Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides

Prologue1863Emily POVI stared wide eyed as my Ma continued to ramble through her tears. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. There was no way I was going!“I just can’t worry about you getting your heart broken. I know it’s been six months, but I just can’t seem to move forward. Your Pa was my world, Em. Your sisters are grown and married and I can’t do anything to protect them from this type of tragedy in their lives. But I will protect you. Now, I want you to go and pack your things. Although, you won’t really need them at the convent,” she told me.“Ma, I don’t want to go. I know that Pa’s death was hard on you, but please don’t make me do this. I can still serve God as a wife and mother,” I begged her.At seventeen, I dreamed of a husband of my own. Someone who would love me as dearly as my Pa loved my Ma, before the influenza that took his life a little over six months ago. I just couldn’t understand why she all of a sudden wanted to send me away. My sisters were both happil

When Joseph came to the boarding house the other day, I was immediately taken with him. He was tall and broad; I could tell that whatever he did for a living, took physical effort. He stood well over six feet tall, and if I had to guess, he was at least six feet four inches because I was taller than most women I knew. I was close to five feet eight inches. He was a good height; I could imagine myself leaning on his upper arm or laying my head on his shoulder. At first glance, some would say he was a backwoods heathen, due to his long hair and beard. But for me, it lent an air of mystery to him. His hazel eyes held a depth that I couldn’t wait to uncover. He had confidence unlike many of the men who I had previously met. He came to the boarding house because he had seen the advertisement that Mrs. Sheffield had placed in several newspapers across the country. Charlotte and I were watching from the stairway when he arrived. We overheard him introduce himself to Mrs. Sheffield. As he sp

Emily POV When Joseph proposed to me, I was on cloud nine. It was everything I had hoped it would be. His words were sincere and I knew in my heart, he felt everything he was saying just as deeply. When I looked at the ring as he was explaining it’s meaning to me, I wanted to cry. Such deep meaning in a band of silver. But I loved it.And I agreed with every word he said. We were starting new. We were essentially building a new foundation, our family. Hopefully, our marriage and the foundation we create would be an example for our children to follow. A foundation that our children would one day be able to depend on and to trust.After he left, I said goodnight to the girls and made my way upstairs. Rounding the top of staircase, I saw Mrs. Sheffield standing just outside her bedroom door. She was staring out the window, looking up at the night sky.“Mrs. Sheffield?” I softly called out to her, not wanting to startle her.

Emily POV The trip from St. Louis to Fort Pierre was enjoyable. Joseph and I spent our days getting to know one another, walking the deck, and watching the scenery as the steam ship made its way up the river. The morning we arrived at Fort Pierre; it was raining. Thankfully, by the time we were ready to leave the fort, the sun had begun to shine. I was adamant about walking as much as possible. I must say, that I didn’t realize how rough the terrain would be and so, when Joseph finally said that I had to ride on the cart because of the mud, I was never more grateful for anything in my life. I, of course, would never tell him that. The terrain leveled out slightly and Joseph decided that he wanted to push the horses so that we could make it to the creek before dark. With Thomas and I both riding the cart and Joseph on Apollo, we were able to travel much more quickly. I was happily surprised that the mule, Blaze, kep

Joseph POV Well shite. I thought. I looked at Emily and could see the concern in her eyes. I looked back at Da and gave him a look that said I was not happy with him. Then turning back to Emily, I explained, “In Scotland, where Mum and Da are from, it is tradition to be hand fasted. If we had met in the ole country, I would have promised meself to ye in front of our parents because the priest was not always in the area. It was part of the betrothal and after the bans were read and a year had passed, the priest would perform the marriage rites, if we both were still in agreement to be wed.” “But why is it so important, if we are already married?” she asked quietly, looking around the table. “It’s a symbol of unity between the pair of ye. And, since we did’na have the chance to be at the wedding, would ye consider allowin’ us to hold a hand fasting? It does’na change the words ye spoke in front of the vicar, we would just like to be part of it,” Mum asked, her facing smiling and plea