The morning wore on. Ashley lay with her head on Aaron’s chest, counting the swallows that flew in and out of the old loft.
By noon heat was building inside the loft, making it uncomfortably warm. By mid-afternoon, Ashley was about to despair of the soldiers ever waking up when suddenly something spooked the horses.
Three of the soldiers sprang to their feet, trying to orient themselves. When the horses shied again, the other men bolted to their feet.
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, Ashley and Aaron inched silently across the floor of the loft.
Peering down between the cracks, they saw the British trying to quiet their horses.
“Must have been a mouse,” one man grunted in a voice still deep from sleep.
“How long have we slept?”
“Long enough. It is past noon, ’twould be my guess.”
The men knelt and began to roll up their blankets.
Something suddenly ran up inside Ashley’s skirt, and she froze. Clutching Aaron’s hand, she mouthed a silent scream as the mouse darted back out.
The furry little rodent halted, trying to decide if it should run on its way or investigate this strange thing in its loft.
Ashley stiffened as Aaron’s hand shot to cover her mouth.
The mouse decided to investigate the hem of her dress. Ashley watched in horror as it nosed the material, then she glanced at Aaron, who was equally engrossed in the creature’s movements.
Squirming, Ashley tried to move away, but Aaron held her still.
He leaned down and with his thumb and forefinger flicked the mouse over the edge of the loft.
The mouse squeaked with protest as it landed with a soft thud on the floor of the barn.
Ashley closed her eyes, certain the soldiers would have heard it and come investigating.
Glancing toward the noise, one of the soldiers grinned. “Perhaps we could have a little meat with our beans,” he joked.
One of the others choked with disgust. “This may be a backward country, but I’m not reduced to eating mice yet. I much prefer patriot roasted on a spit.”
The group laughed heartily at the joke, but Ashley could see that Aaron didn’t find the comment particularly amusing.
“How far is it to Boston?” one of the soldiers asked. “According to the map, between fifteen and twenty miles.”
“Then we should reach there by morning. Just in time to teach those minutemen a lesson and be home for dinner.”
Ashley glanced at Aaron again and saw his face tighten with anger. The British were arrogant in their assumption that they could whip the colonists so easily.
“This hay will make a nice meal for the horses.”
“That it will. I wonder if there is more in the loft.” Ashley and Aaron froze as they heard one of the men approaching the ladder.
“I will see.”
Scooting back into the shadows, Ashley and Aaron listened as the soldier began to climb the ladder.
A moment later the top of his head appeared above the edge of the loft, but instead of looking up, he was looking down.
“When I was a small lad, I remember jumping out of the loft of our barn at home into a stack of straw.” He laughed. “I missed once and plunged myself into a pile of manure. Me mum wasn’t happy with me that day.”
The soldier leaned forward, peering more intently into the loft. All of a sudden he spotted the two figures crouching in the shadows. Stiffening, he called out, “I say! What have we here? Visitors?”
Ashley heard the scramble of soldiers coming to their feet.
“Visitors, you say!”
“Or mayhap lovers. Come, come, young lovers. Favor us with your names.” A pistol appeared in the soldier’s hand now, pointed directly at Aaron.
Ashley and Aaron slowly got to their feet. Holding hands, they stepped out of the shadows, trying to look like two guilty lovers who had been caught in a compromising situation.
“Down there,” the soldier commanded, gesturing with his pistol.
After descending the ladder, Ashley stood behind Aaron as he turned to face the soldiers. Flashing a boyish grin, he said heartily, “Well, well, gentlemen. It looks as if you’ve caught us in a bit of a bind.”
“State your name.”
“Smith,” Aaron returned in a friendly fashion, “George Smith.”
“What are you doing in this barn, Smith?”
“Sir…” Aaron glanced at Ashley, his grin widening, “’Twould be most improper for me to say.”
The soldier laughed. “You seem a bit old to be sneaking into barn lofts for a dalliance.”
Aaron shrugged. “The lady has a husband.”
