The Irish Bride: Central City Brides, #3

By Cynthia Woolf

Erin O'Toole is no stranger to violence. Growing up surrounded by one of the most powerful gangs in New York, Erin learned how to survive. But when her little brother is killed in a gang war, Erin swears she'll never be part of her father's world. Desperate to escape the pain of her loss and a future she doesn't want, she risks everything to become a mail-order bride.

 

After years of being on the wrong side of justice, Henry Jacobs has made things right. Now he is a peaceful blacksmith in Central City in the Colorado Territory and all he wants is a wife and children of his own.

 

One look at Erin, and Henry falls for his feisty new bride. But Henry has secrets that could tear their marriage apart.When a man from Henry's past threatens his new life, Henry finds he has no choice but to become a man she'll hate in order to save the woman he loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firehouse Publishing
• Release date: Oct 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781938887925

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

June 30, 1870

Erin O’Toole wanted nothing to do with her father’s world. Aidan O’Toole was the right-hand of God in the Five Points gang of New York City. He was Sam McCarthy’s most important lieutenant. Whatever Sam said was law and Aidan was the one to make sure his orders were enforced.

As she made the master’s bed, tucking in his tightly woven sheets and luxurious blankets, she thought of her brother, Ian. His death at the hands of the Whyos gang was the last straw and she left her father’s home for good.

She swept the carpet and wished she could sweep her father’s boss away as easily. Her whole family would be to hell and gone if Sam had his way. War was all he understood and something she wanted none of.

She’d gotten lucky and quickly found work in a wealthy home as a maid. She worked to earn her room and board plus a small stipend of fifty cents per day. Her father would have laughed at her meager wage, but she earned it honestly and she was proud of that. She knew he couldn’t say the same.

Erin could have stayed with her father and had everything she ever wanted given to her. But she wasn’t willing to pay his price. She would rather have little and earn it honestly than live knowing how her father made his money.

Her work was hard and yet fulfilling. She worked with her own hands, earned her own money and lived life as she wanted. Free. Honest. Something her father couldn’t say.

She didn’t doubt that her father kept tabs on her and any time he wanted she could be brought back under his influence, but for now she was her own woman. That didn’t mean she’d abandoned her family, she still spent time with her eldest brother, Sean and his wife, Isabel. She had every other Sunday off and often went to see them.

Her thoughts today kept her from being as aware of her surroundings as she usually was. She’d finished dusting the master’s bedroom when the young master came in and shut the door behind him.

Erin was twenty-four years old and wasn’t stupid. She’d heard the other maids talk. She would not be one of his conquests. Her virginity was for her husband, not some privileged whelp who thought it his right to have relations with every maid in his father’s employ.

I’ve just finished in here. Was there somethin’ else you required, sir?

Erin. That’s a pretty name. Erin. Pretty name for a pretty girl. And I know you’re Irish but you only have a slight accent. That’s nice. He unbuttoned his vest as he walked toward her.

She backed up, her hands clenching and her stomach turning over. She thought she might throw up.

Thank you, sir. I’ve worked hard to try and better my speech. If I can keep him talking, then maybe…

Do you know how long it’s taken me to get you alone? Hmm?

He unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt.

Since you came here six months ago. But today is my lucky day and you’ll be all the sweeter for my having to wait. Today, I’m making you a woman, Erin, what do you think of that?

I’d prefer ye did not, Master Arthur.

He approached her.

She gasped and ran to the other side of the bed.

Ah, making this harder are we? Well, I’m all for fun and games.

There’s nothin’ fun about this and ’tis not a game.

She picked up the chamber pot which she hadn’t yet emptied. Erin had backed up as far as she could go with the master’s bureau at her back and Arthur stalking ever nearer.

Don’t come any closer. Please, sir.

Or what? Will you throw that pot? I’m pretty sure I can duck it.

He continued to come forward.

When he was about five feet away, she threw the contents of the pot at him. It landed on his face and chest.

He wiped the feces off his face and looked down at his clothing.

Why you little, bitch. I’ll get you for this. You’re fired.

Erin dashed around him while he was occupied.

Ye can’t fire me. I quit. Erin ran from the room and hurried to her bed in the servant’s quarters, where she packed her satchel and gathered the money she’d saved since working there. The garments she had would have to last her until she could find another position somewhere, but that would be difficult now. There was no way she’d get a recommendation after this. No one will want to hire a maid who’d thrown crap at her employer’s son.

Perhaps now was a good time to visit that mail-order bride place she passed whenever she went to visit Sean and Isabel. She wanted more than anything to have her own family.

Sean had a nice home, with two bedrooms on the outskirts of the Five Points neighborhood. Like the houses around it, the home sat on a small parcel of land, with grass out front and Isabel had a garden in the back where she raised vegetables.

Erin could go there for a while. As a matter of fact, she had to go to Sean’s. She had nowhere else to go. She’d stay with him until the mail-order bride company found her a husband. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be too long.

By the time she reached her brother’s home the time was early evening. Sean would be returning home from work soon. She knocked on Sean’s door and was greeted by her sister-in-law, Isabel. Unlike the red hair that Erin, her brothers and sisters all had, Isabel was black Irish with black hair and blue eyes. She was a beautiful woman. Sean had done very well for himself because she was also generous and kind.

Erin. Come in. We didn’t expect ye until Sunday. What’s happened?

Erin suddenly burst into tears.

Isabel put an arm around Erin’s shoulders and guided her inside where they sat on the sofa.

