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Margaret “Molly” Kathleen Crowley grew up in County Cork, Ireland and
left for America with her cousin and aunt after the death of her parents
and uncle five years before at the end of the great famine. The trio
ended up in New York, in the Five Points tenement living with extended
family. Molly has worked as a seamstress's assistant and
maid-of-all-work and currently serves in the household of Michael and
Caroline Pressman, an upper class couple. Caroline sits on the board and
is a sponsor of several charitable causes including the New York
Foundling Hospital and their so-called “Mercy Trains” (often called
“Orphan Trains” though not at time). She's convinced Molly to accompany
her as an aid on a trip, helping to supervise and care of a group of
children being placed into homes out west in a town called Four Corners.
Caroline's been exchanging letters with Mary Travis, a newspaper editor
who is assisting in locating homes for the children. Wanting to see more
of America and rapidly losing patience with her current crowded living
arrangements, Molly readily agrees, though not all of her family is keen
on her making the trip. Molly is hoping to get information on the
whereabouts of her oldest brother, Ian, who she hasn't seen in nearly
seven years but had last heard was living out west.


Molly is 22, 5'5” with long, wavy red hair and green eyes. Molly is a
survivor, not afraid of hard work, kind and soft spoken.


My inspiration for Molly is actress Rachel Hurd-Wood in her portrayal of
Laura in the movie Perfume: The Story of a Murder:

The sound of horses galloping caught Molly's attention as she kept
Hannah and Matthew within arm's reach while trying not to jostle the
baby too much and keep them all from Mrs. Pressman and the other
passenger. The drive had already been cramped with them all inside the
coach and then the axle broke, stranding them until the other coachman
could bring help. Molly shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked
toward the noise. Two men, too far away to make out any features but the
closer they came the harder Molly's heart beat. The hat on the one was
similar to what most men seemed to favor wearing this far out west. But
the other's...every other young man in New York had that hat with the
rounded top and rounded brim. Ian had one. She could remember him
walking down the road toward the harbor after kissing her forehead and
promising his “fair Kathleen” he'd see her soon. That had been seven
years before. She'd lived a lifetime since then.
The closer the riders came, the more she could make out their features
and see that rider wasn't her darling older brother. The baby let out a
cry and Molly re-directed her disappointment to the here and now. The
two men passed her and both touched the brim of their hats as they did
so. The one with the western hat was older, had a mustache and a ready
smile that was full of what her mother would have called “malarkey”. The
other in Ian's hat was younger, her age, clean shaven and wore clothes
that could have been found on the streets of New York. Molly dipped her
head in response and returned her attention to the children now that
help had arrived.

The younger man had been sent to fetch a wagon from a near-by farm. Soon
they were on their way to Four Corners. The entire town could have fit
within four square blocks of New York.

“Is this where we're living now?” Matthew asked.

“Yes,” Molly responded. “I believe the Erickson's live just outside of
town but you'll come here to go to school.”

“It's small,” Hannah remarked in a tone that Molly couldn't quite tell
meant if she liked it or didn't. “You're staying, right?”

“You'll be so busy meeting your new family and getting settled, you'll
hardly notice if I'm here or not,” Molly assured her.

The wagon pulled up outside of a Livery and there was a scurry of
activity as several people came to great them and help with trunks and
luggage. One, a blond haired woman, greeted Mrs. Pressman warmly and
Molly surmised she must be the Mrs. Travis that had helped to place the
three children. Molly was the last to remain in the wagon. She had
managed to climb into the wagon with help from Hannah and Matthew but
now was faced with a long drop down to the ground juggling skirts and an
infant.

“You look like you could use some help,” a man's voice came from behind
her. Molly turned to face a man who had his hand out. He was tall, blond
haired under a wide-brimmed hat. He wore a dear-skinned jacket and light
colored shirt with a bandanna tied around his neck. His eyes were a
bright blue. Baby Bridget decided to voice her displeasure and Molly
realized they were well past her next meal time.

“Seems like she's not interested in waiting for you to make up your
mind,” his voice teased. Molly felt her face heat as she approached the
side of the wagon. He reached his arms in. “Just let me,” he instructed.
Before Molly could think to ask what he meant, his hands went around her
waist and she was lifted as though she weighed nothing and set her
lightly on the ground.