All of the men laughed this time, Aaron included. “Step into the light,” the soldier commanded Ashley. Ashley quietly stepped forward. The soldier studied her for a moment, before his gaze returned to Aaron.
“A tryst, huh?”
“Yes, sir.”
Turning to the officer behind him, he said quietly, “Is this not the pair Church spoke about?”
“The woman matches the description. Red hair and she wears those curious spectacles.”
Aaron glanced at Ashley.
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you: Benjamin Church is a spy,” she said softly. “He’s been working with the British all along.”
“Curse his hide.” Aaron snapped.
“Ah, then this must be Kenneman.” The soldier’s smile didn’t reach his eyes now. “How nice of you to honor us with your presence. I’m sure Gage will want to visit with you at length.” The officer turned to his men. “We’ll take them both back to Boston.”
Chapter Sixteen
Crouching, Aaron shoved the British officer aside, then grabbed Ashley by the hand and dragged her toward the door as bedlam broke loose.
“Halt!” The officer lifted his pistol and took aim.
“Aaron!” Ashley shouted as they burst through the barn doors and started running across the field.
“Run, Ashley, run!” Aaron shouted back.
They raced across the field of clover as a volley of musket balls whizzed over their heads.
“Aaaaarrronn!” Ashley’s breath was coming in gasps as they ran on.
As she screamed, they dove for the ground as more gunfire shattered the stillness.
Aaron grabbed her hand to pull her back to her feet as they dodged another volley of bullets. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that the soldiers were gaining on them. “Faster, Ashley, faster!”
Ashley’s head pounded as she tried to match his long-legged stride. Her breath was coming in labored gasps as another volley of fire rang out. Aaron pitched forward, and she screamed as a vivid splash of crimson appeared on the back of his shirt.
She watched in horrified silence as a second ball hit him and his body jerked in reflex and slumped to the ground.
“Aaron…oh, dear God…Aaron!” Falling to her knees, she began sobbing. Cradling him to her breasts, she gently rocked him back and forth. “Oh, please, don’t let him die…don’t let him die.”
She brought her hand to his lips. He kissed her fingertips, his eyes filled with pain as he gazed at her. “Don’t be afraid, little one.”
“No…don’t leave me, Aaron,” she pleaded raggedly. He was gravely wounded, and she didn’t have the slightest idea of how to help him. “Don’t leave me.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, dotting the front of his bloodstained shirt.
He gazed up at her, his strength ebbing away as she gathered the hem of her skirt over his chest, trying to staunch the flow of his blood.
“It is all according to plan, you are not to be concerned,” he soothed. “I know now that everything you said was true.” He swallowed with effort. “You’ll go back…to your time, and I’ll…go on to mine.” After drawing her head down to his chest, he held her as his tears ran down his cheeks to mingle with hers. “I will always be with you, my love, forever, Ashley—you will never be alone.”
Ashley could hear the soldiers
running toward them now, but she no longer cared. Her hands were covered with his blood as she moaned and continued to rock him. “Hold on, darling…hold on.”
“I love you, Ashley Wheeler…woman of the twenty-first century.”
Sobbing, Ashley cradled his head. “And I love you so very, very much, Aaron Kenneman.”
Gazing up at her, he smiled weakly. “Mayhap we know now why I am not in your history books.”
She buried her face in his chest and wept as his breathing grew more ragged.
She knew the moment he left her. It was as if he had reached for her hand, and they had walked, hand and hand, the last few achingly sweet miles together. Peace suddenly came over her, and she was no longer afraid.
For the briefest of moments, his hand had squeezed hers. Then with a smile that would remain in her heart forever, he had drawn a long breath and his hand relaxed in hers.
Lying her head on his chest, she continued to hold him as the birds in the meadow darted in and out of the clover.
“The dog is dead.”
Ashley lifted her head, her pain-glazed eyes meeting the British soldier’s. His words slowly sank in, and she began trembling. “No! No!”
With trembling fingers, she touched Aaron’s face, trying to memorize his features. He was so pale, so still now.
