THE CHAPEL A novel by Sheila Willar Copyright 2016 Sheila Willar ISBN 978-0-9867101-4-8
CHAPTER 6 ............................ ANOTHER WEDDING
Kelly was given a tour of the stables and introduced to every horse.
“This is Rally,” said Errin. “He was given to Nanna by the Queen of England. They say he saved the Queen’s life one time.”
“Really?” exclaimed Kelly not quite sure if it was a joke or not.
“His registered name is Quinton but his groomer was one of the queen’s guards who shouted “Rally the horses!” so much that we changed the horse’s name to ‘Rally’. He's very spoiled.”
Rally seemed as tall as the barn itself and eagerly extended his long neck out to reach the sweet carrots that they had for him.
“Not many people are allowed to ride him,” added Errin. “Only the trainer, my dad, my cousin Chris when he’s around, and me. He’s high spirited at times and he’s worth a small fortune apparently.”
The girls said “Hello” to a number of other horses and met the head trainer.
“Good day girls,” said Mr. Hailey. He was happy to have the younger Mancinni generation around for the summer to help out. “Are you going for a ride?”
“Yes,” answered Errin enthusiastically. Hailey helped the girls groom and saddle two of the more gentle horses and gave Kelly a lift up when they were ready to go. After a few practice loops around the barn the two girls rode off in single file. They spent the afternoon on the trails, enjoying the scenery and sharing information about each others' families.
"Nanna wants to renew her vows in the same chapel she was married in fifty years ago in Ireland. They brought the chapel back here to New York, long before there were laws that would have prevented such a thing. Everyon'e coming. We're having a big family reunion!” exclaimed Errin. “You should come.”
“But I’m not invited. I’d feel weird,” answered Kelly.
“Are you kidding? We have weddings here almost every weekend. Besides, I’m inviting you.”
“It would be kind of fun,” she admitted. “Besides, anything to get away from my sister right now would be great.”
Just then Erin came around the corner of the barn exhausted from running.
“I’m out of breath,” she wheezed.
“What’s the hurry?” asked Kelly.
“Oh nothing. Have you seen Mrs. A? I mean your grandmother? I need to ask her some questions.”
“No I haven’t,” answered Errin. “We were out for a ride.”
“We’ve been invited to Mrs. Mancinni’s wedding,” beamed Kelly.
“Which is when?” asked Erin.
“In two weeks time, but everyone will be here in a few days,” replied Errin.
“Two weeks? How am I supposed to fix the floor in two weeks?”
“What floor?”
“The chapel floor,” groaned Erin. "It's made of Irish Blue stone. It's priceless."
“What’s that mean?” asked Kelly.
“It’s a rare stone that some people believe has supernatural powers. Some even say it came from the Garden of Eden,” said Erin with a deep sigh.
“Your ride back to the city is here,” called Mr. Hailey. Kelly and Erin were escorted to the limousine.
“It was nice of Errin to invite us back," said Kelly as they drove along the highway.
“I’m not so sure about that,” sighed Erin as her throat tightened. She had no idea how she was going to accomplish what Mrs. Mancinni asked her to do, and she was equally confused by “why” she was asked to do it.
Kelly sat quietly singing softly to herself while Erin stared out the window and chewed the edges of her fingernails.
“It doesn’t make sense,” said Erin loudly.
“It doesn’t have to around here,” replied the driver who was never surprised by anything the Mancinni’s did.