Florence Read online

  Florence

  Bridgette’s Bridal Registry

  Book 2

  By

  Patricia PacJac Carroll

  ~~~

  Florence Book 2 of Bridgette’s Bridal Registry

  Copyright © January 2020

  Published by Patricia PacJac Carroll

  ALL rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, (except for inclusion in reviews), disseminated or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or audio. Including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, or the Internet/World Wide Web without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

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  Brigette’s Bridal Registry ~ Series of Second Chances and Mail-Order Brides.

  Jericho is book 1 in the new series.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XDC1DX8/

  Jericho ~ A stained woman, trying to find her wings. A reformed outlaw trying to make his second chance a reality. Together, can they forget the past and forge a future together?

  https://www.amazon.com//dp/B082S7WYJT

  Florence ~ She wasn’t going to be a spinster. Enlisting, as a mail-order bride, was her only chance at getting a family of her own. Jay had never been responsible, but after getting a second chance at life and seeing Florence, he went wholeheartedly after making a go at a decent life. There was just so much to do, and that list in his pocket was growing by the day. And then there was the moose in the kitchen and four orphans.

  A gentle, sweet romance set in 1880s Montana.

  Hannah ~ She escapes an arranged marriage to French aristocracy by signing up as one of Bridgette’s mail-order brides. On the run from her father’s detectives, she is confident that she can handle any man, and if Hannah doesn’t like the groom, she’ll decline the marriage.

  Chad is free from jail and has no desire to shackle himself to some woman, but then it is one of the demands in the agreement Bridgette had him sign.

  Get ready for a wild ride with these two. A clean and wholesome Happily-ever-after.

  Evalyn ~ She’s full of life and goodness, but where is her groom?

  Bridgette’s Bridal Registry is a spinoff of the Montana Brides of Solomon’s Valley. You can find them here > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQBCLXK

  Table of 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

  Epilogue

  Florence

  Bridgette’s Bridal Registry

  Book 2

  Chapter 1

  Florence Winwood spent her life putting everything in its proper place. She had a plan for every day and a life of order. Except for one thing. She wasn’t married. Her idea was to have been married by seventeen and have her seven children before thirty.

  She stared at the mirror. She didn’t have a clue as to why such a failure in her plans could have occurred. She was pretty. Florence cocked her head. “Prettier than most, if I do say so myself.”

  Yet the fact remained that at the ripe age of twenty-five, she was without a husband or even the prospect of one. Drastic measures needed to be taken.

  She’d had a few interested suitors, but for some reason or another either she found them lacking, or they moved on. Well, they had missed out on having the perfect wife. Yes, if she had to advertise herself in the paper, that would be her headline.

  She could cook, sew, manage a budget, keep a very clean home, and of course, she was pretty. Everything a man could want.

  She turned from the mirror, and her gaze fell on the telegram from Bridgette’s Bridal Registry. For a moment, Florence’s courage stumbled, but then she recovered and stared out the window.

  Soon, she would have a husband. Bridgette Merritt, the matchmaker, had found her qualifications most excellent and had written to say she had a man for her in, of all places, Shirleyville, Montana.

  As if reading her mind, the train whistle announced its arrival into Billings, Montana. Florence had to think that it was rather remarkable that Bridgette’s advertisement had made its way to the newspaper in Blair, Minnesota.

  “Providence. That’s what it was.” She grinned at the mirror and grabbed her shawl and reticule. “Time to meet my husband.” She made her way to the depot to begin the last part of her journey.

  Florence had no intention of following in her Aunt Susie’s footsteps who had settled for the spinster life and taken care of her Uncle Bartholomew’s family for forty years.

  No, that was not going to happen to her. Already, as the oldest of ten, Florence had taken care of her siblings and seen three younger sisters married. It was time for her to move on and find a husband.

  This seemed to be the route for her. Florence had wanted to find a man in her hometown. But for whatever reason, it had not happened. Desperate to begin her own life and not become an extension of someone else’s, Florence had answered the advertisement in the paper for Bridgette’s Bridal Registry.

  Florence could only hope that Bridgette had picked a good husband for her. Florence had standards. She was no loafer and certainly didn’t want to marry one. Waiting to board the train, she let her imagination run with what she hoped her husband would be like.

  Of course, a handsome man, and one that commanded attention from those around him. He would be educated, wise, and a man of means. A pillar in the community. Together they would raise well-behaved children and take their place in town. Her husband might run for mayor. Yes, that would do well for her family.

  The conductor called, “All aboard.”

  Florence stopped the daydreaming. After all, dreaming was for those who couldn’t. That’s what Father had always said. And Florence, who had adored him, had taken him at his every word.

