“What about Big Nat?”
“We’ll finish what we started with him and get him back with his kids,” he said, “and then it would be you and me, lady, in 1985.”
“How?” The question had been on the edge of her thoughts since the moment of his invitation. “Do you know how to return to nineteen hundred and eighty-five?”
He stood and padded across the floor to the wardrobe where he removed the suit jacket. “I’m not sure, but maybe this is it.” The garment lay across his arms like a treasured heirloom. When he returned to the bed, he reached inside the interior pocket. “My father gave this watch to me the night before I woke up in 1860. Pop said that Anders found the timekeeper, and it brought him good luck. Cal and I had never seen the timepiece before Pop gave it to me.”
Willow took her spectacles from the other pocket of Thor’s jacket. After she adjusted the wire-rimmed frames on the bridge of her nose, she reached for the timepiece. The gold covering, intricate design and poetic inscription took her breath away. The beautiful artistry revealed a dedicated person. Light reflected off the covering in a peaceful, yet energetic glow. If this watch held the secrets of time travel, the knowledge would not come as a surprise.
“Love lasts forever,” she whispered. “Beautiful.” Wonder coursed through her just from holding the watch. Reading the inscription aloud only intensified the sensation. She felt his gaze on her. With a moment’s hesitation, she handed the watch back. “How does it work?”
“What do you mean? Can you read a watch to tell time?”
She nodded. “Miss Olivia taught me. I meant how did the watch send you through time? Did Anders tell you how to make it work?”
His forefinger dipped and curved around the words. “Anders doesn’t know. He found it in the woods. I don’t know how it works or even if it’s what brought me here.”
The Bible warned that magic was the work of the devil. Was that always true? Mystical forces brought Thor Magnusen to her world. He was a good, kind man, too compassionate to be capable of evil. But that timepiece. . . as easy as drawing water from a creek, the watch brought Thor to her, and it could just as easily take him away. A bucket of dread poured over her. She shuddered.
His large hand closed around her shoulder. “I’ll figure out how it works, and when I do, I want you to come with me.”
“Would I fit in your time?” Her uncertainty about the watch’s powers made her uneasy. Yet, Thor’s invitation piqued her interest in his world, and knowing that he wanted her to return with him only fueled her curiosity all the more.
“Nineteen eighty-five is nothing like 1860.” He curved his arm around her shoulder and pressed her close to his side. “I have no doubts about you, Miss Willow Elkridge. You would have no problems fitting in. You’re so smart and inquisitive. There would be no roadblocks in your way. Nothing would stop you from being whatever you wanted to be or doing whatever you wanted to do.” He tilted her chin until their gazes met. “If you could do whatever you wanted, what would you do?”
“I don’t know. I suppose I would go to Oberlin College. It doesn’t matter if you’re Negro or white, or male or female. What about you? What are your dreams, Thor?”
A series of white lines suddenly stretched from his mouth. “My dreams aren’t important anymore.”
“It’s important to have dreams.”
“I’m learning that there are other things more important than dreams.” He brushed wispy strands of hair from her face. “You’re more important than any dream I’ve ever had. If I could figure this time travel thing out, would you come back with me? I mean it, Willow. Would you?”
Words failed her. A world without Thor saddened her, yet she could not imagine leaving the Browns or her dear friend, Eva. Besides, what would she know about nineteen hundred and eighty-five? Living in 1860 was difficult enough. He said she would fit in, but what if he said that to appease her?
She pulled away from him, straightened her back, and hugged her knees to her chest. “I have to see Big Nat safe with his children.”
“And after he is, will you answer my question then?”
“Can’t you stay here?” Her breath locked in her chest. Waiting for his response seemed to take forever.
He shifted on the bed until he sat up straight beside her. His legs crossed and he laced his hands together. “We couldn’t be together here, at least not safely. I have a family waiting for me. A brother and a father who are probably worried sick. I couldn’t just leave them.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t.” He took her hand and wrapped both of his around it. His warmth spread through her from head to toe. “If there was a way I could let them know I was okay, I’d feel better about staying here. However, the most important thing that sticks in my head is you.
“We can’t be together like this without fear or censure. I really don’t give a damn what others think of me. I never have, but I do care about your safety. Being together in this time period just isn’t safe, and I don’t want to be here if I can’t be with you.”
He raised her hand to his mouth. His lips kissed each fingertip. “Think about it, Willow. You’ll have your choice of colleges and not have to limit yourself to just one. Freedom you’ve never imagined is waiting for you. Besides, this could be your destiny.”
“My destiny?” She smiled at the twinkle dancing in his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Returning to 1985 with me could be the reason why I’m here. I’ve already saved your life once. Maybe I’m supposed to take you back with me.”
“But you’re not sure if the watch brought you here or why. How can you be sure my destiny is to return with you?”
“Gut instinct,” he said softly. “It feels right when I say it.”
“Would you mind if I asked you a question?”
