The Pretender Bride: Central City Brides, #4

By Cynthia Woolf

Lost and alone after her step-father is murdered on the streets of New York, Katie takes her two young siblings and claims them as her own. Pretending to be a widow, she flees to Colorado Territory as a mail-order bride and into the arms of the handsome gunsmith, Robert Wallace. The attraction is instant, but just when things are looking up for her, the past comes calling--and Katie discoversharsh truths about her stepfather that put everything at risk. Her stepfather had secrets, and they're not done with her yet.

 

Robert Wallace was a skeptic until he watched his friends settle happily with their mail-order brides. When his own seemingly perfect family arrives, he's thrilled. Until he discovers his new bride is surrounded by layer-upon-layer of lies. He's been tricked by a scheming woman before and he won't be taken in by another one, no matter how innocent she seems. No matter how badly he wants her.

 

Katie isdetermined to keep her new family together, come hell or high water. And no one is going to get in her way. Not the man from New York who followed her to Colorado. Not her past. And not thestubborn, irresistible Scot who is her husband.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firehouse Publishing
• Release date: Oct 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781938887949

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

April 10, 1871

Rockford Residence, Brooklyn, New York

Detective Nelson. What are you doing in here?

Katie Kennedy asked the man she found in her stepfather’s bedroom. He appeared to be looking through the books on Noah’s nightstand.

Oh, I…ah…was looking for the way to the outhouse.

She lifted an eyebrow. I’m sure you won’t find it in Noah’s books.

He set the book in his hand back on top of Noah’s Bible.

I…I wanted something to read…you know…

You’ll find reading material already in the outhouse out back. There is also a lantern.

She pointed out the door.

Oh, well, I don’t seem to need to use it after all.

Katie thought that was the oddest conversation she’d ever had. What was David Nelson looking for?

*****

Goodbye. Thank you for coming. I’m sure Noah would have been glad you were here.

Katie Kennedy closed the door on the last caller to her stepfather’s wake, except for her friend Geneva Watson who offered to stay and was in the kitchen cleaning up.

Ten o’clock. She slumped back against the door. She’d put her little brother and sister to bed several hours ago. Ethan was five and Ruthie just three. They didn’t completely understand what was happening and this was much too late for them. Heavens, she thought, the hour was too late for her as well. Ten o’clock before she could chase the last well-wisher out the door.

Noah Rockford had been well liked in the neighborhood and apparently among his fellow policemen as an endless stream of blue uniforms moved before her eyes in and out of the house today. She’d hated having to host a wake for him. Katie had loved Noah. He’d raised her since she was ten years-old and married her mother.

Katie sighed. Yes, he’d been liked by everyone except the person who shot him.

She looked around at the mess and shook her head. Cups, plates and cutlery were on every flat surface here in the living room, waiting for her to gather and clean them. She gathered dishes from the coffee table, the end tables, and the bookshelves. She should be thankful she and the children still had a house to hold the wake in. Noah hadn’t owned the home but rented it from Mr. Doolittle next door.

After Noah’s murder, the elderly man said Katie and the children could stay for a month before he’d have to get another renter. Katie thought that was because he felt sorry for them and her little brother and sister reminded him of his grandchildren. For whatever reason, she was grateful. That was a week ago and she still didn’t know what she would do. She’d get a furnished room if she had to, all of the furniture here belonged to the house. The only thing she had to move were their clothes, books, pictures, a few keepsakes such as the jewelry Noah gave her and Ruthie. It was pretty and he’d taken such joy giving it to them. Good memories were attached to the jewelry.

The one thing Noah had which she would have kept regardless of needing it to move their things, was his trunk. The piece of luggage was beautiful with brass scroll-work on the steel hinges, corners and lock. The inside was lined in heavy red silk, unlike most trunks which were unlined and it was oversized. Between the trunk and her two valises, they would hold everything she wanted to take,

She wasn’t taking any of the knickknacks her mother had all over the walls. To Katie the plates with kittens, small shelves with ceramic animals and shadow boxes full of nature scenes, were just clutter she had to dust. Mr. Doolittle could sell them or just leave them up. Her mother wouldn’t be happy with that decision but now was not the time to be nostalgic. Memories flooded her anyway.

Mama’s been gone for three years now, ever since my sweet Ruthie was born. I regret Mama’s death, but I certainly don’t blame Ruthie for it. For a long time I blamed Noah thinking that he’d wanted more children and forced Mama to try to have more, but I was wrong. Mama had wanted more children, wanted to give Noah more children even though he tried his best not to let her. I don’t know exactly what that means and Noah didn’t explain other than to say he’d tried.

