The Gold Mountain Bride: a sweet, historical western romance novel (The Klondike Brides Book 2)

Chapter 1

Late April 1899 – Dawson City, Yukon Territory

Belinda Haggerty stoodoutside the stable where she’d spent the night. The owner was kind enough to let her stay in one of the empty stalls. She couldn’t believe that her husband, Amos, left her, just left her, and went back to their claim on his own. He’d said he’d be right back for her while he went to the saloon, but that was a lie. He simply didn’t want to share the gold. He had left her for a saloon in some town on previous occasions, but he had always returned. However, this time, he did not come back. Why he’d brought her all this way, she couldn’t begin to explain.

What was she supposed to do now? She’d waited a day for him to return and he hadn’t. She’d fended off more men than ever before in her life. She’d just get rid of one and another one would push his way forward.

Without money, it limited her choices in a town full of thousands of men. But she vowed never to become a prostitute or a saloon girl, who she’d heard often engaged in prostitution as well. She went into the mercantile to escape.

The bell over the door rang out as she entered.

“Be right with you,” called a male voice.

Finally, a man wearing a long white apron over his large belly appeared. “What can I do for you, ma’am?”

“I’m hiding.” She got as far away from the door as possible and was now standing in front of a counter at the back of the store.

“What are you hiding from? Or maybe I should say who are you hiding from?”

“The men. They won’t leave me alone even when I tell them I’m a married woman.”

“Where is your husband?”

“He left me here and went back to our gold claim.”

His mouth turned down. “I see.”

“I don’t believe he’s coming back. I need to find a job and get a roof over my head. Can you help me?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them and smiled. “Why don’t you go see Kitty Archer over at the Westminster Hotel? She owns the place and I bet she can find a job for you.”

“Really? That would be wonderful.”

“Just tell her Joe sent you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Joe.”

“Just Joe.”

“Thank you, Joe . I hope you’re right. Now, where is the Westminster Hotel?”

He gave her directions.

“Goodbye, until I get some money, then I’ll be back, I guarantee.”

He grinned. “I’ll see you then, ma’am.”

“Oh, I forgot. My name is Belinda. Belinda Haggerty.” She set her duffle bag on the floor and then held out her right hand.

Joe shook her hand. “Good luck, Belinda.”

“Thanks.”

She picked up her duffle bag and walked out the door. She stepped out onto the boardwalk and headed to the Westminster Hotel, Belinda hoped she could find some work as a maid, maybe one with room and board included.

Carrying a duffle bag in one hand, she entered the hotel. A braided rug lay in front of the tall desk with cubbyholes on the wall behind it. The lobby had an opening to the restaurant next door. Were they owned by the same woman? One business owned by a woman was unusual, but two were extraordinary. The man in front of Belinda walked away from the desk and into the restaurant.

She walked up to the desk.

The brunette woman behind it looked up.

“Excuse me. Are you Kitty?”

The dark-haired woman straightened and smiled. She looked to be in her forties or early fifties. She had a friendly smile and bright blue eyes. “I am. What can I do for you?”

Belinda moved to hold the duffle bag in front of her with both hands. “I’m looking for a job and a place to stay. Joe sent me.”

Kitty came around the desk. One arm was at her waist, holding the elbow of her other arm, while an index finger tapped on her chin. “Hmm. Looks like you have an acceptable figure, large bosom and small waist. But from the looks of you, I’d say you probably don’t have any experience being a whore, do you?”

Belinda’s face heated at the plain speaking, and she glanced around to see if anyone overheard them. They were alone. She looked back at Kitty and shook her head. “No, ma’am, and I wasn’t hoping to start that occupation now. I was hoping to be a maid or a cook. I cook quite well.”

Kitty turned away toward the desk, then stopped and turned back. She cocked her head and her eyes narrowed. “Can you bake?”

Belinda smiled and nodded. A flicker of hope filled her. Maybe good things were finally coming her way. “Yes, ma’am. Pies are my specialty.”

The woman smiled again and lifted a brow. “I’ll give you room and board, plus one dollar a week.”

“I’ll take it and thank you for it.”

She grinned broadly. “Good.” She went behind the desk and grabbed a key from a cubbyhole. “It’s a tiny room at the top of the stairs. But you won’t have to share, and you’re not likely to get any unwanted visitors. Now, what’s your name?”

“Belinda. Belinda Haggerty.”

“Well, Belle, welcome aboard.”

Belinda couldn’t stop smiling. She liked the name. Belle. Amos had shouted at her “Belinda!” before he punished her for some imaginary sin. Well, a curse on Amos. Luck seemed to be with her...finally.

