Her Irish Surrender

by Kit Morgan

  “Finn! Are you coming?” Lorcan shouted from down the hall.

  They listened as he stomped down the stairs. Finn sighed. “He’s as stubborn as any ox, but if ye give it a little time, I think he could get used to the idea of marrying.”

  “Kind words, Mr. Mullany. I’ll take them into consideration.”

  He nodded, smiled, and left. Adaline closed the door behind him, turned and leaned against it. She let go a heart-felt sigh before she went to the bed and took off her coat. Adaline then pulled a lace handkerchief out of her reticule, and at last, allowed herself to cry.

  * * *

  “You thick-headed mule! She’s beautiful!” Finn argued as they made their way back to the bookshop. “What are you thinking sending her back?”

  Lorcan stopped and spun to face him. Finn ran right into him, hit Lorcan’s chest, and bounced back a step. “Why is it everyone is suddenly so interested in my love life? A moment ago you were ready to take her home and marry her yourself!”

  “True enough, but she didn’t come all the way out here to marry me. She came out here to marry you!”

  Lorcan began walking again. “I’m perfectly capable of finding my own wife.”

  “And when would you be doing that? You and I both know there’s no such thing as “choice” around here! The women are either too old or too young, with nary a lass in between! Me own mother has talked about a mail order bride, asked me what I thought about getting one only last week.”

  Lorcan stopped again. Finn rammed into his back this time. “And? What did you tell her?” Finn said nothing so Lorcan turned to face him. When he did, the man’s mouth hung open. “Well?”

  “I … I told her I’m perfectly capable of … finding my own wife …”

  “Uh huh, just as I thought.” Lorcan continued on his way.

  “But now that yours is here, why not take advantage of it?” Finn called after him. Lorcan ignored him and walked on. “If you’re not interested, then what say I have a go at her?”

  Lorcan stopped.

  Finn smiled to himself.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Lorcan said without turning around.

  “And why not? You’re not interested, and she’s already here. Would save me mother the trouble of sending away for one.”

  Lorcan spun to face him. “Fine, do what you like. I don’t care.” He turned and started off again.

  Finn stood and chuckled to himself. “Why Lorcan Brody, ye do care.” He watched as his friend went into the bookshop and slammed the door behind him. Finn laughed then shouted at the door, “I give ye two weeks at the most, before love has its way with ye!” He laughed again and started off, when he suddenly stopped short. “What am I saying? He’ll stop fighting with a lass on his heart.” He turned to look at the bookshop’s door and rubbed his chin. “This is a predicament. Hmmm, well Lorcan me boy, we’ll see where yer luck takes ye.” With that, Finn continued on his way.

  * * *

  A knock sounded at her door. Adaline had long since cried herself out, and sat at the small writing desk. “Miss Dermont,” Mrs. Brown called. “I have your dinner downstairs. Wont’ you come join us?”

  “I be right down,” Adaline called through the door. She hadn’t the strength to get up and open it. She was beyond tired, and tried to sleep after her tears, but her mind would give her no quarter. Instead, she lay on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and went over and over her current dilemma.

  She was alone out west without a husband, had very little money, and didn’t want to go back to New Orleans. After all, there was nothing there for her now that Aunt Priscilla was gone. She had a few friends, but in the time it would take to write them, tell them about her trouble, wait for a response and make the journey, she could have worked off the money the Brodys spent to bring her out west in the first place.

  Adaline froze, then popped up to a sitting position. “That’s it!” She swung her legs off the bed. “I don’t have to go back.” No, she didn’t. She recalled thinking the same thing as her mind raced over her situation earlier at the bookshop. She could find work, stay, and make a new life for herself. What was she doing moping about all afternoon? She had come out west to a land of opportunity!

  She stood and checked her appearance in a mirror hanging over the dresser. “I can do this, I can!” She’d march downstairs and ask Mrs. Brown if she knew anyone that might be hiring. She sighed in relief, smoothed the skirt of her traveling dress, and went to the door. She should have changed, but didn’t care. This was not New Orleans, and supposed the other people in the boarding house wouldn’t care either. She brushed the loose curls out of her face, and went downstairs.

