They soon arrived at Nancy’s house. The apartment building the Headfords lived in was a little nicer than where the Dohertys lived. You couldn’t see through the walls for one thing, and the communal areas were a bit cleaner. Although Nancy always kept a tidy home, their neighbors, the Stevenses, dumped their litter everywhere.
It was a pleasure to see them on a weekday, as usually they only met up after mass on Sundays. Soon, Nora was sitting in front of the fire drinking tea and eating a small slice of apple pie. Her aunt was almost as good a cook as her mam. It was a pity she hadn’t been able to have more children; she was the type of woman who would have flourished with a big family. She showered her sons, Jamie and Paul, with love and still had plenty more to go around.
Jamie was there when they arrived. Paul was outside somewhere, although the look on her aunt’s face suggested he might be getting into mischief. Nora knew her aunt and uncle worried themselves sick over him, but she liked her younger cousin. He had a heart as big as New York.
Jamie didn’t have good news on the job front but assured her he was still looking. He was going out to meet his friends Barry Henson and Mitch Griffin. He invited her but she declined. She knew Barry had a soft spot for her and, while she liked him, she wasn’t interested in him in a romantic way.
“Have you seen our Michael lately?” Nora’s aunt inquired after her brother.
“Not for a couple of weeks,” Mam said. “You know what he’s like. Never seems to stay in one place for long.”
“He called in a few days ago. Got himself a job and a place to stay in Brooklyn, seems serious this time,” Nancy said.
“How did he look? I wish he would find himself a nice woman and settle down, it’s past time. He isn’t getting any younger,” her mam said.
“Michael, settle with one woman? Are you joking?” Nancy rolled her eyes. “It’s a good job Mam isn’t around to see him, she’d be forever kneeling saying her novenas. The man is too handsome and has too much charm for his own good,” Nancy said.
Nora listened to her aunt and mam chatting. She loved her Uncle Michael. He wasn’t that much older than she was. He’d been a surprise, her mam said. Her Grandmother Byrne was nearly fifty when she had him. She’d been so old, Michael had run wild from an early age. Ruth and Nancy had done their best, but they had their own lives to live.
Chapter 4
Erin Quinn tried to quell her nerves as her train raced toward New York. She couldn’t believe it had been just short of a year since she’d left the city, and her life, in tatters.
She’d been in her last months of medical training, waiting to sit her final exams, when Anthony died. He’d committed suicide, but his powerful and connected father had made sure she was arrested and tried for his murder. It was only by the grace of God, and her dear friend Carmel Doherty, she had kept her sanity. The hospital hadn’t liked the scandal surrounding her and, despite her being declared innocent, had insisted she leave.
She had gone to Clover Springs, Colorado to deliver a package to Father Molloy, a priest, and friend of her mam. There she had met the people currently traveling with her who, along with the wonderful people living in Clover Springs, had saved her life. Alicia Higgins, who was funding the trip to New York, had offered her friendship and supported her in her new role as a frontier medical doctor.
Clover Springs was an unusual town. There were people who had next to nothing, working from dawn to dusk to survive. Most of the town’s inhabitants were comfortable, not wealthy but had enough to allow them live simple lives. There were some who were wealthy, like the banker, Shipley, and the largest rancher, Davy Sullivan. And then there was Alicia and Aaron Higgins. Aaron had grown up poor but became very rich on marrying Alicia shortly after she discovered she’d inherited a large, prosperous goldmine. Alicia had grown up wealthy, her father being a successful lawyer, but even she hadn’t dreamed of ever being so rich she could buy most anything she wanted.
She used the money to help achieve the things she believed in, like proper food, housing, and education for all regardless of color, creed, or background.
“Penny for them,” Mick Quinn moved closer, curling his arm around her shoulders.
“I was just thinking of how much my life has changed since leaving New York,” Erin said.
“For the better, I hope,” her husband whispered, waggling his eyebrows at her in an attempt to make her laugh. But she saw the concern in his eyes, knew he was worried about her. She had a lot of ghosts left in New York. Maybe it was a mistake raking up the past?
