House of Shadows by Melissa R L Simonin

Author:Melissa R L Simonin [Simonin, Melissa R L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melissa R. L. Simonin
Published: 2015-01-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Fluffy snowflakes fell gently as we walked down the street, dusting Miles’ leather jacket, and my crimson rose wool coat. Ever since seeing Miles’ reaction to the dress I wore the day we were engaged, I’d been shopping more for that color.

I was in ecstasy as we walked down the snowy sidewalk, with my hand tucked in Miles’ arm. It couldn’t look more like Christmas, at the North Pole. It was as if we stepped in to a Hallmark card.

Christmas lights glowed from every door, window, and lamppost. Carolers were singing on the corner, and wreaths hung from the street signs. The scent of cinnamon wafted from a bakery across the street.

We stopped for coffee—a latte for me, of course—and pastries, and watched the snowflakes falling outside the window as we talked about our plans for the Christmas break, and beyond.

“So what is Christmas like at the castle?” I wondered, as I took a sip of my nice, hot, foamy latte, with whipped cream.

“There hasn’t been one celebrated in four years, and the two before that were pretty subdued, as Second-Miles’ parents died the year before. It was very hard on him and Grandma Polly, as you can imagine,” Miles said.

“What happened to his parents? I know there was an accident, but nothing else.”

“They were forced off one of the narrow mountain roads, and killed, in a hit and run accident. Everyone believes there was alcohol involved. Not on their part, but because of it being New Year’s Eve. The conclusion was that the other driver had been drinking.”

“How awful… I had a friend in high school who died, when she crashed her jeep into a light pole. She’d been drinking, and wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Fortunately, no one else was involved. It’s so tragic, though.”

“Yes… it is. I can’t tell you how relieved I was last year, knowing you were staying home, and not going out on New Year’s Eve. When you lose family like that… these mountain roads, plus intoxicated drivers, are a deadly mix.”

“Poor Second-Miles… and then to die so young himself,” I lamented.

Miles nodded.

“I have to remind myself sometimes, that he was gone long before I even knew you… that he didn’t die so I would have a place in the family to fit back into.”

I reached for Miles’ hand.

“You do know the truth, right? You didn’t take Second-Miles’ place. It was left vacant. If you didn’t come back, then Alfred Sullivan wouldn’t be awaiting trial. Sure, he should be on trial for murder, not attempted, but if you didn’t come back, he wouldn’t be charged with anything. You were given those memories, and your testimony is important. He’d be running around free, giving Polly a very hard time because there was no longer any heir, if it wasn’t for you being here.”

“I know,” Miles smiled softly. “I do.”

“The Bannerman Foundation would have been dismantled too, if you weren’t here to arrange for it to be legally protected.”

“I know,” Miles said again. “I do. I’m not feeling guilty.

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