Snowbound

by Christine Sterling

  Not that the cravings weren’t there, but she was determined not to fall victim to the sweet lure of sleepiness and irresponsibility. Her daughter, Tess Daniels, now Elliot, told her in no uncertain circumstances that Charlotte wouldn’t be allowed to see her grandchild if she continued with the Devil’s elixir.

  It was enough to sober her quickly. She fought her demons daily as nothing was more important than her unborn grandbaby.

  When she first started imbibing, she had no intention of becoming addicted to the bitter liquid, she honestly just wanted something to help her sleep. Sleep was precious commodity after her husband, Harris passed two years ago.

  And Mr. Clemmons appeared to be so helpful when he suggested this specific brew that was all the rage among the elite and made in the best apothecaries in Harbor City. Charlotte took a chance. How was she to know that the man was a swindler, liar and a cad to boot?

  He kept plying her with the bitter liquid until she had to have it. She needed not only to sleep, but when the smaller doses weren’t working anymore, he increased the dose until she was sick with need. Then she needed it to survive.

  She had been so desperate, that when she ran out of the bottles he provided her, she went so far as to draft a letter to the bank allowing him to withdraw funds as he saw fit to keep her supplied.

  But that was part of Mr. Clemmons’ plan. How was she to know that he would take her money and run? And that he had a pattern of doing this previously? So here she was. Without her fortune, no matter how small it was, without her elixir and without the company of Mr. Clemmons and her family. Thankfully her son-in-law was a Pinkerton and found a portion of her money, and it was returned to her.

  Charlotte looked at the watch pinned to her blouse again.

  90 days, 21 hours, 04 minutes and 15 seconds.

  She took a deep breath and released it.

  Dr. Tory told her to take one minute at a time. Sixty seconds made a minute. She only had to get through 60 seconds. Then through 60 minutes each hour. Then through 24 hours each day.

  Charlotte just wondered when it would get easier. It was nearly noon; today was the remembrance ceremony in the park and Charlotte’s first trip outside in nearly 8 months. She didn’t go outside at the start of her recovery as she was terrified that people would find out about her addiction.

  Then she didn’t go outside at all over the shame of not going out in the first place. It was a vicious cycle in her mind.

  Will Tuckering should be arriving any minute to escort her to the park. She smiled at the thought. Will had been helping her with her recovery.

  He checked on her every day, since her son-in-law Dawson first introduced them. Her first thought was that Will was very overbearing. He rarely left her alone, making sure she ate, rested and held her hand as she cried because her need for laudanum was so great. In time, she could honestly say that he was her best friend.

  She thought he was extremely handsome. It made her realize how much she missed Harris. Even though she had been married to him for nearly a quarter of a century before he passed, they grew apart in the few years before he died.

  Harris would spend most of his time in his office and studio on the far side of town. He was the undertaker and when Charlotte would try to go spend time with him, he would dismiss her, saying he was busy.

  He was never too busy, however, for Tess. She would spend hours sitting in the workshop where Harris would measure and prepare coffins, reading to him. After his death, she would still steal into the office and read. Charlotte didn’t understand it, but it brought Tess some peace.

  It was ironic that Tess met her future husband where she would escape when life became too hard. Charlotte sniffed. It really was her, that Tess was escaping. Charlotte had such hopes for her daughter, but instead Tess decided to do things her own way and was now married to a man that Charlotte wouldn’t have chosen for her.

  But Tess appeared happy, and that made Charlotte happy. And she was looking forward to the impending birth of her grandchild.

  Charlotte heard Milam call down the hall for her. Milam was her housekeeper and cook. She had been with the Daniels since before Tess was born. Charlotte felt blessed that Milam and her husband moved out west with them when they left Boston. Unfortunately, Milam’s husband was killed in the earthquake a year ago. She came to the door of Charlotte’s dressing room and peeked inside.

  “Oh, Miss Charlotte,” she said, placing her hand up to her chest. “You look awful pretty. I haven’t seen you wear that before.”

  Charlotte twirled in front of the mirror. She loved the deep brown against her pale skin. She loved the way the waist made her appear trim. She was secretly hoping that Will would notice.

  “Thank you, Milam. It is new. I saw it at the mercantile and just had to have it. I’ve not purchased anything like this since Mr. Daniels passed. I do like it.” The lace trim tickled her arms and she tugged on them. “I won’t have to wear a jacket. Feel this material.” She held her arm out towards Milam. Milam rubbed the fabric between her fingers.

  “That sure is awful pretty. Nice heavy fabric.” Milam released Charlotte’s sleeve and stepped back outside the door. “Mr. Tuckering is here. I put him in the sitting room with the picnic basket.” She pointed down the hall. “I think you need to head out. I’ll be over there in a bit. You enjoy yourself, Miss Charlotte.”