“I’m an open book.” He fell back against the pillows and spread his arms. A sensuous flame sparked in his eyes. “You can read me to your heart’s content.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. His bold, flirtatious manner made her giggle. The laughter only lasted for a short moment. Her question held no mirth. She pointed to the thin, white scar on his right collarbone. Lightly, she pressed her fingertip against the healed wound. His body jerked upon contact, and then he grew still. His eyes became dark and haunted.
“What happened to you?”
“My collarbone was broken.”
“I thought as much,” she murmured. Her fingers traced the outline of the scar, carefully so as not to cause distress. “How did it happen? Were you in an accident, or did someone do that to you?”
His mouth tightened into a thin line. “Does it matter?”
“It doesn’t matter, but you should have warned me that some chapters were sealed shut.”
“It’s not that,” he said quietly. “You can ask me anything. It’s just that…well, it’s just a scar. I was working and it got broken.”
“I never considered what you did for a living,” she said with a smile. “What is your trade? Are you a carpenter like Mr. Anders?”
“I built my house, but no, I’m not a carpenter; at least not a professional one. I don’t have a specific trade anymore, but once upon a time, I was a quarterback for the NFL.”
This sounded interesting! All sorts of images flashed through her mind, but none of them stayed for very long. She couldn’t really imagine what a quarterback was or what the NFL did.
“I don’t understand. Could you tell me? Would knowing change things?”
He cupped her chin and brushed his thumb across her cheek. She shivered from the exquisite tenderness of his touch. He smiled in response. “I don’t think there would be a problem. Football is a professional sport. The NFL, which stands for National Football League, is comprised of football teams from all over the United States. I was the backup quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.”
“The Atlanta here in Georgia?”
“The very same. The football teams play against each other w
ith opposing offensive and defensive sides. The quarterback is an offensive player, and he leads a pack of ten players. The quarterback’s job is to get the ball to other members of his team.”
“For what?”
“So that his team can score a touchdown or gain more yards.”
She noticed from his intense expression that his job meant a good deal to him, but for the life of her, she could not understand why. “Is it a real ball?”
“Yeah.” He gestured with both hands. Excitement replaced the disappointment in his eyes. “It’s about this wide and this long. The shape makes it easy to grip.”
“And doing this football is how your collarbone was broken?”
“I was tackled by a lineman. My collarbone snapped in two, and so did a couple of bones in my arm.”
Shock flew through her. Her mouth dropped open. Whatever this lineman was, it certainly was brutal. She clutched his hand. “Blessed be!”
“Tell me about it. That tackle wasn’t a thrill. That’s for sure.”
“When you return to your home, will you continue with this profession? It doesn’t sound very safe to me, and surely, there are less violent occupations you could consider.”
A warm smile teased the corners of his mouth. “You’re worried about me.”
“Yes, I do not want you to be hurt.”
“How about this?” He leaned toward her, and his voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “I’ll think about a change in career if you’ll promise to consider coming with me to 1985.”
With his face so close to hers, his sweet breath fanned her mouth. Surrender came easily. “I promise.”
He removed her spectacles. His hand moved to the back of her head and drew her to him. Her lips parted in anticipation. His kiss was wet, warm, and wonderful. As he lowered her to the bed, her arms closed around him. The soft, tiny hairs on his chest tickled the hardening tips of her breasts. Their hearts pumped in unison. She closed her eyes and prepared herself for the delicious sensations that promised to flood through her body.
All too quickly, his caresses came to a sudden halt and he pulled away. “Did you hear that?”
“No.”
“I heard something.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed. His bare feet thumped across the hardwood floor. He pulled the door open and stuck his head through the opening. A few seconds passed before he closed and locked the door and returned to her.
“What did you see?” She moved into his open arms.
“Nothing. It must have been the wind.”
His mouth claimed hers again, and any concern for unexplained noises disappeared with the taste of his lips on her tongue. The rest of the night was spent in Thor’s arms. For that moment, nothing else mattered.
* * *
Anders spent most of the night watching over his wife and child and thinking about Brown’s dilemma. Brown wasn’t bound by blood to take care of Willow. Anders knew the story. Slave patrollers lynched Willow’s parents and left her an orphan. Brown had taken the young girl into his home because of a promise to Willow’s father, but he allowed her into his heart because she was a lovely person.
Eva told Anders often enough that Willow didn’t think he cared for her. Nothing was farther from the truth. He liked Willow well enough and appreciated her friendship with Eva. Country life bored Eva, but Willow’s questions about Eva’s life in the North invigorated his wife. She enjoyed having a friend her age to chat with while sewing and pouring over those Sears and Roebuck catalogues.
He was never much for book learning, but Eva adored William Shakespeare. Countless times, the two women discussed the English playwright well into the night. Giggles and sighs often accompanied their conversation. The glow that warmed his wife’s cheeks created a burning sensation all through him. He supposed he had plenty reasons to be grateful to Willow Elkridge. Her friendship made his wife happy, and that was priceless.
Dorothea awakened with a gusty wail. Eva pulled the squirming babe into the curve of her arm and gave the hungry infant her breast. The greedy display filled him with pride.
