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Katelyn's Choice

By Susan G Mathis

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Chapter 1
June 1872
Thousand Islands, New York
Katelyn Kavanagh looked out at the sparkling waters of the
mighty St. Lawrence River and the enchanting islands dotting
it. She squinted, trying to shield her eyes from the glare of the early
summer sun shining brightly on the placid water. Pondering the
adventures to come, she brushed back a stray lock of her hair.
A gentle breeze blew off the main channel, causing her skirt to
swirl around her ankles while she anxiously waited on the crowded
docks of Alexandria Bay, New York. Was her dream—her mama’s
dream, more likely—finally coming true? Soon she would live on
one of those magnificent Thousand Islands for the entire summer
season of her nineteenth year.
She would be far from her father’s anger and far from her
brothers’ meanness.
She would be free like the gulls that sailed the summer breeze.
She paced along the dock, waiting for a St. Lawrence skiff
to take her and her best friend to Pullman Island. The clip, clip,
clip of her heels betrayed her excess nervous energy, sounding her
determination to get away from the mainland. As she paced, she
scrutinized why she wanted to live on an island so badly.
Her parents had emigrated from Ireland just a year before she
was born. She recalled how her mama had always spoken fondly of
island life, and she wanted to experience it. But island life meant
so much more, and her eyes filled with tears as she remembered
her dying mama’s last words just hours before she went to heaven.
“Find your future on one of the islands, Katie, dear. Many a rich
Katelyn’s Choice
12
folk be looking for a fine young woman to serve them. ’Sides, you’ll
be far from the farm, and you’ll be safe, my lamb.”
On that terrible day, Katelyn had lost her dearest friend and
confidant. Her loving mama. She felt abandoned, left alone with
her angry father and brothers.
Three long months without Mama. Would it ever stop hurting?
She spotted the skiff approaching, so she shook off her thoughts
and the sadness that clung to them. She wiped her eyes, stomped her
foot, and squared her shoulders, determined to fulfill her mama’s
dying wish—and to make that dream her own. She smiled over at
Sara O’Neill, and her plain, dear childhood friend stared at her with
a raised eyebrow.
“It’s a new day, sweet Sara. A whole new world is waiting for
us across this river. Let us be gone.” With her usual flair, Katelyn
swept her arm toward the islands. Then she picked up her worn
carpetbag, and Sara followed her lead. They handed the boatman
their bags and boarded the skiff.
It was Katelyn’s first time in a skiff, her first time on the river,
her first time going to an island. It was the first of many firsts, and
her excitement grew with each minute that passed.
Katelyn settled onto one of two wicker chairs and surveyed
the canoe-like boat that was so famous among the islanders. The
St. Lawrence skiff was long and wide, about twenty feet long, she
guessed. From the keel to the gunwale, a sturdy plank floor provided
a place for carpetbags and feet to stay dry, and thole pins held the
long oars in place. The smell of shiny new varnish and wet wood
filled her senses.
Moments later, the boatman shoved off, and they were on their
way. Sara perched on the other wicker chair, pale as a ghost and
looking as if she might lose her breakfast at any moment. Katelyn
shook her head.
Sara never was one for adventure, not like her brother. Not like me.
How can she not be excited?
Katelyn leaned in to be heard above the squeak of the oars and
the grunt of the boatman. “I’m so glad your brother recommended
us for hire, Sara. Thomas is quite the adventurer, don’t you think?”
Susan G Mathis
13
By now, Sara was as white as the gulls that squawked overhead.
The poor girl swallowed hard before responding to Katelyn’s
question. “I can’t believe he’s been working on Pullman Island
these three years now. I’m glad Thomas will be on the island, else I
mightn’t have the courage to stay there.”
Katelyn pursed her lips and giggled at her friend’s angst, but she
said nothing. She closed her eyes so she could experience the boat
trip to the fullest. The skiff under her glided along the waters of the
mighty river to an island world far different from her own small
farm. She inhaled the wild river scent, listened to the waves lap
against the skiff, and repositioned a piece of her curly, dark hair that
the wind had pulled out of the fashionable braid she had worked so
hard to create. It was set atop her head just right and hidden under
her bonnet, but the wind still had its way.
I do hope I look much older than my nineteen years. Won’t Thomas
be surprised to see me so grown up?
Katelyn smiled and fluffed the edges of her hairdo one more
time. Out of habit, she pinched her high cheekbones to encourage
some color and smacked her full lips in anticipation of meeting
Sara’s brother once again.
