“No wonder he hated me. Yet he would have married me had Papa still been alive.”
“You had a lucky escape. I wonder who will inherit the fortune now.”
“I couldn’t care less. I am so happy, happier than I have ever been. I miss my adoptive parents, they were good to me. But I love being reunited with you and meeting all my new family members. And I have the best husband in the world.”
“Now I may just argue that point. There is nobody like Davy Sullivan.”
Cathy exchanged a look with her sister and they both giggled like school girls. “Maybe that is one subject we will never discuss. Don’t think either of us would win that argument.”
Epilogue
The party was in full swing, with everyone having the time of their lives. Erin cuddled closer to Mick, who was holding Michelle in his other arm. She spotted Cathy and Abe dancing, their eyes glued to each other. She was sorry they had decided to leave and go back to Noelle but she knew it was the right thing for them to do. Abe was too nice to let his ma fend for herself and Cathy needed some independence. Mary, although her heart was in the right place, was inclined to treat Cathy like a child.
Erin looked to the happy couple. Wilma beamed, her face lit up like a beacon. She looked so happy and so did the man at her side. Erin hadn’t had much chance to interact with Zack, but he seemed like a fine man. He was good for Wilma. More than once, she had heard him telling Wilma to slow down and act her age. It made Wilma mad but he kept doing it. He also had a way of dealing with the twins, who were turning into right little terrors. Between them and Bertram Shaw, the teachers had their hands full.
“Penny for them?”
“I was just thinking how wonderful it is to be back home. With all the people we love and care about.”
“It will be even better next month when Mrs. D and the rest of the gang from New York arrive. Can you believe Mr. Prentice is traveling with them? He bought them all first class tickets, too.”
“I can believe anything about that man. I wonder whether he will move here permanently?”
“To Clover Springs? I don’t know, Erin. He has a lot of business interests in New York.”
“Yes, but those he considers family—Robbie and Alicia, for example—live here. I think he might just decide Clover Springs is right for him.”
“Who knows, darling. You are usually right, so I am not going to argue.”
They danced for a while. Mick nudged Erin, causing her to look up just in time to see Sheriff Willis lead a blushing Mrs. Grey out onto the dance floor.
“You wouldn’t have anything to do with that, my dear husband?”
“Me? Absolutely nothing at all.”
Erin smiled at the grin on Mick’s face. Mary had accidentally told her about the dancing lessons but she hadn’t said a word. She squeezed Mick’s hand.
“What?”
“I just wanted to tell you I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mrs. Quinn.”
Cathy held Abe’s hand tighter as Mrs. Shaw and her entourage came toward them. She felt her husband’s back stiffen.
“Good evening, ladies. How are we all this evening?”
“Fine, thank you, Mr. O’Malley. Congratulations on your wedding. We were just wondering how your wife was faring. You know, after all her problems.”
Cathy stiffened. The woman had some nerve. She was standing right in front of her. Did she think she was deaf?
“My wife is perfect, Mrs. Shaw. I couldn’t meet a better person, and soon we will live in a place where small-minded gossips aren’t welcome,” Abe said straight-faced. “Darling, shall we dance?”
Cathy had to hold her breath as she tried not to laugh at the look on Mrs. Shaw’s face.
Abe pulled her close on the dance floor.
“Abe, people are staring.”
“Let them. They are just jealous you have such a handsome husband.”
Cathy giggled as he tickled her neck with his nose before he took her into his arms and danced as properly as any other couple on the dance floor. She caught Mary’s glance and smiled back at her sister. Mary had done her best to persuade them to stay in Clover Spring, but eventually she had seen Cathy’s place was beside her husband. They had promised to visit and to write regularly.
“Happy, Mrs. O’Malley?”
“Yes, darling. So happy.”
Character List
Clover Springs Main Characters:
Father Molloy - Clover Springs Catholic Priest
Mrs. Grey- town icon and nurse
Wilma - former slave now running Orphanage
Little Beaver - Deputy Sheriff - married to Asha
Samuel Higgins - In charge of Orphanage with Ellen, his wife, and Wilma their friend.
Ellen Higgins - school teacher, wife of Samuel, mother of Jake
Mrs. Higgins - Samuel and Aaron’s widowed ma who works and lives at Sullivan Ranch
Doc Erin - recently arrived doctor now married to Mick and mother of adopted daughter Michelle.
Mick Quinn- Civil War veteran - doc’s husband and father to orphan Michelle
Laura Kelley - teacher - married to Paul Kelley
Ma Kelley - hated widow - mother of Paul Kelley but everyone calls her Ma Kelley.
Martha Sullivan — runs boarding house - widowed mother of Daniel, Davy and Elizabeth
Daniel Sullivan - owns store , married to Katie, parents to Ella and Danny
Davy Sullivan - married to Mary, parents to Cathy and adopted son Ben
Gary Barrett - saloon owner married to Eleanor. Adopted parents to Rosa and John.
Nurse Emer Shipley - wife of Lawrence Shipley.
Sorcha
Cookie - Civil War veteran saved Mick Quinn’s life
Sheriff Willis
Also by Rachel Wesson
Clover Springs Mail Order Brides
Katie (Book 1)
Mary (Book 2)
Sorcha (Book 3)
Emer (Book 4)
Laura (Book 5)
Ellen (Book 6)
Thanksgiving in Clover Springs (book 7)
Christmas in Clover Springs (book8)
Erin (Book 9)
Eleanor (book 10)
Cathy (book 11 - coming soon)
Clover Springs East
New York Bound (book 1)
New York Storm (book 2)
New York Hope (coming soon)
12 Days Of Christmas Mail Order Brides (series)
The Maid, The Eighth Day
Trail of Hearts - Oregon Trail Series
Oregon Bound (book 1)
Oregon Dreams (book 2)
Oregon Destiny (book 3)
Oregon Discovery (Oregon Orphans)
Writing as Ellie Keaton
Women & War (World War II fiction)
Gracie
Penny
Molly
Acknowledgments
My wonderful husband and three fantastic children who make my life complete. My father, who instilled my love of reading and remains one of my biggest supporters.
To my friends, especially those online whom I have met as part of my writing journey, I thank you for everything.
And last but definitely not least, thank you to all those members of the Pioneer Hearts facebook group. You guys are fantabulous! (My daughter’s word for fantastic and fabulous.)
Cathy Page 13