THE INHERITANCE - part twenty eight

To get you started, here is a link to my first episode:

https://vocal.media/fiction/the-inheritance-part-one

Hope you enjoy reading about Kate and her strange life.

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THE INHERITANCE – part twenty-eight ………

Welcome home

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They left the pub and Patti rubbed her stomach. “Oh Kate, I feel like I’ve eaten an entire month’s worth of food. Please don’t tell me you eat like this every day. You’d be as big as a house in no time.”

Kate put her arm around her mother’s waist and laughed. “No, mom, I knew better. I had breakfast here not long after I arrived in Aughacasla and learned immediately to watch what I order at Paddy’s. He loaded your plate with more food probably to give you a good Irish welcome.”

“Kate, before we head back to your cottage, can we walk a bit? After that meal, I feel like I could use some exercise.”

“Oh, absolutely. Most of the shops will have closed for the night but, if I’m not mistaken, the gift shop is still open. It’s about two blocks away.”

Kate opened the door and immediately heard the tinkle of the little overhead bell. “Mom, see what I mean? If Paddy’s had a bell like that, you’d never hear it.”

“Yes, I see exactly what you mean. Oh, Kate, look at this. It’s the most beautiful doormat! Is that made from hemp? And look at the design! It reminds me of the Irish love knots.”

“You’re right on both counts, Miss,” came a voice from the woman neither of them saw walk from the back room.

Katherine O’Leary smiled as she walked towards her customers. “Good evening, to you. I’m Kathy O’Leary and owner of An Siopa Draiochta. Sorry, in English it’s The Magic Shop. Anyone who walks inside, rarely leaves without something they’ve found. Please feel free to browse. While you’re doing that, can I get you a cuppa tea?”

Kate answered, “Thank you so much, but no to the tea. We’ve just come from Paddy’s, and I doubt we could fit a drop of anything in our bellies.”

“Oh, aye, I know that feeling.” She studied Kate’s face. “So, you’d be Kathleen’s great-granddaughter, then. Am I right?”

“Yes, you are, and this is my mom, Patti Sullivan. Wait a minute. O’Leary! Are you any relation to Shevy?”

Kathy smiled. “As a matter of fact. She’s my grandmother. I’ll take it, then you’ve met her?”

“Yes, I have and what a wonderful woman she is.”

“Aye, that she is. Well, ladies, I’ll let you walk around. I’m sure you’re trying to walk off some of Paddy’s supper. Just call out if you need me.”

As Kathy walked in the back room, Patti asked, “Kate, is everyone here this friendly?”

“Oh, mom, you have no idea! It sure is a far cry from New York City.”

“Kate, I never understood why you left the city to live all the way at the tip of Long Island. Don’t you ever miss the hustle and bustle?”

Kate laughed, “Mom, if you mean the rat-race, no. I couldn’t concentrate on my job with all the cacophony around me.”

Patti examined the doormat with its intricate designs and woven shamrocks. “And speaking of work! Are you still on a sabbatical or have you decided to quit on a permanent basis?”

“Mom, I’ve giving myself one more week before I delve back into web design. And that’s where you come in.”

Patti raised her eyebrows. “And just how can I help?”

You can help me set up a small area in mo abhaile that I can use as an office. Once that’s done, I’ll call the electric company and arrange for power.”

“Wait! You have NO power to your home? And what is mo. .. what?”

Kate laughed. “Mo abhaile. It means “my home.” Wait until we get home. You’ll see what I have and what I don’t.”

Before leaving the shop, Patti purchased the doormat as a housewarming gift for her daughter and Kate bought a small, cream-colored vase that seemed perfect for her kitchen table.

As they walked back toward Kate’s car, she heard a familiar voice. “Katie, mo stor! Katie!”

She turned and saw Kieran rushing down the street towards her.

He approached and leaned towards her, gently kissing her cheek. “Oh, my Kieran, if you keep that up, you’ll have the town talking.” As Kate hugged him, she laughed and blushed.

“Katie, mo chailin milis, I think they know me too well. Anyway, mo ghra, I wanted to ask if it’s all right with you, that I bring that portrait out tomorrow.”

“Oh, my, Kieran, I’d forgotten all about it. Yes, please bring it. I know just the wall to hang it on and maybe you could help me with that?”

“Any time, mo stor. And who is this beautiful woman? Should I assume with her good looks that she’s your mam?”

Patti’s hair had once been the same auburn color as Kate’s but now, between age, work and worry, it was laced with several streaks of gray. Her brown eyes were still as soft and light as candy kisses.

“Kieran Rowan, my mom, Patti Sullivan!”

“Mrs. Sullivan, your daughter is a treasure to behold. She’s not been in Aughacasla long but has already captured the hearts of everyone she’s met.”

They talked for a while, then Kieran walked back to the corner where his shop was located.

“Mom, I know you have like a gazillion questions. Let’s go home and see what I can answer.”

As promised, Ryan mounted her plaque on the front door and Kate knew immediately from the smell, that not only did he hang the plaque, but he also put a fresh coat of paint on the door. She’d get a better look in the morning.

The house was almost dark when they walked inside and instinctively, Kate said, “light on” and the lamp on the table illuminated.

Patti stopped short and gasped.

“Mom, there is so much to tell you and so much I’ve learned since I first walked inside Kathleen’s cottage. I know Dad’s diary is going to be a huge help to me but the first thing I can absolutely tell you, without a doubt, is that I inherited Kathleen’s ability. Yes, mom, I’m a witch.”