Mail Order Bride - Ruby Springs Brides Complete Series: Clean and Wholesome Historical Inspirational Western Romance

Author:Gracey, Karla [Gracey, Karla]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Karla Gracey Books
Published: 2016-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

Carolynn wanted to cry. She stared at the pile of rubble where there had once been a tenement building, her home for her entire life, and wondered if a single soul could have survived such devastation. She didn’t know whether to start digging, to try and find her Ma, her Pa, sweet baby Mikey and the twins or if she should just accept that there was not a possibility that anyone could have survived the collapse of the rickety old building. “Carolynn, sweetheart, praise God you were not inside,” Mr Graham their neighbor said rushing towards her, his arms outstretched. She allowed him to embrace her, glad of the comfort. He at least was solid, real.

“Were they at home?” she asked him, gulping back the sobs that threatened to choke her.

“I don’t know sweetheart. I was at the docks. Had finally managed to get a day’s work.” Carolynn nodded. She knew just how hard it was for men like Mr Graham, like her Pa to get taken on by the labor gangs in the dockyards. Men who were fit and strong and had families to feed had been forced into day work, rather than having the security of a regular job, by greedy companies who only cared about how much profit they could show in their ledgers. The men gathered every morning and prayed that today they would be one of the lucky few to be accepted for work. It was back-breaking, tedious work unloading the cargo from the many ships that docked and then storing it in each importers warehouse. But though there always seemed to be many ships, all too often most of the men returned home before breakfast.

“Do you know if Pa did?” she asked desperately. “He so hoped that Mr Callaghan would find him something today.” She had to cling to the hope that at least someone she loved was still alive.

“I don’t know Carolynn. I don’t know,” Mr Graham said shaking his head. She could see that he was as shocked as she was. When she had left for work in the laundry this morning she had a home, a family. Mr Graham did too. Now their home was dust and broken masonry, and they were alone.

“I have to help, there must be something we can do,” she said determinedly. She looked around, trying to see if there was anybody taking charge of the situation. Everything was still. Of course nobody would come here, to help people who had nothing. She took a deep breath and steeled her spine. If nobody else would enact a rescue, then she would. “Mr Graham, we are going to need shovels, picks and strong men.” He nodded. “Go to the docks, find whoever you can.” She had not expected him to, but he scurried off without even questioning her. Clearly he had just wanted someone to take charge, to tell him what to do so he did not need to think. She looked at the stricken faces of those standing nearby, paralyzed by their grief and prayed that they would react in the same way.

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