“We did it, Daniel. We stopped the trio of terror once and for all.” She hiccupped. “We’re going to have to boil some water and sterilize a bunch of bandages.” She glanced at poor Charles again. He was going to be in a world of pain once he woke, and she knew few doctors in this era paid attention to cleanliness when it came to treating wounds. As many soldiers who fought in the Civil War died from infection as did those who died from their wounds.
Daniel slid his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “Aye. I have a recipe my granny passed down to my mother. It’s a salve that prevents infection better than anything the doc gave us. Will you help me make some for Charles? I’m sure we can gather what we need nearby, and honey is a main ingredient, which we always keep on hand.”
“Of course, and I’ll help you nurse him back to health.” She rested her head on his shoulder. Exhaustion wrapped around her like a thick fog. She and Daniel had done what they’d set out to do, what she’d come back through time to accomplish. Right now, all she wanted was to savor the victory without thinking ahead.
Releasing a long breath, she snuggled closer to Daniel and closed her eyes. She’d have to remind herself to mention to Oliver they’d be staying a little longer. Charles would need help to get back on his feet, and Daniel couldn’t do everything on his own.
17
Daniel ladled aromatic chicken soup into a bowl and placed it on the wooden plank he’d use as a tray. Shortly after they’d arrived home, folks from town had started showing up with food and well wishes for Charles’s quick recovery. They’d all wanted to hear from Daniel’s own lips what had occurred in the ravine. Charles slept peacefully through the entire afternoon.
He suspected their neighbors from town also came to get a closer look at Meredith. Frederick must have spread the word about the embrace he’d witnessed. He smiled at the memory as he sliced off a piece of freshly baked bread and slathered it with butter and honey. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the way Meredith had run into his arms, tears streaking down her face. Lord, it was good to be alive and in love.
“He’s fully awake now,” Meredith announced, heading for the sink with the basin of soapy water in her hands. The two of them had cleaned, salved, and wrapped Charles’s wound in sterilized bandages once they’d finished concocting the healing medicine. She’d remained to tidy up, and he’d moved to the kitchen to fix supper.
Daniel picked up the makeshift tray and started for his friend’s room. He found Charles propped on his good side with his eyes closed. “Are you hungry?” Daniel asked.
“More like nauseated. My head is throbbing as painfully as my side.” He opened one eye and squinted at him. “I suppose I should try to eat something though. Perhaps doing so will settle my stomach, and I need to build my strength.”
“I’m sorry you’re in pain.” Daniel set the tray on the nightstand.
“Sorry?” Charles huffed out a laugh, followed by a groan. “For God’s sake, Danny—I’m alive. I’ll take the pain over the alternative any day.” His voice broke.
“We’ve Meredith to thank for that, aye?” He helped Charles swing his legs over the side of the bed and to sit up.
“And you.” Charles met his gaze. “You’re the one who haunted Garretsville long enough to meet Meredith. You’re the one who convinced her to come back through time to warn us. It was you who had the plan and remembered all the details of our …” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his eyes glistened. “You know.”
“Aye, and it’s glad I am that all went according to plan.”
“We neglected to consider bullets ricocheting off granite.” Charles grimaced, and his brow beaded with sweat as he settled himself.
“We should have known better than to believe the three would surrender peacefully.” Daniel supported Charles by the shoulders. “Is it too painful to sit?”
“Doesn’t matter what position I’m in. The pain is the same,” Charles gritted out. “Meredith says I need to get up and walk around, or I might develop blood clots which could make their way to my lungs or heart. She has the benefit of future knowledge.”
“She does, and that is to our advantage.”
“I know.” Charles’s brow furrowed. “I want to apologize for what I said before about her not belonging.” Charles sighed as he reached for the slice of bread. “Convince her to stay. Marry that lassie as soon as may be arranged, Danny.”
“If you insist.” Daniel chuckled.
“I do. I know it’s ridiculous, but I believe she’s our good luck charm.”
