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  She looked down at their mother’s gravestone. “Do you suppose that that’s what death is like?”

  He tilted his head to the side. “What d’ya mean, Sis?”

  She shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Ever since I learned of Malcom’s death, and now Mom’s, I just wonder.” She was silent for a moment and then continued. “That if we could know for sure that we’d be together after death, I bet we could get through anything.”

  He nodded and then squeezed her hand. “True—so true.” He groaned. “Bye, Sis.” Tears flowed down his face.

  “Bye, Eddie.” She stood on the tips of her toes and pecked him on the cheek, then turned and walked toward her destiny—her new life with the person she loved most, Sally.

  Sixteen

  Cover- Up

  The man flipped the cigarette butt to the ground and stared at the notice in the newspaper. “He’s not going to like this.”

  Nancy Snyder is survived by a brother, Edward McKechnie of Scranton, PA. She is preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm Snyder, her daughter, Sally Snyder, and her parents, Edward, McKechnie Sr. and Betty Lindsey McKechnie of Scranton . . .

  He held his hand on the folding door before pushing it open and then stepped inside the phone booth.

  “I’ve been waiting. What did you find out?”

  The man shuffled his feet and leaned against the side of the booth. “The broad is dead.”

  “Perfect.”

  His low chuckle sent chills up the man’s spine.

  “So, where’s the kid?” the gruff voice added. “You got their location first, right?”

  “Nancy was dead before I got to her, sir.” A loud slam on the other end startled the man. “Nothing I could do about it, sir.”

  “Did you see the body?”

  “Ah, no,” the man said, “but I’ve got the obit—”

  “See the body.”

  “Sir?”

  “Even if you have to dig it up. See. The. Body.”

  The man hung the phone up and looked down at the obituary. Nancy’s viewing was later that evening, and like it or not, he would be there. You didn’t cross Merrick Snyder. He’d learned that, a long time ago—

  As a young child, he pushed the box around on the floor, pretending it was a car. It was cool, because it had a picture of the small car on it. Jimmy had thrown it away in the trash at school, and he’d dug it out. He didn’t see Merrick come up behind him.

  “Stupid kid,” he grumbled, and smashed the box with the heel of his boot. He swung his foot around and planted it in the young boy’s gut. Merrick didn’t seem to care where he hurt him. Back in those days, no one seemed to care if the child came to school with his face scraped up or a bruise on his arm.

  Merrick Jr. didn’t need to be doing anything wrong, just the act of existing—being within his father’s sight—usually brought some form of swift retribution. A kick, a shove, or a harsh word was what he got, never any tenderness that one would expect a father would give.

  After Merrick discovered who had given him up at birth, he changed their last name to Snyder. He was so young then, it didn’t matter, and guessed as he grew older, that having his real bloodline name was sort of cool. But, Merrick Jr., how he hated being called that. He was nothing like his father.

  A kid at school started calling him Ricky. He didn’t like that much either, but at least he didn’t have to be called by that cruel man’s name. Ricky never could bring himself to call him Father, Papa, or Dad. Those were titles of endearment, something he’d never felt for him.

  He wasn’t allowed to have friends, but it didn’t take much to see what other kids had—real dads. Merrick wasn’t a father at all—just a mean-spirited, vindictive man. If Ricky had any dreams, they were quickly squelched, and he was often left to wonder who he was, and what he’d become.

  He remembered the wrath his father had the first time someone called him Ricky. It was at the grocery store. Merrick waited until they were back home and then shoved him into the door. “Ricky, eh?” The beating he got kept him from going out for several days.

  Unfortunately, it was summer, or maybe, someone would’ve stepped up to help. Maybe. He’d lost hope in people, and as the years went by, he found himself slipping deeper into Merrick’s awful demands.

  The only time he’d ever been away from his firm hold, was when Merrick left for Taunton to visit his twin brother Malcolm, a brother no one even knew existed.

  Yeah, he’d heard all about that. At least for a short while he’d been somewhat free of Merrick, and for the first time in his life, he spent time searching for himself, who he was without Merrick’s cruel, tyrannical reign.