“I’m not sure I can do this.” Sara’s voice quivered, breaking into
Katelyn’s thoughts. “I’m a farm girl. Milking cows and gathering
eggs are all I know. How am I to work for a man the likes of the
famous Mr. Pullman?”
“I hear Mr. Pullman be a mighty tyrannical sort, and Cook is
rather stern, too.” Katelyn teased poor Sara, naughtily playing with
her frayed emotions and pushing aside a prick of guilty regret. “I
do hope we don’t get a beating from either of them if we make a
mistake.”
At the comment, Sara’s sad, grey eyes welled up with tears, and
her tiny frame started to quake. The boatman looked at Katelyn and
then at Sara. He shook his head and rolled his eyes, but Katelyn
chose to ignore his silent rebuke.
“And can you believe Mr. Pullman had the audacity to change
the absolutely perfect name of Sweet Island to Pullman Island?
I, for one, will retain its proper name.” She wrinkled her nose,
Katelyn’s Choice
14
straightened her spine, and lifted her chin. “’Tis all too arrogant to
name the island after himself, that’s what I think.”
“I ... I don’t know,” Sara said, biting her thin bottom lip. “If the
master renamed it, we must follow his lead.”
“Not I,” Katelyn said stubbornly, shaking her head and folding
her hands in her lap. “Ever since I was a wee thing, I’ve known it
to be Sweet Island, and Sweet Island it shall stay. ’Sides, I can call it
by its true name, least-wise, in my head.”
When Sara didn’t respond, Katelyn fell silent, though she wanted
to say more. She couldn’t grasp how her friend held so few opinions
and disliked talking about all of the intimate details of life. Whenever
Katelyn shared some interesting news or a bit of gossip about a
neighbor or a classmate or the teacher, Sara would withdraw into
herself and not respond. Katelyn always sensed her disapproval. Why
couldn’t they just enjoy an exhilarating and spicy conversation?
Frustrated, she looked out across the waters toward the island
that would be her home for the next several months. Lots of people
commented on how Katelyn’s piercing hazel-green eyes turned to a
vibrant sea-green whenever she was on or near the water. She could
almost feel them turning green as she looked across the rippling
waves. She smiled at the thought.
“Katelyn, do you think they’ll be as mean as your father?” Sara
asked, her thin blonde hair blowing in the wind.
“Rest your head, Sara,” she said, trying to soften her prior
teasing. “Thomas would not allow such a thing, and nor will I.
Anyone dare not lay a hand on you—or me.”
Sara smiled, her round face widening and making her look even
younger than eighteen. Since they were best friends and less than
a year apart, Katelyn’s mama had called them Irish twins. Katelyn
sighed, thinking again of her mama.
Oh, Mama, we both know Sara is a loyal friend and a godly young
woman who will execute her duties faithfully and quietly. But will I?
How will I fit into a servant role to the Pullman family—and to all the
famous guests who will be visiting the island this summer?
She started to fidget, excitement and nervousness filling her
thoughts.
Susan G Mathis
15
“What’s wrong, Katelyn?” Sara asked.
“Nothing. I was just thinking about all the fine folks we might
meet this summer. Maybe some famous New York City socialites
who wear diamonds and fancy gowns? Or maybe some rich young
men will come and sweep us off our feet and marry us, and take us
away from the drudgery of farm life?”
“Stuff and nonsense. We’ll likely be sweatin’ over a hot stove,
hid away in the kitchen all summer,” Sara scoffed.
“Pshaw! I, for one, won’t be hidden away!”
“If it be where your job is, you will, miss,” interjected the
boatman. “You best not be gettin’ no high and mighty ideas about
jumping out of your class.”
Startled, Katelyn glared at him with a hint of disdain. He simply
gave her a condescending and toothy grin. She didn’t respond,
deciding she had better keep the rest of the conversation to the
confines of Sara’s ears only.
Instead, she quietly continued to dream about all the interesting
people she might meet throughout her summer on the island. But
her thoughts kept returning to Thomas. Had he grown since she
had seen him last? She remembered an older boy, a fine-looking
boy, but a boy still. Yet she recalled that his dark eyes always seemed
to dance and hold a secret, a secret she would love to uncover.
“Land, ho!” hollered the boatman, shaking her from her
daydream. “Hands in the skiff, me ladies.”
