“Nora, you look incredible. Doesn’t she, Aaron?” Alicia asked.
Robbie glanced at Aaron’s face, he looked stunned.
“My wife is right as always, Miss Doherty,” Aaron said.
Nora smiled, her happiness lighting her up from the inside. “Please, call me Nora.”
“Miss Doherty, your seat is waiting. How do you like your tea?” Robbie finally managed to say.
“Strong with extra milk, please.”
She reached to take his hand, their eyes connecting. Her smile was shy again. He bowed slightly. “You look beautiful,” he whispered so only she heard him. Her eyes widened as they touched, he felt her shiver as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. This was the girl for him.
“Nora, did your grandmother speak to you about coming to live in Clover Springs?”
“Yes, Doc Erin, well, Mam did.”
“Do we take it from the look on your face, you aren’t keen?” Alicia asked.
Nora looked at the men before looking back at Alicia. Thankfully, the lady took her hint.
“Perhaps we should discuss this later. Now, how was lunch? Did everyone have enough or should I ask Mr. Floyd for more?”
“Please don’t ruin a good meal by mentioning that man’s name. I saw him downstairs earlier grilling some poor young maid. She looked terrified,” Aaron said.
“Is that the manager?” Nora asked, although she knew she should keep quiet.
“Yes, why, do you know him?” Aaron asked.
“He interviewed me for a job here last week but told me I wasn’t suitable.” Nora looked into her tea cup. What would Robbie and the others think of her now? She had just reminded them who they were having lunch with.
“Why not? You’re a hard worker, well, at least from what your gran has said,” Erin said looking confused.
“He suggested, well, he hinted…” Nora wished she could disappear, especially now that everyone was staring at her. Robbie in particular looked furious.
“Are you trying to tell us he wanted a personal favor in return for giving you the job?” Aaron asked.
Nora nodded slightly, far too embarrassed to answer.
“Well, I never. Just wait till I get my hands on that horrible man. I will…”
“Aaron, darling, I love you but let’s leave this to Robbie. I am sure he can tell Uncle Randolph what’s been going on.” Alicia turned to Nora. “My husband thinks it would be a wonderful idea to feed the manager to his pigs. I think it would be rather unfair. To the pigs.”
Nora burst out laughing as she guessed was Alicia’s intention. Everyone else laughed too. Except Robbie. He looked dangerous, his eyes glittering with anger. Or disgust. She wasn’t quite sure which.
Chapter 16
After lunch, Erin and Alicia took Nora back to Erin’s suite where she met Lily and Michelle. Lily was shy at first but, after a couple of minutes chatting, the two girls bonded.
“I’m trying to convince Nora to come live in Clover Springs,” Erin said as she played with Michelle on her lap.
“Alone or with your whole family?” Lily asked.
“Mam said I was to become a mail order bride, so I think alone,” Nora said.
“Actually, Lily, that’s a wonderful idea. Think about it Alicia. How much nicer would it be for Carmel and her family to live in Clover Springs. No more tenements. The fresh air would do them all good, not to mention better food and the quality of schooling available for young Katie and Stevie.”
“Not sure you’ll ever get my gran out of New York. I think it’s in her blood,” Nora said.
“Maybe, maybe not. I think she may have been hinting at something in her letters, but I was too blind or preoccupied to see it.”
“Doesn’t sound like my gran. She usually just comes out and says what she thinks. She isn’t known for being subtle.”
“Bit like her granddaughter, I gather?”
Nora knew Alicia was teasing her. She had a kind smile. She couldn’t help wondering again why these ladies were helping her and her family. Could it just be because of her gran helping Doc Erin?
“Actually, if your whole family came to Clover Springs, it could help us out. The town is growing but we need more families. More single women too. Do you have any friends who may want to move with you?”
“Relax Alicia, you’ll scare her off.” Erin smiled at Nora. “There are so many cowboys and miners in Clover Springs, there simply aren’t enough single ladies around for them to marry. We have rather a large number of children living in the orphanage thanks to Alicia saving them from the Leadville mines. We want more couples to move to Cover Springs in the hope that they will adopt some of the children.”
“I see.” Nora didn’t really but what else could she say? She didn’t know any newly married couple who would be willing to take on someone else’s child. But then Erin and Alicia had both adopted children. Maybe it was different when you didn’t have to worry every second about how you were going to keep your children fed.
“What would I do for work if I were to live in Clover Springs? Does the town have hotels or restaurants?”
The women exchanged a look before laughing. Nora looked at them wondering what she had said wrong.
“Sorry, Nora, we aren’t laughing at you. Our town is so small now, we have a mercantile, a boarding house, a church, a school, a rather large orphanage, a saloon, and a clinic. That is about it,” Alicia said.
“You forgot the bank and the mill. There are a couple of other businesses on the outskirts of town but it is quite small. Totally different from New York,” Erin said.
“So where would I work? I can’t teach and my sewing isn’t wonderful. I certainly wouldn’t be able to produce something like this.” Nora looked down at the new dress she was wearing. Then she looked at Lily. “What do you do for work?”
