Romancing the Wilderness: American Wilderness Series Boxed Bundle Books 1 - 3 Read online

  Contents

  Titles By Dorothy Wiley

  Praise For Dorothy Wiley’s Books

  Wilderness Trail of Love

  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

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Epilogue

  New Frontier of Love

  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

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Whispering Hills of Love

  Prologue

  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

  About the Author

  Also by Dorothy Wiley

  Romancing the Wilderness

  The American Wilderness Series, Books 1-3

  Wilderness Trail of Love

  New Frontier of Love

  Whispering Hills of Love

  Box Set Copyright © 2020 Dorothy Wiley

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

  To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author via her website.

  Box Set Cover Design & Interior Format by Killion Publishing

  Author website: www.dorothywiley.com

  This Series is a work of fiction and is not presented as a precise account, but rather as a fictional novel inspired by history. Except for historically prominent personages, the characters are fictional and the names, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Each book in the series can be read independently.

  For the sake of understanding, the author used language for her characters for the modern reader rather than strictly reflecting the far more formal speech and writing patterns of the 18th century.

  Titles By Dorothy Wiley

  WILDERNESS TRAIL OF LOVE

  NEW FRONTIER OF LOVE

  WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE

  FRONTIER HIGHLANDER VOW OF LOVE

  FRONTIER GIFT OF LOVE

  THE BEAUTY OF LOVE

  * * *

  LOVE’S NEW BEGINNING

  LOVE’S SUNRISE

  LOVE’S GLORY

  LOVE’S WHISPER

  * * *

  RED RIVER RIFLES

  LAND OF STARS

  BUCKSKIN ANGEL

  Praise For Dorothy Wiley’s Books

  “My favorite author. Her writing is pure gold.”

  – P. McGinnity

  “Beautifully researched and meticulously crafted.”

  – A. Hughes

  “Ms. Wiley is a genius! Best wilderness series, ever!!!

  – 4hjunkie

  “I read every one and started over!”

  – J. Goss

  “They are the best books. Read them all and cannot wait for the new one!”

  – B.W. Davis

  “My favorite author! Anxiously awaiting the next one!”

  – G.M.P. Lewis

  “Wiley is a fabulous author in my opinion. I highly recommend her. Truly a marvelous writer. I am hooked on these!!”

  – S. Wolfe

  “I am a huge fan of Wiley’s books! Dorothy is a brilliant historical romance writer! 5 stars all the way!!”

  – L. Ratterman

  “Your books are right up on my all-time favorites like ‘Outlander’ by Diana Gabaldon.”

  – R.D. Huffine

  “They are so good! So well researched and well written with passion and heart.”

  – J.D.H. Green

  “I have purchased all the Wyllie books. I am on my second time reading now. I love this entire series. It’s just my most favorite EVER!”

  – D. M. Christensen

  “Dorothy is an incredible storyteller!”

  – C. Nipper

  “My most cherished author. Her historical research and great storytelling are unmatched!”

  – R. Ryder

  “There are a lot of writers out there, but few great ones like Ms. Wiley. Never turn down a chance to read a book by Dorothy.”

  – A. Foster

  “Every Dorothy M. Wiley book is better than the last! This one needs 6 stars!

  – G. Lewis

  “I read a lot. Rarely have I read an author I liked as much. Please don’t ever stop writing!”

  – D. Harper

  “I’ve been reading many books but none compares to Wiley’s—still my favorite author!

  – K. Smith

  “I love your books and read them every day. I want more!!!! You are a favorite author.”

  – J. Bainter

  “Historical romance writing that is unmatched.”

  – L.A. Smith

  “A wonderfully written historical novel set during the settling of the west by a very favorite author.”

  – J. Weiss

  “Doroth
y Wiley writes engaging characters and paints vivid word pictures in tales of romance and adventure. Treat yourself to love and excitement by reading one of her books.”

  – Caroline Clemmons, Bestselling Western Romance Author

  “An extremely beautiful well-written novel. This is not just romance; it’s romance you can sink your teeth into. The details and accurate history made me feel as though I was part of the story. It’s an entertaining book that was hard to put down.”

  – Kathleen Ball, bestselling and award-winning author of western romance

  To “My Hero” whose courageous ancestors

  inspired this novel.

  Chapter 1

  New Hampshire, Spring 1797

  Yes, it would be dangerous, maybe even deadly.

  But at least he could live his life as God intended and build a better future for his family. Wouldn’t it be far worse to hide from life—to end it doing nothing significant? To choose only what you will not do.

  It isn’t death that a man should fear. It’s never living.

  Nearly dark, Stephen Wyllie watched the boldest of the evening’s stars push their way through the regal purple of a cloudless sky. He resisted the urge to race home. He needed to think. Sometimes it was just easier to think clearly on the back of a horse. Could ‘two minds are better than one’ include a horse? Perhaps with a trusted steed like George it could. The black stallion was by far the best mount he had ever thrown his leg over—tall, strong, and even-tempered.

  Passing dense stands of timber, he stared west toward the rugged darkening mountains. “It’s time to see the world beyond those peaks, George.”

  He had just confided in his four brothers telling them what he had not discussed with anyone else, even Jane. Going west. Folly or glory? For months, his mind had spun the question around again and again—like some sort of top inside his head. But now he had his answer.

  He wanted to move his family to Kentucky.