“Yes for the better, you daft man. I have wonderful friends and a lovely daughter. A thriving practice. What more could I ask for?”
“What about your handsome husband?” he asked, pretending to pout.
“I didn’t know he was handsome,” she said before giggling as he tickled her side. “Mick Quinn, we’re in public.”
“Well show some respect then, woman. You’re my property and have promised to obey me, remember?” His comments were accompanied by a large smile. Nobody would doubt he was joking.
Erin smiled up at him, bursting with love for this kind man who had convinced her marriage wasn’t always a living hell. He had been so patient waiting for her to complete her exams before they got married. He had also agreed with her plans to give baby Michelle a new home after she’d been abandoned to die on the mountain.
“I feel guilty, Mick. I am so happy and yet…”
“Wilma will be fine. Mrs. Grey will look after her, and their trip away from Clover Springs will do them the power of good. I don’t think Wilma has had a proper vacation in her whole life.”
“I imagine there are things about Wilma’s life we will never know or understand,” Erin said sadly. Wilma, a former slave, had come to Clover Springs before Erin or Alicia and had offered both women the hand of friendship. She was a wonderful, compassionate lady who fought tooth and nail for the children in the orphanage.
“Why the worried look, Erin? You thinking about Wilma?” Alicia asked.
“Yes, Alicia. I feel bad for being away after she collapsed and everything. Maybe I should have stayed in Clover Springs.”
“Nonsense. You needed a vacation. Doc and Nurse Emer can cover emergencies. Anyway, Wilma isn’t in Clover Springs, is she? Mrs. Grey is taking her to Denver.”
Trust Alicia to put everything into perspective. Erin eyed her beautiful, blue-eyed friend and thought about the life she could have had if she had been able to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. But female lawyers were as rare, if not rarer, than female doctors. Maybe when the children were grown up, there would be equality between the sexes.
“Erin, snap out of it and put your holiday face on. We’re going to have a wonderful time in New York and bring home some fantastic presents and stories. I want to see all the sights and expect you to show them to me,” Alicia said sounding so like a lawyer. Erin had to smile.
“Me?”
“Yes, you. You lived in New York, you know it well.”
Erin couldn’t help but smile at Alicia’s enthusiasm. She didn’t think her friend would like a tour of the places Erin had inhabited while living in New York. Alicia didn’t like the sight of blood, which put the hospital off her list. Despite coming from a privileged background, Alicia had settled well in Clover Springs but that didn’t mean she would appreciate a tour of the tenements Erin used to work in when she was training.
“I want to see the stores. Did you know you can buy a Worth gown in New York?” Alicia asked.
“What’s a Worth gown?” Lily asked quietly.
Erin listened as Alicia explained to Lily who the designer was. She watched as Lily’s eyes widened at the cost of his gowns. Lily was another who was fleeing demons, only hers had existed in Clover Springs. She was one of the girls Dickinson had forced to work for him. Mick had helped her save Lily and the other girls, but some in Clover Springs refused to believe Lily had been an innocent victim. Her past gave rise to gossip making it impossible
for her to stay. She wondered what Lily would decide to do. She said she was thinking of going to Santa Fe to live with a friend, like another girl from Dickinson’s house had. The girl was thriving, but Lily didn’t seem overly keen on moving to Santa Fe. Erin knew Lily enjoyed minding baby Michelle. It would be wonderful if Lily became Michelle’s permanent minder. She made a mental note to chat with Lily about her plans. Maybe she would be able to convince her to return to live in Clover Springs on a permanent basis.
The whistle sounded.
“Looks like we’re here. Now, Mrs. Quinn, put those frowns away and put a smile on your face. That is an order and I expect to be obeyed,” Mick said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “This is our honeymoon, remember? We’re here to have fun and to catch up with your old friends.” Then he whispered. “Let the ghosts rot.”
