the Civil War started, I headed west and landed in San Francisco where I soon found a position in the fishing industry. It’s a long story, but by way of hard work and frugal living, I saved enough money to open my own restaurant, Romano’s Fish Grotto, which overlooks San Francisco Bay. Luckily it has been a success and I’ve been prospering ever since.
These past few years, I’ve been so busy with the restaurant, I’ve neglected that part of my life that yearns for love, companionship, a home, and family. I’m looking for a wife who will give me those things and in return I promise security, protection in a genteel environment, a good life, and my everlasting love. When I saw your letter, I thought, she’s the one. Am I wrong? I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Robert Romano
Sitting by Bridger’s bed, Belle waited until he’d read the newly arrived letter from San Francisco. When he finished and handed it back, he emitted a low whistle. “Looks like you’ve found a good one.”
She was hoping her brother would approve, and it appeared he did. “He sounds sincere, don’t you think? And I get the impression he’s hard working and a man of good character. I even like his name. Robert Romano. Simple but strong. Plain but honest.”
“He can’t be all bad if he graduated from William & Mary. A lot of my friends did, if you recall.”
“Not only that, he’s from Virginia, so that makes him a Southerner. I gather he headed west before the war started.”
Bridger grinned. “That settles it. God forbid you should marry a Yankee.”
“That would never happen. I hate them all and always will. So you think I should write to Robert Romano again?”
“That’s your decision, but I certainly wouldn’t stand in your way.”
* * * *
Aug. 10, 1870
Dear Miss Ainsworth,
After receiving your latest letter, I am emboldened to offer you my hand in marriage. Although I’m not a rich man, as previously mentioned, my restaurant is doing well. My home is not overly large, but situated in a stylish neighborhood, with spacious rooms, a garden both in front and back, and a fine view of the bay. Lest you feel any trepidation, I assure you we will be married the day you arrive or next day at the latest, if you prefer. Enclosed is a small stipend for your travel expenses, plus a ticket for your transportation.
It is with a heart full of love and anticipation that I await your answer.
Sincerely,
Robert Romano
When Belle finished reading the letter to Bridger, he gave her a long, searching look. “So you’ve got your proposal. Time for a decision, don’t you think?”
Belle walked to the window of Bridger’s second-floor room, pulled back the lace curtain, and peered at the sun-drenched rose garden below. It was another hot afternoon in Savannah, too hot, really, yet she didn’t mind the heat. She was used to it—felt comfortable with it because this was home. How could she leave? Maybe her life wasn’t perfect, but now that the war was over, she led a life free of worry, secure in the knowledge she could live here until she died. She turned back to Bridger. “I don’t think I can do it.”
She expected a scornful answer, but instead, Bridger’s eyes filled with sympathy. “It’s a big step, Sis, and maybe too much for you. You haven’t told anyone except me, so if you decide not to go, nobody’s the wiser.” He smiled, as if an afterthought had struck him. “Except that poor sod in San Francisco, but he’ll survive. He can always place another ad in the Matrimonial News.”
Robert Romano. Thirty-three, six feet tall, 170 pounds, brown eyes. Some other woman would have him now, along with the prosperous restaurant, the house in the stylish neighborhood, with gardens both front and back, and a view of the bay.
No! I don’t want her to have him. “On second thought, Bridger…”
“Yes?” The way he was looking at her, like he’d known all along.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’m going.”
“You’re sure?”
“Sure.”
“What does that ticket say?”
She pulled the ticket from the envelope and examined it closely. “How exciting. I hadn’t noticed but this ticket is for the transcontinental railroad. I’ll be traveling on the Union Pacific train to California.”
Chapter 4
Omaha, Nebraska
The hackney let Belle off directly in front of the Union Pacific train depot. It wasn’t much to look at, just a large, barnlike wooden building with a cupola roof and two pairs of train tracks running past the back side. Clutching her handbag and small valise, she watched as the hackney driver unloaded her trunk, and a porter piled it atop a cart full of luggage. She entered the building and stood in line at the ticket window. When her turn came, she presented her ticket to the clerk, who examined it, stamped it with a flourish, and gave her a boarding pass. “The train from Chicago is on time today, miss. We leave at 10:45.”
Belle thanked him. Breathing a huge sigh of relief, she seated herself on one of the long wooden benches in the waiting room. Almost halfway there already! So far, everything had gone even better than she’d hoped for, partly thanks to—she laughed to herself—of all people, Allegra Barnes.
True to her word, Allegra had left for San Francisco shortly after her shocking announcement. According to her letters, her “respectable gentleman” had turned out to be even richer, more handsome, more wonderful than she’d expected. Blissfully happy, treated like a queen, she now lived a life of ease and luxury in her absolutely gorgeous home in the beautiful city of San Francisco. Knowing Allegra, Belle didn’t doubt she was exaggerating, but her exuberant letters so impressed the Georgia Ladies of the Confederacy that when Belle announced she, too, intended to become a mail-order bride, some of the ladies wished her well. Not everyone supported her decision, but she didn’t receive the derision and horrified disapproval she’d expected.
Shocked at first, Victoria begged her not to go countless times. Finally, seeing her sister’s firm resolve, she gave her reluctant approval, never guessing her overheard words of complaint had played a large part in Belle’s decision. Saying her final goodbyes to Tom, Ellen, and Amy was more painful than she even thought it would be. “Of course I’ll be seeing you again,” she told them. But would she? A trip clear across the country seemed like going to the ends of the earth from which there would be no return.
“You haven’t seen the last of us,” Bridger reassured her when she went to his room to say her final goodbye. “You’re not going to the moon.”
She managed a smile and didn’t tell him that more than anything, she worried about his health and how much longer he’d be around. What if this was their last goodbye and she’d never see him again? “I do worry about you, even though you say you’re doing fine.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll be around for a while.”
She wanted to believe him, but when she bent to kiss him for the final time, a tear broke through and slid down her cheek. “Oh, Bridger…” She could not go on.
He placed a hand on her arm and gave a gentle squeeze. “It’s all right, Sis. I’ve led a good life. I’ll die happy, knowing you’re happy, so tell Robert Romano he’d better be good to you, and if he’s not, I’m coming back to haunt him.”
Now, sitting in the noisy, hot depot thinking of her brother, she could cry again, but she wouldn’t because he wouldn’t want her to. He’d be pleased that so far everything had gone so well. The journey from Savannah hadn’t been too terrible, just tiresome, what with having to take two different trains before she even got to Omaha. She’d arrived the night before and stayed in a hotel where she’d been given a lovely room with a soft bed. She