For some reason, her question made Lily turn bright red while the atmosphere in the room became charged.
“Is that the time? Your family is going to be worried about you, Nora. And we haven’t done anything about finding you somewhere nicer to live. We should go find Robbie and start looking,” Erin suggested.
“Yes, Erin, we should or it will be dark and we won’t have accomplished anything. Lily, do you want to come with us?”
Nora risked a glance at Lily who was now very pale and looked to be on the verge of tears. She wished she knew what she had said to upset her. She felt awful. “Have I said something wrong? I’m so sorry. I should go.”
“Nora, you haven’t done anything. Please don’t be sorry. Good luck with finding a new home for your family. It was lovely to meet you. Come on, Michelle, you need a fresh change.” Lily spoke fast and moved so quickly she was gone before Nora could react. She saw by the guarded expressions on the other ladies’ faces, the subject of Lily was closed.
Chapter 17
Nora didn’t get a chance to think more about Lily. She was totally distracted by Robbie and these new feelings made her feel very uncomfortable. She had no time for men, having seen first-hand the trouble marriage could lead to. But this man seemed different. Not that she wanted to marry him, she had only just met him but…why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?
In the cab, Nora could feel Robbie looking at her occasionally, but she didn’t look up. She was never usually shy and yet this man made her feel that way. Nobody ever called her quiet either, yet she couldn’t think of anything to say. They finally reached the area Robbie had suggested. She nodded her agreement so Robbie asked the cab driver to stop. He paid him a sum of money to wait for their return.
Nora walked in front of Alicia and Doc Erin with Robbie at her side. She kept her hands close to her sides as she suddenly found herself wishing he would take her arm.
“Come on, Nora. You know the area best. Show me somewhere you think your parents would like to stay for a few months. I haven’t given up on getting them to move to Clover Springs but your gran is a stubborn old bird,” Erin said.
“Take
s one to know one,” Alicia replied smiling.
Envious of the obvious friendship between the two ladies, Nora led the way down a narrow street.
“Are you sure? These don’t look much better than what we came from,” Erin said dubiously.
“Oh, they are, Doc Erin, much nicer. Each family has their own apartment. See?”
All Erin could see was a cramped, airless room. Any marital problems the Dohertys had would be exacerbated by living in such close quarters.
“I was thinking something a little bigger. Somewhere with three separate bedrooms and a kitchen and living area.”
Nora’s eyes grew wide as she opened and closed her mouth.
“Nora, your gran was the best friend to me when I had nobody. I want to repay her. I would love to be able to buy her a brown townhouse but that is beyond my budget.”
Nora smiled at the thought of her gran living in a brownstone.
“Let’s find something a little better,” Doc Erin said.
They finally agreed on a bigger apartment, not too far from where her gran’s friends lived. She knew her gran didn’t want to live far away. The Irish liked to stick to their own, especially in New York where many viewed them with suspicion.
Erin and Alicia looked around dubiously. “Are you certain, Nora? This isn’t exactly the type of place I meant.”
“Doc Erin, you can’t make them move away from their friends and neighbors if they are staying in New York. They need them. Communities like ours stick together.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” Erin said doubtfully.
Nora wore a resolute expression on her face. “This will be lovely. Mam and Gran will be delighted.”
“What of your father?” Alicia asked.
“He don’t count. He can stay where he is, miserable old sod.”
“That’s no way to speak about your father. He has been through a horrible time. I wonder if we might be able to do more to help him,” Alicia reprimanded her gently.
“Has he seen an eye specialist?” Erin asked.
“He saw a doctor. A railroad one. They said nothing could be done.”
“Perhaps. But I would like a second opinion. From an eye specialist. I’ll make some enquiries.”
Nora kept her mouth shut. She didn’t believe her da warranted such favorable treatment but it wasn’t for her to say so. If Doc Erin wanted to waste her money, that was her own business.
“Nora, would you like to move in today?” Erin asked.
At Nora’s eager nod, Doc Erin gave her some money. “Get a cab and go home and collect whatever items you need to bring with you. Buy some food and other essential items too. Your gran can’t object too much if it is all done and dusted before she gets a chance to say no.”
Nora giggled at the hopeful look on the doctor’s face. She knew her gran well. No doubt she expected to get a good talking to when Gran found out about all this. Nora took one last look around, pinching herself. This was like a dream. She never wanted to wake up.
“Erin, shouldn’t Robbie go with her? I don’t like to think what might happen to her carrying money around here,” Alicia suggested.
Nora started to protest, but the two older women ignored her. They talked as they walked back onto the street after agreeing to take the apartment. Erin wanted to pay the landlord two months’ rent in advance but Robbie cautioned her not to. The man made some comment about letting the apartment go but at a look from Robbie, he went quiet. Robbie handed the apartment manager a dollar and told him they would be back later that evening. Nora noticed the fear in the landlord’s eyes, although it was quickly hidden. He seemed to recognize Robbie. Just who was this Mr. Fenton and how was he connected to the Duffys?
When they were out of the manager’s earshot, Nora turned on Robbie.
