Ronan's Bride by Patricia PacJac Carroll

Author:Patricia PacJac Carroll [Carroll, Patricia PacJac]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PacJac Publishing
Published: 2019-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Bridgette left Federico and Tony off at school. They loved learning and loved Sarah as their teacher. Bridgette smile as Federico ran into the schoolhouse. He no longer limped. Dr. Newsome’s method of putting on several casts had healed the boy's lame leg.

She drove the buggy to the livery and let Abel take charge of her horses.

He shook his head. “Mrs. Merritt, what are you doing out here alone?”

“I don’t need a guard anymore, and the hands at the ranch were busy. Besides,” she pointed to the rifle in the buggy. “I can shoot, and I’m not afraid to.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He shook his head and unhitched the horses.

“Good day, Abel. I’ll stay in town today until the boys are out of school.”

“Fine. I’ll have them ready for you.”

Bridgette left the livery and looked at Shirleyville’s Main Street. She saw another building had been boarded up. They would have to buy feed from the business on Second Street. One of the stores that Adler and Duke Longshire fronted.

She turned down the street to go to Dolly’s Dress Shop. If there were any new goings-on in town, gossip that is, Dolly would know. She walked in and saw Mrs. Satchel whispering to Dolly.

“Ladies, how are things?” Bridgette knew things weren’t good. The bank was on the verge of shutting down, and Dolly had just learned that a new dress shop was opening on Second Street.

Dolly frowned. “We’re worried about our town. I hope your husband can help us.”

“Sterling is trying. By the law, Adler and the duke haven’t done anything we can stop them for. I’d like to get Levi to arrest them, but he can’t.”

Mrs. Satchel pounded her hand on the counter. “Did you hear about the new deputy that Adler has proposed?”

Bridgette shook her head. “Who?”

“Some stranger that I’m sure those two scoundrels dredged out of some prison. Some man named Garrett Findlay. I don’t like him at all.”

Bridgette glanced out the window. “Has he already been hired? I don’t recall Sterling telling me about him.”

“No, not yet. But my husband told me.” Mrs. Satchel dabbed a hanky to her eye. “Our bank is in dire straits. If Sheriff Levi can’t find those robbers, we’ll have to shut our doors.”

Bridgette patted the woman’s shoulder. “I am so sorry. We’ll be praying that the thieves are caught, and the money returned.”

“Thank you, dear. I have to say I have about given up hope.”

Dolly nodded. “Maybe we can get Preacher Brett to have a prayer service for our town.”

Bridgette frowned. “He’s likely to want us to pray for those on Second Street as well as Adler and the duke.” She knew her attitude needed a bit of an adjustment, but she just couldn’t stand idly by while the syndicate took over the town.

Turning to the shop owner, Bridgette smiled. “Dolly, I want to order a dress. I am gaining in my middle.”

Dolly grinned. “Oh, Bridgette. That is what happens to women who are with child. Most women stay at home.”

“Well, I still have things to do.

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