New York Bound

by Rachel Wesson

  The chill she’d caught had really knocked her sideways. It had also probably saved her life as she knew nothing would have stopped her from going out in the storm looking for her grandchildren. They’d been so lucky. Nora and Charlie were both safe and well. Nora was still at the hotel with Doc Erin. Charlie had come back to tell her Nora was safe. Once home, he had filled her in on his adventure. He’d been on one of the first trains to limp into Grand Central Depot after a plow pulled by twenty eight horses, assisted by over 100 Italian laborers, had finally opened up 59th Street and the Spuyten Duyvil cuts. She knew he hadn’t told her all of his story yet but he would. Katie and Stevie hadn’t left the small apartment. Amazingly enough baby Emma was thriving, too. Her son, Joe, was sleeping off the effects of a few days boozing. He seemed to have spent the duration of the blizzard locked in a saloon.

  Her mouth tightened as she imagined the amount of money he had spent. Money the family could do with especially now with food prices sky high due in part to scarcity but also due to those who profited from situations like this terrible tragedy. Carmel had no issue with people trying to make a buck to survive, but there was something wrong when it entailed buying food and selling it at a significant profit to your neighbors.

  Being confined to bed, she had nothing to do but think and over the last week or so, she had decided Clover Springs would give her family the best chance of survival. Ruth was keen to go. She could tell her daughter in law was excited about the prospect of running her own business although she now had a baby to contend with. Little Emma was a real joy. There was no sign of her parents, nobody seemed to know anything about her. Ruth had spoken to a priest who had come to find out if his parents had survived the storm. The priest, possibly knowing of Father Devine’s attitude, had christened baby Emma and suggested she be reared in the Doherty family. As they were moving to Clover Springs nobody cared about what Father Devine would say to the new arrival. To say Ruth was happy was an understatement.

  Ruth deserved some happiness especially given what she had to put up with from Joe.

  Joe. Carmel’s lips pursed. She loved her son but she’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to realize he was destroying his family. She was determined to get him seen at the hospital. Even if the doctors couldn’t give him his sight back, he was getting on the train to Clover Springs. She had to break the link between him and his drinking buddies. He was a grown man, and if he decided he wanted to move back to New York at some future date, that was up to him. But she would stay in Clover Springs with the rest of her family.

  The decision to leave New York wasn’t one she took lightly but once made she was relieved. She couldn’t help feeling her husband would have agreed with her reasoning. As she walked down the street, she saw signs which amused her. One even made her laugh out loud. The sign hanging over one shop promised a diamond ring to the lucky person who found it. The only drawback was they first had to dig through a mountain of snow. Carmel chuckled for a while at the wit of the merchant who had obviously been struggling to find men to clear the entrance to his business.

  She was so caught up in planning her trip, she almost walked into Fred, one of Joe’s friends.

  “Hey, Mrs. Doherty, were you the one to get the police to raid Duffy’s place?”

  “Don’t know what you are talking about, Fred, you been at the drink again?” Carmel Doherty replied.

  “Seriously, haven’t you heard? The police raided Duffy’s club. Everyone’s talking about it.”

  “It didn’t have anything to do with me, but I hope they lock him up and throw away the key.”

  “You and me both, missus,” Fred said as he walked off down the street. Carmel stared after him. Was it true? Was Ned Duffy really out of business? Not that it mattered now. She was going to Clover Springs and was taking her family with her. Nora was not in danger anymore. Well, not from Duffy at any rate. Nora had her own issues to deal with. Carmel pursed her lips together. Her granddaughter hadn’t chosen an easy path, that’s for sure. But she was a fighter and would survive.

  She turned the corner and spotted her grandson Charlie walking in her direction.

  “There you are, Charlie love, thought I would have to send out a search party for you.”

  Charlie grinned before he bent down and gave his gran a kiss on the cheek.

  “I had to go see the boss at work and then I went back to the hotel to check on Nora again, and have a talk with Doc Erin.”

  “Did she convince you to come to Clover springs?” Carmel asking crossing her fingers. She didn’t want Charlie to stay behind but she knew her grandson needed to live his own life.

