by Sofia Hunt
Brides of Bachelor Bay 1
The First Bride
Determined to protect her sisters from a murderous uncle, Lizzie Prescott answers a "brides wanted" ad. She and her sisters journey to 1860s Washington Territory, a wild land of towering cedar trees and brawny lumberjacks.
Logan Gallagher brought the brides out west for his crew, not for himself, but he can’t get the red-haired beauty out of his mind. His brother, Gage, harbors his own desires for the opinionated redhead.
Can all three of them find love together in this untamed land?
Genre: Historical, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 35,530 words
THE FIRST BRIDE
Brides of Bachelor Bay 1
Sofia Hunt
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
THE FIRST BRIDE
Copyright © 2011 by Sofia Hunt
E-book ISBN: 1-61034-249-6
First E-book Publication: May 2011
Cover design by Les Byerley
All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter from Sofia Hunt
Regarding E-book Piracy
Dear Readers,
Writing a book is hard work. Before the first word is typed, an author has already spent hours plotting, developing characters, outlining conflict, and outlining content. Then the real work begins: the first and subsequent drafts, the content edits, the line edits, and proofreading. One book takes hundreds of hours of an author’s time.
Pirating my books and books written by fellow authors cheats us out of our hard-earned salary. By placing my books on a pirate site, you’ve essentially stolen from me and deprived me of countless dollars in royalties.
The more my income is reduced by piracy, the less books I’ll have time to write, as I’ll need to establish another source of income to compensate for the income loss due to piracy.
Everyone wants to be fairly compensated for their work. Please refrain from pirating my books so I can continue to afford to provide you with enjoyable reads for years to come.
With deep gratitude,
Sofia Hunt
DEDICATION
Over a year ago I approached Bella Grace and Eve Adams with an idea for a series based on a piece of Seattle history. We spent countless hours on the phone going over details, historic facts, characters, and plots. I poured over historical books on logging and early life in Washington Territory.
As a result, we set our story in a fictional bay across Puget Sound from Seattle, in an area near what is now Bremerton. This was a land of enormous fir and cedar trees, plentiful salmon, and even more plentiful rain. It’s a land of unparalleled beauty, rugged lumberjacks, and hardy pioneers.
When I mentioned my idea to Siren’s publisher, she was as enthusiastic about the idea as we were, and The Brides of Bachelor Bay series was born.
I’d like to dedicate this first book in the Brides of Bachelor Bay series to Diana Debalko, Siren’s publisher, for supporting us every step of the way throughout the birth of this series. I’d also like to thank my cover artist, Les Byerley, for one of the best covers I’ve ever seen.
THE FIRST BRIDE
Brides of Bachelor Bay 1
SOFIA HUNT
Copyright © 2011
Prologue
1864, Port Steele, Washington Territory
Ladies,
Gallagher Logging and the Gallagher brothers welcome you to Port Steele on beautiful Bachelor Bay in Washington Territory.
You have chosen to embark on a journey rife with excitement to an untamed land of incomparable beauty where the trees are as tall as mountains, the water as blue as any sapphire, and the men outnumber the women fifty to one. To leave the comfort of civilization and the support of your families to journey west takes great courage, but you are all courageous women. Together we will write the history of Washington Territory and develop the foundation of future generations.
Thank you for joining us in our quest to settle this land. May you love well, live long, make your fortunes, and attain your desires.
Logan, Gage, Andrew, and Noah Gallagher
Chapter 1
Lizzie’s Journal, Saturday, May 28, 1864
Port Steele, Washington Territory
We arrived in Bachelor Bay this afternoon. The relentless rain had obscured the shoreline ever since our ship entered the Strait of Juan de Fuca. But when we entered the bay, the sun peeked through the clouds, and the profound splendor of this place had us hugging the railing in awe.
Our ship docked at Port Steele, the small town perched on the edge of Bachelor Bay. We were greeted by a large contingent of townspeople. An overwhelming majority of them are men. And, oh, what men they are. I blush as I write this, but I have never seen such impressive men. Evidently, this land grows them as big and strong as the towering fir and cedar trees that dominate the landscape.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances that brought my sisters and me to this untamed land, I am looking forward to the challenge offered by this place of rugged beauty.
* * * *
For the first time in her life, Elizabeth Mary Prescott was sorely tempted to abandon her vow to remain single. But entertaining such foolish notions as marrying again didn’t negate the truth of her situation. She’d signed on to this journey under false pretenses. No man would want her if he knew the truth. Nor would she trap an unsuspecting suitor into a marriage built on lies. Yet, there were other ways, though scandalous, to be with a man, ways which didn’t involve marriage.