May 10,1899

Kitty walked into the kitchen.

Belle smiled and looked around the kitchen. She’d made it her own with everything where she liked it. The cook didn’t seem to mind as she consulted with him before moving anything. “Did you smell the cookies? I was going to bring you one. I know how much you like them right out of the oven.”

As she grabbed a cookie, Kitty stared at her. “Belle, there’s a Mountie out front who wants to see you.”

“A Mountie?” She grew concerned, wondering what she might have done to warrant a visit from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “Whatever could he want?”

Kitty lifted her brows. “You’ll never know if you keep standing in this kitchen.” She took a bite of the cookie and moaned. “These are terrific as usual.”

“Right. Oh, thank you.” Belle grabbed a towel and wiped all the flour from her hands, then she smoothed a hand over her hair. When she was presentable, she walked out to the front desk.

A tall man with dark hair and the signature hat and red coat of the Mounted Police stood by the desk.

“May I help you, sir?” asked Belle.

He straightened and placed one arm over his stomach in a tight, straight line. His brows furrowed. “Are you Belinda Haggerty?”

She nodded and clasped her hands in front of her. “I am, but they call me Belle. What can I do for you?”

He placed both hands behind his back. “It is my duty to inform you of the death of your husband, Amos. We believe a claim jumper killed him on his claim up on the Klondike River.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.” Tears filled her eyes, not those of grief but of joy. He would never hurt her again.

The Mountie handed her a handkerchief. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Uh, thank you. I’d like to return to the kitchen and be alone, unless you have something else to convey.”

“No, ma’am.”

She nodded once and held up the wet handkerchief. “I’ll launder this and return it to you.”

He reached out his hand. “That’s unnecessary, Mrs. Haggerty. I’m sure you have to have time for grieving. I’ll take it to our laundry. It’s not a problem.”

“Well, if you’re sure.”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s no problem at all.”

She handed him the cloth. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“Certainly. Again, you have my condolences.”

“Thank you.” Belle turned and walked back to the kitchen.

On the way back, she thought she should feel something besides relief, but she couldn’t. She’d never loved him. He’d married her ten years ago when she was just seventeen, so she could give him children. And when she couldn’t do that, he’d become indifferent and then he’d started taking out his anger on her body. She still had shadows of the bruises from the last time, before he’d left her in Dawson City.

She refused to be a hypocrite and mourn for a man when she was glad he was dead. Maybe her life would get better now. She just wasn’t sure how that was to happen in this place. She didn’t make enough money to pay for her trip out. She might have to marry again, just to survive. Staying for the winter was impossible. She couldn’t even fathom the idea. And being a single woman in a town full of men wasn’t the safest thing, either.

But in reality, what choice did she have? She could stay and continue to bake for Kitty and have no chance of leaving, or she could marry a miner and at least have the hope of getting back to civilization. Neither option was much of a choice. What if she chose wrong? What if she got another husband like Amos?

Three days after Amos died,a man she’d never seen before approached Belle.

The tall, thin man smiled. He was missing several teeth, and the result was alarming, looking more like he was baring his teeth rather than smiling. His hair was brown and scraggly as was his beard. He had fetid breath that nearly knocked her down..

“I hear you’re not married anymore. Name’s Ezra Fleming and I think you should marry me.” He reached out and grabbed her left arm. “Now.”

Belle pulled her arm free. “You leave me alone. I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on Earth. Leave me alone.” She walked away from him but looked back to make sure he wasn’t following.

He watched her, staying where he was, but watching every move she made. She’d have to talk to Kitty about him.

The next day, she did just that when Kitty came into the kitchen for breakfast.

Belle went over to the table. “Kitty, I’m sorry to intrude on you meal, but I need to talk to you.”

Kitty pointed at the chair across from her. “Sit. I’m always available to talk.”

Belle sat across from her boss and new friend. Nerves made Belle clasp and unclasp her hand several times.

“Come on, Belle. You’ve never had to talk to me about anything before.”

“Sorry. I just feel like I should have been able to handle this on my own.” She took a deep breath. “Okay. Ezra Fleming has been bothering me. He makes me uncomfortable and then today, he grabbed my arm and insisted that I marry him, right then. He said he knew I wasn’t married anymore, and that I needed to marry him. He scares me.”

Kitty stood, came around the table to Belle, and squeezed her shoulders. “I’ll make sure he can’t come in here any longer. I don’t allow my girls, any of my girls, to be accosted by a man in my place. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

Belle released the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, Kitty. I feel much safer now.”

