Herbertstown House, Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland:
Mona leans back in the giant leather chair in her grandmother’s office. She wipes the tears away as she tries to keep from crying again. She still couldn’t get over her grandmother’s passing away this morning. She’s been on the phone all morning, calling people who didn’t have smartphones to inform them about her grandmother’s passing and when the funeral would be.

Sitting there, she hears a light knocking on the old wooden door to the office.

“Enter.”

Mona watches as the door opens, and her second cousin walks into the office. She hasn’t seen her second cousin Natalie in the last four years. She wonders where she has been and what she has been up to.

Natalie had gotten word that Cara Bounty had passed away. The job she had been on was completed, and her contract had been satisfied. She had been thinking about renewing it when she got word about Cara Bounty dying in her sleep.

“How are you holding up, cousin?” Natalie knew Mona had been living with her Cara Bounty.

Mona and her stepmother didn’t get along at all. Mona didn’t like the fact that her father married a woman who was fifteen years younger than him. Also, her attitude and personality rubbed Mona the wrong way.

Mona’s brothers didn't care about whom their father was married to. They had their own family and careers to worry about.

“Sad, lonely, and worried.” Mona watches as Natalie sits in the leather-bound chair in front of the desk.

“Why are you worried?” Natalie could see sad and lonely but worried.

“Because grandma was letting me stay here since things are stormy between my stepmother and me. I hope Jack and the rest of my uncles and
aunt continue to let me stay here.”

“Knowing Jack and the others like I do. You don’t have anything to worry about. Jack knows you have been taking care of his mother, and he
knows the tension between you and your stepmother. So, don’t worry about it. Also, Grandfather Sheamus won’t let Jack or the others kick you out.” Natalie knew Grandfather Sheamus would step in and stop it.

“Thanks, Natalie. What have you been up to?” Mona knew her cousin traveled a lot.

“I’ve been locating new places for oil companies. The company I just left will do well for many years.”

“Did they let you go?” Mona was curious.

“No, my contract with them was up for renewal, and I didn't want to renew it. So, I said goodbye after being with them for fifteen years.” Natalie wanted to move on to something different.

“Wow! What are you going to do now?” Mona knew Natalie liked traveling and locating new oil deposits.

“Go back to Scotland and chill out for a year or two. I’ve been gone too long.” Natalie knew she had been away far too long.

“I know your folks will be happy to see you.” Mona knew her cousin’s folks missed her and worried about her.

“I know. I’ve kept in touch with them through video chat or email.” Natalie always tried to stay in touch with her folks.

“Where are you going to stay?”

“At the old Shire House.” Natalie liked the old shire house.

“That’s at least an hour or so away from here.”

“I know, but it also has horses, and I know the ground keeper of the place.” Natalie couldn’t wait to see Declan. She hadn’t seen him since the last time she came home six years ago.

“You know he’s a grandfather now. Don’t you?” Mona has met Declan.

“Yep, his youngest daughter got married a few years ago. I can’t believe she threw away a promising career to stay home and be a mother.”
Natalie knew marriage life wasn’t for her. She was too much of a free spirit.

“Natalie, being a full-time mother takes a lot out of you, especially among this clan. You should have heard the horror stories my grandma told me about dad and his siblings.”

“I can imagine. Except for Anika, she was grown when your grandmother adopted her.”

“Uncle Jack adopted her. Grandma chewed his butt out at first because he didn’t clear it with her. Afterward, she accepted aunt Anika as her child.” Mona was little when Anika joined the family.

“Jack should have known better. I can’t believe he has survived as long as he has.”

“Have you spoken with him recently?” Mona wonders if Natalie has spoken with her cousin.

“Not since he got remarried to his first wife’s sister.” Natalie took the time to attend that wedding.

“I think we have some more to talk about. Do you have time tomorrow to come by?” Mona would love to continue talking with her cousin.

“Sure, I know you have a lot to do today.”

“Can you stay for lunch?”

“Of course.” A smile appears on Natalie’s face.