Dreaming of a Bride (Montana Passion, Book 4)

By Amelia Rose

When Torsten O'Conner's false love leaves him for another man, he decides a change of scenery just might be in order. His brother, Kieran, is now the mayor of New Hope, Montana, and the prospect of putting Ireland far behind him and starting fresh as a homesteader in America might be just the thing.
But the life of a homesteader isn't just hard, it's brutally lonely. At his friends' urging, Torn writes off for a wife from the east only to have a villain from his past arrive on the train.
Can Torn let go of his old feeling and put down his demons in order to take a chance on love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gold Crown
• Release date: Apr 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310524288

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.

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AMELIA ROSE

Dreaming of a Bride

A Clean Mail Order Bride Romance

Montana Passion: Book Four

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2015 by Amelia Rose.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To YOU, The reader.

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Thank you for reading and joining me on this road.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

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Chapter One

The massive black train slowly rolled to a stop with a great whooshing of its brakes, the plume of coal smoke from its stack still billowing out into the bright Montana morning. Several minutes later, the passenger doors opened, and a handful of people stepped down onto the platform. Every train, every passenger, the reaction was the same: to glance around at the vast open prairie as if seeing the world with new eyes, a hopeful smile on their faces.

How long has it been since you’ve laid eyes on your brother? Gretchen O’Conner asked her husband as they waited, scanning the faces that milled about on the platform, waiting for their trunks and baggage.

Oh, it could naw have been but a few years now, Kieran answered. Let me think, I came to Montana with Lord Brennan only three years ago, and Torn left home to join the guard four years before that…, so my goodness, it’s been longer than I thought!

I dare say he might naw even recognize you! Gretchen said playfully. You must have been only a wee school boy when he left. And look at you now, the sheriff and mayor of New Hope!

Gah, do naw be reminding me that I’m mayor. I would naw have taken the position if I’d known I’d be called to the fort for gatherings and meetings and the like. I just want to stay right here in my town and keep the peace, that’s all. I’m no politician!

Well, there was no one else as would take the position, so someone had to come forward. It might as well be the man this town has trusted to be fair in all things all this time. Oh look, Kieran… someone’s waving! Is that him, do you think? Gretchen stood on tiptoe to get a better look, but she needn’t have bothered. The man walking towards them wearing a mischievous grin was a full head taller than everyone else on the platform and had to be nearly seven feet tall if he was a foot.

Oh goodness, is that him? she asked her husband in a soft voice. Your poor mother! First she birthed him, then she had to feed him! However, did she manage to keep him in clothes? She must have stitched night and day to keep up with a growing boy!

You don’t know how right you are! Kieran said, turning and handing her their son’s hand. Gretchen clutched his small hand in hers after shifting the weight of the baby to her other arm. She looked up just in time to find herself at eye level to the newcomer’s elbow.

And this is my wife, Gretchen. She actually served in Lord Brennan’s household before eloping off to America before I ever got to meet her! And these are my children, Owen and Fiona.

The huge man beamed down at them for a long time, silently taking in the sight of them while grinning broadly. He finally reached out and swooped up Owen, causing the little boy to scream in delight.

So you’ve gone and made me an uncle, Kier? What wonderful news! And I now have a sister to boot! he said, grabbing Gretchen’s dainty hand and giving it a good shake. Of course, I’d have known about it a bit sooner if you’d bothered to write home to us on occasion…

How was I supposed to write to your regiment? Answer me that! Kieran answered, but he laughed at the same time that he tried to look serious. But ‘tis not important. All that matters is you’re here in the Montana Territory, and you’re going to become a land owner yourself!

And you? Did you set out to stake a claim as a homesteader? Torn asked, his brow wrinkling ever so slightly with worry.

Kieran shook his head. No, I’m a lawman. I’ve got no time to be planting and harvesting, and besides, the town keeps us up in that house over there, he explained, pointing to the newly erected town hall. Gretchen here still works for the old man who owns the mercantile, and he’s already asked her to step in for him when he can longer work. So we’re pretty set in town, you could say. But come! Let’s get your things and head over to the house. We can catch up over a great meal!

Gretchen followed behind, secretly worried about how she would manage to cook enough food to feed a man that size, and where she’d place it all if she did cook enough. Their quarters, while certainly sufficient for a family of their size, didn’t have all that much room to spare. Torn looked like he took up more than his fair share of room, and that’s without even trying.

