Florence Read online

  “Oh, there’s my sweet baby.” Bridgette hugged the baby looking all too much as if she were thankful for a diversion from the subject.

  Not to be put off, Florence turned to Sterling. “Perhaps you can tell me about the man Bridgette has chosen for me.”

  Sterling cleared his throat and stared at Bridgette. “I thought you were going to tell her.”

  “I am.” Bridgette pouted. “I had hoped to introduce you two to each other before we went into details—”

  “Bridgette.” Sterling shook his head and waved a finger at her.

  “Oh, all right. His name is Jay Selmer, and he has a twin brother, Del, who owns and runs the carpentry shop in town. Del makes wonderful furniture. In fact, he was my first match, and I am happy to say that Jericho and Del are very happy together.”

  Florence set her cup down. “And my man, Jay, what is he like?”

  “He’s a handsome man. Smart. Hard-working.”

  Sterling took the baby from Bridgette. “I’ll be in the other room if you need me.” He left after giving his wife another stern look.

  “He’s such a good man.” Bridgette sighed as she watched her husband walk out the door.

  Florence tapped her cup with her finger. “Yours or mine.”

  “What? Oh, yes, Jay. He is putting together the sawmill just a few miles away from town. Once he gets it going, he should be very prosperous.”

  “So, he isn’t prosperous now? How are we to live until he proves himself?”

  Bridgette coughed lightly. “He has money.”

  “From his parents? Past business?”

  “Actually, it’s money I saved for him.”

  “You. So, what kind of arrangement is this? I didn’t think you were family.”

  “No, we’re not family. I was his lawyer. I arranged things for Jay and Del so that they would have a good life after …” Bridgette took a sip of tea, clearly avoiding the question.

  “After what?” Florence knew that Bridgette was hiding something.

  Bridgette stood and looked out the window. “Do you believe in second chances, Florence.” Bridgette turned and gazed at her. “Think hard, because your answer will determine your future. I would think you are here because you needed a second chance.”

  “Well, yes. I thought I would be married and have children by now. Instead, I was well on the way to becoming a spinster for my family. I had an aunt who had done the same, and I in no way wanted to follow in her footsteps.” Florence rubbed her hands, hoping she hadn’t already ruined her chances by pushing Bridgette.

  “Good, then you understand the need to forget the past and move on to better things. I’ve interviewed Jay, and I am sure you two will get along and have a joyous marriage and a good future together. I would prefer it if you let me arrange a meeting between the two of you before either of you can make assumptions about the other.”

  Florence nodded. “I see. I can trust you for a few more days. I would like to meet him soon.”

  “I’ve already sent word for a meeting tomorrow. Here at my house.”

  “Good. That pleases me.” Florence tried to recapture her hope, but there was something about the way Bridgette was hedging about the details that bothered her. She hoped Jay wasn’t over fifty. She’d heard of mail-order bride stories where the young maiden met her match, and he turned out to be old enough to be her grandfather.

  Yet, Bridgette didn’t seem the type to try to deceive her.

  “Tell me about yourself, Florence. What do you hope for?”

  Florence thought back to the dreams she’d had as a little girl. They really weren’t to be shared with anyone. Yet, Bridgette was asking. Florence decided to trust the woman. “I wanted to be married by seventeen and have seven children by thirty. I do love children, and as the oldest in my family, I took care of my younger brothers and sisters.”

  “We’d already established that you can cook and sew and maintain a household.”

  “Oh, yes. I’ve done it all my life. My mother took ill when I was ten, and I took over.” She straightened her skirt. “I don’t regret it at all, and I love my family. But I want a man who looks at me … one who looks at me the way your husband adores you.”

  Bridgette smiled. “We are in love. Thank you for noticing. And that is exactly what I want for you and Jay.” She stood. “I am sure you are tired after the long day of travel. The dinner will be at five. Let me show you to your room.”

  Florence followed her to a room at the back of the house. It was delightful and had her favorite colors with a light pink bedspread decorated with red roses. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You are welcome to stay here until the wedding.”

