Mrs. Grey Read online

  She saw the surprise in the doctor’s eyes before it was quickly covered.

  “My problem is I have no qualifications. I don’t want to ask my aunt, and I certainly do not want to rely on her charity.”

  “I am sure Mrs. Grey won’t throw you out on the street. But if you really want a job, why not ask at the new restaurant. My friend, Mrs. Doherty, is working around the clock trying to get things ready for opening day. She may help you.”

  “Thank you, Erin.”

  Chapter 13

  Isabella followed Erin’s directions and found the restaurant. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. Nobody answered so she pushed it open nearly knocking a young laborer over. He flashed her a cheeky grin.

  “I am looking for Mrs. Doherty,” she said as formally as she could. She didn’t want to encourage him.

  “Ruth, visitor for ya. Nice to meet you,” he said as he walked past her. She didn’t answer as a lady came forward.

  “Sorry, were you knocking? I can’t hear myself think today with all the noise out back,” the lady said, smiling.

  Isabella understood. The noise from the work on the hotel was incredibly loud even with the door shut.

  “Mrs. Doherty? I was told to ask for you.”

  “Me or mother?”

  Isabelle didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t known there were two Mrs. Dohertys.

  “Why don’t you tell me what you want?” the woman asked.

  “I would like a job.” Isabella hoped she looked the part. She had dressed carefully but, to be honest, her wardrobe didn’t have much but day and evening dresses. Both looked out of place in Clover Springs. The woman in front of her was wearing a plain brown costume, with a large white apron.

  “A job?”

  Isabella could see the confusion in the other woman’s eyes.

  “I need a job. My aunt believes I am not suited for any form of employment. I aim to prove her wrong. But…”

  “But?”

  “To be honest, I have never done a day’s work in my life. But I am a fast learner. At least I will be.”

  Isabella stopped talking as the other woman smiled.

  “I am not sure we have a suitable position for a well-brought-up lady like yourself. I…”

  “Ruth, what are you doing out here? We have dishes… Oh, pardon me. I didn’t know we had company.” An older woman wearing a similar style of dress to the woman she’d been speaking to came out of the back room. Her eyes flew from the top of Isabella’s head to her toes and back up again. She smiled but Isabella could see she was curious.

  “Mother, this is Isabella. She needs a job. But I was just explaining I didn’t think we had anything suitable. Oh, excuse me. I think I hear the baby crying.”

  Ruth picked up her skirts and fled, leaving Isabella standing opposite the older woman who was staring at her.

  “Ruth adopted Emma, a dear little one in the blizzard back in New York. She hasn’t quite settled yet, hence the screams. Joe, my son, and Ruth’s husband, is supposed to be watching her, but he’s not the one she wants. She misses our Katie and Stevie, but they are both at school.” Mrs. Doherty turned her attention back to Isabella. “Who sent you to us?”

  “I asked Doc Erin when she took me out to meet Alicia. I don’t mean to be a nuisance, but I am willing to do anything, ma’am. I have to prove to my aunt I am self-sufficient.” Isabella didn’t like the pleading tone in her voice, but she was desperate.

  “Who is your aunt?”

  “Mrs. Grey.”

  The understanding on the older woman’s face told her she knew her aunt.

  “Tell me, Isabella, what experience do you have?” The woman gave her such an appraising look, Isabella was sure she could read her mind.

  “Not anything practical. I was raised to be a young lady. Look pretty but rather useless.”

  Mrs. Doherty laughed. “Come into the kitchen and have a cup of tea with me. We can talk further.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Doherty. I promise, if you give me a chance, I will work harder than anyone else.”

  “I like you, Isabella. You remind me of our Nora.”

  “I don’t think I have met her yet.”

  “She is my granddaughter, a determined young lady just like yourself. She would be here too, but she took young Michelle, Doc Erin’s adopted daughter, for a walk. Excuse the mess, we are trying to get ready for Saturday night. The chores are endless.”

