Once the food was served, Mr. Prentice gave the waiters the rest of the night off. “We can look after ourselves, now. Thank you.”
Erin knew there was a surprise coming but she didn’t know what Prentice had planned. She looked at Alicia but the curiosity on her friend’s face showed she knew nothing either.
Only once everyone had finished eating, did Mr. Prentice rise again. He clinked a fork against his glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Thank you for your attention. I hope you will join me in drinking to our marvelous lady doctor. Without her skills, there would be many more dead and severely injured. To Doc Erin.”
Everyone raised their glasses and then clapped for Erin, making her blush deeply. Mick kissed her lightly on the lips.
“You’re my hero,” he whispered.
To her horror, Erin’s tears ran down her cheek. “Oh dear and I don’t have a hanky.”
“How she can be a brilliant doctor but never carry a hanky is beyond me,” Carmel Doherty teased, lightening the mood.
“In case you don’t know, Doc Erin is leaving us tomorrow. She’s going back to Clover Springs with her family and my darling Alicia. I will miss them all when they leave. So much so, I have decided I must come and visit.”
“You will be very welcome to stay as long as you like Mr…Randolph.” Aaron corrected himself.
“Thank you Aaron.” Mr. Prentice took a large gulp of his drink. “I am losing more than my family to Clover Springs. I am losing a man whom I have long considered to be like my son. I hope Robbie and his fiancé, Nora will be extremely happy in their new life together.” Mr. Prentice raised his glass and everyone cheered once more. “In fact, I would like to take this opportunity to give Robbie his wedding present. I plan on opening a hotel in Clover Springs. Robbie, I would be much obliged if you signed on as general manager. You would oversee everything from the site purchase through to construction, hiring staff, etcetera.”
Robbie looked so shocked, it was little wonder he seemed lost for words. Nora nudged him a couple of times, but when it became obvious he couldn’t speak, she stood up and thanked Mr. Prentice on their behalf.
“Now, Mrs. Doherty, before you worry my hotel will encroach on your business, I wish to assure you I do not intend to set up in competition.”
“You go ahead and try Mr. Prentice. Our Ruth can bake anyone under the table. The customers will vote with their taste buds,” Carmel said.
“Is that a challenge Mrs. Doherty?” Mr. Prentice grinned.
“It’s a promise Mr. Prentice, and call me Carmel. Like all my friends.”
Erin nearly choked with happiness. She went over and flung her arms around Carmel. “You’ve decided to come to Clover Springs? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought it would be a nice surprise. We aren’t going with you tomorrow though. We want to wait until Joe recovers from his operation, then we’ll come. Charlie said he would help us with the move. Didn’t you love?”
Charlie looked uncomfortable being the center of attention, but he nodded his assent.
“What about you Nora?” Erin asked. “Are you going to wait for your parents or travel with us?”
Nora exchanged a look with Robbie. “I am going to go with you Doc Erin, if that’s okay. I was chatting with Lily and we thought I could look after Michelle while you got caught up on things back in Clover Springs. Then when Mam and Gran come out, I can help them with the restaurant.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Nora! But oh my word Lily, I am going to miss you.”
“Don’t start crying on me Doc Erin or you will set me off too,” Lily said.
Epilogue
The train journey home to Clover Springs seemed to take forever. The children were soon asleep, leaving the adults to talk.
“The week of the Blizzard will go down in history as one of the worst weeks ever in the history of the United States. Do you think our grandchildren will believe we lived through it?” Alicia asked, a reflective look on her face. “We were all so lucky. There were so many people dead and injured.”
“It was certainly horrific. But there are also ongoing consequences from the storm. Says here that train service may not return to normal for another three weeks. The reporter thinks farmers in the outlying areas will have to destroy thousands of tons of milk and butter,” Aaron said, looking up from his paper.
“It’s a crime. People are going hungry in the city and the famers on the outskirts have to destroy food. I hope Uncle Randolph finds a way to send some of that food to the people who really need it.”