  Adaline entered the dining parlor to find it filled with Mrs. Brown’s other boarders. There were two elderly gentlemen, Mrs. Van Cleet, two middle-aged women and Mrs. Brown herself, who motioned her to have a seat at the table. “May I present Miss Dermont, everyone?”

  “Hello again,” Mrs. Van Cleet offered as one of the elderly gentlemen held her chair out for her.

  “Hello,” Adaline said and sat.

  Once seated, Mrs. Brown began the introductions. “Mrs. Van Cleet you’ve already met, and the handsome gentleman next to her is of course Mr. Van Cleet. Then we have Mrs. O’Halloran, Mrs. Dexter, and Mr. Dixon. Everyone greeted her in turn, and she smiled at each. Mrs. Brown then said the blessing, and the meal began.

  “What brings you to Oregon City, Miss Dermont?” Mr. Van Cleet asked.

  She knew one of them would, she just wished it would have been later rather than sooner, but no use stalling. “I was a mail order bride.”

  “Oh, how nice!” Mrs. Dexter said. “A mail order … was?”

  “Things didn’t work out,” she said and looked at Mrs. Brown. “Which brings me to inquire, do you know if anyone is hiring, Mrs. Brown? I’ll need a job if I’m to stay on.”

  “Oh, you poor dear.” Mrs. Brown said, her face full of compassion. “I had no idea … now let me think … oh, I’m not sure if I’m going to be of much help!”

  Adaline swallowed her potatoes too fast and almost choked. “Surely you know of something?”

  “I might be able to help,” said Mr. Van Cleet. “But it would mean leaving Oregon City.”

  “Leaving? I just got here,” Adaline told him.

  “When did you get … ah … who was your intended?” Mrs. O’ Halloran asked.

  “Abigail, it’s none of our business,” Mrs. Dexter scolded. “Let the girl be.”

  “I don’t mind,” Adaline said. They would probably find out soon enough anyway, so she might as well tell them. “I was to wed Lorcan Brody.”

  “Lorcan Brody? And it was he who brought you here!” Mrs. Brown huffed. “Well, that is a surprise!”

  Adaline stared at her a moment, then asked, “Why do you say that?”

  “I’ve known the Brody’s ever since they settled here. Must be going on four years now. They came out west after Lorcan got done with his schooling. He attended one of those fancy schools back in Ohio. Note dome I think it’s called.”

  “Notre Dame,” Mr. Van Cleet corrected.

  “Yes, that’s it, Notre Dame.” Mrs. Brown agreed. “He came to help them with the store, and to start his own business, only he never did, just works with his folks God bless him, and looks after them. Has a heart as big as they come, and the strength of a bear,” she said, and stopped. She looked Adaline over and shook her head. “Why he would turn away such a beautiful girl, I’ll never know. It’s a mystery it is …”

  “He didn’t know I was coming.” Adaline confessed.

  Mr. Van Cleet and Mr. Dixon looked at each other across the table, and laughed.

  “Stop it, you two!” Mrs. Brown admonished. “Can’t you see the girl is heart-broken?”

  Mr. Van Cleet brought his napkin to his mouth to stifle his chuckles. “I’m not laughing at you, my dear. On the contrary, Mrs. Brown is right. There’s no good reason Lorcan Brody should turn you away, other than he ha
sn’t had time to think about it.”

  “How do you know?” Adaline asked.

  “I’ve been coming to Oregon City for years, and acquainted with the Brody’s. They’re good people, and my guess is poor Lorcan is still in shock. Isn’t that right, Polly?”

  “Oh yes,” Mrs. Van Cleet agreed. “We come to Oregon City twice a year and always frequent Brody’s Books. I’m sure Mrs. Brody wants to see her son happily married as any mother, she just went about it … well, I suppose this is Mr. Mulligan’s fault.”

  “Mr. Mulligan?” Adaline inquired.

  “He owns the saloon in Clear Creek. Our Sheriff has a sister up north, and she ordered brides for her sons without telling them. Worked out fine too. Sheriff Hughes told Mr. Mulligan, and he wrote Mrs. Brody and told her. She being his sister you see.”

  “Ah, I do see …” Adaline began. “I also see that it doesn’t work out for everyone.”

