Prologue
Six and seventy years, thought Jane. So nice of the children to come together as a surprise for my birthday.
She clucked to the horse and the gig took off with the familiar jerk, taking her home. Jane rolled across the drive, hearing the sound of the gravel crunching as the wheels passed over it, lost in memories.
She knew these grounds so well, she had spent so much time walking them. Every leaf and stone familiar to her, she knew every plant and tree.
Beneath the friendly boughs of that elm on the left was where her husband, may he rest in peace, had first held her.
And she well remembered calling for dearest Lizzy to come down from the oak on the right, it felt like just yesterday.
And she remembered chasing her youngest around that maple tree.
So many good memories here.
She drove on, through the glorious afternoon. She didn't particularly guide the gig, the horse knew the way home.
She saw the paths beside the road where she had spent so much time walking in such a very good, long life.
She was so happy and it was such a lovely day that Jane, self-effacing as ever, didn't think much of the odd little pain in her chest and, lost in memories, didn't notice that she was slipping into unconsciousness.
It really had been such a beautiful day.
And now she was going back, back to where it all started...
A/N Welcome to my new story. It looks like about 25 chapters.
I have a few chapters in my buffer and I am hoping to publish twice a week.
Let me know what you think! I welcome reviews, although will ignore any rude ones!