“Thank you, Mr...” Molly prompted, raising her voice over the baby.

“Vin Tanner, Ma'am,” he said, touching the brim of his hat to her.

“Molly,” Mrs. Pressman called to her from where everyone had gathered on
the sidewalk.

“Right away, Mrs. Pressman,” Molly called back. “Again, Mr. Tanner, my
thanks,” Molly said to him. He touched the brim of his hat to her again
and stepped back to allow her to be on her way. Molly felt the heat rise
again in her face as she walked toward the others. The men in New York
would hardly look the same after this trip, she thought.

Molly kept a firm grasp on Matthew's hand as they made their way over to
the hotel. Mrs. Pressman was waiting in the lobby with Mrs. Tanner and
Hannah.
“I apologize ma'am,” Molly said in greeting. “Matthew got...distracted.”

“By a real live Indian!” the little boy exclaimed.

“Matthew,” Molly let a warning tone in her voice. Her patience with him
and this day and this trip was nearing a breaking point.

“The Ericksons will be here tomorrow,” Mrs. Travis said. “Let's get you
all settled.” Molly watched her and Mrs. Pressman approach the desk and
get keys to two rooms and soon they were upstairs, their bags and the
children's trunk not far behind. Mrs. Travis even arranged for a meal,
complete with milk and mashed potatoes for Brighty to be sent up. Molly
got the children fed and into their nightclothes and into the second bed
in the room.

Morning came quickly. Molly washed and dressed quickly and quietly and
had just placed the last pin in her hair when Brighty made it known she
was up and her needs must be tended to immediately. The older two began
to stir as Molly tended to the baby. Molly got everyone dressed in their
best and checked that everything was in their trunk just as a soft knock
came on the door. Molly opened it to Mrs. Pressman.

“A quick breakfast in the restaurant downstairs, the Ericksons should be
here shortly,” she said.

“Yes, ma'am,” Molly replied. A look Molly couldn't quite comprehend
crossed Mrs. Pressman's face. “Is something wrong?”

“I'm afraid there's been a mix up concerning Bridget,” Mrs. Pressman
responded. “I take fully responsibility for it as I'm the one who
尘颈蝉耻苍诲别谤蝉迟辞辞诲.”

“What sort of mix up?” Molly asked.

“I'm afraid there's no family here for her. We'll have to take her back
with us.”

“But...we can't,” Molly said. “You know what will happen to her if we
do.” A door opening at the end of the hall distracted Molly from what
she was about to say. The woman they'd ridden with was exiting her room.
They all gave polite nods and greetings of good mornings and Mrs.
Pressman waited until she'd gone down the stairs to respond to Molly.

“We have no choice. There's no one here for her.”

“叠耻迟...”

“That will be all. Have the children downstairs in five minutes please,”
Mrs. Pressman's face and voice held little room for argument.

“Yes, Mrs. Pressman,” Molly responded.

In exactly five minutes, Molly had the children at a table in the
dinning room. As if sensing her fortunes had turned, Brighty, normally
good natured in the morning, was being especially fussy. They only other
person in the dinning room was the woman from the day before. Still,
Molly didn't want the baby to disturb.

“Can I trust you to be on your very best behavior while I take Brighty
out?” Molly asked. Both Matthew and Hannah looked up from their food and
gave nods. Molly allowed herself a quick sip of coffee before standing
from her seat.

“Excuse me, Molly isn't it?” a voice came from behind her. It was the
woman.

“I'm so very sorry the baby's disturbing, Miss. I'm just taking her
out,” Molly offered by way of apology.

“Actually, I was hoping I could hold her? Give you a chance to try and
eat your breakfast. I understand it's a big day today.” Molly wanted
nothing more than to take the lady up on her offer. But if Mrs. Pressman
saw, it could be her head.

“I couldn't impose, Miss, but thank you kindly for the offer.”

“It's Eva, Eva Weathers. And it's not imposing. I truly want to,” she
reached out and Molly found herself placing the baby in her arms.
Brighty stopped fussing just a bit wondering at the new set of arms she
found herself in. Eva held her to her shoulder and breathed in the top
of her head.

