by Jenna Brandt
The Oregon Pursuit
Window to the Heart Saga
Jenna Brandt
Edited by
Lorana Hoopes
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Locale and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, or actual locations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author, exception the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, email [email protected].
Text copyright © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Window to the Heart Saga © Jenna Brandt 2017.
Cover design by Alexia Purdy with photo copyright by 123RF.com © Kirill Ryzhov and Graphicstock.com
Contents
Description
Prologue
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
23. Preview of The White Wedding Short Story
Also by Jenna Brandt
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Note from the author
Window to the Heart Saga: a recountal of the trials, adventures and relationships of the family and friends of Lady Margaret. The first three books detail her journey and book four focuses on the cousin of her best friend. The series has compelling themes of love, loss, faith and hope with a supremely gratifying conclusion in book 3 and 4.
The English Proposal (Book 1). Sheltered on her family’s country estate, Lady Margaret, the daughter of an English Earl, is betrothed due to a family promise. Although Henry, the Viscount Rolantry, has been her best friend since childhood and she is expected to marry him, she never felt butterflies until she meets the Duke of Witherton. Against her father’s wishes, Margaret finds herself captivated by the forbidden duke. Caught between family loyalty and her own wishes, Margaret searches for a way to satisfy both her responsibilities and her longings. When tragedy strikes, Margaret finds herself seeking answers at church. But when she finally makes her choice, through her newfound faith, will she be able to live with the repercussions of her decision?
Profoundly romantic and superbly riveting, The English Proposal explores the conflict between fulfilling duties and satiating desires.
The French Encounter (Book 2). Ruined by a night she will never forget, Lady Margaret, Countess of Renwick, must flee from England with her infant son to hide from the man who destroyed her life and from the sister-in-law who hates her. Relentlessly, the duke and viscountess hunt for them, planning to take the child to whom they both feel entitled. Margaret turns to God, believing he will protect her family and help her find her long-lost twin brother, Randall. While searching for Randall in France, Margaret is pursued by two enticing men: Pierre, the alluring Vidame of Demoulin, and Michel, the powerful Marquis de Beadier. One man promises passion while the other offers security. Will Margaret surrender the chance for love to secure her safety?
Deeply passionate and intensely gripping, The French Encounter weighs the struggle between giving in to temptation and sacrificing for refuge.
The American Conquest (Book 3) Running from a past scandal, Lady Margaret must leave Europe forever and escape across the ocean to America. The plan: to brave the Oregon Trail to reach the Colorado territory where her family’s future awaits. While facing adversities in the new frontier, Margaret must trust God to keep their family safe. Attacked by Indians, the group is saved by Cortland Westcott, a rancher and devoted Christian. Margaret and Cort have an instant connection through their faith, but devastating secrets threaten to cripple the budding relationship. Both Margaret and Cort must confront a past that haunts them to finally be able to make a new life together. Will Margaret finally come to terms with what happened to her, or will she let her past destroy her future?
After enduring immense hardships, will Lady Margaret finally be free from her past, allowing her to embrace her soul mate? Extremely tender and magnificently exhilarating, The American Conquest examines the journey between healing a broken heart and making room for rebirth.
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 4) After Amelie Leclaire's parents pass away in a tragic accident, she must return home to West Linn, Oregon to take over the family bakery. Amelie was training to be a midwife but must give up her plans in an attempt to provide a stable life for her younger sister. Pierre Girald, the Vidame of Demoulin, is traveling to West Linn on business. A chance meeting at the bakery and Pierre is instantly intrigued by the alluring Miss Leclaire, she on the other hand, is less impressed until she gets to know him. Through many trials and setbacks, will the couple be able to form a lasting relationship or will his past and her financial problems put an end to their potential?
Exceptionally sincere and wondrously engaging, The Oregon Pursuit shows the journey between letting go of a troubled past and finding new hope.
The White Wedding (Book 5) Debbey McCoy is the daughter of the local pastor in West Linn at the end of Oregon Trail. Lord William Almonbury is the second son of an English viscount. Their world's collide when William travels to West Linn for a new business venture. The connection is instant and a Christmas wedding is planned. Debbey always wanted a snow-covered wedding but when the big day is pushed forward due to a family illness in England, will she get the white wedding of which she always dreamed?
