New York Bound

by Rachel Wesson

  “You have to be around here. Not much call for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”

  Chapter 19

  Robbie followed Nora into the disgusting tenement block. He could understand why Doc Erin had arranged for her friend to move. But he would be more than slightly surprised if she agreed. From what he knew of the Irish, they were very stubborn and had more pride than anything else. Even when they had nothing, they still had that.

  “Nora, perhaps I should wait here?”

  “Why? Are you afraid my gran and mam will try to convert you?” Nora teased.

  “No, I doubt they would try, but they would be wasting their time if they did. I just think you should tell them your news in private.”

  “I can’t leave you waiting outside the door. It’s not particularly safe, not unless you come from around here.” Nora’s insistent tone made him smile.

  It was nice to hear her concern for his well-being, although he had been in far worse situations than standing outside a tenement building in daylight. “I can look after myself. I am a big boy after all.” He used a teasing voice to show her he wasn’t being nasty.

  “I know that but I still would prefer if you came in with me.”

  She was nervous, it showed in her face. Against his better judgment, he went inside with her.

  “Oh my, Nora, what happened to you. You look beautiful. Doesn’t she, Ruth?”

  Ruth—who he figured was Nora’s mam—couldn’t speak. Her eyes were filled with tears.

  “Gran, Mam, this is Mr. Fenton. He’s a friend of Doc Erin. She asked him to help me with the bags.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” Robbie said.

  “Welcome, Mr. Fenton. Please put your bags down there by the door. Would you like some tea?” Ruth asked.

  “No thank you, Mrs. Doherty,” Robbie replied. She had a look of her daughter, but she looked worn out and hungry.

  A younger girl came over. “You look soft and you smell real good. Can you get a dress for me, Nora?”

  “Yes, Katie, darling. But first why don’t you have a look in the bags? Mr. Fenton and I went shopping.”

  Katie and a younger boy ran to the bags exclaiming with glee as they started pulling out food. Then they found the candy.

  “Nora, where did you get the money for all this?”

  Robbie felt the elder Mrs. Doherty eyeing him as if blaming him for leading her granddaughter astray.

  “Doc Erin gave it to me, Gran. She also gave me money for some new furniture. That’s why she sent Robbie, I mean Mr. Fenton, with me. She didn’t want anyone robbing me,” Nora spoke quickly. Robbie had discovered she did that when nervous. He didn’t blame her. He should have realized this was the famous Mrs. Doherty who Ned Duffy said was responsible for stopping their business from progressing. He figured Duffy meant the woman tried to stop the businesses Mr. Prentice didn’t know about. The ones involving inflicting pain on young women for example. He’d only heard rumors. He couldn’t go to Prentice until he had proof, but one of these days he would get Duffy shut down.

  “She wants you to go shopping for furniture.” Mrs. Doherty’s tone said it all. Nora knew she was in for a roasting if her expression was anything to go by.

  Robbie couldn’t meet the older woman’s stare. He figured she had realized Doc Erin had plans for them all.

  “She does, but first we have to move to our new home,” Nora said, although her attempt at a confident tone was wasted by her staring at her shoes. Robbie wished he had waited outside.

  “What new home? What are you talking about, Nora?” Nora’s gran asked.

  Here comes trouble, Robbie thought. The look on the grandmother’s face was matched by that of Nora’s ma.

  “Perhaps I should wait outside,” Robbie suggested, but a glare from Mrs. Doherty senior shut him up. Nora gave him a panicked look. What did she want him to do? At this moment, he would prefer to be squaring up to a local gangster than dealing with the Doherty women.

  Nora looked from her mam to her gran. She must have figured her mam was the safer option as she directed her words to her. “Doc Erin found us a new apartment. Wait till you see it, Mam. It has separate bedrooms and a kitchen and living room, too. You’re going to love it.”

  “Who’s paying for it?” Carmel asked.

  Robbie heard the steel tone and winced for Nora’s sake. Her gran was furious.

  “Doc Erin. Gran, she said she owed you. It isn’t charity.” Nora tried in vain to sound convincing.