“Will you stand up with me at my wedding, Charles?”
“Of course I will.”
The two were quiet for a few moments, and Charles drew in a long breath and let it slowly. “Once I’m finished eating, help me walk a bit, will you?”
“Of course I will,” he repeated Charles’s response to him, reaffirming, as he and his friend often did, that they’d always be there for each other.
Charles chewed and swallowed, and an appreciative expression replaced the grimace of pain. “You didn’t make this bread. Who did?”
“How do you know I didn’t?” Daniel flashed Charles a disgruntled look.
“Because it’s delicious, and it doesn’t have the texture of a doorstop.”
Daniel laughed, and relief made him weak in the knees for the tenth time that day. “The bread is compliments of Mrs. Becker. She and her husband wish you a speedy recovery.”
Charles grunted. “Of course they do. We keep a fortune in their bank.”
“Ever the cynic.” Daniel held a spoonful of chicken soup to Charles’s mouth. “This soup is from Widow Hague. She and her boys brought us enough for our supper this eve with enough left for tomorrow’s lunch. Meredith said you must take in a lot of fluids to help your body recover from blood loss. Tea is steeping as we speak.”
“I’m not an invalid. I can feed myself.” He took the spoon from Daniel. “It’s time to make plans for your return trip to Ireland, Dan. As soon as the engineer arrives and Ben takes up his role as foreman, we’ll want to begin phase two of our business plan, aye?”
“Aye.” The thought of returning to Ireland a rich man sent Daniel’s pulse on a wild dash. Finally he’d make good on his promise to his mother and reunite his family. “Shall I go fetch your tea then?”
Charles nodded, his mouth full, and another look of appreciation lighting his features.
Daniel surveyed the main room as he went to the counter to pour a mug of tea for Charles. “Where’s Meredith?”
“Sitting on the porch.” Oliver lifted his head from his book only long enough to respond.
“After Charles has his tea, will you help me support him for a short walk?”
“Sure. Sure.”
“Good book?”
Oliver finally took his nose out of the dime novel long enough to flash him a wry look. “It’s hyperbole to the nth degree, but I can’t stop reading even though it’s complete nonsense.” He held up the book for a second. “I suppose people who live in cities out East believe this is how it really is on the frontier.”
“After today’s events, perhaps those novels don’t seem quite so outlandish.”
“Yeah they do. If today’s adventure was written into one of these novels, one lone hero would’ve singlehandedly defeated ten outlaws.”
“That is a bit outlandish.” Daniel delivered tea to Charles then fixed a cup for himself and one for Meredith before walking outside to the porch.
“Tea?” he asked as he set the cup beside her on the tree stump they used as a table.
“Yes, thank you,” Meredith replied. She yawned and then smiled at him. “This has been a momentous day, and I’m exhausted.”
“It has, and so am I.” He took a seat and sipped his tea while enjoying the peaceful sounds of the world around them. They sat in companionable silence. A weight had been lifted, and he was content. Nay, more than content, but he had no words for all the good feelings percolating through him. H
e was alive, and he planned to spend the rest of his life with Meredith.
His mind drifted to what their sons and daughters might look like and what they’d grow up to be. Would they carry a trace of fae blood like their mother, lending them giftedness? He smiled into the gathering dusk, dreaming of their future together.
Meredith woke with a start. Her heart racing, she sat up and glanced toward the window, finding it still pitch dark outside. She looked at Daniel who continued to sleep soundly beside her. Whatever it was that disturbed her, Daniel hadn’t been affected. She listened for a few moments, but everything remained utterly quiet.
Perhaps the yip of a coyote or the hoot of an owl had awakened her. She lay back down and pulled the covers over her shoulders. Meredith continued to stare into the darkness for some time, unable to shake the sense that something of significance had happened. Whatever woke her didn’t seem to pose an immediate threat. She closed her eyes, scooted a little closer to Daniel, and fell back to sleep.
