by Gavin Green
***
In the following three weeks, Brody built another outbuilding on the edge of the nearest southern paddock for his sculpture work. It was a longer stone structure than the sheds, and fully enclosed. Kate was given proof of his focused strength when he carried a few of the larger stone blocks from the supply shed to his new workshop.
Many smaller figurines were made in preparation for Christmas markets that were soon to be held in a nearby larger town. Brody planned on renting a booth for a day and see how well his items moved, if at all. So in early December, on a sunny Saturday, he and Kate sat in their booth and chatted with shoppers. They sold a majority of the smaller sculptures, but only a few larger works. That gave them better ideas for pricing, and what varieties were more popular.
Brody found yet another reason to enjoy church attendance, beyond the socializing, time spent with the McCarthy's, and the feeling of solace he found there. Jane had agreed to sing with the choir as a lead vocalist. Early on, Kate had pointed out people's reactions when her little sister sang; they would recline in their pew seats and smile, or sometimes slump from formal postures and sigh.
Jane's voice was more than a talent - it was a gift. Brody and Kate privately wondered whether that gift was natural or fae. In either case, they thought it was worth lending assistance if Jane chose to pursue singing. Brody contacted the radio station he had business with and made arrangements with studio engineers to work with Jane if she wanted to have herself recorded.
Alana was spending a Sunday afternoon at the Lynch cottage in early December, and she mentioned a rumor had started about Brody. Robbie Kelly, a nice young man who'd always had a soft spot for the boisterous Miss Quinn, had told her of a conversation between some locals he'd overheard.
Alana said she listened casually while Robbie bought her a pint and told of Brody being a flahulach (Kate explained to him that the word meant wealthy and generous). Brody became concerned about his privacy until Alana said she told Robbie to keep his gob shut. She had to explain to the younger Murphy that if the talk got too thick, then Lynch would move on and the village would be out of luck, including Robbie's job, however temporary. It was reason enough to keep it under his hat.
Brody and Kate set up their first Christmas tree together on the eighth of December, and spent the day hanging the holly wreath and stockings, sipping warm cider, wrapping presents, and making love. By the next evening, there was little room under the tree for all the festive boxes, and they used a spare room for all of the family gifts. Kate assured Brody that Jack and Fiona would be groaning at all of the noisy toys he'd bought for their children, and he heartily agreed with an evil grin.
The day that decorations went up around the cottage was also the same day that the radio station began its contest for the house giveaway. Brody had chosen the largest home he owned to use for the contest, and made sure that it was seen to by the labor detail and the construction crew.
More importantly to Brody, though, was the 'holiday helping hand' radio event, which started the same day. The promoters called Brody and Kate soon after the commercials for it began airing, and said emails and letters were pouring in. They needed confirmation on a few specific circumstances that were more costly than initially discussed. After hearing about those serious situations, Brody and Kate agreed without hesitation.
Many local news agencies had taken notice of the ratings spike during the 'helping hand' airings and mentioned it in articles. On behalf of the sponsoring foundation, Kate declined an email request for an interview, but the news still spread quickly.
The show hosts would read anywhere from a few to a handful of letters a day, and then contact those people in need while on the air and tell them the good news. It had become worthy of local gossip, and Brody would listen contentedly to accounts of a single mom getting a car, or medical expenses paid for a seriously ill child, or the numerous people assisted with overdue bills or vouchers so their kids could have a Christmas.
Kate noticed the influx of petitions sent to the Rose Foundation, but that was secondary to Brody. Anonymous and safe, he was able to reach out and help folks in immediate need with the money he formerly carried like a burden.
As for the foundation itself, Brody and Kate kept it a private affair and was a common topic at home. They had thus far chosen nine charities for donation, most of which dealt with animal rescue groups or children's assistances. When in the village, which was ever increasing, the Rose Foundation was never mentioned. Instead, the couple busied themselves with socializing and letting Brody familiarize himself with the people of Ballaghadaere.
The couple visited Kate's friends and family, attended sport events, began sitting in on the weekly bingo games, and continued their church attendance. As Kate's little sister was now old enough to stay later in pubs, she took the opportunity to practice her singing when players gathered, or just with her brother Jack on fiddle and her boyfriend Donal at the piano. Brody and Kate were usually present, making the best of those gatherings to mingle.
Jane would ask for odd jobs of Brody and Kate from time to time before Christmas, looking for a little extra cash for gifts. The couple usually found something for her to do, and she'd zip over in her treasured little car. On a few occasions, Jane would bring a friend or her new boyfriend to share the labor and money. That young man, Donal, was initially fearful of Brody because of his massive size, but was put at ease before being told that the one to be worried about was Jane's brother.
Jane thought it odd that her new best friend Sara never wanted to come with her on those ventures, but they spent a lot of time together otherwise. Jane always offered to go and pick up Sara at her house, wherever it was, but was always told that she was in or near the village at that time. Sara seemed to be keeping secrets, but Jane had one of her own and so couldn't fault her new, enigmatic friend for it.
Also during that time, in the Lore, Gideon had sent a message of warning and plea for assistance to his fellow morpher Kazimir. It was not long after that the stout fae came to his little friends' holdings to discuss the message.
Gideon didn't know who attacked him, but the burly fae listened closely and was reasonably sure who the culprit was. And to Kazimir, 'reasonably sure' was enough to take action. He invited his little friend to partake of his own sizeable holdings and regain his power all the quicker; Gideon meekly thanked him for the offer and agreed.
Soon after, the big morpher opened one of his few bridge gates and departed for the Verden once again, that time with dark intent.