The door of the pub swung wide. “I told you they would be kissing again.” The wry statement came from Kiernan.
Cheers and whistles from their family and friends greeted them.
With a breathless laugh, she broke the kiss.
Oscar had invited everyone to come back to the pub, closing it to the public. Jenny and Gavin had been busy all the previous day making enough roast and colcannon to feed all the guests, and now the waft of the potato-and-cabbage dish filled the air.
The Guinness was already flowing freely, with Oscar behind the bar counter pouring drinks. With the newspapersmaking the announcement last week that the worst of the cholera epidemic was over, the ban on beer had ended. People had started to return to their homes, and normal life was resuming.
In fact, Bellamy had received a message yesterday from Senator Whitcomb, who’d returned to the city a few days ago, and the senator had asked for the matchmaker to set up a match between Deirdre and Zach Meier. Bellamy had shared a smile with Zaira over the news. He had the feeling his wife would be a great asset to his role as the matchmaker.
With Zaira’s hand securely in his, they entered the pub and accepted the hugs and well-wishes from all the guests. Even though he wanted to be alone with Zaira, he was still grateful to everyone for their support and that so many had come out to celebrate.
Zaira’s family was there, except for Sullivan and Enya who were still in New Orleans and nearing the time when Enya’s baby would be born. Riley, who was still working in positions of leadership in the city, had his arm around Finola and his hand on her gently rounded abdomen.
Kiernan and Alannah were as happy in love as always. Kiernan had made arrangements for a new house to be built out by his brickyard on land he’d purchased. Over the past weeks as the cholera had started to decline, the brickyard had begun to thrive as more St. Louis businesses had gotten back to the work of rebuilding.
Georgie McGuire sat at the bar counter among many other of their closest customers and friends. Jenny and Gavin were busy bringing out platters of food. Seamus was hustling after them, eager to help with everything. Moya, on the other hand, perched on her special stool behind the bar counternext to Oscar and chatted with anyone and everyone who would listen to her.
With no more leads on where their father was, Seamus had stopped talking about trying to find him. The two children were no longer emaciated, frightened waifs but loved being a part of Jenny and Gavin’s family. Even Oscar seemed to have adopted them as his grandchildren and enjoyed their company.
More of the orphans around St. Louis were being placed in homes, thanks to Riley’s committee’s efforts and Bellamy’s connections. Zaira had offered additional suggestions, like screening the homes of interested families, coming up with questions that could better pair children with like-minded families, and providing ways for both children and families to communicate with the committee if things didn’t work out.
They were praying that perhaps this new placement of orphans in homes would offer an alternative to the orphanages that would be more suitable for everyone.
So far it had worked well for Seamus and Moya, and Bellamy hoped the arrangement would last a long time.
“Attention, everyone!” Oscar bellowed from behind the bar counter. “I’ve got an announcement to make, so I do.”
Oscar’s gaze landed upon Bellamy where he was sitting beside Zaira at one of the tables closest to the bar counter. They were surrounded by Zaira’s family, including her two youngest brothers, Madigan and Quinlan.
Oscar’s smile had never been brighter than it had been all day. He’d stopped Bellamy early that morning before they’d left for the cathedral, and he’d shaken Bellamy’s hand and told him that in all his days as a matchmaker, the match with Zaira was the most fitting he’d witnessed.
“I’ve never seen two people more in love than the two of you,” Oscar had said as he’d blinked back tears. “Remember, there’s no luck involved in love. Instead, ’tis what you do day after day that counts, first growing in God’s love yourself and then growing in love toward her. If you do that, you’ll be having a marriage that will never fail.”
Bellamy bent toward Zaira and placed another kiss upon her forehead. She squeezed his hand in return.
“Today is not only the marriage of my son, Bellamy, to the love of his life, but it’s also the day I officially resign as matchmaker and hand over the duties to Bellamy.”
Bellamy nodded at Oscar, knowing the older man had been right all along to require more from Bellamy before being ready to take over the role. He’d thought he knew enough about love and relationships and would be wise enough without experiencing love for himself.
But he’d been wrong. Now, after falling in love with Zaira, he was infinitely more prepared to be the matchmaker and explore all the nuances that came with love and marriage. He’d learned an incredible amount about himself, and in doing so, he would be much more compassionate and empathetic to others.
Oscar pulled something out from a shelf, then began to make his way around the counter. As he rounded the corner, Bellamy got a glimpse of what Oscar was carrying—his big leather matchmaker book.
Bellamy’s heart swelled with the emotion and responsibility of this momentous occasion. At Oscar’s approach, Bellamy pushed back from the table and stood, releasing Zaira’s hand. Even though he wasn’t holding her hand anymore, he could feel her presence, her love, and her encouragement.
Oscar stopped beside him and held out the leather book that had been passed down through generations of matchmakers to record the names of couples and families who’d been blessed to have the matchmaker’s assistance.
Bellamy clasped one end of the book with worn pages.
Oscar seemed to swallow hard, then he grasped Bellamy with his other arm and drew him into a half hug. “I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thank you ... Da.” Although the wordDawas a little rusty coming off Bellamy’s tongue, it felt right.
As they pulled away, the door of the pub swung open, and bright midday light spilled inside. A thin man in ragged clothing with sallow skin and sunken cheeks stood in the opening.
Silence fell over the guests, and all eyes turned to the newcomer.
