The Will of Time Page 27

  "I wasn't prepared to, no."

  "That's good, You see, she's my responsibility, and Brant's now too. They're both family to me, Alvin." Patrick nodded toward Brant, who sat with his arms crossed in front of him.

  "It's a distinct possibility," Diamond went on, unfazed by Patrick's subtle threats. "That your beloved niece is a danger to the Union. She may be a spy, and as for her husband, he may be unaware..."

  Both Patrick's and Brant's chairs flew back in unison, scraping across the wood floor. Leia gasped as the men faced off over the table.

  MaryKatherine's hands flew to her face. "Alvin, what are you saying? You know that Brant's the absolute epitome of loyalty! How could his wife be anything less?"

  Leia looked at her cousin, surprised by her choice of words.

  Alvin was not impressed. "This does not concern you, MaryKatherine," he told her, no longer disguising his blunt, military voice of authority. "Please leave us."

  "Alvin!" Her eyes had widened further than Leia would have thought possible.

  Diamond turned to her like a parent facing a naughty child. "MaryKatherine, dear, please, this is military business."

  "Alvin Diamond!" She turned toward Patrick. "If he speaks to you, Uncle Patrick, at another time, please be aware that I WILL NOT marry this man. And," she went on, lowering her voice, "you should know he has made improper advances."

  Brant and Patrick turned toward Diamond, not speaking, but studying the man's face.

  "Has he hurt you?" Brant asked. The room grew quiet.

  She shook her head. "Not yet. But he made it clear he wouldn't wait until our wedding night to take me. Said he may be killed at war anytime, and he couldn't die without having me."

  Leia watched in awe as MaryKatherine demonstrated her acting skills.

  Diamond sputtered. His lack of control was gratifying. "This is utter falseness, a pack of lies! The girl is lying, Patrick."

  "He touched my breasts, Uncle Patrick," she said, lowering her eyes. A rosy blush had appropriately bloomed on her cheeks.

  A wave of relief washed over Leia as the discussion was directed away from herself, even as light perspiration dampened her forehead. This wonderful, virginal sister of hers was helping her out of a most difficult situation. And by doing so, she humiliated herself. What a girl.

  In spite of Torin's immense curiosity, dress rehearsal had gone well. His dashing smile would be a welcome addition to the photographs taken by the Carroll County Times though Sara hadn't claimed to have designed this particular, authentic costume.

  She watched Torin's eyes widen with each new discovery, but was certain he hid the full depth of his shock. A child-like fascination with everyday objects Sara took for granted made her feel warm and appreciative inside.

  Sara decided that food was in order, and that her new friend would enjoy the taste, if not the substance, of modern fast food. For the sake of the restaurant, she turned into the drive-through lane.

  "How do you feel about beef?" she asked, "with fried potatoes?"

  "I'll try any food you recommend," he said, reaching across the seat to touch her hand as it rested on the wheel. He trusted her.

  "Welcome to McDonalds of Walnut Grove. Can I take your order?" The voice squawked from a small speaker box, and Torin's mouth dropped open.

  To his credit, he closed it and kept it closed as they drove to the second window and were handed a paper bag by a white man in his late sixties.

  "After we eat," Sara said, aiming her car back into traffic, "I'll find you something of Jason's to wear. Do you mind coming to my house?"

  "I would consider it an honor," he said, worshiping a french fry. "These are wonderful potatoes."

  "Well, to be honest, I heard they aren't made from real potatoes anymore. They're made artificially for these places, with chemicals, I think."

  He held up one hand, the other still buried in the cardboard fry holder. "Please, don't tell me anything else. I'd rather just enjoy them."

  "That's what I say, too." She smiled at him. Should she tell him what was really in that burger? Nope. She wanted him to enjoy that, too.

  Sara's phone was ringing shrilly as they entered her small apartment. Torin watched closely as she spoke, standing so near that her skin tingled.

  "What the hell did you do to me?" The words were so loud she winced. Torin stood by her, looking concerned.

  "I had no choice, Jason," she said into the receiver, lips pressing close together.