  Mr. Van Cleet smiled. “Tell you what, if that man hasn’t come around by the time we leave for Clear Creek at the end of the month, then you can come with us and I’ll give you a job in our hotel.”

  “Oh, it’s a beautiful hotel!” Mrs. Brown commented.

  “And we have lots of single gentlemen in Clear Creek,” Mrs. Van Cleet added. “A pretty girl like you would have no problem finding a husband there.”

  “That’s very kind, thank you.” Adaline said.

  “But mark my words,” Mr. Van Cleet said. “I don’t think you’ll be going with us, in fact, if I were you, I’d go ask Mrs. Brody for a job!” he said with a laugh. Mr. Dixon giggled in delight at his remark and nodded enthusiastically.

  Adaline stared at them both before a smile began to form. A small part of her was still angry and liked the idea. “Mr. Van Cleet, I believe I’ll do just that.”

  * * *

  “Of course there’s the dusting to be done, there’ll be a lot of that, keeping track of the inventory, and speaking for myself, I could use the extra time to bake.” Mrs. Brody set down her teacup and picked up a pencil. “Let’s see, aside from the dusting and inventory, ye’ll keep track of the sales.”

  Adaline nodded as she watched the woman scribble things down. They were seated at a small table tucked into a corner of the bookshop, and been going over her duties for the past half hour, though Mrs. Brody spoke more of her son than anything else.

  “Oh, and he likes things kept in order, not a book out of place. Disorder irritates that boy to no end,” Mrs. Brody added and set the pencil down. “There, I think that does it.” She handed the list to Adaline. “What do you think, dearie?”

  Adaline picked up the list and stared at it. Mrs. Brody had her duties in one list, Lorcan’s likes and dislikes in another. The latter was far longer than the former …

  “I’m sure I can prove myself capable, Mrs. Brody.”

  “Excellent, then the job is yours.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, I’m sure I can work off my train and stage fares …”

  “Don’t worry about that right now, I’m just glad to have ye here.”

  Adaline smiled, and noticed again when the Brodys’ were calm, their Irish brogue was less pronounced. She hoped Lorcan Brody would be as calm as his mother was, when he found out she’d been hired to work in the bookshop.

  “Now, let me show ye how to take the cash.”

  Adaline looked at her, thankful the woman had pulled her out of her thoughts. She didn’t want to start imagining what Lorcan would do when he saw her working behind the counter. He was out helping his friend Finn again today, and wouldn’t be home until late afternoon. With any luck, she will have finished her work by then, and be back safe and sound at Upton’s Boarding House.

  But Adaline had no such luck.

  “Maither, what’s this?” Lorcan asked as he invaded their corner. He stared at her, his eyes wide, as if seeing her for the first time.

  Adaline swallowed, feeling the same way he looked. “Good morning, Mr. Brody,” she told him.

  He stood and continued to stare, before he pulled his cap from his head. “Good morning. I … I didn’t expect to see you.”

  She looked away for a second, then turned back to face him. “Surprise.”

  A hint of a smile tugged at his mouth, then was gone. “Aye,” he said. “I best be about purchasing tickets to get you home.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” his mother admonished. “Miss Dermont is staying.”

  Lorcan’s eyes fixated on her, and Adaline tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. “What was that?”

  “You heard me, she’s staying.”

  “But, how will she live? What will she do?”

  “It may interest you to know, Mr. Brody,” Adaline began with a smile, “that I’ve already found employment.”

  “What?” he croaked. “How did you …” he looked to his mother, his eyes wider than before. “Maither?”

  “She’ll start immediately. In fact, she’ll start right now.” Mrs. Brody stood. “Come Miss Dermont, I’ll show you where we keep everything.”

  “But Maither …”

  “Don’t you but Maither me, Lorcan Brody. I’ve made up my mind!”

  “We don’t need the extra help …”

  “We do if I say so, and today, I’m saying so.”

  Lorcan slapped his face with hand and held it there. “Saints woman, what are you trying to do?”

  Mrs. Brody walked over so she could look up at him. “My job.” She shoved past him with Adaline on her heels, and headed for counter at the front of the shop.

