The Parting Glass (63 page)

“Then what happened?”

“I was standing here, just staring at it, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Just the faintest touch, like the soft hand of a woman. When I turned, there was no one there. But all my apprehension was gone. I knew it was time to see what had caused the image.”

She stared at him, her heart brimming with love. “Who touched you? The Virgin? Or Clare McNulty?”

He leaned over and kissed her before he spoke, a lingering promise of a kiss. “It will always be a mystery, Megan. There are some things we just aren’t supposed to know.”

epilogue

S
pring had arrived again in Ireland. Yellow primroses bloomed in ditches, lambs frolicked in gorse dotted pastures, clouds rolled over Clare Island and showered the coast at inconvenient times. But the rain was soft and warm, and the chilly nights were perfect for fragrant turf fires.

This evening Peggy had laid a fire after supper, hoping that Irene would be able to enjoy it. But the old woman had taken to her bed that afternoon and hadn’t wanted to leave it. She spent longer hours in bed each day, sleeping more and more. Peggy knew that one day she would go to check on her and find Irene had slipped away. Gone in her own bed, her own cottage, with the people she loved nearby. Not such a terrible thing, but one that would leave a space in everyone’s lives.

But since it falls unto my lot

That I should go and you should not,

I’ll gently rise and softly call,

Good night and joy be with you all.

The front door opened, and Finn and Bridie stepped inside. Bridie removed her raincoat and hung it on a peg, and Finn closed his umbrella. Banjax greeted them with a thump of his tail. He divided his time between Irene’s bedside and the fire, and now he lay in front of it, soaking up all the heat.

Finn leaned down and kissed Peggy lightly on the lips. Bridie had beat her father there to steal a hug, and now she was off to look for Kieran. A moment ago he had been in his schoolroom building towers from blocks. Peggy had tried to coax him away with the offer of a rice cake and homemade peanut butter, but he had screwed up his little face and told her to “Go ’way!”

And of course she had, smiling as she did. In this rebellion, as in so many other things now, he was a normal two-year-old.

“How’s she done today?” Finn asked.

“No better, no worse. She seems comfortable enough, and her dreams are good ones. Today she dreamed her mother came to introduce her to her father.”

“She’s eating?”

She nodded. “And drinking.”

“And how’s the little king?”

Truly, Kieran deserved the title. The household ran around him. No child had ever received more loving attention, not even genuine royalty. “Good moments and bad. I’m still learning what to look for on labels. I gave him a dairy-free hot dog, then discovered it had modified food starch in it. I called the manufacturer and unfortunately it was wheat. Kieran was at his worst for about twelve hours afterwards.”

Finn didn’t quibble. He had seen Kieran in action after dietary slip-ups himself. The little boy had made significant strides since Peggy changed his diet. Most of the foods she’d so lovingly prepared for him before, whole grain breads, the natural cheeses and fresh milk, were forbidden now. He hadn’t been happy about the changes, but he had favorites among the new foods he was allowed.

Kieran was talking, even putting words together into short sentences. In the classroom, his attention span was considerably longer, and he enjoyed many of the things he had once found so frustrating. He would sit on Peggy’s lap when she read to him, even point to objects without being asked to and label them. Recently they had begun work on toilet training, and it looked as if he might be successful soon. There were flashes of eye contact now, and he seemed to understand the purpose of names, although he didn’t yet use them. There were still miles to go, and no one was using the word
cure,
but Kieran was making strides. Someday the simple things Peggy most wished for him might all come true.

“Casey called this morning, after you left,” Peggy told Finn.

“And how’s little Jon?”

Peggy tried to picture the baby she hadn’t yet seen. “In danger of being called Little Jon for the rest of his life.”

He laughed, winding a lock of her hair around his index finger to reel her closer. “Over the colic, is he?”

“He’s better. Casey says he’s a big healthy guy, he just likes to cry.”

“And I bet she never puts him down.”