  "So you know what I'm talking about?"

  "Of course I do. You had just disappeared off the face of the earth, without filling me in. So typical for you, Jason Maxwell. So I had to make the decision...or else you'd have lost the opportunity!" She twirled the phone cord around her fingers, wishing they were instead twisting through Jason's hair...so she could pull harder.

  The line went silent. Of course he should be speechless. There was no possible argument. She was right, and she had probably saved the church property for him from some other money-grubbing business type.

  "Okay," he said at last. "Can I come over tonight?"

  "I'm busy tonight." She clipped each word.

  "Tomorrow, then. We should talk. And I miss you..."

  Aware of Torin's steady gaze on her, Sara turned toward the wall. A blush swept over her face, warming her cheeks as she pictured the evening she'd like to spend with this hard-as-a-rock soldier.

  "Hold on, I've got another call coming in," Jason said, clicking softly off the line.

  Irritation flowed through Sara's veins. How just like him to keep her waiting while he talked to someone else. Well, it was going to stop. She had no more interest in Jason.

  "I'm back. Sorry. Business. But I can't see you tomorrow. It seems that I've been drafted to help move some furniture off of the church property."

  "That's okay, Jason, I'm busy tomorrow too. Good bye." She smiled as she hung up, knowing the final click signified more than the end of a phone call. "Torin, we're in luck. What would you like to do tonight?"

  She enjoyed watching his expression, all boyish and playful but at the same time reserved. A tiny element of hesitation tickled his cheeks, as only a time-traveler must feel when out of place.

  "Is Jason still special to you?"

  "No," she said, turning her eyes to him with honesty. "He hasn't been special to me for a long time. What about you? I never thought to ask, if there is, or was, someone waiting for you at home?"

  "Never found a lady like your friend Leah."

  Sara nodded. "She's a nice girl." Was that a stab of jealousy she felt poking her stomach?

  "Yep, mighty fine." He grinned. "But she's not the one I'm thinking of right now."

  "Oh?"

  "I've always been partial to ladies with strawberry colored locks," he said, touching a length of Sara's hair.

  She let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Do you know what kind of man I've always, secretly, yearned for?"

  Torin shook his head, using her hair to pull her closer.

  "Old fashioned."

  It didn't take Leia long to find MaryKatherine. Curled into a ball, as tightly as hooped skirts would allow, she was huddled in the garden near the cherub fountain. Rocking herself for comfort, she reminded Leia of the many hours she'd spent in the same garden after the death of her parents, sobbing, wet and wilted.

  Without speaking, Leia went to her cousin's side and sat, spreading her own skirts on the warm ground. She pulled MaryKatherine's head to her shoulder, brushing soggy strands of gold hair away from her face. Leia joined the rocking motion, allowing self-pity to bond her to the sad scenario. A few drops squeezed out, but the hurt she felt seemed too deeply pitted in her stomach to flow from her eyes.

  "It's okay," she said, out of habit more than anything else. "This probably won't make you feel any better, but I'm glad you found out his true nature before you married him."

  MaryKatherine quieted the sobs. "You're right. I've had this feeling about him for the past
few days, like something had changed."

  "I think the war's changed everyone," Leia said, stroking MaryKatherine's hair. "But not you. You're still sweet, and you'll find the right man some day. If you want one, that is."

  "But how could I have so badly misjudged Alvin's character?"

  "I don't think he's a bad man, or overly unfair. He's just worn out by fighting, and leading the fighting, and then not getting the recognition he deserved. Maybe he has something to prove to the world."

  "Well, maybe, but he can't ruin Brant and your good names in the process. You are family, and family comes first."

  Leia hugged her shoulders to MaryKatherine's. "You're wonderful. So how can I cheer you up?"

  "That's easy. Take care of Brant and make me an aunt. At least an honorary one."

  Leia placed one hand over her abdomen, feeling the flat surface beneath her clothes. For the first time in weeks, she went over her monthly schedule in her mind.

  "There you are," Brant said, approaching them. His gaze drifted down to her stomach, and his voice became concerned. "Are you ill?"

