Hearts in Sorrow

Hearts in Sorrow by Deidre Dalton is the prequel to the Collective Obsessions Saga.

Long before emigrating to America to settle the town of Larkin, Maine, John Larkin falls for the hauntingly beautiful Maeve O'Quinn in his native Ireland. Although frail, she returns the love of the future Larkin patriarch in full measure as she envisions a rosy life with him, little knowing that fate has other plans for them.

From Chapter Six

July 1855

Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland

    ANNE WAS NERVOUS as she and Dary made their way to Castletownbere a week later. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she was seated next to her father in the wagon instead of being relegated to the flatbed behind them.

     She chewed her bottom lip as they grew closer to Castletownbere. It was the end of June, and a rare, sunny day. She felt odd sitting next to her father, dressed with care in a blue gingham dress. Memories of Maeve in the same place not so long ago crossed Anne's mind. Two weeks had almost erased her presence, although she was fully aware John might feel differently about it.

     Dary had told her about his talk with John a fortnight ago, which set her nerves on tenterhooks. Depending on what John had decided, Anne would either return home to Bantry with her father, or become betrothed to a man she secretly loved but who had originally been meant for her sister.

     Dary glanced over at his daughter as they continued their trek, taking in her dispassionate expression. He had not seen her cry – not even once – since Maeve's death. She appeared strangely calm on the surface, which came as no surprise to him as he knew Anne's ways more than she realized. She had always been able to tuck away her true feelings as she displayed a strong front.

      "How are you faring, Annie?" Dary finally asked her.

     She glanced at him. "I'm well, father. Why do you ask?"

     He stared at her. "Your sister just died, Annie, and you might become the wife of John O'Larkin shortly. Your world must feel topsy-turvy at the moment."

     "Not so much," she replied faintly.

     "Sorry?"

     "I miss Maeve," Anne responded flatly. "But I'm not going to sit around weeping all day. Life does go on, whether we want it to or not. We cannot mourn forever."

     Dary felt anger rise in him. "There are two hearts in sorrow because of Maeve's death," he told her hotly. "But apparently yours isn't one of them."

     She shrugged. "Think what you will. We all mourn in our own different ways."

     "You showed more emotion when our old burro died last year," he accused her with belligerence.

     "Not true," she returned stubbornly.

     Dary waved his hand in the air. "I'm done with this conversation," he ground out.

     "You and me both," came her cool response.

     JOHN WAS WEEDING his vegetable garden when they came upon the O'Larkin cottage. He waved at them and came forward, wiping his hands on his thighs. Anne noted his clinging brown trousers and white shirt, and the healthy glow of his skin. He looked much better than he had two weeks ago, although there was still an air of unmistakable sadness about him.

     He helped her down from the wagon. "Anne," he acknowledged her in a polite tone.

     "John," she replied stiffly.

     Dary dropped to the ground from the wagon, rubbing his hands together. "Greetings, John. How are you coping?"

     "A bit better than the last time you saw me," John admitted. He gestured to the cottage. "Let's go inside and have tea."

     John readied the tea with a plate of soda biscuits. The threesome enjoyed the light repast, talking about happenings in their respective villages. Dary informed John that he had finally heard from his sister, Aoife, and her husband, Daniel McCarthy. "Their letter told me they've travelled to Boston, where Danny was able to start a new pub in the Charlestown district."

     John seemed pleased. "Good for them. It's lucky, they are."

     After a brief lull, John rose from the table. "Anne, would you care to take a walk with me?"

     "Of course." She stood up and took his arm.

     Dary could barely contain his glee as the couple left the cottage. Had John taken his advice, after all?

     John and Anne walked to the edge of the property, which was a sloping hill that overlooked the sea waters of Castletownbere Harbour.

     He turned to face her. "Are you aware of your father's wishes regarding us?"

     She nodded, watching his face.

     "I've thought about what he said, and it makes sense. I have to move on. Do you think you can be happy here in Castletownbere? Happy with me?"

     She wanted to give him an enthusiastic answer immediately, but held herself in check for several long seconds. "Castletownbere is a beautiful place," she said slowly. "And you are a pleasant man."

     "Is that a yes?"

     She swallowed. "Can I ask you a question? Will you answer me truthfully?"

     He looked at her, his face sombre. "I'll do my best."

     Anne licked her lips anxiously. "I know you will never love anyone as much as you loved my sister, but do you think in time you could come to care for me?"

     "I care for you now," he responded easily. "Yet, you're right. The love I felt for Maeve was once in a lifetime, never to be forgotten but impossible to repeat with another. I'm sure we can build deep affection in time as we go about our lives. That's all I can offer you - aside from my name and my home - for the time being." He gazed out to sea. "Will it be enough for you?"

     Anne felt a twinge in her heart. He had not hesitated to confirm his love for Maeve, yet it did not seem to matter so much anymore. "Maeve is dead and I'm alive," she thought. "I'll have his name, but she never will. That has to count for something in the long of it." She touched his arm. "It will be enough for me," she murmured.

     He turned to her. "There will be no banns, and no church wedding. I'm sorry if it disappoints you, but I will never trust God again. He took Maeve, despite my prayers to the contrary. I will not step foot inside another church again, until it's time for my own funeral." He sighed. "Do you mind marrying here, in my cottage?"

     Anne felt a stab of annoyance. Damn Maeve for ruining what could have been the natural course of events. "I will marry you anytime," she said firmly. "Anywhere."

     "Are you certain?"

     "Aye."

     He cocked his head slightly. "There won't be any going back once the deed is done."

     "I understand."

     "What if one day I decide to go to America?" He pressed.

     "Then I will be by your side."

     John offered his arm to her again. "Let us inform Dary."

     "I'm sure he's chomping at the bit by now."

     "Without a doubt," John managed a smile, giving her a brief glance before guiding them back inside the cottage.