1863 Saratoga Summer Page 27

  “Are ye lost little lady?” the driver, sitting on a high seat in the front, asked, his Irish brogue as thick as her da’s. Sinead thought him older than her da so wrinkled and weathered was his face.

  “Ah, er, no, I don’t think I’m lost. I’m on my way to…”

  The men sitting on the floor of the back of the crude wagon gave each other questioning looks. “Don’t’ think you’re lost? Where might you be going, lass? The road up ahead is often deserted and not fit for a young lady to walk by herself,” said a younger, yellow-haired man in the back. He smiled. His teeth were as yellow as his hair and two were missing at the side of his mouth.

  “Yeah,” offered another, “tell us where you’d like to be going and we’ll see that you get there safe and sound.”

  Sinead had never confronted so many men while unescorted. If this were the city, she would run away and find a large group. Perhaps, I should run back to the track where those other men were working? The very thought made her tremble.

  “Cat got yer tongue, girlie?” a dark-haired man asked.

  That angered her. “Nae. My tongue is in my mouth and ready to slice you for that sort of remark.”

  The men laughed and glanced at each other with knowing smirks.

  Sinead continued. “I’m heading to a certain property. Sitting somewhere above the lake, I’m told. I’ve only been there once and it was dusk.”

  “Well, we’re headed in that direction, miss,” the older driver said, tipping his hat to her. “We’d be willing to give you a lift to where you’re going if it’s along our way.”

  “Harry, we have to get where we’re going before half the workmen in the Springs do. I need that job,” complained the dark-haired man to the driver. The man turned to Sinead. “Excuse me, ma’am, but my name is Jonah and I’m in desperate need of a job to feed my family. There’s one opening up on a property by the lake, and we need to get there fast.”

  “Well, Jonah, you’d best be going along then. I don’t want to be the cause of a man losing a good job.” Sinead tipped her head to them and returned to the maple tree, relieved they weren’t going to bother her further.

  Harry turned and looked at the men in the back. “Ye can’t be serious. Ye’d be leaving a young woman sitting by the side of the road? She is possible prey for any beast, which might come along with bad intentions.”

  “You’re right, Harry, as usual.” Jonah scrunched around in his spot so he could face her. “Listen, missy, we’re going to a place where they’re raising a barn as quick as they can. Jack Morrissey told us about it.”

  Harry added, “’Tis Bowes Brennan’s place. He always said he’d be having himself a horse farm when all is said and done. But you fella’s know what a braggart he is, for sure.”

  As soon as she heard the name, a great smile spread over Sinead’s face. “That’s me da you’re speaking poorly about.” She laughed heartily. “And that’s where I’m going, so I’d be happy to ride along with all of you. Harry, can I sit up top with you?”

  “Oh my, lassie, ye sure can, after me speaking me mind so freshly. Let me give ye a hand to help ye on yer way to the seat here.” Harry reached his hand down to her, but she could barely hobble over to the wagon, so badly did her feet pain her.

  “Och, My feet are sore and swollen. Just give me a minute, please.”

  Jonah jumped off the back of the wagon and rushed to her side. “Let me help you up.” He took her elbow and tried to assist her. When he saw she couldn’t walk right, he swung her up into his arms and set her on the wagon seat next to Harry.

  “Thank you,” she said. “I truly appreciate the trouble you’re all going to. I’ll make sure you have jobs. ‘Tis my husband who is giving them out.”

  “Oh, praise be.” Jonah slapped his hands together before leaping back up onto the bed of the wagon. “Then maybe it’s really going to be a barn for horses, horses that race.”

  Sinead turned and studied him. He was a small man and a bit darker than the rest of those in the back. He certainly seemed pleased about a job. She hoped he got one, although she had no idea what it might entail. I’ll talk to Connor about it, for sure.

  The wagon moved off and she stretched her legs out on the bar rising in front of her, feeling her feet swelling inside the boots. “Harry, I truly am grateful for this ride,” she sighed with relief.

