Bridgette by Patricia PacJac Carroll

Author:Patricia PacJac Carroll [Carroll, Patricia PacJac]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PacJac Publishing
Published: 2018-03-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Sterling walked back to the railcar where the women were traveling. They all seemed to be enjoying the trip. His focus remained on Bridgette. She was such a surprise. At first look, he would have thought she was a beautiful woman but with no substance behind her beauty. He was so wrong and every day he was finding out just how wrong.

He could see it in her eyes. Intelligent, aware, and soaking in every new experience. And questioning. She wanted to know why she wasn’t allowed in the smoking car. He laughed to himself thinking how the men would drop their cigars if she entered the car. Her entrance would burn the train down.

Fortunately, her mother and Mrs. Taggart persuaded her that it was not a place for women. But Bridgette. She was going to force her way into places only men had enjoyed. He could see that in her. And honestly, it made him question his desire for her.

Yes, she was beautiful and smart. But as independent as the American Spirit that liberated the country from England’s King George. He looked at her and caught her eye.

She responded with that smile he’d come to love. “Mr. Merritt, we are getting close, aren’t we?”

“We’ll be stepping from the train onto the streets of Chicago within minutes.” He sat behind her and pointed out the window.” There in the distance, you can see the Home Insurance Building going up. Ten stories. It will be the tallest building and built with steel. It’s a tremendous undertaking by your country’s Yankee ingenuity.”

“I see it. How amazing. It’s like a man-made mountain.” Her face beamed with excitement, and despite her unconquerable spirit, he found himself becoming even more enamored of her.

Mrs. Taggart turned to him. “You said you had our rooms in a hotel. Is it far from the train station?”

He laughed. “Chicago is a bit bigger than Shirleyville. Yes, I have a hotel on the corner of Clark and Madison Street. The Morrison. I think you’ll like the view. We’ll take a cab. My treat. After we’re settled, I’ll escort you lovely ladies to a restaurant in the hotel, and then you can rest. Tomorrow we’ll begin our tour of the city.”

Mrs. Howard nervously fidgeted with her skirt. “I hope we don’t stand out as women from the west and an oddity for those in the city.”

Mrs. Taggart took her hand. “Don’t you worry. You look lovely. I think the first order of the day tomorrow will be a shopping trip and all of us can buy new outfits.”

Bridgette held up her reticule. “Yes, and my treat, Mother. Pure Providence that I caught that nasty Delmer.”

Mrs. Howard nodded. “We should pray for the poor man.”

“Ha, he’s only poor because he failed to rob me or Mr. Merritt. He’ll get what he deserves.”

Sterling chuckled. “Perhaps you should look into being a prosecutor rather than a defense attorney.”

She laughed, a feminine laugh that pleased his ears. “You might be right. Although, prosecuting attorneys are elected, and I don’t believe men would vote for a woman.

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