Cathy Read online

  Cathy

  Clover Springs Mail Order Bride Book 11

  Rachel Wesson

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Epilogue

  Character List

  Also by Rachel Wesson

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  New York, March 1888

  “Miss, please wake up. Come on, Miss Catherine. We don’t have much time”

  “Leave me be. I want to sleep.” Catherine pulled the covers back over her head.

  “Miss, get out of that bed at once. You owe it to your parents.”

  Catherine sat up straight. “My parents are dead. Don’t you dare talk about them.”

  “Miss Catherine, you will be dead soon, too, if you stay here. Now, come on. It’s all planned, remember. Toby is downstairs waiting with the carriage. I have your bag.”

  “Where’s my medicine?”

  “You had it already.”

  Catherine tried to focus on the servant girl. She couldn’t remember her name. Was it Jane? Yes, it was. She couldn’t remember most things, but she knew she hadn’t had anything this morning. Before she could protest, Jane was urging her to hurry up.

  “Miss Catherine, you are putting us all in danger. Please. For our sake, move now. We have to get out of here before he comes back.”

  Catherine got up and allowed the servant to dress her. She wasn’t sure where she was going, but her instinct was to do as Jane told her. Jane had been with her mother for years. She had started in the house at age twelve and worked her way up from kitchen helper. She’d been her mother’s personal maid. Mama. She was dead. Papa, too.

  “Jane, are you coming with me?”

  “No, Miss, I can’t. I have to stay here. I got my family to think of. But you will be fine. Your sister will look after you.”

  “My sister? I don’t have any sisters.”

  “Yes, Miss, you do. Remember? She lives in Clover Springs. Now, take your bag and your train ticket. Don’t lose that purse I gave you. It has your money in it. Toby sold that jewelry you gave me. He didn’t get much for it but it’s better than nothing. He couldn’t risk Master Archibald finding out about the sale.”

  With a last look at her home, Catherine left. Toby gave her a hand up in to the carriage. He had a kind face. He had bought her ticket and put her on the train to Denver. She had to change there to get the train to Clover Springs.

  She moaned as she lifted her head. The feeling of tiredness was worse than ever. She needed a couple of drops of her medicine. She had hidden it in the bag despite what Jane had said. The doctor had given it to her to help dull the pain of losing her parents.

  What she doing on the train? Oh, yes. She was going to see her sister. In Clover Springs, Colorado. She asked the ticket man to wake her when they got there. He seemed nice. Her eyes closed and soon she was in a restless world of darkness once more.

  Chapter 2

  Noelle, Colorado March 1888

  Abe O’Malley took a final look at the graves before turning his back and getting on his horse. He rode away without a backwards glance. He had done what he promised. Stayed and looked after Sally’s family until they were all gone. It was time to leave Noelle and all the memories, good and bad behind him.

  He just had one more stop to make and then he would go and never come back. He rode out to the house near the mine. It looked better than it had in years. Cara and Ma worked hard keeping the gardens and the house tidy. As he pulled up, the door opened and his little sister came running out, braids flying behind her.

  “Abe, Ma said you wouldn’t call but I knew you would. You couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”

  For all her confident words, he caught the uncertainty in her eyes.

  “Course I wouldn’t go without saying goodbye to my favorite girl in the whole world.”

  “Judes’s here. He wanted to eat Ma’s apple pie but she said she wasn’t cutting it until you got here.”

  He smiled, thinking of how his brother would react to that. He still couldn’t believe Jude was an officer of the law. The youngster had got into more scraps than most boys his age but he had turned out real smart with a good heart. He was the youngest deputy sheriff for miles around, but then most didn’t want a job in Leadville with all the trouble.

  Like Abe, he had a soft spot for women who needed protection. Many a fellow found themselves inside a cell for the night, protesting it wasn’t against the law to hit their missus. It wasn’t, either, but that never bothered Jude any. If he caught wind of a wife beater, that man would spend time in the cells for something or other.

  Cara took his horse and led her off to the barn, where she would give her some oats and fresh water. His little sister was mad about animals. At times, his ma got frustrated with her as she refused to kill a chicken or be present when they butchered a pig. Some wife she’ll make was his ma’s favorite saying but Abe knew, as they all did, Cara held a special place in his ma’s heart. Her birth had marked a turn-around in ma’s fortunes, not least because that was the same night his pa died.

  He didn’t want to think of Fergus O’Malley now. He forced a smile on his face and walked up to the door. Ma hadn’t come outside to greet him. That was her way of telling him she didn’t agree with his plans. But she wouldn’t beg him not to go. Ellen O’Malley never asked for anything for herself.

  He put the bag of foodstuffs and other things he had purchased from the store in town beside the door. He might be leaving but he had made sure his ma and Cara would be fine for the next few months.

  “Evening, Jude,” he remarked to his brother.