  “Thank you, Bridgette. I am sorry if I came across as demanding. I fear it is a result of running a large family from such a young age. I do trust you. I can see that you’re sincere in your desire to help others.”

  Bridgette smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I know I can be overbearing, and my family describes me like a tornado, but I do want you and Jay to be happy. It is my heart’s desire.” She moved to the door. “I’ll leave you now to rest. If you need anything, Margaret is in the kitchen.”

  Florence nodded. “I’ll see you at five.”

  After Bridgette left the room, Florence had to agree with the woman’s family. Bridgette was a whirlwind that left you feeling breathless.

  There was still the secret revolving around Jay, but it would seem Florence would know the answer soon enough. She, on the other hand, had no mystery. She was exactly what you saw. A woman. A woman alone.

  Florence stopped in front of the mirror. She wasn’t a homely woman. Pretty. Except something was missing. She thought back to Bridgette and thought about the woman’s sparkling eyes. It wasn’t the color, but the life in them. Her matchmaker’s smile and indeed, even her face radiated with life.

  Florence did not. Even she had to admit that her eyes were flat. Perhaps that was what had always been missing. Instead of life, Florence was full of duty. Always thinking of the chores that needed to be done, she was three steps ahead of what the family needed. Duty-bound, she’d always kept busy with no time for fun.

  If James needed his shirt darned, she knew it and had it done before he could ask. Sally needed a new dress for the Sunday School play. Florence had it made well before Sunday. Clean clothes, healthy meals, and money saved by her thrifty shopping. The house was always clean. She had done it all.

  She’d done everything but live.

  Florence had only been to one dance. When she turned sixteen, the church had a social, and her father convinced her to go. She danced with two young men, and for a brief moment, she’d felt alive as if she had a future.

  Then she saw the boys find other gals and twirl them around the dance floor, leaving her to help dish out the punch. Her fate as caretaker of the family and doer of duties had been sealed at sixteen.

  Tired, Florence laid on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and sincerely hoped that she had made a wise choice. Tomorrow, she would find out.

  ***

  Jay walked back to town. He needed to talk to Del and see about this mail-order bride idea. It appeared to have worked out for Del and Jericho. Yet, Jay was different. He’d never been one to go along with the crowd.

  He liked people and wanted to have fun. Jay had always been his own man. Oh, Del and his friends thought he was the happy-go-lucky sort, but he really wasn’t. Jay felt he needed to explain that to Del.

  Then there was Curt and Fred. He knew they were trouble. In fact, when he looked in their faces, he saw images of his own. They were on the lookout for easy money. He’d thought about firing them, but they were down on their luck. Someone needed to talk sense to them.

  Jay hoped he could turn them from the path they were skirting. So far, they’d worked reasonably hard. At least they did what he asked but no more. Jay passed the rough road and came to the street leading to town.

  To the left was the church perched on the h
ill as if watching over the town. Someday, Jay would visit. Del had said the preacher had spent time in prison down in Texas. At least, he’d understand them. Jay stopped to gather his breath. Even now, he could feel trouble like walls closing in around him.

  Jay looked down the street. He was hungry, but he was really thirstier than wanting food. He glanced at The Gilded Lady Saloon not far from the church. Jay had to laugh. It was as if good and evil were tempting him. His choice to decide.

  Today, despite that odd feeling he’d felt in the woods, he made up his mind, he was going to have a beer. He hadn’t had one in over a year and had been afraid to go to the saloons before he left Cheyenne. He didn’t trust himself and wanted Del around to keep tabs on him.

  Yet, today he felt sure of himself. He didn’t need Del’s approval. Just one beer, and he’d leave to prove he could. Jay nodded to a passersby. Shirleyville was a nice town.

  He hoped the woman Bridgette picked out for him would make a good match. In the past, Jay had never seriously considered settling down. It wasn’t so much that he couldn’t find a girl because he liked them all. Jay never could see the future as if his was missing. He lived for the day. Tomorrow just wasn’t on the horizon.

