Chapter 3
The following morning the family had gathered at the dining room for breakfast everyone but Meghan that is. She sat alone at the kitchen table as she had always done when she was there. As Mark made his way down the stairs, he noticed Meghan was not at the table. He saw Edward and approached him. “Edward?”
The old man smiled, “Miss Meghan is having breakfast in the kitchen if you’d care to join her, I will get you dish presently.”
Mark smiled at him, “yes, thank you I’ll just go in and join her if it’s alright.”
“Oh it’s quite alright doctor Gentry.”
Mark looked at him, “It’s just Mark, Edward, no need to stand on formalities with me.”
The old man smiled, “Very good sir……Mark.”
Mark headed for the kitchen where he sees Meghan sitting at the table eating her breakfast. He pulls up a chair across from her, “mind if I join you?”
“Not at all. Help yourself I’ll get you a plate.”
She gets up to go to the cupboard when he stops her, “Sit, I’ll get the dish. Aren’t you in the wrong room, I mean everyone is in the main dining room.”
She looks up at him, “That’s for family as I told you, I wasn’t part of the family.”
He come back to the table and sits down as Meghan places the food on his pate. “No matter what any of you say, you are a Mitchem. And may I add the prettiest one of them all.”
He leans over and kisses her cheek.
“Mark!”
“Is there something wrong with me showing affection to you?”
She looks at him, “No, it’s just anyone might walk in and ….”
He takes her hand in his,” And what? Meghan Mitchem, I made the mistake of letting you walk out of my life a long time ago, I will not let it happen again.”
Just then Sarah walks into the kitchen, “Oh, I’m sorry I was looking for Edward.”
Meghan looked at her, “I think he’s in the cellar pantry.”
Sarah looks at Mark, “Dr. Gentry wouldn’t you rather have breakfast in the dining room?”
“Thank you Sarah but I find in here fine.”
Sarah looks at Meghan then back to Mark, “well you are always welcomed to join us.” With that she heads out of the kitchen.
Mark looks at Meghan, “Oh seems Sarah has her feathers ruffled a bit.”
“Mark, perhaps you should….”
“I should leave someone I love very much and sit with ….”
She looks at him, “you love me?”
He smiles at her, “Megs, I told you I have been in love with you since that first Thanksgiving you spent at our home. I couldn’t believe this fifteen year old girl had captured my heart. Here I thought after all this time I had finally found someone who….”
She puts her hand on his lips, “I never forgot that thanksgiving, how you were so kind to me. I thought he must have something else to do. Why would he spend all this time with me. Then when you came to the graduation and the gift….”
He sees she moves her hand to the locket. “You still wear it.”
“I never take it off …I …”
He looks at her,” I’m glad, it means I’ve always been with you.”
He holds out his hand,” come on let’s go for walk.”
“A walk?”
He moves her chair away from the table, “just outside around the property. You’d be surprised how large it is.”
She places her hand in his and they proceed to head out the back door. Following the pathway, they head away from the house and toward the mass section of trees that surrounded the property. As a child Meghan would spend most her time there. It was here the shy child found a host of friends in the animals that made this “special place” their home. As they passed beyond the pathway and into the forest Meghan began to feel she was once again home. Away from the house that held only sad memories she felt only warmth and love here.
She looked at Mark,’’ I love this place, why when I was a young girl, I would spend hours in here. She walks over to a mass of dried leaves and branches. “This was the tree house Edward made for me. I would sit in here and pretend that all this was mine and no one could ever take it from me.”
He looked in her eyes and saw the glow of a little girl who wanted so desperately to belong, yet they wouldn’t let her in. He knew he had to make sure she would never feel alone again.
She smiled at him, “What’s wrong, did I say something wrong?”
He took her hand in his, “No, you could never do or say anything wrong as far as I’m concerned. I have been captivated by you since I first saw you.” They sat down on the grass, “tell me my queen what is your request on this beautiful day. Your wish is my command.”
She smiles at him, “my wish….” She stoops and looks into his eyes, “my wish is to make this moment last a lifetime.”
He gently kissed her hand, “my lady I will make this, and many other moments last our lifetime.” He leans over and kisses her.
“Mark?” He looks at her.
“This is not a dream is it?”
“Not unless we’re both dreaming it and if so, I hope it lasts forever.”
Meanwhile later that morning Sarah gets off the phone from speaking with her mother’s attorney. “Well, it’s legal Meghan is entitled to her father’s share of the inheritance.”