Katie sighed, walked into the kitchen and sat at the table, still laden with food from the wake. She sipped a cup of tea with her friend, Geneva Watson. Geneva was thin but had a pretty face and beautiful golden-brown hair. What am I supposed to do now with two small kids and no way to support us?

Just the thought of her future made her stomach roil. I’ve always had someone I could go to for help with such matters…Mother or Noah…now both are gone.

I know this isn’t the most normal of suggestions, but why don’t you become a mail-order bride? suggested Geneva, who looked at the ceiling with some interest. I have a friend who did that and she seems very happy. Geneva took a piece of paper from her reticule. Here. This is where my friend went. She gave this to me from the newspaper.

That’s not how I’d hoped to be married. I always pictured my life married to the man I love and full of children of our own. The man I obviously haven’t met yet, as I’m not in love with anyone right now. Still…

Katie shook her head. What man wants a spinster woman for a wife and two young children for an immediate family?

Geneva waved her hand in the air. So don’t be a spinster. Say that you are recently widowed and still in mourning. You’re a beautiful woman, Katie. You have blonde hair, blue eyes and a figure I’d kill for. Ethan and Ruthie look just like you and could easily be your children. You might want to say you’re older than twenty-five, since Ethan is five. You’ll have to wear black all the time, but that will also go for keeping your new husband from bedding you.

I don’t like the idea of lying, besides, Mama said those men who advertise for brides only want wives so they’d have someone to warm their beds, cook and clean for them. She refused to go down that road, though she could have. The businesses for mail-order brides were just starting up then. But she wanted more than that, so she waited until she found Noah. She fell in love with him almost instantly. He was always nice to me, too, from the very beginning.

My brother says that’s the only reason he married. So he’d have someone to…well you know…to bed.

I don’t know your brother but do you believe him? You don’t think he loves your sister-in-law?

Maybe. That’s not a subject that most brothers and sisters discuss but I asked why he got married and that was what he said. He seems to be in love with Claire, so I don’t know if he’s teasing me or not.

What makes you think I would lie? Have I ever given you the impression that lying is something I would do, because I won’t.

You will. Because I know you have two young children to care for unless you are planning on putting them in an orphanage and I don’t think you are.

I don’t think I could keep up with a lie like that. Besides, I don’t want to begin a marriage that way…with a lie. Anyway, there’s got to be a position I can get teaching in a wealthy home, or working as a nanny. Her shoulders slumped. I just haven’t found it yet.

Geneva shook her head. You’ve been looking?

Yes, I’ve been trying to no avail. But I’ll keep trying. There must be some—

Listen to you. You’re talking like you don’t have responsibilities, but you do. Can you imagine any of the homes you’ve applied to actually giving you a job with two young children in tow?

Well, I…I…I’ve been trying.

Geneva cocked her head. Just say it. ‘No’. They won’t and you know it. You’ve applied to become a governess, a nanny and a teacher and that was before you had two children to care for. Positions are hard to come by, and they’re even harder for an unmarried woman with children. Becoming a mail order bride is the only reasonable solution and you know it.

Katie sighed and rested her chin in her hand, her elbow on the table. I suppose you’re right. It does sound like being a mail-order bride is the only way I can keep the children with me and that is what’s paramount.

Go see the matchmaker. She said she’s made some great matches. I trusted her.

Katie read the advertisement and nodded. All right, I’ll go see her, but as the widow Kennedy, not the spinster Kennedy. What else can I do? I’m determined to care for Ethan and Ruthie. I have no choice.

Good. I’ll come by in the morning and stay with the kids while you are gone.

Katie reached across the table and took her friend’s hand. Whatever will I do without you? I’m not even gone yet, and I already miss you dreadfully.

Geneva laughed and squeezed Katie’s hand. We’ll write often. You have to write me as soon as you arrive and give me your address and you must tell me about your husband.

Katie was warming to the idea of having a husband, but that didn’t stop her stomach from turning over and over. She really hated the thought of lying, but she would do whatever she needed for those kids. I will. Hopefully I’ll be able to let you know something about him before I go.

"I hope so, too. Maybe he will have sent a picture.

Yes, but who’s to say it’s really him and not his best friend or something.

She says she’s very careful who she matches with whom and she has an assistant who verifies the men are who they say they are.

Well, that does sound better than what I thought. I’ll go but if I don’t like the way I see the business being run, I won’t sign up. She sighed and slumped back in the chair. Though I don’t know what other option I have.