“What's her name?”

“Bridget. I call her Brighty,” Molly replied, resuming her seat. With
any luck she could finish her breakfast and have Brighty back in her
arms before Mrs. Pressman was the wiser.

“Don't fret about Caroline,” Eva said. “I'll make sure she understands I
hardly gave you a choice.” Eva walked back toward her table, stopping at
the window to distract the baby with something outside.

“Are Brighty's new parents coming today too?” Hannah asked. At Hannah's
question, a sense of panic filled Molly so completely she dropped her
fork with a clang against the plate and the little she'd managed to eat
threatened to come back up. She could not, absolutely could not, take
that child back to New York.

“Molly? Are you alright?” Eva's voice sounded distant. Molly scrambled
to stand.

“Molly?” Matthew looked up with concern.

“As if Sister Mary Francis were in this room,” she managed to get out
before rushing out of the dinning room and out the front door of the
hotel. The smell of horses and dirt caused her stomach to lurch even
more. She placed the back of her hand against her mouth as she hurried
down the board walk to the alley. Molly braced a hand against the
building taking in several deep breaths. She would figure out a way to
get a family for that baby. She had to.

“Miss? Molly?” a deep voice came from behind Molly and for several
horrible seconds she thought it was Mr. Markham come to threaten again
how the baby girl would never been seen in New York again or he'd take
care of her existence himself. But when she turned it was to find Vin
Tanner, concern in his blue eyes. “Everything alright?”

“Fine, thank you,” Molly said.

“Beg your pardon, Miss, but you don't seem fine. Can I help?” Molly felt
her knees go weak and was grateful to see a packing crate against the
building. She sat down heavily as the last few weeks caught up with her.

“There's been some sort of mistake with Brighty. The baby,” she
clarified at his confused look. “We, that is Mrs. Pressman and I,
understood there to be a family waiting for her. There isn't one. And I
can not, no I will not, take that child back to New York.”

“Because she'll be put in an orphanage?” he'd walked up to where she sat
and crouched down. Molly took in his features much like she had the day
before. He was strong and solid, this man. Had probably lived off the
land and knew what it took to protect himself and his family. She
imagined confronting Mr. Markham with him at her side.

“No, Mr. Tanner. Because she'll be killed.”
Who would want to kill a baby?” his question was a fair one. That he
asked it without a hit of disbelieve meant more than Molly could convey.

“Margaret,” Mrs. Pressman's voice called from the end of the alley. The
use of her given name along with a hint of impatience in her tone
suggested a dressing down later. Whether it would be because she'd
neglected her duties or was currently speaking with a man unchaperoned
remained to be seen. Molly stood.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Tanner. I must get back.” Molly hurried back to the end
of the alley feeling Vin Tanner's eyes on her the whole time.

“The Ericksons are here,” Mrs. Pressman said.

“Yes, ma'am,” Molly replied. She watched as Mrs. Pressman's eyes glanced
over her shoulder to where she knew Vin Tanner still stood.

“The return stage has been delayed so we won't be leaving for a couple
of days,” she said turning to walk back inside the hotel. Molly
followed.


The Ericksons were a nice couple with a small farm and ranch just a few
miles outside of town. Mrs. Erickson was clearly overjoyed and Molly
wished for a private moment with her to ask if they'd be willing to take
Brighty. It wasn't to be and soon after hugs and promises to write and
behave as if Sister Mary Francis was watching, Molly only had one orphan
charge remaining in her care.

The hotel owner, who was also Eva Weather's uncle, gave her the name of
an older girl who would be willing to sit with the baby while Molly made
inquiries about any families who may want to take in the baby girl. She
was the oldest daughter of the general store owner. Molly bundled
Brighty up and under the guise of taking a walk, left toward the general
store.

Vin watched Molly walk across the street from the hotel in the direction
of the general store. He was standing outside the saloon with JD and
Buck. Nathan and Josiah were at the church tending to Cheyenne who'd
gotten hurt while out on a ride. Chris was headed out to follow a lead
on a new cook. Molly's words from earlier echoed in his head as he
watched her. He'd wondered if the baby was hers, if the person who was
really in danger was her.