When they pulled near the dock, Katelyn saw a young man with
a mass of black curls sticking out from under a captain’s cap ready
to pull the skiff to the landing. His face was backlit from the sun,
but Katelyn guessed it had to be Thomas.
“Thomas?” she asked as the boat bumped the dock. “Are you
the same incorrigible boy who teased us unmercifully when we
were girls?”
“One and the same, Miss Katie Lynn Kavanagh.” Thomas
chuckled. He grabbed the skiff ’s rope and tied it up to the dock.
“It’s Katelyn, if you don’t mind.”
Thomas shrugged and grinned, and the two laughed while the
boatman helped them out of the skiff and handed their belongings
Katelyn’s Choice
16
to Thomas. Thomas paid the boatman the fare, and with a tip of
his cap, the massive man and his skiff shoved off to return to the
mainland.
Katelyn looked around and felt both excitement and a bit of
trepidation. A whole summer on this beautiful island! What magic
might transpire? She shook her head, pushed her apprehension
aside, and allowed her excitement to rise within her.
She turned around and gazed at Sara and Thomas, who were
hugging and talking quietly, so she discreetly observed her former
schoolmate, Sara’s brother. He was taller and far more muscular
than she had remembered, and his mustache and well-trimmed
beard were black as molasses. His chocolate-brown eyes danced
while he spoke with his little sister, who looked small and fragile
next to him. Thomas smiled, obviously happy to have her on the
island with him.
“You must tell us everything, Thomas,” Katelyn said, walking
up to them and interrupting the reunion between brother and
sister. “We simply must know what we will face before we face it.
For your sister’s sake.”
Thomas laughed a deep, baritone laugh. When did his voice
change? Katelyn smiled and awaited Thomas’ comments. Sara also
looked to him for a response.
Thomas clicked his heels together and stood erect as if greeting
royalty. “Ladies, let me be the first to welcome you to Pullman
Island, home of the famous George M. Pullman of the Pullman
railroad car fame!” By the tone of his voice and the twinkle in his
eyes, Thomas was obviously proud of his employer.
“Mrs. Pullman and her two girls, Florence and little Hattie,
are also here, along with their nurse and others from the mainland
staff,” Thomas continued. “I will tell all, but just now, I am to take
you to the women’s staff quarters and get you settled.”
“And will you show us around?” Sara asked. “I am ever so
nervous about meeting everyone and finding my place here.”
“Dear Sara, you are such a worrier,” Thomas gently scolded.
“Fear not, sister. I will give you a tour of the island before your two
o’clock meeting with Cook. This summer can be the adventure of a
Susan G Mathis
17
lifetime, if you let it, for you will find a new world on Sweet—ah,
excuse me—Pullman Island.”
Katelyn laughed at the mistake. “I, too, aim to call her Sweet
Island whilst I am here.”
“Don’t let the Pullmans catch you in such a transgression,”
Thomas warned, shaking a finger at her. “Mister Pullman has his
ways, and you must not cross him.”
“Then it will be our secret,” Katelyn whispered and curtsied to
him.
Thomas smiled but didn’t respond. He loaded their bags onto
a wooden cart and led them along the path toward the massive
granite-and-wooden frame building that served as the staff quarters.
He pointed to the beautifully rugged structure sitting high above
the water’s edge. Katelyn observed that it had a tall, wide stone
chimney pointing toward the heavens, and a lovely large veranda
sweeping halfway around the building. She looked at Thomas and
smiled, while Sara walked ahead.
Thomas stopped and turned to her. “I am sorry for your loss,
Katelyn. But I am frightfully glad you are not alone on the farm
without your mother. Your father, he is a stern man, is he not?”
“He wasn’t always so. The war changed him.” Katelyn looked
down at the paving stones, her face burning hot with embarrassment.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I only meant ...”
“I know you know about him. Everyone does. And I am glad
to be gone.”
Thomas touched her forearm with the gentleness of a feather,
and he gazed compassionately into her eyes before he removed his
fingers and moved toward his sister. Katelyn rubbed the spot where
he had touched her. She felt warmth creep into her cheeks and
turned toward the river’s view to calm her racing heart.
“Coming?” Thomas called, shaking her from her wonder.
Once Katelyn caught up to Thomas and Sara, the three stopped
on the pathway leading to the building. Thomas pointed at the
main floor. “That is the women’s quarters. The floor below is for
the men, and high above you are other rooms for McCarthy and
Mrs. Duncan. The turret will give you a wonderful view of the
Katelyn’s Choice
18
shipping channel if you want to climb it one day, and the massive
chimney will keep all of us warm on chilly nights.”
