Paradise Falls by Ruth Ryan Langan

Author:Ruth Ryan Langan [Langan, Ruth Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, New York Times Bestselling Author
ISBN: 9780425194843
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2003-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

“I win, Ma.” As Gray and his father stepped into the kitchen, Flem held out his hand and was rewarded with a cookie. With a laugh he took a bite before explaining. “Ma was worried that you’d be late. I told her that no matter how many lagers you shared with the neighbors, there was no way you’d be late for Christmas Eve supper.”

“I raised a smart son.” Face flushed, Broderick lowered himself to his chair and waited for Gray to remove his boots and coat.

“So.” Rose turned from the stove. “How many beers did you have?”

“Too many.” Broderick grinned. “But how could I refuse, when our neighbors kept asking me to raise a toast to my talented and very generous wife?”

Rose couldn’t keep her smile from blooming. “They liked my gifts?”

“They loved them, Ma.” Gray hung their coats on a hook by the, door and was careful to wash his hands and roll his sleeves.

“I’ve set the table in the parlor.” Rose led the way, and Fiona caught her breath at the dazzling display of silver and crystal, winking in the glow of dozens of candles.

“Oh, Mrs. Haydn. This is...” She looked around. “Words fail.”

Pleased, Rose indicated the sofa and chairs that had been moved close to the fire. “Supper will be ready soon. But for now, we’ll have some elderberry wine to warm you from your travels. Fleming, you pour.”

Flem poured burgundy liquid from a crystal decanter into small fluted glasses and passed them around on a silver tray.

Broderick lifted his glass. “As always, we drink first to those who have left us.”

As the others sipped, Fiona felt a quick, hard tug on her heart and had to dip her head to hide the grief that she knew would be in her eyes.

Oh, Da. How I wish I could hear, just once more, the sound of your voice, with that wonderful music of Ireland in every word. And to feel again your arms, so strong and warm, around me.

When she’d composed herself she took a sip, The wine was sweet and glided down her throat like liquid honey.

“To us.” Broderick shot her a smile. “And to those we wish were here with us.”

Again that quick tug, and she found herself hoping that her mother was sitting warm and snug, sipping wine with family, and feeling safe and loved.

Safe and loved. It was what Fiona wished, more than anything, for her mother.

Keep her safe, Da. Safe and treasured by those who are with her now.

While Broderick proposed yet another toast, Rose slipped away to the kitchen and returned carrying a huge silver platter on which rested the biggest goose Fiona had ever seen.

“Flem. Gray.” Rose pointed with the carving knife. “You may fetch the rest of the food.”

“What about me, Mrs. Haydn?”

“You help Broderick to the table.”

The old man winked at her as she set aside her glass and helped him to his feet. In the time that it took to get him seated, the table was groaning under the weight of more food than Fiona could imagine.

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