  Leia snatched her hand back to her side. "No. I'm fine. What's happening inside?"

  "The General's looking for MaryKatherine." Brant looked down, offering a hand to each woman. "But I told him she'd be out for hours, probably went to the neighbors'."

  MaryKatherine nodded, accepting the hand. On her feet, she reached up to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. I'll be back later," she said, and slipped into the cover of the trees.

  Brant looked at Leia. "She's lived out here her entire life. She'll be fine."

  Leia nodded now, standing to slip an arm around Brant's waist.

  "Uh, Leia," he began, after a hesitation. "Diamond wants to see you, too."

  "Oh, God," she said, grimacing the way Sara had always told her would wrinkle her face.

  "He'll be with you. So will I."

  "You know," she said, dusting grass from her skirt, "if Diamond can wait a few hours for MaryKatherine, couldn't he wait just as easily for me?"

  A grin was her reply. "Just what are you suggesting, Mrs. Douglas?"

  "Let's take a long walk. I believe we need to check on the cabin."

  Brant took her hand and led her through the trees, around a few rocks and ditches. When they reached the large, flat rock Belle had climbed to avoid the snake, he stopped.

  Leia was perspiring daintily, her white skin glittered even under the forest roof. Was it the heat, he wondered, or an anticipation of her warmth? He stepped onto the rock and she followed. Before she sat, he stopped her.

  "Wait. Let's take care of something," he said, and lifted her outer skirt.

  "Brant."

  "Wait," he said again, smiling, and loosened the ties that held her hoop skirt in place. In an economy of movement the wiry bell fell, collapsed onto the ground in a white puff. Brant kicked it aside. "Now we can sit."

  Thigh pressed against thigh, they made the rock their own special place. Brant's body was well aware of Leia's presence, warm and firm next to him.

  "I'm afraid of him, you know," she said, beginning the conversation, staring forward.

  "You mean the General?"

  "Who else? You know I can't get back to where I came from, at least not at my own discretion. He thinks I'm a spy, Brant. What if he hauls me off to some prison? Or worse?"

  "Leia, that's not going to happen. All of the McGarlands are on your side." He traced the outline of her hand, then laid it on his leg.

  "You know what MaryKatherine said wasn't true, don't you?" She still faced forward, away from Brant.

  "Yes. And I love her for doing it. Loyalty is so admirable, so rare." He rubbed small circles on his thigh with her hand.

  "But what if it doesn't work?"

  He said nothing for a few seconds, then pushed his free hand through his hair. "Do you really want to know?"

  "Worst case scenario, please." She finally turned to look at him. Her eyes shimmered with tears, whether for herself or him he couldn't tell.

  "What's that?"

  "Never mind. Just tell me this...if I have to leave, what will you do?"

  "I couldn't serve the General any longer if he hurt you, Leia." He spoke softly, feeling his stomach tighten with the thought. The sunlight filtering through the treetops kissed her blonde hair, creating a halo of light. He hadn't thought of her as an angel before. Angels don't stay in one place, everyone knew that. What would he do then, after the war? He had no land, no skills that would serve him beyond farming and soldiering. Then again, no one would be around to expect his care if Diamond cost him Leia...and his career.

  "You can't let me alter your plans," she said, touching the corner of one eye with her finger. "I appreciate your faith in me, but you never intended to marry me in the first place. Stay with the Union, Brant. It'll be safer soon."

  He moved a finger to the inner contours of her ear. "Everything's going to change, isn't it?"

  She shivered at his gentle touch. "It has to. Brant, I got another message today, from Sara. I think you should read this one."

  "Torin again?"

  She nodded. "Sara really likes him." She handed him the curled paper. He scanned it briefly.

  Dear Leia,

  I took Torin to McDonald's last night, after rehearsal. He's in love with french fries and the Big Mac. His fascination with everyday things is wonderful, and has made me look at the world with new appreciation.

  I'm teaching him to drive. You'll have to come home and see that for yourself.

