They took their seats, and Mr. Wong did likewise. Liling began to pour the tea as Mrs. Wong filled the table with several dishes of food.
Once everything was served and Judith was instructed on the use of chopsticks, the meal began. Mr. Wong explained all that was happening to retain their rights to Chinatown, at least all that he knew. Caleb figured he knew more than the older man, but it would have been dishonoring to suggest as much. Instead, Caleb promised any help that he could give and praised Mrs. Wong and Liling on the meal.
“We have plans to expand the warehouse grounds and put in a hospital and school for the poor,” Caleb told them as the meal neared conclusion. “I will have jobs for anyone who cares to come and apply. I want to create a beautiful park area, so I will need gardeners too, and of course there will be other jobs as well.”
“You will hire Chinese?” Mr. Wong asked.
Caleb smiled. “I’ll hire anyone who is willing to give me an honest day’s work.”
The older man smiled. “I have many friends.”
This brought a chuckle from Caleb. “And I will have many jobs.” They all laughed at this.
“And you will all marry?” Mrs. Wong asked.
“Yes. Judith and I, Camri and Patrick, and now Dr. Fisher and Kenzie. We will have a triple wedding.”
Mrs. Wong smiled and nodded. “And when you do this?”
Caleb looked at Judith and realized he had no idea. “Have we set an exact date?”
Judith shook her head. “No. But now that we’ve managed to put most of our troubles in order, I think we should do exactly that.”
“Perhaps this evening we can rally the others and figure it out.” He looked at Mrs. Wong and then at her husband and daughter. “And of course, you are all invited.”
“It’s a very nice house,” Camri said, following Patrick from room to room. It wasn’t all that big, but the craftsmanship was excellent due to Patrick’s father’s skills.
“It pleased my mother,” Patrick admitted. “Ophelia too. They were so happy to live here.” He ran his hand along the fireplace mantel, but he stared off toward the wall, not seeming to even see it. By the set of his jaw, Camri could tell he was deep in contemplation. He had grown melancholy since their arrival, and she wondered if the memories, both good and bad, were a little overwhelming.
She went to him and put her arms around him. “It feels like a very happy home.”
He held her in return but said nothing for a long time. “’Twas once, but I don’t know that it could be again. There are things here I’d just as soon not remember. For sure, I didn’t expect to be thinkin’ this way.”
Camri glanced up and saw his eyes dampen with tears. “Patrick, we don’t have to live here. Just because you’ve been given the house doesn’t mean you have to keep it or live in it. You could lease it out and see how you feel about it later.”
He looked down at her. “But then where would we be livin’?”
“Why, at Solid Rock. The others plan to live there. Why don’t we join them? We could build a little space for ourselves, and you could headquarter your construction company out of the same location. We’re already surrounded by commercial businesses and structures. Your company would fit in quite nicely.”
“Ye’re an odd one, Miss Coulter. Most women would be naggin’ for their own cottage.”
“I would think by now you’d have realized that I’m not like most women.”
He nodded and pulled her close. “Aye. Ye’re not at all like most. Although, I will say ye remind me a good deal of my mother. She never let me da take her for granted.”
“You may always count on me, Patrick, but I would never allow you to take me for granted. Nor would I do that to you. God has given us a precious gift in each other, and I will always remember that.”
He touched her cheek and smiled. “Ye’re a fine lass. My sister knew ye’d be the right one for me, even when I couldn’t see it for meself.”
“I miss Ophelia,” Camri said toward the ceiling. “I knew her such a short time, but it was enough to fill me to overflowing. I’d like to think she’s able to look down from heaven and see how well things have turned out. I know she’d be pleased.”
“Aye. She’d probably be a sight more pleased if we’d get on with sayin’ our vows.”
“Oh really?” Camri pulled back with a grin. “Now who’s anxious to be settin’ the date?” She attempted an Irish brogue. “And after ye kept me waitin’ for so long?”
He laughed and lifted her in his arms. He whirled her in a circle, then plopped her back down. “Come along then, Miss Coulter. Let us go speak to the others and get this marriage arranged. I’m not of a mind to keep ye waitin’ any longer.”
CHAPTER
