advantage of.

So what would you have me do? Leave her at the train and tell her she’s to put up at a campfire on the outskirts of town? Declan demanded, trying to calm down.

Not at all. But I don’t mind putting up over here at your place and letting Clara welcome her. Let the girl get to know you proper, and get to know Montana a little bit, before either of you two goes making a decision that can’t be undone. Me, I’m old, so I don’t have that many years left if I didn’t adore Clara the way I do. But you two? You’ll find out exactly how long a body can live if you’re with the wrong person.

Declan grimaced, but even he could hear the wisdom of his neighbor’s words. He finally nodded his head. If you’re certain ‘twill naw be putting you to any trouble…

"No trouble at all, son! I’ll bunk up in your barn ‘til you all figure