Late afternoon arrivedas Seth Kirby entered Dawson City, lugging his hefty backpack, to buy supplies and deposit gold into his account at the Dawson City Bank. He’d intended to get to town earlier than this, but the time and other chores he’d had to do prevented his leaving when he wanted.

He already had a substantial amount on deposit at the bank...nearly four hundred thousand dollars. He could quit and leave, but with some extra work, both the claims, his and Barnaby and Sadie’s, were still producing a goodly amount of gold every day. He wanted as much as he could get in order to achieve his goal of being financially independent for the rest of his life and having something to leave his kids. Plus, he wanted a large tract of land and a big house with lots of bedrooms to fill with children.

He’d been the luckiest man alive when he’d met Barnaby Drake in the gold fields of California. They’d become good friends, though after he’d married Sadie, Seth didn’t see as much of him. Then, one day out of the blue, Sadie had invited him to dinner. It was the best meal he’d had in two years. Even better than the food at Kitty’s restaurant in Dawson City, and hers was the best in town.

But what they’d talked about had been fantastical. They were going to be leaving and wanted to leave him their claim. First, Sadie had left because they’d had a fight. Barnaby let her go and Seth had to remind him he should have left with her, assuming he loved her.

He said he did and packed up that very day. “Thank you, my friend. I almost let go of the most important person to me, just so I could get more gold. The money isn’t worth losing her and my child.”

Seth moved into their tent, which was much more spacious than his, considering it was twice as big. Barnaby originally had a partner, Sadie’s father, who was killed in an avalanche. That was the reason Sadie had come to the Klondike valley in the first place...to take over her father’s part of the claim.

That was more than a year ago. Now, a lot of the miners were leaving for a new strike in Nome, Alaska, but he wouldn’t be one of them. Since these claims were becoming exhausted and the amount of gold he was getting each day was decreasing, he would soon leave. Even as soon as the end of May. He had no reason to stay, and he was ready to settle down and raise a family.

He knew he wouldn’t find a bride here in Dawson City, so the time had come to get back to civilization and find a wife.

For now, he planned on staying at Kitty’s tonight, having a good meal and a hot bath, not in that order. Seth didn’t want to pay Kitty’s rates for a bath. Though he knew it would be worth it to crawl directly into a bed with clean sheets and let the cold, harsh weather be a thing of the past, even if just for one night.

Even here in late April, the high temperature was only about forty-five degrees. Still, after spending two years on the river, through the two winters, it seemed like a heat wave to have the temperature this high. He could get by with a coat, scarf and hat. On his way to town, he’d put the scarf into his backpack. The exercise had kept him plenty warm.

All the mud in the street was another testament to the warm temperatures. The snow was melting and sending streams of water down the streets, which turned into deep mud.

He remembered Sadie saying she’d lost her shoe when she’d first arrived. After going through the winter alone, he realized how much he missed Barnaby and Sadie. Seth shook his head to rid it of the memories of his friends and cleared it for the night.

Maybe he would, just this once, splurge on the bath. After all, he could afford it.

He walked into the Westminster Hotel. Kitty was standing behind the tall desk talking to a woman with golden-brown hair. She had to be the prettiest little thing he’d ever seen.

“Hi, Kitty.” He approached the desk and removed his hat. Then he looked at the new woman. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. I’m Seth Kirby.” He held out a hand.

She didn’t take his hand, instead she tilted up her face and backed up a step. “Hi. I’m Belinda Haggerty, but Kitty calls me Belle.”

“Pleased to meet you, Belle.” Her violet eyes flashed, and he watched her color rise and tint her cheeks a lovely shade of pink.

“And I you, Seth.”

He lowered his hand and turned toward Kitty. “Do you have a room available? And I want a bath, too.”

“Well, Seth, let’s see.” She looked at the registration book on the desk. “You’re lucky. All fifteen rooms were full, but I had one gentleman recently check out. I have the room ready. Do you want your bath as soon as you can?”

“That would be great.” He turned his gaze toward Belle. “Have you had supper, Belle?”

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. “No, not yet.”

“Would you care to join me for a bite to eat, after I have a bath, of course?”

Belle, eyes wide, looked at Kitty.

Kitty motioned away with her hand. “Go ahead. It will do you good to not eat alone, besides you can get to know Seth.”

“I don’t know, I still have baking to do and?—”

He flashed her a smile, more anxious than he admitted even to himself. He’d been alone for too long and just wanted a little company and conversation. “It’s just a meal, Belle. I promise I don’t bite.”

Belle sighed, and her shoulders slumped. “Oh, all right. I have to finish my baking, though. It’s going to be at least forty-five minutes before I can go.”

