Mollie Campbell - Orphan Train Sweetheart

Finding a Frontier Family

Spring Hill is the orphan train’s last stop—a final chance for Simon McKay to find homes for his young charges. When his fellow placing agent quits, Simon enlists help from the frontier town’s pretty schoolteacher. Cecilia Holbrook is as intriguing as she is independent, yet Simon’s devotion to his mission will soon call him back to New York.

Long overshadowed by her flirtatious sister, Cecilia is done with waiting for a man to choose her. She’s already fighting the school board to keep her position. Now she’s struggling not to lose her heart to Simon. Could their shared concern for the children show them how to follow a new dream, together?

After earning a degree in business and jumping from job to job, MOLLIE CAMPBELL was more than a little surprised—and pleased—to find that writing was the perfect fit. A lifelong Midwestern girl, she currently lives in Indiana with her husband, two young kids and a rather energetic beagle. When she’s not writing or reading, she loves watching superhero shows with her husband and collecting antiques.

Also By Mollie Campbell

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Orphan Train Sweetheart

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Orphan Train Sweetheart

Mollie Campbell

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08445-1

ORPHAN TRAIN SWEETHEART

© 2018 Abigail Downey

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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“How fast do you suppose we’ll fit in the rest of the visits?”

“I’d say a week or two. It depends on how much time your schedule permits.”

Cecilia tried to ignore the way her heart leaped at the thought of the time they would spend together. “Helping you make sure the children are all safe and happy is a priority.”

With his eyes glued straight ahead, Simon pulled the reins to slow the horse. “Do I get the chance to take you home this time, or should we part ways here?”

“I hope you can forgive me for that, Simon. I overreacted and I’m sorry. I would appreciate it if you would drive me home.”

He turned then, his eyes searching her face. As much as she should, Cecilia refused to break the intense stare. But she soon found herself falling into the pale blue depths, imagining that warm, even romantic feelings were hidden in them. She had to look away. Her fickle heart was running wild without reason. And that would lead only to pain.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed Cecilia’s story. Of all the Holbrook sisters, her struggles are closest to my own, so writing about her journey was a challenge! I pray that the things she and Simon learned are an encouragement to you like they have been to me.

I’ve had a fascination with the orphan train for a long time, so getting to write this story was a thrill for me. Starting in 1854, thousands of children were “placed out” to foster families through the orphan train. It wasn’t a perfect system, but it offered a solution for many children who were alone on the streets. It was fun to take real accounts of children who rode the orphan train and work them into Cecilia and Simon’s story.

Thank you for reading! You can find me on Facebook as Mollie Campbelland on Twitter as @MollieACampbell.

Mollie Campbell

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise Him.

—Psalms 28:7

To Mom and Dad, with thanks for your endless support, constant faith, unshakable love and all those hours spent with the kids so I could write. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

September 1860 Spring Hill, Nebraska Territory

“They aren’t here yet?” Cecilia Holbrook turned from scanning the horizon at the sound of her sister’s voice. She moved over so Cat could join her under the shelter of the hotel roof, both of them shivering when several errant drops of rain hit their heads. Cat dabbed her damp face with a handkerchief. “Those poor children will get soaked if they don’t make it soon.”

Cecilia’s eyes swept the rolling hills past the edge of town again. “I expect them to arrive any minute.”

Cat bounced on her toes as if it would bring their visitors faster. “Is everything ready? With all you had to do these last few weeks, I can’t imagine any item could remain undone.”

Stifling the urge to roll her eyes, Cecilia brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. “Yes, everything is ready. The hotel rooms are paid for and waiting. The donated clothes are all clean and placed on their beds. The food Aunt Lily sent over for supper is in their rooms.” Cecilia could have listed what felt like a hundred other details, all things the town expected her to handle. As the schoolteacher, they expected her to be in charge of everything that happened in town regarding children. Even if they were capable of doing it themselves.