Keeper of my Heart! Chapter Three By Sharon Holtz ________________________________
As Vincent stood looking outward, he said, "It has been a day Catherine...Father will be wanting to know you are well, and that we have reconciled...I should go."
To which Catherine nodded, realizing Jacob would be worried about her, and so she agreeably said, "Of course."
And so Vincent inquired, "Tomorrow night Catherine?"
In response, Catherine with hope, nodded yes, and after one last embrace, Catherine's heart ached as Vincent slipped from her sight.
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Meanwhile, Jacob who was still awake, paced, and paced out of nervousness, wondering what was happening!
Upon Vincent's return, word quickly spread through the tunnels, and to Jacob that Vincent was back.
And so, Jacob randomly grabbed a book, and sat down, wanting to make it look as if he had been reading.
So, as Vincent stepped to his Father's threshold, he asked, "Still awake Father?"
Looking upward over his glasses he casually stated, "Yes my boy. Why is it late?"
To which Vincent replied, "Yes quite."
In reply, Jacob scoffed, "My goodness I suppose I was so engrossed in my reading I hadn't noticed the time!"
Vincent then approached his Father, and without missing a beat, he righted Jacob's upside down book, and sat in the chair beside him, and happily told him, "Catherine and I...we have cleared up all misunderstandings."
Gleefully, Jacob stood up and hugged his son as he said, "I believe this is cause for celebration!"
Walking over to a secret door of his wardrobe, he pulled out a beautifully carved mahogany box, and as he opened the excellently crafted lid, he brought out a vintage bottle of brandy, along with two miniature crystal goblets.
Jacob then explained, "I have been saving this for a special occasion. I promised myself I would not open this bottle until that day presented itself. I wasn't sure I would know what occasion would be worthy, but at the sound of your news, I recognized at once, that this was indeed the occasion!"
Warmed by his Father's tribute, Vincent accepted the goblet, and in unison they toasted.
As Jacob lowered his glass, he again hugged his son, and said, "This is glorious news. The whole community will be pleased and happy for you my boy!"
Jacob then chuckled, as he added, "Especially Mary and Rebecca...they are sick at heart fearing all is lost."
Cocking a knowing brow, Jacob told Vincent, "I knew you would find a way to make Catherine understand. It is clear how much she cares for you."
Standing to leave, Vincent looked downward, overcome with emotion, he expressed, "Father...thank you for your help, and for accepting Catherine as you have."
As Jacob wiped a tear away, he confessed, "I secretly petitioned for someone in your life Vincent...I suppose the Heaven's heard the pleas from this stubborn old man."
Vincent considerately corrected, "Stubborn perhaps...but not old Father."
As Vincent turned to leave, he playfully tapped the leather bound book Jacob acted like he was reading earlier, and said, "I never realized this book would be such a riveting read...you must lend it to me when you are finished. Well, goodnight Father."
After Vincent exited his chamber, Jacob curiously picked up the book he had earlier pretended to be reading.
And as he adjusted his glasses to read the title, he read, "The Dewy Decimal System Catalog!"
Chuckling to himself, Jacob thought, "Oh my! Riveting indeed!"