Chasing the Sun Read Online Free

Then once you are trained, she will present you to the crowned princes of Europe. Just think of it, little one. The world will be your stage!”
    “B-But I have no money,” Daisy said, afraid she might burst into tears. “How would I pay for all that?”
    Bridgeport gave a tittering laugh. “You silly little thing. She pays you ! Tell her, Markham.”
    Crossing his arms over his barrel chest, Mr. Markham recited in a bored voice, “She pays for everything until you’re presented. Then for three years after, she gets fifty percent of whatever you earn. And she also gets seventy-five percent of whatever the tour brings in while you’re being trained. After expenses. The other twenty-five percent is split between the members of the troop. It’s not much, but since everything else is paid for, it’s free money.”
    Daisy stared at him, still not daring to believe. “This isn’t a joke, is it, Mr. Markham? Tell me this isn’t a joke.”
    This time his smile was real. “It isn’t a joke.”
    “Sweet heaven.” For a moment Daisy felt dizzy, her mind soaring with all the possibilities. Then reality brought it crashing back down. “What about Kate?”
    “Who’s Kate?” Bridgeport asked.
    “My daughter.”
    The director glared at his stage manager. “You didn’t say she was married.”
    “I’m not. Not really.”
    “He’s in Australia,” Mr. Markham told Bridgeport, neatly covering for Daisy’s omission. Then to Daisy he added, “He won’t be a problem, will he, missy?”
    She read the warning in his narrowed eyes. “No, he won’t be a problem. But I can bring Kate, can’t I?”
    “Don’t be tiresome.” Bridgeport made an offhand gesture. “Leave her here. Surely there’s a relative or someone you can leave her with. It’ll only be for a year or two, after all.”
    A year or two? Neither of them would survive it.
    “There’s no one,” Daisy said in a strained voice. And even if there were, she didn’t think she could leave Kate behind. An idea came to her. What if she found a way to bring Kate with her? “How much would my salary be during training?” Maybe it would be enough to hire a nanny to come too.
    Markham must have read her thoughts. A sad look crossed his face. He shook his head. “Not enough.”
    “You either stay behind with your daughter like a good little mommy,” Bridgeport said with impatient sarcasm, “or come with us and be a star. It’s your choice. But you’d best decide soon. The company meets in New Orleans in two months’ time, then we sail for Rome.”

Two

    New Mexico Territory

    SISTER MARIA ELENA RAMIREZ SHIFTED ON THE BUGGY seat, trying to ease the ache in her damaged hip. She had been traveling for the last five days, by train, then coach, and now hired buggy out of Val Rosa, and she was beginning to wonder if the pain was God’s way of suggesting she shouldn’t have made the trip.
    But what choice had she? She was nearing the end of her years as a novice, and next month she would go into retreat to prepare for her final vows. If she was ever to explain her decision to the Wilkins family, or forgive her brother for the heartache he had brought them all, this was her last chance.
    The buggy bounced over a rock. She bit back a gasp of pain and glanced at the driver beside her, wondering if he was asleep. Or blind. Or simply in league with El Diablo.
    An unworthy thought. She would have to say five Pater Nosters to cleanse her soul. Perhaps ten. Trying to focus away from the pain, she studied the landscape rolling past as they began the long descent into RosaRoja Valley.
    Spring had come early this year. Already the native plants were starting to green, and under a lingering coat of morning dew, the broad valley glistened like an emerald in the sun. Twice they slowed to pick their way through shallow, fast-moving water that cut across the road. Fed by the last of the snow melting on the high peaks, it rushed down the slopes to overflow the creek that