Heart of the Emerald: Hearts of Courage

By Cynthia Hickey

Aileen Sullivan arrives on America's shores with little in her pocket and vengeance in her heart.

 

She doesn't count on the handsome Englishman turned American who is determined to make sure she stays out of Five Points. How can Aileen find the man who did her family wrong if she has a constant watchdog?

 

Samuel Westfield felt an immediate attraction for the feisty Irish woman and will do anything to keep her safe, even if it means giving her a job and room and board. When Aileen goes against the help he's offered and finds her life threatened, Sam gives up his most precious possession to save her.

 

Can these two see that love is the most priceless possession?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cynthia Hickey
• Release date: Jul 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201932602

Cynthia Hickey

Multi-published and best-selling author, Cynthia Hickey, has taught writing at many conferences and small writing retreats. She and her husband run the publishing press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA's best well-known authors. They live in Arizona and Arkansas, becoming snowbirds with two dogs and one cat. They have ten grandchildren who them busy and tell everyone they know that "Nana is a writer."   

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Copyright 2017

Written by: Cynthia Hickey

Published by: Winged Publications

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

No part of this book may be copied or distributed without the author’s consent.

All Rights Reserved

1. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

2. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

See that none render evil for evil

unto any man;

but ever follow that which is good,

both among yourselves, and to all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Chapter 1

May, 1892

Aileen Sullivan leaned over the rail of the Lucania and stared at the ocean rushing by. Occasionally, a spray blew misting her cheeks with a chilly kiss and mingling with her tears.

The purple outline of America’s shore hovered in the distance. They’d left the banks of Ireland behind days ago. It already seemed like ages since her gaze fell on her country’s lush banks and craggy cliffs. Aileen experienced nothing more than homesickness, heartbreak, and the horrors of sea travel now. No more toiling the fields, milking the cow, or feeding the chickens. Instead, she lived with the groans of passengers in the throes of seasickness and lung fever.

Her torn heart ached, one half lodged in her breast, the other on the Emerald Isle. She straightened and took a deep breath of the salty air, then pulled her cloak tighter against the sea breeze.

Fingering the single gold chain around her throat, all that was left of her ma’s precious jewelry, she turned and swiped away the tears obscuring her vision. If only she still had her mother’s brooch, an emerald handed down for generations from first born girl to first born girl. But no, an evil man took it and based his action on a lie.

She stumbled over a coil of rope and gasped, flailing her arms for balance, and smashed into a solid leather covered chest. Strong hands steadied her. She lowered her gaze and let it travel from scuffed boots up past tan pants and a starched white shirt to eyes as blue as Ireland’s sky. This man was not a steerage passenger, and thus Aileen should not force her company on him. Perhaps she had been so lost in her thoughts she didn’t hear the call to return to the lower level of the ship. She backed up. Pardon me.

Are you all right? The man’s voice rumbled over her like far-off thunder. The concern on his face caused the tears to sting again.

I am fine, thank you. She moved to brush past him.

Please, don’t let me run you away. The ship’s railing is large enough for us both. The corner of his mouth quirked. You’re from Ireland?

She sighed and nodded. You are American?

I call myself American. I’m Samuel Westfield. I was in London on family business and now returning to my new home. He leaned against a crate. We should be docking in a few hours.

Aileen’s mouth dried, and she turned back to the approaching shore. Was she ready to confront Liam Connor and his thieving ways? She didn’t think so. Liam had been such a close family friend that the Sullivans trusted him. Aileen and her brother called him Uncle, until the death of Aileen’s parents and the man’s true colors revealed themselves.

How long would their funds last in New York? She and Patrick would need to find suitable lodgings, but she’d never worked off the farm a day in her life and didn’t have a clue what to do first. What if they had to leave the city and travel across the strange continent to the Wild West?

