Until Next Time The Angel Chronicles Book 1 (24 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“Wake up!” Charles shouted, as he shook his best friend’s lifeless body.

Jason’s eyes popped open. “Where is she? Tell me you found her!”

“Who?”

Jason slammed his body into Charles’ shoulder as tears fell from his eyes. He handed the letter to Faith with shaking hands. “Tell me this isn’t true.”

After a moment, Faith fell to her knees and started to cry.

The sound of racing hooves thundered across the orchard. The rider in the lead had a mane of golden hair flying out behind him, but as he came to a stop—it was the horrified look on his face that made Charles’ stomach lurch.

“Charles.”

“Christian.” He nodded back. Charles stared down at the letter in Faith’s hand reading the words as they tore him apart.

“Charles,” Christian said, clearing his throat. “Your parents are dead.”

He bit his lower lip until the blood seeped out. “What happened?”

“I don’t know how to tell you this, Charles.”

“Just say it.”

“I was going to arrest your father today. He’s done…things…some really terrible things. I’m not even sure where to begin.”

“Don’t bother. I’m aware of who my father is…was…” He hung his head. “What happened?”

“When we went to arrest him your house was on fire. It was too late to get anyone out. When we went around to the back porch, there were two people standing there,” Christian said slowly, staring at Jason’s huddled body. “The woman from last night in the red dress was talking to a man. I didn’t recognize him, but I think he may have worked for your father.”

Angela stayed quiet, looking to her brother for help.

“We were going to question them but now…well…”

Charles stood up grabbing the man by his shoulders. “
What
?”

“My men shot them, Charles. I told them to hold their fire, but your father owned at least half of them. Their livelihoods rested with him. I suppose they felt they were avenging his death in some way…I don’t know. They’ll be brought before a judge for their crimes, I can promise you that.”

Charles sneered, “Like he didn’t own the judges, too.” Reaching down, he placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Well…my father wins again. Now no one will ever know. No one will ever hear what he did. He’ll become some kind of martyr for the Irish people to mourn.”

“No,” Jason whispered. He stood up slowly, his body still shaking from the total collapse of his world. “No! They’re all going to know. She deserves that, Charles. If it weren’t for her—for them—
we’d
be the ones burning right now, and you know it. It can’t all be for nothing. I need to make her happy, Charles. I promised her that.”

His best friend nodded. “We’ll tell the world everything we know. We’ll ride through every village, if that’s what it takes.”

Christian backed away from the group and mounted his horse. “Then you should come with me. I need as much ammunition as I can get.” He stared down at Faith. “I’m sorry for your loss, miss. I know how much you loved her.”

“I’ll be back,” Charles announced.

Faith’s voice was like a clap of thunder. “No! You will never disappear on me again. She promised to keep you safe, and she succeeded. And I promised to make you happy, and I intend to keep my side of the deal. Besides, I have some things to say too.”

Jason got on the back of Knight and offered his hand to Angela. “Come on, your brother’s going to start trouble.”

“So am I,” Faith added.

Angela stared up into Jason’s tortured face. “Daniel was too special for this world, you know? He told me…he told me he worked for God. I swear…that’s what he told me.”

Jason pulled her up behind him, and stared at the beautiful marble angel in the distance. “She never told me,” he whispered. “I just knew.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

The trial was short, and the headlines screamed about the pain and suffering inflicted by two of the most influential people in Dublin. Then, just like that, it was over.

Faith stared at her young husband, offering him a contented smile. She was so happy. They’d built a wonderful home on top of the charred remains of the mansion, the fresh foundation burying the lies forever. Charles was adamant that the house they built would be just as big as the one before, but the only parties that would be held would be holiday gatherings full of family and friends. The only yelling would come from children—the excited kind—as they opened their presents or went horseback riding in the backyard.

Today was one of those times. Faith listened to the happy voices coming from downstairs. Charles leaned toward her, kissing her lips.

“Please tell me that the criminals will be quiet this morning so you can enjoy a day off?” Faith whispered.

“They’ll have to wait. Besides, they’ll be just as guilty tomorrow. Today is for my family,” Charles said, happily. “Speaking of which, we better get up and get dressed before I ask you for another present.”

Faith winked. “Anytime, luv…anytime.”

They walked down the red velvet staircase hand-in-hand to the huge tree below. A beautiful little girl sat under the adorned tree, snuggling with Phantom, the black and white cat who’d mysteriously appeared on their doorstep. She was waiting patiently for her father to give the go ahead to rip open the presents.

Faith walked into the adjoining den to find her giggling toddler—the second love of her life—already being tended to.

Martha raised her head in greeting. “Good morning, Faith. I tried to get this little guy to sleep a bit longer, but it seems Christmas is just too exciting to miss.”

“Go and be with the family, Martha. I’ll get this little tyrant ready. Come here you!” she cooed as little Daniel scampered over to pull his mother’s hair.

“You little demon,” she said, hugging him close. “Be nice! It’s Christmas!”

The child giggled as Faith tickled him. He squirmed to get away, wanting to run on his wobbly little feet. Faith laughed as she watched his failed attempts. Sometimes she wished that her son’s eyes were blue like those of his namesake, but they weren’t. He was the carbon copy of her husband. Her friend hadn’t been replaced, but it seemed fitting for his name to remain in their family.

Faith had all she’d ever wanted. Looking up at the ceiling that her husband had lovingly painted with the faces of angels, Faith whispered her gratitude, “My son is keeping me very happy, my friends…very, very happy.”

