Casteel 04 Gates of Paradise Read Online Free PDF Page B

paper neatly. I wanted to save it, save the ribbon, save every moment and everything associated with this wonderful day. Under the paper was a cream-colored box. I lifted the cover and saw tissue paper. Peeling it back, I gazed down at a bronze picture of a large house, beneath which was inscribed, "Farthinggale Manor, Our Magic Castle, Love, Luke."
I looked up with some confusion and he leaned forward, taking my hands into his as he explained.
"One day I was looking through an old trunk of my mother's in the attic and I came upon this newspaper clipping she had saved. It was from the social pages and it had a write-up of your parents' wedding reception. In the background of this picture of the guests and the party, was a clear view of Farthinggale Manor. I took it to a photographer who isolated the building in the photograph and then had the bronze replica made. That's actually it."
"Oh Luke." I ran my fingers over the embossed metal.
"Just so wherever you are and whatever you do, you'll never forget our fantasy game," he said softly. "And I never will."
"Of course," he said sitting back quickly, aware of how closely our faces were to one another's, "that's the way it was years and years ago. Who knows what it looks like now."
"It's a wonderful gift," I cried, "because it has special meaning for us. Only you would think of something like this, have to keep it hidden from my mother. You know how she gets when we make any references to Farthy."
"Oh, I know. I was going to suggest that myself. I don't have to have any other reasons for her not to like me."
"Oh she likes you, Luke. You should hear how she talks about you. She is very proud of you, really!" I exclaimed.
"Really?"
I saw how important that was to him.
"Yes, really. She never stops talking about your being our class valedictorian. She thinks it's just wonderful how you've overcome obstacles to reach great heights,"
He nodded with understanding.
"Tall mountains may be harder to climb, Annie," he said, "but the view from the top is always worth it. Go for the tall ones. That's been my motto." He stared at me so hard. The mountain between us was just too tall.
"Come on now," I said, gathering the card and wrapping paper with the gift, "It's time for your ride in my new car."
I took his hand and hurried across the lawn to the car. Afterward, I snuck my gift up to my room and put it with my most private and personal things. Drake came to me that night before we went to dinner to ask what Luke had given me. He knew about the way we had exchanged birthday presents since we were twelve. I showed the plaque to him only after he promised not to tell my mother. I didn't show him Luke's card.
"That doesn't look like it," he said when I uncovered the box. "Not the way I remember it."
"But it must be, Drake. He found a picture and took it to the photographer."
"I don't know." He shook his head. "Magic castle. You're still really intrigued with that place, aren't you?"
"Yes, Drake. I can't help but be."
He nodded, his eyes small and thoughtful. I put the gift away and we joined my parents for my birthday dinner. But that night, before I went to sleep, I took it out again and looked at it and wondered if Drake was right to continue to make fun of our fantasy game. Would I ever really find such a magical and wonderful place? I wondered.
One day a few weeks later, I received a letter from Drake. He often wrote to me to describe his college life or give me advice. Even though he could be a tyrant at times and at times cruel to Luke, I missed his wit and humor and big brother--like antics. I looked forward to receiving mail from him and having him call me from time to time. His letters were usually filled with anecdotes about college girls or fraternities and events at Harvard. He told rue about the picture of the championship rowing team in which my uncle Keith, Drake's stepbrother, a man neither of as saw much or heard from, appeared. So I wasn't surprised to receive this letter from