A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) (31 page)

Finn perched on the stile, watching wistfully as Sam practically ran toward the farmhouse.  He told Sam he needed a few minutes, but in truth, he couldn’t stand watching the family reunion.  It was too painful.  Sam disappeared inside the door as cries of joy erupted from the house.  Finn could see through the window the rapture on Mrs. Mallory’s face as Sam wrapped his arms around her, holding her in a bear-like embrace, his younger sisters wrapping their arms around his legs.  Martha was standing off to the side, smiling, while Mr. Mallory set aside his pipe in order to give his son a warm hug.  Finn couldn’t see Abbie, but she had to be there somewhere, happy to welcome her brother home.  Finn turned his back to the house, unable to watch any longer.  He would never have a homecoming like this one.  He would never see his family again.  He’d never hug his parents, or watch his sister get married, or see Evie grow up.  He would be forever alone unless Abbie agreed to become his wife and become his family.  Finn looked up at the sky, trying not to cry.  He was a man, and men didn’t cry when they missed their mothers. 

He hadn’t heard Abbie come up behind him
until she took his hand, lifting it to her face.  She was warm and soft, looking up at him with worried eyes.  “Are you all right, Finn?  I’ve missed you so.”

Finn pulled Abbie closer, kissing her upturned face.  “I missed you too.  I was just missing my
parents,” he admitted.  He hadn’t been planning to tell her, but he had to share with somebody.  “I can’t bear knowing that I’ll never see them again.  I miss my family.”

“We’ll be your family now.  Sam just told us what you did for him, Finn.  You saved his life.  You’re a hero.”  Abbie was looking up at him, her eyes full of love.

“I’m no hero, Abbie.  I was scared to death.” 

“You could have just walked away and left Sam to die, but you didn’t.  Of course you were scared, but you still did it. 
My parents will never forget what you’ve done for us.  I will never forget.  I hope you never leave us, Finn.” 

“I’ll never leave you, Abbie.  I want to marry you and be with you forever.  I can’t offer you anything right now, but if you
’re willing to wait a few years, I promise I’ll find a way to support us.  May I ask your father for your hand?”  Finn watched her face, terrified of seeing rejection.  If Abbie said no, there would be no reason for him to remain with the Mallorys.  He would have to go somewhere, anywhere.

Abbie walked into his arms, her cheek against his thundering heart.  “I would be proud to be your wife Finn,
but we might not be able to wait a few years.”  Finn looked down at her in confusion until her meaning finally sank in.

“Oh, God, Abbie, are you sure?”

“No, but I’m two weeks late, so it’s a definite possibility.  I haven’t said anything to my parents yet.  It wouldn’t be right to ruin Martha’s wedding, besides, I wanted to wait for you to get back.  I’ll have to tell them sooner or later.” 

“Why don’t you wait until I’ve spoken to your father?  I’d much prefer to do it without a gun being pointed at my
heart,” Finn said, kissing the top of Abbie’s head. 

“I was afraid you
might be angry.”

“Why would I be angry?” Finn asked, confused.  “I love you, Abbie, and I
’ll take care of you, no matter what.”

“I don’t want you to marry me just because I might be with child,” she retorted, suddenly worried that Finn would feel obligated to marry her.  She wanted him to marry her for love.  Finn jumped off the stile and took her in his arms, kissing the tip of her nose. 

“You are completely daft, Abigail Mallory, but I love you anyway.  Now let’s go inside.  I’m starving.” 

Abbie didn’t protest as Finn took her hand and walked toward the house. 
He might never see his family again, but Abbie and her family were the next best thing.  He’d gotten lucky indeed.

Finn offered to help Abbie with the pig, giving her an opportunity to sleep a little later.  She looked exhausted the night before, worn out by worry over her possible pregnancy.  Finn was only too happy to do something useful.  He sat by the glowing pit in the darkness of the early morning, enjoying the smell of roasting meat.  The house was already abuzz with activity.  Mrs. Mallory had risen at 3 a.m. to begin the last of the cooking.  She wanted to be done by noon when the family would leave for the church, returning after the ceremony with all their guests. 

Gil’s parents would stop by before the wedding to drop off their contribution to the feast.  His mother had been cooking for days as well.  Finn looked forward to the party.  It would be nice to eat well after weeks of subsisting on rabbit and fish.  The smell of the apple tarts had been heavenly as he walked into the house last night.  Mrs. Mallory cut one up to celebrate Sam and Finn’s return.  Finn could have happily eaten the whole tart on his own, but the rest were for the wedding.  He’d have his fill today.  Finn dipped a ladle into the bucket of sauce and carefully poured it over the roasting carcass.  The smell made his mouth water.  He’d go in for breakfast once the sun came up. 

The morning went by very quickly.  Everyone was busy with last-minute preparations, putting the finishing touches on the decorations and the food.  Finn volunteered to stay by the pit through the church service.  Mr. Mallory was afraid that animals would get to the pig, devouring it before they came back.  Finn didn’t mind if it gave Abbie the opportunity to go to church and see her sister wed.  He helped Abbie into the wagon, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. 

“You look beautiful,” he whispered into her ear.  “Much more beautiful than the bride.  I can’t wait until it’s our turn.”  Abbie giggled, blushing prettily.  She had a new frock for the occasion
and a lace tucker covering her swelling breasts.  “I’ll see you soon.”

Finn watched as the family drove away.  Martha was lovely in her wedding dress
and bonnet.  She was a bundle of nerves, eager to be wed at last.  She and Gil would be spending their wedding night at a nearby inn, a present from Gil’s parents.  Finn was curious to meet the elusive Gil.  He would finally see him once the bridal party returned from church.  Gil spent the night at his parents’ house, forbidden to see his bride before the big day.  Finn smiled thinking of where he and Abbie would be spending the night.  He couldn’t wait to hold her.

**

The guests began to arrive shortly after the church service.  Martha was glowing as Gil helped her down from the trap.  He was a tall, dark-haired youth, no older than nineteen.  Finn didn’t think he was particularly handsome, but his eyes lit up as he smiled at Martha, and she blushed crimson at something he whispered in her ear.  Maybe Abbie was wrong, and she loved him after all.  The tables were already set up outside.  There would be dancing after everyone had eaten.   

“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.

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.