Mail Order Moonlight: Brides of Seattle, #4

By Cynthia Woolf

Nicole Wescott had many secrets and became a mail-order bride to escape them. Little did she know she'd run into a monster worse than any she'd facedbefore.

 

Michael Talbot had his world shattered when his fiancée married another. Now he's sworn off women, but the weeping of the woman in the stable had him changing his mind and marrying her the same day he found her.

 

Michael and Nicole must learn to trust each other even as danger and a killer stalks them. Can trust turn to love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firehouse Publishing
• Release date: Oct 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781947075771

Cynthia Woolf

Cynthia Woolf is the award winning and best-selling author of twelve historical western romance books and two short stories with more books on the way. She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends. Their closest neighbor was about one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006. Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time. Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia’s father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy not a bounty hunter and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now) not the ranch owner.   Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.   TITLES AVAILABLE   NELLIE – The Brides of San Francisco 1 ANNIE – The Brides of San Francisco 2 CORA – The Brides of San Francisco 3 JAKE (Book 1, Destiny in Deadwood series) LIAM (Book 2, Destiny in Deadwood series) ZACH (Book 3, Destiny in Deadwood series)     CAPITAL BRIDE (Book 1, Matchmaker & Co. series) HEIRESS BRIDE (Book 2, Matchmaker & Co. series) FIERY BRIDE (Book 3, Matchmaker & Co. series) TAME A WILD HEART (Book 1, Tame series) TAME A WILD WIND (Book 2, Tame series) TAME A WILD BRIDE (Book 3, Tame series) TAME A SUMMER HEART (short story, Tame series)     WEBSITE – www.cynthiawoolf.com   NEWSLETTER - http://bit.ly/1qBWhFQ    

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

September 11, 1865

Michael Talbot rode his horse, Galahad, into Seattle from the ranch he’d thought would one day be his. His dreams were shattered because of the fickleness of the one woman he assumed he could trust. The one woman he’d ever loved. His employer’s daughter, Ada Cochran. He thought he and Ada would marry. Michael was about to come to town and buy a ring when she told him she’d be marrying her father’s lawyer, Tom Staley, instead. After she told him he’d been hard pressed to leave fast enough and now entered Seattle at just past six in the morning.

Michael had been hard-pressed not to find Staley and beat him to a bloody pulp. But, in the end, he left rather than give in to his baser instincts.

Now he rode up Bridal Veil Mountain to his brother’s home, his home until he settled his ranch. He wouldn’t let Ada, kill that dream. He’d build his horse ranch and to heck with women. They were nothing but trouble.

He rode directly to the barn and took care of Galahad, before anything else. Galahad was his breeding stallion. He had also brought a breeding mare, Judy. The pair represented the stock with which he would start his ranch.

Jason’s son Billy had named Judy after a little girl he played with when her parents stopped on their way to Olympia. They’d stayed for a couple of weeks while the father worked for Talbot Lumber as a lumberjack and the mother hired on as camp cook.

It was opportune that the travelers had a child Billy’s age. He and the little girl got along famously and he was sad when they left.

He smiled. He’d gotten lucky in his horses names. Billy, his nephew, had been reading about King Arthur and the Knights of the roundtable when he’d named Galahad. Michael could have had a horse named Buttons, like his brother Gabe did. He and his brothers doted on Billy, whose mother died when he was born. They’d brought him to Seattle as a newborn and all of them raised him together. He felt like a father to him rather than his uncle.

When he was done caring for his horses, Michael entered the kitchen, figuring everyone would have eaten already and be gone for the day. He didn’t feel like facing the inevitable questions yet.

Unfortunately, he figured wrong.

His brother, Jason, and wife, Rachel, were still at the table.

Michael, said Rachel. What brings you by at such an early hour? Are you in town for supplies for John Cochran? Are you hungry. There’s still plenty left from breakfast.

Thanks, Rachel. I would love something to eat. If I keep my mouth full I won’t have to answer their questions.

Well, little brother, you’re here early. Old man Cochran has you working too hard.

No. It’s always a chance to think when I come to town.

What do you think about? That ranch you want to start? asked Rachel as she dished up a heaping plate of eggs, bacon and biscuits. She set the plate in front of him. There’s chokecherry jelly in the jar on the table.

