by Lynne, Loni
“It’s her last entry in the book,” April said sadly, looking into the rest of the blank book. She set the journal carefully out of the way. “When I witnessed the last ghost session with her and Henry, she must have just written this entry—before he took her to the mill.”
James nodded solemnly. It would have been the day she and Daniel were killed in a senseless act of vengeance and greed. Having never seen beyond his own life disheartened him. He wished he’d known more of Daniel and Catherine’s life and dreams. It wouldn’t have made any difference. Knowing his friend’s involvement with a married woman of Catherine’s social status wouldn’t have been well-looked upon. He couldn’t have helped her, any more than she could’ve saved him from his execution.
He must put the past away. History couldn’t be changed. April had read the last entry, now he wanted to find out about the day of his death.
“Did she have an entry in her journal for November 17th?”
“Yes and no.” April looked back and forth between Beth and James. He felt the uncertainty roll off her. This didn’t bode well. Damn. The truth would either set him free or leave him to dwell in not knowing any more than they did now.
“Read the entry on my day of death,” James ordered. He needed to know.
Wiping her hands on a napkin, April retrieved the book and gently flipped to the page. “Catherine didn’t write on the night of your death, she wrote the following night. Friday, November 18, 1774—I went to church this morning and prayed for James Addison to find peace in his final resting place. I will never forget the horror of last night when I learned the truth. Yesterday morning, Kings Mill buzzed with news of the traitor being held in the gaol. The name wasn’t given to prevent family or friends from trying to break him free.
I saw Daniel in town, frantically searching for James because he hadn’t returned the previous night. A shipment of goods came in, and it wasn’t like James not to sign for the parcels. I didn’t think anything more about it until Henry dragged me to watch the execution across the street. So many people were shocked to hear Mr. Addison’s name as the accused.
Henry forced me to watch. We stood on the outskirts of the crowds but within view of the tree and the horse with the man sitting atop, his head covered with a grain sack, his hands tied behind his back. Mr. Addison sat without fear, as if facing his maker with the pride of a man innocent. But I struggled. Henry said horrible things to me, gripping my face and accusing me of being James’s lover. This would be my penance, to see an innocent man die a horrible death for my honor. I will live forever with the scene etched in my heart. Henry refused to listen to me as I cried, trying to explain James wasn’t my lover, but he wouldn’t hear it. I was weak. I needed to fight for the guiltless man and couldn’t. This great shame I’ll take with me to my grave. I only hope someday the truth will be told, and James Addison can rest knowing others are aware of his innocence.”
Beth shook her head as she wiped her lips. “My mind is overwhelmed. Kings Mill’s history has exploded. This journal will bring out a whole new chapter to our legend, and a bit of truth. And it couldn’t have happened at a better time, the anniversary of—” Beth stopped and gasped. “James, I’m sorry. I can’t believe how insensitive I’m being. This Saturday night will be exactly two hundred thirty-eight years since your execution and now, I’ve hired you to portray yourself in the very role of your demise.”
“I hired on knowing what you expected of me. I don’t foresee a public display of an actual execution, so as long as it is pretend, I should be fine.” James smiled wanly, trying to dispel some of Beth’s angst. “Besides, it might be cathartic to relive the moment and know in my heart those who know me realize I’m innocent. I must say, no one will be able to play the part better than me.”
“I’ll have to agree there,” Beth sighed with a bit of amusement and went to change the delicate subject. “Who’s ready for their fortune cookie? I have a tradition. We have to interpret what our fortunes mean to us.”
Unsure what a ‘fortune cookie’ was, James let April explain as he took a cellophane wrapped folded wafer from the small bowl Beth held out. Opening the package, he watched as April broke her cookie in half and pulled out a strip of paper. He did the same.
April smirked. “We’ll let James go first since he’s new to this.”
“Very well.” He took a deep breath. “It says, ‘You will be wealthy above your monetary needs.’ Easy. I’ve seen what the power of wealth has done to some in my time. I think a man is truly wealthy when he considers the wealth of friends and family and the abundance of life around him.”
“Spoken like a true gentleman, or a politician, not sure which,” Beth laughed good-naturedly.
“All right, my dear Dr. Freelane, you are next if you are to be so bold,” James chided.
“Mine says,” she squinted to read it, retrieved her glasses, and chuckled, “well, so that is my problem!”
“What’s it say?” April smiled.
“It says, ‘I will make a wonderful husband some day.’”
Laughter and bawdy jabs were passed around the table.
“April, let’s hear yours. You haven’t even looked at it,” Beth said as they settled down from her hysterical fortune.
“I always end up with weird ones that make absolutely no sense what-so-ever.” She held up her small slip of paper and stared at it.
James began to worry. April’s face paled and her hands shook slightly.
“Are you all right?” Beth leaned in, catching on to April’s struggle. “What’s it say?”
“It says—‘Believe in Fate.’
