A Chance to Love (Life's a Chance Book 3) Read online




  A Chance to Love

  Morgan Dawson

  This book is dedicated to all of the amazing new friends and people who have come in to my life this year! I couldn’t do this without you.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Adelia Mason wondered many things. She wondered why the sky was blue, and how many people around the world were wondering the same. She wondered whether it was best to live in the city, or the country or if life would be better as something else like a bird, or a wolf.

  Above all else, though, she wondered why she had been born, and what was wrong with her. And why she couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed or smiled.

  Or what life was like without pain.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed.”

  Adelia looked up at her older brother, or at least, she hoped he was. She couldn’t remember him from her short time living with her parents, and this was the first time in eighteen years she’d seen Timothy. However, after getting information from the orphanage she’d grown up in, and contacting some family, she was sure he was her real brother. His story lined up with her own, but she always found herself doubting things when everything was going to plan.

  “Yes, I was just thinking about doing the same.” She stood from the table and pushed the chair back under it.

  “All right, well good night.” Timothy had his head down as he walked in the direction of his room.

  Adelia waited until she heard his door shut before crossing the small room to the ladder that led to where she would be staying. She supposed it was the attic, but she didn’t mind. Timothy had offered to sleep up there instead and allow her to have the actual room, but Adelia had declined numerous times.

  He’d still seemed unhappy with the decision that she’d made, but she didn’t care. She had been in worse places before, and at least up there would be her own space.

  She didn’t want to be a burden to her brother. Not when he didn’t have any real reason to provide her with a roof over her head or feed her for the next little while until she could get on her feet. She didn’t want to owe anyone more than necessary in order to free herself of a life where she relied on others.

  Adelia didn’t know why or how Timothy had ended up in this tiny cabin in the middle of a field in Wyoming, but she imagined she’d someday find out.

  For now, all she knew was that she needed to find a job, make enough money to pay Timothy back for the train ticket, and a little extra to pay for the food she’d be eating. Then, she’d save money until she could afford to move into a little place of her own. She’d live out the rest of her life working hard, but she’d be free all the same. She even sometimes dared to hope she’d be happy in the future she daydreamed about, but she always pulled herself back to reality.

  Adelia Mason did not know happy, and she never would. She knew some people were just not meant to be happy. She didn’t even know quite what the word meant.

  Stop complaining. Adelia repeated those words over and over to herself. She shut her eyes firmly as she tried to find a comfortable spot on the hay mattress in the dark space around her, pulling the blanket up over her shoulders. Adelia hated when she complained.

  She always tried to tell herself that she could turn her life around, and things would be better, and that she deserved these things.

  However, there was a part of her which constantly played the words of Mrs. Hansen over and over in her mind. And she didn’t know how to make it stop. You’ll never be anything more than a kitchen maid, Adelia. You’re too plain, and no one will ever want you. You’ll never be anything more. You’ll never be anything more...

  The memory of the housekeeper’s words played over and over in Adelia’s mind until finally, sleep took its hold. Her dreams met her with open arms as the orphanage doors opened wide, and she was shoved back within the walls that had held her captive for so many years. The only sound was the cackling laugh of Mrs. Hansen as she held Adelia’s shoulders firmly and hissed into her ear, “I told you no one would want you, Adelia. Hurry on back to the kitchen, there are a lot of dishes piling up.”

  Chapter 2

  “Pa!”

  Nathaniel jumped as he turned to the door quickly, revealing his youngest daughter with a wide grin on her face.

  “Why aren’t you on your way to school?”

  “I forgot to give you a hug goodbye!”

  He smiled, shaking his head as Kate ran into his arms, and he planted a kiss on top of her head. “I’m glad you remembered. Now quick, run along, so you’re not late. Are Isabella and George waiting for you?”

  “Yes, Pa. See you after school.” Kate pulled away and skipped to the door that was left wide open.

  “Have a good day, dear.” Nathaniel smiled as Kate shut the door with a bang. When he was alone again, he yawned and reached for his now cold coffee.

  Sitting at the table, he allowed himself a long, slow sigh, as he felt his tense shoulders drop. It was just past eight in the morning and he was already exhausted. He loved his three children more than anything in the world but getting them all up and off to school without resistance was difficult.

  Raising three young children alone had been one of the hardest things Nathaniel had gone through. After his wife had passed away, he had wanted to crawl deep into the hole inside him and stay there, but for his children, he had forced himself to keep going.

  It had gotten easier as time had passed, but still, four years later, there were days where it still hurt.

  He knew Isabella would never leave his heart, and he always hoped he was raising the children in a way she would’ve been pleased with.