Katherine look at her, “how can that be mother you said grandmother had her father removed from the will when grandfather died! It’s not fair, she comes into our lives and take everything. She doesn’t even deserve it and she even want to take my doctor Gentry!”
With that Katherine leaves the room and runs up the stairs. John looks at his sister, “what was all that about?”
“Oh, you know how Katherine gets, she has this crazy idea that mother’s doctor has an interest in Meghan.”
John looks at her, “I wouldn’t be too sure he doesn’t. I’ve seen the way he looks at her and did you notice that both are not here?”
Sarah looks at her brother, “now John you’re just being silly, what could Mark Gentry find interesting in Meghan?”
He looks at his sister she really didn’t know. In fact, he doubted any of them knew, “Sarah, have you ever heard of Roisin Thomas?”
“Of course, I have but what does she have to do with my niece? ”
He shook his head, “she my dear sister she is Meghan.”
Sarah looked at him in shock, “Meghan is the author Roisin Thomas, but how, when, …”
John began to laugh, “Sarah looks at the name, she uses is her parents’ names as her name for writing.”
Sarah sits in the nearby chair, “but…”
John stops her, “Sarah, you have to admit you and mother as well as the rest of us never wanted her around. Why mother sent her away just so she never had to see her. Well, I for one am happy she turned out so well.”
Sarah looked at him,” well if she has done so well why is she here?”
“Because my dear sister she is the sole heir of her father’s estate and our dear father made sure mother could never take that from her. But…”
He turned and left the room. He had some nerve she wasn’t done with him. Sarah seemed to forget that John was not interested in the inheritance he had done well with his own branch of the family’s businesses he could afford to be generous to not care about the main inheritance. But Sarah was not as fortunate she had a shaky marriage where her husband left her for his secretary after he emptied their joint account and took off. She was left penniless and had to rely on her mother to support her and Katherine all these years. Her only hope was having the home be left to her and Katherine. The years had made Sarah bitter, bitter over her failed marriages and the being alone in her life.
Her only way out of this was to make Katherine marry a well to do man. It was no secret that she didn’t like the girl and would rather she never be told about her grandmother’s death. How could this little no body come in and take what she had worked so hard for, took care of a nasty old woman who reminded her everyday she was too weak to hold on to a man and now she had to support her and her worthless daughter.
The day had seemed to fly by before Meghan and Mark knew it was lunchtime. Mark looked down at his watch, “I knew we were having a good time we’ve spent the whole morning just enjoying this private world of yours.” She looked at him, “do we have to go back?” He leans over and kisses her cheek,” I’m afraid so love.”
She slowly gets up and dusts of her clothes, Mark could see that she wasn’t happy about it.
“I’ve got an idea, let’s go out for dinner tonight. Any place you want I’ll take you to the fanciest restaurant or a simple dinner it’s your choice.”
She smiled and his and touched his cheek, “you are sweet Mark, but it’s not necessary.”
“Damn it Megs, it is necessary I want spend having dinner with you not to hide in some kitchen. I want to enjoy being with you every moment of the day.”
He took her hand and gently squeezed it, “you still don’t see it do you? Meghan Mitchem, I love you. What do I have to do to prove it to you?” He takes her into his arms, “I will hold you like this forever and I will if that’s what it takes to make you see how much I love you.”
“Mark, you’re holding me so tight I can’t breathe.”
“If you promise not to run, I’ll let you go.”
“Run, why would I run, everything I want is right here holding me.” He gently kisses her as she places her arms around his neck and draws him closer for a more passionate kiss. Mark would have let this tender moment continue but they really should be getting back to the house. But he still had tonight after dinner.
As they made their way back into the house Edward was at the back door. He seemed interested in having her get in the house. “Miss Meghan, Miss Sarah has been waiting for you all morning and is not in good mood. I suggest you and doctor might find it easier to go out for ride, I’ve taken the liberty of making lunch for the two of you.”
She smiles and kisses the old man’s cheek, “thank you Edward.” she took the basket and both her and Mark headed toward the front of the house and toward Mark’s car. He opened the car door and placed the basket in the back and helped her in the car. Within minutes they were out of the driveway and off to a nice secluded spot where they could enjoy a quite lunch and each other’s company.
Meanwhile back at the house once again Sarah and Katherine sit alone at the dining room table. Katherine looks at her mother, “well it seems you handled that matter well mother as you can see the doctor is out with my cousin not me.”