  He looked at her, his temple a strip of frowns. “I can’t understand how come yer da let ye go off alone to the lake.” He shook his head. “’Tis a bad thing to be traipsing on the roads like that, even during the daytime. Bad people do bad things at all hours of the day. I don’t think yer husband would be pleased.”

  “Don’t blame my da. It was my fault. We had a disagreement and I ran off like the foolish lass, I’m beginning to think.”

  “Well, don’t worry any further. We’ll get ye right to yer da’s property and into yer husband’s arms within an hour. You just enjoy the scenery.”

  Her husband’s arms… She shivered with a sort of anticipation. Now why did the thought suddenly seem appealing?

  ~*~

  Connor stood to the side of the rolling knoll below the house. His men had dug out half the hill for the barn’s foundation. A portion of the barn would be below ground with just enough space at the top of the second floor for the horse’s to see out the windowed bars he intended to install. He shaded his eyes with his hand, while he watched the progress.

  He was pleased. By putting part of the barn into the hill, it would preserve heat garnered from the horses. Someone told him the winter’s here were dreadful, cold and snow-laden.

  He planned to use the bottom floor for his tools, plows and maybe a few cows. He started toward the barn and the men working, continuing to plan for the winter. Sheaves of hay piled against the walls would insulate the barn a bit too, he thought.

  Bored horses could cause much damage, as well he remembered, and he wondered what prompted the sad memory. He thought, perhaps, it was his wife’s unreasoning fear of the animals. The fear was turning out to be a detriment to this marriage. It reinforced his decision to return to Ireland—without her.

  Anxious to get the work done fast so he could leave, he continued planning for this horse farm. It was the least he could do before he left. Bowes, Sinead and little Robbie would be secure, with a place of their own. He tramped around the barn’s foundation to make sure it was level and turned to look out at what would be the paddock.

  He surveyed the land below with a knowledgeable eye. Men worked on fencing in the lower pasture, so the horses would have access to the stream. He moved toward it, looking for a place he could dam to bring the water in easy.

  A hired man strolled to his side. “The men at the barn are ready to lay the heavy boards down on the ground for the floor.”

  “Aye, that’s good,” Connor replied, nodding to this bright-eyed young fellow.

  “But more men are needed,” the lad said with a tone of deference. “That is, if you want the floor leveled and all.”

  Connor didn’t want to take the time to go into the village to hire more men. He hoped Morrissey would keep his word and send men out to the property. “I’ll take care of it. I’m glad it’s going so fast. The men are doing a grand job of it.”

  “I’ll tell them. I know my father will be pleased to hear it.”

  “Ask him to keep the men working. I’m going up to the house to see what needs to be done there. I’d like to make it habitable for my family. Maybe I’ll send one of you to town to get more men. The more we have working, the quicker the place will be ready.”

  And the quicker I can leave America.

  The youngster moved away at a run.

  Connor started up the hill toward the building at the top of the property. Thoughts of repairs rushed through his mind. He’d need to put in stairs of some sort for going up and down the hill. After several steps, he turned to scan the land again.

  The rolling hills reminded him of Ireland. Such hills were good fo
r the horses. Bowes chose the site well. Connor laughed to himself. He intended to leave it all at the first opportunity. Too bad…

  The men he hired worked diligently. Never in his life had he seen such a diversity of men, he mused, from all walks of life, of such different colors and different religious backgrounds, work together so cohesively. It made him proud they saw fit to work here for him, a foreigner to their land. He was nothing but a green Irishman from the old country, with little background in anything except how to handle horses.

  When he reached the top of the knoll, he stood before the house, staring at it. He wondered what he could do to make it into a home fit for the lady and her son. He heard a wagon turn into the property and come up the long road toward the house.

  The wheels pounding the ruts made him smile. If it was more men to work, he’d set some of them to working on the road, he thought. Connor waited outside for the wagon’s arrival, watching the roadway. Waiting was not something he did well.