  “About time you got here. Can we have pie now, Ma?” Jude raised his coffee cup. “The prodigal son is here.”

  He didn’t take offense to Jude’s teasing. He knew there was no malice in it. They got on well despite the gap in age.

  “Sit down and eat your meal. It’s a bit crispy around the edges.”

  “Thanks, Ma. It smells great.”

  He wasn’t hungry, but that didn’t matter. He had to eat the meal. He ate quickly so Jude could have his slice of pie.

  “That was lovely, Ma. Sit down, will you? Jude can get you a cup of coffee.”

  “Why can’t you do it? I’ve been working hard all week,” Jude replied, then immediately turned red. “Sorry, Brother. I didn’t think. I just opened my mouth and let the words rush out.”

  “No matter,” he said quickly, hoping to change the subject. “Ma, you got credit at the store to keep you going for a while. When I am sorted, I will send some money back. Jude and the boys will also chip in.”

  “That will be the day. Charlie is never out of the boozer.”

  “Cara, don’t speak about your brother like that. He will do what he can,” Ma reprimanded his sister.

  He didn’t comment on his younger
brother who was turning out to the image of Fergus. He never called that man Pa. What Cara said was true, but if Ma wanted to ignore the fact one of her sons was drinking himself into the grave, who was he to stop her? He was fed up being responsible for the O’Malley tribe. He had done his bit. Mary, his sister, was happily married, the boys were in the main, all working. Jude would keep an eye on Ma and Cara.

  “I best get going, Ma.”

  “Stay tonight and set out early in the morning. It will be safer.”

  That was probably true, but he didn’t want to prolong the agony of leaving. He had already waited a year from when he first lost Sally. His ma had insisted with time, he would find it easier to stay in Noelle, but that wasn’t the case. His ma and Cara would cry and he’d had enough of tears.

  “Where are you heading first, Abe?”

  “Clover Springs. I want to ask Cookie and Mick to come visit Doc. He isn’t the same. The last year has taken its toll. His missus, Cara, is worried.”

  “I love Aunt Cara. She is really good to me. I am named after her.”

  “Yes, you are sweetheart and a nicer lady you’d struggle to meet. Say hello to Mick and Cookie for us, son.”

  “I will, Ma.”

  “I’ll ride a bit of the way with you, Abe.”

  He nodded in response to Jude before pulling his ma into a hug. “Take care of yourself, Ma. I got to do this.”

  “I know you think you do, son, but you can’t run away from your head.”

  She might be right, but he could try. He gave Cara a hug, too. She was already crying. “Diamond is ready for you. I gave her extra oats.”

  With a lump in his throat he mounted his horse, and together he and Jude rode out. Neither looked back.

  Chapter 3

  Clover Springs, April 1888

  “Doc Erin, about time you came back,” Wilma cried as she pulled Erin in a big hug. “I missed you and Alicia and the children something dreadful.”

  “What about me and Aaron?”

  “You be quiet, Mick Quinn. Don't you know I done missed you two handsome men as well,” Wilma said before screaming as Mick lifted her up and swung her around. “You put me down. Right now, you hear.”

  “Let her go. Stop hurting her.” Before Mick could do anything, two little girls—one white, one black—attacked him, kicking at his ankles. One bit his arm, leaving wet bite marks on his jacket. “What the heck?”

  “Amy, Suzy, stop that this instant. Mick be a friend of your Grammy.”

  Erin and Mick stared at Wilma first before looking at the young girls and then back at her. She wrapped her arms around the little ones’ shoulders.

  “Mick, Erin, I would like you to meet my granddaughters. They be a bit protective of me. They is finding it difficult settling in here in Clover Springs.”

  “We don't like it here. We want to go home.”

  Erin watched as Mick bent down to the girls’ level. Holding out his hand to shake theirs, he said, “Well, now, I don't like to hear that. I love Clover Springs and want everyone else to love it, too. Have we not been nice to you?”

  Amy shook her head, her copper colored braids almost hitting Mick in the face. Suzy just stared at him.

  “How you hurt your leg? You walk funny.”

  “Suzy, that's not nice.” Wilma reprimanded her granddaughter.

  “Aw, Wilma, don't chide her. She is only stating the obvious.” Mick winked at Suzy who amazingly smiled back at him. Wilma seemed pleased they were back. The children must be giving her problems. Erin wanted to ask her friend how her health was but it wasn’t appropriate in front of the children.

  “I was in a fight and hurt it real bad. But a good doctor helped me fix it.” Mick was still bent down at the children’s level. She knew he would find that painful.

  “Is she your doctor? Grammy Wilma called her Doc.”

  Erin hid a smile at the clever child.

  “Aren't you a clever little lady? Do you mind if I sit down for a while as my knee hurts trying to sit like this.” Suzy nodded solemnly, even moving slightly so he could sit on the chair nearest to where she was standing.

