To Love and Cherish (Bridal Veil Island Book #2) , livre ebook

Baker Publishing Group - Tracie Peterson

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147 pages

English

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A Story of Romance and Intrigue on a Beautiful Island Resort, From Two Bestselling AuthorsWhen Melinda Colson's employer announces they'll be leaving Bridal Veil Island to return to their home in Cleveland, Melinda hopes her beau, Evan, will propose. But Evan isn't prepared to make an offer of marriage until he knows he can support a wife and family. Evan works as the assistant gamekeeper on Bridal Veil but hopes to be promoted soon.Letters strengthen their love, but Melinda remains frustrated at being apart from the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Then she learns of a devastating hurricane in Bridal Veil and knows she must give up her position as a lady's maid and make her way back to Evan.The destruction on Bridal Veil is extensive, meaning every available person is needed to help with cleanup and repairs. Melinda finds a new job on the island, but Evan seems even busier than before, meaning she still never gets to see him. Has she given her heart to the wrong man?And when Melinda overhears a vicious plot against President McKinley, who is scheduled to visit the island, is Evan the one she should turn to? Will Melinda and Evan ever get the chance to stand at the front of a church and promise "to love and cherish"?

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Historical fiction

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Publié par	Baker Publishing Group
Date de parution	01 août 2012
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781441271068
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0202€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