  It didn’t surprise him that his middle brother Edward had mocked the idea. The man didn’t have an adventurous bone in his body. Stephen had laid his heart on the line only to be met with extreme negativity. It caused his temper to flare. This was a difficult enough decision without Edward making it more so. His cynical middle brother had snickered at the idea of going to Kentucky and predicted that their heads would be swinging from some savage’s hand like Daniel Boone’s decapitated brother.

  But his other three brothers supported the idea. In fact, Sam’s feet were already itching to go. And John and William both wanted to leave New Hampshire for their own reasons.

  Going west would be a chance to test himself—to see just what he was capable of facing. He welcomed the idea. The frontier would pit him and his brothers against countless dangers—mile upon mile of wilderness, the worst elements, vicious beasts, and savage men—all trying to steal their lives. They would leave civilization behind. Their lives would be in their own hands. The lives of his beloved wife Jane and four young daughters would be in his hands. The thought nearly stopped his heart. Could he keep them safe?

  He could and he would. He had to.

  He patted George’s neck, wanting to share his excitement with someone, even if it could only be his horse. The prospect of land opportunities that would enable him to raise fine horses and cattle made his spirit soar. For the first time, he believed he might be able to go where his dreams had already taken him.

  He swallowed the growing lump in his throat, realizing just how much this meant to him.

  Pastureland in New Hampshire and the rest of the colonies was hard to come by and expensive. And, damn it, he paid taxes on almost everything, even his horse. And the amount collected rose every year without fail.

  Granite mountains and hills, abundant forests of pine, spruce and hardwood, and numerous sparkling streams and silver rivers made the state picturesque but discouraging for men who needed acreage for their livelihood. But the new frontier offered the colonists plentiful and rich grasslands. The only rub was getting there…well maybe not the only obstacle. He pressed his lips together and then wiped his grimaced brow.

  What about Jane? Would she be willing to leave their cozy home? Most men did not overly concern themselves with what the women of their homes wanted. He didn’t think that way.

  He needed Jane to share his dream.

  He took a deep breath of the cool earthy evening air. How could he make her understand? Heaven knows she could be beyond obstinate and would not hesitate to challenge him. She’d be apprehensive about the girls and their welfare. He didn’t blame her. His stomach knotted with concern for his daughters’ safety as well.

  But his oldest brother Sam had often said that danger has a way of finding us no matter our place. A former Captain in the Revolutionary War, danger had been, and often still was, a persistent part of Sam’s life. He never hesitated to face danger. Just that evening, Sam told their brother Edward that we can’t float through life in pampered safety.

  He agreed. But would Jane? He didn’t want to even bring up the idea of moving until he felt certain it was the right thing to do. That’s why he sought out the counsel of his four older brothers first. If he couldn’t convince them, he didn’t stand a chance of getting Jane to agree. She could be more hardheaded than all four put together.

  One of the most beautiful women in New Hampshire, in his opinion, he never tired of telling his wife just that. She would laugh and say he only said that because New Hampshire was such a small state. Her Scots parentage gave her eyes as green as new spring leaves on Hickory trees and an abundance of lustrous red curls that he loved to weave his fingers through as he kissed her. Jane’s creamy complexion nearly glowed, unmarred except by the beginnings of well-earned laugh lines on either side of her luscious lips.

  George lifted his head, then picked up his trot. Stephen chuckled. His farm lay just over the next hill and the anticipation of feed propelled the always hungry horse forward.

  He soon stepped off the stirrup and led George toward the stable, all the while studying the full moon glowing through huge maple trees. Sam once said that Algonquian speaking tribes had a special name for each full moon. What was this one? Full Hunger Moon maybe, because food was so scarce by the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Winter food stores would be long gone, and it was time to plant new crops.

  Jane’s mare whinnied a welcome to George, returning his thoughts to his wife. An excellent horsewoman, she insisted on having her own mount, not content to be limited to a wagon or buggy like most local women. It was just one of the many things he loved about her. She certainly wasn’t a coddled fragile woman, like some he’d known. When they first met, her indomitable spirit had impressed him. Maybe that same temerity would make her want to go west as well. Or, maybe it wouldn’t. He frowned. It chafed him to admit that he couldn’t predict her reaction and realized that was the reason he hadn’t yet told her of his plan. But he would soon. He just had to find the right time.

  He unsaddled George and scooped his feed into a wooden bucket. Chomping down on the grain, the horse gave a contented snort and relaxed his ears, a sign of his gratitude. “You’re welcome,” Stephen said. He stroked his steed’s long muscular neck, warm and moist from their ride.

  As he proceeded toward his home, well lit with candles and firelight, the familiar mellow smell of smoke wafting from the chimney reminded him how much his family loved their comfortable house. The small two-story red brick dwelling, built with the help of his brothers and neighbors, rose above him like a welcoming sanctuary. Jane would have their daughters upstairs tucked into their beds and covered with colorful quilts, embroidered by both grandmothers, keeping the early spring evening chill away.

  Each of the four girls held a distinct place in his heart. With the birth of each one, his heart seemed to grow. He wanted to give them the best in life. He could do that with more land.

  But if he asked Jane to leave this fine home, would he regret it? Would she regret it? That would be w
orse. He could live with his own disappointments, but not hers. Yet, the thought of struggling to squeeze enough income for his family out of his meager farm made his heart clench, and his stomach sour. He couldn’t provide for them as he should here. He had to make a change.

  How was he going to tell her?

  Jane came up the path to greet him. Her warm smile and twinkling eyes bridged the distance between them like a thousand words could not. As she met him, she slid her arms under his cloak and hugged his waist. The gesture of affection sent a warm pulse through him.