Lizzie had never been the scandalous type. As the oldest of three children, all girls, she’d been the responsible, dependable daughter, despite her penchant for disregarding propriety at times. This land appealed to her sense of
adventure and her disdain for the restrictions men placed on women. In an uncivilized land like this, a woman should be able to live by her own rules. Or so she hoped.
Lizzie hung back while the remaining female passengers, twenty-three young women, leaned over the ship’s railing. They gawked at the sea of men crowding the dock below. Potential husbands, every one of them, and plenty to pick from. These big, raw-boned men were dressed in their Sunday best. Their hair slicked back, their jaws freshly shaved. Big men for a big country. Hopefully, big hearts, too.
She shuddered as her wayward mind imagined the inappropriate and unacceptable things such men could do to a woman. It was not for her to find out. This trip was not about her. She would remain strong for her sisters and see that they secured marriages to suitable men of high moral standing and reputation, men with secure finances.
Once she completed her task, she’d fade into obscurity as a teacher in a rural school.
The sun peeked through the clouds, certainly a good omen. She could use some good luck.
The Civil War had decimated the male population back East. The few available men in her hometown paid her no mind. She stood too tall, lacked the fine-boned features men favored, and was a mite sharp-tongued and opinionated. Only one man had showed interest, but that nightmare was over.
Besides, she craved adventure. Yet, travelling from the East Coast to Puget Sound in Washington Territory proved to be more adventure than she’d bargained for, with the storms and whatnot.
But they’d made it. Every one of them. She glanced at each of her two sisters standing in front of her on the railing. Olivia, the shy middle sister who’d rather be reading a book, shrank back at the sight of all that masculinity and gazed up at Lizzie, obviously overwhelmed.
“I just want to sleep on a bed that doesn’t pitch and roll all night long.” Olivia pushed her glasses up with the tip of her finger and squinted at the crowd.
“As do I.” Lizzie patted her sister’s arm.
“I’ll never set foot on a boat again.”
“It doesn’t hold much interest to me, either. But we’re here, and look at the reception we’re getting.”
“It is disconcerting.”
Lizzie couldn’t agree more, but for once, held her tongue.
“It’s impressive. All these men. I could swoon.” Amelia, the youngest and prettiest sister, assessed the crowd. Her sharp eyes missed nothing. “I see several possibilities.”
“With your fair appearance, you’ll have your pick.” Lizzie smoothed her wrinkled dress and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, aware of what a fright she must appear. Not that it mattered. She wasn’t here to marry, only to find mates for her sisters, good, kind husbands.
“Yes, you will. They won’t even notice us.” Olivia let out a deep breath.
Amelia smiled and squeezed Olivia’s hand. “You, Olivia, will also have no shortage of suitors.”
Olivia turned to Lizzie. “And you, too.”
“I’m twenty-five, way past marrying age.” Her age was the least of her problems.
“I suspect if you’re a female and still breathing, you’re marrying age around here,” Amelia quipped and waved her handkerchief at one particularly enthusiastic man who’d climbed a tall pole to see over the crowd.
“She’s right, you know.” Olivia peered at the men over the rims of her reading glasses.
“I have no desire to be subservient to any man.” She didn’t add why. They all knew why.
“Yet you would wish that fate on us?”
“The both of you wouldn’t consider it fate, but a pleasant task.”
“Very pleasant.” Amelia leaned further over the railing. Her cleavage caught the men’s attention as she waved at the group with her lace handkerchief. Lizzie prayed she’d marry Amelia off before she soiled her reputation as a lady. Her bold approach to men and her inherent recklessness worried both older sisters. Amelia barely avoided scandal back in Boston.
Lizzie looked into the crowd. One man stood back from the group, leaning negligently against a tree. With a big, muscled body, dark wavy hair, and a ruggedly handsome face, he’d attract attention wherever he went. He oozed authority in the way of a stallion in a herd of mares. His gaze slammed into her with an intensity which almost sent her reeling backward. He trapped her with a look and held her captive. With a knowing smirk, he tipped his stained hat at her. Lizzie’s body heated, and her breath sat heavy in her lungs, making it hard to draw a breath. Moistness grew between her legs.