Hours later she woke again. This time there was no mystery about what woke her, and she smiled. Daniel cupped her breast, while his morning erection prodded her backside in a friendly greeting.
Meredith turned in his arms to face him. He had that sexy, still drowsy look in his eye as he leaned in to capture her mouth in a tender kiss. His hands were everywhere then, caressing, exploring, loving her.
“It amazes me how much I desire you all the time. Wanting you is a constant background melody in my life. It’s like hearing birdsong while I work the mine, or the stream bubbling over the rocks—always there and as pleasing to the soul as it is to the ear.”
“Have you ever considered writing poetry?” she teased as she reached down to wrap her hand around the evidence of all that wanting.
He moaned, and all conversation stopped as they made love in a slow, languorous way. They must both still be reveling in the afterglow of relief. The danger had passed them by, and their lovemaking had a deeper feel, more intimate if such a thing was possible.
Many blissful minutes later, Meredith stretched and rose from bed. “We need to check on Charles and get breakfast going.” She peered out the window as she washed and dressed. The sky was overcast and much darker toward the northwest.
“Aye,” Daniel agreed. “Do you want to walk into town with me? Since Charles is incapacitated, I’ll need to visit the sawmill and the bank.”
“It’s going to rain. Speaking of trips to town, isn’t the wagon still sitting in the ravine where it broke?”
“I hope not. I arranged to have it hauled to the blacksmith’s forge where it will be repaired.” He came to stand beside her and gazed out the window. “Hmm. I guess the trip into town can wait until tomorrow. I’m starving. Let’s make breakfast and see to our patient.”
Meredith headed down the stairs, followed by Daniel. Oliver was always the last to get up in the morning, but his blankets were folded and set against the wall. He wasn’t there and neither was his backpack. She frowned. “Where do you suppose Oliver has gone?”
Daniel added a few more pieces of tinder and lit the cookstove. “Perhaps he decided to get an early start on the laundry to avoid the rain.”
“He’s not exactly what I’d call a morning person.” She supposed it was possible, but why take his backpack to the shed? None of his dime novels were sitting on the table between the two chairs either. Meredith reached into her pocket and pressed the small leather pouch between her fingers. The feel of the remaining diamond reassured her. Oliver couldn’t have gone far, and he wouldn’t be gone for long.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” She left the cabin and took the path to the outhouse, worrying about what the impulsive teen was up to now. A breeze had picked up, and the air held the promise of impending rain. Perhaps Daniel was right, and Oliver was doing laundry early in anticipation of the storm.
On her way back, she went to the shed to see if Oliver might be there. The structure that also served as a stable for the mules had an empty feel to it. No mules, no wagon, and no Oliver.
Meredith stared at the half-barrel with the ringer attached. Then her gaze moved to the tub where they all bathed and the laundry was washed. The sensation that had awakened her … that sense that something had happened came back in a rush, and a niggling worry took hold.
She reached for the leather pouch in her pocket and drew it out. Surely she could look at the diamond without triggering a portal. Traveling through time and space took pointed concentration, not a casual glance. Meredith tugged at the opening and upended the pouch over her palm.
A pebble landed in her hand—not a magically infused uncut diamond, but an ordinary, smooth, black … pebble. All she could do for several seconds was stare in disbelief as a chill spread through her veins. When had the little shit stolen the diamond and replaced it with pebble? Oliver must have made the trade while she slept, because she always kept the pouch in a pocket.
He’d gone home without her, leaving her stranded.
Sinking to the ground, she leaned against the shed wall and drew her knees up to her chest. As she wrapped her arms around them, her surroundings faded in a haze of numb bewilderment. Why? Why would he do such a thing? An odd feeling of disassociation overcame her. Unable to accept the unacceptable she just … checked out. Her hands and feet had gone icy, and her mind went completely blank
She remained like that for what seemed like an eternity. She couldn’t even cry.
“Meredith,” Daniel called. “Where are you, love?”