© 2012 by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2012
Ebook corrections 11.01.2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for example, electronic, photocopy, recording without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-7106-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
This is a work of historical reconstruction; the appearances of certain historical figures are therefore inevitable. All other characters, however, are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
The internet addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this book are accurate at the time of publication. They are provided as a resource. Baker Publishing Group does not endorse them or vouch for their content or permanence.
Cover design by John Hamilton Design
To Lori Baney
With thanks for your friendship and encouragement.
Judy
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Books by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
Back Ads
Back Cover
CHAPTER 1
B RIDAL V EIL I SLAND , G EORGIA May 1898
Melinda Colson swallowed the lump of frustration lodged in her throat. Her knuckles scratched against the wicker picnic basket as she tucked a cloth napkin around the woven sides. The lid dropped with an unexpected clatter, and she looked up to meet Mrs. Mifflin’s surprised gaze.
Her disappointment swelled, and a heavy weight settled in her stomach. “But I understood we weren’t departing Bridal Veil Island for another two weeks.” Her palms turned damp as she awaited Mrs. Mifflin’s response.
“That was our plan, but I’ve received word that my dear friend, Ida McKinley, will be arriving in Cleveland. We must return home to prepare for her visit.” Mrs. Mifflin patted her perspiring upper lip with a lace-edged handkerchief. “There’s so much to accomplish before she arrives. I do wish she would have given me a bit more notice.”
Melinda’s mouth gaped open, and she loosened her grip on the rigid basket handles. “The president’s wife is coming to visit you?”
“Indeed she is. Ida has been asked to speak at the commencement exercises at Miss Sanford’s school in Cleveland. That’s where we first met and became friends. Of course, she was Ida Saxton back then.” The older woman pursed her lips and tipped her head slightly. “I’m sure I told you that when you first came to work for me.”
Perhaps Mrs. Mifflin had mentioned her connection to Mrs. McKinley, but if so, it hadn’t registered at the time. After all, when Melinda first arrived at the Mifflin home, she’d been overwrought with grief. Her thoughts had been focused on her parents’ untimely death aboard one of their shipping vessels rather than on Mrs. Mifflin’s childhood friends.
“When is she due to arrive in Cleveland? We’ll need sufficient time to close the cottage for the season.” Cottage! A twelve-room two-story Queen Anne home designed by an architectural firm in New York City could hardly be called a cottage, but Mrs. Mifflin enjoyed referring to it as such.
“No need to worry. I’ve made arrangements with Mr. Zimmerman, the resort superintendent, to have some of the maids from the clubhouse come and take care of closing our lovely Summerset.”
“There’s no need to go to the expense of hiring maids. I’d be more than happy to remain and close the cottage. Besides, you’ll know that everything has been properly attended to if I’m here.” Melinda hoped the older woman would heed her suggestion. She didn’t want to leave Bridal Veil not now. And if things went as she hoped, not ever.
Mrs. Mifflin frowned and shook her head. “My dear! How could I possibly get along without you? I need you to fashion my hair and take care of arrangements for the tea. As it is, we’ll be hard-pressed to finish all the details on time. You know there’s never before been anyone else I could depend upon as my companion.”
Melinda disliked being referred to as Mrs. Mifflin’s companion, but that was the title the matron had used when she’d interviewed and hired Melinda after her parents’ death. At the time, Melinda hadn’t argued against the title. Back then she had been in dire need of the income. But perhaps all of that would change today.
“Besides,” Mrs. Mifflin continued, “the dues Mr. Mifflin pays to belong to the Bridal Veil Island consortium cover such needs. That was one of the reasons we agreed to join. The island offers a pleasant diversion from the harsh Cleveland winters while also paying strict attention to the necessary services we require. We’ve even arranged to have the cottage painted later this summer. Of course, I don’t expect you to realize all of the benefits we enjoy as members.”
Mrs. Mifflin dabbed her face again and startled as the clock chimed the hour. “Goodness, but I do wish there were more time.”
Time!
When Melinda glanced at the clock, her pulse quickened. She needed to hurry. If things went as she hoped, Evan Tarlow, the Bridal Veil Island gamekeeper, might surprise her with a proposal at their picnic this afternoon.
But not if I don’t get there soon.
The thought was enough to force her to action, and she tightened her hold on the basket handles. This was her afternoon off, and she needed to make good use of these few free hours. “I have a picnic planned for this afternoon, but I’ll be certain to have time to pack your trunks this evening.”
Mrs. Mifflin’s smile faded like a summer bloom in need of rain. “I would think you’d be willing to forgo your afternoon off, Melinda. A picnic with one of the clubhouse maids is of little importance. Especially when you consider my current needs.”
Melinda forced a smile. “You needn’t worry.” She tried her best to understand the older woman’s anxiety. “I promise I will have your needs cared for.” She patted the woman’s arm. “I’ve never failed to have your things ready, no matter the occasion.”
Mrs. Mifflin gave a sniff as though she might begin to weep. “It’s just that this is more important than anything else. I find it rather selfish of you to put your own desires first.”
Early on, Melinda had learned that Mrs. Mifflin believed everything should center on her needs. And although Melinda prayed for the matron each day, she’d not seen much change in her behavior. If Melinda’s father had been able to keep his freighting business solvent and insurance on the ships paid, she wouldn’t have been forced into these circumstances. With no means of support, any thoughts of marriage to a wealthy husband had disappeared when her parents died at sea. The estate attorney had been brief when he’d set Melinda and her brother, Lawrence, adrift in the uncharted seas of financial misfortune.
But perhaps the insolvency had been a blessing in disguise. During the winter months at Bridal Veil Island, a kinship had developed between Melinda and Evan. His romantic interest had been the high point of each season, and she hoped his attention would lead to a proposal of marriage. By society’s standards, Evan didn’t have a great deal to offer, but Melinda didn’t use the monetary standard of the world to assess a suitor. She’d learned a good heart could be trusted more than money. And Evan possessed a truly good heart. Also, it didn’t hurt that he was delightfully handsome.
Melinda hid her smile and lifted the basket from the table. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Mifflin, but I’m unable to change my plans. I know that you would want me to be a woman of my word, just as the pastor encouraged us last Sunday. Remember, you told me to always be sure to keep my promises.” She turned and rushed toward the back door, giving a wave over her shoulder. “I won’t be long.”
“I find your behavior unacceptable, Melinda.” When she continued down the steps, Mrs. Mifflin called after her. “Don’t be even one minute late or you’ll see a decrease in your wages!”
Melinda hurried down the walk. If Evan proposed, she would no longer need to worry about Mrs. Mifflin or the possibility of having her wages decreased.
Her spirits soared as she neared the secluded grassy spot that provided a perfect view of the Argosy River. Two years ago she and Evan had declared this spot their special piece of Bridal Veil. Not that they could actually claim anything on Bridal Veil, for it all belonged to the investors who had purchased the land, but this place afforded them moments of privacy that Melinda found so vital to her own well-being.
A breeze blew the honey-blond curls surrounding her oval face, and she could feel the heat rise in her cheeks as the sun beat down with more intensity than she’d expected. How she disliked her fair complexion that splotched bright pink with only a bit of sunshine. She should have worn her straw-brimmed hat.
“Over here, Melinda!” Evan appeared from behind one of the low-hanging branches of a live oak and waved her forward, his broad smile enhancing his already good looks.
Her throat caught at the sight of him. His broad shoulders and sturdy appearance caused her heart to quicken, yet it was the kind, gentle spirit