A beautiful, contented smile crossed Eva’s lips. “She reminds me of you. Loud and red-faced when the hunger pangs strike.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and slid his finger between Dorothea’s tiny fist. “She’s her daddy’s little girl.”
An overwhelming sensation hit him hard in the gut. Blood rushed from his face. The enormity of parenthood sent him reeling. He dropped onto the bed beside his wife and daughter. The endless sea of responsibilities of raising and loving a child drained him, yet filled him, too.
“It’s a powerful feeling, isn’t it?” His wife had been watching him closely. “But it’s a good one.”
“She’ll look to us for everything,” he said quietly. “She’ll learn by what we do, and not always what we say. We’ll have to set good examples.”
“Yes.”
He directed his attention to Eva. “Brown asked me to join him in looking for Willow and Thor. I told him I would think about it. He’s coming by here in a little while.”
“You’re going with him,” she said with a knowing smile. “Don’t worry about me. Olivia said she’d come by. Dorothea and I will be fine.”
“You don’t mind if I leave you? I hate to leave you alone.”
“I’m not alone. Our daughter is with me. I want you to help Reverend Brown find Willow. I’m scared for her out there and with Thor, too.”
“What about Thor?” Anders stepped into his work boots and rose from the bed. He grabbed a rifle and checked to see if it was loaded. It was.
The baby finished breakfast. Eva patted the infant’s back until she burped. Eva rocked the baby. “It’s a just a feeling. Willow has not had any real attention from men. Thor is a handsome, charming man, and he has been very friendly with her. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”
“Do you think he’d use her?”
“Not on purpose. He reminds me of you; kind, caring, and stubborn. I don’t think he’d mean to do it, but things happen despite the best of intentions.”
Anders grimaced. “Don’t they, though? I will look into it when we meet up with them. Brown will be here any minute.” He stopped beside the bed. “Are you sure you’ll be fine without me?”
“I’m sure.” She took his hand and squeezed. “Go and be sure to tell the reverend that you’re all in my prayers. I love you, Anders Magnusen.”
“I love you, too.”
* * *
Leah cornered Thor as soon as he and Willow descended the staircase. The young mistress of the plantation pulled him out of the house before he could protest and had him inside a horse drawn carriage within the blink of an eye.
“Where are we going?” he asked, turning around to stare behind them. Willow’s form decreased as the horses carried them down the lane. “I have business to attend to with your father, Miss Davis. I haven’t the time for foolishness, and I’m sure your father wouldn’t appreciate you being with me without a chaperone.”
“My father knows we’re together, and Monty here can act as a chaperone even if he doesn’t have the proper credentials.”
The older black man stiffened as her caustic remark snapped in the morning breeze. Thor saw the tightening of the slave’s back muscles and came close to offering an apology. Remembering his situation, he thought better of it and instead asked, “Where are we going?”
“Aunty Nitta prepared a basket filled with breakfast delights. We’re having a morning picnic. Papa is busy with Lucas and Grady and would not have time to see you. He suggested I entertain you for a little while.”
“How long is awhile?”
Gravel crunched as the horses’ hooves pounded into the dirt road. Clouds of dust billowed and wafted inside the open carriage. Thor glanced at the passing scenery. Jumping was a foolish risk. The carriage raced like greased lightning down the dirt road. He grunted and stared straight ahead. “Well?”
“Awhile isn’t too long at all. The glen is just ahe
ad,” she soothed. “We’ll picnic there and once we’re done, we’ll return to the house.”
Thor pulled out the timepiece. It just made eight o’clock. Willow said they planned to punish Big Nat around noon. That gave them four hours. Even a breakfast picnic could not last that long. He sighed and snapped the watch shut.
Leah must have sensed his acceptance. She bounced on the seat beside him and chattered nonstop. While she carried on a one-sided conversation, his thoughts turned to Willow, and he hoped that she’d have an affirmative response for his invitation to join him in 1985. Provided he could ever figure out how to work the pocket watch to get back there himself.
Leah giggled and clutched his forearm. He sighed.
Lord, please let this hour pass quickly.
* * *
The time spent with Leah passed slowly at first. Monty spread a blanket for them and arranged the dishes over it, leaving enough room for Thor and Leah to sit. When the older man shuffled off to tend to the horses, Thor watched him leave with much regret. The last thing he wanted was to be alone with Leah. Willow’s comment that Leah wanted him for dessert floated back to him, and he couldn’t help but see the truth to Willow’s prediction. Leah’s flirty behavior left nothing to his imagination. The young woman wanted him, and he was certain she meant to have him. Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t so easily had.
“Isn’t this lovely?” She speared a piece of ham and extended it toward him. “Go ahead and take a bite. I don’t mind.”
He plucked the piece from her fork with his fingers. Bacon was his preferred form of pork. Ham was never a favorite, but he popped the morsel into his mouth anyway. Arguing with Leah would no doubt prolong the damn excursion. It would serve him better just to humor her—to a degree—and then get back to the main house as soon as possible.
Love Lasts Forever Page 16