  “Well, Father. Since the husband wouldn’t come to me, I will go to him. I do hope you would approve.” She looked up to the heavens and hoped he was watching. With her head held high, Florence boarded the train, sure that she was doing what needed to be done, and that the outcome would be just as she planned.

  ***

  Jay Selmer fidgeted in front of his brother’s carpentry shop. Del had told him to meet him early this morning so they could get the sawmill started. While anxious to get his business going, Jay had wanted more time to enjoy his freedom.

  Being locked up for a little more than a year in the prison in Cheyenne had driven him near crazy. He didn’t even like staying inside, and since arriving in Shirleyville, he’d been living in an abandoned house that was only partly finished.

  It was a large house, or at least the previous owner had planned on it being large. So far, the owner had built the shell and covered in only one room, but Jay didn’t care. It suited him. He loved sleeping in the unfinished part and looking up at the stars. His time in prison had kept the stars from him. Never again. The prison walls had closed in around him, making him feel as if h
e were already dead and in a grave.

  He could only hope that this mail-order bride Bridgette had ordered for him enjoyed the outdoors. Jay had told the matchmaker that he wasn’t ready for a bride yet, but his brother and even the warden had encouraged him that it was necessary to stay out of trouble.

  His brother was now happily married, and his business was steady. Del and Jericho were in love. Anyone could see that. Jay was happy for them, but he and his brother had always been opposites. Del was a hard worker, while Jay had enjoyed a day of fishing.

  But the fear of going back to prison forced Jay to take the advice of others. Then again, the only thing he feared worse than prison was the ire of Bridgette. She was determined that her Bounty Brigade men would be respectable citizens, and he wasn’t about to cross her.

  The woman was a whirlwind in her own right. Yet smart and respected by all. Even the fiercest outlaws knew of her. She had a reputation in the badlands, and the gangs had declared her ranch off-limits for rustling as they were afraid she’d put her Bounty Brigade on them, and the outlaw bosses feared they’d lose men to the promise of half the bounty and a reduced sentence in jail. More than one gang had been depleted of its members because of her.

  According to Bridgette, in no time, he’d be a respectable citizen of Shirleyville, Montana. He laughed as he thought how he’d never been a good citizen of anywhere before. Probably since he was seven. Always the inquisitive one, he was the one to get into trouble.

  At the tender age of fifteen, he and Del had met up with a cousin who skirted the law. In no time, Jay and Del had shucked the hard, thankless work of a beaten-down farm in a drought for the supposed easy money of the outlaw life.

  Del had been reluctant. Jay, on the other hand, had thrived in the loose living of the outlaw ways and showed his brother how to survive. Quick minded and with an even quicker mouth, Jay knew how to get his way.

  Not that they made anything out of themselves other than petty outlaws. That was a sobering thought. For all his intentions of finding a way to make a living, Jay had fallen into the trap of easy money and crime and had been left with nothing but a hungry stomach.

  So, he had a chance now. Del was making good on his. Thanks to Bridgette Merritt and her Bounty Brigade, he and Del had turned themselves in giving Bridgette the bounty money. She promised to provide them with half when they got out of jail.

  Jay admired Bridgette. She was also their lawyer and saw to it that they got reduced sentences. Jay shook his head. If he’d been a little smarter and not punched the guard in the face, he’d have gotten out the same time as Del.

  Now, six months after Del walked out of prison, Jay was free for a second chance at life. And soon, a wife. Bridgette was also his matchmaker. He wondered what else Bridgette would get herself into.

  Jay intended to make the sawmill and his marriage work. Del couldn’t say enough good things about his wife and how happy they were, and Bridgette assured him that she had the perfect woman for him.

  Bridgette hadn’t let him know anything about her. He just hoped she wasn’t fifty, had most of her teeth, and wasn’t weak and sickly. Del had told him that Jericho had been a prostitute. Jay wasn’t sure he could handle that either. His brother was a forgiving man.

  Jay leaned against the locked door and stretched his legs. One thing Jay had decided to do was give the woman a chance. He intended giving good living a possibility. He knew deep inside that this was it for him.

  Either he walked the straight and narrow, or he’d wind up in prison and probably the gallows. Jay had had enough of prison life. He couldn’t stand the way he’d been forced to live with the guards telling him what to do and when to do it. Jay was through with that. He was a free man. Free, at least until he met up with his mail-order bride.

  Finally, Del unlocked the door with the smiling face of a content man and welcomed him in. “Jericho is making breakfast. Want to join us? Then we’ll get the mill started.”

  The aroma of bacon wafted from the second story apartment they kept as living quarters. “Smells good. I guess Jericho is getting down the cooking part of marriage?”

  Del laughed. “Yes, Margaret, Bridgette’s cook, has shown her how to cook, and I’m happy to say, Jericho is a quick learner.”