She dropped her forehead to her knees and said nothing. She needed time alone, time to come to grips with the crime Oliver had committed. Facing Daniel right now was the last thing she wanted to do.
“Meredith!” He crouched down beside her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“What is it? What has happened?”
Meredith swallowed a few times before lifting her head. She held out the hand that still gripped the pebble and showed it to him. “Don’t you dare say ‘I told you so,’” she croaked.
“I don’t understand.” His expression turned to concern and puzzlement.
“I should’ve taken your advice and placed the remaining diamond in your strongbox. I should’ve taken it more seriously when you said Oliver would steal from me.” She took in a much needed gulp of air. “The little shit stole the remaining diamond and replaced it with this pebble.” She tilted her hand and let the small stone drop to the ground. “He’s gone, and I’m stranded.”
“But … you were going to stay anyway. We’re going marry and—”
“When did I agree to that? I never said I’d stay, just like you never said you’d leave.” Her anger and helplessness boiled over, and Daniel looked as if she’d slapped him. Meredith lowered her forehead to her knees again so she didn’t have to see the hurt in his eyes.
“It has always been ifs between us. If it comes to a coin toss, if you decide to return to the future with me, if I decide to remain in the past with you. Neither of us ever committed outright to be the one to make the sacrifice, and now the decision has been taken from us.”
“We agreed we wanted to be together,” he said in a strained tone. “I love you. You love me, surely we can—”
“All true, but don’t you see?” she cried, rolling her head back and forth on her forearms. “This will always be between us. Oliver stole the decision from us, and now we will always have doubts.” Her eyes filled. “Would you really have come with me to my place in time, to my life and family? Would you truly have walked away from everything you’ve built?” A small sob escaped.
“Daniel, whenever we hit rough patches, you’ll wonder if I would’ve stayed had I been given the choice. You’ll doubt that I would’ve forsaken my entire family and my career aspirations, knowing full well the only path available to me in your century is to be a homemaker.” A tear slid down her cheek.
“Nay, love, I—”
“Don’t you get
it?” She lifted her gaze to his. “Every time we have a disagreement, the doubts and regrets will creep in, and they will lead to resentment. The resentment will gradually erode what we feel for each other. Oliver stole our ability to choose. He’s ruined any chance we ever had at a happily-ever-after.”
He didn’t respond. so she continued. “Not only that, but don’t forget my family’s giftedness and their ties to the fae.” Alpin had indicated he’d do nothing should anything go wrong, but she knew her family. They’d be relentless in their attempts to persuade one of the fae to bring her home.
“I did tell you how Boann snatched my sister out of the hidden valleys. It’s not like she asked Grayce first if she wanted to leave her husband behind, either. That too will always between us.” As realization dawned in him, a look of devastation suffused his features, breaking her heart.
“I’ve heard enough,” he said, rising from his crouch.
He walked out of the shed without another word, leaving her to her downward spiral of despair and anger.
Daniel raked his fingers through his hair and strode up the hill to his thinking place. Meredith’s words had cut him deeply. Once he reached the goldmine, he paced, ignoring the growing wind and the coming storm.
Things Meredith had said kept circling inside his mind, and he recalled the many conversations they’d had. She’d spoken the truth. His purpose all along had been to persuade and seduce her into staying. Aye, he’d considered returning to the twenty-first century with her, but he hadn’t really intended to do so. In his arrogance, he’d believed she would be the one to make the sacrifice. “Shite.”
He kicked at a loose rock and sent it rolling down the side of the hill. He couldn’t remember a single time she’d said she’d stay. When it came to their discussions about where they’d settle, she hadn’t even asked him to return with her. Why hadn’t he noticed until now? Hell, she hadn’t even said a word when he’d declared in front of witnesses that his greatest wish and hope was that they’d marry here in Garretsville in the very near future.
Summoned in Time: A magical, ghostly, time travel romance... (The MacCarthy Sisters Book 3) Page 23