California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides
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Charlotte was found on the steps of the St. Louis Boarding House and Orphanage for Lost when she was three years old. Left with nothing but a blanket and note, she has no information about her past. When Cole decided to build a shipping business that would trade between Asia and the Caribbean, his father was not pleased. But Cole has a talent for getting what he wants. He is charismatic and it seems that everything he touches turns to gold. However, on an extended trip to his New Orleans office and a stop in St. Louis to secure a trading contract, he meets Charlotte. He feels drawn to Charlotte in ways that he cannot explain and his feelings for his girlfriend, Cordelia, wane. When Cole brings Charlotte back to California with the intention of marrying her, Cordelia is livid. She works to divide the happy couple and to reinsert herself at Cole’s side. She vows to do whatever it takes to make Cole hers, no matter what. Will she be successful? Will Cole and Charlotte survive the chaos wrought by Cordelia? Can Charlotte use her abilities to find her happily ever after while maintaining her secret?
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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 Chapter 28
Charlotte POVIt’s been two agonizing weeks since the ship returned and we learned that the bitch had kidnapped Cole. I spoke with the sheriff and he was no help. He said that because it had happened so many weeks ago, the trail would most likely be cold. I knew he was right, but it didn’t change my frustration.I walked the shoreline every day, trying to figure out where she would have kept him. Being a siren, I knew that she would probably be near the water. But the coastline was long and she could truly have him anywhere.As usual, everyone was at my house for supper. We were recounting our search efforts and not making any progress. Silvia was sitting next to me and she put her arm around my shoulder in comfort. It was strange, this woman was old enough to be my grandmother six or seven times removed, but she felt more like a big sister. I tilted my head and leaned against her, my brain exhausted from searching and worrying about Cole.Had the siren been successful? I didn’t think
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 27
Cole POV “Tell me again, what do I smell like?” I inhaled again, “I’ll tell you, but then we sleep. You smell like orange blossom.” She fell asleep soon after and I slowly slid her to the bed. Once she was no longer, lying on me, I quickly rose and left the room. I had an idea where the door was, and I wanted to try to find it. As I neared the kitchen, I found a door and tried to open it, but it was sealed. Probably magic. But I could hear the sea. We were near the coast. I looked around for a while longer but couldn’t find another way out. I made my way back to the bed. I lay there in the silence and thought back to the morning I left for Shanghai. Not many people were out and about as I drew nearer to the docks. I saw the sheriff leaning against a bench. So, I took a moment to speak to him, cordially inquiring about the weather and his plans for the day. He said that he was waiting for someone but didn’t elaborate and since I had to meet the ship before it left, I didn’t ask fo
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 26
Cordelia POV By now, they must know that Cole is here. Well, they won’t know where here is exactly. But surely, they know that he is with me. They won’t find us and I am so close to getting everything I want, if only he would give in. He has resisted my thrall and I don’t really know how he is doing it. However, it’s only a matter of time before I break through and I can make him mine. The timing is perfect. Mating with Cole will mean the possibility of a female heir with both siren and seer abilities. Oh, the possibilities. I looked down at the man sleeping beside me. He had become argumentative last night and I had to physically knock him out. I mean, really, knock him out. My thrall wasn’t working so I had to take a frying man and hit him over the head. He was so beautiful and his face held a peaceful look. I wished that he would look at me like that. I sneered as I realized that he was probably dreaming of Charlotte. Bah! That bitch! She just had to entice him while he was on th
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 25
Charlotte POV The morning that Cole left; I didn’t want to get out of bed. I had a gripping fear that the siren would strike and take Cole away before he even made it to the ship. I had confidence that if he made it to the ship, he would be safe on the waters. As he said the night before, we had spelled the ships so that she wouldn’t find him. Cole was determined to go to Shanghai to continue our business relationship with Chang and I couldn’t find fault in that. He and the Chinaman had been doing business for years. And I knew that we couldn’t afford to mess up this relationship. Too many families depended on this contract and the money that it provided for our trading company. So, I played the dutiful wife and put on a smile and walked with him downstairs. I sat at the table and ate the breakfast that Silvia had made for us. It looked wonderful but honestly, I couldn’t tell you if it tasted as good as it looked, I could barely swallow it. Following breakfast, I made him promise t
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 24
Cole POV For the next two months Draco and Conor used every trick in the books to build up my stamina. Every morning, I was given tow hours to take care of the business. After that, I was training my mind and body until evening. Charlotte knew as much about the business as I did, having been by my side at the office since she arrived to California. It made it easier to be gone as much as I was. We all understood what was at stake. Most days, Draco would train me from dawn until about nine in the morning, when he would take his rest. His vampiric nature forced his body into a slumber every day. He explained that being as old as he was, he could now force himself to rise sooner as needed. While the sunlight wouldn’t kill him, it would cause him to be weaker, thus the reason for staying out of the sun. When Draco went to rest, I would go to the office until eleven. Then Charlotte and I would go to her parents for lunch. After lunch, more training. Conor and I would take the buggy to th
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 23
Charlotte POV True to her word, Emily’s friends arrived by the end of the week. They arrived just after dark, as Cole and I were locking up the house to retire for the night. In fact, Cole had just locked the front the door when there was a knock at it. I looked at Cole and shrugged that I was fine with him answering it, even though it was late in the evening. Cole warily opened the door, as we do not get many visitors after dark. Standing in the doorway was an unknown couple, both whom held an air of sophistication about them. The man was a gorgeous specimen. He was tall and lean. His face was thin and angular with high cheekbones that spoke of good breeding. He wore his light brown hair in fashionable style that showed he cared for his appearance. And the scruff on his face was too short to be a beard, but long enough to give him a more mature look. I was certain that without it, he would appear to be much younger than I assumed him to be. His companion was just as lovely. She ha
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 22
Cole POV The day after we received the letter from MJ, I began my search for the bronze dagger. I wrote to Chang asking if he had any knowledge of such an item. I also told him that I would be happy to attend his wedding ceremony, since Charlotte had convinced me that I should attend. I wanted her to travel with me but she wasn’t keen on the idea. She said that she would know when the time came if she should go or stay here. I knew it would be at least two months before we had an answer from Chang, so Charlotte and I also searched locally. We spoke with her parents and the coven. No one knew of a bronze dagger. The coven agreed to also search and inquire with their contacts for the dagger. They had contacts that most people didn’t know existed. The strain of not having a child had been difficult on Charlotte. As the weeks became months and the months became years with no babies, I watched the spark in her eyes slowly fade. And it broke my heart. I had tried everything I could imagin
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 21
Three Years Later Charlotte POV Watching Cordelia stomp away, I took a deep breath and sagged into Cole’s side. I was grateful that he had his arm around me, for I would have fallen. I was emotionally drained from her antics and I needed to sit down. Sensing my need, Cole swept me up into his arms and carried me into the house. As he made his way to the parlor, he quipped, “Not exactly how I planned to carry you over the threshold, but it’ll do.” I giggled in response and snuggled into his arms as he sat on the chaise lounge. I looked up and my parents were joining us. “She came through the house. Can you check it? I don’t want any surprises,” I asked. “No need. We cleansed the house a few days ago,” Aunt Bea said. Then my dad spoke up, “I had the coven put a protection spell on it as well. She can’t spell it, ever. You both are protected within this house.” I smiled and snuggled into Cole once more. His arms tightened about me. We sat in silence for a few moments, replaying the
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