Our children were married and living elsewhere – one in Cornwall, another in Cumbria. Convenient for holidays, to be sure, but even with frequent ph...ne calls, another reason to be lonely. At least Chris got to see them marry and held our first grandchildren in her arms before her life was cut short and mine was devastated.It would be five years after her death; the little meadow was becoming established (though it would be many years before it was really as it should be). October, and I was. The old Hopi Indian that had sold it to him was loath to sell it, but somehow knew that such a treasure would bind what might not otherwise be caught.Carlotta gasped at the sight of it and stared into his eyes like a bird caught in a trap. "Sir! It is ... too much!" "Place it in the hand of your mistress. Tell her that it pledges my intent." A smile and a blush appeared upon Carlotta's face as she whirled and hurried back to the kitchens.The noises emitted from the kitchen were ... interesting.. " Start on what?" Gwen asked, laughing. "Remember, we already took care of everything earlier today." Oh, right. Well, even more reason to just stay with us." Hm, yea, I could. But I have all my overnight stuff over at Joe's." Well," I began, marveling at how well this was working out, "Why don't I drive you to Joe's, and honey," I said to Ingrid, "can you go ahead and get the guest room straightened out?" It was mostly ready for guests, but some things we normally store in there would have to. ..", Megan giggled. "You do use pennies don't you? Far away in your land of fairies?" In spite of the moment and the tension that hung in the air, Richard actually laughed! "Funny, but you don't look at all like Tinkerbell!", and an uncontrollable fit of giggles overcame her."Well, lass, now that you be askin'", he said in a horrible Irish brogue, "I'll be tellin' ya true, lassie, in the land of the Fey, we have no need fer' yer' mortal coin!" For some reason this sent Megan into howls of.