  “No, Doc Erin is my wife. Now, why don't you tell me why you don't like Clover Springs? Maybe I can help fix it so you do.”

  “Bertram Shaw.”

  Erin saw Wilma bite her lip as the two girls spoke at the same time. Mick glanced at her and she nodded. “Go on, girls, tell Mick what's been happening. He doesn't like Master Shaw much either.”

  “He is being really mean. He says Grammy can't be my Grammy cause I is white. And he says Suzy can’t be my twin sister. But she is. We was born at the same time to the same mama. That makes us twins.”

  “It sure does. So you know Bertram is talking rot. Why are you listening to him?”

  Erin tried not to laugh at the look of consternation on the twins’ faces. They obviously hadn’t seen it that way before.

  “But he shouldn't say it. We tried to slap his mouth but we got into trouble.”

  “Miss Templeton didn't like that, huh?” Mick asked.

  “She ain't our teacher. Our teacher is Mrs. Barrett. She's nice, but she said we can’t hit Bertram or anyone else.”

  “Mrs. Barrett? Seems like we missed a lot when we were away, Wilma.”

  “You sure did, Doc Erin. We had us a fine wedding. Gary, he be busy building a house next to the school for him, Eleanor, Rosa, and John.”

  “They got married and adopted Rosa and John as well? I must go over and see if I can help with the house,” Mick said.

  “Gary would welcome that, Mick.”

  “Would you two girls like to come with me? Maybe you can tell me more about what you don't like about Clover Springs and we will find a way of fixing it.”

  Wilma nodded as the twins looked at her for permission. “You be good, girls. Mick doesn't like badly-behaved young'uns.”

  “We will, Grammy. We always are.”

  “They seem like nice girls, Wilma.”

  “Despite their innocent little faces, they aren’t always.” She sighed. “When the twins want to be good, they are no problem to anyone. The problem is they seem to enjoy making trouble. Not just for themselves but for other people.”

  “They are just settling in to their new environment. It will take a while.” Erin sought to reassure her friend.

  “Wilma, make sure you keep me some of those oatmeal cookies. I built up an appetite in New York for your fine cooking.”

  Erin smiled as Mick left, a girl on either side holding his hands. “Wilma, sit down and stop fussing. I want to hear all your news,” Erin said.

  Chapter 4

  The door opened and in walked Mrs. Grey, closely followed by Father Molloy.

  “Knew it wouldn't take long for you to smell the cookies.” Wilma teased Father Molloy as he greeted Erin like a long-lost daughter. Mrs. Grey also gave Erin a hug before taking a seat.

  “Saw Mick walking down the street with the girls. They look happier today,” Mrs. Grey said.

  “They seem like lovely girls, Wilma. How did you find them?”

  “It's a long story, Erin.”

  “Don't forget to tell her about your upcoming wedding,” Mrs. Grey added.

  “Lorena Grey, you never know when to keep quiet, do ya?” Wilma exclaimed as Erin coughed and spluttered, the coffee she had just drunk coming back out of her mouth. Wilma gave her a towel and hit her on the back.

  “My apologies. How rude. Sorry. But married? I've only been gone a month or so,” she said, mortified to have shown herself up in public even among her friends.

  “Six weeks, Erin, and we missed you every minute. Why did you take so long?”

  They listened as Erin outlined the events of the storm and the aftermath.

  “Oh, my goodness, you did have an adventure. Where is Nora now?” Mrs. Grey asked.

  “She's at home with Michelle. Both are worn out after the trip,” Erin said.

  “And what of Lily?”

  Erin's eyes sho
ne with pride. “Oh, Wilma, you would not recognize our Lily. She has matured so much. You should have seen her in the hotel. She had the place running so well, the hotel owner offered her a job.”

  “Our Lily, a hotel manager.”

  “Yes. Well, for now, but there are other things she is involved in. But tell me about your wedding.”

  “Where is Alicia? Don't tell me she went home without calling in to see me?”

  Erin noticed Wilma avoided the question but decided to play along.

  “She has a cold—don't look at me like that. It is just a sniffle but I told her to go home and rest. I wasn't sure how you were after the last time we saw each other. I was just being careful for both your sakes.”

  “I is fine. I is a tough old bird. You knows that.”

  The door opened again, admitting an older man. He stopped. Wilma stood and walked to his side.

  “This be Zack. Zack, meet Doc Erin.”

  “Nice to meet you, Doc. My Wilma told me lots about you.”

  “Nice to meet you too, Zack. I was just about to hear all about you when you interrupted.”

  Zack laughed. Wilma sent Doc Erin a grateful look for putting her man at ease. He took her seat and helped himself to coffee and cookies.

  “As you can see, Doc Erin, he be real shy.”

  “A working man needs refreshments, woman.”

  Wilma swiped him gently with her towel. Erin guessed her old friend was hoping to distract people from noticing she was red-faced.