  Nathaniel hadn’t done it alone, though, as he knew without his younger brother and wife, things would be much harder. Matthew had helped him so much when Isabella had died. He’d dropped everything and moved in, and even though he now lived in his own home, he was still an ever-present help, and an important part of his children’s lives.

  Downing the last of his coffee, he stood, and set the empty cup in the basin. Grabbing his hat off the hook, he opened the door, where the cool spring air instantly greeted him.

  He had a lot to do today, but his first task was to go into town and pick up some wood he needed to repair the cultivator’s wheel. Planting had been going perfectly until yesterday, up until the rung had broken on the wheel. Nathaniel hadn’t been surprised. He’d been almost finished seeding, and it wouldn’t be farming without a setback of some sort.

  Out in the barn, he untied one of the horses from its stall but was startled by footsteps behind him.

  “Good morning, brother.”

  Nathaniel rolled his eyes, turning to briefly glare at his brother. “Stop calling m
e that.”

  “I think you meant, ‘good morning to you too, Matthew’.”

  “Sorry.” He smirked, as he backed the horse out. “Good morning, Matthew.”

  “That’s better. The children already off to school?”

  Nathaniel nodded. “Just left. I’m about to go into town if you need anything?”

  “No, I think we’re good, but I was hoping to borrow your hand saw. Mine broke, and I’m trying to finish the baby’s cradle.”

  “Don’t you work today?”

  Matthew shrugged. “I’m going to work on it when I get home from work, but you know what my memory is like. I knew I’d end up sitting down to finish it, and realize I’d forgotten to borrow it.”

  “Well, of course you can use it. You know where it is.” Nathaniel smiled lightly as Matthew nodded once and disappeared out the door. Sometimes he couldn’t believe Matthew was actually about to be a father.

  For the longest time, Nathaniel hadn’t even thought Matthew would marry, based on his opinions on marriage. But when Harriet had come into his life, everything had changed for him.

  Nathaniel was excited to be an uncle. It was time for him to give Matthew payback for all the trouble he’d caused his children to get in to by being the fun uncle. He looked up at the dark brown mare beside him and patted her neck before leading her outside to where the wagon sat ready for the team.

  He hoped he would be able to get the cultivator repaired today as he desperately wanted to finish planting, so he could go back to having more hours at the sawmill. Money had never come easy for him, and he just wanted for once, to have enough. It’s what he had worked so hard for when he’d first married Isabella. He’d wanted to be able to provide everything she’d desired in life, but he’d failed.

  Now he needed to provide everything his children wanted, but still, that wasn’t working out. He prayed the crops would be profitable this year, and the weather would cooperate, but Nathaniel had learned early on to not count on such things.

  Chapter 3

  “How far of a walk is it to the nearest town?” Adelia asked, looking up from her plate.

  “Burchcreek is the nearest town, and it’s about a fifteen-minute walk. I can drive you in, though, today if you like.”

  She nodded. “Thank you, I would appreciate that. Once I know the way, I can walk there myself.”

  “I don’t mind giving you a ride. I usually go to town in the morning anyway.”

  “You’ve already done more than enough to help me, Timothy, but thank you.” Adelia looked back down to her half-eaten plate and frowned.

  She wasn’t sure this town would have work for her, but she knew she had to find a job somewhere. She had to do something. She’d come all this way and had risked everything to try to create some type of life for herself. She couldn’t fail now. There was no room for her to fail.

  After finishing the rest of breakfast in silence, Adelia stood and carried her dishes to the wash basin and returned to collect Timothy’s.

  “You don’t mind doing the dishes?” he asked, standing up.

  “It’s no problem.”

  “All right…” he dragged out the word, looking to the door, then back to her. “I guess I’ll go out and get the team ready. Just come outside when you’re done?”

  She nodded and waited by the basin until he’d left the house. Once he was gone, she let out a long breath and looked to the pile of dishes that awaited her.

  The ride to town had been a bumpy, and dusty one, and by the time the small community had come into view, Adelia was quite ready to get down from the wagon. No words had been spoken the entire way, and when they slowly rolled to a stop, Adelia instantly climbed down as gracefully as she could.

  She noticed Timothy frown as he climbed down after her, but she wasn’t sure why he had done so.

  “Just meet me back here whenever you finish. No hurry.”

  Adelia gave him a small smile but shook her head. “No need. I can walk back now that I know the way. I don’t want to keep you.”

  “Adelia…”

  “No, it’s all right. Don’t worry about me.”

  “You might get lost. It may have seemed simple, but a lot of areas look much the same and—”

  Adelia shook her head, giving him a smile. “I can manage on my own.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, but thank you. I’ll see you back at your house later. I can make lunch if you like?”

