The Bibliophile (The Librarian Chronicles Book 3)

by Christy Sloat

  “This is good. It goes down real smooth,” I said, handing it back to him.

  “That whiskey was made by a family that helped Helen and I when we were looking for lodging. Many people in these parts loved their whiskey and are willing to pay a pretty price for it. Of course, they’re all dead now, or moved on.” He looked out toward the woods. “They were good people. We were young like you are. And we had a baby on the way. Had to get my wife a place to live, and soon. But they took us in and asked no questions, even though she’s Indian and I’m white. They reminded me one night that they trusted us to not rob them or kill them while they slept.”

  My mouth suddenly ran dry as I caught onto his reason for telling me this story. He was worried about his family, because to him, I was a stranger who might have ill intentions. How could I set his mind at ease?

  “Son, I don’t know you one bit but I welcome you into my home. And my daughter, God love her, she looks at you like you are the moon and the stars. Surely you see it?”

  Nodding, I opened my mouth to talk but he didn’t let me.

  “She’s a good girl. And while we’ve been gone, she’s taken care of this whole mountain. She told me that a stranger who was passing by was the one who found our friends bodies, and I assume that was you?”

  “Yes, sir. I met them before, on another occasion. They, like you, took me in when I found myself injured. It was unfortunate what happened. What ever happened to them?”

  He bit his lip and turned to look at me. “That girl in there wouldn’t let us burn their house like we wanted to. Helen told me it was the only way to get rid of the sickness. But my daughter, somehow, persuaded me into burying their bodies under Arthur’s favorite tree. And she has this crazy notion that she will someday live in their house. Come to think of it, now that you’re here, I guess I know why she wants to live there now.”

  It hit me suddenly, too. She wanted to be free from her parents, and to start her own life. When I turned to see her worried face peer at mine from the window, I realized she wanted that house with me.

  Could I say the same?

  As I looked at her face, I saw so much in it that I never have seen before when looking at a woman; I saw a future.

  “Sir, my intentions with your daughter are pure. I don’t want to rush into anything. I plan on getting to know her to the fullest, and to be respectful of you and your wife’s wishes. I know your wife has intended for her to marry a Cherokee but I must tell you, that’s not what Rose wants.”

  He stood tall over me and nodded, like he knew exactly what I was talking about. From the look on his face he didn’t think it was a good idea either.

  “I will take it slow and I will not do anything to hurt her, or anyone. I promise, I am a good person. I will admit, I may seem a bit strange, because I’m not from these parts, but I’m a fast learner and I can learn to be a good partner to your daughter.”

  “So, you are here to marry her then?”

  Was I?

  Did I intentionally come back here to Rose for this reason? I’ll admit, I knew that I would be gone for a while but I knew the feelings I had for her, and they weren’t for friendship but for more.

  The question that had kept me up at night in my apartment was always, ‘What if I never got to see her again? Would I ever get over her?’

  The answer was no. She would haunt me forever. I’d never get over her or forget about her. The fact was that the war was coming, and sooner rather than later, Paul Revere and his companions would make their famous midnight ride, and this whole mountain would change, and not for the better.

  But with staying, I knew the ramifications of Rose’s role in history. If I stayed, I would ruin her future, special or not. There was a chance she wasn’t the target, but there also was a chance she was.

  There were complications if I stayed but if I went, I would never be able to live with myself. For now, I put that out of my mind.

  “Sir, I came to court your daughter because I am falling in love with her. As crazy as that sounds, since I’ve only been in her company twice, I can’t help but feel this way.”

  Instantly, after I said it, I knew I broke my promise to Angela. She no doubt would see that when she looked at Rose’s book. She’d know I lied.

  Twenty-Six

  Rose 1765

  In the four days since Adam’s arrival we had done many things together. I took him around the mountain, showed him how to trap, showed him our fishing stream, our water source, and helped him scout out mushrooms. Adam was a terrific scavenger and knew much about the trees and flowers along our ridge. He told me that he studied it well before he came and even showed me the page on my favorite flowers and their medicinal use on one of the many books he’d brought

  Each day that passed made me eager to wake and spend another day with him but frightful that I would wake to find him disappeared once again. Today I spent much of my time avoiding his gaze but staring at him when his head was turned. He was fascinating and quite extraordinary. Handsome as ever and kind. As the day turned to night, I couldn’t wait to get to know him privately, without my parents gawking at us.

  Adam had gone to sleep over an hour ago. Father and Mother were snoring before their heads hit the pillow. I pulled my covers off slowly, climbed down the steps from my loft, and padded softly amongst the floor, trying hard not to make the boards squeak. Finally able to wear my blue dress that I had painstakingly made and a fur wrap, I did something I never thought I ever would do; I snuck out and ran to a man.

  I reached the smokehouse and knocked hoping I would find him awake. My heart beat so loudly I couldn’t hear anything else. When he opened the door only wearing a pair of breeches, my heart hurt from the fast speed of its beats. His lips turned to a smile and then his eyes went wide when he realized what I had planned.