“Between Casey and Megan and the rest of the family, he’s in somebody’s arms all the time. But that’s not why Casey called. There’s more news.” Peggy’s eyes were shining. “There’s going to be another family member about Christmas time.”

“Megan and Nick?”

“Isn’t it wonderful? But we’re not supposed to know. The news just slipped out, so act surprised if you answer the phone and Megan tells you.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “You’ll have to go back to see them when the baby’s born, you know.”

“I know. I miss them all so much.”

She didn’t say the rest, that by Christmas Irene would no longer be with them, and Peggy wouldn’t be needed as her companion.

“And will you come back to Ireland afterwards?” He held her away so he could see her face. “Or will I have to come there and steal you back?”

She pretended to be perplexed. “Don’t I have a date in Shanmullin? A medical practice we’re going to share, Drs. Finn and Margaret O’Malley, general practice and pediatrics?”

“There’s the small matter of finishing your education.”

“I have that appointment in Galway next week, to talk to the administrator of the Medical School. Could I live here, do you think, and go to school there? I’d have to take a room near the university during the week and find a school in Galway for Kieran once he’s ready, but—”

“You could do it. You know we’d all help.”

“Finn, Irene told me something this morning….”

He waited, brow cocked.

“She’s leaving me Tierney Cottage. She wants us to live here once we’re married, with the natural understanding that Megan and Casey and their families are welcome any time.”

His gaze was indulgent. “I’ve known that for some time.”

“You have?”

“Who else but you, Peggy-o? That was all part of meeting you, you know, of luring you here. Not just the hidden money, but knowing you and your sisters were the sort of women who would look after Tierney Cottage properly.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want her to go.”

“She’s very nearly ready.” He gripped her hands and brought them to his lips.

Finn had come so far. He had resumed his practice, part-time at first, but more than full-time now. The village had warmly welcomed him, and so had the other physicians within driving distance, who saw a helpful drop in their own caseloads. He had visited a counselor for several months at the advice of his priest, and talking honestly about his grief had been the final step on his journey out of despair. He and Peggy had resumed their relationship slowly and carefully, but it had quickly assumed a momentum of its own. Now, months later, they were sure of each other and ready to make a final commitment when the time was right.

Bridie appeared with Kieran in her arms. For once he wasn’t fighting to get down. “Hello, hello,” he called.

“Hello, lad, and how are you today?” Finn asked.

Kieran covered his face with his hands, and Finn laughed. “That bad, huh?”

“Is Granny ’rene awake?” Bridie asked.

“Let’s check.” Reluctantly, Peggy moved away from Finn. As wonderful as their children were, she did lament the absence of time alone with him. They had learned to steal moments whenever they could.

She opened Irene’s door and peeked inside. The old woman was sitting up. She often slept that way, since it was easier for her to breathe, but now she was awake, and she looked ready for company.

“Finn’s here,” Peggy said. “And Bridie.”

“Show them in.” Irene smiled. “By all means, show them in.”

Peggy pushed the door wide. Bridie put Kieran on the floor and went to greet Irene, perching on the edge of her bed. Finn watched from the doorway, his arm around Peggy’s shoulders.

Peggy felt something brush against her jeans; then her son dashed around her and into the room.

Peggy watched to see what Kieran would do next. He was still fascinated by Bridie, but most often he ignored Irene. As Peggy and Finn watched, breaths held, he approached the bed.

One step, two. Bridie fell silent and so did Irene. Peggy felt her breath catch in her chest as Finn’s arm tightened around her. She knew that Finn felt exactly the way she did, a special connection with this child he had come to love, and, more important, a premonition.

One step more, then another. And as Peggy watched, Kieran climbed on the bed. He gazed at Irene for a moment, then he lay down carefully beside her and pillowed his head on her shoulder.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-2905-5

THE PARTING GLASS

Copyright © 2003 by Emilie Richards McGee.

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