Traveling Far for Love: Four Historical Romances

By Doreen Milstead

Bluebells For Benjamin - A woman heads to Alaska to practice nursing and also hoping to find love PLUS Beth & the Wounded Warrior - A woman decides to go to Texas, along with her sister, to become the wife of a man with two children, who was injured in the Civil War. Her life is idyllic, but not for long PLUS Brought Together Again By God, is about two people who are brought together by fate and their love of God and helping others. One is a governess who is overweight, and one a teacher, and both help children who face bullying or self-esteem issues, for whatever reason PLUS Only For Love - A wealthy rancher wants a wife and children more than anything in the world but is worried that a woman might only seek him out because she’s interested in his wealth. He decides on one woman and invites her to his ranch but under a ruse that he’s only the foreman of the ranch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387589883

Book preview

Traveling Far for Love: Four Historical Romances

Traveling Far for Love: Four Historical Romances

By

Doreen Milstead

Copyright 2018 Susan Hart

Bluebells For Benjamin

Synopsis: Bluebells For Benjamin - A woman heads to Alaska to practice nursing and also hoping to find love.

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, 1905.  It was a time of waistcoats, fob-watches, corseted underwear, extravagant long dresses, parasols, horses and cart, ladies and gentlemen, good manners and gold. 

Ambrosia Walsh, a confident, brassy woman in her early twenties fresh out of college, strolled out of the hospital and took a deep breath of fresh country air.  She only got to enjoy the fresh air for a moment, when a wagon went noisily by, flicking up dust and making her cough and cover her mouth with her handkerchief. 

She was so happy to have found a job as a nurse, even if it was as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska.  At least she wouldn’t have to put up with her father nagging her anymore about making a ‘woman’ of herself and getting married.  She was thankful for one thing. 

He was a strict Catholic man and had deeply embedded his faith to her and her brother Samuel, who had come with her to Fairbanks to make his fortune in the gold rush.  Their father had been reluctant to see his children leave and was so cross, he refused to say goodbye and busied himself in the church.  It was his way. 

Ambrosia knew that he would send a telegram sooner or later.  She was happy for it to be later at this rate.  Yes, she did want to get married and have children and like her mother who died a few years previously, she believed in love. 

True love.   The thunderbolts and lightning she had read in her mother’s romance novels.  It existed.  She knew it deep in her heart.  Until then, God was her love.  She put her heart and soul into becoming the best person she could be, by both volunteering at the newly built ‘Immaculate Conception Church’ next door to the Catholic-run hospital she now worked at, and by looking after and caring for her brother Sam who worked his tail to the bone every day to try and make a penny.

They had secured a small log cabin for themselves behind one of the banks.  Their father had warned that it would be dangerous and no place for a woman, but so far, Ambrosia had found the town safe, the townsfolk friendly and kind, although very rough around the edges. 

She turned her head whenever she heard profanities in the hope it would wash over and not enter her ears.  One afternoon after a day shift, she went to the main store on the Corner of Cushman and Lacey Streets for groceries.  The Proprietor, a short bald man in his late fifties who limped when he rushed around, seemed forever distracted. 

Ambrosia secretly worried that he was drunk and stayed her distance.  The prices were overly expensive, but what other choice was there?  They really were in the middle of nowhere, unlike Seattle where they had come from. 

This was like a step back in time.  The roads weren’t even paved. 

On her way to the store, Ambrosia passed one of the six saloons in town.  She watched the horses tied up out the front eating the hay in front of them in small piles, waiting patiently for their owners to come back out. 

The smell of alcohol wafting out into the street polluted her nose and she picked up her pace a little.  There was a wooden fence behind the saloon that ran the length of the back of a few stores. 

Prostitutes brazenly stuck their heads over to woo gentlemen to their lairs.  Ambrosia heard a banging on the fence and tried not to look, but couldn’t help herself.  One of the women, Charlotte--a curvy red head with freckles and her bosoms bursting out of her dress, was staring at her, hungrily.  Charlotte nudged the woman next to her and they both started calling out to Ambrosia, whistling and carrying on.

