Echoes of the Past (American Rose Abroad) by Riona Kelly

Author:Riona Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Wales, Celtic myth, romantic suspense, murder mystery
Publisher: Pynhavyn Press
Published: 2018-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

"... leading into the dance..."

Another seaside town accessible by the train, Tywyn boasted one of the narrow gauge railways that traveled up the deep green wooded hills that rose a short distance from the shore. As we disembarked at the mainline station, Toby pointed out the direction to the smaller railroad. I turned my head just in time to glimpse the pint-sized engine pulling out of the station with a load of tourists. I made a mental note to return and explore further.

For now, Toby pulled at my arm and urged me to follow him down the main street and across a small bridge to the seaward side of the town. A short way up the road, he ushered me to the front door of an unremarkable tract house, an ordinary square box-shaped home that resembled all the others around it. In many ways, this section of the town reminded me of the houses I'd seen in the mining towns to the south.

However, the man who opened the door was anything but Welsh looking. Lean and of average height, his sharp gray eyes peered out of a long, narrow face dominated by a hawk-like nose. Silver-laced, reddish-gold strands of hair hung limply from a head balding on top.

"Kathleen, this is Aaron McKay, the leader of our sect," Toby said by way of introduction.

McKay grinned, offering his hand to me as the gray eyes warmed. "Please be welcome in my home. We're always willing to have interested visitors. Toby tells me you've expressed a keen interest in the old religion."

The welcome was genuine, but I detected the distinct burr of Scotland in his accent. "You're a Scotsman?" I inquired to confirm it.

"Aye. Although, I've made my home along this coast for a good many years now. I shipped out a long time ago from Glasgow and ended up working on the Fishguard ferry. Here now, make yourself at home, lassie. This bonny lady is Edwina Morris, another member of our congregation."

The object of this introduction, a robust, mid-thirties woman offered a warm smile and her hand. Eyes crinkling, the laugh lines illuminated her face indicating she did it often.

"Toby tells us you are a schoolteacher in America," Edwina Morris said.

"Yes—seventh grade," I replied and seated myself on the nearest chair.

"Oh, that must be quite rewarding. It's a great thing to be able to mold and shape young minds."

I laughed. "It's not quite as idealistic as that. Most of the minds I get already had plenty of molding and are barely receptive to my teaching. But I do my best, and occasionally, I find a jewel hiding in the pebbles."

Mrs. Morris smiled again. "It's still a noble effort. I only hope a good and decent teacher will try to do the same for my own two children."

"How old are your children?" I asked. It seemed the polite thing to do. I noticed it was now just the two of us. Where had Toby and McKay gone?

"My son, Dafyd, is just six and starting school this fall and my daughter, Merewyn, is three.

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