Young Daniel climbed down off his father’s chair and took her hand, stumbling toward the open door. As they entered the hall, Faith looked over at Charles. He sat among the colorful packages watching his pride and joy open her gifts. Little Elizabeth, with hair the color of a fiery sunset running down her back, sat beside him as a continuing stream of questions poured from her lips. Elizabeth was the apple of her father’s eye. Smart and willful like her mother, yet strong and gentle like her father—she was the best of both of them.

Charles whispered in her ear, and Elizabeth let out a happy scream. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “A pony, Daddy? Yay! Where is it?”

Charles smiled. “He’s out back, but there are a lot of other presents to unwrap first.”

Elizabeth pouted, but reached for another gift as Daniel raced into the room grabbing it out her hands. “Stop! It’s mine!”

He laughed, and raced around the tree, tripping over boxes as he went. “Mine! Mine!” he squealed. Then Anthony came around the corner sweeping him up in his arms.

“What’s all this screaming about?” he asked tickling the little man. Anthony seemed to grow younger every day he spent near the children.

Faith was so happy that Charles had built Martha and Anthony a cottage on the property so they could spend their lives being the absolute best honorary grandparents in the world.

The bell rang and Martha ran to answer it. Her face lit up with joy when she swung open the door. “You’re here!”

Anthony beamed and little Elizabeth ran to the door. “Uncle Jason!” she cried out.

“Merry Christmas, Liz!” He laughed when she threw herself into his arms. “I think I have some things for you,” he said, pulling some heavy bags across the floor.

Faith smiled. “You spoil her rotten.”

“Well…she deserves it…having to put up with a father like him,” Jason remarked, hugging his old friend.

Charles shook his best friend’s hand. “How are those Americans treating you?”

“Strange accents,” Jason said, with a smile. “Otherwise, the cities are fair.”

Angela spoke up from behind Jason, as she lugged yet another bag of presents into the house. She smiled up at her brother. “There’s a lot of crime in America, Barrister. We could use a good man like you.”

“I’ve missed you, Ange. How’s this tyrant treating you?”

She laughed, hugging Charles close. “I can’t complain. Well…maybe I could, but who would listen to the rantings of a pregnant woman?”

“Pregnant!” Faith exclaimed. “Congratulations!”

“Hot damn!” Anthony yelled from across the room. “We’re going to be grandparents again!”

Martha grimaced. “Watch your language, old man!”

“Sorry,” he muttered. He reached out, pulling both Angela and Jason into his arms. “I’m going to be a Poppa. Now this Christmas is truly a celebration!”

***

The blessing was said, Martha’s fabulous feast was eaten, and the new pony was ridden into the early evening hours. The children went to bed, and the warm house played host to a happy gathering of family and friends. Jason’s heart filled with joy as he watched and listened to the wonderful people who made up his life.

They started to gather in the large sitting room waiting for the other guests to arrive. Jason sat down beside his mother. “You can still cook a meal that even a saint would kill for.”

She kissed his cheek and scratched the newly formed stubble growing on his chin. “You look so handsome all grown up.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “Have I told you how proud we are of you?”

“Yes, Mother, you have.” He reached out and placed his hand on hers.

“And are things…all right?”

Jason’s heart skipped a beat. In the past year, it had started to become a bit easier again—trying to survive in a world without Liz. He took a deep breath. “It’s exciting. I love Angela. I want you to know that. And Liz wanted us to be happy.”

“I know.” Martha nodded. “Angela is a lovely girl, and you both have been through so much—you deserve some happiness out of all of this.”

Charles walked into the room, rubbing his large hands over his ever-widening waistline. “Well, my sister seems happy. You must be doing something right.”

Jason smirked. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Faith strolled in behind him standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “What the oaf means is—we’re all very pleased to see the both of you so happy. Although we never forget…” Her voice cracked as she stumbled over her words.

Charles pulled her against his side. “No time for tears, this is a happy occasion. Believe me, they’re celebrating right along with us.”

Jason nodded.

Charles stared at his best friend and his sister. “There’s something to be said for two people, who have lost as much as you have, to find happiness together. It means so much that you were able to turn to each other, and find comfort and solace.”

Faith tried to stop her tears, as Jason stood up and grabbed her hands. “We wait for the time when we’ll get to see them again, but life should be celebrated. She would want that more than anything.”

Faith smiled. “I know…I just…wish.”

“So do I.”

Charles interrupted the exchange, “Our friends and neighbors are starting to arrive. No more of this now. Let’s go and enjoy our Christmas. The time will go by too fast and Jason and Angela will have to leave. So let’s enjoy every minute that we have together.”

Faith went and opened the door to the friends who’d begun to arrive. Now was the time to celebrate life.

Jason looked over at Charles. He had separated himself from everyone for so long in order to stop the pain, but he knew it was finally time to return. He’d run as far as he was going to go. Now he was home. “We’ll talk about finding me a job later, okay?”

Charles’ eyes grew wide. “You mean it?”

He nodded.

“What about America?”

Jason smiled. “Don’t worry, I have a feeling I’ll see it again.”

***

The parties were wonderful and the seasons came and went. The snow fell, the clover bloomed in the sun, and the drastic winds announced the springtime storms. And best of all—their children grew up in freedom, happy and loved.

One day, when the leaves began to fall, Jason found himself on the road leading out of town. He carried with him a bouquet of lavender and a faded red velvet satchel. Using a cane to support his weight, he walked slowly up the hill. Reaching his old friend, he patted her smooth marble hand. Setting his old bones down on the marble slab, Jason placed the flowers beside him.

“Angela passed about a year ago…as you know. Our Beth married and moved to America to start a new life. You know how she loves an adventure. Charles is still mean as ever, and Faith has thrown the very best parties Dublin has ever seen.”

Jason closed his eyes and continued talking. The warm morning mist enveloped him as his angel listened from up above.