“I did write, and when I heard nothing back, I wrote again. Both letters were sent to Charles Hannigan’s Uncle Robert in New York. Both times I asked that he forward my letter to you as we always did.”
Edith bit her lower lip, and her eyes glistened. “When I didn’t hear back, I feared something had happened to you, or you were angry with my decision to remarry.”
Daniel shook his head. “I never received either letter.”
“Mail reaching the territories has always been unreliable. Anything could’ve happened to your mother’s letters.” Meredith twined her fingers with his. “I’m just glad we’re together now.” She smiled at his mother. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
The door opened and a maid carried in a tray laden with tea and a variety of pastries, butter, and jam. Daniel’s mouth watered as she set it down on the table in front of his mother.
“How do you take your tea?” his mother asked, her gaze on his wife.
“A splash of milk and a little sugar, please.” Meredith leaned forward to accept the teacup. “How shall I address you, Mrs. Flynn?”
“Edith or Edie is fine. I hope we’ll become great friends. May we call you by your given name as well?”
“Of course. We’re family now, and being so far from my own parents and siblings, I’m thrilled to have you nearby,” she said.
Far from her family was quite the understatement. He longed to tell someone of the extraordinary events that led him to this moment. Perhaps he would write a book after all. Everyone would believe it was fiction, while in truth it would be a memoir. He glanced at Meredith, and a deep peace settled over him.
“Will you tell me about America, Danny?” Emily asked. “We’re studying the continent’s geography in school, but I’d love to hear about that land from someone who has lived there. Did you visit Canada? Are the territories really as rough and wild as the books say?” Emily took a plate from the tea service and helped herself to a scone.
“I can tell you North America is vast and varied, and I only saw a small portion,” he said. “Charles and I never made it to Canada.”
“Since we’re sisters now, It’s permissible I ask you about such things.” Emily cast Meredith a hopeful look. “I should very much like to go on an adventure like Danny’s someday.” She glanced at their mother. “When I’m grown, that is.”
“Where’s David?” Daniel asked as he accepted a cup of tea. Meredith took a plate and helped herself to a scone, and he was relieved to see she had an appetite.
“David is away at boarding school in preparation for university,” Edith said. “George has only the one daughter, and she’s married and living in County Meath with her husband and his family. George is thrilled to have children to dote on again. He’s hoping David will join him in his business after he attends university.
His mother studied him, her eyes shining. “You did what you set out to do, Danny. Your father would be so very proud, as am I. Tell us about your adventures in Montana.” She glanced from him to Meredith. “How did the two of you meet?”
Meredith began coughing as if she were choking on the scone. They hadn’t prepared a story. He patted her on the back, and she reached for her tea. They couldn’t continue the ruse that Meredith was one of Charles’s cousins. The Hannigans and Cavanaugh’s had been close for years, and his mother would know the tale for a lie. Perhaps someday he’d tell his family the truth, but not today.
He shared a look with Meredith, a look he hoped said partial truths would work. “She saved my life while visiting Montana, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with her.”
“Oh, Danny!” his sister cried. “How did you save my brother’s life, Meredith?”
“I didn’t really. All I did was pass along information. Danny and Garretsville’s sheriff did the rest.” Meredith shrugged. “My half-brother and I overheard three outlaws discussing their plans to rob and murder two prospectors who’d recently struck gold near Garretsville.” She went on to describe how she’d set out to find the two so she could warn them. “That’s how we met. Oliver and I showed up at their claim and warned them. Daniel and I went into town and gave the sheriff all the information we had.”
“Because of her warning, we were able to set a trap for the outlaws,” Daniel added.