“Why didn’t you let Erin pay for the apartment? It might be gone by the time we come back.”
“It won’t be,” he replied.
“How can you be so sure?” she asked.
“How can you be certain your family will move?”
She opened her mouth to answer but now he had mentioned it, she wondered if he was right. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind. The place they were living in was so horrible, she couldn’t wait to leave it, but did her gran and family feel the same way?
“They are entitled to their opinion, Miss Doherty.”
“My name is Nora.”
“Okay, but they still got a say in where they live. I’m not sure your gran will want to move that far from her friends,” he said.
“But we think she may be interested in moving to Clover Springs?” Alicia protested.
“Begging your pardon, Mrs. Higgins, but that’s different. In New York, people prefer to stick close to their roots. It helps to make them feel protected. Isn’t that right, Nora?”
Nora nodded, feeling ill. She hadn’t stopped to think of her family’s reaction. She had only thought of herself.
Doc Erin took over. “Robbie, I appreciate your concerns and I am grateful you saved us some money. But I feel very strongly Mrs. Doherty will want to move. You haven’t seen where she lives.”
Robbie remained silent but Nora had the impression he knew the area very well. Her mind didn’t want to question why.
“Robbie, could you do me a favor? Would you mind accompanying Nora while she goes to speak to her family? Before she goes home, she needs to do some shopping. Food and other essentials. Would you assist?” Erin asked. “Alicia and I have other arrangements.”
“My pleasure, ladies. I told Mick I would help you in any way I could.”
“There is no need for anyone to come with me. I grew up here. I know these parts like the back of my hand,” Nora said, torn between wanting to be alone with Robbie and being scared of what she might uncover. He was occupying far too much of her thoughts already.
“I insist. I don’t want any more mishaps.” Doc Erin’s mouth was shut in a thin line of disapproval. For a second, Nora thought she had lost everything by being ungrateful.
“Sorry, Doc Erin, I guess I am a bit too independent.”
“Nothing wrong with that, my dear, but don’t bite the hand that feeds you. At least, not too often.” Doc Erin winked at her. “Come along, Alicia, we have places to be.”
Nora and Robbie were left staring at each other in the middle of the sidewalk, the ladies having taken the waiting cab.
Chapter 18
Robbie coughed, wondering what to do next. It was obvious Nora would prefer to be anywhere but in his company. But he had given his word.
“We best get going. What do you want to do first? Shopping or talking to your folks about moving?”
“Shopping I guess. But I still don’t believe you need to accompany me. Why don’t you wait here with a paper or something?”
When he didn’t respond, she turned red.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I forget not everyone knows how to read.”
He burst out laughing as she tried to be gracious while she insulted him.
“What?” she said, her hands on her hips looking as if she were going to slap him.
“I can read. You can’t run a business without knowing math and English.”
“A business. Is that what you call it?”
He heard the disapproval but wasn’t sure what caused it. “Yes, miss. Mr. Prentice owns a number of businesses, and I’m responsible for overseeing the books for a couple of them.”
“What type of businesses? That apartment man was afraid of you. You could see the fear in his face, smell it off him.” Nora wrinkled her nose in disgust. Before he got a chance to defend himself, she was off again. “Typical of your sort really, working for bosses like Mr. Prentice. You serve booze to those who can ill afford it, encouraging them to drink until they fall over and then send them home to their families. To children who haven’t had a bite to eat all day.”
He returned her glare.
“Not all saloons operate like that, and Mr. Prentice
doesn’t entertain clients like that. His is an altogether more upmarket crowd. We never give our customers more than they can handle, and we certainly don’t allow them to drink until they pass out.”
“And if you look out the window, the Prince of England is coming to call for a cup of tea,” she said sarcastically.
“There’s no call for sarcasm. You don’t know anything about me. Or Mr. Prentice for that matter. He’s a good boss. He has been very kind to me.”
“I know enough. You’re English, you’re working for a saloon owner and, and…I bet you aren’t Catholic.”
“Yes, I am all of the above. And you are an Irish Catholic who hasn’t a good word to say about anyone, not even her own father. So, I am quite happy you don’t approve of me. But for now, we have a job to do. I suggest we get on and do it.”
He would have marched down the street but he didn’t know which store she wanted to visit. He waited, foot tapping, until she finally made her mind up to show him.
Mortified, Nora led the way in silence to the store. She’d been so rude. Her mam would have her guts for garters. Mam always insisted her children treat everyone politely regardless of their background and Nora hadn’t been alone with the man for five minutes before insulting him. “I apologize for my outburst earlier.”
“Did you mean what you said?” he asked.
“About saloons? Absolutely.”
“Well then, you don’t need to apologize, do you? You can go to your priest and do penance instead.”
She was about to lay into him again when she caught him smiling. Was he actually teasing her?
“You seem to know a lot about the Catholic religion,” Nora said.
“As much as the next person I guess.”
“Well, around here, they should know quite a bit.”
Robbie looked up. He’d been so annoyed, he hadn’t realized they were in the Italian area. He smiled back at her. “Are you always this independent and forthright?”
New York Bound Page 6