  Now, things were changing. Jay had glimpses of a future with a wife and children in front of the fireplace. Even now, Jay was afraid to hope for it. He really had very little to offer a woman.

  After a glance down the street to his brother’s shop, Jay turned away, and then entered the saloon. If he was going to marry a woman, he needed to prove to himself that he could stop at one beer.

  It was quiet as saloons go. No dancing ladies. No rowdy cowboys. A table of cards in the back and a polished bar to the right. He walked to the bar and ordered a beer. There were a few men at the end of the bar. Their voices were hushed but barbed with anger. Wondering what was going on, Jay eased toward them to listen. This was his town now.

  The man Jay figured was the leader of the group waved a hand. “We need to get rid of them. They’re ruining it for us all.”

  Another spoke, “With the sickness that’s going through our camp, I heard the Chinese probably brought it upon us. I think they’re dirty.”

  A man at the other side of the three troublemakers shook his head and laughed. “Cleaner than you. They take baths more than once a month. No, if you got trouble, it’s not because of the Chinese. The mine owners maybe, but not the poor immigrants looking for a better life and being cheated out of it by the bosses.”

  Jay didn’t like to hear about the troubles. Curt and Fred had made mention there was trouble with the Chinese and that some of the miners were sick. That was all this town needed was a panic. That would kill business and the need for lumber.

  Jay sipped his beer and took in the conversation. The three men ignored him, but as they drank more beers, their voices got louder.

  It wasn’t long, and the owner, a formidable man wielding the power that came from money and a fast draw, came by. “Let’s keep it down. We don’t want any trouble.”

  The three shrugged. Then the leader of the rabble shook his head. “You might not want trouble, but it’s coming. The mine owners are trying to keep it quiet. I heard a whole family died of the fever.”

  The owner grimaced. “What kind of sickness?”

  “The mine doctor didn’t know, but then he’s better at tending mules than people.”

  The saloon owner turned toward Jay. “You’re new in town. Mine owners bring you in?”

  “No. Just enjoying my beer.” He stood and held out his hand. “Jay Selmer, I’m going to run the sawmill.”

  “Rick Handley. I hope you won’t spread any of the poison these three are saying. Nothing can wipe out a town faster than fear.”

  “I won’t.” Jay looked at the miners. “I saw a doctor’s office in town. If there are sick people, you might want to tell him.”

  The leader shrugged. “We might. We go back tonight. That is if there’s anything to go back to. Owners are hiring the Chinese to take our jobs.”

  Jay nodded. “I guess everyone needs to eat.”

  The owner of the saloon ushered the three outside, warning them not to cause trouble. Coming back in, Rick pointed at the table in the back. “I have an interesting card game going on.”

  “No, thanks. Just the one beer. Thanks.” Jay finished and left the saloon before he could be convinced to waste his time and money in a card game. Overall, he figured he’d done what he needed to do. He just might be able to make a good husband.

  After the saloon, he stopped by Del’s. He needed the levelheadedness of his brother. Jay wasn’t sure if it was the beer or the strange feeling in the woods or the news of trouble by the miners that had him feeling so uneasy.

  He just didn’t like the feeling of a storm cloud brewing over the town. He walked inside his brother’s shop and saw Del busy sanding a table.

  “Jay, grab a sander and take that end.”

  Jay did as Del had asked. “What do you know of trouble at the mines between the miners and Chinese?”

  Del stopped sanding and looked up. “Not much. Just that there’s some trouble. Why?”

  “I stopped at the saloon for a beer.” Jay held up his hand. “Just one. I know the warden said to stay away, but I needed to prove to myself I could stop. If I’m to marry a woman, I need to know for myself that she’s getting something.”

  “Sounds reasonable. Be careful, Jay. This is wild country, and those miners and the men you have at the mill are going to be drinkers and rabble-rousers.”

  Jay grinned. “Well, I have met those requirements before. Besides, I can’t see myself sitting at a desk in the bank. I’ll be fine.” As he said those last three words, a bothering niggle in the back of his mind reminded him of the feelings he’d had in the woods. Still, he was doing good. And he did only have one beer.

