A Girl Like That by Frances Devine Read Free Book Online

over.
    The sharp crack of the billiard balls assaulted his ears, and by the time he reached his friend, his eyes were watering from the smoke. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
    Jack introduced him to the men around his table, and they played a couple of games before Sam begged off.
    “You should just see the little darling. I tell you she’s a beauty and has a voice like an angel.”
    Sam turned as the voice reached his ears from the table next to them.
    Laughter greeted the man’s declaration. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t be getting any ideas if I were you. They say she’s a sweet young lady, but her father guards her with fists of steel.”
    Sam lifted his eyebrow and sent a puzzled glance at Jack.
    “I think they’re talking about the new singer at Harrigan’s,” Jack said. “Have you seen her yet?”
    Sam shook his head. “I haven’t been to a show in weeks.”
    “I hear there’s a new musical comedy starting next Friday. Maybe the girls would enjoy it, and you could get a glimpse of the gorgeous Katherine O’Shannon.” He laughed. “But don’t fall for her and break Janet’s heart. Sally would blame me.”
    “Don’t worry. I hardly think Janet would care. We’re only friends. And I’m not likely to fall for a showgirl. Even if I was so inclined, my folks would kill me.”
    “And if they didn’t, I would. Couldn’t stand by and watch you ruin your career.” He slapped Sam on the shoulder. “So, shall I invite the girls for opening night?”
    “Sure, sounds like fun. I’ll stop by Sally’s tomorrow after work and invite Janet. Shall we all ride over together?”
    “No, let’s go separately. I need to talk to Sally privately.”
    “Fine with me.”
    “Don’t you want to know why?” Jack was grinning. In fact, it seemed like he’d been doing a lot of that tonight.
    Jack glanced around, his face red with excitement. “I’m thinking about proposing marriage to Sally tonight.”
    Sam whistled and held his hand out to his beaming friend. “Congratulations!”
    “If she says yes, you mean.”
    “She will. I’m sure of it.”
    “Maybe you’ll be popping the question yourself soon. Janet’s a lovely girl.”
    “Who just happens to be nothing more than a friend,” Sam retorted. “Besides, marriage is the last thing on my mind.”
    But once more, the young woman from the Patch filled his head. He brushed the thought away and grabbed a billiard stick. “Come on. Maybe I’ll let you win this one.”

Five
    “How can I ever be thanking you for recommending me for this job, Katie? And me being nothing to you but a poor stranger.”
    Katie frowned at Bridget, who was pushing a moistened strand of thread through the tiny eye of her sewing needle.
    “What do you mean ‘nothing,’ Bridget Thornton? You’ve become a dear friend to me, as I hope I have to you.”
    Bridget gasped. “And now I’ve gone and offended you. The one person, besides me ma, I have the most respect for.”
    Katie reached over and placed her hand momentarily on Bridget’s arm. “Not at all. I just don’t like to hear you belittling yourself. It hurts me.”
    “Then I won’t be doing it again. I promise.” The girl cast a shy smile at Katie then ducked her head over her work. “And Mr. Harrigan is a mighty good man to be paying for my room and board through the week. It’d be awfully hard to walk all the way here from the Patch and back again every day.”
    “Yes, it is nice of him to do that for the unmarried women of the cast.”
    “I thought Ma was going to stay on her knees all night, thanking the Lord for such a blessing. She said I should thank you and Mr. Harrigan for her, too. You can’t imagine the difference my wages have made in our lives.”
    Katie thought she did know. The wonderful smell of stew now wafted through the Thornton home every day, and Mrs. Thornton and Bridget’s little sister were both recovering, due to nourishment and the medicine Bridget had been able to provide. Katie and