"Why didn't we take him out E?"
"Patience my friend, besides it would take the both of us to deal with that man!" Eraldo's quick short reply, "and while we are dealing with him, she would have the opportunity to run again. No - we wait until the time is right, and then we act. Besides the old man doesn't arrive for another week; there is still plenty of time."
As they rode up to the Chateau, Patrick met them, at the stables to put the horses away.
"I'll see you up there, they are waiting for you." Patrick said
Alannah and Dominic walked past her vegetable garden, noticing how well the vegetables were growing. Alannah took a deep breath as she approached the back door of the Chateau, Dominic at her side, holding fast to her hand. She turned her head to look at him and smiled, then she turned her attention to the back door once more. Just as she turned her attention back to the door and begna to reach for the dooknob - the door opened. There stood the Señora Beringer holding a lantern above the level of her eyes. Maria and Erik stood behind her framed in the doorway. Yet there was someone else hiding in the darkness, someone that appeared to be taller than even Dominic. As her eyes tried to make out the figure behing them it finallye registered, Erik was here instead of looking for Jakob, then that person must be…
"JAKOB!" she cried out with excitement, and broke out in a run straight for her eldest brother.
"Hiya sis, I have missed you." he said scooping her up in his strong arms.
The two sat for a long time talking and re-acquanting before she remembered that they were not alone. She introduced Jakob to Dominic, she went to introduce Jakob to the others, but Erik told her that he had already made introductions.
"Well now that the family is happily reunited, how was your ride?" Señora Barringer asked, "Do you have some more good news for me?" the Señora said stiffly to Dominic, as though continuing a former discussion.
"Yes, Madre." Dominic said, went to the kitchen and came back with some champagne and 7 glasses on a tray. "Excuse me everyone, may I have your attention please. I am please to announce that Alannah and I have become engaged."
Everyone in the room broke out with congratulations for the two of them. Jakob and Erik were the happiest in the room. Not only were thy finally reunited with their sister, but they would soon gain a brother-in-law.