“Some mines have had to close down as they can’t transport the coal and iron. That means thousands of miners will be laid off, making it even more difficult for their families to survive,” Robbie said glancing up from the paper in his hands.
“Are your mines affected Alicia?” Mick asked.
“Not really. We can use other transport routes through to Boston and other ports. But I imagine the miners are worried. I’ll have to speak to them in person and reassure them their jobs are safe. We can afford to keep the mines going and build up stock for a month or so until everything gets back to normal.”
“I wonder if New York will ever return to the way it was. They certainly need to improve the way the city deals with natural disasters. How many more lives would have been saved if there were adequate housing and shelter? The length of time taken to clear the snow away is estimated to have cost the businesses a lot of money. Many people suffered dreadfully from a lack of food and everyday items. That cannot happen again,” Erin said, although she knew she was preaching to the converted.
“Some say the underground travel system will get better funding now,” Robbie said.
“Travel underground? I can’t imagine doing that. I hate having to walk into the mouth of the mine, never mind go down to the seams. Who would ever want to travel miles underground on trains?” Alicia asked, her tone suggesting anyone who did want to was rather silly.
Erin didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to argue, but she was certain that someday traveling by train underground would be as common as traveling from one place to another in a wagon. Times were changing. They could either change with them or get left behind. But it would be a long time before Clover Springs ever had to worry about that kind of transportation.
“Are you sorry to be leaving New York?” Mick asked his wife.
“A little, as I have to leave Lily and the rest of them behind. But I can’t wait to go home to Clover Springs. I missed Wilma and Mrs. Grey and, oh everyone.” Erin said happily.
“We have some story to tell them, that’s for sure,” Mick said.
“I don’t think I will ever forget this vacation as long as I live. But at least life will be easier now for most people,” Erin said.
“What do you mean, love?”
“There will be plenty of work for those who want it. The newspapers reckon it will take months to make good all the damage that was done. Mrs. D’s friends will all have jobs, which means they can eat well and maybe even move out of that horrible tenement,” Erin said.
“And some of the younger girls may come to live in Clover Springs. They were asking Aaron what a real cowboy looked like. I think a few of them may have had a crush on him,” Mick said.
“They can look all they like but he’s mine and he’s staying that way.” Alicia’s comment made them laugh.
“That’s a good thing honey as those New York girls are kind of scary,” Aaron said.
“Who’s scary Mr. Higgins?” Nora asked.
“How many times do I have to tell ya to call me Aaron? I ain’t having anyone call me Mr. Higgins till I’m old.”
“Yes, Mr. Higgins.” Nora’s teasing made Erin smile.
“Hey, I can see Clover Springs. That’s Davy’s ranch just there.” Mick pointed out the window for Nora and Robbie’s benefit.
Erin hugged herself happily. She was home.
Afterword
New York Storm i
s now available. Read it here - find out more about what happened to Jamie Headford, Nora Doherty’s cousin. He and his friends got stuck out in the blizzard and not all of them survived. Who lived to tell the tale?
Coming soon:
New York Hope - Does Lily decide to stay in New York or will she head back to Clover Springs after all?
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t have been possible without the help of so many people. Thanks to Erin Dameron-Hill for my fantastic covers. Erin is a gifted artist who makes my characters come to life.
The ladies from Pioneer Hearts who volunteered to proofread my book. Special thanks go to Marlene Larsen, Cindy Nipper, Marilyn Cortellini, Janet Lesley, Sherry Masters, Robin Malek, Meisje Sanders Arcuri and Denise Cervantes who all spotted errors (mine) that had slipped through.
Last, but by no means least, huge thanks and love to my husband and my three children.
Also by Rachel Wesson
Clover Springs East
New York Bound (book 1)
New York Storm (book 2)
New York Hope (coming soon)
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)
Trail of Hearts - Oregon Trail Series
Oregon Bound (book 1)
Oregon Dreams (book 2)
Oregon Destiny (book 3)
Writing as Ellie Keaton
Women & War (World War II fiction)
Gracie
Penny
Molly
New York Bound Page 17