That was the question, and as they approached the village, O’Malley hoped that they might find their first answers. He’d brought candy bars and some chocolate cookies. the kinds of treats that the people might trade for answers. If he’d learned one thing in the Army, it was that people often avoided helping the authorities, not wishing to draw attention to themselves.
However, a friendly smile and a little bribery could go a long way toward opening a line of dialogue that ended in new information.
The trail they were following turned a sharp right and joined a wider, more well-used trail that was wide enough for a vehicle. It led to a timber gate that stood open and Hannah and O’Malley passed through it without being challenged.
“Where to now?” Hannah asked.
“Let’s head for the center of the village.” He shrugged. “If nothing else, we might find someone to talk to on the way.”
Hannah nodded in agreement and they walked side by side along the well-used route that wound past houses that were shuttered against the elements. The smell of woodsmoke filtered out through chimneys before being whisked away by the wind.
Tired now, Hannah stumbled along the uneven road and a couple of times he reached out and stopped her from falling. She didn’t stop or complain, she simply righted herself and took the next step.
Then the next step until eventually, they passed a large building that wasn’t shuttered. The sound of a flute accompanied by a guitar drifted out and O’Malley stopped to listen.
If they were welcome anywhere, this would be it.
“Are you going to knock on the door?” Hannah asked quietly.
“They already know we are here.” The music stopped and he sensed someone approaching the door. A moment later, it swung open and a tall, broad-shouldered man with a red beard stood blocking it, framed by the light behind him.
“You are strangers in our village.” His tone was not accusing, it was more of a statement of fact. Of true fact.
“We are. We wondered if there was somewhere we can seek shelter.” O’Malley stepped forward and offered the red-haired man his hand. “My name is O’Malley, and this is Hannah. We planned to set up a camp, but the wind swept in and…” He held out his hands. “Here we are.”
“Here you are.” The man had a slight accent which O’Malley found familiar. “You do not recognize me?”
O’Malley stared at the guy before he cracked a smile. “Yes, I do. O’Brian. What the hell are you doing here?”
“I live here.” He grabbed O’Malley’s hand and dragged him into a bear hug. “It’s been a long time, my friend.”
“Too long.” O’Malley patted O’Brian on the back.
“O’Brian and O’Malley?” A woman appeared behind O’Brian.
“Yes. We served together for a tour way back when.” O’Brian sighed. “Another lifetime.”
“Another lifetime indeed.” O’Malley looked over his shoulder to where Hannah was standing with her arms wrapped around herself, watching the events as they unfolded. “And this is Hannah Norton.”
“Norton’s sister?” O’Brian stepped out of the building and took a closer look at Hannah. “I can see the resemblance. But you are the better looking one.”
“Thanks.” Hannah smiled at O’Brian. “Have you seen my brother?” Her voice was small like a lost child.
“Oh, so that makes sense of why two ghosts from my past have crossed my path.” O’Brian stepped backward and beckoned to them. “Come inside. You can stay the night here.”
O’Malley turned around and ushered Hannah forward since she seemed frozen to the spot.
“Are you sure it’s not too much trouble?” O’Malley asked as they entered the building.
“Nothing is too much trouble for a brother-in-arms.” O’Brian closed the door behind them, and they were immediately warmed by the heat from the fire. “Come, take off your coats. Drop your packs by the door over there. Elvie, get our guests a drink and some food.”
“Normally I would tell him to get it himself but since you are a friend of O’Brian’s from his Army days...” Elvie swept away from them with a dramatic swish of her long skirt.
“You found your mate.” O’Malley looked up at O’Brian and a warm rush of love for his old friend swept over him.
“I did. I came here to find myself. There is an ancient path that men follow to leave behind who they were and find who they are. I walked that path and walked right into Elvie who was here for the same reason. It was as if fate had guided us here at the same time and so we decided to stay.” He showed them to a couple of worn-out chairs. “We live a simple life, but that life is filled with love and happiness.”
“No one can ask for more.” O’Malley took Hannah’s hand. She’d hardly said a word since they’d been invited in.
“Is that what Karl was looking for?” she finally asked.
“It is. We’d been in contact for some time. Then suddenly he asked if he could come and visit.” O’Brian shrugged. “I said of course.”
“And you told him about the pilgrim’s path?” Hannah asked as Elvie brought a tray with a pitcher and four cups.
“He already knew. He said he’d been thinking over his life and he wanted to change, to forge a new life. I think he hoped he might find his woman here, too.” O’Brian smiled kindly at Hannah. “I’m not implying he was unhappy. Only that he wanted to settle down and have a family. Something that had eluded him.”
“Karl never really talked about having a family.” Tears misted Hannah’s eyes. “He kept his emotions bottled up.”
O’Brian picked up the pitcher and poured a deep amber liquid into each of the four glasses while Elvie rattled around in the small kitchen area in the room beyond. She came back to her mate carrying a tray filled with fruit and cheese and a loaf of fresh bread.
“Here. Drink this. It soon loosens your tongue and unbottles your emotions.” O’Brian passed the cups around.
“So you got Karl drunk?” O’Malley asked, taking a sip