***
After dinner, April busied herself with her newfound evidence. She took pictures of the antique document and sent it immediately to Kenneth. She had to do something to keep reality in check. Her fortune was too coincidental. She wasn’t sure if it angered her or frightened her. What was it about her and fate lately?
She emailed a copy of the photo along with texting him the message just to be sure he received it. It was two o’clock in the morning his time so she didn’t expect an answer anytime soon. They talked briefly with Beth about the upcoming final day of the festivities. She wanted James to be active in town throughout the day, greeting visitors and guests, socializing with the merchants to get them to actively participate, too. April knew she wouldn’t be able to do too much because Mr. Miles would be arriving sometime during the day. Her attention would be focused on him and trying to figure out a way to introduce him to James.
They arrived back at her aunt’s late. Her mother and grandmother were already in bed and Aunt Vickie, engrossed in Jay Leno, couldn’t be disturbed. The Tonight Show signaled her alone time. Besides, they wanted to sneak upstairs and enjoy celebrating the fact James was still here. After learning the truth about his death, he was still alive, flesh and blood.
“Come here,” James said, holding out his arms for her. “What have you done to me? All I expected was to find out the truth about my death and move on. But you’ve given me a reason to want to live again,” he whispered against her hair.
April snuggled into his chest, feeling the rapid staccato rhythm of his heart against her cheek. He pulled away from her just a bit to look down into her eyes. “Look at me.”
Opening her eyes, she felt the heaviness of tears spill over onto her cheeks. She didn’t want to cry. She was just so happy everything was over now. Trying for a smile, she was afraid it came out a bit wobbly.
“Do you believe in fate?”
“No,” she spoke with finality, trying to pull out of his arms. Please James, not you too—not now. I can’t deal with this anymore. He wouldn’t let her go.
“Your aunt seems to think it has everything to do with how two people are aligned through time and space. You’ve listened to her talk about it. I believe, April! How can I not believe? Until you came along and were able to see me, hear me, and bring me to life, I was trapped in time, waiting for something to happen. Don’t you
understand? It’s all so clear now. You were supposed to happen to me. Fate held me back, knowing it was just a matter of lining up our time, waiting for you and your wonderful gift to set me free.”
“I don’t know what I believe in, James.” April sniffled back her tears, casting her eyes downward. “Things have been happening to me, around me, through me so much I just don’t know. I’ve always believed we made our own decisions in life; each step, choosing or not choosing those open doors for us. It’s all about what we do, not something as simple as ‘fate.’ There is no such thing.”
“Then believe in this,” he tilted her chin up, cupping her face in his hands. Holding her tenderly, she looked up at his face, “no matter what comes our way, I will love you forever, April Branford.”
Kissing her mouth, he stopped her lips from trembling. Her hands settled on his chest, her hand lying tenderly over his pounding heart. James picked her up in his arms and settled her on the counterpane. Tonight, she would prove to him, with all of her heart, body and soul, she would never let him go. Fate be damned!
***
James woke early Saturday morning. The day looked bright and sunny for a mid-November morning. He couldn’t remember what kind of day it had been on the day of his execution. He never saw the outside. He’d been led from the dark, damp gaol out onto the streets with his head covered. He remembered a chill in the air but it could have been latent fear spreading through his soul, knowing what his fate would be once he’d been paraded in front of the crowds.
April’s warm, naked body snuggling against him in exhaustion reminded him of where he was now. Wonderfully alive, sharing the present with a phenomenal woman who he knew to be his destiny. No other woman made him feel the internal pull of his heartstrings. If she’d been in his past, life might have been different for him. He thought about her residing in the manor house, bearing his children, working beside him through the day, loving him madly through the night.
He kissed her head. April gave a brief snort and rolled over to burrow down into the fluffy counterpane. James smiled and got up to prepare for his busy day. The schedule of his personal appearances for the festivities was overwhelming. A brief hour this morning would be all the free time he’d have.
Checking his colonial costume one last time for authenticity, he picked up his wallet and checked the bills he had tucked inside. It was enough for now. The small slip of paper fortune April had left behind at Beth’s fell out. He bent and picked it up.
‘Believe in Fate.’ He did.
He’d picked up the fortune after April had wadded it up during their dinner. What did she have against fate?
Confronting her about her belief had been difficult but necessary. He wanted her to believe in something as great as what had happened between them. What other explanation could there be? Hopefully, someday she would see. And believe. He would find a way to make her believe, no matter what happened to them. Past, present or future, fate would bring them together. James tucked the piece of paper back into his wallet, blew his sleeping beauty a kiss across the room, and quietly walked out, closing the door behind him.
The household still slept. He would grab a bite at the café after he took care of his first private shopping trip in the modern world. With Christmas a month away, he needed to purchase the gift for April. He figured he’d be here to celebrate. Now that he was really alive, he wanted to start his plans for their future together. They would have a future. He knew it.
Things were looking up for him. After all of last night’s reveals, Dr. Freelane had been excited about the changes his presence brought about. He’d received a bonus from Beth for what she considered hazardous duty for tonight’s performance. She’d also offered him a part-time position providing tourism publicity as James Addison, along with a retainer fee to stay on as a historical reference to her research.