Lizzie forced her attention elsewhere, but she could still feel his eyes on her, almost as if he’d physically caressed her. Shaken, she busied herself by grabbing her bag and rummaging through it. When she stole a glance in the man’s direction, he’d disappeared into the crowd.
* * * *
Logan Gallagher stood in the background, allowing his more gregarious younger brother, Andrew, to offer the first toast. Andrew didn’t mind one bit. He craved the attention. His ready smile and striking good looks charmed every lady in the room. Four years Logan’s junior, Andrew played the role of the family peacemaker.
Logan’s remaining two brothers, Gage and Noah, stood behind Andrew with hands clasped behind their backs and pleased expressions on their faces. Together they owned Bachelor Bay’s biggest logging operation and sawmill, not to mention thousands of acres of prime timber on the west shores of Puget Sound.
“Ladies,” Andrew stood on a box and addressed the two tables full of proper young ladies. Behind them, every single man from Bachelor Bay to Port Gamble had crowded into the room. “Welcome to Port Steele on beautiful Bachelor Bay, made even more so by your presence today. Perhaps we’ll soon be changing the name to Husband Bay.”
The men the in the room cheered, and the ladies blushed, at least, most of them. One in particular didn’t flinch or look down or even react, the very same woman who’d caught his eye earlier on the deck of the ship. She stared straight ahead at Andrew with a directness not common in East Coast women.
Logan searched his memory for her name. Ah, yes, Lizzie Prescott. How could he forget? With her flame red hair, freckles, and tall, slender body, she couldn’t be considered a classic beauty. Yet, he kept staring at her. He liked her proud carriage and honest green eyes. Not a shy flower, that one, but obviously a woman with deeply repressed passions a man like him would enjoy releasing. Once released from her repression, he’d wager his best axe that she’d reward her liberator quite handsomely.
A tremor of desire vibrated through Logan’s body, taking him by surprise. He’d felt nothing similar when looking upon the other women. Gazing on her full, red lips, he imagined her mouth on his cock. Her tongue would lick the tip, while her fingers gripped the base. She’d open her mouth wide and take him inside. He’d thrust in and out, deeper each time, until his cock tickled the back of her throat, until her nose pressed against his pubic hair, until his balls slapped her chin. He’d hold her there until the last moment then release his seed on her tongue, watch his thick cum coat her lips and dribble down her chin.
Logan moaned and shifted his weight. His trousers must have shrunk in the last wash. In all his thirty-one years, he’d never experienced such an immediate reaction to a woman.
Gage, the second oldest brother and one year younger than Logan, glanced at his crotch and raised one knowing eyebrow. Logan glared at him. Gage stepped closer.
“So which one has you just about bursting out of your pants, brother?” Gage whispered.
Logan cleared his throat, shifted his weight. “No one in particular. It’s been a long time since we’ve entertained true ladies in these parts.”
Gage accepted his response, but Logan caught him scanning the crowd, his brow furrowed as if he were attempting to guess the focus of his brother’s interest. Logan tried to avoid looking at Lizzie, but like a magnet, his eyes kept going back to her. By all appearances, Lizzie was the unofficial spokeswoman for the Bachelor Brides, the name they’d been dubbed by the local residents. Wh
ich meant he’d most likely spend a bit of time with her, as the man who’d address their needs.
Noah, the youngest Gallagher brother at twenty six years of age, elbowed him. “I can’t believe they had the gall to show up here.”
Logan glanced in the direction Noah indicated. Their cousin, Miles Petty, stood near the door, flanked by his younger brother, Hayden. Logan stiffened. Both men sported their Sunday best. Over Logan’s dead body would either of his disreputable cousins court any of these women. The Gallagher brothers paid dearly to bring the ladies here, and each woman signed an agreement to be betrothed to one of his men within a year or forfeit the cost of their passage and expenses.
Drawing his attention back to Andrew, Logan allowed himself a smug smile. He’d managed to bring women to Bachelor bay, something his nemesis, Miles, had failed at twice.
All around him, eager bachelors strained for a glimpse of the females.
As his brother enthralled the ladies with wild tales of the rugged Northwest, Logan’s gaze slid back to Miss Lizzie. She’d be a tough one to match with a man, as her tall carriage and rumored direct, outspoken manner would deter most of his lumberjacks and workers. Yet, she didn’t deter him. In fact, she attracted him.
She lacked her youngest sister’s beauty and delicate refinement, or the middle sister’s quiet, demure nature. Regardless, there was something about her that tightened his groin and hardened his cock.