“You must come with me, Mistress Wheeler.” The soldier reached for her arm, compassion filling his voice now.
“No! Aaron.” Ashley turned back to look at Aaron’s body, lying so motionless on the ground.
“Please, Mistress Wheeler….” The soldier’s manner was more kindhearted than threatening as he helped her to her feet.
With an anguished sob, Ashley dropped back to her knees and gathered Aaron’s lifeless body to her again. “No.” She moaned, her anguished sobs shattering the quiet countryside. “Noooooooo!” Ashley suddenly jerked upright and her eyes flew open.
With a groan, she moved her hand up to shield her eyes against the agonizingly bright light bearing down upon her. Sinking back to the pillow, she closed her eyes against the excruciating pain.
“Thank God, she’s coming out of it.”
It was Joel’s voice again, only much clearer than it had been in the past.
“Ash, sweetheart…can you hear me?” A pair of strong hands gripped her shoulders, shaking her gently.
“Joel?”
“Yes, sweetheart…oh, Ash.” Ashley felt herself being lifted into an incredibly strong pair of arms and held tightly for a moment. “You scared me to death.”
Her arms closed around his neck, her pulse jumping. Aaron. It was Aaron’s voice. He wasn’t dead, he was right here holding her!
“We’ve got a fluctuating pressure, Doctor.”
“Ashley, open your eyes for me.” Joel’s voice was firmer now.
“No,” she murmured. “Light hurts…”
“Cut the light for a minute.”
The light faded. The smell of antiseptic washed over her, and she could hear the bustle of activity around her.
“The light’s out now. Open your eyes for me, Ashley.”
“No, Joel.”
“Come on, sweetheart, you can do it.”
Ashley slowly opened her eyes and looked directly into Aaron’s eyes. His face was filled with such love that it made her heart ache.
“Oh, darling.” She smiled, lifting her hand to touch his cheek. “I thought…I thought I had lost you.”
Joel’s body went limp with relief as he gathered her into his arms to hold her close for a moment. “Oh, honey, don’t ever do that to me again.”
Wincing against the pain in her head, she clung to him, aware that something still wasn’t right. After pulling back from him slightly, she gazed at him. “Joel?”
“Yes, darling, take it easy. You had a blow to the head, but you’re doing fine.”
“You nearly scared the pea waddin’ out of us.” Sue’s shaky voice came to her.
Turning her head, she saw Sue staring down at her. “Sue?”
“Jeez, Ash. You nearly killed yourself. You should have taken those shoes off before you ran outside in the rain.” Sue stepped closer, and Ashley could see that her face was pale.
Confused, Ashley turned back to Joel. “What happened?”
“You had a nasty fall, Ashley.”
“I fell?” She glanced down and saw that she was lying on a hospital gurney.
“Did you ever!” Sue exhaled a breath of relief. “You nearly killed yourself, kiddo.”
“Joel?” Ashley’s gaze returned to Joel, her heart pounding. It was Joel, but his eyes were…Aaron’s.
“You’re going to be fine, sweetheart.”
She suddenly threw her arms around his neck, and their mouths met hungrily. As the kiss grew more heated, Sue cleared her throat and glanced at the nurses and orderlies in attendance in the hospital emergency room. “They…have a thing for each other.” She shrugged and grinned sheepishly.
When their lips finally parted, Ashley gazed at Joel lovingly. “Oh, Joel, I love you.” It was all coming back to her now. The rain, the fall, the dream….
“Well, it’s about time you said that with conviction.” He smiled and lowered his mouth to take hers again. Then she knew. She knew that Aaron had not died in her arms in that lonely field outside of Boston this morning. He was right here with her; he had been with her from the moment she had met Joel Harrison.
“I’ve been unconscious?” she whispered when their mouths finally parted.
“Have you ever!” Sue exclaimed. “You’ve been out going on seven hours now.”