  “Thank you, Milam,” Charlotte said, placing her hand on Milam’s arm. Milam gave her hand a little squeeze before patting it, and then she pushed Charlotte towards the sitting room.

  She quickly walked to the sitting room and paused before she pushed open the door. She avoided this room as much as possible as it contained bitter memories of her past. This was the room that she spent most of her days in a laudanum induced stupor. It was also where that thief stole her money and property right under her nose. She shook off the feelings and entered the room.

  “Are you ready?” she asked Will, who was looking out the window across the lawn. He turned and looked at her, a smile breaking across his face. His soft words poured over her, reaching right into her soul.

  “You look beautiful, Charlotte, just like a vision. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone as beautiful as you are right now.” He walked over and fingered one of her curls, before letting it rest back on her shoulder.

  “I am,” he said, picking up the basket and taking her arm. “I wonder what Milam made?”

  “Probably fried chicken, since you can eat it cold.”

  Will chuckled. “Well it is certainly cool enough today, but the sun is shining.” He released her arm to open the front door and they went down the steps to the garden that Charlotte kept in the front of her house. She loved flowers, all colors and fragrances. The lilies were her favorite, but the flowers and their heady aroma wouldn’t be out until late summer.

  They quickly walked to the park in the warm sunshine. The breeze was cool, but Charlotte didn’t feel the cold. She was perfectly content holding onto Will’s arm.

  He chose a spot near the pavilion where the band was setting up to play. There were a few tables out and several families were sitting on blankets in the grass.

  She saw Tess and Dawson walking across the lawn, and she lifted her hand to wave. “Tess looks like she is about to pop. I can’t believe she hasn’t delivered that baby yet.” Will looked over her shoulder and raised his hand in greeting as well, before guiding her to sit down on one of the benches.

  “When is she due?” Will asked, placing the basket on the table and taking a seat next to Charlotte.

  “This month. I think.” Charlotte looked puzzled for a moment, her brow furrowing. “I honestly don’t remember what she told me.” She bit her bottom lip and started to wring her hands together. Her voice started to squeak as she looked at him. “I don’t remember, Will.”

  Will rubbed her back. “Shhhhh, Charlotte. That is just part of recovery.”

  “Will it get better?”

  “Maybe. There are still things I don�
��t remember. That is what the drug does. It steals everything good from you.”

  Charlotte nodded. She looked around at the people gathering in the park. Several of them looked her way and turned to go sit at another table.

  “I don’t know if I can do this, Will.”

  “You can,” he said. “And you will.”

  “I mean I don’t think I can do this alone.”

  Will lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against the warm skin. Charlotte felt a flutter, as he had never touched her so intimately before.

  “You aren’t alone, sweetheart. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  “Oh look, there is Odessa Gale. She is one of my dear friends.” She waved to Odessa, who started walking over to the table.

  “Charlotte.” Will cleared his throat, before taking Charlotte’s chin in his hand and turning her to face him. “I need to ask you something. I’d like to do it before your friend gets to the table.”

  “Of course, anything. You’ve been such a good friend to me these past few months.”

  Will took her hand in his once more and covered it with his other hand. He looked at her with deep brown eyes that reminded her of melted chocolate. She admired his square jaw and sculpted face. She noticed the tic in his cheek. He must be really worried about something, she thought.

  He cleared his throat once again and looked over her shoulder to see how far away Odessa was. “Charlotte, I am hoping I can become more than that?”

  Charlotte took a deep breath. “More than what?”

  “More than just your friend. Your companion. I want to be with you for the rest of your life.” Charlotte let out a little gasp. Will continued, “I know we’ve not known each other very long. Just a few months, but I find myself wanting to be with you all the time. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Charlotte lifted her fingers to her throat and fiddled with a piece of lace. “I – I –”

  “Charlotte Daniels,” Odessa interrupted as she slid her robust frame on the bench. “I am so happy to see you out and about. Your dress looks lovely.”

  Charlotte looked from Will to Odessa and back to Will again, her eyes blinking in rapid succession. Her brain couldn’t put the words together that he was saying.

  What was he asking?

  What did Odessa just say?

  Charlotte felt her cheeks flush and she pulled her hand away from Will.

  “Oh my,” Odessa said, “am I interrupting something?”

  “Not at all,” Charlotte said, reaching into the basket in front of her. “Please join us.”

  Odessa looked around. “I wonder where that boy ran off to?”

  “Marty?”

  “Yes. He is always off doing something or another.” She reached into her basket and pulled out a piece of fabric, tucking it into the neck of her blouse. “God bless that boy. He has really helped out since Douglas died.”

  “Douglas?” Will asked.

  “Yes, he was my husband.”

  “I’m sorry, did he die in the earthquake?”