Sarah slams her fork on the table, “I have had just about enough of you and the rest of you. I have tried to be decent but you, your uncles even your cousins never once offered to help with that woman. She was mean and cruel and at the end she was actually vicious. There were times she would come after me with the kitchen knife.”
“Oh, mother let’s not get so dramatic, grandmother never went after you with a kitchen knife. Why I doubt she knew what a kitchen knife was. She never was near the kitchen.”
Sarah looks at her daughter. “How would you know, you never spent any time with her except for breakfast? You were out of the house all day and most of the night|”
“Well, I did have school and ….”
“It’s and I’m speaking of.”
Their conversation was cut off when John Mitchem walked in the room. He smiles to his niece then his sister, “after noon ladies.” The look on his sister’s face tells him he had just come in on one of those mother daughter confrontations.
He sits at the table as Sarah pours him a cup of coffee. “Well brother John what brings you here at this time?”
He looks at his sister, “well for one reason Sarah I have some sad news for you, with mother’s passing it seems your monthly check will be a bit smaller.”
“Smaller? What do you mean, I can barely make it on what I get now?”
“I’m sorry but with mother’s passing there will be a decrease in the monthly income.”|
Katherine looks at her uncle,” well that’s a fine mess, I was counting on getting a new car and oh well….”
Her uncle looked at her, “I think you should be thinking on finding a job. You’re quite old enough to start contributing to the expenses of the house.”
She looks at her uncle, “Uncle John, how can you say that, why would send your daughter out to work?”
He looked at her, “I’ll have you know that my Lucy has been working for the past three years at the congressmen’s office in the next town. She has her own apartment and is doing very nicely for herself.”
Katherine just looked down at her dish. Sarah looked to her brother, “John you know it’s hard for Katherine to find a job right now after all it’s not…”
“Come off it, Sarah, you know as well as I do the both of you have been living on mother’s money for years and never thought that would end.”
It was Katherine who found her voice again, “what a cruel thing to say Uncle John. It’s hurtful after all mother took care of grandmother all this time and now you all are ready to just throw us out in the cold?”
“It’s summer Katherine and no one is throwing either of you out in the cold.”
He looks at Sarah, “she’s as dramatic as you.”
Down the road just outside of town Mark finds a lovely secluded spot near a stream. He parks the car grabs the basket and takes Meghan’s hand. “Shall we go and have lunch me lady”
Excepting his hand, she gets out of the car, “thank you my lord.”
They make they’re from the road and down a small hill toward the stream. It’s there, Mark unfolds the blanket and place the basket on it and once again takes Meghan’s hand. “My lady luncheon is ready.”
She sits down beside him and proceeds to take out the food, which of course consisted of fried chicken, potato salad, biscuits and of course plenty of Edward’s famous chocolate cake. She hands a dish to Mark, “you think I’m that hungry?”
“Well, I’ve seen you eat doctor, and this is just the first plate.”
“Just make sure I get a piece of that cake it does look good.”
She looked at him, “oh it is, don’t worry I’ll make sure you get a piece.” He looks at her still can’t believing that after all this time he found her again.
Meghan smiles at him, “I thought you were hungry?”
“I am, but …”
“But what?”
“I’d rather look at you. I know I’m beginning to sound like I’m repeating myself, but I thought I never would see you again and now that I’m here with you I want to enjoy looking at you each and every moment. Do you have any idea what it’s like to love someone and never see them?”
She had to admit she knew what it was like but in order for her to make it on her own she had to leave everything and everyone behind. Leaving Mark and Anna was the hardest.
He gently took her face in his hand, “Megs, I don’t ever want to lose you.” He draws her near him and kisses her as he does.
She puts her arms around him, “Mark, I don’t want to lose you either. I’ve been a fool I should have stayed and….”
He holds her tightly, “that’s all behind us now, we have a whole new life together ahead of us.”
In was sometime later when Mark and Meghan returned back. She had to admit it was wonderful day and she began to look forward to diner. As they drove up, they noticed quite a few cars in the driveway. Meghan noticed the two cars being her uncle’s but, the third one she had no clue. Inside the house in the living room, Sarah, her two brothers and the other two gentlemen were seated. As they walked in the house Sarah looked up.
“Oh Dr. Gentry, this is Brad Roberts mother’s attorney and Arthur Williams the family accountant, gentlemen Dr. Gentry was mother’s physician.
