Read Gillian: Bride of Maine (American Mail-Order Bride 23) Online
Authors: Kirsten Lynn
Tags: #Military, #Historical, #Romance, #Fiction, #Forever Love, #Victorian Era, #Western, #Fifth In Series, #Saga, #Fifty-Books, #Forty-Five Authors, #Newspaper Ad, #Short Story, #American Mail-Order Bride, #Bachelor, #Single Woman, #Marriage Of Convenience, #Christian, #Religious, #Faith, #Inspirational, #Factory Burned, #Pioneer, #Maine, #Father, #Evil Plans, #Lighthouse Keeper, #No Letters, #No Ad, #Misunderstanding, #Bass Harbor Head, #Helpmate, #Christmas, #Holiday, #Christmas Time, #Winter, #Weather, #Festive Season, #Mistletoe
Gillian: Bride of Maine (American Mail-Order Bride 23) (17 page)
“The lighthouse?”
She shook her head and stepped into his arms. “Here, this is my home.”
‡
G
illian rocked their
baby boy in the rocking chair the good people of Bass Harbor had given them as a gift. Rhys cuddled their baby girl on the bed, her tiny hands patting his beard.
Twins of all things.
Father McDonald had teased them that they really did rush into everything, including a full house. Rhys hadn’t found the situation of their birth humorous at all. Hearing one baby cry, he’d burst into the bedroom after hours of pacing up and down the lighthouse stairs, only to be rushed from the room with Ida shouting another baby was on the way. Gillian almost leaped from the bed to catch him before he fell at the shock.
Rhys lifted his head and smiled at her. The smile that belonged only to her. The one that said she was his forever and he was hers.
This Christmas, a large balsam pine stood in their sitting room, and a wreath hung on the door welcoming their friends who’d brought them together and now wanted to see their family. Taking care of two three-month-old babies hadn’t stopped Gillian from baking up a storm, and their house smelled like a sweet shop. She was blessed beyond measure, and her cup overflowed.
“Mother Chermont threatened to make the journey here, weather or no, to see her grandchildren.”
“Father said the same in his letter. She misses visiting with you.”
Rhys carried baby Eleanor to her cradle and tucked the blanket from her grandmother around her. He helped Gillian stand, and she repeated the process with baby Alexis, named after his grandfather.
“I miss them, too. I was so pleased when they extended their visit. They entered my heart almost as quickly as their son.”
From their letters, Rose, Emma, and Willow were all well and happy in their new lives, as well. Her heart ached that she’d probably never see Rose or Emma again as they’d made their homes so far west. Pennsylvania could be done, but with Willow’s new life keeping her busy, and the lighthouse and now the children occupying Gillian’s time, she couldn’t be sure life would ever open a door to visit her friend and laugh and talk face-to-face like they used to. For now, she would treasure their letters and hold her memories close.
“Thinking of others you miss,
ma petite
?”
“Yes. I suppose it’s the nostalgia Christmas brings. Thinking of those not here.” She took his hand in hers and brushed a kiss on his palm. “And thanking God for those who are.”
Lacing their fingers together, Rhys led her downstairs. She inhaled the scents of Christmas as pine from the sitting room mixed with goose, stuffing, cinnamon, nutmeg, and gingerbread from the kitchen.
“Ida will skin us for sure for not attending the Christmas Eve dinner this year, especially after our quick exit last year.”
She lit the candles on the table set for two. Not a big celebration like what they were enjoying in Bass Harbor, though if she and Rhys continued as they were they’d have their own village in a few years.
“I know, but the babies are too young for the night air. To be honest, this is the nicest Christmas, just you and me.” Her gaze shifted to the stairs. “Well, just you and me for a little while.”
“I agree. I’m enjoying spending the evening with my wife and children.”
They worked together to finish putting the meal together and carrying everything out to the table. As Gillian went back to the kitchen for one more dish, Rhys stopped her under the doorway between the two rooms.
“You owe me a kiss.”
“Pardon?”
He nodded to the top of the doorway, and Gillian smiled. “When did you put mistletoe up there?”
