A Mail-Order Destiny Page 11

  "And you'll be the best mother." He kissed her nose. "And just in case you're not pregnant—"

  "I am pregnant."

  "Just in case you're not," he continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. "I think we should make absolutely sure you will be."

  She realized what he meant as he walked out the door, carrying her down the hall. "Rhys, put me down! Everyone will know where we're going!" She hid her face in his shoulder, embarrassed, amused, and aroused all at once.

  He nodded to one of the maids, who snickered as they passed.

  "Oh, good heavens!"

  "They already know I adore you."

  "But we've never made this much of a spectacle."

  He shrugged. "It's my hotel. If anyone is allowed to make a spectacle, it's me."

  She snorted. "That's true. However, the hotel is mine now, as well." She wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him closer so she could place a hot, open-mouthed kiss against his warmed skin.

  He sucked in a breath and cursed, moving faster toward their rooms.

  "What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" she asked, teasing him with her lips, driving him mad.

  He muttered something, a swear word, she thought. "An old associate wants to meet with you and Ivan's brides. They have a business proposition."

  "All right." She could only imagine what they wanted. They'd had all sorts of offers since the mine had paid out over a year ago. "I'm sure that'll be fine."

  "I set the meeting for next week," he said, a moment before storming through their front door, barely closing it before heading straight for the bedroom.

  He set her gently on the bed before taking one step back to rip his coat off. "Now, my lovely, amazing wife, no more talk of business. There's something even more important I need to tell you."

  She wiggled to get more comfortable as he started unbuttoning his shirt. "Oh? And what is that?"

  The white shirt hit the floor, leaving his chest bare, and her fingers itched to touch the firm skin. It didn't matter how long they'd been married, how many times they'd been together like this, the craving she had for him hadn't dimmed. It had only increased.

  He lowered on top of her, taking her lips in a long, soft kiss. He broke off and looked into her eyes. "How you're the most important person in my life. How I love you with every part of my soul." Another soft kiss. "And how I can't wait to hold our son or daughter. You've made me the happiest of men. What can I do for you? How do I repay for something so priceless?"

  Joy and love filled every corner of her heart. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him to her as if she would never let go. "There's nothing to repay. You've shown me more love than I've ever imagined. As long as we keep loving each other, as long as we take care of one another, everything will be perfect."

  "I intend to. Every single day for the rest of my life." He leaned forward and sealed his words with a kiss.

  Willow knew she was the luckiest woman ever. She'd come from nothing and was now with the man she loved, and soon they'd have a child to love just as much.

  Promise Creek wasn't just a safe haven for her.

  It had been her destiny.

  A week later, excited chatter filled the ballroom, and Willow smiled at the madness. That always seemed to be the case when Ivan's brides got together. Their group was even larger now, with the addition of husbands and children. There was no way they would all fit in the living room at Ivan's house any longer, the place where all their past group discussions had taken place.

  She'd announced she was pregnant once they were all there, and everyone had squealed in delight. They were almost as excited as she was. She was the last bride to get married, and the last one to conceive, but it didn't matter they'd all done it first. Now, it was like they were one gigantic family.

  Several of the husbands stood off to the side, no doubt wondering what this mysterious man wanted from the women. Heaven only knew. The women were curious, but they were more interested in catching up and watching Sawyer and Clara's son toddle around.

  "I can't believe he's walking!" Willow cried when he took two steps after Jack, Sadie and Owen's boy, before falling on his padded bottom. He looked at Clara as if he were worried, but when she smiled encouragingly at him, he cooed.

  Violet's lips quirked as she rubbed her large belly. "Seeing how cute they are when they come out is the only reason I'm holding on at this point."

  Her husband, Jimmy, who was never far from her side, kissed her hand and held it. "Just a little longer, darling."

  Her lips twisted in amusement. "I think you're growing the next one we have."

  "I'll endeavor to please you."

  Violet rolled her eyes, but when she looked back at the group, Willow could see the pleasure there.

  Olivia, Belle, and Rosalie huddled together, all cuddling their little bundles, while Aria occasionally spoke up from the circle, and asked her step-children to stop jumping against the walls. Their little sister, just barely one year old, was trying to copy them with tiny hops. Aria heaved a laughing sigh. "I swear, I don't know what I'm going to do when the next one comes. I have my hands full." She grinned, and even through her words, Willow knew Aria would handle it just fine. She had the temperament to have twenty children.