  “No, Gran, I’m staying here in New York. I don’t think country life’s for me. Sure I don’t know a cow from a steer.”

  Carmel burst out laughing. “Maybe it is best you stay here or you’d try milking a bull. Where are you going to live?”

  “Aunt Nancy said there was a room going at her place. I like the idea of living there rather than boarding with strangers.”

  “You will be good for your aunt and uncle, too, with Jamie leaving. Still, maybe you all can visit us.” Carmel wasn’t quite sure how far away Clover Springs was. Anyway, Charlie was a young lad, he’d be looking for a wife soon and then would have his own family. That was the way of the world. She gave him an impulsive hug. “I am proud of you, Charlie Doherty. You are a fine man.”

  He hugged her back but didn’t reply. She guessed by the glint in his eyes, he was a bit overcome. She patted his back and together they walked back to their home. She had some packing to do first, and then she was going to visit Doc Erin. She wanted to check up on her granddaughter too. They had seen little enough of Nora since the storm.

  Chapter 47

  “Well, the last two weeks were something, weren’t they?” Robbie said, taking a seat in the hotel lounge and dragging Nora down onto his knee. There weren’t any other people around.

  “Was it only two weeks? It seems much longer than that,” Nora said, distracted by him nuzzling her neck. It gave her butterflies and made her legs grow weak. “Stop it, someone will see.”

  “I don’t care who sees. So, Miss Doherty, when are you going to make an honest man of me?”

  “Robbie Fenton I barely know ye.”

  “You know all you need to know.”

  “You’re English.”

  “Yup.”

  “You’re not Catholic.”

  “True.”

  “So you should know I can’t marry you.”

  “Don’t see why not. You’re Irish and Catholic. I don’t hold it against you. I want to marry you despite your faults.”

  She wacked him, albeit gently, for his comments, making him laugh. Then he turned her head to face him. “Nora, I love you. I never felt like this about anyone in my life. Who cares about our nationality or our religion? We believe in the same God and he wants us to be happy.”

  “Tell you that himself, did he?” She nearly fell off his knee as he jerked up. “Hey, be careful. I nearly fell…”

  “What are you doing, Nora Doherty, making a complete spectacle of yourself?” Carmel demanded as she walked into the hotel lounge.

  “Gran, what are you doing here?”

  “Never mind about me. What are you doing sitting on a man’s knee in public? You were raised better than that, my girl.”

  “Sorry, Gran. We…I got carried away.” Nora’s neck and face flushed as she looked everywhere but at her gran.

  “I can see that, and I suppose you are responsible young man?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Doherty, I am. I just asked your granddaughter to marry me. She was about to say yes when you interrupted,” Robbie said.

  “I was…” Nora exclaimed.

  “Well, is it true? Are you going to marry this British Protestant?”

  Nora stared at her gran trying to read her reaction but her face was impassive. She loved Robbie. She knew that but did she love him enough to give up her entire family, her religion, and her h
ome? She looked from the woman she had adored all her life to the man who’d turned that life upside down just three weeks ago. She saw the love he had for her. She took his hand. “Yes, I am.”

  He almost threw her up in the air at her words, kissing her soundly before putting her feet back down on the ground. He held his arm tightly around her as they faced her gran.

  “About time someone in this family showed some sense. Do you mind not throwing me into the air when you kiss me, Robbie Fenton? I don’t think my old heart could handle that.”

  “You mean you approve?” Nora couldn’t keep her surprise a secret.

  “Nora, darling, all we ever wanted was for you to be happy and married to a man who will look after you, protect you, and love you. Robbie is the man for you. Now marry him quickly and get out of New York. Both of you deserve the new chance Doc Erin is offering you. Grab it with both hands.”

  Overcome with emotion, Nora broke out of Robbie’s arms to hug her gran.

  “But what will Mam and Da say?”

  “Your mam will feel like I do, your da will do as he is told.” Her gran’s firm tone told Nora there would be no opposition from that quarter.

