He gazed out over the large expense of ocean stretched out before him trying to think over what had happened a few months ago feeling an intense pain in his chest. He almost wanted to cry but he kept the tears inside. Men don't cry!
Why had he even followed her to America? He was only coming back home now. She'd never wanted him. Why had she even accepted his proposal two years ago? Had her parents put her up to it? Were they laughing behind his back? Damn those Christies! He'd given them everything he had. He'd even reunited parents and daughter and what was he getting in return? Nothing!
He felt like he was returning a fool. Was everyone laughing at him? Damn that Shannon Christie! He'd now seen the capriciousness of women. Well he didn't need them; he didn't need anyone. He was perfectly fine a bachelor and a bachelor he would stay.
After he'd chosen that scrap of an Irish man he'd headed back to Boston. He'd followed the railroad so he would know his way back and lived off the land. He'd basically gone feral until he reached Boston. He'd even cried himself to sleep when he was vulnerable.
Once he'd reached Boston he'd had a haircut and shaved off his beard leaving only his moustache. He'd also booked himself onto the next boat back to Ireland. He just wanted to get as far away as possible from America. The new life he'd hoped with Shannon had been dashed when she'd chosen that Joseph. He never deserved her but she'd made her choice.
When he arrived in Boston he'd been a heartbroken, young man now he'd felt his heart harden. No-one would ever be able to break that chink in his armour again he thought as he turned on his heel and shut himself back in his cabin.