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Chapter 15
April 1867
Joseph POV
Christmas day was a wonderful time for us as a family. The light was returning to Emily’s eyes more and more each day. She and Mum created a wonderful meal and we spent the day making plans. But the best part of all was having Emily back with us. Fully engaging in conversation, laughing and teasing. It was evident that her breakdown just days before was much needed. I was grateful for the letter that arrived a few days prior, even though it was a difficult day.
After everyone left, we made our way to our bedroom once more. I was desperate to make love to my wife, but I didn’t want to push her. Sex meant babies and I wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. And with all of the progress she had made, I refused to be the reason that she sank into her depression again. I knew from talking with Mum and Da that she would have bad days for quite some time and I vowed that I would be there f
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July 1867Emily POVI had known for a couple of weeks that I was pregnant, but I hadn’t said anything to Joseph. He had told me before that he paid attention to my woman’s cycle. I kept waiting for him to mention it but he never did. So, I decided to tease him the morning that he and Thomas were headed to St. Louis. I also wanted to give him another reason to hurry home.Clara hugged me to her side as we watched them ride away. “Another bairn?” she whispered, her voice beginning to crack.I leaned my head on her shoulder as Joseph and Thomas faded into the forest. “Yes. Another baby.” I caressed my still flat tummy in wonder and joy.“Praise the Lord!” she exclaimed.Brody had come up behind us and pulled us both into a hug. I giggled as he said, “Aye! Thank the Lord, another grand-bairn for us to love.”We walked back into the house to clean up the breakfast dishes. As we re
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 17
Joseph POVThree weeks after Thomas and I returned home from St. Louis, we sent Thomas back down the river to fetch the additional window panes. We made plans for me to meet him at the fort in eleven days. This allowed us to no longer need to pay the livery for boarding. This would also be a test run for Thomas, to see if he could make it to St. Louis and back without any problems.Before leaving the fort, I paid for the work horses that the livery owner had found for me. I was happy to find that the two horses came from the same horse ranch and they were sturdy horses. The livery owner assured me that not only were they harness broke, they were also saddle broke, which was a plus here in the mountains. I paid the livery owner for the horses and then Apollo and I made our way back up the mountain with Dakota and the two new horses in tow.Eleven days later, I met Thomas at the fort as promised, this time with the work ho
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 18
August 20, 1867 Emily POV About a week after Clay left for St. Louis, the courier brought another telegram: Agreed. Delayed slightly. Should arrive 12 August 1867. Jamie Finally, Jamie was on his way. The telegram confirmed that Joseph’s estimate was correct. It would take about three weeks for them to arrive from Dodge City, Kansas. It was a long distance, made even longer when herding stubborn cattle. We had begun to worry because we had not received any word. Joseph and I had considered sending a telegram to Paris and Dodge asking if anyone had seen him. As the weeks passed and my tummy grew, I found that loved being pregnant. Sure, being tired more easily was no picnic and I could do without the swollen ankles, but I loved the sensation of feeling my baby move in my womb. The baby was active, constantly on the move and now that I was over two thirds of the way to
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 19
September 1867 Joseph POV Jamie and Hannah’s visit was enjoyable. Mum said later that Jamie was salt of the earth, meaning he was honest, sincere, and an all-around good man. I couldn’t agree more. It was plain to anyone who wanted to see, just how much he adored his wife. Hannah stood just a couple inches taller than Emily and while she gave an air of sweetness and timidity, she was anything but. She was tenacious about her family and she fiercely loved those she considered to be her family. She and Jamie were perfect for one another and they fit in well with our family. Jamie had told me that if it wasn’t for his ranch in Texas, he might consider moving here. He and I had been out checking the traps one morning, as he had wanted me to show him exactly what we did with our game. He was genuinely interested and was able to follow along with my explanations. We were standing on one of the ridg
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 20
Chapter 20 February 1868 Emily The day Annabeth was born, Joseph sat with me the entire time. While it’s not traditionally done, I needed his presence and support. I told him later that he was to always be with me during those times. Having the ability to lean against him while his arms surrounded me, his hands massaging my belly, had such a calming effect on me. I decided that I wanted that every time. Clara had initially frowned on his being in the room, but finally relented when she realized that it actually helped me. The moment that Annabeth was in my arms, tears of joy fell from my eyes. I leaned my head back against Joseph’s shoulder so he could look at her too. My shoulder became wet from the tears that fell from his eyes. His arms encircled mine and together we cradled our daughter in our arms. Her little eyes flitted open and as she took in the world around her, she began to cry. Clara helped me to teach her how to suckle at my breast. Once she had latched on, Joseph’s a
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 21
Emily POVI pulled my hand back from Draco’s as I took in his appearance. He wasn’t wearing a heavy coat like we would normally wear this time of year. He only had on his suit coat, which I knew didn’t provide much warmth. He had the appearance of a big city businessman. As I said, he stood out in the Dakota wilderness.“You must be cold without a heavy coat. Can I offer you some coffee to take the chill off?” I asked.“That will be fine, thank you,” Draco said, agreeing to my offer of coffee, but ignoring my comment about the cold weather.I motioned for him to take a seat at the table while I poured him a cup of coffee. As I placed it before he, he asked, “How is he doing?”Clara had joined us and answered, her voice grave with concern, “resting. But I dinna ken how well. His fever is rising. I pray to de Lord that the
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 22
Emily POVAfter the Knightshade’s left, we sat down to supper and chatted about our neighbors. I pondered over the interaction between the elder Knightshade and his wife. She was a lovely woman and Annabeth did not fuss in her arms. That told me a lot. Babies could usually sense if someone meant them harm or had bad intentions. And since she didn’t fuss, I wasn’t concerned.But what I did ponder over was the fact that Draco seemed so sure of himself. He carried an air of confidence. What happened to that confidence that would cause him to accidentally cut himself with the scissors. And then he brushed aside my concern, as if the cut was nothing.“Emily?” Clara’s voice cut into my thoughts.“What, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought,” I answered her.“Why dinna ye sit with Joseph for a while this evening. We’ll take ca
Dakota Dreams: Book #3 Boarding House Brides Chapter 23
Anne POVWhen I received her letter last fall, I was livid. How dare my daughter defy me and refuse to go to the convent. It would have been the best thing for her. She would have been cared for, had a home to live in, and food to eat. In addition to that, she would have been able to fulfill her service to the Lord by aiding the men fighting in the war.It was nonsense in my opinion, men fighting over who had the right to dictate what each could or couldn’t do. We were all united under one cause. The government was there for our protection against other nations, but shouldn’t have absolute rule. But no one listened to the thoughts of women.So, I did what I could from my home in Illinois. As the soldiers passed through, I fed them, let them sleep in the barn and patched their wounds. It didn’t matter to me if they wore blue or grey. They were all men, just the same.My other two dau
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