  “What of Father Devine? He’ll call me names from the altar.” Nora hated how weak she sounded, but the thought of being humiliated like that scared her.

  “Let him.”

  Shocked, Nora waited for her gran to explain.

  “Nora, me darling, this last week reminded me of the famine times back in Ireland. The real priests were those who came out to help the poor, the ill, the stranded. They worked as hard as the rest of us to help more people survive. The likes of Father Devine. Well, let’s just say I believe he will reap his rewards at a higher table. Nobody, be they a nun, priest, or bishop will ever convince me my God wanted them to sit in comfort while their parishioners suffered. He and his colleagues behaved very badly. If Father Devine tries to say anything bad about you or your lovely young man, I will deal with him.” Gran took a deep breath. “Anyway, I believe there is a lovely priest in Clover Springs. Doc Erin and Alicia only have nice things to say about Father Molloy. The way they tell it, if there was a blizzard in Colorado, Father Molloy would be digging out the people along with the rest of us.”

  “The rest of us? Wait, does that mean you are coming to Colorado too?” Nora asked.

  Gran nodded. “Seems Doc Erin won’t take no for an answer. So, yes, my darling, you’re not getting rid of me just yet.”

  Nora didn’t even realize she was crying until Robbie handed her his hanky. “Will you stop crying, love, people will never believe you’re happy about marrying me.”

  “Darling, Robbie, I couldn’t be happier if I tried.”

  Chapter 48

  “It’s hard to believe it’s only been two weeks since the storm hit,” Mick said to Aaron as they waited downstairs in the bar for their wives.

  “It feels like a whole year and then some. I can’t wait to get home,” Aaron said.

  “Won’t you miss New York?” Mick asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

  “Miss it? I ain’t never leaving Clover Springs again. Ever!”

  Mick burst out laughing at Aaron’s face all screwed up in distaste. “Okay I get the picture. Truth be told, I can’t wait to go home either. I miss Mrs. H’s cooking.”

  “Whose cooking? Mine?”

  It was Aaron’s turn to laugh at the look on Mick’s face as he struggled to find a suitable response to Alicia.

  “I don’t think I ever ate at your table. I was talking about Mrs. Higgins, your mother in law.”

  Erin swatted Mick on the shoulder. “Are you insulting Alicia’s cooking again?”

  “No darling, I was just saying to Aaron how good it is that both our wives have other talents.” Mick waggled his eyebrows at Erin making everyone laugh.

  “I thought Alicia was going to insist we take Callum and his friends to Clover Springs with us. She likes collecting stray,” Mick said teasing Alicia who just rolled her eyes at him.

  “Their school teacher arranged a small thank you tea for Nora and Robbie earlier today. I think they went there first before going shopping,” Erin commented.

  “Where is Uncle Randolph? He said to meet him in the bar at seven thirty.” Alicia looked around her.

  “There you all are, I thought you would never come down. How do I look?” Lily asked, her fingers twitching at her neck.

  “Stop fidgeting, you look wonderful!” Alicia replied.

  “Much more attractive than most hotel managers,” Mick confirmed.

  Lily giggled. “That’s because they are all men.”

  “Mr. Prentice has shown good taste appointing a woman. In fact, all hotel managers should be women. They’re much better at bossing everyone around than us men,” Aaron said. The fact he spoke with conviction didn’t pass unnoticed but before Alicia could respond, Robbie and Nora arrived.

  “Are we late?” Nora asked, breathless after rushing back to the hotel. Her eyes shone with excitement.

  “No, Nora. My Uncle Randolph isn’t here yet,” Alicia said looking Nora up and down. “You look lovely. Those colors really suit you. How did the shopping go?”

  Nora blushed prettily before holding out her hand. Alicia and the other ladies came forward to admire her ring. “I didn’t want to get married in New York so we agreed to get engaged first. When Da has recovered and we have settled in Clover Springs, we’re going to ask Father Molloy to marry us.”

  “That’s wonderful news, Nora. I am so happy for you both.” Alicia reached up to kiss Robbie on the cheek before giving Nora a hug.

