"Bouquet!" Richard shouted from the rampart. "Bouquet is coming!"
Screaming with joy, the inhabitants ran to greet the British soldiers as they crossed the drawbridge and entered Fort Pitt. Bouquet's army had ended the siege.
* * *
"Bouquet's a clever one, don't you think, darling?" Christian asked Gwen as she prepared for bed that same evening. "While you worked in the hospital, Lieutenant Caldwell stopped by to tell me about the battle at Bushy Run. Did you hear how Bouquet outfoxed the Indians?"
"Not all the details." Overcome with relief that Bouquet had defeated the Indians and lifted the siege of the fort, the complexities of the battle mattered little to her. Still, she didn't want to dampen Christian's enthusiasm. "How did he do it?" Gwen queried as she unhooked her dress.
"Ah, I was hoping you'd ask me." Christian changed his position in bed, stretching his legs out. "It's an old strategy, but it fooled the Indians. Bouquet made it look as if the army was retreating. Then he withdrew a couple of units, sending them to hide behind the trees. The Indians fell for the trick and rushed in, ready for the kill. Then--and here's the shrewd part--the units in reserve swept in to surround the Indians." He paused. "'Twas close fighting, I understand...bayonets."
Gwen nodded, scarcely hearing a word. She could only take in the sight of him, loving his body, every part of him, but more than that, his basic goodness and decency, his bravery during the siege. His shoulder wound looked clean, with only pink, puckered skin to show his injury a few days ago, and no sign of infection. To have him beside her, alive and well...
Gwen leaned against the wall and studied his every feature, so overwhelmed with happiness her eyes filled with tears. Acting on impulse and needing to touch him, she rushed over to the bed and sank down beside him.
"Christian, I love you so much!" Tears streamed down her face. Seeing his look of surprise, she laughed self-consciously. "Didn't mean to startle you. But I just had to say it, if I haven't told you often enough. I couldn't live without you."
"Nor I, you. My wife!" He reached for her, drawing her down to his chest.
"But are you willing to stay here with me for the rest of your life?" He threw her a questioning look.
Tears rushed to her eyes. "All I want, all I've ever wanted since I realized how much I love you, is to be with you." She plucked at the folds of her dress. "No, I'm not being entirely honest. I'll admit at first I wanted to return to my own time, but these last few weeks have taught me much," she said, "especially how much I love you. Ah, darling, I need you so much!"
Christian gave her a questioning look. "So you don't mind staying in the past?"
"Do you hear me complaining?"
"Well, no." He smiled, his gaze on her. "But it was not always thus, was it? I mean, didn't it take time for you to become accustomed to our ways?" His smile widened. "Here you are, away from computers, all the luxuries you are used to..."
"And here I am with you, Christian, happier than I've ever been."
A look of alarm crossed his face. "But what about those visions of your life in the twenty‑first century? What if you get sent back to your previous life?"
"Won't happen, of that I'm certain. I haven't had any visions of that other life for a long time." She took his hand. “Believe me, Christian, this is where and when I want to stay.” She paused, looking off into space. "I had those images before because sometimes...sometimes, especially when things got rough, I'd think of my other life and the people I knew then. But I love you so much, sweetheart, and I like my life in this time. Besides, you're worth any sacrifice I have to make."
"Ah." He caressed her hand, his fingers warm and gentle. "Then we can spend the rest of our lives telling each other of our love."
She feathered his cheek and forehead with kisses. "Starting now."
Only yesterday, he'd told her of his near death experience, and she believed every word. To think he'd gone to heaven and returned to her, the same wonderful husband, the man she’d always loved--and would always love, throughout time.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born near Pittsburgh, Shirley Martin attended the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating from "Pitt", she taught school for one year, then obtained a position as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines. Based in Miami, she met her future husband there. After raising three sons, she devoted her time to writing, something she had always wanted to do.
With a vivid imagination and a love of storytelling, Shirley has always enjoyed writing. Her first published novel, "Destined to Love" reflects her familiarity with western Pennsylvania, where she hails from, and her love of romance writing. From this historical romance, she blossomed out to other romance genres. "One More Tomorrow" is a vampire romance, one her publisher dubbed "a sizzling seller". With several fantasy novels and novellas, her writing should appeal to just about every reader of romance. Her books have been sold at Amazon and most major book stores and have garnered great reviews.
A widow, Shirley lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her two cats.
Also from Shirley Martin by Books We Love
Midnight for Morgana
Night Secrets
Night Shadows
Forbidden Love
Destined to Love
One More Tomorrow
The Princess and the Curse
The Sacrifice
NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Thank you for purchasing and reading this Books We Love eBook. We hope you have enjoyed your reading experience. Books We Love and the author would very much appreciate you returning to the online retailer where you purchased this book and leaving a review for the author.
Best Regards and Happy Reading, Jamie and Jude
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