  Timothy shrugged. “If you want to. I’m going to be repairing a fence this morning by the barn, so I’ll come in around twelve.”

  Adelia nodded. “All right, well, thank you for the ride.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She turned away from her brother and focused on the town around her. It wasn’t anything like how she’d been picturing it in her head. She’d heard it was a small town, but had never seen somewhere this small before.

  She knew she didn’t have much to compare it to, though, as she’d never left Richmond before.

  She just hoped there would be work for her here, because where else would she go?

  The first building she saw was a white, two story clapboard with a sign on the front marking it as the post office. And so, with a deep breath, she took the first step in the direction of what she hoped would lead her the right way.

  When Adelia reached the door and raised her hand to knock, she realized it would be odd to do that. Feeling her face heat up, she gripped the door handle and pulled the door open. Inside, she found a small room with a set of stairs in the back corner, and a desk with a woman sitting behind it.

  “Good morning, what can I do for you today?” The woman gave her a cheerful smile, the sides of her eyes crinkling slightly as she did.

  “Good morning, my name is Adelia Mason, and I was just wondering if there were any jobs available here?”

  “I’m Miss Charlotte, it’s nice to meet you. Would you happen to be in relation to Mr. Timothy Mason?”

  She nodded, scratching the back of her neck nervously. “Yes, he’s my older brother.”

  “Ah well, how lovely! I didn’t know he had a sister. Now, as for the job, I’d love to have someone else working here, however, there’s just not enough work to occupy two people.”

  “I understand, thank you anyway.”

  “You might try the mercantile? Mr. Ryson might be looking for extra help around there.”

  “Thank you for your help, it was nice meeting you.”

  “You, also.” Miss Charlotte gave a small wave, before Adelia turned back in the direction of the door and made her way outside.

  She wasn’t too sure where the mercantile was, but she was determined to find work before heading back to her brother’s house. She stopped at the edge of the porch and looked around until she eventually saw the mercantile sign.

  Adelia hoped she wouldn’t have to visit very many places, but it would still be nice to get to know the townspeople a bit.

  Biting her bottom lip, and furrowing her eyebrows, she set off in the direction of the mercantile.

  Chapter 4

  Nathaniel smiled as Kate rested her head on his arm, and he looked down at her before kissing the top of her head.

  “Church was lovely today, wasn’t it, Pa?”

  He nodded. “It sure was.”

  “Will Gracie be coming to the picnic today?”

  “Well, I’m not sure, but I think so. Her family usually comes. I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”

  Nathaniel looked up as Harriet handed him a plate with a few slices of cheese, some berries, and a couple of pieces of fried chicken. “Thank you.”

  He set the plate on his lap and glanced up to where Mr. and Mrs. Colbert were now approaching.

  “Oh, Harriet, do let me finish that for you!” Mrs. Colbert quickly crouched down beside her friend and reached to take the plates from Harriet.

  “Thank you, Myra, but there’s really no need. I’m perfectly capable.”

  Mrs. Colbert s
hook her head. “I insist. You just sit down and relax.”

  “See, Harriet, I’m not the only one who wants you to take it easy.” Matthew frowned, reaching to take his wife’s hand as she struggled to stand up.

  Nathaniel chuckled to himself as he put a few berries in his mouth. He could remember when Isabella had been pregnant and had been the same way. She was always insisting she could still do all the work she’d done before, and it had been exhausting for him to try to reason with her.

  “Hello, Kate!”

  Nathaniel smiled as Gracie Rogers knelt down beside Kate.

  “Gracie! I’m so glad you came. Once we finish eating, we should go throw rocks in the creek.”

  “All right, I’ve been practicing with Uncle, and I think I’ll be able to throw mine farther than yours today.”

  Nathaniel nodded to Mr. Rogers as he stood nearby, his hands in his pockets, Mrs. Rogers holding onto his arm.

  “Good day, Mr. Anderson, how are you?”

  “I’m very well, thank you. I hope you’re well also?”

  Mr. Anderson nodded. “Yes, the paper’s been quite busy this past week, though, so I’m glad to have today to rest.”

  “It’s good to hear your work is keeping you busy.”

  Nathaniel returned his focus to his food, and soon enough the meal was finished. His children and Gracie had long ago left to play by the creek, and only the adults remained.

  Sundays were always Nathaniel’s favorite day of the week because it was when he got to catch up with all of his friends and take the day to rest before work resumed. Today’s service, and picnic had been no different and as he looked at the group of people around him, he couldn’t help but smile. He was so grateful for all the family and friends he had, and he didn’t know what he’d do without them.