  The men laughed in the corner about heaven knew what, and Willow chuckled. Everyone was so happy, so well settled. It was almost unbelievable to think that just a couple of years ago, things had been so different, life had been hard and unsettled and messy—well, it was messy now, but in a good way. Living and loving was a messy business when done right.

  Rhys walked into the room with a gentleman, a man who had the looks of a golden warrior god, and everyone settled down. The group of husbands broke up and went to either sit next to or stand behind their wives. The women looked at each other with raised eyebrows, surprised, but noting the handsome man.

  "Thank you all for coming. I hope you've been having a good time," Rhys said.

  Several of them nodded and smiled, and Willow glanced over at the buffet they'd placed out, noticing much of the food was gone. It felt wonderful to host a gathering like this for her friends. And it was good they had the hotel, or else they wouldn't all be able to get together unless they were outside. That would have left all winter parties out, she thought ruefully, before giving her attention back to Rhys.

  He smiled at her like he knew what she'd been thinking before he continued. "I'd like to introduce you all to Mr. Chase Eversly. He's an associate of mine from New York, and I believe an acquaintance of Mrs. Violet Thornton."

  Violet nodded at both of them. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Eversly."

  The man tipped his hat in reply, not smudging the polished, slicked-back blond hair beneath.

  Rhys rubbed his hands together. "Now that the pleasantries are done with, I'll turn the floor over to you, Chase." He moved and sat next to Willow, taking her hand in his.

  She smiled and kissed his cheek.

  Mr. Eversly held up his hand. "Thank you all for taking the time to meet with me. I know you all have busy lives, and much better things to do with your time. In that regard, I'll speak plainly, so you can all enjoy the rest of your day."

  "Thank you," Asher called from the back a little too enthusiastically, and everyone in the room chuckled. Asher was a former recluse, and while he still preferred the solitude living on the mountain provided, he made a point to visit in town. Just not too often.

  Mr. Eversly grinned. "Quite. My thoughts, exactly. Well, then, straight to the point. I, and five business partners, have staked a large claim northwest of here. Copper, not gold, in case you hadn't heard."

  "Oh, we've heard," Ronan said. "People are already calling you the Copper Kings."

  "Are they?" He seemed amused by the term, but waved it away. "The deposits there are staggering, and operations will continue for years, if not decades. However, perhaps more importantly, since the claim is less than five miles from here, we've decided to invest in P
romise Creek, instead of building our own town."

  Rhys perked up. "Starting when?"

  "Immediately, I hope. Most of you will understand such an undertaking will take time and vast amounts of resources. Promise Creek is established, but we'll be bringing in hundreds of more workers. We'll need to expand what's here, and build upon it. More shops, restaurants, housing, services, even a library, and a school."

  Willow's head reeled with the information. With this kind of support, Promise Creek would flourish beyond their imagination.

  Cameron Grant spoke up from behind Aria. "How do we play a part in this plan?"

  Mr. Eversly nodded, as if grateful for the question. "While we will try to lure families to come here, it is more likely we'll only be able to find single men. But as I'm sure you're all aware, having been through that yourself, that will cause a shortage of women. We want our employees satisfied. This isn't a quick job, and we want a stable work force. So, on that note, we plan to bring women here as well. Single women."

  "Mail-order brides?" Juliette asked, the skepticism in her voice evident.

  "No. We're not looking to marry off the men, but we want women here in case our workers want to settle down. If they do, we want them to have a variety of women to choose from. Wholesome, good women they can raise families with. We aren't looking to cheapen the town and create an unsavory society. We're looking to build something here. Something that will last."

  Willow quickly thought of the implications of what he was saying. It would no doubt boost her business, but it would boost everything. More children, more community, more friends and family. It might be rough at the start, figuring it all out, but they would get past that.

  Clara spoke up. "What will you have the women do? Where will they stay?"

  "That's where you come in. We've heard about the house you all inherited. It's large enough to house several more women besides the one already there. Miss Winthrop, I believe." He looked to Rhys, and he nodded curtly next to her.

  Willow squeezed his hand in reassurance, already knowing he didn't like that Mr. Eversly knew his sister's whereabouts and that she was alone there.

  "With the house mostly empty, my partners and I were hoping use it as a landing place as women arrive. We want somewhere safe where they won't be harassed, where they can settle in and adjust to their new lives here before relocating somewhere else permanently."

