A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) Read online

  “How was it?” Finn asked Abbie as she joined him by the pit. She looked dreamy, her cheeks pink from the cold.

  “Oh, it was lovely,” she gushed, kissing Finn. “I have to help Ma bring the food out. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Oh, I am. I’ve been smelling this pig for the past ten hours.” Finn’s stomach growled with confirmation. He was glad to see Mr. Mallory coming to start cutting the meat. He was ready to give up his post.

  “Go sit down. I’ll see you later.” Abbie ran off to help her mother while Finn walked over to congratulate the bridal couple. Dozens of people were already in the yard, talking, laughing and taking their seats at the tables as dishes were brought out from the house. Finn had never seen so much food. He tucked into the pork, enjoying the fruit of his labors. His plate was loaded with meat, biscuits, boiled potatoes and cranberry sauce. He’d never had it before, but he liked it. Sam slid into the seat next to him, his plate laden with food.

  “I keep eating, but I’m still hungry,” he said, stuffing his mouth with pork. “This is so good, Finn.”

  “When are you going back to camp?”

  “In a few days. I was due leave for Martha’s wedding anyway, but it’s time I went back. Seems that no one has any idea who sacked the fort, so I think it will be safe for me to return. But first, I’m going to eat until I burst,” he laughed, reaching for another biscuit.

  Mr. Mallory lit a bonfire in the yard as the sky began to turn violet with the approach of evening. Everyone had eaten their fill, ready for a bit of entertainment. Several barrels of beer had been emptied, leaving the guests in good spirits. Finn was surprised to see a trap appear on the horizon. If these were guests, they certainly left it late. Mrs. Mallory had been concerned that her brother hadn’t shown up at the church. Maybe that was him. Finn grabbed Abbie around the waist as the first strains of music floated over the crowd. His belly was full, he’d had several cups of beer, and now he was ready to dance with his girl. They twirled around the bonfire, breathless with happiness, their cheeks flushed.

  Finn was annoyed when someone tapped him on the shoulder. “Finlay, there’s someone here to see you,” Mr. Mallory said. “They’re waiting by the stile. You’d better hurry, son.” He had an odd expression on his face, one that Finn hadn’t seen before. He felt his stomach twist with fear. What if this was about the fort? He doubted that a British patrol would politely wait by the stile while he finished dancing, but the anxiety wouldn’t go away.

  “I’ll be back shortly, Abbie,” he promised as he turned to walk away.

  Finn left the sounds of merriment behind him as he walked into the gathering night. It was already dark where the light of the fire didn’t reach. He could see the silhouette of two people standing by the stile, one of them clearly a woman, judging by the skirts. Suddenly, his heart began to pound, his breath coming fast as he broke into a run. They opened their arms to him as he hurled himself into their embrace, laughing and crying.

  Finn just clung to his parents for a long time before finally finding his voice. “I thought I’d never see you again. I had no idea what happened to me. How long have you been here?” He was searching their faces, mad with joy at seeing them.

  “Oh, Finn. We thought we’d lost you,” his mother said, kissing him again and again. We’ve been searching since the night you vanished.” She was crying softly, her head on his father’s shoulder. His father looked like he wanted to say something, but he was overcome with emotion, unable to find the words.

  Finn looked at his mother. She looked older than when he last saw her and her arm was in a sling, but the joy in her eyes was unmistakable. His father winced when Finn hugged him again. “Dad, are you all right?”

  “I’ll be fine, son. It’s a long story. We’re just so glad to find you well and happy. Mr. Brady told us what happened at the fort. We’re so proud, Finn. Your real father would have been proud too,” Alec said.

  “Dad, you are my real father. You always have been. I’m just thankful that I got the chance to tell you that. It’s you I wanted to make proud.”

  “You have. I’ve always been proud of you, and I always will be, as will your mother.”

