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Family of Her Dreams
Keli Gwyn
A Family to CherishHeadstrong Tess Grimsby loves her new job caring for the children of a recently widowed man. But she never imagined that she'd fall for her handsome employer. Yet Spencer Abbott is as caring as he is attractive, and Tess can't help but feel for him and his family. Though, for the sake of her job, she'll keep any emotions about her boss to herself.Between his stationmaster responsibilities in a gold-rush town and trying to put his family back together, Spencer has his hands full. He soon finds his new hire's kind personality warming his frosty exterior. But could he ever admit to seeing her as more than just an employee?
A Family to Cherish
Headstrong Tess Grimsby loves her new job caring for the children of a recently widowed man. But she never imagined that she’d fall for her handsome employer. Yet Spencer Abbott is as caring as he is attractive, and Tess can’t help but feel for him and his family. Though, for the sake of her job, she’ll keep any emotions about her boss to herself.
Between his stationmaster responsibilities in a gold-rush town and trying to put his family back together, Spencer has his hands full. He soon finds his new hire’s kind personality warming his frosty exterior. But could he ever admit to seeing her as more than just an employee?
“Your most recent employer said you have a tendency to speak your mind. Is that true?”
That was a more tactful description of her supposed failings than the domineering man had used when he dismissed her. “I have opinions, but doesn’t everyone?”
His blond brows rose, and he pressed a fist to his mouth. She thought she saw his lips twitch for an instant, and it gave her hope, but when he pulled his hand away, the frown was there as before. “Can you cook?”
“I assume you mean can I cook well, and the answer is yes. I can keep house, do laundry, sew, garden and care for animals, too. But the most important thing is that I’ll do all I can to help your children through this difficult time.”
He folded his arms and took his time studying her, as though she was a horse or a milk cow. Well, two could play that game. Tess tilted her chin and let her gaze rove over his fine features, drinking her fill.
At length he nodded. “I’ll give you one week.”
In her experience, overbearing men like Spencer Abbott responded to a show of force. “How generous—but entirely unnecessary. I’ll prove my worth to you in a day.”
Award-winning author KELI GWYN, a native Californian, transports readers to the early days of the Golden State. She and her husband live in the heart of California’s Gold Country. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, historical museums and other Gold Rush–era towns. Keli loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style cyberhome at keligwyn.com (http://www.keligwyn.com), where you’ll find her contact information.
Family of Her Dreams
Keli Gwyn
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
A man’s heart deviseth his way:
but the Lord directeth his steps.
— Proverbs 16:9
For my mother, Patricia Lannon, who instilled a love of reading in me at an early age, introduced me to Mills & Boon romances when I was a teen and rejoiced with me when my dream of writing for their Love Inspired Historical line came true.
Contents
Cover (#ub07657dd-368f-566c-8df3-0163dd257a9b)
Back Cover Text (#u9ec173e0-844e-5f5c-bb54-c14ea777397a)
Introduction (#u793e8dc9-bc40-523d-91e2-055a972efcd4)
About the Author (#ua3bf2b89-dfa6-50de-b0e0-acdadcd0bacc)
Title Page (#u1639b1c0-0601-583b-bf00-369dc1e641c9)
Bible Verse (#u4005f3fb-5360-5122-988f-753cc8eb78be)
Dedication (#u2b4c2a5c-8607-586e-b4f5-be3c082fe780)
Chapter One (#u8c22cf7c-fd65-5c88-b66f-228512161fed)
Chapter Two (#uaebc9ba5-dda0-5fd2-84fd-71ce0a59692c)
Chapter Three (#u67a909d9-c600-5cb1-be3b-8d48a1934a55)
Chapter Four (#ua30e341d-cbdc-59d2-a1af-9eef14c9d09b)
Chapter Five (#uf4c4e561-31c4-5bfd-8571-dd1c0f182da8)
Chapter Six (#u7f3ce512-d3e6-52ae-b162-0a12997b0379)
Chapter Seven (#u2c8d8227-a903-5331-a4b7-f4b86f43613b)
Chapter Eight (#u4291351a-a981-59c1-a363-5a53fae77180)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ulink_8b95557e-a306-5e05-bd73-1e228dd16a3c)
July 1866 Shingle Springs, California
“Look out, ma’am!”
Tess Grimsby jumped back to avoid a fellow about fifteen pulling a baggage cart with far too much speed for the bustling rail station. She collided with a mother herding her four youngsters, causing the weary-looking woman to drop her wicker basket. Several children’s books slid across the wooden platform.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to bump into you.” Tess stooped to pick up the books that had landed at her feet.
The woman made sure her children were all right, dropped to her knees and reached for a copy of Little Bo-Peep. “It wasn’t your fault.” She scowled at the baggage handler. “He needs to watch where he’s going.”
The young man parked his cart beside the baggage car and sprinted over to them. “Sorry ’bout that. It’s my first day on the job, and my boss said to hurry. I’ve got to make a good impression.” He grinned, reminding Tess of one of the many boys she’d befriended when she lived at the orphanage.
She smiled. “No harm was done.”
A man with a voice as rich as Belgian chocolate addressed the teen. “Be more careful next time. Getting the baggage moved quickly is important, but Mr. Flynn wouldn’t want you to endanger our passengers, nor would I.”
“Right, sir.” The lad left.
“Come, children. We need to get home.” The mother took the books Tess had gathered, muttered something about troublesome teens and hustled her children across the crowded platform.
Tess slid her satchel back on her shoulder, straightened and found herself face-to-face with a broad-shouldered, golden-haired gentleman. He was younger than any of the men she’d worked for—and far more handsome with his strong chin and arresting sky-blue eyes, currently clouded with sadness. If he was Mr. Abbott—the widower she’d come to see—she could understand.
