Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham

Author:Rachel Fordham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance;Love Stories;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2022-04-06T00:00:00+00:00

Throughout the first half of the game, people bought Alice’s treats. Several women walked by and bought nothing but inquired after Norah, wanting to know who she was and where she’d come from. Norah’s heart raced every time, but to her great relief, everyone spoke kindly and seemed genuine in their interest. Every welcoming smile added to the happiness blooming inside her, and soon she was smiling even when no one was talking to her.

Once Alice’s cart was emptied, they stood together on the edge of the field and watched the game. The score remained close, with the North trailing the South by one most of the game. Quincy often looked in her direction and smiled or even waved, sending an unfamiliar thrill racing through her.

“Do you find him a handsome man?” Alice asked when she caught Norah staring.

“He’s not so bad.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a man so large and strong. He’s like a giant ox with a crooked grin.”

“I’m surprised that I do not find his size intimidating.”

“I saw him angry once,” Alice said. “Someone at the hotel was drunk. He was being unruly and”—she cleared her throat—“the man made untoward comments to me. The moment the man touched my arm, Quincy became a bear. He picked up the guest and threw him out.”

“I’ve seen that side too. But still, he doesn’t scare me.” Norah pried her eyes away from Quincy, embarrassed she’d been caught ogling the man. Instead, she studied her cuff, a far less intriguing topic of study. “Do you know him well?”

“I worked at the hotel, but I spoke more to Mrs. Dover than to Quincy. I can’t say I know much of his past, but I know he’s liked here. The women in town would love to be on his arm, but he’s shown little interest in any of them. He spends his time on his businesses. He’s very savvy. I’ve no complaints about how he runs the café, though he does need to hire more help.”

“If you are still in need when my arm is recovered, I would like to work at the café.” Perhaps independence could be found in Longfield.

“Quincy does all the hiring, but I don’t see why he’d turn you down. He might make you promise not to marry though.”

“Not marry?” She looked up from the cuff she’d been so consumed with. “I don’t understand.”

“He keeps hiring servers and they stay a few weeks or a month, and then they run off and marry the farmers or the railroad men they meet in the café. Don’t look so worried. I can’t imagine he’d actually put it in a contract.” Alice cocked her head. “You in a hurry to marry? Is that what worries you?”

“No, it’s not that.” It was the thought of contracts and consequences that had her squirming. Percy had demanded she sign her name. She’d been starving, and in an act of self-preservation, she’d succumbed. The act had haunted her ever since. But they were talking of marriage, not houses of ill repute.

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