  “Yes, it is and we don’t want it,” Gran Doherty said firmly. “I don’t mind her buying you some new clothes, love, but that’s where it stops. The Dohertys always fended for themselves and they will continue to do so.”

  “But, Gran…” Nora protested, but the words died on her lips at the look her gran gave her.

  “Don’t be cheeky, girl. You should know better. Mr. Fenton, thank you for visiting us but you better leave.” Gran went to the door and held it open for him. Under different circumstances, he may have laughed at the idea of being kicked out by a woman in her late fifties.

  “I have to speak to my granddaughter in private.”

  Robbie understood and knew he shouldn’t say anything, but it didn’t stop him.

  “I will go back to Doc Erin now, but please don’t blame your granddaughter,” he said politely. Nora gave him a small smile which had an unnerving effect on his stomach. He struggled to drag his eyes from hers and turn his attention to her grandmother who was now looking at him as if he had crawled out from somewhere. This was a woman who ruled her household with an iron will. He could see where Nora got her inner strength from. “From what I can see, both Doc Erin and her friend Mrs. Higgins are very hard to say no to.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Fenton, but I know best how to look after my family.” The firm but polite reprimand was enough to convince him it was time to leave.

  Robbie bowed his head and retreated. He best go and report back to Doc Erin. She wouldn’t be happy.

  As he rode in the cab back to the hotel, he concentrated on Mrs. Doherty and what Duffy had to say about her. According to local gossip, the Doherty and Duffy clans had lived on the same estate back in Ireland. The Duffys had become rent collectors for the English landlord, thus protecting their family against the ravages of the famine. Nothing wrong with looking after your own, but rumor had it they went beyond the limits of their authority. People who argued with them over rent increases found themselves homeless with no community backing. In those days, anyone found helping the ‘rebels’, as they were known, were at best made homeless and at worst transported or in some cases executed. The Dohertys had escaped to America and for some reason the Duffys had followed suit.

  Ned Duffy Sr. wasn’t a bad man, he was certainly no saint but he had a code of honor as such. He looked after his own, in his own fashion. He got involved in a lot of shady deals and dealt harshly with those who crossed him, but otherwise he didn’t harm those in his community.

  His son, Ned Duffy Jr., was another kettle of fish. That man had no heart or moral compass. He was motivated not only by greed but by a need to inflict pain on others. The stories Robbie had heard would turn most men’s stomachs. The only problem was, nobody had any proof so there was little they could do. But Duffy had complained about a Mrs. Doherty who was interfering in his business. He had bragged about having the ultimate revenge on the old lady. Somehow Robbie didn’t think he meant to have the woman killed, it was something more painful than that. Having met Carmel Doherty, Robbie had no doubt she could be a thorn in the Duffy family’s side, but how exactly did she make his business life more difficult? She was only one old lady. Why would Duffy go out of his way to inflict pain on the old woman? If anything, he should admire her bravery and spirit. Too many people became downtrodden when faced with similar problems as those facing the Doherty family. There was something more to all this and he was determined to find out exactly what.

  But first he had to find Doc Erin and persuade her
to go back to the Dohertys to rescue Nora from her gran’s wrath.

  Chapter 20

  Doc Erin and Alicia were having afternoon tea when he arrived back at the hotel.

  “Oh, do come in, Robbie, and tell us. Are they happy with their new home? Oh, what is it?” Erin asked him, noticing the look on his face.

  “Sorry, Doc, but they wouldn’t move. Mrs. Doherty got quite upset and told me to leave. She’s very annoyed with Nora.”

  “Oh, the poor girl. I am so sorry, Robbie, I didn’t mean to cause any awkwardness.”

  “No need to apologize to me, ma’am, but perhaps you might like to call on the Dohertys. I think Nora may be in a lot of trouble.” Robbie hoped the doctor would take the hint. He dreaded to think of the tongue lashing Nora was getting. Although from the little he knew of her, he thought she may be giving back as good as she got.

  “Of course, I must go. Can you come with me? Do you mind?” Erin asked him.