***
The tiny bell over the jeweler’s door tinkled as he walked in. He’d been in the other day to look around.
“Ah, good morning, Mr. Addison.” The jeweler smiled and bowed briefly at him.
“Good day, sir.” He greeted with a flourish and doff of his tricorne hat. “I would like to see the ring I admired the other day.” James peered down into the clear glass case filled with various rings.
“Yes, the princess cut emerald surrounded by diamonds.” The man produced the ring, already nestled in a black velvet box.
James admired the simple yet elegant ring from every angle. The emerald glinted like April’s eyes when they were full of passion. Like they had last night. She had been wild, trying to outdo herself with sensual fervor. He’d been enraptured and knew spending eternity with her would never be long enough. The sparkle of the gem made his breeches tighten in remembrance. The diamonds, small and simple but perfect in cut and clarity were his declaration of forever. The ad behind the store clerk stated, diamonds are forever. It proclaimed what he wanted with April. Forever.
“Is this the one?” the man asked politely.
“Yes. I want to pay part now and the rest on your ‘lay away’ plan,” James thought the idea of lay-away was perfect for his needs. Especially since he didn’t know if he would be around come Christmas day. He only hoped he would be, but just in case.
Also, he didn’t want to have the ring on him, tempting him to propose only to be rejected again. Hopefully by the time they celebrated he could convince April that fate meant for them to be together. Besides, the price was a little too expensive for his budget right now but with the pay he would be making, between now and then, he would have it paid off in time for Christmas.
“Very good, sir. Will this be credit?”
James paid in cash, the man wrote out a receipt for him, explaining he would have three months to pay the remainder and thanked him for his time. They talked about the day’s activities leading up to the grand finale. James thanked the man, turned to leave, but stopped when he got to the door.
“One more thing,” James said as he strode up to the counter again. “Do you have a piece of paper to leave a special note for my fiancée to go with the ring? I would like to capture my feelings on why I bought this ring for her today.”
“Very romantic, Mr. Addison.” The jeweler produced a small notepad and pen.
James smiled as he penned his thoughts for April to read on Christmas Eve when he intended to present her with the gift.
—The emerald represents the fiery passion in your eyes. The diamonds, one for every ‘forever’ I want to spend with you. The gold band represents how fate constantly circles to bring us together. Fate will always find us when our hearts lead the way. Merry Christmas, my love.
Yours for all time, J. A.
James opened his wallet, placed the small slip of paper fortune into the missive he’d just penned and folded the paper to fit inside the small ring box. Handing the box back to the salesman he doffed his hat again, wished him a good day’s profit, and went out to greet his public. He couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve.
Chapter Twenty-Three
April rolled over, the sound of her cell phone ringing waking her up. Nine o’clock. She’d intended to sleep in until ten. She’d received an email from Kenneth shortly before going to bed. He’d been overjoyed at seeing the copy of James’s deed and couldn’t wait to tell her about his findings in London. His flight wouldn’t be arriving until two o’clock her time. She had plenty of time.
Reaching for the phone she noted Dr. Moreland’s name and number on the caller ID.
“Hello?” she greeted groggily.
“April, turn on the news!”
“What?” She rubbed her eyes and looked around. She didn’t have a television up here. “Wait a minute, let me get my laptop. Why, what’s going on?”
“I can’t believe it…it’s Kenneth…”
Oh great. “What’s he bought now? Microsoft, our national debt…what?”
She waited for her laptop to boot as silence and deep sighs answered her. “Bob, what is it? Just tell
me.”
Her internet server page came up. The headline read, Financial Mogul in Car Accident. Critical Condition. “Oh my God! No.” She scanned the article. Kenneth Miles had been on his way to Heathrow when the Bentley he was riding in was struck broadside by a truck. The official report didn’t look promising. He’d been rushed to Ashford & St. Peters Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
April surfed the net, looking at every news source available. All said the same thing, and the financial networks were already beginning to panic. They were wondering what his condition would mean for all of his investors. She didn’t care about that. She was more concerned about the man.
“Have you heard any word from his associates?” April asked Bob as they talked about the news.
“Nothing yet. They have my number, but I don’t think we are high on their list of priorities right now. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
“Please do. I’ll pass the word along here. With the event going on, I’m not sure Dr. Freelane has been keeping an eye on the news.”
They said goodbye and hung up. April continued to check out all the news sites, but nothing more was revealed. She hoped he would be okay. Even though she hadn’t met him face to face, they had been working closely together for the past couple of weeks. She sent a silent prayer for his recovery.
***
Sitting in the parlor of the historical society townhouse, April watched James prepare for his final performance of the day. She shared the news with him about Kenneth.
“I do hope he’ll be all right. It would have been nice to meet him today, but perhaps it is better not to—until I can figure out how to introduce myself as his great-great-great uncle. For all I know, he might have me committed,” James said with a wan smile.