  Jay followed him to the stairs and noticed the pieces of furniture that Del was working on. “Looks like your doing a lot of business.”

  “Yes, we are. Jericho is a wonder at keeping the books. I never was good with numbers, but she keeps us on a tight ship.” At the top of the stairs, Del turned to look at him. “I have my portion of the funds needed for the sawmill.”

  Jay nodded. “I’ve got mine. I’ve only spent maybe twenty dollars since I came here. I’m thinking of buying that house I’ve been staying in. Bridgette said I could get it for a song.”

  Del led him to the dining area. “You can’t sing, Jay. Be careful with your money. This is our chance at making a go at life.”

  Tired of the lecture, Jay nodded and went past him to Jericho. “My beautiful sister-in-law, I hear you can cook up a feast now.”

  Jericho laughed. She was a beauty even with her short hair. “I am progressing. At least, I haven’t made us sick.”

  “Well, it smells good. Thanks for breakfast.” Jay sat down and was about to dish out the eggs when he saw Del give him a stern look.

  After Jericho sat down, Del smiled at her and took her hand in his. They bowed their heads, and Del began praying. “Father, we thank you for this food and our guest. Bless us all and help us to stay on the narrow path. Amen.”

  Jay mumbled an amen but was getting tired of the constant lectures about staying on the right path. He had no intention of stealing again. None. And he was thankful for the chance that Brigette had worked out for them, but he needed to breathe fresh air and be on his own.

  Jericho poured him more coffee. “Del said you’re getting the sawmill started today.”

  Jay took a sip and let the black liquid refresh him. “Yes, Ma’am. We should be making lumber in a few weeks.”

  “Any news about the mail-order bride Bridgette ordered for you?”

  That was another thing. Why did everyone have to be in his business? Jay looked at Del and hoped the hard stare that he gave him conveyed the idea that he didn’t want to talk about it. But then again, they only meant the best for them.

  Jay gave in and answered, “I don’t know. I need to talk to Bridgette and find out. She’s hard to get hold of now that she’s busy with her baby.”

  “We can stop by the mayor’s office and ask him.” Del grasped Jericho’s hand and squeezed it. “We met before we knew we had been meant for one another. Our marriage has been such a blessing.”

  Jericho blushed. “I have never been happier.”

  Yes, Jay could see they were happy, and he was glad for them. Yet he needed some time to shake off the feeling of being trapped. His entire life, he’d felt it. First being born into a poor family and hard times, then being on the run from the law, and finally prison.

  While wanting nothing but freedom, it seemed that Jay had taken steps that ensured a snare around him. Del didn’t understand. He never had. Finished with breakfast, Jay stood. “I think I’ll take a walk. Being inside too much makes me nervous. Thanks for breakfast, Jericho. Del, I’ll meet you at the mill.”

  Jay couldn’t get out of his brother’s shop fast enough. The rooms closed in around him, making his breathing come in short gasps. He’d always enjoyed the outdoors. Prison hadn’t helped him any. That was one reason his brother didn’t need to worry about him breaking any laws. He’d die before he went back to a jail cell.

  Jay enjoyed the morning breeze and admired the sun climbing over the hills to shine on the big mountains to the west. Birds were singing, a dog was barking, Main Street was already showing signs of life with wagons and citizens going about their business. Life was good.

  So far, the town of Shirleyville hadn’t held anything against him for being a former inmate. Bri
gette and her husband, the mayor, had taken care of that. Good thing because Jay enjoyed being around people.

  Still, he knew there were a few. That lady at the dress shop, Francesca, she was a gossipy one. Jay could tell the moment he saw her at the café, but he could handle her. He was thankful for the sawmill where he’d be able to work outdoors. He hoped this mail-order bride was an understanding woman. Jay was going to have to have his time outside.

  He thought about renting a horse, but the sawmill wasn’t that far from town. An hour’s walk on a good day. Jay left the city and started down the road. He picked up a stick that was a good size for walking and killing rattlers if he found any.

  He didn’t carry a gun. He’d found it was too easy to end up in trouble if he had one. He’d rely on his wits and his stick. The house he considered was between the town and the sawmill and would make the perfect place for him.

  Tomorrow, he’d talk to the land agent about buying the house and land. It was clear, someone had had grand plans, but something must have happened. They were no longer around, and the house was but a shell. Jay wondered how his bride would feel about it.

  Then again, he was half-owner in a sawmill and would have plenty of wood to finish it. Jay smacked a rock with his stick and wondered what she’d be like.

  Pretty, he was sure. Bridgette wouldn’t saddle him with an old maid. Smart. Useful. He really didn’t care. Jay laughed at a couple of squirrels chasing each other through the trees. He had to stop avoiding the obvious. Despite his carefree nature, Jay really did want to settle down. He liked kids and wanted plenty.

  Jay paused at the big unfinished Victorian house. Once finished, it would have plenty of room for children. He hoped his wife-to-be wanted kids. Bridgette had made sure to ask him, so he figured that was a requirement.