Erin told her everything that had happened.

I know what yer talkin’ about. I had somethin’ similar happen when I first came here and worked as a maid. Ye’ll stay here until ye decide what to do. Ye can sleep in the guest room.

Erin leaned her head on Isabel’s shoulder and held her hand while she wept.

The door opened.

It’s me, wife. What’s for dinner?

Erin’s brother, Sean, stopped when he saw Erin sitting on the sofa, Isabel with her arm around his little sister.

I can tell from yer bag that yer not just here for supper.

She burst into tears again and Isabel explained everything.

I’ll kill him, said Sean. He slammed his fist into his palm.

Nay, he’s not worth it. I’m goin’ to apply to be one o’ them mail-order brides. I’ve been past the place every week since I became a maid and wanted to stop, but something always stopped me. But there be nothin’ stoppin’ me now.

When she was with her family, her accent was as thick as theirs. The change couldn’t be helped and she didn’t want her accent to be different. They were her family.

Ye could still find a husband here, said Sean. Da would—

Her eyebrows came together and she shook her head.

She straightened, her spine stiff and she leaned forward on the couch. Never. I don’t want anythin’ to do with Da or his business or havin’ him find me a husband from among his soldiers. If I’m to marry a stranger, let it be one out of this city. I want open spaces, not granite buildings that are getting taller with every new one. Pretty soon ye won’t be able to see the top they’ll be so tall. I want green grass about me, not gray concrete and I want a blue sky, not one that’s gray and smoke filled. I want my children to be born in fresh air. I’ll go tomorrow and the sooner she can find me a match the better for all of us.

Her brother sighed and sat next to her on the sofa.

Isabel stood and went to the kitchen.

The parlor, kitchen and dining room were all one big room with the dull green sofa serving as a divider of sorts.

Sean put his arm around Erin’s shoulders and his head against hers.

If this is what ye are set on, then I won’t try to stop ye.

Thank ye. This is really what I want ta do. I want a family, Sean, just like we had back home in Ireland before we came here ten years ago. Remember when we were children, ye and I and Ian? We ran all over the countryside playing in the fresh air with the good green earth around us. I want that life again. I want lots of children ta love.

Ye’ll make a great mother, Erin. Did Isabel tell ye our news?

Erin turned toward Isabel, who stood at the sink.

Isabel shook her head.

I have na had the chance.

What, what is it?

Isabel walked over to the couch and put her hand on Sean’s shoulder.

She smiled down at her husband. We’re expecting a babe in about six months.

Erin got up, hugged her sister-in-law and then her brother, who stood when she did.

Oh!! How wonderful. I wish I’d be here to meet the babe but I honestly hope I’m gone and married before then.

Aye, we hope that for ye, too, said Isabel.

I’ve got money ta help with the groceries while I’m here. I’ll do me best not ta be a burden on ye.

I’ll not turn the money down, said Sean. Aidan may be our father, but he doesn’t give anything for free. I have ta learn the business just as he did and being a lorry driver pays the bills but we have little extra. Da has us in this nice house, and I’m still beholden to him for everything. I wish it were not the case. I worry since Ian was killed that Da has become a little unhinged. Ian was his favorite after all.

Aye, don’t I know it? Da told me once that the only way to stop the war was through marriage. I was just waiting for the time he told me he was having me marry that monster, Dougal O’Leary in order to end the war. I’ll never do that. Never. Erin fisted her hands then relaxed them only to crush her skirt in them.

Aye. It be a blessin’ that’s for sure that yer here and soon be gettin’ out, said Isabel gesturing toward the kitchen. Now, dinner is ready. I’ve got cabbage, potatoes and a nice corned beef with some good fresh soda bread. Come now. Erin, help me set the table, you can take care of your bag after dinner.

Erin got the plates and silverware and set the table.

Each of them filled their plates and then Isabel put the lid back on the pot.

We should have enough for dinner tomorrow night as well, said Isabel.

Even with my sister, who eats like a horse, here to help?

Sean broke into a grin.

I do not eat like a horse, Erin smiled back. But I will remember that we are on a budget here.

So when are ye ta see the matchmaker? asked Isabel.

I’ll go to see her first thing tomorrow. I’d like for her ta match me as soon as possible.

Ye don’t have to settle ye know, said Sean.

I know and I thank ye for giving me that ability, replied Erin.

What are ye looking for in a match? asked Isabel between bites.

While she thought a moment, Erin put her finger on her chin. Then she ticked the traits off her fingers.

I want someone kind, gentle, but also fiercely protective and strong. A nice sense of humor would not be objectionable.

And what if the man looks like an ogre? asked Sean, making his best scary face.

More important things than appearance should be considered, said Isabel. Then with a sly smile, she said, I should know…look who I married.

Sean frowned while Isabel and Erin broke into laughter. When Erin spoke again she’d regained her composure.

There are more important things than looks, but I admit, I would na mind a man who is easy ta look at.

Well, he’ll be gettin’ a beautiful woman for his wife, said Sean.

Spoken like a true brother. What if he hates red hair? She pointed at her head, covered with vibrant red hair. He won’t be thinkin’ I’m so nice ta look at then, now will he? And we know there’re plenty of people who don’t like gingers.

Sean ran his hand through his own thick, red locks, the color matching hers.

But luckily for us, my dear sister, plenty of people do.

He put his hand on top of Isabel’s where she rested it on the table, between bites.