  “Speaking of mother,” Finn said, smiling at his mother who was wiping tears away, her face alight with joy. “So, what year did you come from, Mama? It’s you and Aunt Louisa that are the time-travelers in this family, isn’t it? I’ve had lots of time to think about things.” Finn searched his mother’s face, her look of shock confirming his suspicions.

  Valerie smiled at her son. “You always were a clever boy. Yes, it’s Louisa and I, and we came from the twenty-first century, but now is not the time to have that conversation.” Valerie laughed as Finn’s mouth opened in shock. “Now, why don’t you introduce us to the Mallorys? We’d like to thank them for taking you in.” Finn just shook his head in amazement. He couldn’t even imagine what the twenty-first century must be like. They had a lot of talking to do, but it wouldn’t be tonight.

  “Come, I want you to meet Abbie.” Valerie felt her heart squeeze as she saw the look in her son’s eyes. This wasn’t going to be as simple as she thought.

  Chapter 72

  Valerie watched as gentle fingers of light began to caress Finn’s face. She’d stayed up all night watching him sleep, trying to memorize every inch of his face, unsure of whether she would ever get to see it again. The Mallorys had been very welcoming, offering them the use of the loft and sending Jonah to sleep on a bench downstairs. They seemed like good people; the type of people you could trust with your son. Valerie had watched Finn dancing with Abbie last night, and chatting with Sam and Gil. Her son was not the same boy who left them two months ago.

  She’d been delirious with joy as they drove from Williamsburg last night. Her efforts and patience had paid off, and someone had recognized Finn from the broadsheet. Alfred Hewitt not only identified Finn, but knew exactly where to find him. Alec and Valerie listened with rapt attention as Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Brady had filled them in on the last two weeks. Alec was so proud; he couldn’t wait to tell Kit how his son helped to fire a British fort to save the condemned prisoners. Valerie was just happy their ordeal was over. They would get Finn and finally go home.

  Now she wasn’t so sure. Finn had found something here that he lacked at home –- purpose, love, and friendship. He had come to believe in the cause of freedom, fallen in love with Abbie, and made friends with young men his own age who shared his ideals. Finn might not have realized it himself yet, but he wasn’t coming home with them. He was home already.

  Valerie smiled sadly at Alec as he opened his eyes, looking at her from Jonah’s bed. He looked healthy and rested, which was a welcome change from the drawn look he’d been sporting over the past few weeks. Valerie thought that he hadn’t realized the implications yet, but she was wrong.

  “We must let him make his own choice. It won’t be easy for him, especially if we put pressure on him,” Alec whispered.

  “I know, but how can we leave him?” Valerie sat down next to Alec, taking his warm hand in hers. “How do we live without him?”

  “How do we live with him knowing we’ve taken away his chance of happiness? If we force him to come home, he’ll never be whole again. It has to be his decision, Val, and we have to abide by it.” Alec pulled Valerie down, holding her close as tears ran down her cheeks. There was no decision. She knew it last night as she saw her son smile at the pretty blond girl who looked at him with such devotion. They would spend a few days with Finn, but then they would have to return, whether he came with them or not. Valerie wiped away the tears as Finn began to stir.

  “Good morning,” he said, looking solemnly at his parents.

  Chapter 73

  A chill wind blew off the York River, permeating the air with the tang of fish and wet mud, murky sludge lapping at the banks choked with fallen leaves. Once beautiful, they were now an indistinct shade of decaying brown. Several boats could be seen in the distance, gliding peacefull
y along the sparkling ribbon of the rippling water, their purpose unknown. Valerie looked toward Yorktown. In six years, Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis would surrender to General Washington only a few miles from where they stood, leading to the end of the Revolutionary War and the beginning of the nation known as the United States of America, but for now, the war was still raging, and many lives would be lost.

  It had taken them some time to drive from the Mallory farm to the banks of the river, but she wanted a private place to talk, away from the overcrowded house or the noisy inn. This place provided the privacy, as well as a sense of continuity. This landscape would still be here in the twenty-first century; silent witness to all that took place. Valerie glanced over at Finn. He was waiting patiently for her to begin. There was so much to say, but the words wouldn’t come. Valerie had kept her secret for so long, from everyone but Alec, and now she had to tell her son the truth.