  “Not at all. I’d like to check that Nora is alright.”

  “Alicia, will you tell the others where I am? I need to fix this,” Erin asked.

  “Yes, of course, do you want me to go with you?” Alicia asked as she looked from Robbie to Doc Erin. He thought it best for the doc to go on her own. Alicia looked and acted the part of a wealthy woman and, although she was warm and kind, her presence may upset the Dohertys even more.

  “No, I think it best if I go alone.”

  Robbie hoped his relief at Doc’s words didn’t show. After all, his job was to protect Alicia Higgins, not trail after Doc Erin. But somehow, he figured his boss wouldn’t mind.

  It didn’t take long to reach the Dohertys’ home by cab. Robbie accompanied Doc Erin to the door where they heard shouting. Poor Nora.

  Doc Erin gave him a look before she knocked on the door and then opened it without being acknowledged. They walked in and the shouting immediately stopped.

  “Please, ladies, don’t blame Nora. It was all my fault. I got carried away. I just wanted to say thank you for everything you did for me, Mrs. D.”

  “Stop calling me that. Call me Carmel if you want. We know your heart was in the right place, Doc, but…” Carmel Doherty, Nora’s gran looked more annoyed than she had when Robbie left. He took a step closer to Nora, whose eyes were all red.

  “You have your pride and I just rode roughshod over everything. I am so sorry. Please say you forgive me,” Erin said, her voice trembling slightly.

  Robbie wanted to run. He could handle one woman crying, just about. But not a room full of them.

  “Aw, Doc, don’t you go crying. I could never bear it when you cried and I haven’t changed. I know you meant well and we are very grateful, aren’t we Ruth?”

  Ruth nodded but left the talking to her mother-in-law. Robbie looked to Nora, the poor girl was standing staring at the floor, her face bright red. He wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or temper. He suspected the latter.

  From what he had discovered during their brief time together, Nora wanted a better life. For herself and her family. She wouldn’t understand why her gran and her mam would be content staying here in these rooms when they could live somewhere better.

  But he could understand it. This was their home, they knew the people around them and that counted for a lot when times were tough. If you and your neighbors were in the same boat, you stuck together and many times you helped each other survive. It was a lot to give that up to move a couple of blocks away and start over. He could understand Nora’s family was afraid, although they would never admit to it.

  He coughed, making Nora look at him. He gave her a small smile. Her eyes widened but then she smiled back at him. She wasn’t immune to him even if he was an English Protestant. Although she was wrong on that part. He wasn’t any religion. He and God had parted company a long time ago.

  “Nora, why don’t you make your gran, mam, and Doc Erin a nice cup of tea. Your neighbors don’t need to hear your private business.”

  Nora’s gran turned to look at him, her steel blue eyes seemed to be able to read his inner thoughts.

  “You came back, did you? I thought my temper would have seen you off.”

  “Not me, Mrs. Doherty. I am tougher than I look.”

  “You did a good job protecting our Nora, and I am grateful to you for that. Is that an English accent I hear?” Carmel asked.

  “Yes, ma’am. However, I've lived in New York since I was young.”

  “Seen some tough times too I imagine.”

  Robbie didn’t reply. He knew she had seen him for what he was: a muscle man for a rich employer. He was lucky he worked for a good person. Mr. Prentice was a real gentleman and had taught him a lot.

  “Well, as it looks like you don’t intend on leaving any time soon, why don’t you take a seat too?” she said.

  “Mother, you can’t speak to the man like that,” Nora’s mam said, giving him a quick look of apology.

  “Why not? This is my home.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Doherty. I would love some tea to go with the seat.”

  Nora’s gran laughed. “You are a good one for all you are British. You heard the man, Nora, get him a cup of tea. Make it strong.”

