Fayette—A Time to Love

Chapter One

Fayette, Michigan

April 1, 1868



“You disgrace to ol’ Eire!”

“You son of a sea cook!”

Workers had just emerged from the iron-smelting furnace at the end of the first shift and already two of them were shouting epithets at each other.

“A fine way to spoil a balmy spring day,” muttered sixteen-year-old Lavinia McAdams.

Clutching her parcel to her bosom, she paused on the step of the company store long enough to see Big Billy Bassett, a renowned pugilist in the village, knock the cap off a shorter, stockier fellow, revealing the unmistakable red, wavy hair of an Irishman.

Fists flew.

Furnace workers gathered around, egging on the pair. The Irishman’s muscle-bound arms landed punches that disappeared within the bulk of Big Billy Bassett’s stomach. Where were her father and the other furnace supervisors? Knowing the quarrelsome natures of their men, they should have been on hand to break up the fight.

Disgusted with the contentiousness of the laborers, Lavinia turned to go, bumping headlong into an auburn-haired young woman and knocking her basket clear from her hand. Eggs flew out and smashed to the ground.

The girl’s wide-set blue eyes flashed with anger. “Now there’s a fine kettle of fish you’ve put me in! And how am I to pay for my washboard, pray tell?”

“I’m so sorry!” Lavinia exclaimed, picking up the basket and returning it to the owner whose lovely face was marred only by her scowl. “It was all my fault. We’ll put your washboard on my father’s account.”

“And who might your father be?” she asked skeptically.

“Angus McAdams.”

Much mellowed, the young woman smiled. “Angus McAdams! Well, now. My brother-in-law, Paddy O’Connell, works for him!” …