Once I started talking it all rushed out of me like an overflowing river. I began with waking up in the hospital not knowing who or where I was. I smiled when I told her about Mrs. Shaw and how kind she’d been to me. I even told her about that lout, Sinclair. I was relieved to get that part off my chest, for I’d never told anyone about it before. I told her about going back to Donegal, and how Ma had me astray in the head after she found out she’d taken the job with Aidan O’Hanlon. And I told her about how Da had sold a cow to pay my passage back to New York.

“I think he loved me a little bit after all,” I said.

Delia smiled. “He loved both of us, Nora.”

I told her about the summer Dom and I had spent together and how I’d hoped to see him in New York, and maybe there would have been a future for us except for Kathleen.

“Kathleen?” Delia said. “The Kathleen used to work for Aidan?”

I nodded. “Would you be after knowing her?”

“Oh, yes. You see, Dom and I were friends in New York, and she accused me of stealing him from her. But Dom said he wouldn’t give her the time of day. I’m certain she just wanted you to think they were going together. She’s a spiteful girl.”

I didn’t know whether to believe her, but deep down I hoped she was right. I gulped down some tea. My throat was parched from talking.

“Dom gave me your address in New York and I went to the house to find you, and who was there but Sullivan.”

“I’ve met him,” Delia said. “He’s an awful man.”

My eyes grew wide. “Then you know how ignorant and dangerous he can be. He came up with this plan. I didn’t like the sound of it, but ’twas the only way I could get to Texas to see you. But the more leases I signed, the more guilty I felt, and the more I was afraid to let you know I was here. It was only when Kearney brought Lily here . . .”

Delia took my hands in hers. “Oh, Nora, I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. And I understand completely why you did what you did.” She paused and frowned. “But there’s something I don’t understand. You’re not the Nora I remember—there’s something different about you.”

I smiled for the first time. “Aye. You may blame Mrs. Shaw for that. She didn’t take all the spit and fire out of me, but she taught me something about kindness—and about love.” I fingered my locket as I spoke. “I think she saved my life, Delia.”