He nodded to the top of the archway leading from the dining room into the sitting room. “When I put mistletoe there and in the walkway to the lighthouse and in the service room and lantern room.”
She couldn’t hold back the laugh burning her lungs. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she nuzzled her nose with his then leaned into him when he took her mouth in a slow, passionate kiss. When he pulled from her, he caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
“You please me, Gillian Chermont.”
“You please me, too, Rhys Chermont.”
If you enjoyed reading Gillian’s story, there are 49 more in the series! Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here:
Thank you so much for reading Gillian and Rhys’ story. For more wonderful stories and to catch up with Gillian’s friends and roommates make sure to get your copy of
:
WILLOW, BRIDE OF PENNSYLVANIA by Merry Farmer
EMMA, BRIDE OF KENTUCKY by Peggy Henderson
ROSE, BRIDE OF COLORADO by Margery Scott
Thank you so much, dear readers, for picking up a copy of GILLIAN, BRIDE OF MAINE. I was thrilled to be a part of such an amazing project, and like Gillian, I made new friends through the process of working with such an outstanding group of authors.
As my readers know, most of my stories are set in Wyoming, and that was the state I initially wanted when I joined the project. However, Wyoming had already been snapped up, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. I had such fun visiting Maine again, if only in my imagination. If I had gotten Wyoming, there wouldn’t be Gillian and Rhys, and I would hate to see a world where their story didn’t exist. For those who’ve started my Navy SEAL series with the book THE AIR I BREATHE, you’ll recognize the name Chermont. Gillian and Rhys are the great-great grandparents of Caleb “Frenchy” Chermont, and I enjoyed getting to know his family a bit better.
I have been a lighthouse enthusiast for many years and fell in love with Maine and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse when I visited. Here’s a little history of the lighthouse.
Congress appropriated $5,000 for the construction of the Bass Harbor Head Light after it was determined that “sufficient need” existed to have a lighthouse near the entrance to Bass Harbor. This was followed by the addition of a fog bell and tower in 1876. This bell was replaced by a substantially larger 4,000-pound bell in 1898 when it was installed within the tower. The original lens was a Fifth Order Fresnel, but was replaced by a Fourth Order Fresnel in 1901. Originally, there was no easy access via a boat landing until one was added in 1894. During the 1970s, the Coast Guard took over the lighthouse. On January 21, 1988, the lighthouse was added to the
National Register of Historic Places
, under the title of Bass Harbor Head Light Station.
The keeper’s house remains pretty much in its original form other than a small addition in 1900. The house serves as an actual residence for a U.S. Coast Guard family.
There are a few things where I took a bit of literary license. The boat slip was not a part of the lighthouse until 1894. I included a community hall for the village of Bass Harbor and could not find any information that corroborated or disputed this information. In order to have Father McDonald, I had to include a Catholic church instead of the Methodist or Congregationalist that are a part of Tremont today.
Bass Harbor is actually one of five villages that comprise the town of Tremont. The other villages are: Bernard, West Tremont, Seal Cove, and Gotts Island. I did not mention Tremont in the story because the village of Bass Harbor is where all the action takes place, but I wanted readers to be informed of the history of the area. I hope those who know Bass Harbor and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse will understand the liberties taken.
Gillian and Rhys are those wonderful characters I love as an author who, by the end of the story, completely captured my heart. I hope they will find a place in your hearts as well.
Warmest wishes always,
Kirsten Lynn
Kirsten Lynn is a Western and Military Historian. She worked six years with a Navy non-profit and continues to contract with the Marine Corps History Division for certain projects. Making her home where her roots were sewn in Wyoming, Kirsten also works as a local historian. She loves to use the history she has learned and add it to a great love story. She writes stories about men of uncommon valor, women with undaunted courage, love of unwavering devotion, and romance with unending sizzle. When she’s not writing, she finds inspiration in day trips through the Bighorn Mountains, binge reading, and watching sappy old movies, or sappy new movies. Housework can always wait.
Connect with me online!
My Website:
My Newsletter:
www.kirstenlynnwildwest.com/contact_kirstin.php
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