  “No. He died several years ago. Marty has been taking care of me ever since. I have asthma. Had it for years, but Doc Hattie gave me some of her magic herbs and I’m doing so much better.”

  “Odessa, have you met Will Tuckering?”

  Odessa shook her head. “I’ve seen you around town, but then again, there have been so many new faces, I can’t keep them all straight.”

  “Will has been helping Dawson at the undertaker’s office.”

  Odessa took a bite of her sandwich as people started speaking on the podium. “Such a good man, that Dawson is. And he dotes on Tess.”

  “That he certainly does.”

  The speeches were wrapped up in quick order and the musicians took their seats on the podium. Will leaned into Charlotte. “I’m going to go get us a glass of lemonade. I’ll be right back.”

  Charlotte nodded and continued to talk to Odessa. Will returned with the drinks just as the band was starting to play. Charlotte tapped her foot to the music.

  “Would you like to dance, mi’lady?” Will asked, taking a deep bow in front of her.

  “I can’t dance, Will.”

  “Why ever not? You have two good legs.”

  “What would all these people think?” She motioned around to the people sitting and eating their lunch.

  “They would think that I’m having a dance with one of the most eligible women in town.”

  Charlotte blushed. “Sit down before someone hears you.” She waved him back towards the bench. “Imagine that. Dancing at a picnic.” She turned and finished her lunch. “I do say that Milam does make the best fried chicken.”

  Odessa looked at her. “Milam should open up her own diner here in town.”

  “Don’t be silly. There is already a diner in town.”

  Odessa leaned over the table and lowered her voice. “Lily Jo is selling the diner.”

  “What?” Charlotte squealed. “You can’t be serious. Whatever for?”

  “I don’t know exactly, but I think…”

  Will coughed loudly. “Charlotte, it sounds like gossip. You don’t want to partake in that, do you?”

  “But…” she pointed at Odessa. Will raised an eyebrow, his eyes boring holes to someplace deep inside of her. “Oh, alright. Never mind.”

  Suddenly she heard her name explode in the air. She turned to see Dawson picking Tess up and heading towards Hattie’s apothecary.

  “Oh goodness, I think it is time.” She looked at her watch.

  90 days, 23 hours, 37 minutes and 24 seconds.

  Read more by Christine Sterling

  Read the Black Hill Brides Romances:

  1. Her Secret Past

  2. Her Secret Baby

  3. Her Secret Shame

  4. Her Secret Love

  5. Her Secret Husband

  Read the Silverpines Romances:

  1. Wanted: Medicine Man

  2. The Coffin Maker

  3. Wanted: Gravedigger

  4. Snowbound

  5. Wanted: Redemption

  Read the Proxy Bride Romances:

  1. A Bride for Jeremiah

  2. A Bride for Elijah

  Read the Pinkerton Matchmaker Romances:

  1. The Pinkerton Matchmaker

  2. An Agent for Claudette

  3. An Agent for Penelope

  Read the Holiday Romances

  1. Wynter's Bride

  2. A Cozy Mitten Christmas

  About Christine

  Christine Sterling is the creator of the wildly popular Pinkerton Matchmaker Series and the Proxy Bride Series. She is an author in multiple collaborations, including: Cowboys and Angels, The Widows of Wildcat Ridge and Silverpines, where her book Wanted: Medicine Man won best historical novel of 2018.

  She writes sweet and wholesome historical western novels and published her first book in 2017. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, a spoiled Shih Tzu and a knucklehead German Shepherd, and too many rescued barn cats to count. She has been writing stories since she was 8 years old when her grandparents gave her a Sears & Roebuck typewriter with a hard-plastic cover for Christmas in 1977.

  She spends her time writing, helping others to write and publish their first book and weeding her half-acre organic herb garden. Her favorite things are a good cup of tea, a movie that will make you cry and hearing from her readers.

  Learn more about her books here. Find her on Facebook, in the CSR Community, Twitter and her website. She also recently launched The Courageous Author to teach others that are ready to publish their first book the skills to do so.

  Sign up to receive her newsletter, where you’ll get free books, exclusive bonus content, and news of her releases and sales.

  If you like this book, please take a few minutes to leave a review now! Christine appreciates it and you may help a reader find their next favorite book!

  Acknowledgments

  All glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love you.


  To my husband, Danie. I love you.

  To my beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Nora & Elizabeth. I love you.

  To my author support team, my editors (Carolyn & Amy), proofreaders, ARC readers. I love you.

  To the Silverpines authors, I love being on this crazy ride with you! Love you all.

  Snowbound

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.

  Scriptures quoted from the King James Holy Bible.

  All books titled or quoted in this story belong to their respective authors.

  Snowbound ©2019 Christine Sterling

  Cover Design by Josephine Blake of Covers & Cupcakes https://coversandcupcakes.wordpress.com/

  Editing by Carolyn Leggo and Amy Petrowich