Windward Secrets (25 page)

“Up the stairs?” Spence questioned.

David patted Spence on the back. “Oh yes, it’s their tradition to have nightcaps on the roof.”

Spence became seriously concerned. “The roof? Are you kidding? We’ll get blown away and Claire’s not up to it.”

“Oh yes I am,” Claire declared. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. It’s too cold for ‘Ike’ so I’m going to lock him in the kitchen until we come down.”

David looked at Claire. “So, it’s Ike, is it?”

Claire smiled. “What else? Will you help me get him settled in the kitchen?”

Ed and Diane took the lead up the stairs followed by Caroline and Jill. David and Spence took Claire under her arms and with very little effort she hopped up the stairs on her good leg.

“The Confessional” on the roof once again released it’s magic. The snow and wind had stopped. It was quiet, calm, bright from a full moon, and eerily warm for December 31st.

The men walked the perimeter of the roof to make sure it was safe and marveled at the view. Returning to the women gathered at the railing, facing the ocean, they counted down the seconds. “Five, four, three, two, one…Happy New Year!” Their glasses were raised and clinked together. They drank and then threw the glasses toward the ocean.

As the others moved toward the door to the house Claire called out, “David, will you wait with me?”

“Of course, Claire, what do you need?”

Claire motioned for the others to go down the stairs and close the door. Then she took David’s hand. “Just wait.”

Mystified, David did as he was told. He and Claire stood near the door to the house and waited.

“There,” Claire whispered, pointing to the far side of the widow’s walk near the railing.

David turned in the direction she was pointing and squinted his eyes. Shaking his head he whispered in return, “It can’t be.”

“But it is…,” Claire said, quietly watching the tall woman and blond, curly-haired, little girl smiling at them peacefully.

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

- King James Bible “Authorized Version,” Cambridge Edition

About the Author:

After a long and varied business career, Kathleen Andrews Davis turned to writing as a way to leave a legacy for her grandchildren. During her career Mrs. Davis wrote everything from press releases to policy and procedure manuals, and was managing editor of a corporate newspaper. Creative writing was never a consideration until grandchildren became the catalyst to becoming a storyteller. Several short story awards encouraged Mrs. Davis to write Emerson’s Attic, a time-travel series for middle-grade readers. While writing, Smoke and Mirrors, the second in the Emerson’s Attic series, the characters of Windward Secrets invaded her brain and refused to leave. Writing Windward Secrets was like visiting with friends. Davis is currently working on the third Emerson’s Attic and plans to continue with adult fiction as well. Encouraging young people to read is her passion, writing is her joy.

Acknowledgements:

This message is never truer than in an author’s life. Every person we meet has a story, an experience or a trait that influences us, some good and some bad. I have been blessed by both and wish to thank those who have played valuable roles in my journey as an author.

Thank you, to my wonderful husband, Denny, for his encouragement and giving me the space to be me. Thank you to our daughters for being the unique and incredible people they are; Kelly, my rock, whose humor keeps us laughing and who’s always there for me without being asked; and Kristin, who humbles me with her success and has given us the ultimate gift of grandchildren.

Thank you to my selfless friends who never say no when I need input, especially Diane Meling and Sandy Geimer on whom I tested the first draft of Windward Secrets when it was only half written to see if they thought it had merit. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming and gave me the confidence to keep going.

Special thanks to my dad, who never knew how important his common sense and “can do” attitude was to me. He never drew the invisible line that girls weren’t supposed to cross. And to Mom, the extrovert of the family, whose wanderlust and stubborn independence taught me to never limit myself.

This year has brought many new author friends, Chantal Jauvin, Bette Stevens, Kathryn Jones, Deanie Humphreys-Dunne, and Fia Essen, all of whom I thank for sharing their knowledge and experience. Also, a big thank you to Judi Slogoff, my little terrier friend, who never lets me give up.

Special thanks to Carolyn Sparks, my soulmate, who is a constant source of ideas and encouragement. And to her husband, Jack, who puts up with me interrupting his quiet time.

Finally, my gratitude to God, for answering my prayers time and time again, and blessing me with loving family and friends.

Social Media Links:

Website:
www.kathleenandrewsdavis.com

Blog:
http://dollhousesmemoriesandmore.com

Facebook:

Kathleen Andrews Davis:
https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen-Andrews-Davis-323632201162944/timeline/
 

Emerson’s Attic:
https://www.facebook.com/Emersons-Attic-Series-574120916052537/timeline/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/DavKathleen