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they made their descent into Syracuse airport, “but thank God the prayers worked, and we’re all in one piece.”
    It was a grateful threesome indeed – in more ways than one – who threw their arms around Bruce and Jean after the plane touched down.

    Chapter 5

    Lake Savannah

    Aisling had never seen such luxury. She had no idea that her Aunt Jean was so wealthy. If the truth be told, all three had expected a nice, modern American house – but nothing of the grandeur they now found themselves in the midst of. The photographs Jean had sent over the years had not done justice to the house and beautifully cared-for grounds.
    “I didn’t realise that Bruce had such a big job,” Maggie whispered in a shocked tone to Aisling, as they followed her young-looking sister and tall, dark husband into the high, wooden house – the likes of which they had only ever seen in magazines or the films. “I could never have imagined my own sister – who I slept in the same bed with – owning a place like this.”
    “Make yourselves completely at home,” Jean told them in an accent that was a mix of Irish and American. “I’ll give you a quick guided tour, then you’ll know where everything is.” Then, she quickly bustled them from one beautifully furnished room to another, and then guided them upstairs to view the bedrooms and second bathroom.
    Maggie followed behind the nimble, neat-figured Jean and Aisling, and in front of Declan. She could feel her face bur ning and her head whirling, and couldn’t decide whether it was the unaccustomed heat or the exertion of rushing up two flights of stairs. On the other hand, she reflected, as she gratefully reached the top landing, it could have been the effects of the cocktail she had downed on arrival. Maggie wasn’t at all used to drinking, and if she hadn’t felt so flustered and overwhelmed by the house, she would have refused it. Instead, she had nervously downed the fancy sweet cocktail as though she were drinking lemonade – in two quick gulps.
    When they arrived back downstairs, Jean called in to Bruce: “Honey? Is the kettle boiled yet?”
    “It sure is,” the fit-looking, tanned Bruce confirmed, with a clap of his hands. “Now, Maggie – how many spoonfuls of that special Irish tea do I put in the teapot?”
    Maggie beamed at the mention of tea, and then suddenly rushed towards the kitchen. “I’ll gladly make it, Bruce,” she offered, “and if I know Jean, she’ll be desperate waiting to have a cup herself. You can’t beat a decent cup of Irish tea. Oh, the stuff they tried to pass for tea on that plane! How they get away with it is beyond me.”
    Aisling looked over and caught Jean’s eye. Then they both started laughing.
    “I hate to tell her,” Jean whispered guiltily, “but I much prefer coffee these days.”
    “I wouldn’t worry about that,” Declan laughed. “Maggie can drink enough tea for two easily.”
    A few minutes later, Maggie and Bruce appeared with cups of tea and plates of dainty sandwiches and cakes.
    “After we’ve eaten,” Bruce said, “we’ll take you on a tour of the garden, and down towards the lake.” He gestured to the big, picture window behind them, from where they could see countless tall pine trees towering over trees of every size and colour.
    “If the garden is as big as the house,” Maggie said, “you might never see me again if I go out on my own!” She shook her head and took another glorious sip of her tea.
    “Oh, after you get your first day over, you’ll find your way around just like you do back home,” Jean told her, putting her arm around her sister and giving her stiff little body a hug.
    “Don’t be surprised if you wake up in the morning, and find me sleeping in the bath!” Maggie said with a roar of laughter, the effects of the cocktail still on her.
    “After the long journey you’ve made to come visit me, honey,” Jean quipped, “you can sleep between Bruce and me for all I