Hayley sat quietly for a few minutes. “I hadn’t thought about it like that. It hurt them when he left the first time, more than he realizes. When I was trying to decide whether or not to take this chapel, he said he’d always planned to come back here to live. I think that’s why he said I should do it. I know that’s why I said yes.”
Theresa nodded. “So before you decide to let her win, think about how many people would lose. It’s not all about you, or even you and Marcus. It’s about whether or not you can stand by and let one selfish woman run rampant over a whole town. Someone has to stand up to her, or she’ll pull the same stunt the next time things don’t go her way.”
Hayley squared her shoulders, and then let them slump again. “But I’m not sure I’m the one to do it. I hate walking down the street with people looking at me like I’m a horrible person.”
“I know,” Theresa said. “And it probably won’t get any easier for a while. But you know who you are, and so do a lot of these people. I know it’s tough, but do you think you could give it a month? If it’s not any better by then, I’ll go see Sister Brena and tell her you’re going back to Milhaven, but if they run you off, I’m going to suggest she not assign anyone else here. If they could turn on you, they could turn on anyone.” Then after a moment, Theresa smiled. “Unless, of course, Sister Janine would like a new position. Now that’s one I could go along with. She and Lisal deserve each other.”
Chapter 32
Milhaven Welcomes Donovan
By midmorning Sunday, the backyard of the castle was full of townspeople. As soon as a table was set up, someone filled it with food. Between the food brought by the townspeople, the food Blair sent up from the tavern, and the food coming out of the castle kitchen, there was soon enough to feed an army.
Shortly before eleven, Rhianna walked into Kevin’s office and handed him a piece of cake wrapped in cheesecloth. “You have to try this. Blair made it last night and it’s wonderful.”
Kevin uncovered the cake and broke off a bite. He could see apples and walnuts and could smell cinnamon, but there was something else in it, too. He popped the bite into his mouth and savored it. “She put honey in the cake.”
Rhianna grinned. “I told her you’d figure it out.”
“Who? Blair?”
“No, Doreen. Blair’s still at the tavern.”
“Why? I thought Fenway’s was closed today.”
“He is, until dinner. Blair’s cooking something for dinner and then she’s going home to get some sleep. She was up most of the night.”
“Isn’t she coming to the party?”
Rhianna shook her head. “We tried to talk her into it, but she’s still uncomfortable around other people. Maybe by the time Donovan celebrates his first birthday.”
Kevin broke off another bite of cake. “Remind me to tell her how much I liked this.”
“I will. Now don’t you think it’s time you went out back? Tolliver needs to know where to put that big book he’s toting around and several people have asked for you.”
“We need to pick up the family first,” Kevin said as he took out his keys and called out for Chris. When Chris came in, Kevin handed him the key to Terah. “Time to get the family. You take Alli and Dayed. I’ll get the rest.”
“Really? You’re going to make me go get Dara?”
“Yes. She’ll grumble, but at least she won’t keep you there half the day while she tells you everything you’re doing wrong. But go get Alli first.”
Chris turned the key and left.
“Guess I need to go get the rest.” Kevin held up the other key. “Meet you out back?”
“I’ll be there,” Rhianna said as Kevin turned the key.
While Kevin was picking up the family, Rhianna found Laryn and the two of them decided where to put the register. Laryn wanted to be out of the way but in full view of everyone who’d come to witness the entry so they chose the corner of the patio closest to the dining room doors. Rhianna had everything set up by the time Kevin got back.
“Are we eating or signing the book first?” Kevin asked as he joined her.
“Laryn wants to sign the register first so she can slip out when Donovan’s had enough.”
Kevin nodded and grabbed a piece of cheese off one of the trays on a nearby table. “Then let’s get started. I’m hungry.”
Rhianna started to grin, but the grin turned into a slight frown as something behind Kevin caught her eye. “You have company.”
“Huh?” Kevin twisted around to see what she was looking at. Dara was standing in the dining room wagging her finger in Chris’s face. And standing on the other side of Dara with a smirk on her face was Katrin. “She’s not my company. She’s Dara’s.”
“Look, everything’s set up. I’ll just slip out of here and go home,” Rhianna said softly. “If I’m here when she comes out, there’ll be a scene, and I don’t want anything to ruin Laryn’s day.”
Laryn had walked up behind Rhianna in time to hear what she said. “If you don’t want a scene, then stay right where you are because if you let that woman chase you off, I’m going to create a scene the likes of which you’ve never dreamed of. Let Myron deal with her.”
“I don’t know,” Rhianna said hesitantly, glancing back and forth between Kevin and Laryn.
Before anyone else could say anything, Chris walked out of the dining room and headed straight for Kevin. “Dara would like a word with you,” Chris said through clenched teeth, “and she’s not happy.”
“What’s her problem this time?” Kevin asked.
“First, you didn’t pick her up yourself. Second, you weren’t waiting in your office to, and I quote, ‘receive’ them.”
“Might as well get this over with,” Kevin mumbled.
Rhianna touched his arm. “I still think it might be better…”
Before she could finish, he shook his head. “Stay put. I won’t be long.”
