Mail Order Bride - Lisette's Destiny: Faith Creek Brides, #13

By Karla Gracey

 Lisette Gibbons has courage and steel. Having made the dangerous crossing from England to New York as a girl, losing her beloved Mammy, and keeping house for her often absent Dadda, she has few friends to turn to when trouble strikes. She reaches out of her small world to find that there are many people who are glad to help, but she fears them learning her dark secret.

Merle Shipley loves his life. He enjoys running the town's busy postal office and has big ambitions for it. But he feels something may be missing. Watching so many of his friends find love has made him think about building a family, now his business is doing so well. But will his generous heart make him lose out when he offers sanctuary to a woman he has never even met?

• Language: English
• Publisher: KG Publishing House
• Release date: May 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540122681

Book preview

Mail Order Bride

Lisette's Destiny

Faith Creek Brides: Book 13

Karla Gracey

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

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Copyright

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Chapter One

The door slammed loudly . Lisette hurried along the street grasping at her skirts, trying to keep from falling over the hem. She looked back over her shoulder anxiously. She gasped for air and wiped the tears from her cheek with the back of her hand, but she kept moving. She did not know where to go. Who was there in this vast city that might help her? New York was full of dark backstreets, and though dear Father Michael knew them all, she did not. She cursed herself for listening to him, for staying hidden for so long. Just look what had happened the only time she had ever dared to go elsewhere! She did not even dare to return home and collect her things. She knew that Father Michael and Dadda had only been thinking of her, keeping her tucked away in the supposed safety of her own home, or in the home of the kindly priest when Dadda was away for work; even such measures, it would seem, had not been enough to keep her from harm.

She knew nobody she could run to, and there was no help for her now when she needed it most. She ran four blocks and then slowed to a fast walk. If he had been going to follow her, he would have done so by now, surely? She offered up a swift and breathless prayer of thanks. A sign in a dirty window just up ahead announced that the establishment had rooms to let. Lisette rummaged in the purse she had taken from Father Michael’s desk and sighed with relief as she took in its contents. She must have enough here to pay her board and lodgings for a week or two; she thought as she counted out the silver coins. She would feel guilty until her dying day for stealing from the kindly old priest, but also knew he would not have begrudged her a penny under the circumstances. She knocked on the door, wondering nervously if the landlady would ask questions as to why she had no belongings with her.

The door opened a tiny crack. Lisette could see only one eye and a hooked nose with a large wart in the crease. She tried not to shudder in revulsion; she needed a room, and somewhere safe to sleep tonight. Yes? the wizened old crone asked.

I saw your sign, Lisette said, pointing at it. Do you have a room available tonight? The door opened wider. The woman was short and stick thin; she had a hard look. Lisette doubted that anyone would ever dream of crossing her. Oddly, it made Lisette feel much better; she needed someone who wouldn’t be afraid to tell unwanted visitors where they might go if they were unwelcome.

I do. I’ll want your money in advance, though. One dollar for just the room, make it two if you want supper and breakfast too. Lisette handed over enough money to cover a full week, including her meals. The amount was far higher than she had hoped to pay, and was considerably more than the room was truly worth - but she was not in a position to be choosy.

I may need to stay longer, she explained.

No skin off my nose how long you stay. Just make sure there are no gentlemen callers, that you keep your room clean and tidy, and that you are at the table in the morning at seven o’clock sharp for breakfast and six o’clock in the evening for your supper. I don’t run around after my tenants. You aren’t there, you get nowt, the old woman said, sounding bored.

Lisette Gibbons, Lisette said, holding out her hand.

Mrs Hetty Lynch, the old woman said, spat in her work-roughened hand and shook Lisette’s dainty one ferociously. Now, you comin’ in? You’re letting out all the warmth, and I ain’t got enough coal to heat the entire street.

Lisette followed Mrs Lynch up three flights of stairs to a small room in the attic. It had a metal-framed bed and a chest of drawers to one side of the room. No washstand up here, Mrs Lynch said. "There’s a room down a floor, has three you can all share. I make sure as there’s plenty of hot water in the morning. Women get to go in between six o’clock and half past, though you make sure you are done and decent, as the men will be in before or after you. Some of ‘em are out ever so early, but there are only