Chapter 14 - Catherine’s Garden
Spring arrived on the Rhode Island coastline with an explosion of wild hydrangeas, blooming dogwoods, and warm sea breezes that swept up the bluffs of the Mercer estate.
Down at the eastern cottage, the sound of laughter echoed across the manicured lawn.
Noah, now ten years old and thriving in his new school, was kicking a soccer ball across the grass with two neighborhood friends, his cheeks flushed with energy and health.
On the wide wrap-around porch of the cottage, Natalie sat in a white wicker armchair, looking through architectural drawings for the new memorial center in town. Catherine's sapphire ring caught the golden afternoon sun on her right hand.
The stone pathway crunched under deliberate footsteps.
Dominic walked up the steps, carrying a wooden crate of fresh produce and groceries from the Newport farmers' market. Emma followed closely behind, carrying a pitcher of fresh iced lemonade.
"You didn't have to carry that down here yourself, Dom," Natalie said with a warm smile, standing up to take the crate from his hands.
"I wanted the walk," Dominic said, leaning down to give his sister a kiss on the forehead before looking out across the yard at Noah. "How is he doing?"
"He made the honor roll this morning," Natalie replied, her eyes shining with quiet, unshakeable pride. "And he hasn't had a single nightmare since the day you came back from London."
Dominic watched his nephew score a goal between two wooden posts, the boy shouting with joy as his friends cheered him on.
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"Catherine would be proud of you, Nat," Dominic murmured softly. "You held this family together when everything was falling apart."
"We held it together, Dom," Natalie said, resting her hand on his arm. "Because you never let them break our line."
