“I feel real good, Da.” Brodie nodded, his eyes alight.
Laughing, Sean pulled a small, wrapped package from behind the counter. “Come here, lad.” He sat and pulled Brodie onto his lap. “I’ve two gifts tae hand down tae ye, from yer Grandda McCulloch. These are grown-up gifts, no’ tae play with, but tae keep and treasure all yer life.”
Wide-eyed, Brodie focused all his attention on his da. “I’m almost grown, Da. I’mfour. Is that enough?”
“ ’Tis enough tae ken some truths. Mind ye, I was six when my da first gave me the truth-gift, but ye’re a bright lad. I ken ye’ll understand. But just in case, we’ll revisit it every now and then.”
Sean thought of his da’s words, spoken so long ago.
Nae matter what ye do in life, be it good or evil, ye will forever reap what ye sow in thought, action, and deed.
True words indeed. And more prophetic than either of them could have imagined. But Sean wanted his son to understand that truth wi’out the dark shadows of fear and guilt Sean had carried.
He laid his hand on his son’s chest. “Our hearts have magic in ’em, Brodie. No matter their size, they can hold endless amounts of love. And when ye give that love away, even more comes back tae ye.” Sean reached for Kenna’s hand. “And that love will grow and grow until ye’re ready tae burst with the joy of it.”
Brody glanced at both his parents. “I loveye, Da. And Mither, and Grandda Owen. And I’ll love my sister when she comes and if I get a puppy for my birthday, I’ll love it, too.”
Sean laughed. “A puppy, is it?”
“Just a wee one,” Brody suggested, cupping his hands as if holding a small ball. Suddenly his eyes twinkled with mischief and he spread his arms wide. “But I have enough love for a big one, too.”
“I ken ye do.” Sean laughed, his chest swelling with pride and gratitude for this amazing lad. “And here is yer second gift.” He handed the package to Brody and watched him rip into it. “This one comes with some special rules.”
Brodie removed the lid on the small box and gasped. “ ’Tis Grandda’s knife!” Eyes wide, he turned to Sean. “For me?”
“Aye. But ’tis a man’s knife so it comes wi’ a man’s responsibilities. ’Tis no’ a toy and ’tis ne’er tae be used against another soul.”
“Only to protect our family, right, Da? Isnae that what Grandda told ye?”
“Aye. But ’tis the truth gift I wantyetae use tae protect yer family. ’Tis far more powerful than the knife. ’Tis a precious thing tae hold something in yer hands that yer ancestor held in his. But ’tis what ye hold in yer heart that really matters.”
Sean helped Brodie hold the knife until he was ready to put it back in the box. “ ’Tis yers tae keep. But yer mither and I wish tae keep it safe until ye’re a bit older.” He helped Brodie replace the lid and handed the box to Kenna. “ ’Twill be here when ye need it. And someday ye can pass it tae yer son on his birthday.”
Brodie threw his arms around Sean’s neck. “I will, Da. May I go to the bakery and tell Grandda Owen about it?”
“No’ for a peek at the cake?”
Brodie grinned.
Laughing, Sean looked to Kenna for approval.
“Aye, since ’tis only half a block. I’ll call Owen and tell him Brodie’s coming. I can watch from the sidewalk ’till he gets there.”
Sean gazed through the window at his wife. So beautiful. ’Twould be perfect if the wee lassie they were expecting was the image of her mither.
Smiling and radiant, Kenna came back in and gathered the scattered bits of wrapping paper.
“How are things at the bakery?” Sean slipped his arms around her and toyed with a springy, copper curl. “I worry ye’re workin’ too hard.”
“Busy,” she replied, locking her hands around his waist. “But I love the time with Owen. He’s determined tae teach me all he knows before he turns the business over tae me.”
“I suspect ’tis naught but a formality,” Sean grinned. “He’s too much a fixture. I wager he’s no’ goin’ anywhere for a long while, yet.”
“I hope not,” she sighed. “He’s irreplaceable. In the bakery and in our family.”
“Aye.” Sean kissed her cheek, working his way to her lips. “Just as ye and the bairns are, tae me.”
The bells on the door chimed again. Sean groaned and Kenna laughed as he released her to smile at the woman bustling in. “Good day tae ye, Eileen. Have ye come for yer daughter’s portraits?”
