Chapter Seventy-Three

A fortnight earlier..

Sharon arrived at the train station in Modesto and saw her Uncle Jimmy waiting for her. She noted how tired he looked, even as he clasped her tight to him. On the drive down to the settlement he talked about how the fever was spreading.

She had been concerned because the only medical person was a corpsman who had served with the English army. Sharon now wished that Victoria had come down with her; the woman would know exactly what to do. When they arrived at the house, she was taken aback at how the older woman, who had been sitting with Eileen, sniffed, before walking out and not greeting her.

Eileen was pale, and restless; Sharon knew she was in the throes of the fever. River Fever was not always fateful, but if you were older, or had other health issues it could. The only issue Sharon saw was that Eileen could not nurse her babe. Even as she wanted to take Jimmy to task, she knew it would do no good. No doubt he was having flashbacks to the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

Instead she explained the situation to her uncle, saying they needed to find a wet nurse. Further, Sharon said that she would provide financial compensation, to the woman. It was at that point that her uncle broke down and disclosed the sentiment against her.

"There is something you need to know about you being down here at the settlement." Jimmy went on to explain "Father McGuire has been working to get you excommunicated because of your marriage. He has stirred up so much ill will, that I do not know if anyone would be willing to help."

"So glad to know he has such lovely Christian sentiment." Sharon was not surprised, but she was willing to go to take the mad priest on if needed. She stood up very straight, looked her uncle in the eye as she said "please spread the word that I can pay handsomely to keep your son alive. I have done nothing wrong; my only concern has been my children."

Jimmy looked at her, strong and fierce and thought about the legend of Queen Boudica. Further he remembered Aioffe, his first wife, along with their young son, as they died on the aptly named coffin ship. He decided that if he had to choose between his niece and the mad priest, he would go with his niece.

There was also her comment about how she could pay to keep his son alive. Jimmy had hated how she had to enter service at fourteen years old but had been pleased to see how it all had worked out. Sharon had been protected and educated, as she was almost treated as a family member.

He had been surprised when she had agreed to come with them to America, being sure she would want to stay with the sasanach, since they had done so much for her. Now though he saw that Sharon would take care of Eileen and their family; yes they needed a wet nurse for Gavin.

It was her second day there, as she was trying to feed Gavin with cows' milk in a glove when there was a knock on the door. Sharon was dressed in a plain calico dress, her hair simply put up. In truth she had barely slept four hours, between Eileen and Gavin.

"I am looking for Mrs. Sharon Barkley?" Sharon answered the door and saw a very young woman standing there. She had dark brown hair, pale skin with some freckles, and light blue eyes. There was a black band around her upper left arm.

"I am her." Sharon replied, being curious about why the woman would be here.

"My name is Eimear – I was Mrs. Keegan. I just lost my husband a week ago, and now my daughter. I heard that you are looking for a wet nurse? And can pay?" Even as Eimear made the statement she started to tear up. Her losses were weighing on her, even as her economic position bothered her.

"Eimear, shall we go have a cup of tea." Sharon could see the sadness in the young woman's eyes. Over tea she found out that she was just twenty, being eighteen when she left Ireland. Eimear shared her story of losing her child, even as she was still producing milk.

"Are you aware that Father McGuire is against me being in the settlement." Sharon saw how Eimear was the answer to their problem, but she was aware of the power the mad priest held.

"I have no money, no resources, and there is nothing left here for me." Eimear stiffened her spine and looked Sharon directly in the face. "I would be happy to be a wet nurse, and I am sure you pay fairly. However, I have another condition that I would want you to agree too before I accept."

Sharon felt so bad for the girl; Eimear was just a little younger than Sharon had been when she left Ireland. And to have endured so much tragedy made Sharon want to hug Eimear. At the same time, she wondered what the condition was that the girl wanted her to agree to do.

"Your husband's family is wealthy and well connected. You are only down here in the settlement to help your Uncle Jimmy." Eimear in truth was impressed at how the now wealthy woman had come down to help out. "When you leave here, I want to go with you. I want you to help me find a position, either in Stockton or San Francisco." She went on to explain that she was the oldest of eight and would happily accept a Nanny or Housemaid position – she just wanted out of the settlement.

"You are a woman after my own heart." Sharon was relieved that all Eimear wanted was the chance to make a life for herself. "Of course, I will happily help you find a position. I am sure you are a hard worker and will agree to your condition." Sharon discussed the wage with her, and by how Eimear's eyes had widened she knew it was generous.

Further when she told Eimear that she expected her to live in, the woman cried and admitted how hard it was for her to stay in the cottage where she had said goodbye to her husband and daughter.

The next ten days were spent with taking care of Eileen, as well as making sure that Eimear had what she needed. Sharon had said that her primary responsibility was Gavin. Jimmy had moved his son's basket into the guest room, where Eimear was staying.

Sharon was so lonely; it didn't surprise her that she was missing her children. What surprised her was how she missed Heath's presence. His comment that he had made, about the afternoon, still rankled. However, thinking back to that evening, she admitted that both their tempers were up. Further she missed their Sunday evening time together, where they talked about the family. If only Heath could be the way he was on Sunday evenings, all the time. Those were her thoughts as she carefully kept herself to Uncle Jimmy's house, along with a morning walk on the outskirts of the settlement.