“Be right back,” Vin said absently to JD as he walked across the street.

“Molly,” he caught up with her just outside the Potter's store.

“Mr. Tanner,” she said to him, shifting the baby from one shoulder to
the other.

“What you said before, about Brighty,” he nodded toward the baby and
watched her place a protective hand on her head. “Who would want...”

“Her father,” Molly answered, anticipating his question. “She was...an
颈苍诲颈蝉肠谤别迟颈辞苍.”

“And he's?”

“A powerful man. One of the 500.”

“The 500?” Vin asked.

“New York elite. Power and money and all that can buy him.”

“He know you're here? That you have her?”

“I don't know. He shouldn't. But it would take very little for a man of
his means to find out. Mrs. Pressman told me that the stage is delayed
back to Eagle Bend and the train. I have two days to find this baby a
home, to get her as far from him as I can. If you can't help me than I'm
afraid you're in my way.”


Mary Travis was apologetic about the mix up regarding Brighty. She
offered to do what she could to help find a home. Molly wasn't as
forthcoming about Brighty's past with the newspaper owner as she'd been
with Vin Tanner and decided looking too closely at why was fraught with
disaster. As helpful as Mrs. Travis was, two days came and went rather
quickly. There was nothing for it, Molly couldn't go back, not until the
baby found a home here. Mrs. Pressman was less than pleased by Molly's
request to stay behind.
“I'll not hold your position,” she stated as they sat in the hotel
restaurant.

“I wouldn't expect you to. But I am owed wages,” Molly stated, twisting
her fingers in the napkin at her lap.

“And you expect those wages to tide you over here?”

“They'll have to and if not, I'll find something.” Mrs. Pressman took a
sip of her tea and carefully set the cup back into the saucer.

“You are far from naive, Margaret. You know Brighty's situation happens
every day. Yet you are willing to risk a comfortable situation...”

“I also want to try and find my brother.” Molly explained about Ian, how
she felt certain he was here in the West.

“Very well,” Mrs. Pressman said, standing from the table and leading
them up to her room. She pulled out her purse and counted out Molly's
owed wages. “There will also be a train ticket for you to return to New
York. But I meant what I said. I'll provide a reference but your
position in my household is terminated.”


Molly stood and watched the stage containing Mrs. Pressman drive out of
town. Brighty was with Violet Potter who had proven to be an efficient
care taker of the baby. Molly realized she hadn't seen Eva Weathers in
the last couple of days. She knew her uncle owned the hotel and Molly
hoped she could obtain some sort of employment. Four Corners was
significantly less expensive than New York, still, her wages from Mrs.
Pressman would only go so far.

Molly turned and made her way down the boardwalk. Vin Tanner sat just
outside the door of the Saloon, a well dressed man leaning against the
door shuffling a deck of cards in one hand. He reminded her of Brighty's
father, monied, entitled. Molly gave a slight nod of her head as he
touched the brim of his hat toward her.

“Ezra Standish at your service...Miss...”

“Crowley,” Molly replied.

“You were escorting those orphans but I see you're choosing to stay here
rather than return to that grand city.”

“Grand for some, Mr. Standish, not all,” Molly replied. “Do either of
you know Mrs. Weathers? I'm hoping to speak with her.”

“She's at the church helpin' Josiah with Cheyanne,” Vin spoke up. “I can
walk you there.”

Molly and Vin walked toward the church at the end of town.

“Did something happen to Cheyanne?” Molly asked. Vin told her about the
accident and how Mr. Sanchez had asked Mrs. Weathers to help out until
she was able to move around again. She was just exiting the side of the
church when Vin and Molly approached.

“Thank you, Mr. Tanner...Vin,” Molly said. He touched the brim of his
hat to her and she could feel his eyes on her as she made her way to Ms.
Weathers.

“That's not the first time I've seen him being your escort,” Eva
observed. Mrs. Pressman's warning tone was absent from Eva's. She choose
to ignore the comment and get right to her point. “I' m sure my uncle
could find something for you to do. I'll speak with him about it
tonight,” Eva replied after Molly mentioned her reason for wanting to
speak with her. Molly was going to see if she could look in on Cheyanne
but Eva mentioned having left her resting. Together they walked back to
the hotel to see Mrs. Travis waiting, a piece of paper in her hand.