“Perfect. That gives me time to bathe.”

“Very well, I’ll meet you back here then.” She turned and walked back down the hall on the left side of the lobby.

Seth tipped his hat and then turned to Kitty. “Can you have that bath sent up as soon as you can?”

“Sure thing, Seth.” Kitty batted her eyes at him.

Seth chuckled. “You know, flirting doesn’t work on me.”

Kitty sighed. “I know, but I have to try.” Then she laughed. “You might change your mind.”

“Not today.”

She handed him a key. “105. Down the hall.”

“Thanks.” He turned and headed down the hall to the right of the desk.

He set his backpack on the floor in the corner to the left of the bed, so it would be out of the way for the tub.

Five minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. A man stood in the hall carrying two buckets of steaming water. “We’re here with your bath, sir.”

Seth lifted a brow. “George, you know me. I’m not a, sir.”

“Fine. Seth, we’ve got your bath.”

Seth stepped back to let them into the room.

Five men entered. Four with buckets and one with a long metal tub. That was the nice thing about a bath at Kitty’s. She had long, soaking tubs. Although, he wouldn’t be soaking today. He needed to get cleaned up for dinner with Belle.

They filled the tub half full with the hot water from the buckets.

The tallest man stopped on his way out the door. “We’ll be back with some more hot and cold water.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Seth gave him a double eagle gold coin. “Please split it between you.”

The man nodded and grinned. “I will, sir, I mean, Seth. Thank you.”

The men came back with two more buckets of hot water and two buckets of cold, so he could adjust the temperature to suit him.

Seth wanted it as hot as he could take it to ease his sore muscles. He wanted to soak, but ended up taking a quick bath, and he shaved. For some reason he thought Belle might like him better if he was clean shaven. Thirty minutes later, he’d finished his bath, dressed and had just gotten done combing his hair. Time to head down to the front desk. He found Belle waiting for him.

Belle watchedhim approach with a feeling of dread and excitement. Kitty, Dolly, Sally and some of the other girls had told her about Seth Kirby. He was reputed to be a very rich man. As he approached, she saw his dark brown hair was clean and his beard was gone. When he was close, she noticed he had brown eyes the color of warm brandy. Thick black lashes surrounded them. Beautiful was the only way to describe them. He had beautiful eyes that she was afraid would see right through her. “I was afraid you weren’t going to show. It wouldn’t be the first time a man abandoned me.”

“I would never do that to you, Belle.”

She blushed, afraid she’d said too much. Yet not enough. “You look very nice without your beard.”

Seth smiled and held out his right arm. “Thank you. Shall we, my lady?”

Belle flinched and took a step back, before stepping forward again and placing her hand in the crook of his elbow. “We shall, kind sir.” She had to remember everything she’d heard about Seth Kirby was good. He was a nice man.

He escorted her into the crowded restaurant. Voices of talking and laughter reached her ears. The smell of frying meat and fresh bread assailed his nostrils, reminding him how hungry he was.

A blonde waitress approached them. “Hi Seth.” She smiled and winked at him. “Table for two?” She jutted her head to the right. “Over by the window. I’ll be there to take your order in a minute. Menu’s on the wall.” She pointed behind her.

“Thanks, Dolly.” Seth took Belle’s hand and led the way to the table. He held out a chair for her.

She sat.

He helped her scoot her chair in and then took his own seat.

Belle turned her gaze to his face. “Thank you, Seth. I wasn’t sure any gentlemen were up here. As a matter of fact, I was fairly certain in that belief.”

He shrugged. “A few of us still exist, even in this hellhole.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it.” She sat with her hands clasped on the table in front of her. “My late husband was as far from a gentleman as you can get. He was a monster, and he left me here because he didn’t want to share or perhaps, he just tired of me. Then went back to our claim and proceeded to get himself killed by a claim jumper.”

“I’m sorry.”

Considering they had just met, it would probably surprise him that she was talking to him about all of this, but he didn’t seem to care. He listened to her like he was like listening to the finest symphony, and he soaked it in.

“I’m not. He was a bastard.” She looked around her to see if anyone heard her and then softened her voice. “I’ll never forgive him for leaving me with no money and no way to make a living. If it hadn’t been for Kitty, I would have died because I would never have become a prostitute.” Did Dolly hear that? She hoped not. Dolly and the other women needed to make a living. She knew firsthand that few opportunities were open to women alone. Especially if they didn’t have the skills necessary for the jobs that were open to women. She needed to get back to civilization. But that took money. She didn’t want to go over the mountains again. That walk nearly killed her the first time, even without the beatings by Amos. And she knew the boats were expensive. She’d need at least $1,000 to $1500 because she would need money after she got to Seattle or San Francisco. She wasn’t sure where she wanted to go, but anywhere she went she would need money to live until she could find a position somewhere.