“Seven hours!” Hysteria bubbled in Ashley’s throat. Seven hours, and during that time she had been thrown into an eighteenth-century prison, accompanied Paul Revere on his ride, fallen in love with Aaron Kenneman, witnessed the first shots of the Revolutionary War, and watched the only man she would ever love die in her arms.
Sue glanced at Joel worriedly, but he just grinned. “Relax, Suzy, Neal says Ashley has a slight concussion, a few bruises, a couple of cracked ribs, and a fierce headache, but she’s going to be fine.”
“Oh, Joel, I’m sorry to have kept you from your patients,” she whispered. Never, ever again would she complain about his job.
Joel’s features sobered as he looked down on her. “Ashley, you are more important to me than anything, or anyone. Maybe I haven’t told you that enough…”
She reached for his hand and held it tightly. “Maybe we’ve both been a little neglectful…but not anymore, Joel. Not anymore.”
Should she tell him what had happened? Would she?
Maybe, someday. But for now all she wanted was to share just a few private moments alone with the man she loved.
A nurse stepped into the emergency room and called softly to Joel, “I’m sorry, Dr. Harrison, you’re wanted in ICU.”
Joel leaned down and kissed her briefly again. “I’ll be back shortly. I love you, sweetheart, and don’t worry. Neal says you’re going to be fine.” He turned to leave as she reached out, grasping his hand. “Joel.”
“Yes?”
“I want to get married.”
He looked at her, surprised. “Are you serious?”
Drawing him back to her, she kissed him, muffling his stunned response. She knew that he found the request odd since he had been pleading with her for months to set a wedding date.
“Are you serious?” he murmured when the kiss finally ended. “You’re actually ready to set a date?”
“Never more serious. How about tonight?”
“Tonight?” He grinned. “Maybe Neal should order another set of X-rays for your head?”
“No, Joel.” Her features sobered as she gazed up at him. “There is not one single doubt in my mind. I want to marry you, have your children, and spend the rest of our lives running through fields of clover.”
“Clover?”
She nodded, grinning.
“But what about your parents and mine? I thought a church wedding—”
“Would be fine,” she finished, “and once I’m recovered, we’ll have one. But right now,” she touched his cheek, so gratified that she had been given a second chance at love, “I just want to know that you’re mine.”
“I’ll always be yours,” he said quietly, and it was Aaron speaking to her all over again.
“Yeah, but I want to make absolutely sure,” she whispered.
“Won’t be much of a honeymoon,” he teased softly. “You have two broken ribs and a concussion.”
“Ah, who needs all that moon and spoon and June stuff?” she said lightly. Sobering, she brushed her fingers through his hair, knowing that she loved him with all her heart. “We don’t need it. As long as we have each other, that’s enough for me.”
He gazed back at her with such overwhelming love that she knew. She knew.
“I’ll arrange for the chaplain to marry us before the night is over,” he said quietly.
He stood, and she caught his hand again. “Could you see if you could get me a bouquet of clover?”
“Clover? At this time of the year?”
She smiled. “If you can’t, roses will do.”
As he disappeared out the door a moment later, Ashley reached for her friend’s hand. “Sue!”
With a sigh, Sue reached into the jacket of her pocket. A second later she pressed Ashley’s engagement ring into her hand firmly. “Listen, kiddo, don’t ask me how I knew you’d change your mind, something just told me to get the ring back.”
Weak with relief, Ashley brought the ring to her chest and held it. Somewhere there was someone watching over her. “Joel doesn’t know?”
“Joel doesn’t even suspect, kiddo.”
“How did you manage to get inside his office?”
“Easy.” Sue flipped her hair, which was tinted a strange shade of lavender this week. “Once I’d notified Joel that you were in the emergency room I slipped into the storage room, put on a pair of scrubs, told this cute orderly that Dr. Harrison had sent me up to get a file from his office, and voila, I got the ring and the note and then got out of there.”
“Oh, Sue,” Ashley closed her eyes weakly, “how can I ever thank you?” Sue and someone up above had just kept her from making the biggest mistake of her life.
Forever Ashley Page 21