  He paced the porch and studied the house from every angle. Its stone façade and its structure brought memories of Ireland to the forefront and filled him with a longing he couldn’t control. While he walked, he wondered what he was going to do about Sinead’s obvious animosity toward him? The marriage needed consummation, even if he went back to Ireland, and he intended to go, with or without her, before the end of this summer.

  He shrugged his shoulders and sat on the porch railing. Well, if she decided not to go with him, it would be her problem, not his. Lost in thought, he barely noticed the wagon had made it up the road and had pulled under the shade trees at the side of the house.

  Someone called out to him. “Hey, mister! A group of us were sent here by Jack Morrissey, from down in the village. We came to work on the Brennan place. Do ye know where we can find the boss man?”

  Connor moved off the porch then came around the corner of the house toward the wagon. Partially shaded by trees, the people in it had a better look at him than he did of them.

  Sinead giggled and poked Harry. “That is the boss man. That’s Connor O’Malley, my husband. Set me down and I’ll be introducing you to him.”

  “Lordy, but he’s a big one, now, isn’t he, lass? Listen, missus, I can’t set ye down with yer feet sore like they are. I’ll bring yer to yer man,” Harry said in a whisper.

  Connor stumbled over an above ground root in the path. He jettisoned forward and looked back to see what tripped him. As he stepped forward again, someone stuck a bundle in his arms, a warm bundle.

  Startled, he looked down. “Sinead. My God, what are you doing here? I never expected you to be coming by so soon. The house isn’t ready for you. I haven’t even been inside it yet.”

  Although something about this man often irritated her, causing slight chills to chase up her spine, she was determined to set things right between them. “Well then if I can take off these rotten boots, I can get started straightening things up. But first, I’d like to introduce you to my new friends.” She smiled up at his startled face.

  He couldn’t stop his eyes from staring. “How did you get here, anyway?” Something about her made his blood boil like an iron pot over a campfire, but it wasn’t with anger.

  “My friends.” She pointed to the wagon. “They brought me.” He turned away, not knowing where to put her down.

  She assumed he was walking away. “Wait! You have to meet them.”

  “Lass, I have no time for socializing at the moment. There’s too much to be done around here for any kind of polite interaction.” He moved toward the house to put her on the porch.

  She pinched his arm. “Connor, stop! Don’t be getting up on your high horse. These are workmen. They need jobs. Come, they’re waiting at the wagon.”

  “Workmen?” He snickered. “And where did you meet workmen?” He looked at her sideways, a twinkle in his eye and one eyebrow arched.

  “By the side of the road, just beyond the new track that Morrissey man is building.” She tried to smile.

  Now, his temper began to tick. “By the side of the road? Are you crazy woman?” He peeled back his lips, showing his teeth.

  His tone of voice and facial actions made her feel like punching him, so she did, on the shoulder, but she kept her face pleasant. “Nae. And you can put me down anytime you’d like. Just let me take off my boots first,” she reminded him. She wriggled in his arms and bent to remove them.

  “Take off your boots?” He realized he’d heard little of what she said when he held her. “What is going on here?”

  Harry stepped forward. “Mister O’Malley, Jack Morrissey sent us here to work for you. That is, if you still have jobs open for the likes of us.” He gestured to the men standing on the other side of the wagon.

  At a loss how to answer, Connor looked down, into the sad, light eyes of an Irishman who reminded him of his father. “And who might you be, sir?”

  “Harry Nolan, if the truth be known. From County Mayo I am.” His chest expanded with the force of his pride. “And used to working with the huge beasties.”

  Connor fumbled Sinead around in his arms, hoisting her up and putting an arm under her bottom. He stuck out his hand to shake Harry’s.

  The men who waited behind the wagon moved closer, their hats in their hands. They stood in a group, looked at Connor and then at the ground, in deference.

  Connor recognized the pleading eyes. He had seen enough of them during the famine years.

  Harry backed toward his men. “This is Jonah. He has no last name. It seems his mama didn’t know who his father was, so she just didn’t give him a final name at all. And being so small, he sometimes rides for Mr. Morrissey. He’s as strong as they come.”