  “Oh no. I promised your dad that I would be respectful,” he said, looking worried.

  I bit my lip and pulled the fur tighter, “It’s cold out here, Adam, let me inside so I can get warm. Father has drunk himself into a deep sleep and Mother won’t wake unless he does. Trust me, I’ve lived here my whole life.”

  He opened the door wider and revealed his bed, which held more books than I’d ever seen.

  “Oh, how wonderful, more books!” I ran to them and dropped the fur as the warmth from the smoking fire engulfed me.

  “Rose, you’re so beautiful. There is nothing more stunning than a woman in a dress running toward books. Damn.”

  The way he watched me made me suddenly grab my furs, but he took my arm gently. I let him and he pulled me into his arms and ran his fingers through my hair. The light from the fire lit his face and made his eyes look dark as he took me in.

  “Do you know how gorgeous you are? This color blue suits you.” He fingered the fabric on the dress making me thankful that I wore it.

  I shook my head. “I am plain and simple. There is nothing special about me.”

  His mouth fell open in shock. “Are you serious? Your hair is dark and smooth like silk. And your high cheekbones do something to your eyes. It’s like when they look at me, they engulf me. Rose, you know I came back for you and for you only, don’t you? I gave up my time period to be with you.”

  “I never asked you to. Why would you do that?”

  He stepped back, like he was injured from my words. I never meant to hurt him I only wanted the truth. He was mad to do so. I wasn’t sure I could do the same. This life was all I ever knew. To get to know a whole world that differed so much from mine, scared me.

  “What if I never get over you while I live out my days? When I close my eyes, what if time brings me right back to you, and I can’t forget you?”

  He ran his fingers over my head and stopped at my shoulders.

  “What if I try to get over this moment right here but I can’t? How a
m I supposed to live my life if you’re not in it with me? I know for sure that I can’t see anything but you when I close my eyes, because I’ve been suffering since I saw you last. I’ll be right back, right here with you, but unable to be here. So, I decided to take a break from my life and to immerse myself in you. Rose, your father asked me what my intentions were and I gotta tell you, I didn’t know until he asked me.”

  “And, what are they?”

  “I want you. I want this,” he said motioning to my body. “Even if I have to give up on my time. Your world has its complications but I want you. I want you to be mine.”

  Never in my life did I think that I would find anyone like Adam. Never did I think a man would come here and give up everything in his life for me. I thought love evaded me, but it found me.

  Taking his face in my hands I reached up and kissed his lips gently, and slowly. They tasted like whiskey, sweet and rich.

  “I am falling in love you with you, Adam. And there is nothing I want more than you. I fully give myself to you, body and soul, if you want it.”

  And then I did something daring. Sliding out of my dress, I stood in front of him. His eyes caressed every inch of me. Slowly he took his finger and ran it from my face, over my lips, down my chin, and onto my neck where he placed his first kiss.

  His finger trailed ever so gently over my breasts that perked upon his touch, sending shivers down my spine. Standing in my shift I felt suddenly overheated. He splayed his hand on my bottom and with the other began caressing my area. The way he rubbed it made me ache for him in a way I’d never felt before.

  Pulling away from me suddenly he said, “Are you sure you want this? Because I don’t want to make you feel like this is the only thing I want from you.”

  “Adam,” I said breathlessly. I said nothing more but took my shift off of my body and grabbed his hand.

  ***

  Adam 1765

  This beautiful fucking woman stood naked in front of me, telling me she wanted me, and I had to think for a moment. I couldn’t take her virginity without asking if she was sure. I had never taken this from a woman before, and it was almost scary. I would always be her first, and she wasn’t mine. Suddenly I wished she was. Her tan skin glistened in the light making me want nothing more than to take my time with her body.

  “Yes, I am sure. I came here to you because I want this. I want our bodies to become one tonight. And hopefully each night you plan on being here.”

  “What makes you think I’ll leave you?” I asked, pulling her to me. My lips crushed hers as we kissed passionately. God, she had me so hard but I had to take it slow, to help her enjoy her first time. Our first time together.

  Picking her up, I slowly laid her onto the bed. She lay upon the books that I brought. Instead of being careful, I threw them off and made room for her only. Books weren’t important right now.

  Pulling her legs toward me, I buried my face in her warmth and licked her gently, making her moan my name.

  She tasted like innocence. I took my time with her here, licking her slow and then fast, using my fingers to tease her nipples. When I felt her come to that perfect climax, her whole body shook. Her face was bright red as the shock of what had just happened set in.

  “What was that?” she asked, looking down at me.

  “That was called an orgasm, and I want you to have one of those each time we go to bed together. Did you like it?”

  Nodding, she pushed her warmth onto my throbbing hardness. My head fell back as she grinded up against me. She had a way with me that no other did. All she had to do was touch me and I was hers.

  “Are you sure? We can wait,” I said through clenched teeth. It would hurt to wait but I’d do it for her.

