“Signed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, rare lotus glass lampshade. I will start the bidding at one-point-five million dollars.” The auctioneer hit the lectern with his gavel.
Sal turned to a sea of upraised paddles held by people eager to buy. “Wow,” he said in awe.
Apparently, Julie giggled, it could!
Epilogue
Julie rested her hands on the bulk of her belly. Brad was on a ladder adjusting the sign. It was beautiful, forest-green with bright gold lettering. They had fought over the name, but in the end, she agreed that his choice had a certain charm. The Sleep Inn said it all. It didn’t matter if they never had a single customer. The house had made them richer than they could have ever imagined.
Willy had married Rita, and LaMarr was in the process of becoming a big brother. Julie and Brad had had their first big gig last week. Molly’s boss, Paul Russo, had his daughter’s christening done at the house; his second wife and their blended family looked adorable. Sal and Molly were planning a summer wedding using the Inn’s gardens. It had gotten National Trust status when they delved deeper into its Underground Railroad past, and the town had put up a plaque.
Well, Julie was happy. She loved unconditionally and was loved unconditionally. And it seems that in the end, that’s all that matters, really.
Author’s Note
This was a fun book to write. While there is a Bedlam Street in Cold Spring Harbor, there is no Bedlam or Hemmings House. There are many beautiful homes along the Gold Coast that gave me the inspiration for this mansion.
General McClellan really did work for the Illinois Central Railroad before the war. He was general in chief for the Army of the Potomac. Well loved and respected by his troops, he was at odds with both Lincoln and his staff, causing him to be fired. It was said that he was influenced by the information given to him by Pinkerton scouts.
While looking for information about the Underground Railroad, I was amazed to discover that the Maine Maid Inn, right off Jericho Turnpike in Jericho, New York, was indeed a safe house. Valentine Hicks was a known station master and used his home to help slaves escape north. The Maine Maid Inn has recently been given protected status as a historical site by the town of Oyster Bay.
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