Anna sighed. "I thought Charlet would never stop crying. She blames herself still. She simply cannot be convinced Dan did right by pulling her out of the fire instead of Emily."
"I know."
"I miss Emily very much."
Rachel rubbed the back of her neck. "So do I. Did Kevin ever discover how the fire started?"
"Not that I have heard. It is odd the way it started on the roof. Of all the plagues in the world, I fear fire the most. Thank God the lads got it out before it spread and killed many more."
It was a peaceful graveyard, just beyond the meadow, where wildflowers grew abundantly and the wind whistled through the trees. When the sisters moved to look at the place where their mother and her husband were buried, Rachel patted her extended stomach and put her other arm around her big sister. "Perhaps if it is a girl, Connor will name her Catherin and if it is a boy, he will call him Justin."
"That would be very nice. I was surprised Justin died so soon after Mother, but I have heard of such things. He loved her so much; he just did not want to live without her. I wonder if it will be the same with Kevin and me."
"I do not know. Justin had no sons to live for and Kevin does. Besides, you might outlive him."
"I would not like that one bit. I would rather die first and save myself the pain of losing him."
Rachel put an arm around her sister and turned them back toward the Keep. "How very selfish of you. You would leave the rest of us to deal with Kevin after you are gone, and he will be unmanageable for at least a year."
"Will he take another wife, do you think?"
"If I say yes, do you promise to live forever?"
"I would have to, wouldn't I?"
Rachel smiled. "My husband says he would never want another woman, it took him too long to convince me to love him."
They took the long path home so they could enjoy the warm sun and Anna could pick heather blooms. "Where is my husband's second in command? I have not seen him all day."
"Off to see Thomas. There is something in the air, but Connor does not say what."
"You are right, there is something in the air and it has to do with Charlet. Kevin spent a long time with her this morning."
"What could Charlet possibly have to do with anything?"
"I do not know, but when I left, my husband was pacing the floor."