Kindle Edition
Audiobook
Amazon
Author Betty Bolte
Mystic Owl Publishing
Author Website
Category:
Historical Fiction
Publisher: Mystic Owl Publishing
Type: Fiction
Pages: 244
Copyright: Oct 8, 2020
ISBN-13: 9781735466910
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
A young widow struggles to support her infant son without losing both her property and her heart.
After her house’s destruction and husband’s death, can she rebuild not only her home but her hope?
Evelyn Hamilton lost everything in the fire that consumed her home. Everything, that is, but her infant son and the land where her home once stood. With few skills and limited funds, setting a new course for her life, one which will provide for her baby, is daunting. Her parents means well but expects she’ll simply move in with them. Determined to make her own way and rebuild her home, she chooses a far different and difficult route and runs into a handsome, appealing man.
Former militiaman Nathaniel Williams goes to Charles Town to seek assistance and guidance from a friendly Continental Army officer he’d served under during the recent war. When he arrives, a beautiful widow captures his eye. Only she doesn’t want anything to do with him or any man. Her plan to build a house and school and stay put conflicts with his own plan to seek his fortune on the frontier. Nathaniel intends to convince her of his sincerity and love, and then propose marriage. But if she says yes, which of them will forfeit their dream?
Excerpt
Pleasure and grief battled in Evelyn Hamilton’s chest. She cast a sidelong glance at the lean man standing beside her.
“Looks like the entire town turned out for the triple wedding and the festivities afterward.” He glanced at her and then returned his gaze to the room at large.
“Yes, food tends to lure people out of their homes.” She kept a smile on her face as she observed the multitude of people milling about in the candlelit and lavishly decorated home.
Her pulse throbbed in her ears at Nathaniel Williams’ proximity, a sensation she’d only experienced when in fear of her late husband’s next actions. She held still, though actively attempting to calm the alarm inside her chest. Not only had Nathaniel stolen food from her pantry but his height and breadth rivaled that of her dead husband. She’d learned to mask her inner strength, what she possessed, by bowing her head, studying her hands or even her feet if necessary. In her experience, men could be cruel without a second thought, and she wouldn’t give them a reason to inflict said cruelty upon her person.
She surveyed the happy gathering, the friendly mood of the group working its magic as she held her murmuring infant son. She relaxed a bit, though having the tall, powerful man standing so close caused a fine tremor in her gut. He wouldn’t harm her, not in the present situation. Nathaniel’s attention lingered on the three happy couples as they received congratulations from the guests snaking past the newly married. She was exhausted and longed for a quiet room, but remained amidst the jocular gathering. “I understand you are to thank for the handsome decorations?” He lifted a brow and folded his arms across his chest, shifting his weight to rest on the hip closer to her.
“Thank you.” She’d enjoyed applying her talents to making the house reflect the importance of the day’s event. In truth, the triple wedding made Twelfth Night a livelier and more joyful occasion than in previous years, especially those under British occupation. “I enjoyed dressing the house for the happy occasion.”
Nathaniel regarded her with a gentle smile. “After all the horrors of war, the opportunity to enjoy such merriments is a delight to the senses.”
She shifted the bundle in her arms. “Even during the war, life has a way of pushing through to keep hope alive.”
She looked down as her son squirmed in her embrace. A white cap, made with her own hands from fine linen, covered his wispy red-brown hair. His eyelashes fanned on his cheeks as the little mouth pursed in his sleep. The white dress he wore had been handed down from his cousin when he’d outgrown the garment. Even Walter, her deceased husband, had expressed pride in Jim. She’d promised herself that she’d do all in her power to ensure Master James Christopher Hamilton grew up to honor his name. No matter what she must do, she’d prepare Jim for whatever opportunities life brought his way.
She and Nathaniel, a virtual stranger to her up until the reverend performed the weddings a few minutes ago, had already paid their compliments to the three pairs of smiling husbands and wives. Her new friends and her sister stood together. Each bride shone with happiness, their smiles vying with the candles for lighting the room. The happy couples made a striking and impressive group.
Candles flickered throughout the newly redecorated house, illuminating bouquets of flowers tied with long curling ribbon secured to the banister and resting on tables. In the parlor, a string quartet played softly. The feeling in the home seemed magical and dreamy, like something out of a play. Even her old gown of silk and taffeta, with its embroidered stomacher and flowing cerulean skirts, appeared revitalized and beautiful. She’d been relieved when the dress fit upon her matronly figure after birthing the baby a mere two months previous.
Nathaniel caught her attention with a tilt of his head and wave of his hand. “Do you know all of these people?”
“On Twelfth Night, everyone is invited. I hope we don’t run out of the rum punch and egg nog.”
“Would you care for a cup of either, before such a tragic event occurs?” He winked at her, an impish grin teasing her. “I’m happy to oblige, if so.”
“No, but thank you. My hands are already full.” She tucked the light blanket around her son’s sleeping face.
“I imagine they will remain so until your child is grown.” He stepped closer to her as guests pushed behind him on their way to the virtually groaning table of refreshments. “It appears the party is just beginning.”
“Yes, it should last for several days as long as the food and drink hold out.”
|
