ChapterOne
CALEB
Ireland, 1922
“Amen.”
I stood, my head swimming with the euphoric rush of all that came to pass this day. My congregation, perhaps small in number to some, had shown up in droves to welcome me back to the island. This time as their priest.
My eyes landed on the small statue of Christ behind the altar as I made the sign of the cross and turned to walk down the aisle. As I moved along, my hand passed lightly over the age-worn wood of the pews, smooth and cool beneath my palm. Once again, nostalgia slammed into me, memories crowding my mind. These were the same benches I’d sat on as a child, restless and eager to run about with my friends and siblings. Knowing if I set a toe out of line, I’d have to face the wrath of my mam and her wooden spoon. How times had changed.
As I passed through the arched doors, the bell chimed, signaling the top of the hour, and in this case, the sunset. I surveyed the grounds as I took my time, drinking it all in.
The garden was overrun, and the chapel had seen better days. The whitewashed clapboard was dark with mud and rotten in places from neglect. The many stained glass windows hadn’t been washed in years, muting any sunlight that bravely attempted to trickle in.
But the people weren’t to be blamed for the unkempt state of their church. Five years had passed since influenza had ravaged our island, taking many, my family included, not even sparing our pastor. There hadn’t been a new one to care for this place since. The few surviving priests had been needed in the bigger cities where the parishioners were plentiful. This was the first time there’d been enough new clergy to meet the demands of the people. Which is why I was here now. It’d be my honor to restore this holy sanctuary to its once pristine glory.
I tilted my head back as the bell rang out with its final peal, my gaze traveling to the iron cross standing on the top of the steeple that my father had crafted over a decade ago.
It was good to be home.
Surveying the garden, I bent to pull a few of the weeds I could see in the dying light of day, already forming a plan to clean this up and help it thrive.
“Oh, Father Gallagher, you shouldn’t be lowering yourself to dig in the dirt. Not after such a beautiful service today.” Maureen O’Shanahan bustled her way down the stairs after locking the church doors. “I can arrange for a few of my children to come tend the garden in the morning. Lord knows they need something to keep their hands busy.”
I smiled at the woman who’d already made herself invaluable to me. “Thank you, Maureen, but I’m perfectly capable of pulling weeds. After all, this is my home as much as it is yours. There’s no job too low for one of God’s servants. We are tasked with caring for all of His creations.”
She beamed at me. “Look at you. Your mam would be so proud to know her eldest took after her. What a scandal that was. The would-be nun and the carpenter.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke of years-old gossip, but the light in her eyes dimmed as she turned to the small cottage on the hillside. “They were a beautiful pair. God rest their souls.”
My heart sank as I followed her gaze. The windows of my family home, the one I’d helped my father build, were dark and cold now instead of filled with the glow of life and happiness. “This plague took so many and spared so few. We must do our best to be worthy in their absence.”
Her lower lip trembled as she took in a ragged breath. “When I think of your wee brothers and sisters...”
I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, forcing myself not to relive the moment I came out of my influenza-induced fever dreams and realized my whole family had died. “Let us not dwell on the past, but look to the future we are building.”
She sniffled loudly. “Yes. You’re right, of course.” Pulling a handkerchief from her bag, she dabbed her eyes and then blew her nose. “We’re blessed to have you.”
“And I you.”
Her sunny smile returned at that. “Well, I’ll leave you to your settling, and I’ll be back in the morning for confession.” She batted her teary eyes at me. “Five years is a long time to go without. I hope you’re ready, Father Gallagher. The people will be lined up around the church waiting to unburden themselves.”
“I can’t wait.”
She snickered, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Tell me, Father. Is the listening as exciting as I imagine it would be?”
I pretended to lock my lips, unable to keep the smile off my face.
“Good man, you are.”
“Goodnight, Maureen.”
She walked away, leaving me with the looming figure of the church as my only companion. I wasn’t ready to end my day yet. It didn’t seem possible to finally have something I’d worked for be real. Not after everything had been taken from me. But God had His plan, and I was His humble servant. I had to follow where He led.
Pulling the heavy keys from my pocket, I returned to the church doors, wanting one final moment of quiet reflection before supper. I wasn’t without options, thanks to my parishioners and their many generous offerings. If the housewives of this island were any indication, I’d be well-fed, and gluttony would be my first sin.
I walked silently, my footsteps barely more than a whisper over the weathered floorboards as I lit a few candles to cast the interior in a soft glow. When I reached the pulpit, I moved to stand behind it, glancing down at the notes from my earlier homily with amusement. What a pretentious arse I could be.
The creak of the door opening had me glancing up, a smile on my face. “Forget something, Maureen?”