The Cowboy's Orphan Bride by Lauri Robinson

Author:Lauri Robinson [Robinson, Lauri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Although she’d never been out to dinner in a fancy restaurant—and this was certainly the fanciest one Bridgette could imagine—nor had she ever worn such finery, or pretended to be married, she was an adaptable person. Life had made her that way right from the start, and that helped considerably as they joined the other couple.

She smiled and used her manners, and made sure to look at Garth with an expression as close to the lovesick one Emma Sue had cast toward Cecil Chaney as she could muster.

It helped that the Solsteads were friendly and good people, and made her feel comfortable from the moment she sat down. They had five children, three boys and two girls, who had to be as pleasant as their parents. “Lydia sounds like a handful,” she told Mr. Solstead as he finished a detailed and animated tale about their youngest daughter hiding a baby skunk under her bed.

“Oh, she is,” Mrs. Solstead said. “She gets that from her father.”

The way Virginia Solstead looked at her husband made Bridgette’s stomach flutter oddly and made her question her acting abilities. Although the gazes she bestowed upon Garth were similar to how Virginia gazed at her husband, it was obvious that even though the couple had been married many years, they were still very much in love. Nathan returned his wife’s gaze with a smile. Garth on the other hand, narrowed his eyes her way, telling her he knew what she was up to.

She lifted her glass and smiled over the rim at him. He might think he knew her, but he didn’t. She was no longer the girl he’d left behind. She was the woman he’d never possess.

“Do you have any children?”

Caught swallowing, Bridgette merely shook her head at Virginia’s question.

“We haven’t been married long enough for children,” Garth said.

She wouldn’t call it disappointment, but there was a distinct tone in his voice that wavered on displeasure. She wasn’t overly happy herself.

“They will come in time,” Virginia said. “How long have you been married?”

“Over twelve years,” Bridgette said.

The shock on all three of their faces made her giggle. “Garth and I grew up in the same town and pretended to get married when we were both just children.”

A round of laughter encircled the table, before Virginia asked, “Did you travel to Dodge with the trail drive?”

“No,” Bridgette started, “I—”

“Bridgette stayed with friends the past couple of months,” Garth said. “The wife was expecting and needed help. She traveled to Dodge after the baby was born.”

“Oh, are you a midwife?” Virginia asked. “We have two excellent physicians, but they are kept busy. Your services would be most welcomed by many families.”

Their food arrived right then, and Bridgette used the time it took to be served to contemplate what Virginia had said. Although never called one, she most certainly was a midwife. A tingle of excitement shot through her. Being a midwife would explain why she was at the Crystal Palace, considering Michelle’s unfortunate miscarriage, and it was the perfect job for her to obtain.

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