Page 81 of Megan's Mate
“She’ll have the photograph.”
“Aunt Colleen.” Overcome, Coco reached for her hankie. “Really, you mustn’t.”
“You’ll take it as a wedding gift, and be grateful.”
“I am grateful. I don’t know what to say.”
“See that you clean that tarnish off the frame.” Bracing her weight on the cane, Colleen rose and turned to Megan. “You look pleased with yourself.”
Megan’s heart was too full for pretense. “I am.”
For a moment, Colleen’s damp eyes twinkled back. “You should be. You’re a bright girl, Megan. And a resourceful one. You remind me of myself, a very long time ago.” Gently she picked up the pearls, letting the glowing strands run through her bent fingers.
“Here.” Megan stepped toward her. “Let me help you put them on.”
Colleen shook her head. “Pearls need youth. They’re for you.”
Stunned, Megan dropped her hands again. “No, you can’t give them away like that. Bianca meant them for you.”
“She meant them to be passed on.”
“Within the family. They... they should go to Coco, or—”
“They go where I say they go,” Colleen said imperiously.
“It isn’t right.” Megan searched the room for help but found only satisfied smiles.
“It seems perfectly right to me,” Suzanna murmured. “Amanda?”
Amanda touched a hand to the watch she’d pinned to her lapel. “Completely.”
“Lovely.” Coco wept into her hankie. “Just lovely.”
“Fits like a glove,” C.C. agreed, and glanced at Lilah.
“Destined.” She tilted her face up to Max. “Only a fool fights destiny.”
“Then we’re agreed?” Suzanna took a quick survey and received nods from the men. “The vote’s in.”
“Ha!” Though she was enormously proud, Colleen scowled. “As if I needed approval to dispose of what’s mine. Take them.” She thrust them into Megan’s hands. “Go upstairs and clean yourself up. You look like a chimney sweep. I want to see you wearing them when you come down.”
“Aunt Colleen...”
“No blubbering. Do as you’re told.”
“Come on.” Suzanna took Megan’s arm to lead her from the room. “I’ll give you a hand.”
Satisfied, Colleen sat again, thumped her cane. “Well, where’s my drink?”
Later, when the waning moon had tipped over the edge of the sea, Megan walked with Nathaniel to the cliffs. The breeze whispered secrets in the grass and teased the wildflowers.
She wore blue, a simple summer dress with a full skirt that swirled in the wind. The pearls, glowing like small, perfect moons, circled her throat.
“You’ve had quite a day, Megan.”
“My head’s still spinning. She gave it all away, Nathaniel. I can’t understand how she could give away all the things that mattered so much.”
“She’s a hell of a woman. It takes a special one to recognize magic.”