  Adaline couldn’t help but look at him as she passed, and gave him a small nod. He watched her go and swallowed hard. “What is that supposed to mean, your job?” he called after them, his face a mask of confusion.

  Adaline peeked over her shoulder at him, and shrugged. She had no idea what Mrs. Brody meant either, but was glad the woman said it. The look her words put on Lorcan Brody’s face, was priceless.

  Four

  Several days passed before Adaline saw Lorcan again. He avoided her by leaving the shop early to help the Mullanys, and came home after she was gone. But today was different as Mrs. Brody mentioned Finn’s family no longer needed the extra help, and Lorcan would be working in the shop today.

  “He’ll be down any minute,” Mrs. Brody whispered as if it were some great secret. She finished putting fresh baked cookies into the display case and stood. “I’d best go make another batch, these will be gone within the hour.”

  Adaline nodded as the bell above the door rang. Men came into the bookshop early to buy the treats and take them to work to munch on. Mrs. Brody’s baking was more popular than the local bakery down the street.

  “Good morning, Miss Dermont,” a voice called.

  She looked up, Mr. and Mrs. Van Cleet were coming toward the counter. “Good morning, what brings you here?”

  “Mrs. Brody’s cookies of course,” Mr. Van Cleet told her. “That and Polly fancies a book about Scotland. Do you have any?”

  “Oh, I’m not very familiar with the entire inventory yet, but I know where I can look,” Adaline said as she came out from behind the counter. They followed her toward the back of the store to a low shelf. “Let me see, yes, here’s something.” She pulled the book out and handed it to Mrs. Van Cleet.

  She took it and smiled, then glanced at her husband. “Do you think we’ll find anything in here?” she asked in a quiet voice.

  “We won’t know until we look, will we?” he answered with a smile.

  “Would you like to browse through it?” Adaline asked.

  “Yes, thank you,” Mrs. Van Cleet said as footsteps could be heard on the nearby stairs.

  Adaline froze and closed her eyes a brief second. When she opened them, Lorcan stood behind her. “What are you looking for, Mr. Van Cleet?” he asked.

  “The young lady here found what we needed,” said Mr. Van Cleet. “Thank you, Lorcan.”

  Lorcan lips formed a firm line. “I’m glad to hear it.”
He turned on his heel and made for the front counter. Adaline sighed at his retreating form.

  “Don’t you worry none, Miss Dermont,” Mr. Van Cleet whispered. “He’ll come around.”

  “I hope you’re right,” she whispered back. “Or it’s going to be a long day.” The Van Cleets smiled in understanding, then opened the book and began to leaf through it. Adaline sighed again, and looked at Lorcan who stood behind the counter, his head bent over the sales ledger. His bruises and black eye were much better today, and she couldn’t help but feel a small flutter in the pit of her stomach. He was indeed a handsome man, and as she thought on it, the finest looking one she’d ever seen. Her heart fluttered along with her stomach, only to fall into despair at the same time. He’d not taken to the news that she would be staying on and working in the shop. Even for only as long as it would take to work off the fare to bring her out west.

  Today was the first day to see Lorcan, to look into his eyes and see his disapproval of the situation. Yet, it wasn’t there. Not really. True, he’d tensed at the sight of her when they made eye contact, but now he looked as if all was normal. Maybe he wanted to get through the day with as little interaction between them as much as she did. But even so, the thought he didn’t want her there, stung. She turned away, grabbed a feather duster, and began to clean the nearby stacks.

  * * *

  Lorcan closed the ledger and leaned against the counter. Mr. and Mrs. Van Cleet had settled into another cozy corner of the bookshop and examined their book. There were several sets of chairs placed through out the shop so patrons could peruse a book before purchase. He did his best to focus on the elderly couple instead of the pretty woman dusting shelves. Unfortunately, his best wasn’t good enough. His eyes slowly traveled toward the back of the store. He swallowed when they found her, and he had to steady himself against the counter as the bell above the door rang. Several men entered, and went straight to the case containing his mother’s baked goods.

  “Morning, Lorcan,” one of them said. “What’s today’s special?”

  “Sugar cookies and apple pie,” he answered. “But she’s not brought the pies down yet.”