  “I just don’t want you to fall back into your old ways.” Del rubbed his hand over the edge. “That’s got it.”

  “I’m getting a room in the hotel. Take a bath. I figured I better show my best to the mail-order bride tomorrow.” Jay pulled out his bank book. “It sure looks good to see that I have money by my name.”

  Del grinned. “It does, doesn’t it. Honest money at that. Jericho and I are praying for you. We’re hoping you’ll go to church with us.”

  Jay studied his brother. Del was sure of himself and content. How much was because of Jericho and how much because they went to church, Jay wasn’t sure, but his brother had changed.

  Del used to be angry and moody. His face would be darkened by a rage that even Jay didn’t understand. He had been the fun-loving brother, whereas Del had taken things personally and sought revenge. Jay didn’t see any of that left in his brother.

  “I can see it’s been good for you. I’ll think about it.” Jay leaned against the front counter. “I wonder what the lady that Bridgette picked out for me is like. I sure hope she’s fun and not some stodgy stick-in-the-mud.”

  Del laughed. “Trust me, Bridgette is a smart woman. Jericho was perfect for me, and we’ve never been happier.”

  “Well, a man’s future is a heavy thing to trust to another. I’m glad it worked for you. I hope I get a woman just as pretty, smart, and helpful.”

  Del walked over to him and put an arm around Jay’s shoulder. “I believe you will. A word of advice, be forgiving, and welcome her into your heart. It can’t be easy for a woman to leave her family and come out here to an unknown town and man. Try and be the kind of man that she’d be glad to come for.”

  “I plan to, Del.” He grinned. “I smell dinner. Think there’s enough for me to join you?”

  Del laughed. “Of course, there is. You’re always welcome at our house. Let’s wash up.”

  Jay followed his brother to the washbasin. Along the way, he wondered if he could be a man that a woman would want. Oh, he’d pleased the ladies in the saloons, but a good woman who would look at him to take care of her, that kind of man, he wasn’t at all sur
e he could be.

  ***

  Florence rubbed her hands as she looked at herself in the mirror. This was the third outfit she’d tried on, but this one looked the best. She pushed a wayward curl into place and reminded herself that she had to look her best and be on her best behavior. She was meeting Jay today.

  Bridgette had told her not to worry. That she was lovely.

  But when Florence thought of the few times that she’d met a man and entertained thoughts of marriage; the fellow had left abruptly never to see her again. Why? She stared at the mirror. “What is wrong with me?”

  She studied her reflection. Her eyes were tired. Her lips were drawn into the frown she wore as if it was a badge of honor for all her hard work. That needed to change. She pinched her cheeks to put color in them, and then she tried smiling.

  Florence had to wonder why she was so sad all the time. Aunt Susie was always smiling. Florence turned to leave the room and noticed the bedspread was a little off. She straightened it and then went to the dresser and straightened her things.

  Ten minutes later, she finally left the room to wait in the parlor. Bridgette had thought it would be a nice room for them to meet in. Florence hoped Bridgette would stay with them. Being alone with a man was a bit disconcerting.

  Florence entered the main room of the house, where Bridgette and Sterling were sitting together talking.

  Bridgette saw her and, with a sweet smile, welcomed her to join them. “You look lovely. Jay will adore you. Yes, I believe you’ll like him. Don’t you think so, Sterling?”

  Sterling gave his wife a stern look. Then he smiled at Florence. “I think you’ll like him. I do.” He laughed. “I know that’s not the same, but Jay will be a hard worker, and he’s smart.”

  Florence forced herself to smile. Will be? Why wasn’t he a hard worker now? There was clearly something she wasn’t being told. They knew all about her, what little there was to know.

  Baby Charlotte cried from her cradle.

  Bridgette rocked her. “Sleep little one. She’s such a good baby.”

  Sterling rubbed his eyes. “Yes, she is. I just wish she’d sleep through the night.”