“I'm sorry, Mollie, I only came in for a drink. I have to get back to the ranch.”
He felt so bad watching her face fall. He had only made things much worse by being nice to her. Showing her hope and taking it away from her was cruel. She turned to go. He took her arm.
“Why don’t we share that drink?”
He bought two beers tipping the barkeep in the process. If he wanted to find out what exactly was going on in this place, he would need some new friends. He walked over to a table and took a seat. Mollie sat on the chair beside him, nursing her drink, looking around her the whole time.
“What’s got you so nervous?”
“Nothing.”
“Mollie?”
“Dickie expects me to be working.”
“You are working. I am paying you to drink with me.”
A flush came to her face as she looked upstairs.
“Would you feel more comfortable?” he asked reluctantly, knowing the answer.
She nodded.
They took the drinks and moved slowly upstairs. As soon as the door closed, Mollie hugged Mick, spilling the drinks.
“Is it true? What Dickie said?”
Oh, this was worse than he could have imagined.
“Mollie, I... Well, I might have asked Dickie a question but I can’t do anything. I don’t have the type of money he's asking.”
The look of disappointment on her face floored him.
“I am really sorry, Mollie.”
“Don’t matter, the girls said I was stupid to believe it anyway. Nothing ever good happens to girls like us.”
“Don’t say things like that, Mollie.”
“Why not, it’s true. There is no future for me. I will be lucky to last here a couple of years. If I upset Dickie he said he would send me to the cribs in Fort Worth.”
Mick had to fight the urge to go find Dickie and kick the daylights out of him. Scaring a young girl like that was unforgivable. He knew about the cribs, what drover didn’t.
“Mollie, I am going to try and get you out of here. But it will take time. You will have to do whatever Dickie says in the meantime.”
Mollie looked at him, he could see hope fighting with terror in her eyes.
“Can you hold me?” Mollie asked quietly.
Putting the drinks down he held his arms open closing them around her fragile body.
“Mollie, when you last seen a doctor?”
Her body stiffened within his arms.
“I don’t need a doctor. I ain’t sick.”
“There is a new doctor in town. A lady one. You could, you know, ask her things.”
“Ask her what?”
“Just things. She could examine you too. Maybe she could get Dickie to give you more time to rest.”
Mick knew he was desperate but it was worth a shot wasn’t it. He didn’t even know if the lady doctor would come near the saloon.
“Do you think it will help?” she asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“Then I will do it. I'll do anything for you, Mick.”
The hero worship in her eyes tore at his heart. She was so like Susanna, his baby sister. He hugged her close, his tears mingling with her hair. “I promise I will do all I can, Mollie. I promise.”
After a while they drew apart.
“I best get back downstairs or Dickie will be looking for me,” she said reluctantly.
“You wait here. I will pay Dickie for the night. You can rest.”
The smile on her face was worth the hit to his wallet.
“Don’t open the door until I get back.”
She nodded, looking a little scared but determined.
He moved quickly downstairs to find Dickie. He spotted him playing cards with a group of nasty looking strangers. Mick didn’t recognize any of them.
He knew Dickie saw him but the saloon owner made him wait like a lackey until he had played his hand.
“What can I do for you, Mick?”
Mick threw three dollars on the table. “I want to buy the whole night.”
“Mollie again. She must surely be to your likening.”
The crude laughter around the table made Mick's blood boil but he refused to let them see the effect they had.
“Who is Mollie? She isn’t the young thing I had my eye on earlier?”
Mick met the eyes of the man speaking. He had a scar running down one side of his cheek and a matching one just under his chin. His eyes were cruel and twisted.
“Yes, that’s the one. Told you she was popular,” Dickie said, the ever present cigar held in the corner of his mouth.
“But I thought I had her for the night. You promised.”
The man went to stand up but a quick flick of Dickie’s hand and two cowboys had their hands on his shoulder pushing him back into the chair.
“Didn’t see you parting with any money, Rogers. This here cowboy got in first. This time.”
Mick's blood turned to ice. This time. He couldn’t afford to be here every night and they both knew it.
“Thanks, Dickie”, he forced himself to say. Tipping his hat at the other men, he walked slowly back toward the stairs half expecting to feel something in his back.
Chapter 19
Mick lay on the bed on top of the covers while Mollie lay under them.
“Mick, will you cuddle me?”
He put his arm around her so she rested her head on his shoulder.
“Why do you treat me so nice?”
”You are a lovely girl, Mollie, you deserve it.”
“That's sweet but it ain’t the truth. I seen the way the women in the town look at me. That’s if they do look at me.”
“Don’t mind anyone else. It’s what you feel inside that’s important. You are a human being Mollie.”
“Why are you so different?”
Mick didn’t know how to answer.
“You hush now and sleep.”
“Mick, thank you.” Mollie leaned up and kiss his cheek. “Even if you can't get me out of here, I will always remember your kindness.”