Her legs trembled, and she sagged against the bulkhead. Would they have to find jobs? Would the American people treat them fairly or resent their Irish blood as the English did? She detected an accent in Mr. Westfield’s speech. He wasn’t long in this new country. Why would such a man bother engaging her in conversation?

Are you alone, Miss?

She stiffened at his question, resentful more with the fact a stranger caught her crying then at his curiosity. You ask a lot of questions, sir.

New York can be a dangerous place for a young single woman. I don’t mean any harm by my asking.

She speared him with a gaze. Should she be frightened of this strange man’s attention? Liam had come forward with offers of help, and look where he had left them.

Seagulls soared overhead, filling the air with their cries. Their stark whiteness against a cerulean sky painted a pretty picture. Aileen smiled. I’m with my brother. We’re in America on family business. She needed to get below and gather their meager belongings before the ship docked and the man before her saw their poverty and guessed her lie for what it was. God speed, sir.

Wait. What’s your name? He laid a hand on her arm.

It is Aileen Sullivan. She stepped free and continued.

Miss Sullivan. Mr. Westfield sped to her side. I will be staying at a family’s property until the end of the month. Please. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call on me. He handed her an embossed card.

Dropping it in her reticule, she faced him. Why?

Excuse me? He seemed taken aback at her question.

Why do you want to help me? If it’s favors in return, sir, I’m afraid—-

His face reddened. No. It’s just that, well, you’re a stranger to our land. It can be frightening, especially in a large city. Maybe you’ll be looking for employment. My family is known for helping the newcomers adjust to life here.

In what way do they help, Mr. Westfield?

We can find you affordable lodging, for starters. I’m absolutely certain the boardinghouse I’m staying in has a vacancy.

I will think about it. Thank you. She nodded and continued down the steps to steerage. Despite her unease at the man’s friendliness, she couldn’t help but glance upward when she reached the bottom.

Mr. Westfield stood at the top, hat in hand. He returned her gaze, then grinned and spun on his heel to march away.

Aileen clutched the lace at her throat. My, he was a handsome one, but she hoped all the men in America weren’t as forward. Having grown up on the small plot of land her pa cultivated until his death, she had little experience dealing with men other than Pa, Patrick, and Uncle Liam, the sneak. She would find Liam, and she’d take back what was stolen. The man would pay for his deed. Yet, no matter her thoughts, she had seen compassion and interest in the American’s eyes. Almost as if he knew heartache awaited her and was sorry for it.

She maneuvered around piles of belongings until she reached the berth where Patrick lay. It had cost them a pretty penny to be able to stay together in a far corner of steerage. Men and women were normally separated, but Aileen had insisted.

She shoved aside the brown wool blanket she’d hung to afford them a bit of privacy. Sour odors assaulted her nostrils. The cries of children filled the steerage area. Oh, to be on land again. We’re almost there. Come upside with me and breathe the fresh air. Get a glimpse of our new home, however long God deems it to be so.

I’d rather die. Patrick groaned. Me insides are churning. Must the boat rock so fiercely?

Come on, it’s slowing. Get yourself together. Aileen ripped off the soiled blanket. If you are well, there is nothing to worry about, but if you’re sick, brother of mine, you’ll either get well or die. You aren’t dead yet, and you’ve been abed more than is wise for a young lad. I’m sorry if me words seem cruel, but exercise and fresh air is the cure for you. Oh, please let him be well.

She couldn’t wait to get off the floating sick bed. She closed her eyes against the memories of hours bathing feverish bodies. Most of the steerage passengers seemed to have been affected in one way or another, and she had done her part to make them more comfortable. She shuddered. Wash up in the bucket. We need to find Liam right away, so we can figure out how to get back home. The Irish hills are waiting.

Leave me be. I’ll soon join Ma and Pa on streets of Gold. I doubt America has such streets.

It’s the land of opportunity, or so I’ve heard. Aileen grabbed the wooden bucket she’d filled earlier and lifted it over her brother’s head, threatening to dump the water over