By Caroline Clemmons
Brrrr. I've brought out the sweaters and sweatshirts, because winter is definitely here. I was thinking how
grateful I am for our furnace and the thermostat to control it. That reminded me
that in the time period I write most often, people were not so lucky. I suppose
those who used coal were more fortunate than those who had to chop wood. But
coal wasn’t always available. When I wrote O’NEILL’S
TEXAS BRIDE, I learned facts about coal mining’s history in Texas and
elsewhere.
Finn O’Neill is an honorable man who has spent his
life trapped by circumstances beyond his control. Through his sister’s marriage
to Dallas McClintock in THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, Finn and his family finally
experience good fortune. Finn dreams of
a life in partnership with Dallas raising horses. To achieve the dream, he must
purchase land. Problem is, he has no money other than the generous salary paid
him by his brother-in-law.
Stella Grace Clayton is a loving daughter and school
teacher also trapped in a life she hates. No, she doesn’t hate teaching, just
that her family lives in a coal town. Knowing her father won’t live a full life
as a coal miner, she dreams of a better life for her and for her family. What’s
more, she’s determined her younger brother will not be forced into that life.
Nor does she want her sister or herself faced with only miners from which to
choose a husband—but so far mine workers are the only men they meet.
How
do two people from two diverse backgrounds meet? Thank you for asking. ☺
Here’s the blurb for this romantic mystery:
Finn O’Neill longs for his own ranch, his own
horses, his own home and family but thought the lofty dream beyond him. Now the
opportunity has arisen but to achieve his dream, he bargains with Grandpa
McClintock and his nephew to pose as a miner and seek out the person or persons
causing disasters at the Farland Coal Mine.
Stella Clayton has witnessed the heartbreak and
tragedy of a coal miner’s life. Her family came from England to the promise of
a better life only to find the same hardships. She is determined that her young
brother will never follow in their father’s footsteps. And she vows she will
never marry a man who engaged in that work. She fights to resist charms of the
handsome Irishman who’s recently come to work in Lignite, Texas.
When Finn arrives in Lignite, he immediately falls
for the beautiful schoolteacher, Stella Clayton. But her father is one of the
men suspected of causing destruction. What Finn discovers soon puts him and
members of the Clayton family in peril. Can
he salvage his dream, fulfill his promise, and protect the woman he loves and
her family?
O’NEILL’S
TEXAS BRIDE is available in e-book and print at https://www.amazon.com/ONeills-Texas-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B00XM684LQ/
It’s free at Kindle Unlimited.
And
here’s an excerpt as Finn and the men on his team are leaving the mine:
Aleski clapped Finn on the back. “You
still unwilling to play cards with me?”
“Right you are. Mining is the only
stupid thing I do.”
Aleski laughed, as did the other three.
Jose Garza said, “You’re a smart man,
O’Neill. The Pole, he will take your money if you let him.”
Aleski said, “Aw, it’s only the scrip.
Worthless anyway.”
Ulys Young nudged Aleski. “Not as much
as you have. Most of us have lost a part of our pay to you at one time or
another.”
Aleski frowned. “You saying I cheat?”
Ulys held out a hand to signal protest.
“As good a player as you has no need.”
The Pole’s frown disappeared. “This is
what I always say. Everyone is good at something. I’m good at cards. They speak
to me.”
“Talking cards? What do they say?” Finn
asked with a smile.
“You know that is not what I meant, but
they do say ‘there is the ace’ or ‘that man has the king.’ Then I know how to
manage my cards.”
“Sure and I’ve known others with that
ability, but I don’t have it meself.” Finn wasn’t convinced Aleski didn’t
cheat. He won too often for the odds. Still, he might really be smart enough to
keep track of the cards played and figure out who had what left in his hand.
Was he also clever enough to stage “accidents” without detection?
Council, Ivan, and Ulys [the married
men] split off and walked toward the houses while Jose, Aleski, and Finn
[single men] headed for the longhouse.
“I play the Solitaire,” Jose said. “Then
even when I lose, I keep my pay.”
“Smart.” Finn said. “By now I’m so tired
my brain is mush. Think I’ll take a walk after supper and then turn in.”
They reached the metal tubs and pump for
washing up before they went inside to dine.
“Sí, tonight I am especially tired. I
tried to keep up with you and Señor Clayton. You two will kill me, but we are
sure to win the bonus this month.”
“More scrip to waste at the store.” Finn
filled his plate with watery stew and took a chunk of thick bread.
Jose stayed beside him. “No, didn’t you
know the bonus is real money? If we win, I will give a part of my salary to the
boy who fell and broke his leg. He will be far behind by the time he can work
again.”
Finn couldn’t hide his surprise. “Surely
Farland will pay for all his care since he works and lives here.”
Aleski laughed as they found seats at
the long table. “Are you crazy? Farland will charge him for his stay at the
hospital, the doctor’s fees, nursing fee, and every meal he eats. He’ll never
get it all repaid.”
Anger shot through Finn. “That’s
downright underhanded and makes me plenty mad. I’ll donate some o’ my pay also.
And we will win the bonus.”
The Pole nodded and forked up a bite of
potato. “I believe so. I’ll keep any cash but I’ll donate my other winnings.
After all, some belonged to the boy before he fell.”
“That’s good o’ you both. Mayhap I’ll
take up a collection among the single men. Those who are married need every
piece o’ worthless pay they can get.”
Stay safe and keep reading!