He held out her journal and said nothing for several seconds as he gazed at her, his expression unreadable. No doubt the tall man wasn’t used to looking a woman in the eye.
“Sir?”
The frown he’d worn faded, giving way to a hint of a smile that caused her breath to hitch. “I believe this is yours. It fell out of your bag during the commotion.”
“Thank you.” She took the diary from him, its pages so full of her hopes and dreams—as well as the mementos she’d tucked between the pages—that she had to grip it tightly to keep items from falling out. She would add her train ticket to the collection of memorabilia, a symbol of the new chapter in her life she was eager to embrace. “You must be Mr. Abbott, the stationmaster.”
His forehead furrowed. “I am, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”
She shoved the bulging book into her satchel. “Not in person, although we’ve corresponded. I’m Tess Grimsby, Polly’s friend. I’ve come about the housekeeper position.”
“Ah, yes. She told me you’d arrive today.” He clutched a notebook with sun-bronzed hands that obviously did more than complete paperwork, and scanned the platform, where several passengers lingered. “I need to see to a few things. Could you come to my office in ten minutes?”
“That would be fine.” She could use the time to compose herself.
“Actually, let’s make that twenty. I need to see if anyone requires my assistance, and then we can take care of the interview.”
He certainly didn’t sound eager to meet with her. Not that she could blame him. Hiring someone to care for his motherless children could be difficult. “Very well. I’ll see to my trunks and meet you there.” She should have time to rent a room at the hotel.
Tess set off for the baggage area, weaving her way through those waiting to board the train for its return trip down the hill. As the end station of the Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad, the depot was one of the busiest in the state. While it handled a great deal of freight, a number of travelers passed through Shingle Springs, too. However, few remained there, which she hoped to do.
People watched as she swept past them. Some even craned their heads to follow her progress. As much as she’d like to fade into the bustling throng, she couldn’t. Everywhere she went she encountered the thinly veiled surprise and outright stares of strangers. You would think they’d never seen a tall woman before.
Peter Flynn, Polly’s russet-haired husband who worked at the station, saw her and hustled over, a smile on his tanned face. They made quick work of their introductions.
“Polly said you were tall, but...” He tilted his head to look at her. “You could dust the ceiling at our place with the feathers on that hat of yours. Just how tall are you?”
Most people didn’t come right out and mention her height, although she would prefer that to whispers behind fans. Polly had warned Tess that Peter spoke his mind. Since she tended to do the same, she didn’t take offense. “Six foot.”
He whistled a note of surprise, drawing the attention of several freight men, who viewed her with curiosity and made some less than flattering remarks. Indignation straightened her spine. She wasn’t that much taller than other women. Why must everyone make such a fuss about a few inches?
She lifted her chin and gave the workers the impassive look she’d practiced in the mirror until she’d perfected it. Once she had, she’d pasted it on whenever the sharp-tongued orphanage director maligned her, unwilling to let him see her pain. Nearly nine years had passed, but the recollection of Mr. Grimsby’s cutting remarks left a bitter taste in her mouth. Thank the Lord she’d been able to leave the orphanage the day she turned sixteen, having secured a position caring for the children of a family heading West.
“At least you and Spencer will see eye to eye.” Peter chuckled at his play on words but quickly sobered. “And speaking of him, I’d better get back to work. I’ll have one of the boys deliver your trunks to the hotel.” He doffed his hat and returned to his duties.
Standing on the platform in front of the depot, Tess surveyed the small town. Shingle Springs sat at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, which rose up to meet the cloudless sky. The steady stream of wagons headed east had dug deep ruts in the wide main street. Most of the businesses and houses lining it were made of wood, but an impressive stone building on the south side stood out.
She crossed the street and made her way to the Planter’s House hotel, a two-story white clapboard building with a balcony that shaded the porch below. With the temperature approaching triple digits, she would welcome getting out of the early afternoon sun.
A glance at the watch pinned to her bodice caused her to move quickly. She’d have just enough time to change and dab on some rosewater to mask the lingering smell of the ashes and soot that had rained on her. Not that a railroad man like Mr. Abbott would notice the smoky scent.
From what Polly had written, he’d become so preoccupied since his wife’s passing he could barely get himself to the depot on time. Once there, all he had time for was work—to the exclusion of everything and everyone else. Tess understood. Grief could immobilize a person. How many times had she seen newly orphaned children go through their days as though encased in a fog?
If all went well, she’d soon be caring for Mr. Abbott’s two little ones and helping them deal with the loss of their mother. She looked forward to easing their father’s burden and helping him cope with his grief, too.
* * *
“If you’ll step inside, Mr. Drake would be happy to send a telegram for you.” Spencer Abbott directed the elderly couple to his ticket agent’s cage and resumed his perusal of the platform.
Other than the new baggage handler’s mishap, things had gone smoothly that morning. Spencer had been able to eat the meager pickings in his dinner pail in peace while rereading the letters Tess Grimsby had sent.
Although she had glowing recommendations from two of the families she’d served, her most recent employer had dismissed her. From what Spencer could tell, the banker had no complaints about her work but had taken issue with her personality. Such things happened. Spencer knew that from experience. But a trait one employer disliked another might value. He believed in giving a person the opportunity to prove what he—or she—could do. Most people showed their true colors fairly quickly.
What troubled him more than Miss Grimsby’s employment history was his reaction to her. When she’d stood and he’d looked into her eyes, speech had eluded him. Rarely had he encountered a woman that tall. She must be at least six foot, although with her hat the size of Texas, she appeared even taller.
While her height had come as a surprise, what had captivated him was the compassion in her warm brown eyes. Clearly she was a caring person. Rather than rail about the young man who’d almost barreled into her, she’d defended him and shown him kindness, which spoke well of her character. A woman like her should be able to take Luke’s antics in stride.