  Isabella put her hat and gloves on the table.

  “Would you like to make the tea?” Mrs. Doherty asked her.

  Isabella stepped forward but then had to admit she had never made tea before.

  “Never?”

  “No, ma’am. We had servants.” Isabella turned to pick up her hat and gloves. Regretting she had come, afraid she had made a laughing stock of herself, she began to make her apologies and leave. “I guess I should get out of your way.”

  “Don’t be hasty. I can’t afford to pay you much. But I can give you some experience and that should help you to find a better job.”

  “Would you? Oh, thank you so much. Would you mind if I skipped the tea? I think I would be too nervous to drink. Can we get started?”

  “Call me Carmel. I think we will get along just fine,” Carmel said, giving her a look of approval. She was surprised to find it made her feel good. Nobody had ever approved of her; her mother was forever finding fault, and her father generally ignored her.

  Isabella took the apron Mrs. Doherty offered and set to washing the mountain of dishes someone had unpacked from the crates. They were covered in dust.

  When Ruth arrived back, after what seemed like hours, she smiled at her over the sudsy water. She hadn’t dropped a single plate or glass. She’d come close a couple of times, but luck was on her side.

  Chapter 14

  Mrs. Grey walked into town the next day, hoping Wilma would have time to sit and chat. She missed her friend. She found Wilma in the kitchen. They chatted for a few minutes, but Wilma had plans to do a couple of hours helping out in the school.

  “I am so sorry. I would love to have a catch up with you, my dear Lorena. I haven’t spoken to you in so long.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Why don’t you call out to me tomorrow? In the meantime, I can go see how Carmel Doherty is doing. The restaurant opening is this weekend.”

  “She is really nervous. After the problems they had finding the right stoves and other equipment and having to delay the opening, she thinks people won’t come.”

  “Of course, they will come,” she replied firmly.

  “She needs you to tell her that, Lorena. But nicely. Don’t go putting her back up.”

  “Now, Wilma, we both know I am more considerate than I used to be.”

  “You are but warm and fuzzy are still on your wish list.”

  She smiled as Wilma teased her. How had she lived before this wonderful woman had come to live in Clover Springs and opened her eyes to what a wonderful town she and her husband had lived in for years?

  “Wilma, have you seen the newspaper? Frederick Douglass was nominated for president,” she asked.

  “His name was added to the ballot papers and he got one vote. Hardly call that progress,” Wilma replied caustically.

  “But it is. Can’t you see? Twenty years ago, nobody would have believed a former slave could become President of the United States. Mark my words, Wilma. Someday it will happen.”

  “Yeah and someday they will have a woman in the White House, but I doubt either of us will live to see that.”

  She looked at her friend in concern. “Wilma, what’s wrong? You are normally so excited about progress. Not like you to be so negative.”

  “Forgive me, Lorena. I am just tired. I too old to be a mama.”

  The twins. “Are the girls still causing trouble?”

  “Yes, and Ellen, she is far too sweet to complain but I can see for myself. They need to be brought into line. I wouldn’t say it to anyone else, but I is ashame
d of them Lorena. They behave worse than that Shaw boy ever did, even when he was younger and almost burned down the orphanage over our heads. I dread to think what the girls are capable of.”

  “Have you asked Little Beaver for his help? He was good with the Shaw boy. I know he isn’t perfect, but Bertram is a lot better than he used to be.”

  “Not yet, but I shall. Oh, look at the time, I is late. I have to go,” Wilma said apologetically.

  Chapter 15

  Lorena Grey walked down the street with Wilma, turning off on the street where the new restaurant was situated. The hotel would be right next door but wouldn’t open for another month or so. The place was a beehive of activity.

  “Carmel, how are you this morning? All organized?” she asked her new friend. Erin had been right. As soon as the two women were introduced, they’d got on well together.

  “I wish, Lorena. I am so tired, I don’t know if I found a rope or lost my horse.”