When Kevin opened the door to the dining room, Miranda gave him a look full of sympathy and herded everyone else into the kitchen. As she shook her head and shut the door, Kevin chuckled.
“Oh, you think it’s funny, do you?” Dara started.
“What?”
“You think it’s funny that you insulted us like this?”
“Dara, I haven’t insulted anyone. What are you talking about?”
“It’s only common decency to greet your guests.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been outside, greeting our guests.”
“Humph,” Dara snorted. “I don’t mean townspeople. They don’t matter. I’m talking about important people, your family.”
“No one else had a problem with my being out here. That’s where the rest of the family is. Why don’t you and Katrin join them?”
“Katrin has graciously agreed to be your hostess today. She’ll be at your side throughout the event.”
“Hostess?”
“Yes, hostess.” Dara rolled her eyes. “Someone to stand beside you as you greet your guests, as you announce the ceremony, and as you mingle afterwards. A hostess sees that everything is organized and runs smoothly.”
“In that case, I already have a hostess.”
Dara shook her head. “Laryn’s the guest of honor. She can’t be your hostess today, and it’s time for her to step back from that role now that Badec’s gone.”
“I’m not talking about Laryn. Rhianna helped Miranda and Cryslyn get everything organized for today and she’s helped make sure everyone’s taken care of. She’s my hostess.”
“No, she’s not! That will not do. Myron, you’re the Master Sorcerer. You need a woman with breeding, one who has an air of sophistication. Katrin has all of that and more. That elf doesn’t have any of it! She’s not fit to be an escort for a man of your stature, much less hostess of this castle. I won’t stand for it!”
Kevin bit his tongue, walked over to the dining room door, opened it, caught Chris’s eye, and motioned for him to come. Once Chris joined h
im, Kevin looked at Katrin. “Chris will help you find Dayed.”
Chris opened the door and said, “If you’ll come with me…”
After Chris and Katrin were out of the dining room, Kevin focused on Dara. “I don’t know where you got the idea that you have any say whatsoever about anything I do or anything that happens here at this castle, but you don’t. You are my father’s brother’s wife and one of our guests. I can’t do anything about the first, but I can definitely remedy the second if you insist on trying to interfere with what goes on here.”
“You are such a child, Myron. There’s a reason why they don’t let sorcerers train until they’re twenty-five. Men your age aren’t mature enough to handle the job of being a sorcerer, much less Master Sorcerer. I’m sorry you were thrust into the middle of this before you were ready, but you need to grow up and start fulfilling your duties to your family, and even though no one else has the courage to say so, I’m not the only one who sees it.” Dara paused long enough to take a deep breath. “Before long you’ll need to get married and have children, and when you do that, you’ll need the right woman by your side. Katrin would be a perfect choice for that role. I just hope she’ll still be available when you grow out of this foolish infatuation with that elf.”
“Dara, if you don’t understand anything else, understand this: when and if I marry, it’ll be to someone of my own choosing, someone I want to be with, someone I want to share my life with, and that person will never be Katrin. I’ve told you that before. I’ve told her. I don’t know why the two of you don’t believe me when I say I’m not interested in her, but I’m not and never will be. If she’s waiting for me, she’s wasting her time. She has no future with me, period.” Kevin shook his head. “Now I’m going back outside. You are welcome to join us if you can be gracious to our guests whether you approve of them or not. If you can’t do that, go wait in my office until someone has time to take you home.” Kevin turned to leave the dining room, but before he opened the door, he added, “It would be in your best interest to keep your opinions to yourself, especially as they pertain to Rhianna. I don’t want to hear one more snide comment about her and neither do the people out there. She has a lot of friends here, and if you degrade her in front of them, I will not intervene to protect you.” Kevin paused a moment. “It’s time for Laryn to sign the register and I want to be there when she does. You can do as you please.”
Dara followed Kevin but she wasn’t quick enough to make it through the door before it closed. With an exasperated sigh, she pushed it open and exclaimed, “The least you could have done was hold the door for me like a proper gentleman. Your poor mother would turn over in her grave at the way you treat your family.” Then she stomped off towards Dayed.
Kevin stared at the horizon for a moment and then smiled at Rhianna. “Thanks for taking care of things while I was inside. Are they ready?”
A frown furrowed Rhianna’s brow. “I want to hear about that conversation later, but for now, yes, we’re ready. Laryn’s gone to find Steve.”
Fifteen minutes later, the register had been signed, plates were filled with food, and the party was in full swing.
After things began to settle down, Laryn took Dayed to the side. “I’m not sure what Dara’s up to, but you might want to suggest she leave Myron alone. He’s not one to be pushed around.”
Dayed sighed. “I’ve told her to leave the boy alone, but it goes in one ear and out the other. He’s going to have to handle her in his own way, and as long as she’s not reduced to a pile of ashes, I’m fine with it. I just hope she doesn’t push him so far that he refuses to have anything to do with us. I like the boy, and I think he’ll be someone Jasyn can look up to. But you and I both know I can’t do a thing with Dara.”
“Why in the world did you marry her?”