  Erin came forward to do the same. “Father Molloy will be delighted to meet you and the rest of the Doherty family as he has heard so much about you already.”

  “Robbie, have you given any thought to what you are going to do for work when you reach Clover Springs?” Aaron asked.

  “Not really. The protection business is all I know and from what I hear, Clover Springs already has a sheriff and a deputy. But I’ll find something.”

  “You can always come into the sheep rearing business with me.” Tommy Carpenter slapped Robbie on the back.

  “Sheep? Just wait until the ranchers hear about that. They will run you out of town.” Aaron tried to keep a straight face but couldn’t.

  Erin stood to one side watching everyone chat like they had known each other for years rather than a few weeks.

  “What you thinking about Doc?” Lily asked her.

  “Just how wonderful it will be to go back home. I do wish you were coming too, Lily. I am going to miss you, and Michelle will be devastated.”

  Despite appearing pleased, Lily protested. “No, she won’t. So long as that little darling is fed and dry, she will be happy with anyone.”

  Erin gave Lily a hug. “That’s not true and we both know it but we won’t speak about leaving you behind. Not tonight.”

  “Speaking of tonight, where is Mr. Prentice? Not like him to be late,” Robbie said, sounding slightly worried.

  “There he is. Oh my, who has he with him?”

  They all turned to look to the door. Mr. Prentice had arrived along with several guests. Erin squealed with delight when she saw Carmel and Ruth Doherty. Nancy Headford and her husband Jimmy walked in behind them, followed closely by their son Jamie and his girlfriend, Lizzie. Another man came in whom Erin didn’t recognize but thought he might be Michael Byrne, given the resemblance to Nancy and Ruth. He was holding hands with two younger boys, closely followed by Nora’s cousin Paul. Tommy Carpenter was already waiting with his girlfriend Sadie who had yet to move out of the hotel.

  “I think everyone we know in New York is here tonight,” Erin whispered to Mick.

  “Thank you everyone for coming. I wanted to gather you all together for a little bit of a party. After the last two weeks, I think we deserve one.” Mr. Prentice paused as the group erupted into cheers. He let the noise continue for a few seconds before gesturing for quiet.

 
“Mrs. Murphy has put on a fine feast. Lily, I mean, Miss Greene, would you mind putting the closed sign up in the door? This is a private party. We do not want any old riffraff joining us.” Everyone laughed again.

  Lily didn’t need telling twice. She turned the sign over in the door and made sure it was locked tight. Then she returned to Mr. Prentice’s side.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight to give thanks for our deliverance through the storm. To remember those we lost,” Mr. Prentice looked at Jamie with a sorrowful expression, “and those we found. Personally speaking, the blizzard proved to be a blessing. I have made more friends in the last two weeks than I have done in the last thirty years. And I have found the perfect manager for my hotel, Miss Lily Greene.”

  Lily blushed bright red as she took a quick bow.

  “Perhaps the best of all is I believe I have finally been invited to visit the amazing town of Clover Springs. Given how many of you plan on moving there, I assume I won’t be stuck for a place to stay. If I had known all I had to do was to arrange a large snowstorm, I would have done it years ago.”

  Everyone laughed as Mr. Prentice winked at Alicia who was standing beside Aaron, her beautiful blue eyes twinkling with tears. He moved forward and offered Alicia his arm. “May I lead your wife into dinner Mr. Higgins?”

  “You certainly may, Mr. Prentice.” At a cough from Mr. Prentice, Aaron colored slightly as he corrected himself. “Randolph.”

  Everyone followed Alicia into the restaurant, some chattering but most were silent. For some of them, this was the first time they’d ever sat in a restaurant and the experience was a little daunting. Lily moved among them making everyone feel welcome as she showed them where to sit. Once all twenty or so of the guests were seated, Lily returned to the head of the table where Mr. Prentice was standing.

  “Today is a special day. Mrs. Murphy and her staff have excelled themselves no doubt inspired by the promise of a similar meal and a day off tomorrow.”

  “You know us so well.” Mrs. Murphy, who had been called from the kitchen for the speech, bowed slightly and smiled.