She snuggled into him and fell fast asleep. He held her close. It was comforting to hold someone near. It reminded him of a time long past when his family used to gather around the fire and listen to Ma's stories or Pa playing his fiddle. He opened his eyes hoping to get rid of the images in his head. He could see his sisters’ faces as clear as day. He prayed hard they had been adopted by a nice family. Some day he would find them and they could be a family again. They might even have families of their own. He liked children.
Mick closed his eyes and drifted into a restless sleep. Dickie's face mingled with those of his parents and sisters. Then the war dreams started.
He woke suddenly, thrashing about. Mollie had jumped from the bed, holding her dress in front of her, her face a mask of terror.
“Sorry, Mollie, I just get nightmares. Did I hit you?”
She moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
“No, but you scared the life out of me with your yelling. What was you dreaming about?”
“The war.”
“You been in the war? I didn’t know you were that...” She stopped speaking as she giggled. “I was going to call you old.”
'To you, I am ancient. Lie back down. I got to get back to the ranch in time for breakfast.”
He got up, too embarrassed to look at her. Putting his boots on, he grabbed his hat and headed out the door.
“Mick, thank you. You don’t have to keep coming back. I know you ain’t got a lot of money. I will be fine.”
He glanced at her white face, her eyes huge dark holes of terror. She was trying so hard to be brave the poor kid. He had to help.
“I will see you soon, Moll, take care.”
He didn’t look back as he exited the room. He moved quickly out of the building wanting to be free of the oppressive atmosphere. How many more girls were there like Mollie? You can’t help them all. No, but I will be darned if I can’t help Mollie.
; He got back to the ranch before the other cowboys had gotten up. This time he remembered to screw up his bed covers as if he had slept all night. He headed for the creek. Despite the cold, he needed a wash. He had to get clean.
Cookie eyed him over breakfast. It was obvious he knew Mick had stayed out again all night but they didn’t discuss it. They both had jobs to do, no time to stand around gossiping like two old women.
Chapter 20
“I don’t think the town needs two doctors. And if we did, we would get a real one.” Charlie Staunton's chest stuck out so much, Mrs. Grey thought it might burst.
“Erin is a real doctor. She graduated from one of the top medical schools.”
“You only have her word for that.”
'Mr. Staunton, there is no need to be rude. You are entitled to your opinion, misguided though it might be, but please mind your manners,” Mrs. Grey said coldly.
“Why don’t we ask the doc what he thinks? He's qualified and he's the one who will have to share the work.”
“Thank you, Katie. Personally, I am thrilled and more than a little excited to be working with someone of Doc Brennan’s caliber. It's been a long time since I left medical school and my skills are rather rusty.”
“Don’t agree there, Doc. I think we keep you so busy, you ain’t got time to rust.” Davy shouted out.
“I think it’s wonderful if Clover Springs hires a female doctor. We are sending a message we are a progressive town. Kansas has a female mayor,” Mrs. Grey continued.
“Well, this ain’t Kansas and the only place a woman should be is in the home. That's my opinion anyway and I ain’t never going to change it.”
“Thankfully, the decision isn’t yours to make, Mr. Staunton. We have to agree or disagree in the majority. I think we should make a show of hands.”
“Before we do that, there is something I would like to add to the discussion.” Father Molloy stood up.
He wiped his hands down the front of his clothes, something he always did when he was nervous. What shock has he got for us now? Mrs. Grey wondered but she stayed silent, waiting for the priest to speak.
“As you know, we are working on getting more single women to come and live in Clover Springs. It is our hope we will be able to provide a means of hope and employment to those who probably have neither.”
“What’s that got to do with the doctor?” Staunton shouted.
Father Molloy ignored him.“Some of the ladies who come to us for help may have experienced, well let's just say they may have a past.” Father Molloy’s face was scarlet.
Mrs. Grey felt very sorry for him.
“I knew it. You are going to bring in more of those wanton women who work in the saloon,” Mrs. Shaw said triumphantly.
“Those so called wanton women have a need for love and kindness as well as medical attention. The women I am talking about may have been the subject of certain events. They may benefit from seeing a female doctor.”Poor Father Molloy, he was getting tongue twisted trying not to offend anyone.
“What the man is trying to say is that there are some women out there that ain’t never going to trust another man no matter what he may be. Doctor, priest, reverend, it won’t matter. All they will see is he's a man.” Wilma looked around her. “That be right, ain't it, Father?”
“Yes, Wilma, thank you for putting my thoughts into words.” Father Molloy smiled as everyone laughed. Wilma took a bow and sat back down in her seat.
“It isn't just those ladies who may benefit. Sometimes it would be nice to discuss certain issues with another woman. No offense, Doc.” Mrs. Larkin glanced at the town doctor.
“None taken, Mrs. Larkin. I often find myself wishing my patients were talking to a woman.” Everyone laughed again. Doc was known for his impatience for chatting or gossiping as he like to call it.
“Has anyone asked the doctor? I mean the lady doc?” Mick's ears turned bright pink as he asked his question.
“What's it got to do with her? It’s the town’s decision to make and she ain’t part of the town,” Staunton answered before Mrs. Grey had time to react.