  When Merrick was arrested for his brother’s murder, he felt a tremendous relief. But even in prison, Merrick had his ways. Ricky was very much aware that someone else was working for Merrick. Ricky hadn’t set the fire at the cabin, and he strongly suspected that Marvin’s death had been no accident.

  Merrick didn’t like it when things didn’t go his way. If you dared cross him, then you’d better be prepared. He’d find a way to get you. It was all about the hunt with Merrick, a cruel game he played with his pawns. And he never forgot if you faltered in his expectations of you. Never.

  Some things Merrick made him do, had hurt people he’d cared about. Guilt built inside him until he couldn’t take it anymore. He beat his fists against the wall, and then leaned against it in tears.

  He gathered his wits. It was crazy. Everyone knew the kid was dead, but Merrick apparently thought differently. He’d said something about a blue fairy and a switch. Ricky drew in a deep breath. And now, he had to investigate the corpse of another of Merrick’s victims, Nancy Snyder. Merrick was a sick, sick man, but Ricky had to wonder, was he as sick to obey him?

  The viewing was at a Catholic Church. Ricky shuddered. He wasn’t religious and going inside any church made him uncomfortable. Pulling his lapel up close to his face, he stepped through the doors. There weren’t many people there, and he wondered how many friends she had had, apparently, not many. Just see the body and leave.

  A few people stood around, some glancing at the coffin, most, obvious from their light laughter, seemed to not be aware they were the same room with a dead person. He made his way effortlessly to the casket, pulled out an old photo, and compared it with the body.

  “She was a beauty, eh?” a voice said, coming up behind him. “My sister was a beauty.” He placed his large hand on Ricky’s shoulder. “I’m her brother, Edward,” he said, wiping his thick fingers across tears streaming down his face.

  “Uh, yeah, she was a beauty,” Ricky said, slipping the photo back in his pocket. She seemed too pretty to be dead, he thought, and took another look. Her pale, white skin was convincing enough, but her restful appearance perplexed him. Still, all he needed was a snapshot. That would appease Merrick, and then he’d be off the hook. That’s all he ever wanted—to be off Merrick’s radar.

  He waited for the small crowd to leave the room and pulled the camera from his pocket. A quick snap of its lens, and he pushed it back into his pocket.

  Edward came back into the room. “Say, how did you know my sister?”

  Ricky had worried someone would ask him that, and he already had a plan in place. “I didn’t.”

  Edward’s eyes narrowed. “Then,” he snapped, his voice booming. “What business do you have here?”

  “I, um, haven’t been to church in years and felt the need to come here today. I guess my timing wasn’t all that good though. Sorry, mister.” He slipped past him and out the door, his heart pounding.

  Merrick had never met Edward and had no idea how big the guy was. He hoped he was done with the whole family, now that the only lead left to Sally and Elle was gone.

  Ricky looked back over his shoulder at the church. Edward loomed in front of its opened door, appearing large and ominous. Just get the proof to Merrick and get back to your life, he thought. He gave the perplexed man a slight wave and hoped he’d ne
ver see him again.

  Seventeen

  ‘Til Death Do We Part

  Sally fidgeted as she sat near the window. “When will she be here?” She had asked that question so many times that Elle almost wished they hadn’t told her that her birthmother would arrive sometime that day. She smiled. No. This was so worth it—to see the gleeful apprehension on little Sally’s face.

  Suddenly, Sally shot up and slapped her hands against the windowsill. “She’s here!” She jumped up and down and clapped her hands together. No one could’ve stopped her from racing to the door, and neither did they try, but eagerly followed Sally through the door.

  Nancy appeared to struggle opening up the door fast enough. They were fully prepared to see her, but Elle imagined that it was quite a different reunion for Nancy, who had until recently, believed they were all dead. Once out of the car, Nancy fell to her knees, and Sally nearly toppled her over in her exuberance.

  Elle lingered at the door. It was the way it should be—mother and daughter reunited.

  “Mommy,” Sally yelled, gesturing wildly to Elle. “Mommy, come see Mother.”