“I was in love with the person I thought she was. Too bad that person doesn’t exist.”
Laryn patted her brother’s arm. “We have plenty of space to build another room on the house if you want to move in with us. All it would take is one word to Shadron and it would be a done deal.”
Dayed grinned. “Thanks, but I love my son too much, and there’s no way I’d rip him away from his mother.”
“He won’t be a baby forever, and my offer stands. Anytime. Just say the word.” Then Laryn walked over to where Steve was seated with Donovan in his arms. “Here, I’ll take him. I want to feed him and put him down for a nap.”
Once she had Donovan in her arms, Laryn gazed around at everyone seated nearby. “I’d like to thank all of you for joining us as we celebrate the birth of our son. Unfortunately, the guest of honor is ready for a nap and needs to lie down. Thanks again for coming, and we’ll see you later.”
After Laryn went inside, Steve wandered around the backyard, shaking hands, thanking people for coming, and making his way towards his house. After he’d gone inside, everyone pitched in to clear off the tables, store the leftover food, round up the dirty dishes, and in general clean up the area.
By late afternoon, quiet descended on the castle. The only memento of the day’s festivities was a fresh name in the Register of Residents.
~~~~
After dinner that evening, Kevin made a quick trip to Timera Valley.
Brena insisted he have some tea while she read Theresa’s letter. When she was done, she folded it and stuck it in her pocket. “Did you read it?”
He shook his head. “She told me what it said though.”
“What do you think?”
“I think she’s right. This is something best left to Marcus’s family. It may take a little while for their plan to work, but Marcus will be up there for a week near the end of the year. If it’s not straightened out, I’ll be able to tell when I pick him up.”
Brena nodded. “Then I’ll leave it for now, but if things aren’t better by then, I’ll want you to go get her. She can go back to Milhaven.” Then Brena shrugged. “With Theresa off who knows where, it won’t hurt to have Hayley around anyway. Never know when something might come up and a chapel will need to be covered.”
“What would you do about the chapel in Bridgeport?”
Brena shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’ll need to talk to Hayley before I decide, but I won’t have any sisters mistreated. I might tell them they ran off the only available sister and let the chapel sit empty.”
Kevin nodded. “I hope whatever Marcie and the others have planned works, for everyone’s sake.” Then he stood up. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a dog to walk.”
Brena smiled and waved him off. “Have fun.”
Chapter 33
Ardmore
Earlier that day, about the time Laryn was signing her son’s name in the Register of Residents, Gildan rode into Ardmore. Before doing anything else, he wanted to find the blacksmith shop. More than likely their house would be next door. Then he needed to find some work so he’d have an excuse to hang around town.
The smithy was on the far side of town, and a path led from the front door straight to the back door of the closest house. Gildan nodded to himself. He’d found Allisandra’s house. He had no idea how he was going to keep an eye on the comings and goings at her house though. The area around the house was too open for him to be able to hide and watch, but he’d worry about that later. For now, he needed a place to stay and a job.
As he registered for a room in the inn, he asked if anyone around town needed some help in exchange for a place to sleep and meals.
“What kind of work are you looking for?” the innkeeper asked as he handed Gildan a room key.
“Nothing permanent. Just something to do while I look around.” At the innkeeper’s questioning look, Gildan added, “I’m a rambler. I like to see new places, try new things, and then, when I get bored, move on.”
“Where have you been?”
“Well, I grew up in Riordan, spent a few years in Nandelia, and then I went to Brendolanth, but I’m not fond of ice and snow so I thought I’d give Camd
en a try.”
“Snow’s one thing we don’t see much of down here. Summer heat can be fierce, but this time of year’s pretty nice. How long are you thinking about staying?”
“A month or so. My horse and I could both use a good break.”
“Used to think I’d like to do that, wander around, see what’s out there, but then I met my Betsy,” the innkeeper said with a smile.
Gildan nodded. “Have to admit, the idea of a home with a wife and family is starting to have some appeal now that I’m getting older.”
“Find the right woman and it’ll have more appeal than the road.”
“Guess so.” Gildan picked up his bag. “Does the local blacksmith board horses?”
The innkeeper nodded. “Craven’s out of town right now, but he’ll be back later this evening. I’ve got a paddock out back. Nothing fancy, water and a little hay scattered around, but you’re welcome to put your horse out there until he gets back if you want to.”
“Might take you up on that.” Gildan started up the stairs. Half-way up, he turned back and asked, “Tavern open?”
The innkeeper nodded. “Opens for lunch and stays open until around ten or so. Oh, and Betsy will get you coffee in the morning if you want it as you’re staying here, but we don’t open the tavern for that.”
Gildan nodded and headed on up. Once he was in his room, he dumped his bags and looked out the one and only window. He could see a few houses, but not the one he was interested in. He sighed. He hadn’t expected it to be that easy.
Gildan spent the next couple of hours wandering around, checking out the shops, and in general familiarizing himself with the town. Around dinnertime he noticed some activity at the smithy, so he walked over to see if the blacksmith was back. He knocked on the side of the doorframe as he walked in and called out, “Hello?”
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