A stand alone HEA short story from the bestselling Window to the Heart Saga series, featuring two of the characters from the already released 4th book, novella and upcoming book in 2018.
The Christmas Bride (Book 6) Lucy Rogers traveled west, running from a troubled past. As a new Christian, she meets and forms a relationship with Matthew McCoy, the son of the local pastor. Lucy runs the Trail’s End Saloon while Matthew works for the local saw mill. As they plan their Christmas wedding, Lucy’s past comes back to haunt her. Will her past allow them to build a future together?
The first stand alone HEA novella in the Window to the Heart Saga featuring two characters from the 4th book and short story. A heartfelt, sweet read full of romance, sure to warm your heart this holiday season.
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
First Street Church Romance Kindle World
WWI Trilogy
Love’s Mending Embrace (Book 1)
Love’s Unending Grace (Book 2, releasi
ng March 18)
Love’s Perfect Place (Book 3, releasing summer 2018)
The Lawkeepers Series
Lawfully Loved
Under the Mistletoe (Christmas Anthology)
For more information about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
Signup for Jenna Brandt’s Newsletter
For my friends and family.
All of you have encouraged and supported
me through this entire journey.
Your love means so much.
Prologue
1870 West Linn, Oregon
America
Pierre Girald, the Vidame of Demoulin, looked outside the window of the carriage he shared with his friend, Lord William Almonbury, the son of an English viscount. William had talked Pierre into leaving Paris to join him on his trip to visit his holdings in West Linn, a thriving frontier town in the Pacific Northwest part of America. Hoping to entice Pierre into investing in some of the exciting and new ventures the area had to offer, the grueling trip had been presented as an adventure.
Pierre had welcomed the distraction from the concern over the sudden disappearance of the people he loved. Several years prior, he had left Paris to take care of business, as well as to avoid watching the woman, who held his heart, become engaged to another man. When he returned, he found Margaret had vanished along with his cousin, Jackie, and childhood friend, Randall.
He suspected their sudden disappearance had been spurred by the Duke of Witherton, who had been hunting Margaret along with her young son, believing he fathered the child during an illicit night. The duke had been the reason Margaret had fled to Paris and stayed with Pierre while she was hiding.
Pierre had loved Margaret since they were children but their time together in France solidified his feelings for her. He made his intentions known, wanting to court her, but she told him his lack of faith in God made it impossible for her to accept him as a suitor. The rejection wounded him deeply but to watch her quickly become involved with another man made it impossible for him to stay in Paris.
When he returned to find them gone, he immediately hired an investigator to track down their possible location. When some loose leads pointed to America, Pierre agreed to travel with William, with the hope of finding them as he made his way out west. As luck would have it, their common friend, whose family had relocated to Boulder, Colorado, invited them to stay with him before they made their way up north. A chance meeting at a ball led Pierre to finally track his cousin, the woman he had loved for a decade, and his childhood friend down.
It had been devastating to realize that they had moved on without him. Pierre had half hoped when he had left for England after Margaret’s first rejection, his absence would have made her realize how much she loved him. But when Pierre saw the love between Margaret and her new American husband, he knew she would never be his to have.
Several weeks had passed since he last saw Margaret, and yet, he still was unable to shake the melancholy from his heart. Maybe another new adventure was just what Pierre needed to heal his soul.
“There it is, Pierre, the West Linn Inn. They have all the comforts of a proper European hotel. I am telling you, you are going to love it.”
Pierre rolled his shoulders and narrowed his eyes as he stared out at the inn. Nothing had met his expectations in the American west. He did not expect this to be any different.
“I find your assurance suspect, as you have made such lofty promises before, only for them not to come to fruition.”
“It is not my fault ever since we left Boulder, you have been in a sour mood. You need to stop wallowing in your misery, Pierre.”
“Believe me, I have tried.”
In retaliation against his sorrow, Pierre began to drink frequently, gamble often, and enjoy the company of as many women as possible. But nothing dulled the ache left behind by Lady Margaret, the former Countess of Renwick. He had resigned himself that he would never feel love again. Pierre had decided once he had finished his business in West Linn, he would return to Paris, marry a woman with the right title simply for necessity, and hope that children could fill the void he felt in his aching heart.