Dolly returned to the table. “What can I get you folks?”

“I recommend the chicken fried steak with the savory gravy. Despite being elk instead of beef, it’s quite tasty.” Belle, before looking up at the waitress. “That’s what I’m having, Dolly.”

“Got it. And for you, Seth?”

Seth smiled and turned to Dolly. “I’ll have the same.”

“Got it. Be back shortly with your meals.” The waitress turned and left.

“Now, back to you.” Seth reached over and placed his hand on top of one of Belle’s, where it rested on the table. “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. I would never have left you.”

She tilted her head and stared at him before pulling her hand back. “No, I don’t believe you would have.”

Dolly returned with their meals. She set them and half a loaf of bread on the table with a dish of butter.

Seth sniffed deeply, picking up the aroma of the fried steak and yeasty bread. He looked up, wide eyed, at Dolly. “Butter?”

The blonde grinned. “Just came in today. First time in forever. Everyone’s been having some and I know Belle was looking forward to the butter to go with her bread.”

“I have. Seth, please try the bread. It’s hard to get things to rise in this altitude, but I think it came out pretty good.”

He tore off a chunk of bread and spread butter over it. Then he took a bite, closed his eyes, chewing slowly, clearly savoring the flavor, before opening them again. “It’s like a bit of heaven.”

Belle’s face heated. “Thank you. I’m pleased you like it.”

Seth picked up his knife and fork, then cut off a piece of steak. “You don’t know it, but I’m an honorable man. I don’t give compliments lightly.”

“That’s good to hear.” She made a split-second decision. “Seth, I have a proposition for you.” She took a bite of the fried steak dipped it in the gravy. The meat was tender with just a hint of wild. Elk was perhaps the mildest of the deer family. Kitty made sure to get meat for the restaurant regularly. She employed hunters to supply her table. She occasionally got beef in the summer, but otherwise, all the meat she served was elk, deer and moose. Belle had learned to like the subtle flavor of the wild meat and was quite used to it now.

“What is this proposition you have?” He put a bite of the steak in his mouth.

Belle took a deep breath. “I want you to marry me...in name only, of course.”

Seth swallowed, coughed, and then cleared his throat. “You want to what?”

“I want to have a marriage, in name only, with you. I don’t think that’s too hard to understand.”

He was silent. Seth placed his knife and fork on his plate. He placed his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together.

Thoughtful.At least he seems to consider my request.

“I don’t think so.”

“But why? I wouldn’t have claim to anything you have if that is what you’re worried about. I have my claim up on the Klondike. If the claim jumper is gone.”

“I heard about the man killed just two claims down from mine. I wonder if that was your husband.”

“It’s possible, I suppose. I’ve only been to the claim once, and I didn’t pay much attention to what was around it. I was only there for one day before Amos brought me back here and left me. That would certainly be more convenient than if the claim was far away.”

“If I agree, I’d want an actual marriage, not a marriage of convenience. Are you prepared to have a proper husband?”

She thought about it. Seth was incredibly handsome and seemed to be a gentleman. Belle doubted he would force himself on her if she said no. “Agreed, but you have to give me some time to get to know you better.”

“How much time are we talking?” Seth took his last bite of the steak, then he dug into the mashed potatoes.

“Two months.” She wanted to give herself time to achieve two things: overcome the abuse and observe his daily routine. See how he acts and reacts to everything. She’d learn if he had a temper or not. And whether she could trust him with her safety.

He shook his head and then swallowed. “One week.”

Her jaw dropped. He can’t be serious. “That’s not nearly long enough. Six weeks.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Two weeks.”

She lifted her chin and tilted her head. “One month.”

“Three weeks and that’s my final offer.”

She huffed out a breath. “Fine. Three weeks.”

“But we’ll still sleep together. My friends left me their gold claim and their tent is much bigger and nicer than mine. They have it set up so they could sleep together. That’s where we’ll live.”

She didn’t want to agree, but above all, she was a practical woman and sleeping together would be warmer. Here in the hotel, she had a bed but not enough blankets to ever get really warm.

Belle looked forward to getting back to civilization. Seth said they would be going soon. She guessed she could wait for a bit longer. Though she didn’t want to wait, she decided getting a good man was more important and Seth seemed to be a good man. At least compared to the men she’d already met in her two weeks in town. And he would get her away from Ezra Fleming. That man scared her and she felt deep in her bones that he was a threat if she stayed.