  She laughed as she was wont to do when around Carmel Doherty. The woman always smiled no matter what was going on.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Can you get Doc Erin to give me something for my nerves. I want Saturday night to be a big success for Ruth, she deserves something wonderful to happen. But I keep dreaming the ovens will break down and all sorts of other catastrophes will happen.

  She rubbed the other woman’s arm. “You sound like you need a break. Why don’t you come to my house for a cup of tea? I could use a listening ear.” She didn’t really want to talk, but Carmel Doherty wasn’t one for sitting down when there was working to be done. Truth be told, Erin had asked her to help in her bid to make Carmel take things a little easier. The woman was working day and night, and Erin worried it would have a detrimental effect on her health.

  “I don’t know if I should?”

  “Off you go, Mother. I have a list of things that need to be done. Nora will be here soon and, after the store closes, Lizzie and Sadie are coming to help me. You go on now and take a well-earned rest.”

  “Are you sure?” Carmel Doherty asked her daughter-in-law.

  “Ruth’s sure. Come on, Carmel. We are in the way.”

  She led the way to her wagon and waited for the other woman to climb into the seat. Then she clicked the reins and her well-trained team took the wagon home.

  Chapter 16

  As they drove, they chatted.

  “Lizzie’s dressmaking venture appears to be going well, now that Sadie has arrived to help her. Is Nora glad to have her friends here?” she asked Carmel.

  “She is but I think the fact it means their wedding can go ahead is a bigger attraction.”

  Lorena laughed. She knew Nora and the girls had decided to share their wedding day. Lizzie and Sadie had no family in Clover Springs. Well, aside from Tommy, who was Lizzie’s brother and Sadie’s groom. Paul, Lizzie’s fiancé, was Ruth’s nephew by marriage.

  “Are you still enjoying Clover Springs?” she asked Carmel.

  “It’s a mighty fine place. I miss my friends and family, but you couldn’t get me to leave and go back to New York now. Everyone, well nearly everyone, is so friendly.”

  She guessed Carmel was talking about Charlie Staunton who had made a big fuss about Tommy rearing sheep. Not that it interfered with Charlie Staunton, but the man couldn’t bear to see anyone else happy. Carmel had been on the receiving end of one of Ma Kelley’s rages too. She had enjoyed watching Carmel put Ma and her cronies back in their place. Carmel was fiercely protective of her family and their friends and wouldn’t stand for any nonsense from anyone. She decided to change the subject.

  “Most folks are looking forward to the opening on Saturday,” she commented.

  “Is it true you have an escort for the evening?”

  “Carmel Doherty! Where did you hear that?” she didn’t know where to look. She could feel her cheeks heating as if she was a young girl in her first flush of youth.

  “So, it is true. Don’t look so shocked. You know Clover Springs is a small place.”

  Mortified, she kept her eyes on the road ahead even though her team could have driven home in the dark. Then curiosity got the better of her.

  “I guess people are laughing. A woman of my age should know better,” she said, testing Carmel’s reaction.

  “Absolutely not. Sure, life is for living, and if you have a chance of happiness you should grab it with both hands.”

  She looked at Carmel but, instead of finding her eyes full of laughter, she saw the other woman was serious.

  “People have mentioned you two have been out a couple of times before. A picnic at some auction and of course you were dancing together at Wilma’s wedding,” Carmel continued. “You seem to get on very well, although I am not sure I would have put you two together as a couple?”

  “Why?” She genuinely wanted to know what her new friend thought.

  “Why? Well, you are such a lady for a start. Now don’t go misunderstanding me. Sheriff Willis is a good man, a kind man but he’s… well, he’s just ordinary. And those whiskers of his and his chewing-tobacco habit.”

  “He’s given that up.” They’d had a long talk about that habit. Lorena hated spittoons and refused to be seen with anyone who used them. She’d told him so too. He’d thought she was joking before realizing she wasn’t. He had promised not to chew tobacco in her presence.