The wondrous aroma of baking bread filled the air outside the French bakery on Main Street. The clinking of the front door ushered in another patron.
Amelie Leclaire looked up and smiled at her regular customer, the elderly Mrs. Moore, who was approaching the front counter.
“Good morning, Miss Leclaire.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Moore. I have your usual two loaves of bread and box of assorted pastries ready.”
“Thank you, dear,” the kind-eyed woman spoke, as she leaned on the counter while opening her coin purse.
Picking up the bag of items from off the table behind her, Amelie handed the baked goods over to the woman.
“How are you doing, dear?”
It was easy to detect the concerned tone in her voice. Mrs. Moore had been at her parent’s funeral two months prior, along with the rest of the townsfolk. Amelie glanced away, not wanting the observant woman to notice the tears forming in the corner of her eyes.
“Thank you for asking. I think I’m managing to keep everything running.”
Barely. She was barely keeping the bakery from closing. She hated what was happening to their family business. The once thriving bakery was quickly declining in sustainability. The bakery had remained closed for nearly two weeks after her parents’ death, and even though Amelie had grown up around the business, she had not been prepared to take on all the responsibilities required.
Additionally, over the past month, several mishaps had drained the savings her parents had managed to put away for a rainy day. She was still unsure how the flour got mixed up with the sugar, but the mistake had cost her an entire day’s worth of bread and pastries. Added to this was the oven breaking down and supplies going missing from a nighttime burglary; Amelie was worried the bakery would have to close at the end of the month if she didn’t figure out some way to make up the lost revenue.
Mrs. Moore handed the money for the baked goods to Amelie, who in turn opened the cash register on the counter next to the display case. Quickly, she realized Mrs. Moore overpaid her by nearly five dollars.
“Mrs. Moore, you gave me the wrong amount. Here let me return this to you.”
Amelie reached out and tried to place the money back in the woman’s hand but was met with protest.
“It wasn’t a mistake, Miss Leclaire. I know the situation you are in. My husband is a member of the board for the bank. I know that your loan is past due. Your parents were pillars in this community. I refuse to let the tragic accident that took their lives also take away all they worked so hard to obtain in order to properly provide for you and your sister.”
This time, Amelie couldn’t restrain the tears. She took the edge of her baking apron and wiped away the stinging drops, which clouded her eyes.
“You are kind, Mrs. Moore, but I can’t take your money. I’ll find a way to keep up with the demands of the bakery.”
Being the richest woman in town, Mrs. Moore did not need to run any of her own errands. However, for the past several years, she had chosen to come to the bakery in order to talk to Amelie’s mother. They had grown rather close over the years discussing town politics, church happenings, local news, and their families. It seemed to be the older woman’s social outlet. Mrs. Leclaire was one of the few townspeople who had not been intimidated by Mrs. Moore. Amelie believed she missed her mother, and that was why she continued to come in to the bakery despite the fact her mother had died.
“But what about your schooling? Aren’t you supposed to be returning to San Francisco to finish your training to be a midwife?”
“I’ve decided not to return. My sister needs me here and I refuse to let my aunt take her away from all she knows. She is threatening to take E
lise back to Paris if I go back to school. She doesn’t think I am capable of taking care of both the bakery and my sister. I have to make this work for Elise’s sake.”
“Well, your parents would be proud of you for looking after your sister. But they wanted you to follow your heart, dear, and I don’t think they would want you to give up your future like this.”
“My parents would understand I’m putting family first. Elise is helping me in the afternoons. This place belongs to her as much as me. I can’t just sell it and let my aunt take her across the world where I will never see her again. Besides, we hardly know her. The first time we met our aunt was only two weeks before the funeral.”
“I understand all of the history. Your mother told me how your aunt came to town to reconcile with her after their father died.”
“My mother only spoke once to me about her family and the reason they left France. It was a source of deep pain for her.”
Amelie’s parents had met while her father was the head pastry chef at one of the most famous French bakeries in all of Paris. Her mother was the daughter of the owner of the bakery. Additionally, her family owned several other restaurants and bakeries across France. When Amelie’s parents fell in love, her mother was forbidden from seeing her father. Her grandfather wanted her mother to marry someone more established in society to increase their station. He refused to give his consent for their marriage.