It was Mark who spoke up now, “gentlemen this is Miss Meghan Mitchem granddaughter to Lucille Mitchem.”
It was Brad Roberts who approached her, “I’m so happy to finally meet you Mis Mitchem perhaps after we are done here. I can speak with you on another matter regarding your father’s inheritance.”
She looked at him, “my father’s inheritance?”
The old man smiles at her and pats her hand, “we’ll talk about this in a bit my dear.” Sarah decides to get the proceedings started.
“If everyone is ready, I believe we can start the reading of the will.” The group sat down on the assorted chairs as Brad Roberts opened his briefcase and drew out the document.
He looks at the individuals in the room mainly at Sarah and her brothers, “as you know your mother made no changes to the will after your father had passed on therefore the will is as it stands. Is that agreeable with all of you?”
Their heads nodded in agreement. Satisfied he continues, “I Adam Mitchem being of sound mind and body declare this to be my last will and testament. Since I presume my wife is still living, I hereby also state she cannot remove or contest any stipulations I have placed in this document. First to my wife Lucille, she has the home and all in it as long as she lives. To my son John, he has done well with the family business by expanding, I bequeath to him the entire business. To my son Ryan your seat at the stock exchange is secured, you have done well and the Mitchem name will be as in the past a vital part of the exchange. To my daughter Sarah assuming you are still living at home I bequeath the smaller house on the property to you. It is sufficient to your needs and you will be able to meet the expenses and up keep.
At that Sarah reacts, “he leaves me the gardener’s cabin! Does anyone know how small it is? I could never fit my furniture in ….and what about Katherine’s things?” Roberts looks at her he knew this was not going to be take well but he had warned Sarah at the beginning of the week there were a few stipulations in the will and she also knew she would not be happy with the next.
Roberts looks at Meghan and continues, “to my granddaughter Meghan Colleen Mitchem only child of my son Thomas I leave the family home when my wife passes where she can do with it as she pleases. To my faithful butler Edward and his wife Martha I leave the sum of $400,000. for their years of service to the Mitchem family”.
Sarah jumps up from her chair, “she gets the house? After all I’ve done, this nobody just comes out of nowhere and takes my home. Tell me Mr. Roberts what else does this niece had handed to her?”
Roberts looks at the document and then back to Sarah, “it seems she has also inherited her father’s share of a private account your father had set aside for Thomas.”
“A private account, well isn’t that special and how much did dear old dad have set aside for that.”
“Three million dollars that has been collecting interest for the past 30 years.”
Again, Sarah becomes enraged “Three million dollars collecting interest for…” She looks at her brother.
“John, how much is that?”
“Roughly, she has another three million four hundred fifty thousand dollars.”
Sarah looks at her bother, “three million….”
She turns and looks at Meghan, “you bitch, you’re just like your mother who tricked my brother into marriage, and now you’ve come back to take money that is not rightfully yours.”
She got up from the chair, “get out, get out of my eyesight!”
Meghan slowly got up from her chair, but Mark held on to her hand. “You heard me get out!”
This time Mark also got up, “If you’ll excuse us, I believe we are causing some discord here.”
He told Meghan’s arm and they both left the room with Sarah watching their next move. Once out of the room, Sarah looked at Roberts, “I want this will contested. Do I make myself clear?”
Roberts looked at her, “I will do it for you Sarah but I warn you your father took ever legal precaution to make sure his wishes for Meghan could not and would not be denied”
“I’ve never heard of such nonsense. A will that can’t be contested, I will contest it and I want the paperwork started immediately!”
Outside on the back patio Meghan tries to compose herself as she looks at Mark. “I never wanted any of this Mark! I never wanted to come back, but Edward sent me the telegram telling me I was to be here I almost didn’t come.”
He was still holding her hand. “I’m glad you came.”
She manages to give him a smile as he gently squeezes her hand and continues, “I would be still searching for that love I lost.”
Just then Katherine walks out the door and sees them. “Well, isn’t this cozy. Not only does she get everything she even gets the doctor too. I must say cousin you do work fast!”
Meghan looks at her, “what do you mean? I knew nothing about what was in the will, I was merely asked to attend the reading.”
Katherine looks at her, “and the good doctor here?”
This time Mark stepped in, “I knew Megs years ago when she was a roommate of my sister, we dated for a while then lost contact I was surprised and delighted to see her here. I also fail to see where to see any of this is any of your concern.”