  Elle grinned, always happy to be included in that part of Sally’s and Nancy’s lives. She joined them in their warm hug. She looped her arm through Nancy’s and led her to the door where Sam, Karen and Todd waited.

  Nancy’s eyes widened when she saw Sam. “Oh, my. I thought . . . I heard . . .” Realization struck her. “You’re alive,” she breathed out softly, as if in a trance.

  Sudden tears rimmed Nancy’s eyes, and Elle understood why. Sam had been the one to rescue her from Merrick’s underground prison.

  Nancy looked awestruck. “This is what it’ll be like when they see us again . . . amazement beyond description.”

  “Yep. I had a little of that myself,” Sam said, embracing Nancy.

  “I’ll bet you did,” Nancy said, pulling Sally near.

  Elle gestured toward Karen and Todd standing at the door. “These are our friends—”

  Nancy drew in a breath. “Oh, yes! The FBI told me all about them.” She gave them a wave. Sally took her hand and led her to the cottage door.

  Karen cleared her throat. “I’ve, uh, we’ve heard so much about you.”

  Nancy took her hands. “What you’ve been through, is horrendous—and I’m just grateful that you were there for each other.” She glanced at Todd and smiled.

  Inside the cottage, Nancy took a look around. “It’s lovely, and the gardens—” She parted the curtains and looked out at the veranda, alive with spring blossoms set in large, clay pots. Past the porch, the yard stretched out deep and wide, edged with trees, sloping down a long, gentle hill. At the base of the hill, green pastures laced together, dotting the countryside like a patchwork quilt in varying shades of green.

  Nancy looked back over her shoulder. “No neighbors?”

  Sam shook his head. “Not for miles. Todd and Karen’s place is about two miles down the street across from us.”

  Nancy drew in a long breath. “It’s perfect.” She pointed far away. “And you have a castle.” Past the meadows and trees, another hill ascended in the distance. Atop that hill, a quaint castle rose to the sky, the setting sun casting shimmering rays of light against its stone walls.

  Sally puffed up. “Yep. Our very own castle.”

  Nancy reached inside her purse. “Oh. That reminds me. I’ve kept these,” she said softly. “And now I can return them to their rightful owner.” She pulled two fairies out of her purse.

  She must have gotten them from Grammie Gwen, thought Elle. The thought of Grammie saddened her, but Sally’s excitement quickly wiped that away.

  “My fairies! My fairies!” Sally pulled them near, but then she frowned. “I wish I hadn’t lost my other one.”

  Karen knelt down beside her. “You lost the blue fairy?”

  Sally sighed. “Yes. Back at that bad cabin, when we were running away from the fire.”

  Nancy’s smile faded. “Oh. Oh, dear,” she said. “Well, we’ll have to buy you another one.”

  Sally threw her arms around Nancy’s neck. “Thanks, Mother.” She grabbed her hand. “C’mon, let’s go.”

  Karen patted Sally on the head. “She just got here, Sweetheart.” But Sally was not to be stopped, and finally they all left to look for another fairy, hopefully, just like the one she’d lost.

  Though they left the cottage together, Sam and Todd bowed out of the fairy-hunt, saying they had man-shopping to do.

  Elle didn’t mind, in fact, she welcomed the girl-time with Nancy, Karen, and Sally, but when the boys didn’t return until the evening, she was a little perturbed.

  It was going on 7:00 pm, when their car pulled into the drive and Sam and Todd got out. Sally ran up to them and jumped into Sam’s arms. “Look!” She thrust her new fairy toward him. He swung her around and then sat her down, a mischievous look on his face. He was so easy to read. Elle smirked. “Okay, Sam, what’s up?”

  He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Todd grinned from ear-to-ear.

  Karen put her hands on her hips. “Where have you two been?”

  Todd glanced over at Sam. “Should we tell them?”

  Karen grimaced. “Uh, yeah.”

  Sam shook his head. “Nah, I think we should show them.” Sam took Sally by the hand. “Bring your fairy, she’s going to like this.” He looked over at Nancy, who was reading a book on the couch. “You have to come, too.”