…you can’t know how sorry I am to hear that, Torn, Kieran was saying. Something in his tone of voice snapped Gretchen back to the present. I know how much you were sweet on her, and you know I’ve always loved her like a sister.

Gretchen’s eyes swam with tears at the way Kieran had his arm awkwardly wrapped around his big brother’s shoulder. The two men stood facing each other, their expressions downcast, both of them looking at the ground to avoid seeing the pain on the other’s face. She waited in breathless silence, wondering what had happened. Kieran looked up and saw her, the nodded grimly for her to come closer.

Gretchen, I’m not sure as you remember Diana, the laundry maid from Lord Brennan’s household staff…

The one with the lovely blue eyes? she asked, horror stricken at where she knew the talk was headed. Kieran nodded.

I’m sad to say she’s… he said quietly, treading gently around his brother’s feelings. Torn and Diana were to be married last year, but she took up with another man and was married.

Gretchen stifled a cry, her own grief at the news of a friend’s passing mixing with the pain her brother-in-law must be wallowing in.

Mr. O’Conner, I’m ever so sorry, she whispered. Diana and I spent many a stolen moment laughing together in our years in the Brennans’ service, and my heart is grieving for you. She was the picture of a lady, mindful of her station but as genteel as any above her. I simply can naw think of her treating you in such a way!

Thank you, Mrs. O’Conner. It’s good to hear it from someone who knew her well. But I can naw say that I blame her. Who would sit at home and wait for a soldier who might not even return? Especially one that looks like me, Torn answered hollowly, trying for humor but only sounding morose. Kieran cleared his throat and forced a smile on his tanned face.

Now that’s enough of that! They’ll be no more of this ‘mister’ or ‘missus’ going on! We’re family! Torn, Gretchen… Gretchen, Torn. There, I’ve said it! He smiled proudly before patting both of his family members on the back and pushing them towards home. Come, we’ll have a wonderful dinner and then spin yarns around the fire about our years back in Ireland!

No! Torn replied sharply, a dark looking crossing his face for only a second. I meant to say, I’d rather not think on those things. I’m in America now, and I’ve put Ireland—and the hurtful memories—behind me. I want to talk of Montana and of the future!

Chapter Two

Gretchen! My dear, please come in! I wasn’t expecting a visit. What brings you all this way? Moira MacAteer exclaimed at opening the door to her cabin and seeing her best friend on the front porch.

Gretchen still fought the urge to curtsey, even after all these years. Once she and Moira had escaped from Ireland and made their way to the Montana territory, she’d stopped being Lady Moira Brennan’s ladies’ maid and simply become a dear friend. Likewise, Gretchen no longer thought of Moira as her employer or her better but simply as the closest person she knew in New Hope. But that didn’t make it any easier to shed the habits that had been instilled in her since birth when both of her parents had been in the Brennans’ employ.

You’ll naw believe it if I tell you! she answered excitedly. Kieran’s brother has come from Ireland!

His brother? The one in the military? Moira asked, ushering her friend inside and taking her shawl, wet from the light spring rain, and hanging it over the stand in front of the fireplace to dry.

The one in the same. Name’s Torn, and he’s every bit the size of two fully grown men, if I dare say so! He’s come to the territory to homestead the claim that Kieran had applied for before becoming sheriff.

You mean mayor, don’t you? Moira teased slyly. Did you ever think you’d be married to a baron? You, Gretchen, maid of Castle Brennan?

Gretchen took no offense. Instead, she shook her head and laughed. If you’d of read me my future before we left Ireland, I’d have said you’d taken ill with a fever that was making you daft! But you’re right… look at us now! The high born Lady Brennan is a farmer’s wife, and the scullery maid is married to the politician! Wherever did we manage to go wrong, Moira?

The question was asked in jest, to be sure, but Moira knew there was a ring of truth in it. She smiled sympathetically at her best friend. Come now, ‘tis not as bad as all that. You’ve done well for yourself, and I’m proud of ye! There’s no kinder soul on Earth who is more deserving of good things than you are! Moira came over and pulled her friend into a quick hug before remembering to offer her something to drink.

Before long, Moira and Gretchen were seated on the front porch of the cabin, listening to the light patter of rain against the roof while their children played near their feet. They talked about old times and people they’d once known, purposely avoiding the sadness of Diana’s treachery.

Do you ever miss it, Moira? Gretchen asked hesitantly. She looked down at her lap, affording her friend as much privacy as she could for her

Reviews for Dreaming of a Bride (Montana Passion, Book 4)

[benn9314 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A story that tells about love in a country where you have to work for it