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Chapter 17
OKLACLSYLDY BooksThank you for reading! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Find me on the socials! The powers at be for some reason don't like it when I list my group name, but I have seen plenty of others do the same. I guess my little book isn't that special to them! But do look me up on the socials under my pen name! I appreciate your comments and feedback!
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California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 18
October 1866 Charlotte POV It was a shock to see my parents face to face for the first time in my life. But it only took one look for me to know that I was their daughter. I could see bits of myself in each of them. It must have seemed like an eternity to them, but it was just a matter of seconds before I was flying across the room into my mother’s arms. As they folded their arms around me, I finally felt the hole in my soul filling up. However, I wasn’t quite ready to call them mother and father. After a few moments, Conor said, “You are more beautiful than my dreams allowed. We have much to discuss, but for now, please know that we agonized for years about the decision we had to make. Your mother is right, Matilda was the perfect choice to be your adoptive mother.” I nodded slightly, my head still on Esther’s shoulder. We stayed like that for a few more moments and then I lifted my head and stood tall once more. I had so many questions and although I was overjoyed to have finally
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 19
December 1866 Cole POV Since we have arrived home, it has been very busy. I was busy with the growing shipping company, while Charlotte was busy learning from her parents and at first, it consumed her. But then in October, something shifted. She realized that neither of us were spending time together so she cut her time with her parents short and was waiting for me at home, when I arrived after work. I was delighted to learn that she had planned for us to have a quiet evening at home. No aunts, no parents, no talk of the future, no training. Just her and I in our own little haven of love. While she was explaining the bonding ceremony, she had a vision of it. It was the first time that she had seen her own future. I was happy for her, but even more happy when she said it was beautiful. I knew that one of her fears was the Cordelia would return before we could become bonded. But Aunt Bea had assured us that Cordelia would stay away until after the new year. I trusted Aunt Bea but I a
California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Chapter 20
January 1867 Charlotte POV The mating ceremony was lovely. It felt like such a sacred moment. When I arrived at the altar with my parents, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the area. Candles and flowers were laid at the base of the altar, adding to the romance of the scene. The moon was almost at its culmination and was shining down on the clearing. Anxiously I stood at the end of the altar, waiting for Cole. I had on nothing but my shift and a crown of flowers resting on my brow. When my father had placed them on my head, he called me his princess. Tears had come to my eyes as I thought about all of the times I missed out on hearing him call me that. Seeing my tears, he reached out and wiped them away and promised that he would always be near when I needed him. It was a beautiful moment between us and its one that I will remember for always. Mom stepped up and reminded me of the vows we would make. Then together, she and Dad explained how I was to cut Cole’s hand for the blood ri
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
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 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 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 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
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- California Secrets: Book #4 Boarding House Brides Epilogue
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- 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