  Connor studied him. In the racing business, being small was an asset. “Welcome Jonah.” Again, Connor put his hand forward.

  Still struggling to reach her boots, Sinead slipped to her waist in his arm. Her body pressed against him, breast to chest.

  He tightened his grip on her.

  Harry continued with the introductions, as if he noticed nothing. “This young one here, and probably the strongest amongst us, is young Eddie Johnston.” He pointed, to a blond youngster, with huge arms and muscled shoulders. The one in back of him is his older brother, Bobby, a fine hand with any kind of animal.”

  Harry pointed again. “And that’s their cousin Fred, a bit long in the tooth, but spry. They’re all good workers and will give you an honest job for an honest day’s pay.”

  Their mute promise of support affected him but not as much as Sinead’s position. He knew he would have to get away soon. “Fine. You’re all hired. Harry, you seem like a good one to be assigning jobs. Go down to the barn or the paddock where the others are working away.” Connor turned toward the porch then turned back to add, “Oh, I’m also needing the ruts in the road leveled. That track’ll be impossible to traverse if it’s muddy.”

  Harry shouted after Connor’s retreating figure, “Aye, sir. We’ll be getting to the road promptly.” The small group returned to the wagon.

  With a nod, Harry assigned the three Johnston men to work on the ruts. They began to take some shovels from the back of the wagon and rested them on their shoulders.

  Indicating some more loose tools in the back, Harry said, “Take those and leave the rest in the wagon. We’ll take them onto the lower road below and unload the rest there.”

  Connor called back. “I’ll be down as soon as I deposit my wife in the house.”

  Harry stopped him. “Sir, can I be letting me horse feed a bit on your grass before we head out tonight?”

  “Aye, ‘tis not a problem, but the grass is rich and abundant. Just don’t let him eat too much if he’s not used to it.” With a wave, Connor carried Sinead to the front door but turned back once again. “And, please, call me Connor, or Con will do.”

  Sinead was hanging off his arm and calling out, “Goodbye gentlemen. I appreciate your fine gesture to me of the ride. I’ll be seeing you all later.” She swiveled ba
ck to Connor, her eyes glittering in the light. “I saw the lake. It’s beautiful. I lived near a lake, once, a long time ago.”

  Connor’s eyes widened at his wife’s surprising gaiety. He gave her a quick squeeze. “My God, Sinead, what’s come over you? I’ve never seen you like this.”

  She marveled at his strength. “Get me into the house and you’ll see more.” She pulled back to look at him, astonished by what she just said.

  The frown and the puzzled look on his face made her laugh. His warm breath against her cheek gave her a quiver of expectations and a joy at being here on this property. She wasn’t going near that boarding house. No matter what, she wasn’t going back, nor was Connor, if she had anything to say about it.

  Connor replaced her in both arms and settled her close to his chest. He kicked open the front door and dropped her to her feet inside the door. Her screech of displeasure stopped him short. “What’s the matter with you?”

  “My feet,” she cried as she crumpled to her knees and onto the floor. “You set me down so hard, they’re stinging. You’ve hurt me.”

  Connor jumped and tried to pick her up again. “Och, Jaysus. Do I need this? Come. Let me see. Hurry, I have work to do.” He beckoned her toward a horsehair sofa, placed against the wall.

  Sinead fell onto her side, crawled into a ball and tried to rub her feet. “I can’t move. I will not step on them again.”

  “All right,” he said, picking her up from the floor. “I’ll carry you to the chair over there. But I can’t stay here. I need to get back where the men are working.”

  He had no intention of telling her that holding her in his arms like this was doing him a grave injustice, and serious harm to his mental and physical state. It made him think of their marriage with hope.

  “Connor, are there beds in this house?” Sinead asked in a small voice.

  He regarded her with something like shock. “What?”

  “Are there any beds in this house?’

  His knees turned to mush. “I’m pretty sure, but I doubt there are linens for them. What are you talking about, woman? What am I talking about?” he asked himself, turning around in a circle.