Katherine looks at him, “and you say you’re just delighted?”
Mark takes Meghan’s hand and looks back at Katherine, “well we haven’t gotten into other things, but I can safely state I am very interest in Megs. I have been for a long time.”
Katherine looks at her then back to Mark before she walks back inside. Meghan looks at him, “do you think that was a smart thing to do?”
“What? I was only saying the truth, I am very interested in you and have plan to continue being interested .”
“But Mark….”
He looks at her, “you’re going to realize Megs that I plan to marry you.”
“Marry me!
“Don’t look so shocked, I told you a long time ago one day a man would catch your eye what I didn’t tell me you was I planned to be that man.”
Brad looks with interest, “and that is?”
He puts his arm around her waist and pulls her closer, “I plan to marry her.”
A smile comes to the old man’s face. “I am so happy for you; I knew your father Miss Mitchem and also you mother, they were so in love, but this family never gave them a chance. I was so glad Adam added you to the will, he thought of you often. but Lucille was a stubborn woman.”
Mark smiled at him, “well you needn’t worry Brad, I plan on taking care of her for a long time.”
The old man smiles at them and extends his hand to Mark, “congratulations to both of you, by the way, I’d like to speak with you, possibly in my office tomorrow?”
“Yes, that will be fine Mr. Roberts.”
A smile comes to her face. It was something in Mark’s voice that made her feel that everything was going to be alright. All through the ride into town she wondered if she was doing the right thing. After all she never wanted anything but to be accepted as one of them, they chose to deny her that, and no amount of money is going to make up for that. He looked across and saw a tear rolling down Meghan’s cheek.
“Hey, Megs, you don’t have to do this. If it’s the money don’t worry, we’ll have enough to live on. I make a decent living. In case you’ve forgotten I’m a doctor.”
She took his hand and held it close to her heart, “It’s not the money, Mark I should have told you. You see after I left Willard well, I wandered around at a few jobs, none seemed to make me happy then one day I sat down and wrote a simple story. It was nothing special, but it kept growing and growing until it was a complete novel. It took another three years before anyone would even look at it and then well .”
He looked at her, “well what, it got printed?”
“Mark have you ever heard of Roisin Thomas?”
“She’s the author who has been on the best seller list every time one of her books comes out.”
He looks at her, “don’t tell me you’re her?”
She smiles, “I’m afraid so. I hope you’re not upset with me”
He pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped, turning to her he takes both her hands in his. “Megs, I want to understand I could never be upset with you. I’m so damn proud of you. You do know I love you and nothing and I mean nothing will ever change that.”
She looked deep into his blue eyes, in that moment nothing mattered he loved her and would always love her.
They arrived at Brad Roberts’ office a while later and Meghan explained what she had planned to do and if he could handle the matter. Since he was her grandfather’s attorney and was familiar with the matter.
Brad looks at her, “I frankly am at a loss Miss Mitchem, your grandfather wanted to make sure you were taken care of.”
She looked at him, “I understand Mr. Robert’s, but you must understand I really don’t the house or the money.”
It was then that Mark spoke up, “Mr. Roberts could it be worked out that Sarah gets the house to live in for her lifetime where you will collect rent from her for its up keep and the trust fund will be put to use in another way.”
Brad Roberts looks at Mark, “In what way Dr. Gentry?”
Mark looked at Meghan then back to Brad, “Well I have noticed the hospital is in need of a few essential items and well with Meghan’s permission donate some of the fund to the hospital in honor of her parents, Thomas and Roisin Mitchem and possibly have a scholarship fund set up for the students of families who can’t afford to send their children to college?”
Brad looks at Meghan, “Would you not want something for yourself Miss Mitchem?”
Meghan takes Mark’s hand in hers, “Mr. Roberts I have everything I want right here.”
Mark leans over and kisses her cheek. Brad Roberts was happy to see his friend’s daughter had grown up and was happy. He felt it better he does not tell Meghan he knew her father. Truth of the matter he was a witness for Tom and Roisin’s wedding. Tom knew the family would be against it but he hoped they would understand and see what a great girl Roisin was. Sadly, they never did either her or Meghan a chance.
Brad got up from his chair, “Well, I will see what I can do. Of course, I will have to speak with Sarah and her brothers on this and get back to you in a few days. You’ll be the house correct”
Meghan nodded then looked at Mark, “I’ll be there also Brad not to worry.”
