THE INHERITANCE - part twenty-four

THE INHERITANCE – part twenty-four ………

Welcome home

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Kate carefully stacked her great-grandmother’s dishes on a spare shelf in her pantry when Mo, her best friend spoke with a suggestion.

“Kate, it’s not quite five yet. Take a ride with me, if you don’t mind. I know a shop on the edge of town I think you’ll like.”

“Sure, why not! We can’t do more here anyway. Mo abhaile is as clean as it’s going to be for today. What did you have in mind?”

“It’s a craftsman shop. I think I know just what you need and I’m sure you’ll agree.”

Kate looked at the boxes and trunks that once belonged to her great-grandmother and knew she’d never have enough daylight left to go through them all. She picked up her purse and said, “Okay, mo chara, let’s go”

Outside the door, she said politely, “Mo abhaile, please lock the door.”

And she heard the lock click closed.

**

“Kate, the little shop is called Teaghlach Crafts. It means Family Crafts. Kieran Rowan is the owner and master craftsman. His son, Neal and daughter, Mary, along with their spouses run the shop. Neal seems to have inherited his da’s knack for artistry. Well, you’ll see in a few minutes. We’re almost there.”

The shop was located on a large corner that housed not just the store but also a somewhat large building that Kate assumed was a workshop. Mo parked her car and as she and Kate opened the shop’s door, a little overhead bell jingled.

“Coming, love. Be right there,” came a voice from a room behind the counter.

As the young woman came from behind a colorful curtain, Kate realized she might be the daughter. Her eyes were a bright green, her hair a flaming red, and her face had a splash of freckles across her nose.

“Ah, good day to you, oh! Mo! What a pleasant surprise! Haven’t seen you in a dog’s age. What brings you to Teaghlach?”

“Mary, this is our newest Aughacasla resident.”

“Oh, so you’re Kathleen’s great granddaughter. Don’t mind the town knowin’ that you’re here. It’s a small town and word travels fast.” She walked around the counter and gave Kate’s cheek a quick kiss. “Welcome to Aughacasla. Can I get you a cuppa tea, then?”

Mo replied, “You know, Mary, that would be delightful. We’re here to browse and possibly buy a buffet/hutch, if you have one that’s finished.”

“Kate, should I be so bold to assume it’s for Kathleen’s cottage?”

Kate laughed, “Yes, you definitely assumed correctly.”

Mary smiled and said, “I’ll go put the kettle to boil. Please browse while I get my da. I know he’ll be as fit as a fiddle if he doesn’t get to meet you.”

Kate spotted a small round wall plaque immediately. “Mo, look at this. I absolutely love it. But, what does it say?”

“Oh, Kate, it’s perfect! It means “a hundred thousand welcomes!”

“Wow. I know I’ll never meet that many people but the way I’ve been welcomed here in Aughacasla, I feel as though I’ve been welcomed a hundred thousand times. I feel like it’s calling my name.”

Kate picked up the small round plaque and noticed the intricate design. It almost looked like it was woven with many Irish love knots. The outer circle was Kelly green, and the inner circle was cream colored with a large shamrock in its center. Around the shamrock was Cead mile failte – a hundred thousand welcomes.

For a reason Kate couldn’t explain, she placed the plaque on her heart and hugged it as she walked back to the counter. She felt her little cross warm and jump, as if jumping with happiness.

Mary walked back to the shop with a tray holding three cups of tea and a plate of scones. As she placed the tray on the counter, she heard the back door slam. “Oh bejasus! He’ll be the death of me yet.” She called out, “Da, how many times do I need to ask you to not slam the door?”

He all but ran inside the shop, took one look at Kate and said, “Oh, my God! Kate. I need to show you something.” He grabbed her hand and led her to another room where he kept things that he usually wouldn’t sell. These items were kept for sentiment or special clients. He pulled an old sheet off what appeared to be a photo stand and Kate gasped.

“Oh, my god, it’s me! It is really me!”

Mary and Mo followed them, and it was Mary who spoke, “No, love. That’s Kathleen. That portrait was painted when she was, I’m thinkin’ about twenty-four, maybe twenty-five. Her husband Daniel wanted it and after he passed on, Kathleen asked us to hold it. Said, that when the time came, we’d know who should inherit it. Guess that person would be you.”

As the shock started to wear off, Kate asked, “I would love to have it. Although my grandmother left it here in trust, I feel it only fair that I pay for it.”

“Heaven’s no!” Kieran almost shouted. “Oh, by the way, I’m Kieran and you’ve met my daughter, Mary. Daniel ordered the painting from my grandfather and paid him in full at the time. You don’t owe us anything.”

He noticed tears were swimming in Kate’s eyes. “Aw, Katie, my stor, I didn’t mean to upset you but, well, I only met Kathleen once or twice when I was a young lad. From what my grand da told me, she had the gift of sight and knew her heir would come along, one day. And well, here you are!”

Mo put a comforting arm around Kate’s shoulder and to brighten Kate’s emotions, said, “Kieran, I brought Kate here because she’s in need of a buffet/hutch. Do you have any we can look at?”

Kieran smiled. “I’ve just the thing. Been working on this for years, wanting to get it just right. I finished it last night. Good thing, too. It’ll go perfect in your new home.”