Erin flashed a smile at her husband. She would do her best, but something told her it wasn’t going to be easy. The scandal surrounding her departure had affected others—not just her. She couldn’t wait to see Carmel Doherty but at the same time she was afraid. Her friend’s letters hinted all was not well. Had Erin’s insistence on being a doctor caused her former housekeeper pain too?
Chapter 5
All too soon, it was time for Nora and her mam to leave her aunt’s home and head back to Gran and the children. Mam was busy saying goodbye to Uncle Jimmy when Nancy pulled Nora aside. She gave her a dollar. Nora made a halfhearted attempt to refuse but she kept seeing Stevie’s face eating the small apple. Her little brother and sister were so hungry.
“Make sure you use that to buy some food. By the look of my sister, she hasn’t seen a decent meal for a while. I hate to think what Stevie and Katie are living on. Can’t your da contribute anything?”
Nora was about to say he was too busy spending money to earn it but her mam’s warning popped into her head. She didn’t answer, letting her silence speak for her.
“Listen to me, Nora, we might not have much but we will always help you and your mam out. And your gran.” Nancy Headford pulled a face. “I won’t feed your da’s drinking. If you ever need anything, you come to me. I’ll help if I can.”
“Thank you, Aunty Nancy. I will. Jamie said he would keep an ear out for a job. If you hear of anything else, please let me know. We’ll see you on Sunday at mass, so I can check if there is any news then. I have to get a job.”
“You will, Nora. You are cut from the same cloth as your gran and she’s the hardest worker I know. Take care now and don’t let on to your mam we were talking about Joe.”
Nora knew better than to tell her mam Aunt Nancy had said anything about her da.
She gave her aunt a hug and then headed back home. The dollar burned a hole in her pocket. When they got home, she slipped it to her gran. “Aunt Nancy gave it to me. She’s worried about how Mam looks.”
“Your mam’s sister always had a kind heart. Ruth needs a few decent meals. Then she’ll be grand. Don’t worry, Nora love, things will look up soon. You can count on it.”
Nora went to bed, curling herself into a tight ball trying to keep warm. She closed her eyes hoping her gran was right.
The next morning, Nora got out of the bed, shivering as her bare feet hit the floor. It was cold, but not as bad as this time last year. At least there weren’t any icicles hanging from the windows.
She’d been so cold, she slept fully dressed so only had to run a comb through her hair and wash her face. She moved as quietly as she could, trying not to disturb her gran. The older woman needed her sleep.
Nora crept out to the other room. She hoped there would be something left to eat but there was nothing. Her mam handed her a cup of tea without looking around. She was holding herself funny. Nora touched her shoulder gently but her mam whimpered. Steeling herself, she put the cup on the counter before turning her mam to face her. What she saw stole her breath away. Her ma’s eyes were swollen into mere slits.
“Da did this. He has to be stopped. Next time he’ll kill ya.”
“He didn’t mean it. You know what he’s like.”
“I know and so do you. Don’t tell me it’s the drink. We don’t have money for him to be wasting it on that stuff. I’m going to talk to him.” Nora was so angry, she wanted to go in and wake her da now. He had to be stopped.
Fear spread over her mam’s face. “No, love, don’t. You’ll only make things worse.”
“Gran will then,” Nora said.
“Your gran can’t know anything.”
Nora looked at her mam in disbelief. “Gran may be older but she isn’t blind. How are you going to explain this?” Nora pointed at her mam’s face.
“I fell down the stairs. It was my own fault. No one else’s.”
Her gran wasn’t going to believe that story, but Nora didn’t say anything. No point in stating the obvious.
“Mam, I’m off to find a job. I won’t come home without one.”
“I want to talk to you about that.” Her mam spoke funny as her lips were swollen.
Nora held her breath. Gran must have said something. Mam was very good at reading her expressions, so she wasn’t that surprised to find her mam knew.
“Yes, your gran told me you fought with Ned Duffy again yesterday. Why you have to antagonize him is beyond me.”
“I didn’t…”
“You need to go away, girl. You can’t stay around here. He’ll have his way. His sort always does.” Ruth Doherty winced as she put a hand up to her battered face.