Brad smiles at him and extends his hand to Meghan, “I can see you’re in good hands I’ll see you in a few days.”
She smiles at Brad, “Thank you for your help Mr. Roberts.”
“Please call me Brad no need to be so formal.”
With that they both head for the door. “By the way if you two would a bite to eat my I suggest Morgan’s it’s a lovely place and the food is quite good.”
Mark nodded. “thanks.”
It was later that evening when they arrived back at the house. Only the hall light was on it seemed everyone had gone to bed. Mark parks the car and looks at Meghan, “well looks like everyone is asleep.”
“Looks that way. Well shall we go in?”
Mark takes her hand, “don’t I get a good night kiss?”
She moves closer and puts her arms around his neck, “how can I resist a man with such temptation in those blue eyes?”
“Oh, is that what they are?”
“To me they are and will always be.” He gently kisses her.
As they make their way to the front steps the porch light goes on and Katherine comes out, “enjoying the night air?”
Mark looked at her, “why yes, Megs and I were enjoying the calm night.”
Katherine clearly shows her anger at their happiness. “Oh, I suppose it’s the standard line all doctors give a girl.”
“Well, I’m not sure if it’s the standard line but I enjoy walking in the day or night with Megs and plan to make it a permanent part of our lives.”
“Permanent?”
“Yes, I plan on making Megs my wife.” The color of Katherine’s face turned white as she walked back in the house and of course slammed the door.
Mark looks at Meghan, “do you think she will not be at the wedding?”
She gave him a light punch to his arm. “What was that for?”
“I would have liked to tell them all in the morning now I’m sure Katherine will have a whole new story to spread.”
Mark grabs her waist, “who cares what she says I know the real story and I’m still going to marry you.”
“Oh? Do you also have the names of the children picked out?”
He looked at her, “go ahead and laugh about it but you’re not getting away from me.”
Meghan squeezed his hand, “and what makes you think I want to get away from you?”
Suddenly the door opens, and Sarah comes on the porch and looks at them, “Oh, I heard the door slam and thought something was wrong.”
“I believe it was Katherine who slammed the door, Sarah.”
She seemed upset over something I said. She looked at Mark, “something you said? ”
Mark smiled and looked at Sarah and out his arm around Meghan’s waist, “yes well you see I told her that I planned to marry Megs.”
Sarah’s face showed no reaction, but Meghan knew she was not happy with what he said. “I see, I suppose you plan on marrying soon.”
Mark looks at her, “well actually we hadn’t discussed that yet, but it will be before the end of the year.”
Sarah looks at Meghan, “well it seems you managed to get everything doesn’t it?”
Meghan looked at her, “It’s not what you think Aunt Sarah, I don’t want anything from grandfather’s will. I spoke to Mr. Roberts earlier today and told him I want to give you and Katherine the house.”
“And the trust fund?”
This time Mark answered, “We decided to give some of it to the hospital in honor of Megs mother and father and the rest to go into a scholarship fund for students whose parents cannot afford to send them to college or a trade school.”
“You are going to waste my father’s money on total strangers?”
Meghan looks at her. “It was my money to use how I seen fit. Mr. Roberts is drawing up the documents and they should be ready in a few days.”
Sarah looks at her then Mark, “and the good doctor here?”
Mark answers her, “I not part of the will but yes I go with Megs.”
She looks at him, “I see, well I suppose there’s nothing else to clarify.” She steps aside as Mark and Meghan walk inside and head for their rooms.
Meghan tried to sleep but the look on her aunt’s face kept coming before her eyes. There was the look of evil in her eyes and there was this feeling that she will do all in her power to prevent Mark form marring her. Each time she closed her eyes Sarah’s face would appear, the last time she actually thought Sarah would kill her with the knife she was holding in her hand.
Meghan screamed and Mark came running into the room. Taking her in his arms he tried to calm her down, “it’s alright Megs, you just had a bad dream.”
She sobs and looks up at him, “she had a knife, she was going to kill me Mark. I can’t stay here!”
He looks down at her, “alright where shall we go? You name the place and we’re gone. We’ll leave right now. I’ll protect you with my life my lady.”
He saw a smiled come to her face and he leans down and kisses her cheek, “That’s my Megs, but I mean it I will protect you with my life if need be.”
She smiles and snuggles closer in his arms, “I would not want you to do that.”
“Why not?”
“Well my life and world would have no meaning without you. I don’t want to live without you Mark.”