  Finn walked over and put his arm around Valerie, kissing her temple. He’d changed so much in the two months since he vanished from the plantation. The boy who left was now a man. His eyes had lost the innocence of youth, and his stubbly cheek was no longer the soft skin on a boy. Valerie wiped away a tear, forcing herself to concentrate. She knew what would come at the end of her story, knew it from the moment she saw her son yesterday. Finn was lost to them forever, just as she had been lost to her parents the moment she moved the hands on the clock. They died without knowing what happened to her, believing her to be dead, and never getting the closure they so desperately needed. Now Valerie would be faced with the same fate. Once they left, they would never know what happened to their son, or how his life turned out. Would he live a long and happy life with Abbie, or would he perish in the flames of the American Revolution along with thousands?

  “Mama, I know it’s hard for you to tell me, but I must know. I deserve to know.” Finn was looking down at her, his eyes tender and full of love. At least he didn’t resent her.

  “You are right, darling, and I will tell you everything. It happened when I went to England with your Aunt Louisa in the year 2010.” Valerie heard Finn’s intake of breath at the year, but continued, looking out over the timeless flow of the river. “There was this antique shop…”

  **

  The wind died down, leaving in its wake a lung-seizing freshness that left Valerie breathless. Or maybe it had been the story. Yellow and red leaves circled overhead, settling quietly onto the carpet of grass at their feet. Alec came up behind his wife, pulling her into his arms, more for support than for warmth. Valerie felt strangely empty now that she’d told Finn the story, and she told him everything, including the details of his father’s death in the Tower. Finn had a right to know what Alec had done for his brother, even if he might not understand it just yet. He stood looking silently over the river, no doubt still processing what he’d just heard. Valerie could feel Alec’s tension through his embrace. He was afraid of Finn’s reaction, his rejection.

  Finn finally turned, looking at both of them with something they’d never seen before –- admiration. He seemed to be searching for the right words. He’d need time to fully understand everything that he’d been told.

  “All this time I never knew you at all. I thought that you were like other parents -– old-fashioned and set in your ways. If only you’d told me.” Finn didn’t look accusing, just amazed. “Things could have been so different.”

  “Finn, I didn’t think it was wise to tell you about the time-travel,” Valerie said carefully, not wanting to upset him.

  “I’m not talking about the time-travel. I’m talking about my father. I always thought that he was heroic and brave, but you were the brave one, Dad.” He turned to Alec, his eyes full of affection. “You risked your life to spare him a horrible death, and you loved me as your own son, and I repaid you with ingratitude and insolence.”

  “Finn, I loved my brother, and I love you. I’ve never thought of you as anything but my son. I butted heads with my father too, as did Finlay. That’s what children do. It’s all part of growing up and finding your own way in the world, but I never doubted your love for me.”

  Finn turned to Valerie, his face a shifting mask of emotions. “Mama, I can’t even begin to imagine what you must have felt when you found yourself in the sixteenth century, but knowing what I felt, it must have been terrifying. I’m so glad that you wandered into Yealm Castle, or you would have never met my fathers,” he said with a smile. “Would you have gone back, had you had the chance?” Finn was watching her intently, needing to hear that she would have stayed.

  “For the first few days that’s all I thought about. I looked for that clock high and low, knowing that I wouldn’t find it. It wouldn’t have been made yet. I was lonely, and desperately afraid. I never expected to fall in love, or to make a life for myself in the past, but it’s been a wonderful life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Finding my sister again made it complete.” Valerie smiled at Finn, seeing his relief.

  “So, you don’t have any regrets?” Finn asked, searching her face.

  “My only regret is that I never saw my parents again, and that they died without knowing what happened to me. They would have been so happy to know that I found happiness, and had you and your sister. They never knew they were grandparents.” Valerie sighed. That was all in the past now, and they had to move on.