  “No, I want all of you.”

  With that she pulled my pants down and took my cock into her hands where she began to touch me slowly. For her first time, she didn’t need any help as she began to stroke me. Her soft hands took me in and I put my head back enjoying this moment. I could feel myself almost ready to come as I slowly bent down to kiss her.

  “Rose, this might hurt you. I just don’t want you to be surprised.”

  “I am fully aware of the pain. I’ll endure it.”

  She laid back and spread her legs for me. I entered her slowly, taking my time in doing so. I didn’t want to hurt her in any way.

  She sucked me in as she pushed her body onto mine and I had no choice but to push back it felt so good.

  “Oh God!” I said, as her wetness enveloped me. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded as I thrust into her. As I slowly made love to her, I realized this was a first for me. I’d had sex before, plenty, but never did I make love. Even with my ex it wasn’t like this.

  There was a big difference when you were truly in love. And that’s when I realized I have never, and I mean never, loved anyone before Rose came into my life.

  ***

  Rose 1765

  My body arched as he continued thrusting into me. His face looked pained but I knew better, it was pleasure. Because of me, he was feeling that. The way he made me feel with his tongue was beautiful. I had not expected anything like that tonight.

  He reached up and played with my breasts again, and I giggled.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked, slowing down.

  “Sorry, it’s just that you keep touching them.” I smiled, easing the tension, for fear he would find me not interested.

  “Well,” he said, grabbing them gently. “Have you seen your boobs? They’re beautiful.”

  Leaning forward he kissed me and asked me once more if I was all right.

  “I am fine, Adam. I promise. If it hurts, I will tell you.”

  It did hurt, but it hurt more to not have him inside me. I ached for him, even on the nights he wasn’t here. Never did I know it would be like this.

  The pinch of him first entering had gone away and was replaced with fullness. He took his fingers to where he was licking and began to touch me there. The feeling had come back and it made me do the same as before, I shook and moaned his name. Before I knew it, he did the same and we were lying together in his bed.

  “You’re incredible, you know that?” I laughed. I had never thought of myself as incredible before. “You laugh but notice I’m not. I’m serious. In fact, I want to give you something.”

  “Something other than what you just gave me?”

  He stood up and grabbed his shirt and began digging into it.

  “What the devil are you doing?” I asked, as he ripped stitches.

  Once he was finished, he presented me with a brooch that held in its center a red ruby. I’d never seen anything so fine in my life, so when he laid it into my palm, I felt fear. Afraid of losing it, or breaking it, I held it tenderly.

  “It was my mothers, it helped keep her connected to the future, when she traveled, and now it connects me to mine. Without it, I can’t go home. So, I want you to hold onto it for me.”

  My mouth formed the words before I knew it, “Why me?” Instantly I regretted asking such a foolish question. It made me seem daft. Of course he had just shown me that he wanted me, and trusted me. Something inside me told me that I was undeserving of such a gift, such a task.

  I’d never been thought of as anything other than a half-breed. The way that Adam saw me was new to me.

  “Because I trust you. And because I want you to know I care for you, deeply. Hold onto it, and let’s enjoy our time together.”

  “The time may go fast, and you may ask for this back,” I said, realizing that it was truth.

  He shook his head. “I don’t think I will.”

  Twenty-Seven

  Adam 1765

  She left in the dead of night, taking with her my mother’s brooch and my heart. Watching her go was o
ne of the hardest things I’ve ever done. She looked so good in that night dress that I just wanted to say, “Your father will get over it!” and pull her back into my bed. But she insisted upon being a good girl, and I understood because I promised her father I’d be a decent human being and not hurt his daughter. I promised him that my intentions were good, and they were but being with her that night was not what he had in mind, I’m sure. So, we had to sneak around to see one another. I could handle that.

  I didn’t want to think about what he’d do to me if he found out what happened here tonight, in these sheets. Rolling over I smelled the bed where she laid and it smelled of her. Oh man, I had it so bad for this girl.

  While she dressed and braided her hair before parting, she had asked, “Will I have your child now?”

  Almost laughing I had to remember the year. They didn’t have contraceptives to my knowledge, so I explained to her that I had used a condom. She seemed rather interested in what that was and I showed her. It brought back visions of middle school sex education and the horror burned on my peers’ faces after we left the class.

  “So you wear it and it prevents pregnancy? How very marvelous. What other inventions come about in your century?”

  Promising to fill her in on as much as I could, she tied the front of her nightdress and kissed me goodnight.

  “Till the morning,” she said before she walked out of my door. With the fire of the smoker burning in the small wood hut I now called home, I felt fulfilled. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel alone.

  ***

  The sound of a rooster’s crow woke me before I was ready. Dreams of Rose’s beautiful naked body filled my head during sleep. Sitting up I realized just where and when I was. Suddenly I felt fear, for the first time since this decision to leave my time and move here for a girl I barely knew. Was I crazy?