  They didn’t go very far, and soon, Elle knew where they were headed—the castle. She had to admit that taking Sally with her new fairy to a castle was a sweet surprise. They’d been in Ireland for several months, and had only seen it from a distance, as it was an occupied castle passed down through an old family line.

  Elle looked up at the castle’s glistening towers. “Oh, it’s so beautiful.”

  Sally grabbed Sam’s hand and pulled him forward. “I love it! It’s a real fairy castle.”

  Elle grinned. “All castles are.” Still, she felt a little uncomfortable, like they were trespassing. The castle wasn’t open to tourism. A prominent family lived there. The little she knew about the elderly couple that lived there, was that they didn’t have any children, which seemed terribly sad to Elle.

  Most of the cottages in the village were owned by the couple. They had an agreeable reputation as being warm and kind. That’s why it didn’t surprise Elle when the owners met them in the driveway. What did surprise her was that they seemed to be expecting them.

  The woman extended her hand. “Hello. I’m Mimi, and this is my husband, Jacques. We welcome you to our home.” Her eyes fell upon Sally, and she bent down. “You must be Sally.”

  Elle was miffed. How did Mimi know Sally’s name?

  Mimi touched the fairy’s wings. “She’s beautiful.” She gestured toward the large double doors. “Won’t you please come in? I try to welcome all of my tenants into the castle, when they first arrive.”

  Elle’s shoulders relaxed. Mimi would obviously know who lived in her cottages.

  Jacques’ eyes twinkled. “Let me show you around.” He walked from room to room, explaining some of the elaborate architecture. “Mimi grew up here,” he said, in a thick French accent.

  Mimi smiled. “Yes. I think it is a lovely place.” She swept her arm out and gestured for them to follow her into a small, but quaint study with plush chairs and a large fireplace with a roaring fire.

  It was full of freshly cut flowers. It took Elle’s breath away. “It’s so beautiful.” She glanced over at Sam, who was whispering to Todd. He gave her a lopsided grin. She turned back to Mimi, who had stepped to the door and was speaking softly to a man who had just arrived. The man looked over at her.

  She moved to Sam’s side and touched him on the arm. “What’s going on?”

  “That all depends on you.” His jovial face sobered and he dropped to one knee. In a like manner, Todd took Karen’s hand and knelt down, too.

  Elle’s eyes widened. “Oh, my.”
She already wore his engagement ring, so this couldn’t have been a proposal. From the corner of her eye, she saw Todd slip a ring on Karen’s finger.

  Still, she couldn’t fathom why here, in the castle of a complete stranger, these boys were acting so intimately. Until the man stood in front of them, and opened a Bible.

  Somewhat informally, the man shuffled through some papers. “Yes, everything seems to be in order here.” He looked from Sam to Todd. “You may proceed.”

  Her eyes were drawn back to Sam. “Will you marry me, for real this time, right now, this very moment?” His deep blue eyes locked onto hers.

  Todd gestured toward Sam while gazing at Karen. “What he said.”

  “Uh!” She slapped him on the shoulder, and Todd laughed.

  He cleared his throat, “Uh-hum, will you marry me, Karen, today, right now, in this totally awesome castle?” He grinned.

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Yes. Oh, yes!”

  But, Elle waited. A jumble of emotions ran through her. She’d wanted to marry him for so long, but without her family near, it brought a deep pang of sorrow. Sam looked confused. She sighed. “Sam Hancock,” she whispered, so only he could hear. “I love you. There’s no one in the world I want to be with more than you . . . of course, I’ll marry you.”

  He studied her eyes. “Then, why the sadness?”

  “You have to ask?”

  He weaved his fingers through her hair and looked into her eyes. “I can’t give you everything, Elle, but I can give you this.” He patted his chest over his heart.

  His eyes never looked so blue, the tiny green streaks, so vibrant. His expression, full of love and sincerity, melted all of her anxiety. She placed her hand over his. She loved everything about him, but especially, his heart—the part of him that cared so deeply and chose so rightly. “Well then, Sam Hancock, the answer is yes . . . yes, I will marry you, but, under one condition.” She had thought long and hard about this.