Page 14 of Hold a Candle

JAMIE WALKED BRISKLYup the flagstone path at Neamh. It was incredibly beautiful in the highlands this time of year. The mountains were draped in their wondrous autumn colors, and the setting sun splashed its rays of red, yellow, and orange across them, giving them a fiery glow.

Bo and Misty, Darro’s blue healers, raced out to meet him and escort him to the front door of the picturesque home. Laughing, he ruffled the fur on the back of their necks as he quickly jogged up the broad steps and across the deck.

“Down now,” he ordered the dogs as he rapped on the door and then turned the handle to see if it was open. “Hello!” he called out as he stuck his head inside.

Lucerne came around the door of the kitchen and motioned him to come on down the broad, open hallway. “Hi, Dad. Come in, ye are just in time for supper. Have ye eaten?” she asked as he took off his jacket sweater and hung it up in the entry closet on the right.

“Not yet. I was hoping I could catch whatever ye have on the menu fer tonight, honey,” he replied, greeting her with a quick hug.

Lucerne laughed and pulled him into the warm kitchen. “There’s always room fer one more, ye know that.”

“Hello, Jamie,” Darro lifted his hand and greeted him from the table. “We just sat down, ye are always welcome.”

“Sit by me, Grandpa,” Corey squealed in excitement, patting the bench beside him.

“Or ye can sit by me, Grandpa,” Delilah added, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. She was the elder of two. Corey was seven and Delilah was nine, and she was the undisputed boss of the two of them. Darro’s brother and his wife had been killed in a car accident several years ago and Darro had taken custody of his niece and nephew.

Jamie walked over to his twoacquired-through-marriagegrandchildren, and leaned down to give them both a hug. “Hello, ye rascals. How about I sit between ye?” he asked fondly, putting his hand between them and having them each scoot sideways so he could sit down. The table could easily hold 12 people. Lucerne gave him a place setting.

“What brings ye up here, Jamie?” Angus asked from across the table where his wife, Poppy, greeted him with a smile.

“The same thing that used to bring ye to Darro’s table before ye married Poppy,” Jamie teased with a smile at Lucerne. “A good meal that I don’t have to cook myself, and a little bit of business afterwards.”

“Ye are right about that, Jamie,” Darro agreed, taking the basket of the delicious smelling yeasty baps Lucerne was passing around. “I’m sure Poppy can’t keep his belly full with the amount of food he eats, so I have to help her out now and then.” He winked at Poppy who snickered.

Angus snorted and grabbed two baps from the basket. “My appetite may be legendary, but so is the amount of work I get done. Ye can’t have it both ways, ye know. If yer goin’ to work me to death, I need to eat.”

Darro hooted. “Legendary? The amount of biccies and coffee ye go through in the office is what’s legendary. It’s a wonder Thistle doesn’t refuse to carry ye after a meal.”

The children started giggling at the look on Angus’s face and the room dissolved into laughter and chatter as they all tucked into the delicious haggis with neeps and tatties that Lucerne had prepared.

Jamie was happy that Darro didn’t have the same rough edges that his father had. The senior Darro MacCandish, also known as Whipcord, had been a tough man. A man who didn’t suffer fools gladly. His son was cut from the same cloth, but with more mercy. Knowing that his only child had found a worthy life partner who would protect and care for her after he was gone made Jamie feel secure in the future.

And he had a grandson coming by Christmas.

He smiled at Lucerne, his heart swelling with pride. He was a blessed man to be a part of such a growing, loving family.

Jamie’s father was in a nursing home now, his mind not what it used to be. He’d never remarried after Jamie’s mother had passed away. Amanda MacNamara had been plagued with ill health and a weak heart a good part of her short life. She’d been gone for more than ten years now; her heart had failed her in her sleep. Darnell MacNamara senior hadn’t been the same since.

His older brother, Darnell Junior, was already living on the farm with his family and had settled on more cattle than sheep to make a living, which was fine either way as far as Jamie was concerned. Being a farmer hadn’t been his first choice.

His younger sister, Joy, was married with three bairns, and living in Ireland with her family. With Jamie’s career choice having him out of the country for months at a time, they hadn’t been what you would call a close family. Still, he loved them all and they tried to get together at least once a year. Usually during the summer when it was easier to travel for all concerned. They’d put it off this year due to his father’s weakened condition. The basket bashed against his arm by Corey brought him out of his thoughts.

“Another bap, Grandpa?” the youngster asked.

He smiled down. “Aye, lad. I need one more to soak up the last of this delicious gravy. Thank ye fer asking.” He took the basket and passed it along to Delilah, who passed it on down.

“What’s this business ye wanted to discuss, Dad?” Lucerne asked as she took her plate to the sink and began clearing things off the table.

Jamie looked meaningfully at the kids. “Something I need to discuss with ye and Darro,” he replied, swishing his bap around the plate to get the last drop. “That was a delicious meal, daughter, thank ye.” He popped the last of his bap in his mouth and leaned back to pat his stomach.

Poppy stood up and picked up her plate. “Do ye need us to leave, Jamie?”

Jamie shook his head. “Nay, of course not. It will concern Angus as well.”

“Now ye have got me curious.” Angus grabbed his plate too and scrambled up from the table.

Darro stood up. “Well, let’s get things cleared and have some fresh tea while we talk then.”

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