Rachel walked up behind him and put her arms around his shoulders, but she ended up hugging his neck. Then she kissed his blond head and rested her cheek where she had kissed.

I’m so glad you came to see us. We don’t see you often enough since you started working at Cochran’s ranch.

He took a bite of food, and chewed it slowly. Maybe if he chewed slowly he could stretch out the meal until after Jason and Rachel had to start their chores for the day.

So, said Jason. Tell us what you’ve been doing lately.

Michael swallowed. Same old thing.

Why don’t you tell us the real reason you’re here? asked Jason. You come to town fairly often and don’t feel the need to come here.

Michael sagged in his chair. Ada informed me yesterday she’s marrying Tom Staley instead. I’m glad she told me before I bought that ring I was looking at. Her father felt so bad, he gave me twenty head of cattle to start the ranch with. That hardly makes up for Ada’s perfidy, but I wasn’t about to turn it down.

Rachel came over and hugged him again. I’m sorry, truly I am, but I can tell you this now. I never liked Ada. I never thought she would have been good for you.

He reached up and patted her arm. I loved her and thought she loved me. How could I have been so wrong? Maybe I’m just not meant to marry. Women are too contrary. I’m concentrating on building my horse ranch. I’ve got one-hundred and sixty acres of prime land outside Seattle, about an hour or four hours depending on whether you’re riding or driving a full wagon. He shifted his gaze to Jason. What I need from you is the lumber and lumberjacks to build my house and barn.

You have them whenever you need, you know that. This company is as much yours as mine.

I disagree with that since I don’t work it like you and the brothers do, but I’m not arguing now. I’d like to start work this Saturday, so it’s done before the end of October. And I’ll need to borrow the wagons to get the lumber to the ranch.

Of course, said Jason. I’ll send the lumber with the men and wagons. You’ll probably need four or five loads of lumber between the house and the barn. Ten lumberjacks should get your house and barn done in a few weeks.

I’ll have them start on the barn first. I’ve got to take care of my animals. They’re the backbone of my operation. Without them I’m out of business before I even get started.

You know, Michael, said Rachel. The brides are having a get together on Saturday. Now that you’re unattached, you should come and perhaps meet some of the women. You know your brothers brought back one hundred women as brides for the men here. You are a man. They’ll have food and drink, maybe some music so you can dance if you’ve a mind to.

I’m planning on being at the ranch building the barn, but if I’m still here, I might come by. For you.

*****

Saturday, September 16, 1865

Michael walked into Dolly’s Saloon, though he’d rather be anywhere than in a room with a bunch of women. He had to admit, the way the women had decorated Dolly’s, it hardly looked like a saloon. This was his first interaction with the women. They’d been here for months now and most of the town was used to them, but Michael hadn’t been here in town much.

The brides had taken the saloon over for their party at least for the next few hours of the afternoon, until dusk when they would clear out and Dolly’s regular crowd came in.

A three-piece band comprised of Clive Barrows, the undertaker and two of Jason’s lumberjacks, played while couples waltzed around the dance floor.

Michael looked for his brothers and sisters-in-law. He needn’t have bothered because Rachel and Lucy, his brother Drew’s wife, were apparently waiting for him. They approached with a good-looking redhead walking between them. He hadn’t wanted to be matched with someone the moment he came in the door, preferring instead to look over the women. But the woman between his sisters-in-law was different than most women he would have considered for a wife. Was that why he came? Did he really want a wife? Even after the way that Ada treated him? No, not yet. He only wanted to look.

He’d never been one for red hair, preferring a blonde like Ada, but this woman made him rethink his preferences. The closer she got, the more he realized she was stunning. Her hair was in curls on one side of her head and pulled behind her ear on the other.

Vibrant green eyes sparkled and her beautiful mouth formed a smile as she stepped forward.

Hi, I’m Nicole Wescott. She held out her hand. And you must be Michael Talbot.

Guilty. Michael took her hand, a shock of lightning ran up his arm. His eyes widened and he glanced from his hand to her face. Her eyes were wide, like she’d felt it, too. Would you like to dance, Miss Wescott?

I’d be delighted, Mr. Talbot.

Michael looked at his sisters-in-law and winked.

They both grinned back.

Michael let Nicole to the makeshift dance floor, where he placed his other hand at her waist and then he pulled her close, flush with his body. Would she complain? Does she have enough spunk to accept his scandalous behavior?

Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared, but she didn’t refuse him.

You’re rather rakish aren’t you Mr. Talbot, or should I say, Michael?

Michael, please, and are you Nicole or Nicki?

She looked him straight in the eyes. Nicole. No one calls me Nicki.

To defy convention and look me straight in the eye rather than over my shoulder as is proper, this woman has spunk. I like that.

They twirled around the floor until the music ended. Slowly he released her.

She stepped back.

Michael held her hand a little longer than was customary. Thank you, for the dance. Would you care for some punch? Perhaps on the front porch?

Nicole nodded. That would be lovely.

Michael walked to collect two glasses of punch. He returned to Nicole, who had donned a shawl, and together they went outside. The air was crisp and still smelled of the light rain from a couple of hours earlier. Some might have called it bracing. Michael called it refreshing.

He leaned against the railing, facing her. Is it too cold for you?

No. After the dance and with the shawl on, I’m actually quite warm.

Good.

She sipped the sweet punch, her perfect lips forming a smile as she swallowed. So what do you do? I assume you work for the lumber company like your brothers.

He shook his head. Lumber was never my calling. I’m a rancher or I will be soon. I want to operate a horse breeding operation. I have my main pair…Galahad and Judy. They are both amazing specimens of horseflesh.

Nicole raised her chin and smiled before leaning against the porch railing next to him.

I love horses. I only feel totally free when I’m riding or caring for them. That was the hardest thing for me to decide about becoming a bride. I didn’t want to leave my horse behind.

I’ve had the same experience. When I’m on Galahad and he’s running like the wind, I feel like I’m soaring in the sky. The feeling is amazing and hard to describe to someone who doesn’t share the exhilaration of riding a great horse.

A shadow seemed to cross her face, her lips pressed into a line and a wrinkle appeared between her brows.

In the end the choice was taken from me.

He turned to face her. What happened?

Nicole took a deep breath and shook her head. I don’t know you well enough to tell you my sorrows.

I want to hear about her sorrows. Surprisingly, I want to hear all about her. Perhaps when I return we can get to know each other better.

She cocked her head and lifted a brow. Where are you going?

I’m starting work on my ranch and will have to be there for the first few weeks. The builders are lumberjacks from my brother’s business. I can only keep the crew for so long before they are needed here in town. I’ll be returning then, to visit and get more lumberjacks. I hope to have the house and barn built in about two months.

She turned toward him. I’d like to see your ranch. It sounds like you’ll have quite the operation when you get it going.

I plan on it. He joined her at the rail. Sensing that she was really interested and not just saying what she thought he wanted to hear, he did something he never thought he’d do, especially so soon. I’d like for you to see my home when it’s built.

Nicole blushed, the tell-tale color rising from her chest to the top of her head. I’d like that.

Michael edged closer.

She scooted away.

I think perhaps we should go inside. She pushed off from the rail and headed back into the saloon.

Michael wondered about this woman. He felt an attraction to her that he hadn’t ever before, even with Ada. He wanted to explore this feeling more, but his home called. The house needed to be built before he could consider marrying anyone. His body stiffened and his head jerked back. Why was he considering marriage to her or anyone so soon? He didn’t know really except she was different. Special. He felt it in his bones.

What was it about her? Her beauty? Nicole was beautiful, even with red hair. She had the greenest eyes, like emeralds, clear and bright. The smattering of freckles across her nose made her look like a girl but she was definitely a woman. Physical beauty wasn’t something he looked for in a woman. Ada was a beauty, with blonde hair and startlingly beautiful blue eyes, but he’d loved her because she shared his love of horses. Apparently Nicole loved horses, too. That was it. She loved horses as much as he did. He would have to think on this. When he came back in three weeks, he’d see if she’d consider his courtship.

*****

Nicole spotted him as soon as he walked into the room. He stood out. His height put him a head taller than most of the men with the exception of the Talbot brothers. Was he a Talbot? She had never seen him before. She would have remembered a tall, good-looking, blond man.

Rachel and Lucy Talbot approached her.

Nicole, said Rachel. We have someone we’d like you to meet. He’s our brother-in-law and this is his first time in town since the brides arrived. Would you come with us, please? Maybe you could make him feel welcome.

They stepped on either side of her, dark haired