“I think she has a right to decide if she wants to live here or not. If she is dead set on going to Denver or somewhere else then our conversation is pretty pointless,” Mick retorted.
“If she’s set on Denver, we should help her on her way. As I said, nobody in this territory going to trust a woman doc. You wait and see. She will be sitting doing her knitting all day long.” Staunton replied, obviously determined to have the last word.
“I certainly hope that isn’t the case. I am very bad at knitting.”
Everyone sat stunned as Erin made her way to the front of the room.
“I think it would be a good idea if I talk to you all just as I would for any job interview. You can ask me questions and I will do my best to answer them.” Erin said, smiling at the crowd.
“Will you marry me?” A cowboy shouted out from the back of the crowd.
“Not this year, I am rather busy.” She quipped back. She surveyed the room. “Has anyone a serious question? Perhaps you, sir, as you seem to have already made your mind up.”
Charlie Staunton didn’t answer.
“Would you be willing to stay in Clover Springs if you were offered a position here?” Mick surprised himself by asking. A few of the cowboys around him nudged him and started whispering but he ignored them. His gaze locked on hers. He watched as she rubbed the side of her neck. She was nervous.
“Yes, I would consider it subject to certain criteria.”
“She wants a large paycheck,” Charlie Staunton shouted.
“I expect to be fairly rewarded for my efforts but that is not the most important consideration.”
“What's more important than money?” Staunton scoffed as he looked around the room.
“Respect. In as far as I am able, I would prefer not to have to treat those patients who have no belief in my ability to practice medicine. I would like the current town doctor to take those patients.”
“I thought I liked you, Doc Brennan.” The doctor's irony was lost on many people but not on Mick.
“I should like to specialize in childcare. There are so many things we can do to help children grow up healthier and stronger. Having seen the effects of poor diet, lack of sanitation and fresh air back in New York, I would like to do something in that area,” Erin continued.
“Now you are talking. Far too many children coming to see me. Some of them want to sit on my knee of all things.” The doctor’s protests were funny as everyone who knew him knew he kept a bag of candy in his pocket. He loved children.
“Why don’t we give it a trial run? You, Miss Brennan, have nothing to lose. You said yourself you haven’t yet found a position in Denver. Maybe having a few months’ experience working in a town like this would help future applications. Clover Springs can see women can make excellent doctors as well as lawyers, judges and...” Mrs. Grey was rudely interrupted.
“Now wait a minute, Mrs. Grey, this isn’t one of your crusades. We are here to vote on whether we offer the new doctor a job or not.”
Mrs. Grey gracefully nodded.
Erin thought she saw a spark of triumph in the older woman's eyes. She was very good at getting what she wanted, something Erin could do with remembering.
The voting closed with a narrow majority in favor of keeping Erin on as a doctor. She was more than a little disappointed. The number of people who opposed a female doctor was high.
“Don’t be disappointed, Erin. It’s a different place out here from that you are used to in New York or I was in Boston. The people here aren’t used to seeing women in everyday occupations like we are,” Alicia said.
“Everything is still handled by men. Even the store is owned by Daniel. We are hoping Katie will take the hint and open her own dress shop soon,” Emer Shipley added.
“Katie Sullivan has enough to be doing taking care of her husband and two children. She doesn’t need any more projects.”
“Doc Erin, this is my husband, Daniel Sullivan. Excuse yourself, dear, or Doc Erin will think I married an ape.”
Erin smiled at the interaction between the couple. They reminded her of her mam and da. The smile faded as the man who had obstructed her appointment so loudly walked over.
“You may have won the first round, lady, but you will soon find out your sort aren’t welcome here.”
“Don’t listen to him. He must have a very serious case of hemorrhoids. He is so bad tempered. It is the only excuse,” Mrs. Grey said taking Erin’s elbow and leading her out the door.
Erin heard the man’s panicky question.
“What did Mrs. Grey say I have and how come you never told me I had a serious disease.”
“Piles,” Emer Shipley translated for him.
Erin turned around in time to see Charlie Staunton’s face going as red as some of the ladies present as all the men laughed at his discomfort.
“Next time you need to get on a horse, call me and I will help you up.” One of the cowboys shouted, making Charlie go even redder.
Erin left the building with a smile on her face. She hadn’t been here long but already she had made some great friends.
Chapter 21
Mick Quinn stood at the door to the orphanage kitchen. He watched Wilma as she worked for a couple of seconds trying to gather his thoughts.
“You going stand there all day?” Wilma asked.
“Miss Wilma, can I have a word?”
“Do you want coffee and cookies with it?” Wilma asked smiling at him.
“Only if you made them yourself.”
“I sure did. It must be something big you have on your mind to be wastin’ your Irish charm on me, boy.”
Mick sat at the table twisting the cup this way and that.
“Mick, you gonna spill that coffee everywhere. I got enough work to do. Now tell me what’s on your mind.”
Mick looked into the big brown eyes full of kindness and concern. He was overwhelmed with shame that he had once fought on the side determined to keep this good woman and people like her in slavery.
“Wilma, there’s something you should know first before I ask for your help.”
Erin Page 7
