Briana

by Ruth Ryan Langan

Briana and baby Alana walked from the room and started up the aisle.

  The old woman brushed a tear from her eye and stood in the back of

  church beside the butler.

  "You're not sorry, are you Vinson?"

  "Sorry?" .

  ' 'That we threw those two together, for the sake of Carrick?"

  The old man cleared his throat. Just a short while ago he and Keane

  had taken a quiet moment, to speak of love and life and the strange

  twists and turns that sometimes lead to the most glorious of surprises.

  This day, two of the most influential families in Ireland were being

  joined. And two of its most fiery, leaders were uniting. What sort of

  warriors would their union produce? Only time would tell. But if he

  were a betting man...

  "It all worked out for the best, didn't it, Vinson?"

  "Aye, Mistress." He cleared his throat, and swallowed d«wn the

  lump. "All for the best."

  At the altar, Friar Malone was preaching about the mysteries of life,

  and the joys of love shared. Of the strength of family, and the loyalty

  to country.

  For Briana O'Neil, everything he spoke of was here, in her lover's

  eyes. In his quiet strength. In his noble spirit.

  Home, her heart whispered. And she found herself smiling through

  her tears. With Keane O'Mara at her side, she had truly come home.