He leans down and kisses her forehead, “nor I without you my lady.”
As the hours passed by, they remained in each other’s arms and watched the sunrise.
It was Katherine who noticed Mark’s bedroom door was opened. As she looked in, she noticed the bed also had not been slept in.
It was Sarah who next came from her room and noticed her daughter. “Katherine, what on earth…”
She turns to her, “mother, the door was open, and his bed was not slept in.’’
Sarah rushes to check, “well, it’s easy to assume where he spent the night.”
She leaves the room and wanders down the hall to Meghan’s bedroom and opens the door too find no one is there. She looks at her daughter and head down the stairs.
In the kitchen Mark is busy making breakfast for the both of them. Meghan sits near the stove watching Mark totally intrigued that he can actually cook. “You never told me you knew how to cook?”
“You never asked me, I mean that holiday I spent at your folks…”
“Yeah, well you see that was at my folks and mom had a struct rule it was her kitchen, and no one cooks but her.”
Meghan nods, “I understand Martha was like that only every now and then Edward let me help.”
He smiled at her, “so he let you help?” He hands her the bowl of eggs, “well come on let’s see you scramble those eggs Megs.”
Just then Sarah walks in the room followed by her daughter. She walks up to both of them, “well what have we here? After spending the night together, you decided to have breakfast. Am I correct?”
Meghan looks at her, “what are you talking about?”
Sarah looks at her, “oh come now Meghan let’s not play the innocent one with me. I must say you doctor Gentry surprised me.”
Mark looks at her, “I have no idea what you are implying.”
It was Katherine who spoke, “I suppose you are going to deny you were in her room all night?”
“I don’t deny I was in her room but not all night I heard her screaming and went to her room. She was having a bad dream. It was early this morning, so I stayed with her until I decided to come down and make breakfast for us.”
She looked at him, “oh come on, you stayed in her room and nothing happened?”
Meghan looked at her, “What are you implying Katherine?”
“Nothing just it seems odd that two healthy adults can stay in the same room and nothing happened?”
Mark stepped between them, “Katherine I think that’s enough.”
She looks at him, “Oh sure protect your sweet little Megs as you call her.”
It was Meghan who moved Mark away, “what he calls me is no concern of yours and as for protecting me I assure you I need no protection from you my dear cousin, I never needed anything from any of you.”
She looked at Mark, “I’m sorry Mark but I’ve seemed to have lost my appetite.”
With that she turns and leaves the room. Mark looks at Sarah and Katherine, “I can’t believe you two, Megs has tried her best to do what was right she even gave you the house and you still aren’t satisfied. If you’ll excuse me, I have some packing to do.”
With that he then leaves. Katherine looks at her mother, “well looks like he’ll be leaving.”
Mark makes his way down the hall when he hears the soft sounds of crying from Meghan’s room, he looks in and sees her in tears.
“Megs?”
She gets up and runs to him, “Oh Mark, why are they so hurtful to me?”
He wraps his arms around her holding her tight. “I don’t know Megs, but I promise you they will never hurt you again.” He looks at her, “pack your things we’re getting out of here.”
She looks at him, “out of here, but where?”
“Megs, do you trust me?” She nods her head.
Mark smiles and kisses her cheek, “that’s my girl. Hurry and pack.” He heads out the door then turns one more time to Meghan and smile he sees she’ll getting her bags.
He finds Sarah at his door as he approaches. “Sarah, I’ve decided to leave today along with Meghan.”
“Yes, that’s what I came to talk to you about. Maybe we all were a bit hasty and perhaps we should reconsider …”
“Sarah, there’s nothing to reconsider.”
“But Mark, I wouldn’t want you to leave on bad feelings.”
“The bad feelings are between you and Meghan, but I’m sure after today it will finally end.”
Sarah sees there is no way to change Mark’s mind, so she leaves and heads to Meghan’s room only to find no one there.
Meghan had packed her two bags and headed down the stairs and to the kitchen. She wanted to say goodbye to Edward. Of all the people she didn’t want to leave Edward is the one she would miss the most. “Remember Edward, if you ever chose to leave here you are always welcomed with us. Mark and I would love to have you.”
The old man smiled at her, “Miss Meghan, you are like my own, why my Martha loved you so. She never stopped talking about you and your letters, I was so glad I was able to find you and you came back.”
“I’m so glad I came back if only to see you Edward.” She gives him a hug and then quietly leaves, not seeing the tears in the old man’s eyes.