Page 76 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

“It’s not Santa, Mama,” she said with a giggle.

“Are you sure?” She waved as Eoghan came into view. “I heard you have a visitor.”

His wrinkles shifted as he grinned. “Our heron is a gift from the heavens. You know what it means, don’t you?”

She frowned. “No, I don’t actually.”

“Oh, if you could watch it move, it would be as plain as day. Every step is taken with great patience and care, and there’s a certainty about its pace that leaves you in awe. Even me. I’d go crazy taking each step that slowly, but the heron doesn’t seem at all concerned.”

Their eyes met, and in them, she swore she could see the old soul he’d likely always been. “The heron seems very wise.”

“Greta and I thought so, didn’t we?” He tickled her daughter’s side, making her scream with laughter. “Like me, for example. Here I thought I was going on a holiday with my two favorite girls, only to end up meeting with a fine reporter fromLe Mondeand talking about my art and our beautiful center. One never knows what might happen. Isn’t that right?”

She tried to smile, but her heart was too full to sustain it. “Yes, it is.”

“Rather like my son informing me only this week that he’s met his soulmate, a woman who’d already impressed me with her grace, beauty, and determination when we spoke.” He slapped his forehead and uttered a cry. “And her smelling of beautiful oranges, a special symbol to some of us in Caisleán. Have you smelled the scent yet, Sophie?”

So it was asymbol? That strange moment in Bets’ salon came to mind, as well as the actual fragrance she’d smelled when she’d returned to Jamie’s home. Her arms were covered in gooseflesh again. “Bets said Sorcha Fitzgerald used to wear it,” she said carefully, aware that Greta was listening.

He waggled his brows playfully. “She did indeed, and it’s lovely to know she watches out for us in Caisleán. Do you believe people who’ve passed on can look out for others?”

Art and literature were filled with such stories, but she’d never had a personal experience herself. “I find it comforting to think so,” she said truthfully.

“Then be well comforted,” he said with another knowing smile. “All right, I’ll get back to stirring the porridge.”

With a final smile, he patted her daughter on the head and walked away.

“I’m coming, Eoghan,” Greta called. “Don’t let the fairies eat my share!”

Fairies. Herons. Ghosts even? She looked outside to see if a rainbow had appeared. Not yet. But it was early. “If you see a unicorn, Greta, you call me right away.”

Her daughter nodded emphatically. “Gosh, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Tell Jamie I miss him. Okay, I’ve gotta go, Mama. The fairies really love oatmeal.”

She blew her a kiss. “Not as much as I love you.”

“Me too,” her daughter yelled and ran off.

“She’s happy,” Sandrine said when she appeared back on the screen. “If that’s any comfort.”

She swallowed thickly. “It is.”

“Good luck with the press conference tomorrow. I expect Ghislaine has outdone herself like usual.”

“And then some,” she said, cracking her neck. “But you know the pace.”

“You should catch a few hours in your studio if you can.” She tilted her head to the side, studying Sophie. “If only to make something simple. Your heart will feel better.”

She was right. When her eyes alighted on the glass sculpture of flames she’d made the previous week, her heart lifted. “I do need my brain and mouth to rest. I’ve been thinking and talking nonstop.”

“Your voice does sound stretched. Lemon and honey in hot water.A bientôt, ma cherie.”

See you soon.God, she hoped so. She put her hand over her aching heart. “A bientôt.”

When she ended the call, she didn’t give herself a moment to think. She called Ghislaine right away.

“Good morning, Sophie. Isn’t it a beautiful day? I swear, all this sweet Irish air and the endless green hills are better than any spa. Yesterday, Donal had me putting on wellies and walking through sheep pastures. I had no idea how heavenly it could be. Of course, having a new man in one’s life helps too. Butyouknow…”

She could all but hear the wink. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

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