Thomas paused but then continued, “You will have four to your
room, including Darcy from the mainland staff, and Miss Claudia
Burton, who arrived a few days ago. Her parents are from Quebec
but now run a French pastry shop in Watertown. I hear they have
taught her well. And since the Pullmans are fond of their sweets,
she will certainly be an asset to our staff.” A dark shadow crossed
his face, and his jaw tightened as he looked away.
“I hope, then, to learn from Miss Burton,” Sara said. It was the
first time Katelyn saw a hint of excitement in her friend since they had
left the mainland. “I would love to become proficient in such an art.”
“I trust you will learn much, dear sister, in your time here,”
Thomas said. “This is a very different world than you are accustomed
to. It is a place of servants and masters, and we must maintain our
place in the island society.”
“Oh, pshaw,” Katelyn declared. “It can’t be so old-fashioned as
all that! ’Tis 1872, and the world is changing.”
“Not here. Not now,” Thomas warned, shaking his head and
narrowing his eyes. “Mind your place, miss, or you will regret the
day you came here.”
Katelyn didn’t respond with words, but she felt her eyes flash
with disapproval. She bit her tongue, holding back her troubled
thoughts.
“Is it truly as we have heard?” Sara asked fearfully. “Is Cook as
stern as they say?”
“Mrs. Stanton is a general of sorts, and she runs her kitchen
with an iron fist. But she is fair and will teach both of you much.
She has served the Pullmans for years, both on the mainland and
on the island. The Pullmans bring her each year, for she knows their
likes and loyally serves them with excellence.”
“But will she beat us if we err?” Sara sucked in her breath.
“Where did you get such an idea, Sara? Cook runs a tight ship
but will not abuse you.”
Sara glanced at Katelyn, who had turned her eyes away, feeling
Sara’s silent scolding upon her.
Susan G Mathis
19
When the three arrived at their quarters, Thomas unloaded
the bags on the porch. “Here is your home for the next several
months. Your room is inside and to the left. Miss Burton should
be there now and will show you from here.” Planting a gentle kiss
on his sister’s cheek, Thomas turned and tipped his cap to Katelyn.
“Farewell, ladies! Until we meet again.”
“Au revoir.” Katelyn waved. “That means ‘goodbye’ in French!”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, I heard that from Claudia.” He turned
away to return to his duties.
~~~
Thomas stopped at the crest of the hill and sucked in a deep breath.
When did that freckle-faced imp become such a beautiful woman?
He chuckled as he remembered those lovely, piercing hazelgreen
eyes from his boyhood days, but now they danced a little
too mischievously, their message a bit too ... womanly. And now
Katelyn stood nearly as tall as he, albeit rather skinny for his liking.
Hadn’t her father been feeding her since her poor mama died?
No! He didn’t need thoughts of a woman. He was a man of
the river. He shook his head, grabbed the handles of his cart, and
hurried to the safe harbor of the boathouse.
~~~
Inside the staff quarters, Katelyn found the correct door and opened
it. “Here we are!”
A beautiful young woman, whom Katelyn decided must be
Claudia, turned and sent them a fiery glare. Her narrow, oval face
accented crystal-blue eyes that appeared cold as ice. Creamy skin
encircled flaming cheeks. While her sandy blonde hair was already
tucked beneath her white bonnet, she was still buttoning her
uniform when Katelyn and Sara entered the room.
“Don’t you know how to knock?” she scolded with venom.
Katelyn moaned. She may be regally beautiful, but she’ll not send
me such condescending looks and get away with it!
Katelyn’s Choice
20
“Forgive me, miss,” Katelyn said with a tinge of sarcasm, placing
her hands on her hips. Sara tried to hide behind her.
“Don’t ‘miss’ me! My name is Claudia, and I hope you will be
more proper in the future.” Claudia turned her back as Sara quietly
closed the door.
“Which bed would you like, Katelyn?” Sara whispered.
“The one near the window would be nice.”
“That will be my bed,” Claudia said, pointing a bony finger
for emphasis. “I intended to move my things there before you two
barged in like hooligans.”
“Pardon me!” Katelyn shot back. “The bed was empty and
unmade, so I assumed it was free.”
“It is not, and don’t assume anything,” Claudia scolded. Katelyn
stared back until, in silence, both backed down. Then, without a
word, the three young women settled their living spaces, trying to
avoid one another.

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