Boston, Massachusetts
Beacon Hill
Scott could not determine with whom he was most angry, his grandfather for being so controlling or Murdoch for penning that damn letter to Melbourne. He was also furious at the man who changed his will and then decided to die. Thank you, Fletcher Garrett. Then there was Winnie. Scott simply wanted to strangle her for letting Kinsey wander Boston unattended in order to reflect.
Reflect.
Scott found himself currently reflecting on what to do when he finally got his hands on his little cousin; hug her or administer a good bottom-warming she would never forget. He decided both were in order as he stood in front of the Old North Church. Independence and freedom, if she wasn’t inside he didn’t know where to look next.
It took a minute for Scott to focus in the soft light streaming through the church’s stained glass windows. His anger was momentarily replaced with relief as he located Kinsey sitting near the front of the sanctuary.
“Can I help you, my son?”
“Thank you, Father, but…” pointing, “I found the person I’m looking for.”
“Ah, the young lady. She’s been here for some time. She said she is looking for answers. Has God brought you here to give her those answers?”
“Well, Sir, I have faith God guided me here and I have a few answers, however, I’m not sure they’re the ones she's looking for.”
The priest smiled and placed his hand on Scott’s shoulder. “Then I will let you be so you both can decide.”
Striding up the aisle with a purpose, Scott stopped abruptly beside the occupied pew.
“Kinsey!”
With hands folded and eyes closed, the young lady didn’t move.
“Kinsey, what are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious Scott? I’m praying.”
“Praying for what?”
“Guidance.”
“I believe ‘forgiveness’ would be your better choice.”
“Scott, please. This is the Lord’s house. Keep your voice down.”
“Kinsey!”
“Quit talking through clenched teeth. I can’t understand you!”
“Kinsey Rose!”
“Shhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Several pews away sat an older woman possessing a glare that could melt stone. “Young man, where are your manners?”
The guilty party nodded a silent apology.
Addressing his cousin once again, Scott crouched down to whisper in her ear. “Kinsey, stand up. We’re leaving.”
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”
”You have tried my patience long enough. I’m only counting to three this time.”
“He maketh me lie down in green pastures…”
“One.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley…”
“TWO.”
“I will fear no evil…”
“THREE! That’s it.”
“SCOTT! You are embarrassing me!”
“Embarrassing you? Little girl, I haven’t gotten started.”
“Children.”
Both cousins stopped and looked up at the church’s clergyman hovering over them.
“I sense in your voices the passion you both possess when conversing with our Lord. In fact, all of us are sensing it.”
A huff was heard from five pews back.
“May I suggest you take your passionate prayer outside? Considering the volume of your Christian voices, I’m certain God will still hear you.”
The young lady rose with a dignified stance and nodded. “Of course, Father.” Delivering a knuckle punch to Scott’s arm, the chastised Kinsey stomped down the aisle and out the door, pausing only to address the older woman’s stare with a ‘what are you looking at?’
“May the Lord be with you, my son.”
“I would appreciate the help, Sir.”
Once outside, it took Scott’s eyes only a few moments to spot Kinsey and his long legs to catch up with her. Coming up from behind, the older cousin didn’t break his stride as his arm encircled his little cousin’s waist to lift her off the ground and make a ninety-degree turn to head towards a park bench a few yards away.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“You and I are having a little discussion before we go back to my grandfather’s.”
Sitting her down harder than he should have, Scott pointed his long finger directly at her nose.
“You. Don’t. Move.”
Kinsey was the first to break eye contact by looking down at the ground. Taking a deep breath, Scott sat down beside her.
“Why did you take off in a town you hardly know, leaving me to guess if you’re dead or alive?”
“I needed to get your attention.”
Scott let out a harsh laugh. “Well, you got it. Now that you have it, I’m not sure you’re going to want it. You need to explain why you went to the lawyer this morning, behind my back I might add, and hire him?”
“I wanted someone on my side. And how do you know I hired Thomas Simmons?”
“Well…” Scott frowned. “Wait. I’m on your side.”
“No. You are on your side, your grandfather is on his side and nobody is asking me what I think.”
“And hiring this lawyer is your solution?”
“Perhaps.”
Silence.
“Scott, why do we argue like this?”
“Because we are slowly admitting we are very much alike.”
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