  "How long would you want to use the house?" Rhys asked.

  "That can be negotiated."

  Rhys rubbed his chin. "I've also been considering an expansion on the hotel, and it seems like I'll move forward with it, now that the town will grow. I should be able to house women as an overflow, if necessary."

  "Thank you. Are there any questions?" He asked to everyone in the group.

  Conversation continued for another fifteen minutes, as more details were discussed, and everyone seemed satisfied.

  Willow thought it was wonderful, and she was excited the house would be used again. This just felt right, like it was meant to be. From the looks on everyone's faces, they agreed as well. Although Abby was there, the empty house had weighed on them.

  Mr. Eversly shook their hands, finally ending with Rhys. "I'll have my lawyer wire over the contracts. Let me know when you make your final decision."

  "We will. Although I can't give you an official answer now, things look good. I'm looking forward to working with you and your partners. Anyone I know?"

  The suave-looking businessman shrugged evasively, and Willow wondered if he was hiding something. "I'm sure you've run into a few of them here and there."

  Willow didn't doubt that. If the men were in business and successful at all, Rhys would know them. And considering the size, scope, and resources for this operation, Willow figured the men had to be at the level of kings.

  Rhys escorted Mr. Eversly out, and excited chatter started up again, only dimming slightly when Rhys returned.

  "What did you all think? Is this something we want to do?" he asked.

  The men looked to their wives, and Willow's heart filled. No matter what, all of them, every single one, respected their wives and their right to decide what to do with their inheritance from Ivan. Willow went to his side. "I think we should do it. I'm excited for what this will bring, and even more so, I'm excited Ivan's legacy will live on."

  The women laughed and agreed. Clara stood, and Willow and the others joined her. They reached out to each other, forming a circle. "Ivan was crazy, but I think he knew what he was doing when he brought us all here." Willow's throat clenched at the words. "He saved us, he brought us together, and gave us more than we ever could have imagined. I think it's right we do the same for these women."

  Aria shook her head with a laugh. "To Ivan."

  "To Ivan!" The rest of them repeated with a mixture of laughter and tears. They were all married and happily settled. This could have been the end, but Willow realized the Copper Kings were just another beginning. A new dawn for them and Promise Creek.

  Others would come, and while some things would change, even more would stay the same.

  And Willow couldn't wait to see what happened next.

  ***

  Abby’s story, Western Bride (Copper Kings - Book 1), is available now! Get your copy here!

  Thank you for reading A Mail-Order Destiny! If you enjoyed Willow and Rhys’ story, please consider leaving a review here. Reviews help other readers find books they might like, and I’d appreciate it so much!

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  -Janelle Daniels

  Titles by Janelle Daniels

  Miners to Millionaires

  A Mail-Order Heart (Miners to Millionaires - Book 1)

  A Mail-Order Wish (Miners to Millionaires – Book 2)

  A Mail-Order Hope (Miners to Millionaires – Book 3)

  A Mail-Order Dream (Miners to Millionaires – Book 4)

  A Mail-Order Chance (Miners to Millionaires – Book 5)

  A Mail-Order Dawn (Miners to Millionaires – Book 6)

  A Mail-Order Escape (Miners to Millionaires – Book 7)

  A Mail-Order Illusion (Miners to Millionaires – Book 8)

  A Mail-Order Haven (Miners to Millionaires – Book 9)

  A Mail-Order Destiny (Miners to Millionaires – Book 10)

  Scandals & Secrets

  Scandal of Love (Scandals & Secrets - Book 1)

  Masquerade Secrets (Scandals & Secrets - Book 2)

  Secrets in Mourning (Scandals & Secrets - Book 3)

  A Kiss with Scandal (Scandals & Secrets - Book 4)

  A Christmas Secret (Scandals & Secrets – Book 4.5)

  Single Title Romance

  Sunkissed

  My Only Wish

  Collaborations

  Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Brides)

  Falling for a Duke (Timeless Regency Collection)

  The Witches of Redwood Falls

  The Witching Moon (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 1)

  The Witches Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls - Book 2)

  Discover other titles by Janelle Daniels

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  A MAIL-ORDER DESTINY

  Dream Cache Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  www.janelledaniels.com

  Copyright © 2018 by Janelle Daniels

  Cover Art © 2018 Erin Dameron-H
ill

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