“Go away? But where?” Nora’s heart beat faster. She couldn’t leave New York, or her family, her friends. Where would she go?
“Your gran got a letter from Doc Erin. She’s coming to New York for a visit. I think you should go back with her.”
“Out West?”
“Don’t look so forlorn. Doc Erin is happy out there and she’s a real nice lady,” her mam said.
“What would I do?” Nora couldn’t stop the panic in her voice. She didn’t want to leave her family. If she went, her da could kill her mam and then what would happen to Katie and Stevie? Her gran would try to look after them, but she was getting on.
“You could get married.”
“Married? Mam, I don’t have a fella. You know that.”
“There are lots of men out West. They need wives. I’ve seen it in the papers.”
“Mam, you can’t read.”
“I know that but your gran reads them to me. When the housework’s done and we’re here on our own, she’s been helping me with my reading. She reads and I practice.”
Nora heard the note of pride in her mam’s voice. She knew her mam hated being illiterate. “That’s great, Mam. I’m real proud of you.”
“Nothing to be proud of, lass. I’ve made a real mess of things, but I won’t have the same for you. You aren’t suited to a life in these tenements. You deserve better.”
Nora gave her mam a gentle hug, careful not to hurt her. Her mam didn’t deserve this life either.
“But I can’t marry a stranger. You don’t know what they’re like.” Nora couldn’t get her brain around the fact her mam was suggesting she not only leave her family and her city but get married to a stranger. It was all a bit too much to take in.
“They sound like nice gentlemen.”
Nora didn’t comment. Trust her mother to believe everything she read or heard. A man looking for a bride wasn’t going to admit to being a…cattle rustler, was he? Or to being smelly, ugly, or having bad teeth...
“It’s not all about looks my girl. A man’s heart is the most important thing about him. You can’t go wrong if you marry a good one. Make sure he’s a Catholic though.”
Nora’s mam read her thoughts so clearly it was a little frightening. Nora laid a hand on her mam’s arm seeing the tears gathering in her eyes. She guessed what was going through her mam’s mind. She’d married a good man, a fine decent individual but look at where it had gotten her.
Joe Doherty was known for his wit and charm. The women used to
say he could charm honey from the bees. He’d always been kind and considerate to others, only had the occasional drink, and he never hit his wife and children. At least that was what he was like prior to the accident. Nora shivered, her reaction having nothing to do with the cold. Her da was gone. The man who looked like him had to be his evil twin. Now he was short tempered, angry all the time, and never sober. He drank from the minute he woke up until he passed out cold.
“I’ll think about it, Mam,” Nora lied, but the look of relief on her mam’s face was worth the penance Father Devine would impose on her. “I best get out there. All the good jobs will be gone.”
“I wish I had something more to give you, but at least the tea will warm you up. You’re my whole world, Nora Doherty. Don’t you forget that.”
Overcome with emotion, Nora didn’t reply but kissed her mam gently on the forehead. She took her coat from the peg and headed out the door.
She held her breath as she walked to the exit. Some people didn’t bother to use the outhouses so the place stank of urine and goodness knows what else. In many places, the wind sang through the holes in the wall where the clapboards were falling off. Only the front of the house was brick, the rear and side walls were wooden. They were as old as George Washington, these houses. She wondered who had lived in them when they were first built. Nora sighed softly, if she didn’t find work today, they wouldn’t be living here much longer. It wasn’t luxury, but at least it was a roof over their heads, more than could be said for the poor homeless beggars living on the streets.
She called from store to store, asking everyone she came across if they heard of any work going.
“Try Singers or the Bailey Hotel. Heard they were hiring casuals,” said one of the shop owners.
“Thanks very much,” Nora said to the man. He had kind eyes. The Singers company was in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Normally she couldn’t care about the distance, but she didn’t have any money for the fare. Baileys would pay less for longer hours but it was a chance. She quickened her step, taking a quick look at her hands. Thank God she’d woken up early. If she put a move on, she could be near the top of the queue.
New York Bound Page 2