  Jason found out about my hand in his property plans. I made him see that if I hadn't interfered at all during his trip, he would have lost all the eligible properties. He asked to come over, but I'm holding up here in my place with Torin. When Torin asked me about Jason, I could honestly say that I had no more feelings for him. Isn't life strange?

  Love you,

  Sara

  "Leia?" He kept his tone serious and crumpled the paper.

  "Yes, Brant?" She seemed to hold her breath. Did she think he'd be upset by this?

  "What's a Big Mac?"

  She giggled.

  Brant positioned his arm around the small of Leia's back, and she moved closer to lean her head on his shoulder. He breathed in deeply, straining to impress on his memory the scent of her rainwater-fresh hair. She couldn't possibly be a spy. He'd seen all of her secrets. Did the future really need to have her back? Would the fates consider Torin going forward a fair trade? With eyes closed and head tilted back, Brant set all of his doubts aside and wished that they could lead a quiet, dull life as man and wife. It wasn't likely, but it was a nice thing to wish.

  "Leia, we should head back. If we stay here any longer, the General will come looking for us and find us in one of those compromising positions, perched on a slab of rock."

  She tilted her head, flashing a pearly grin. "And hard as one."

  After a silent walk back to the house, hand-in-hand, they entered through the back door. As the door slammed closed behind them, Brant's ears perked up at the sound of men talking. He barred Leia's path with his arm.

  "Someone's here." His voice was a ragged whisper. It was happening already.

  Her face jerked toward him, alarm spreading like a rash. "Oh, God."

  "It will be fine, Leia. Let's breathe slowly." He inhaled, and exhaled loudly. Be brave for her, he told himself. He almost wished she'd never arrived here, never exposed herself to such risk...almost. He breathed air out again.

  She did the same, showing a fake smile this time. "Okay, let's go in."

  The parlor was full, crowded with faces both military and civilian. The air smelled of damp wool. Leaning against the mantle General Diamond stood, booted foot propped on the stone hearth. The McGarlands sat together on one long settee, quietly observing the proceedings. MaryKatherine stared at hands folded neatly in her lap, while Martha wrung hers continuously. Patrick looked older than he had this morning. Leia took another deep breath. Now that she and Brant had
arrived, everything really could proceed.

  Four soldiers, dressed in faded but clean blue uniforms, stood at near-attention by the doorway. A woman Leia didn't recognize sat on a straight-backed wooden chair, her spine straight and her blonde hair the same. She looks familiar, Leia thought.

  Brant steered her into the room by the elbow, presenting her reluctantly to General Diamond. The leader looked tired, almost benevolent, nodding at Leia absently before turning back to Brant.

  "You wanted to see us, General?" Brant asked, a formal tone in his voice. Leia thought his voice quivered, but she was probably mistaken. He wasn't the one to be questioned.

  "Yes. Brant, please take a seat with the McGarlands." When Brant complied, he turned back to Leia. She stood alone in the center of the room, ringed by McGarlands and military. Her knees dissolved into Jello Jigglers, and she was grateful for the long dress that hid them from sight.

  "Leah Douglas. There has been a change in my plans since this morning. You are being placed in Union custody. You are not to leave this house until tomorrow morning, when you will be questioned by my commander." He said the words blandly, his face a blank canvas lacking feeling. No apologies, no sympathy for Brant were expressed or implied.

  "What?" The McGarland and Douglas voices gasped in unison. Leia's stomach dropped to her toes.

  One of the soldiers stepped forward. His uniform indicated he was more decorated than the others. "Mrs. Douglas, was it your intention for your husband to be shot before reaching Gettysburg? Who did you warn about the ambush?" He looked at her with eyes cold as frozen blueberry ice. A flavor she used to love.

  "What are you talking about?" Leia felt her head spin, the heat and humidity were swarming around her. She needed something, or someone, to lean on.

  "Your activities the night before your husband was shot, Mrs. Douglas," he said, still staring. "That's what I'm talking about. What can you tell you about those activities?"

  Swirling nausea painted her insides. She couldn't breathe. Behind her, she heard Brant coming to her defense. His words were paisley marks on her already patterned field of vision. She felt his arm go around her, steadying her.