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And took her mouth with his in the sunlight, in the spring air that smelled of grass and earth and brave blossoms.
The cold, hard air of the Bitter Caves and all they held blew away in the warmth.
“I missed you more than I wanted.” He cupped her face. “This face of yours, I missed seeing it.”
“Good.” She cupped his in turn, pleased to see the green of his eyes clear of grief and guilt.
“And while you’re so happy to see me, I have something to ask you.”
“Well, you can ask as you please, but the answer might not be as you please.”
“I’m aware. First, I saw Marco’s mother. I couldn’t get through, couldn’t make her understand or accept. And I’m not going to tell him.”
“Because it would bring back grief, and lay weight on him.”
“Exactly. I stopped trying because all I was doing was hurting her. After, I went to see my mother, and unburdened myself.”
“All right. How is that done?”
“By forgiving her.”
“That’s wise of you.” He turned and brought a gentle shower of rain down on the young vegetable garden.
“Taking the easy way.”
“This time, so I can hear you out. I’m saying that was wise, and I’m thinking I couldn’t find that much wise in myself.”
“It’s taken the weight away, so in some ways I did it for myself. Then I got this.” She pulled the sweater she wore down her shoulder.
He shook his head, but his lips curved as he trailed a finger over the words. “You will decorate yourself, won’t you? But that’s a good way to do it,Iníon.”
“I thought so. Then we went to Sally’s.”
“Are these stories you’re telling me or an asking?”
“I’m getting to the asking. It’s all connected—I realized that when I saw Sally and Derrick. They’re already planning Marco’s wedding there. Or mostly Sally is.”
She tipped her head. “You should look excellent in tails.”
“I’d look good with a tail?”
“No, tails—it’s a form of men’s dress. Very formal dress. Anyway, I want them to have that, all of them, where Marco’s sister can come, and all our friends from there. Oh, Meabh is wonderful, by the way. I want them to have all that,” she continued. “But I want, very much, for Sally and Derrick to come to Marco’s wedding here. I want themto know, I want to stop lying to them, and to show them Talamh and what I am.”
“Well, all right then.”
Now she stepped back. “Just like that?”
“They can’t pass through the Welcoming Tree if they mean harm, and all I saw in your Sally when we met was love for you, and Marco as well. And a clever, interesting sort of person beyond that.
“Forgave your mother, did you? It’s more than that. By forgiving her, you’ve accepted she bore you, raised you, but she’s not mother to you. You want the one who is to be part of your life. And Marco’s. And this is your life, and his.”
“There’s that nutshell again. Yes, exactly that. When it’s safe, I want them to come here, see the cottage. I want to explain everything to them and bring them over to Talamh and show them. I want them to meet Nan and everyone.”
“All right then,” he repeated.
“All right.” She thought of all the strong arguments she’d prepared. Then just smiled. “I’m going to unpack. Don’t forget the flowers, and the pots.”
“I’ll get to them. You haven’t said any of the New York business, and the meetings and all of it.”