A few minutes later Geneva left and Katie looked around the kitchen. She should clean it up but she just couldn’t face it right now.

Katie headed to bed. As she passed Noah’s room, she remembered the strange behavior of Detective Nelson. She went into the room and gathered Noah’s Bible from his nightstand and put it on the shelf with her books. She didn’t want to forget it. That Bible was part of the few things that Noah had left for his children and she’d make sure they got it.

It was too bad that all the jewelry Noah bought me, Ruthie and Ethan wasn’t real. I could have sold some and stayed in the house. But then what? Even then I’d still need some way to support us. It doesn’t matter anyway. The best thing I can do for us, for the children, is become a mail-order bride. My dreams don’t matter now. Ruthie and Ethan matter now and I’ll do whatever I have to do.

*****

Geneva arrived at eight o’clock in the morning to watch the children.

Katie pulled Ethan aside. I have to run some errands and then I’ll be back. Aunt Geneva will stay with you and Ruthie until I get back. I want you on your best behavior for her, all right?

Ethan nodded. Okay. Are you gonna bring us back some candy?

Candy! For breakfast? That’s silly.

The boy laughed. Not for breakfast. It’s just ’cause you love us and we’ll be so good for Aunt Geneva.

We’ll see. I have to go now. Give me a kiss. She bent at the waist so he could reach her cheek.

He dutifully kissed her.

That’s my big lad.

She straightened and looked at Geneva. Are you sure you’ll be all right with them?

Geneva laughed. We’ll be fine you go on.

They’ve eaten breakfast. I could barely get a bite of toast to go down and stay. I’m so nervous.

Nothing for you to be nervous about.

That’s easy for you to say.

Just remember this is for the children.

Katie took a deep breath and exhaled it through her mouth in a big sigh. All right, I’m leaving. I’ll probably be back in an hour or so.

Stay as long as you need to. I haven’t anything else planned today.

Katie took Geneva’s hands in hers. Thank you.

*****

Katie arrived at 221 Baker Street and smiled at the bright blue door that greeted her. The rest of the doors for as far as the eye could see were nondescript, painted brown mostly, some black. After the sleepless night she’d had the door seemed to be a bright and cheery symbol that maybe a shining future could be obtained within. She needed that.

She hated wearing black. She had two black dresses which she usually only wore to funerals. They were both so stiff from lack of wear that they were downright uncomfortable. Better get used to them girl. That’s all I’ll be wearing for a year. She shook her head to rid her of those kinds of thoughts, checked her black jacket, smoothed the skirt of the black dress under it and then turned the knob.

A bell sounded as she entered.

Hello. May I help you?

The voice belonged to a fiery-haired woman in her thirties wearing a luscious emerald green dress. As Katie approached she saw the dress was very nearly the same color as the woman’s eyes.

Yes, hello. I’m Katie Kennedy and I’m looking to become a mail-order bride.

Come in and sit, Miss Kennedy. I’m Margaret Selby. Are you in mourning?

Yes, Thank God my plan is working. My husband recently passed. I have two children, ages five and three, that I must provide for. I can’t do that on my own. I need a husband, Miss Selby.

It’s missus, but you can call me Margaret. She sat with her hands clasped on top of the desk, all attention on Katie. I’m a widow myself and know that just surviving day to day can be difficult.

Katie clenched her reticule in her hands. Would this woman, a real widow, see through her charade? Katie nodded. Please call me Katie. You must have loved your husband very much.

Actually, no, I didn’t. I had an arranged marriage. My father basically sold me to my husband. I didn’t love him at all especially when I found out he’d left me in debt up to my ears.

That I understand. Noah, that’s my husband, left us with no means of support. Before I married I worked as a governess, but now with two children, well, people don’t want a governess or a nanny who has children. Unfortunately, Noah didn’t leave us with any assets either. The house we live in is rented and the owner is giving me a month for free, so I can get myself situated. I need a match quickly, Margaret. I have less than two weeks left of that month and nowhere to go.

With a name like Kennedy, are you Scottish?

Yes, my father was a Scot.

You’re in luck, Katie. I have a man in Central City, the Colorado Territory. I’ve matched all of his friends but until you came in, I hadn’t matched him.

Where is Colorado Territory? Isn’t that far away? I’d hoped for somewhere closer, then maybe I could see Geneva sometimes. But maybe this is the only man

Reviews for The Pretender Bride

[nancynova · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

clunky writing, not very good