Charlotte yelled Hey!  You looking for work there, Missy?  Because we could do with a bit of a hand!

The women both burst into laughter and the other woman chimed in, It’s the only way to make a real buck around here.  Well, at least as much as those men do.  They’re all loaded with money, you know.  Hey!  There are plenty of men to go around and we don’t mind sharing!

With that, Ambrosia practically ran to the store, eyes wide, completely shocked by what she’d heard.  Inside, breathless, a man in his forties recognized her and came over.

Ah, Miss Walsh.  Are you okay? asked Dr. Albert.

Ambrosia took a deep breath and put her hand to her heart and replied Yes, although I don’t like seeing those women so brazen with their sins.

Dr. Albert nodded. Yes, they are a bit obvious.  He smiled, paid the man for his groceries and said I trust you and your brother have settled in well?

Ambrosia responded kindly. Yes, thank Doctor.  It’s not...um...what we’re used to, but the town is quaint. I’ve met some lovely other nurses and I’ve set up a lovely garden and our little cabin is growing on me.

Dr. Albert laughed. Yes, Fairbanks could do with a bit more class I say, but beggars can’t be choosers, right?  See you at mass on Sunday. 

He nodded and left with his groceries.  Ambrosia picked a few things and on leaving the store had to avoid a horde of men fist fighting in the street, blocking her path.  She watched them with curiosity after realizing that she couldn’t get around them for fear of being caught up in the brawl herself. 

One of them started kicking another man while another hit someone else over the head with a bottle.  She gasped, wondering what to do.  The Doctor was long gone.  She wondered what on Earth they could be fighting over.

Then she heard the man who had the bottle raised for another strike, yell at the two victims.

You can’t just waltz into town from Skagway of all places and think you can just take a stake for yourself.  There are rules, you hear?

He hit the older of the men on the head and he fell to the ground and punched the other, who tried to help the fallen one.  Both of them fell on top of each other. 

Ambrosia gasped again and went over to help them, seeing she couldn’t avoid the fight anyway.

Stop this nonsense at once.  You’re acting like a bunch of ruffians.  Really!

The man with the bottle out of respect dipped his hat and put the bottle behind his back.

Ma’am, with all due respect...

The younger man on the ground took Ambrosia’s distraction as good timing and swiped the man with the bottle’s feet out from under him.  This caused the older man to get up and restart even more of a fight.  Mud splashed Ambrosia’s modest cream nursing uniform and the young man winked at her before getting a few more punches to the head. 

Ambrosia saw an opening, picked up her groceries and started to walk off when suddenly the young man ended up in a sprawling heap at her feet, bleeding from the nose.  She jumped down to assist him straight away, putting her shopping aside. 

They had a moment where their eyes met and time stood still.  Ambrosia looked away thinking, oh my, what just happened?  He wiped the blood off his face and tried to stand but was dizzy.  The man with the bottle and the other men all started to disperse.

The man with the bottle raised it upwards. Now that that’s settled, who wants a drink? 

All the men, even the older one who was on the ground before, walked off like nothing had happened and straight past the prostitutes.  Ambrosia turned back to the man at her feet.  She touched his eye which had swollen and started to bruise already.

Are you okay? she asked.

He held out his hand.  Much obliged.  Benjamin Carter.  Nice to meet you.  It must be my lucky day to be saved by such a ravishing nurse.  What’s your name?

I’m Ambrosia Walsh.  My brother and I have just recently moved here from Seattle.

He was impressed. Oh, wow, uptown folks are we?

Benjamin touched her hand gently to move it off his face as it was hurting him.  She flinched when he did so.  She pulled out a white handkerchief and dabbed at his injuries.

Ambrosia smiled. You know, you might need a few stitches or that will leave a nasty scar.

Benjamin laughed heartily. Hah! Spoken like a true uptown girl.  Here, we don’t care about scars--it’s part of the business.

Ambrosia picked up her groceries and asked cautiously, And what business is that exactly?  Behaving like animals and beating each other to a pulp over money?

Benjamin had a twinkle in his eye when he answered. Well, you can’t blame a guy for going straight to the top, right? 