  Chapter 21

  It took some time but, eventually, Mrs. Doherty convinced Erin she wouldn’t move to a new apartment. Mrs. Doherty said she wanted to be near to her friends but Robbie believed the real reason was her pride. She wasn’t going to accept charity. Robbie saw by Nora’s facial expressions, she wanted to argue against the decision but she didn’t. He guessed she didn’t want to upset her grandmother and mom rather than being afraid to argue. He couldn’t help wondering where her father was. He hadn’t liked hearing Nora talk about her pa the way she did. Not having a father growing up, he considered her lucky having both parents in her life.

  He stayed silent watching Doc Erin in action. He could see how this woman had fought against prejudice to become a doctor. When he found out she had worked in New York but left under a cloud, he had asked around about her. Most people he spoke to, who had either been treated by her or had her see their relatives, had a very high opinion of her. The staff at the hospital thought she had been treated unfairly; however, more than one had believed she wouldn’t have gotten the position she held without marrying into the Cooper family. She didn’t seem the type to marry a man because of his background. He had only known her a few days but she seemed to be very ethical and straightforward. She wasn’t judgmental either. She had the girl Lily minding her child. Lily hadn’t told him of her background; she didn’t need to. He had seen how she reacted to men in general, and Mr. Floyd in particular. The girl had suffered badly, he guessed from what little had been said that she had worked in houses like those Duffy managed.

  “I best get back to the others. Mick will be wondering where I am.”

  Robbie stood up as Doc Erin spoke. He hadn’t been following the conversation for the last few minutes but he guessed she had admitted defeat.

  “Ruth, Carmel, please let me examine Joe and see if there is anything that can be done. Talk to him. I know some of the doctors at the Eye and Ear Hospital. They may be able to help.”

  “We will, Doc Erin. Thank you for what you tried to do for us,” Ruth Doherty answered.

  “Carmel, please let Nora keep the clothes. Better clothes will help her secure work. And let her come and visit us again. If she decides to come back with us to Clover Springs, she will be very welcome.”

  Robbie’s ears pricked up. Clover Springs? Nora was leaving New York? No, she wouldn’t go. Would she?

  “Nora will be going to Clover Springs with you, Doc Erin. She has made some nasty enemies here in New York.” Carmel gave Robbie a quick glance before she continued softly. “We don’t believe she will stay safe if she remains living here.”

  Someone had threatened Nora? Ned Duffy. His hands fisted at the thought. How could he not have realized it before? Duffy was going to make Mrs. Doherty pay by hurting her granddaughter. He didn
’t know why but he was drawn to Miss Doherty more than any other woman he had met. If Ned Duffy touched a hair on her head it would be the last thing he did. He hated Duffy but even that didn’t explain his reaction to hearing he had threatened Nora.

  “Was it Duffy who threatened your family Mrs. Doherty?”

  Carmel Doherty eyed him shrewdly. “You are not just a pretty face are you Mr. Fenton. Tis no secret there is no love lost between the Dohertys and those amadans, but we can handle our own problems.”

  Robbie knew the Irish word for a fool and the fact she used it to warn him to mind his own business, but that was easier said than done. He hated bullies and the thought Duffy meant to inflict harm on this family made him angry.

  “Nora is quite excited about moving to Colorado, Doc Erin,” Ruth said.

  Robbie watched Nora’s reaction closely. He saw her eyes had widened at the mention of her name, but it wasn’t with anger, only curiosity. Now he had seen her mother and grandmother, he could understand if Nora wanted to live somewhere she could stand on her own feet. The girl had fire and spirit in abundance but her gran was the ruler of this roost.

  Would she really leave? He didn’t want her to go. But he had no right to ask her to stay. Just what did he want from Miss Doherty?

  She caught his glance and wondered what he was thinking. Was he annoyed? Did he feel she had wasted his time by asking him to accompany her? She’d been so embarrassed when her gran had told him to leave but he had come back. He’d brought Doc Erin, too, the only woman her gran was likely to listen to.

  Tears pricked her eyelids. They had come so close to getting out of the horrible tenements but her gran was too darn stubborn to let Doc Erin help them. But at least she had decent clothes now. She’d go and get a proper job and when she had saved a little bit of money to cover at least six months rent for her mam, maybe then she would head to Clover Springs. It would be the start of a new adventure.