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Chapter 28
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California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Epilogue
Spring 1875 Charlotte POV It’s been almost five years since the curse was lifted. So much has changed, but so much has stayed the same. The shipping company continues to grow as we added several more ships to the fleet, both here in San Francisco and also in the Caribbean. Alex continues to run the New Orleans shipyard and has done quite well for himself. Recently he has been courting a young lady that he met at the boarding house. Mama Sheffield continues to take in orphans and young ladies who are running from something. She shows them the same love and security that she gave to each of us. It’s in her nature to provide that and she does it so well. She still takes on temporary boarders, ladies who are just passing through. The mail order bride business is still growing strong, with miners and cowboys settling the ‘wild wild west’. Women are still scarce west of the Mississippi and Mama Sheffield does her best to help. Shortly after his rescue, Cole wrote a letter to Chang, apolo
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Prologue
PrologueJanuary 1866Charlotte POVTaking a walk by the seashore this morning brings about a happy feeling in my soul. Looking out over the water, I can see forever. Or at least it seems like it. There is no end to the water. It goes on and on. I watch as the waves rise and fall, lapping quietly against my feet. This is bliss.As I watch the water glide over the sand to my feet, I realize that my hand is not empty. I am holding the hand of another. A strong hand, with long narrow fingers. A hand that I can tell embodies strength. My eyes slide from the hand up the lean but muscled arm which is attached to a shirtless torso that is drool worthy. While not overly muscular, the torso is firm and lean. A torso that is no stranger to hard work.
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 1
1845Matilda Sheffield POVIt’s been five years since my William died and I miss him more every day. He was a handsome man with curly blonde hair that fell into his eyes. He tried so hard to tame his hair but no matter what he did, it refused to stay in place. One of my most favorite things to do was to tousle his hair as I walked past him. He would pause in his work and glance up at me, his pale blue eyes shining with love.We had been married just three years when influenza swept through the town. My William was determined to help as many as he could. He didn’t have a medical degree, but he knew a little something about sickness. He was the second oldest of eight children with a widowed mother. His older brother had married and was living in Bartonville with his wife.At the age of seventeen, he became an orphan when his mother passed a
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 2
1850Charlotte POV (age 8)Today was going to be a good day, I could feel it. I don’t know how I knew, but I just did. Like so many things. I knew when it would rain and when it would freeze for the first time each year. I knew when another kid would be moving into the house with us. I’ve learned to keep it to myself though.I remember a couple years ago when I was six, I had told Mama Sheffield that a little boy was going to need her help. I told her that the sheriff would be bringing him to the house that day. I cried as I told her the boy had a black mark on his face and he was very hungry. She hugged me tightly and told me not to worry, that she would take care of any little child who needed her help.Later that day, the sheriff showed up with a boy a couple years old than me in his arms. The boy was hurting so badly that he couldn&rs
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 3
Late Summer 1858 Charlotte POV (age 16) Over the last eight years, my intuition has been helpful to Mama Sheffield and the orphanage. We have seen children come and go from all walks of life. Some joined us young and grew up at the boarding house and then left when they were old enough to find jobs. Some of them bonded and fell in love, like Susan and Julian. They were very close in age and had become friends while growing up here. But the older they got; it became more apparent that they were more than friends. Julian took a job at the mercantile on the north side of town and began saving his money. When he felt that he had enough money, he bought a little house and then proposed to Susan, who had stayed on at the orphanage, helping Mary with all of the younger children. Julian and Susan still stop by every now and then to see Mama Sheffield. They have three boys of their own and seem to be very happy. Mr. Sylvestre Pratt comes by several times each month and helps with the lawn a
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 4
May 1861 Charlotte POV (age 19) A few months after Hannah arrived home, the opportunity came for a new adventure here at the orphanage. We had just arrived home from Sunday services, all fifteen of us. We never missed a Sunday. Mrs. Sheffield felt it was important to bring us up right. So, every Sunday, Mrs. Sheffield, Mary, the orphans, Hannah, and I would walk to the church. The church was large and held so many people that it was hard to hear much of the preaching, unless you were sitting in the front. That’s why we always sat on the front row. Well, actually it was because the little ones knew they were being watched and they were compelled to be good. I remember feeling the same way when I was younger, I wanted to repay Mrs. Sheffield for all of the love she had shown to me, and so I tried very hard to be good and to sit still during services. The little ones at the orphanage today were no different. But the sermon that day had caught my attention. The reverend had talked abou
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 5
Christmas 1863Charlotte POVThe war rages on with battles and skirmishes up and down the eastern part of the nation. Earlier this year, one of the bloodiest battles to date happened in Pennsylvania. The small, previously unknown town of Gettysburg, was host to a long and exhausting, three-day battle. Early reports held the death toll at nearly 40,000; but the final tally reported that over 50,000 men perished during those three days.Even still, the war continues, with no end in sight. Many are saying that the Battle at Gettysburg was the turning point, but I don’t believe the end is in sight. We can only hope and pray that it ends sooner rather than later. Too many men have died at the hands of their brothers and even more sons have killed their fathers. Another year is set to end with countless mothers and wives mourning their dead.
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 6
St. Louis 1865Charlotte POVIt was January of last year, when Mary Jane graced the boarding house with her presence. Mary Jane and her mother arrived and I had to wonder, at first, if they were in the right place. Mary Jane’s mother owns a brothel in Dallas, Texas. As Hannah, Emily, and I sat with Mrs. Sheffield in the parlor, Mary Jane’s mother, Kate, explained the reason for their arrival.“I have watched as MJ as grown up and while she is well suited to care for her husband’s…um…how to say this politely,” Kate began, pausing as if to find the correct words. “Yes, that’s right. She can handle caring for his private needs, but her abilities to run a household are sorely lacking. MJ and I have spoken and we both agree that it is time that she learn how to run a household.”Then she leaned
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- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Epilogue
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 28
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 27
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 26
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 25
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 24
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 23
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 22
- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 21
