The Emerald Key - By Christopher Dinsdale Page 0,87
for someone so young.”
“I had Jamie helping me,” she added, blushing at the compliment.
Jamie chuckled. “It’s more likely the other way around. Beth saved my life more than once. She’s an amazing young woman. I’m going to miss her lots.”
Beth looked at Jamie quizzically. “Miss me? What do you mean?”
“Colin’s aunt and uncle have agreed to adopt you as well, Beth.”
Beth froze in shock. “What?”
Aunt Sharon walked to Beth and wrapped her up in a loving hug. “Jamie asked if we could use a caring young woman on the farm. Rob and I agreed without hesitation. We would love to have you join us in our home, Beth. My children have all left and we could use the extra help around the house. Plus, I’m sure Colin would love to have an older sister as he grows up.”
Beth looked to Jamie, to Aunt Sharon, then back to Jamie. “But … I was going to go back to Ireland with you, Jamie!”
Jamie knelt down and looked her in the eyes. “There will be nothing for you in Ireland, Beth. When I return, I’ll be once again taking on my duties as a priest. Your place is here. Colin needs you. Sharon and Rob need you. This is where your parents wanted you to be. Don’t get me wrong. I’ll miss you and Colin. You’re both like family to me now. But this is what your family would have wanted for you. This is where you belong.”
Beth sniffed and wiped a tear. “Will I ever see you again?”
Jamie took her hands. “I promise we’ll meet again.”
Colin’s Uncle Rob stepped up. “Beth, it would be an honour to have you join us on our farm and have you become part of our family.”
Beth turned to Colin and looked at him in wonder. “I guess I’m going to be your new sister.”
“Yes!” shouted Colin. “Beth’s my sister!”
Everyone laughed. Soon, Beth and Colin’s meagre belongings were safely stowed in the back of the wagon. Colin was sitting on his aunt’s lap up on the bench. Beth sat in the back of the wagon, her legs dangling out the back.
“Are you going to be rejoining the Brotherhood?” she asked Jamie as he circled to the back to say goodbye.
Jamie thought for a moment. “I’m not sure.”
“Then do you mind if I keep this?”
She held up his ring. It was sitting on her fourth finger.
He eyed her suspiciously. “You took it out of the satchel?”
Beth’s freckled cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. “I wasn’t going to take it without asking you. If you don’t want it any more, I’d love to have it so that I can remember our time together.”
He smiled. “How many times did you save my life again?”
“Too many to remember,” she teased.
“Then it’s yours.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
Beth jumped down to give Jamie a final hug. He then lifted her back onto the cart, went around to the front to give Colin a final rustling of his hair, and then stepped back onto the sidewalk beside his brother. Uncle Rob nodded to the boys, then clicked his tongue. The old mare lurched the wagon forward. Ryan and Jamie stood on the steps of the post office as Beth continued to wave until the wagon rolled out of sight.
“So, now what?” asked Ryan.
“Well, you’re in need of some rest, and I hear that Niagara Falls is a spectacular site. Let’s go explore the Falls, and while we’re there, I’ll introduce you to some good friends of mine who have just recently moved to the United States of America.”
Epilogue
Kilkenny, Ireland, 1887
Jamie Galway waited outside the medieval gates of St. Canice’s Cathedral under a glorious blue summer sky. The street was busier than usual. The market across from the cathedral was infused with the aromas of fresh food. Large crowds were taking advantage of the unusually warm day as they shopped among the maze of colourful stalls. Many passing on the sidewalk said good morning to him and Jamie politely returned the salutation. On most Saturdays, he would have joined the crowd in the market to soak in the wonderful sights and smells of harvest time. But today was different. Today was a day he hadn’t been sure would ever arrive. Unsure of what to do, he simply watched the happy crowds until a tall, slender woman wearing a fancy brimmed hat and long bustled dress strolled up to him and smiled.