“A couple responded about Brighy,” she said as they approached. “They
are passing through on their way to California and should be here in the
next day or so.” Molly forgot herself long enough to put her arms around
Mrs. Travis in stark relief. California was the other end of the
country. She'd be safe, Brighty would be safe.

Molly had moved into the small maid's quarters at the hotel. Eva's uncle
had assured her she could move in later that day but Molly insisted. She
was due to say goodbye to Brighy that morning and wanted to start work
right away, as a distraction. Mr. Cole chuckled when Molly asked about a
uniform. He told her there wasn't any – just that he expected her to
dress respectful. Molly decided to set some of her wages from Mrs.
Pressman aside to have a couple of serviceable dresses made. In the mean
time she'd wear her uniform from Mrs. Pressman.
She shifted Brighty from one arm to the other as she paced the side walk
at the front of the hotel.

“The Bridgerton's are a wonderful couple, according to Mrs. Travis,”
Molly chattered to the baby. “They'll be good parents. I'd imagine
you'll have Mr. Bridgerton wrapped around your little finger in no time.
They're good people...”

“You trying to convince her or you of that?” Vin Tanner's voice came
from behind her. Molly turned and forced a smile. As usual, he had a way
of reading what she was really thinking.

“Both I suppose. She hasn't been out of my care since she was born. I've
always known I'd have to give her up, just like I've done with dozens of
others. None of them have been easy but...”

“Brighty's different,” he replied, walking up to her. He reached a hand
down to brush the blanket away from Brighty's face. She grabbed at his
finger, a new game of hers. The smile he gave came so easy Molly let
herself have the fanciful thought of what he would be like with his own
children – and what it would be like to be the woman to give those
children to him. Heat filled her face and traveled down her body.

“Yes, she is.”

The sight of a wagon pulling closer to the hotel with a man and a woman
on it had Molly's heart race. This was it.

“They're here,” she said simply. Vin touched the brim of his hat to her
in preparation for walking away. “Wait,” Molly said, putting a hand on
his arm. “Would you mind just staying here...with me until this is
done?” Vin nodded and took a step back as the couple came down off the
wagon and approached. They both smiled upon seeing Molly and the baby.

“Are you Molly?” the woman asked approaching.

“Yes,” Molly forced a smile. “And this is Brighty...Bridget.” Tears
shown in Mrs. Bridgerton's eyes as she looked down on her.

“May I?” she asked. Molly took a breath, nodded and passed Brighty over.
Mary Travis appeared just then and led everyone inside the hotel
restaurant. Documents were signed and Molly handed Brighty's small bag
over to Mr. Bridgerton. Everyone filed back outside and they walked
toward their wagon.

“We'd nearly given up when we heard from Mrs. Travis about Brighty.
We're so thankful to you,” Mrs. Bridgerton said as her husband helped
her and the baby into the wagon. Molly stood and watched as the wagon
left town feeling Vin Tanner stand just behind her the whole time. The
further away the wagon went, the closer he seemed to get to her. At once
she wished for his hands on her shoulders, for an embrace at the same
time she hoped he had enough sense not to cause such a display where her
employer of only 18 hours could see.

“There's that then,” she said, as the wagon went out of sight. It was
time to start her new life. And for Brighty to start hers.

Molly used work to distract herself from the sudden shift in her life.
It wasn't the first time things had changed in a radical way in her life
but it was the first time she felt a bit more control of the
circumstances. She had decided to remain in Four Corners, a situation
she had no control over hadn't made the decision for her. Now that she'd
made the decision she had no earthly idea what to do next. How did she
begin to search for a brother she hadn't laid eyes on in years? Vin
Tanner came to mind just then as she went to dump out the water from the
mop bucket into the alley. She caught sight of his wagon sitting as
usual at the end of the alley. Molly had learned that while JD Dunn was
the Sheriff of the town, six other men also protected it, paid by a
circuit court Judge who was also Mary Travis's father in law. Mr. Tanner
was one of those six. Setting the bucket down and wiping her hands on
her apron, she approached the wagon. The canvas cover was drawn tight
and it was difficult to tell if anyone was inside.