  “He has. So, he is serious then?” Carmel said laughing, her laughter continuing as Lorena felt her cheeks turn pink.

  She shifted in her seat, not liking the attention even if it was well-meant. She asked, “What about you? Did you ever think of becoming involved with someone again? I mean, Erin told me your husband died a long time ago.”

  “Aye, he did. But nobody will ever take Joseph’s place. He was one in a million. I loved him so much. I would have followed him to the ends of the earth. Some people say I did. What with leaving Ireland to come to America and all.”

  “Love like that is special.” She couldn’t hide the note of jealousy in her voice. She and David had a love like that. At least that was how she remembered it.

  Chapter 17

  They arrived at her house. Jim came out to take the reins. He would look after the team. He greeted Mrs. Grey and tipped his hat at Carmel but didn’t say anything else.

  They walked to the door where Annie greeted them both asking if they wanted some refreshments.

  “Tea please for Carmel, Annie. Thank you. We will sit out here.”

  They sat on the porch in silence for a while. She sensed Carmel was pondering something but when she spoke, her friend’s comment took her by surprise.

  “Was your marriage not happy, Lorena?”

  “No, not especially. I didn’t marry for love. In fact, it was the last thing I wanted. My heart was broken. The love of my life had died.” Then she had locked up her heart and thrown away the key. She didn’t want to admit that she hadn’t known what a difference being open to love and friendship made to your life until she’d met Ellen and her sister Katie. Through their friendship, she’d had her eyes opened to the wonderful people in Clover Springs.

  “I am sorry that happened to you. Maybe this is your second chance?”

  “With Sheriff Willis? He is a nice man but love? I don’t think that’s possible at my age. Still, I suppose it would be nice to have some companionship. The evenings are rather lonely at home. Well, they were. Now Isabella is living here, it is a bit better.”

  Carmel took a sip of her tea before commenting.

  “Your niece is a lovely young lady.”

  “Forgive my surprise but really? You don’t find her spoilt and demanding?” She shouldn’t really speak of Isabella like that. The girl had done nothing to warrant that criticism, but Adriana had been spoiled. Like mother, like daughter as the saying went.

  “Not at all. She seems like a bright young lady. Of course, she isn’t used to working for a living, that much is obvious, but she is a fast learner.


  “How do you know that?” Lorena couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.

  “Why, from her coming into the restaurant. Didn’t she tell you? She came looking for work. Not a lot she could do at first, but she is learning. She can boil water now.” Carmel laughed while she stared at her.

  “Isabella is working in your kitchen?”

  “Oh Lord, didn’t you know? Was it supposed to be a surprise? Why didn’t she tell you?” Carmel looked around guiltily as if expecting Isabella to appear from behind a pillar. Mrs. Grey didn’t know where her niece was. She had assumed she was out visiting her new friends but now she had heard about this job, she wondered.

  “I have no idea, but I aim to find out.”

  “You are not upset are you, Lorena? I mean, I know it isn’t what she is used to,” Carmel’s voice trailed off. Her friend was obviously embarrassed.

  “No, it isn’t but I am thrilled, not upset. I never thought I would see my sister’s daughter working in a kitchen. She said she was going to prove to me that she would find a job in Clover Springs. I guess I did her an injustice.”

  “I think that may have happened a lot,” Carmel said quietly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t want to speak out of turn, but it seems to me, nobody told that girl how wonderful she was. Ever.”

  “I guess they didn’t. In my family, girls weren’t valued. It was all about the boys.”

  “Same in mine. Boys got the land or went into the priesthood. Every family in Ireland wants a son in the church.” Carmel rolled her eyes.

  “Speaking of families, how is your son? Doc Erin said he was improving.”

  “His sight is better, but his mood is fierce. I wouldn’t admit this to just anyone, but I thought moving here would make it easier for him to give up the demon drink. But…”

  “It takes a hold of a man and won’t let go.”