Ambrosia stood up and Benjamin passed her handkerchief back.  It got caught up in a sudden gust of wind and he chased it, nearing the fence with the prostitutes.  Ambrosia saw Charlotte watching Benjamin and call him over. 

She started to walk away, disgusted.  He ignored Charlotte, caught the handkerchief and came running back after Ambrosia.  Charlotte eyed him, remembering his face.  She liked men that played hard to get.

Benjamin came running back to Ambrosia puffing and dipping his hat. It sure was nice to meet you, ma’am.  I hope we have the pleasure again another time.  Maybe I will come and get those stitches after all.  Are you working tomorrow?

Ambrosia laughed coyly. Yes, I am.

Benjamin passed the bloodied handkerchief back and bowed slightly.

You know, I could help you with your groceries if you would allow it.

Ambrosia declined.  No, but thanks anyway.  I’ll be fine.  You take care you don’t get in any more fights there, Mr Carter.

Please, call me Benjamin.

He left her to continue walking home with her groceries. 

THE NEXT DAY Ambrosia was busy with some dynamite victims when Benjamin came in to the hospital.  She barely had time for a second glance as she assisted the other patients.  Benjamin saw her and tried to get her attention, but she was too busy. 

Another nurse, older than Ambrosia, Thelma came to assist Benjamin with his stitches.  He asked after Ambrosia who was now sitting at chairs either side of the three dynamite victims reading them sections of the bible to soothe them. 

Benjamin poked his head in the ward and Ambrosia saw him.  She waved for him to join them, which he did, eagerly.  He listened to what she is saying, but was more mesmerized watching her mouth move so perfectly, articulating every word, than the bible verses she was reading.  

Thelma came in an hour later and shooed him out.  He was shocked that time went so fast.  He really did only mean to stay to say a quick hello.  Ambrosia was pleased that he was interested in the teachings of the bible and invited him to come to church with her in a few days. 

He agreed, more-so to see her again than anything. 

THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY Ambrosia wore her newly pressed long blue velvet dress with matching hat and gloves.  Sam looked completely different from the man usually in coveralls.  Today, he was wearing a well pressed brown suit with waistcoat and time piece.

People in the crowd wondered who the newlyweds were as Ambrosia and Benjamin walked past.  You could see that the men far outnumbered the women and children of the town. 

Most of the women smiled at Ambrosia, who smiled back.  Ambrosia got caught up in the sermon.  Father Dreyfuss spoke so fluidly about love and loss that Ambrosia got carried away to another time. 

She remembered when her mother was alive, how they had had such a great life.  Her mother was so kind and loving, creative and supportive.  She was the backbone of their family, that crumbled all too soon, when she died from the flu those few years ago. 

Ambrosia was spellbound by the priest citing verses from the bible about life in heaven for the believers.  She felt safe knowing that her mother was with God now and that she had made a difference to the people and community that she left behind.  Ambrosia thought to herself she would be lucky if she could do as well with her own life. 

She didn’t even see Benjamin sitting up in the back pew staring and smiling at the back of her head through the whole service.  Mind you, some of the lady folk noticed him staring at her and started whispering that she must be one of those women that have affairs, not knowing that the man sitting beside her, was actually her brother not her husband. 

Ambrosia stayed behind to shake hands with the priest and thank him for his lovely heartfelt, uplifting sermon.  It was only then that she turned to see Benjamin standing to the side, waiting patiently to talk with her.  Samuel was a little protective of his younger sister and stood guard while they talked outside. 

Benjamin beamed at Ambrosia, That was very enlightening, thank you for making me a better man already.  First, you get me stitched up, now on the straight and narrow.

Samuel gave him a look.  Don’t think you can get any closer to my sister, without getting past me first.

Benjamin smiled kindly, I wouldn’t dream of it.  She is a breath of fresh air in these parts.  I am happy to be of her acquaintance.

Samuel stood between them.  "Well, acquaintance is all it will ever be, too.   I think that’s enough chit chat for the day, don’t you think sister?  I think it is time we