“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.
Meredith’s eyes were wide as she leaned toward Emily. “Mr. Hannigan took a bullet in his side during the gunfight with the three outlaws. If you want to know the truth, the frontier is a rough and wild place, and I’m very glad to be in Dublin now.”
Emily and his mother gasped, and his sister covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes like saucers. “Charles survived. He healed just fine,” Daniel put in quickly. “In fact he was the best man at our wedding.”
“What was your wedding like?” Emily asked, her rapt attention fixed on Meredith.
“Our wedding was lovely,” Meredith said. “We were married in Garretsville in the prettiest little church made entirely of pine logs. Practically the entire town showed up for our reception.” Meredith sighed happily. “Nothing compares to the blue sky in the mountains of Montana, and the day we married not a cloud could be seen. I carried a bouquet of wild flowers, and I wore my best walking suit and a new bonnet.”
“That’s so romantic,” Emily said. “I want to travel to the frontier and get married in church made of logs, Mama.”
“It does indeed sound very romantic,” his mother agreed, running her hand over Emily’s curls.
For the next hour or so, he and Meredith told them about Garretsville, the mine, life on the frontier, and their journey to New York City by mail coach, steamboat, and train. During that time, Meredith had to excuse herself twice to visit the water closet, and once again he worried for her health.
“David will be home for the holidays, and I’ve sent him news of your return,” his mother said. “You must join us for Christmas. We’d love to have you, and we have plenty of room. I can’t imagine you’ve had time to settle into your home, or to hire adequate staff by then.”
“We’d love to join you,” he said. “For now, we should be on our way.” Daniel rose and offered Meredith his hand. “I’m looking forward to getting to know George, and I’m happy for you both, Mam.”
“Thank you, Danny,” his mother said. “You must know I will always miss you father. He took a piece of me with him when he passed, as did our wee daughter. We had a very good life and many happy years together, and I wish we’d had more.” Her brow furrowed. “What I feel for George is different than what I felt for your father. I’m content, happy. George and I are quite compatible, and we care a great deal for each other. What we share is a more sedate kind of love.”
Daniel grasped his mother’s hands and kissed on her the cheek. “I’m sorry you worried needlessly that I’d be resentful. I know Da would’ve wanted to see you happy again.”
She studied him closely. “I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear you say so. I want us to be close, a family again, and I know George will help any way he can with your business