There had been drama when, two days after Sharon had arrived, a medical doctor from Modesto came down to the settlement. She, along with Patrick, the ex-British army medical corpsman had greeted the man happily. Patrick had already, that morning, come in the back door to Uncle Jimmy's house.

Sharon had been preparing breakfast for Jimmy and Eimear; they needed hearty meals. She had made a bone meal broth for Eileen – her breakfast would be what was left. When Patrick showed up, she saw how tired and hungry he was. Over the meal he shared with Sharon and Jimmy that the fever was not abating.

Patrick let her know that a doctor from Modesto was arriving to advise, but he was concerned at how the man would be received. Because of the mad priest, there was an angry feeling against outsiders.

In the end, the doctor's recommendations had divided the settlement. His primary advice had been to shut down public gathering places. That meant the Pub and the Church. Seamus, who owned the pub became creative. He moved the tables and chairs outside, while he, his wife and son adapted to serving drinks outside.

Father McGuire, on the other hand had screamed a Latin curse on the man, before announcing in English that God would protect true believers. Dr. Madison, who knew Latin, had commented that the Lord only wanted to protect his children.

However, he was a God-fearing man, and offered that Mass could be said outside. Father McGuire announced that anyone who was not at church on Sunday would be considered to have committed sin. Sharon and Patrick admired how restrained the doctor was, as he inclined his head with a sigh.

Sharon went straight to Jimmy's house, to see her uncle sitting by Eileen's bed, as he administered cold cloths. She then went to the spare room, where she saw Eimear nursing Gavin. The babe had been doing so well since Eimear had arrived. She knew that her main focus was taking care of Jimmy's son, and hoped Eimear would understand what she had to say.

"Mrs. Barkley, is there an issue?" Eimear made it a point to stay as formal as possible. She needed a position in a wealthy household, and Sharon Barkley was her only hope of getting out of the settlement.

"Yes, there is an issue. Just so you know I am very direct and will never lie to you." Sharon had taken Dr. Madison's warning seriously. "The doctor from Modesto was down here to today. The fever is spreading too fast, especially because of public gatherings. Dr. Madison has recommended shutting down the Pub and the Church."

"I can only imagine how Father felt about that. He has a very odd look in his eyes, and his sermons are all firestone and brimstone." Eimear in fact was sure what Mrs. Barkley was going to say next.

"Father McGuire refuses to stop holding Mass in the chapel, even announcing that anyone who does not attend Mass is committing a mortal sin." Sharon was glad to hear Eimear's comment. "Just so you know, in this household we will not be attending Mass. We need to keep Gavin safe; on Sunday morning we will all meet the parlor and say the Rosary." Sharon hoped that Eimear would go along and was glad when she smiled in agreement.

It was twelve days since Sharon had been at the settlement; she was worn down. She was worried about Sean and Tara, even though she knew that they were in good hands with Heath and the Barkley's. Her children were everything to her, and she would do anything for them, even if it meant being lonely.

She was having that thought, as she took afternoon tea up to Eileen and Eimear. Eileen's fever had finally broken and was wanting to hold her baby. Sharon had been worried about what Eileen's reaction to Eimear would be, but the young mother was glad to have her child safe.

Sharon brought up the tea tray – the two women were visiting, and Gavin laid on the bed. In addition to well brewed tea, with milk and sugar, she had made soda bread, and fish paste sandwiches. It made Sharon smile, as she thought how she could never serve them to her family. A thought came to her unbidden – Eamonn liked fish paste sandwiches.

"Ladies, you need to eat well." Sharon felt a welling of tears in her eyes, and knew she needed to go for a walk. "I want some fresh air, so I will excuse myself." Eimear and Eileen wished her well, and she left them happily talking.

Sharon headed out the back door and walked to the edge of the settlement. After Jimmy's admonishment she had been careful to stay away from the town center. Patrick had shared with her, several days ago, how angry Father McGuire was for keeping her family away from Mass.

Patrick furthered offered that a number of families privately agreed with the doctor, being familiar with fever epidemics. Those same families stayed away from Mass, and when the news came back to Father McGuire, he was sure he knew who was to blame.

Sharon was tired of being looked down on and scorned by the people in the settlement. For her, it was the narrow-minded view of life that the Catholic clergy had imposed on the Irish peasants. As long as they thought they were inferior, the Church could do anything.

As she walked by the stream that flanked the back edge of the settlement, she felt an inconsolable wave of sadness overcome her. Sharon fell to her knees, and started to cry, before she prayed. She thanked God for giving her the strength to take her children away from the settlement.

Taking a deep breath, she watched the river, and the flow of the current. Sharon recalled how Eamonn had explained it all to her. She managed to smile as she saw his exuberance, and the excitement in his voice. He was doing what he had always wanted to, and in her heart, she knew his friendship and love for her.

And she had her children – it came to her once again that she would never undo any decision if it meant that she would not have Sean and Tara. It was because of Sean and Tara that she would carry on, concealing the pain in her heart. Sharon said thank you to Jesus, lifting her hands, with the palms to the sky. As she stood up, a dark shadow fell over her, and the river.