“Mr. Tanner, hello?” she called out reaching the back. There was no
answer. She returned to her work.

A couple of hours later, her day's work finished ended, Molly decided to
go to the general store to purchase some stationary. As she walked
across the street, she noticed several riders coming into town. The
closer they came she saw it was the seven protectors but her attention
was only for Mr. Tanner. She watched as he dismounted his horse and
whether by instinct or something else, his attention found her. Molly
watched as he secured his horse, and said something to Mr. Willmington
before crossing the street toward her.

“Molly, I'd meant to look in on you earlier,” Mr. Tanner said as he
approached her. “We got called away.”

“Is everything alright?” Molly asked, choosing to ignore, for the time
being, the slight thrill that this man had been thinking about her.

“Might be a bear or a mountain cat in the area,” he responded. “We're
still on the hunt, just came back to get some more men and supplies.”

Molly opened the door to the Clarion's office, the cheerful sound of
bells announcing her arrival. Mary Travis was working with the printing
press and stopped what she was doing to great her visitor.

“Molly, what a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?” she wiped her
hands on an ink stained apron walking toward the counter.

“I'm here on an errand for Mr. Cole,” Molly said, placing a sheet of
paper on the counter. Mary picked it up.

“I was worried he'd hired someone too...ambitious for the hotel's
kitchen when that cook arrived. I'll get this placed right away. He may
also want to consider the paper in Eagle Bend.”

“I've already sent the telegram,” Molly responded. The bells rang out
again.

“Morning, Mrs. Travis, Ms. Crowley,” JD Dunn approached the counter, his
hat in hand. Molly resisted the urge to brush his hair back off his
forehead like she used to with Ian. The last couple of days Molly had
not only being doing the work of the hotel's maid but also helping Mr.
Cole try to have some sort of meals coming out of the hotel kitchen.
She'd fallen into bed each night exhausted but her dreams were filled
with Ian. The part of her who grew up with Irish superstition wanted to
believe it was because she was close to finding him.

“Nathan sent me over with a favor, Mrs. Travis,” he continued. “With the
hotel restaurant closed he was hoping you could spare an evening meal
for him and that man he's tending. Mrs. Potter's already sending
breakfast and lunch over.”

“I can do it,” Molly offered. “I've got a stew just started to simmer.”


Later that afternoon, Molly packed a large basket with two crocks of
stew, half a loaf of soda bread and a few cookies she'd baked.
Shortbread, Ian's favorite. She'd only seen Nathan Jackson in passing,
knew he passed for a doctor in the town. Vin had mentioned the man who
had been attacked by the large animal they were still taking turns going
out hunting for.

Molly made her way up the stairs to Mr. Jackson's clinic. A young man
was opening the door as Molly reached the top of the stairs. He tipped
his hat to her.

“Afternoon,” he said with a smile. Molly nodded in return.

“You must be Molly, from the hotel,” he said, nodding toward the basket
she was carrying. She was just about to scold him about his familiarity
when he reached over to take the basket. “Let me help.”

“Help would have been meeting me at the bottom of the stairs,” Molly
said, handing it over. “Mr.?”

“I'm Jonah,” he offered. “You're Irish,” he stated.

“You're not,” Molly retorted. Jonah laughed.

“You'll be good for him. And by the smell of it so will this food.”

“Good for who?” Molly asked.

“My friend, Ian, he's the one whose hurt. Been talking about his mom and
sister, missing the sound of “sweet Irish voices” he's said...”

Molly stopped listening as she turned to face the door. It opened and
Mr. Jackson appeared. Molly watched his mouth move, knew he was speaking
to her but she heard nothing. Just beyond him in a bed lay Ian, her
brother. Molly had helped to bathe those who had passed. She knew what
that looked like. The stillness, the pale sheen to the skin. From
Ireland to New York to Five Points to Four Corners. From losing her
mother, her uncle and cousins, facing down hunger she thought would kill
her, working her hands raw, tending woman during birth, taking orphans
to new lives. This journey west, giving up Brighty. All of it so she
could find Ian. If she found him only to have lost him...Molly opened up
her mouth and screamed. She screamed until she couldn't hold breath in
her body. Until the world around her turned black.