Description
Lucy Manetti is positively euphoric over her recent purchase of an old ghost town. Unfortunately, she failed to consult with her wife, Bea, before buying the abandoned village. Predictably, Bea is not as enamored with transforming the ghost town into a sapphic retirement community, but Bea’s love for her wife trumps her displeasure over Lucy’s impulsiveness. The mature couple hires Fiona, an expert at restoring old houses, and Saville, a certified electrician, to bring the ghost town back to its glory days.
According to the adorable real estate agent who recommended the pair, Fiona and Saville have history. Lucy detects a spark between the two young women and decides, against the advice of her wife, to play matchmaker, bringing her beautiful niece into the mix. As the ragtag team begins their work on the old saloon, they discover a lot more than they bargained for, including ghosts, long-buried secrets, an abused golden retriever, and maybe even love.
Chapter 1
Prologue
Georgia crouched and hid behind the stairs as she listened to her parents talk about Horace Allen’s desire to take Georgia for his wife. With his wife passing away so suddenly, Horace needed someone to care for his brood. Georgia knew if her father agreed, her life would be nothing but misery. Surely the rumors about Horace’s viciousness would keep her from a fate Georgia felt would be worse than death. Horace had already worked two previous wives to death. Georgia did not wish to be the third.
“Georgia will not get many offers. She is my daughter, but her face is not fair and delicate like Mary’s. Horace recognizes her value and believes she will make a good wife. Be reasonable, Clara. We cannot allow her to remain here. There is barely enough for us without another mouth to feed. At least Mary is already attracting suitors, unlike Georgia.”
Every word out of her father’s booming voice was like a knife to her heart.
“Samuel, please, Horace is cruel. He is no better than a slave owner in the manner in which he has treated his wives. Can we not wait another year? Then, perhaps she will attract the attention of another widower who will treat her more kindly,” Clara answered. “Georgia is strong. She can help you in the fields.”
“No, Clara, if I put Georgia to work in the fields, she will insist on wearing my breeches. I’ve already caught her prancing around like a dandy man. She isn’t right. Best to marry her off and stop the rumors,” Samuel insisted.
While Samuel was not an unkind man, he was pragmatic. Girls weren’t useful on the farm. As soon as one of his daughters turned sixteen, her father actively sought a suitable husband. Despite her mother’s objections, Georgia knew her father had already decided. If only she had been born a boy. Georgia quickly developed a plan. She would not burden her family, but marrying Horace was out of the question. Wagon trains were still leaving for the west, and Georgia would be on the next one. Young single men could easily find work. She slipped from her hiding place to find a razor or scissors. A bubble of excitement burst forth as she envisioned shearing off her long hair and donning a pair of her father’s britches. Someday, she would buy herself a fine suit, but for now, her father’s clothes would have to suffice. There were worse things than never marrying.
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