  “So, what about you, Finn?” She hated asking the question, but the anticipation was always worse than the reality. Valerie watched the conflict play out over her son’s face. “Finn, you must do what you want. We’ll understand.”

  “I want to stay here, but the thought of never seeing you again…” Finn looked away, torn in half by the choice.

  “Is it Abbie, son?” Alec asked.

  “Yes, and no. I love Abbie, and I want a life with her, but it’s also the Revolution. I’ve never cared about anything before, not like this. I’ve never given any thought to the way things are. I just accepted that there is a King in England who rules us all. The idea of people ruling themselves is so radical, but yet, so right. Why should one person have all that power? This time is so exciting and full of promise. I can’t bear the thought of going back to the life I knew.” Finn’s eyes were begging them for understanding, for their blessing.

  “Finn, if I were a young man with no commitments, I would have stayed here too. This country is on the verge of something truly amazing, and you want to be a part of that. It’s understandable. And there’s Abbie. Is she with child, Finn?” Alec asked carefully.

  “She might be, but I want to stay with her because I can’t imagine a life without her, as I can’t imagine a life without you.” His eyes filled with tears as he walked into Valerie’s arms, burying his face in her shoulder. “How am I supposed to say goodbye to you?”

  “So don’t. Let’s say au revoir, like the French,” Valerie whispered into his hair, holding him tight.

  “Till we meet again,” said Finn, nodding into her shoulder.

  December 1622

  Chapter 74

  Louisa pulled aside the curtain of the carriage to gaze at the city that she’d only seen in the twenty-first century. She knew of the poverty and unsanitary conditions, but at the moment, London looked like a Christmas postcard. Fresh snow covered every surface, glittering like diamonds in the mauve rays of the setting sun; windows beginning to glow with the warm light of the candles being lit against the impending darkness. Their progress was slow due to congestion and slush, but Louisa didn’t mind. She was just happy to be off the ship. They’d docked that morning, and Captain Reeves had offered them his carriage to get to Lady Carew’s house. Louisa was a bit apprehensive about meeting Kit’s sister, but her more immediate concern was finding a wet nurse for Evie. She hoped Caroline would be able to help. At the moment, Evie was peacefully asleep in Kit’s arms as he leaned against the back of the swaying carriage, watching Louisa with a small smile on his face.

  “What do you think of London?”

 
“I think it’s beautiful,” Louisa replied, craning her neck to get a better view of the Tower of London, its outline nearly black against the setting sun. “Where’s the palace?”

  “Just there along the river,” Kit gestured to the left of the Tower as the buildings of Whitehall Palace came into view. Louisa sucked in her breath in awe. She’d seen most of the attractions of London when visiting with Valerie, but the Palace of Whitehall had been consumed by a fire in the late seventeenth-century, leaving behind only paintings of its splendor. The place was huge -- a city unto itself. At the moment, the countless windows glowed with the rays of the setting sun as the rooftops glistened with fresh snow.

  Louisa barely noticed as the carriage came to a stop in front of an imposing stone façade. This was obviously a street occupied by the titled and wealthy, with servants coming and going in the gathering dusk. They were ushered into a vaulted foyer, their footsteps loud on the flagstone tiles. Louisa felt dwarfed by the cavernous space and dark paneling, suddenly longing for a breath of fresh air. A servant appeared to escort them to a cozy parlor, aglow with the light of the fire blazing in the hearth.

  “Kit! What a glorious surprise. And this must be your wife.” Lady Carew was seated in front of the fireplace, a walking stick leaning against her high-backed chair. She was magnificently attired, but no amount of silk and lace could distract from her haggard face and jet-black hair liberally streaked with gray. She was probably in her late forties, but time had not been kind to her.

  “Please, sit down. You must be tired from your journey. When did you dock?” She looked at Kit as he took a seat across from her, studying her face for signs of illness. “Kit, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? It would have given me such pleasure to know I would be seeing you again soon. And is that Evangeline?” Caroline held out her arms as she smiled warmly at Louisa.