Leaning her head against his shoulder as they walked, she said, “That’s a hard thing to confess, but sure and it’s good to know you have no hard feelings for what I said.” She stopped and faced him. “We’re responsible for ourselves, Brendan, not for those who went before us.”
He leaned down to kiss her. “Right you are. From now on, I’ll concentrate on not making mistakes. Leave the past behind.”
They were at the church’s massive doors. From inside came organ music.
She knew they must hurry. “Why not be more hopeful? Let’s pledge we’ll both do our best.”
“That sounds good enough for me. And now, love, we’d better get inside and change our clothes. We don’t want this wedding to start without us.”
At the door to the bride’s dressing room, Brendan took her in his arms. “Consider this wedding practice for our own. The minute you’re healed enough, we’ll be back here to make you Mrs. Brendan Hunter.”
“And we’ll be together forever.” She waved and slipped inside the room.
Chapter Forty One
Two months later, Deirdre clasped Brendan’s hand, grateful for his strength throughout their trip.
Their honeymoon.
“Galway City was larger than I’d have dreamed. And very modern.” But now that they were away, going toward her old home, a flock of butterflies had taken up lodging in her stomach.
“And the hotel was very cozy.” He nuzzled her neck, nibbling on the spot just below her ear.
She pretended to be offended. “Sir, please, I’m a respectable married woman.”
He smiled and snugged her to him as their driver navigated down a winding narrow road. “Never saw so much green as when I looked out the window of the plane yesterday. But look around us. Your country still looks as green as from the air.”
She shook her head. “My old country. Now Texas is my home.” Her heartbeat increased when she recognized a familiar hill as the car climbed upward.
Then almost at the top, she spotted the little church, looking much the same as when she’d lived here. The driver stopped beside the cemetery, a larger area than when she’d buried her parents. Dread filled her for what she’d find. Would she be able to locate Ma’s grave? She’d paid the mason, but would the stone have been carved without her there to see to it?
She walked along the narrow path. Brendan followed her. Her steps quickened and she hurried to the wall near her family’s plot. She found it, little changed since she’d last seen it so long ago.
Da’s grave was first. Above his head stood the large headstone his mates at the quarry had donated as a tribute to their friend. She ran her finger along the carved words of his name.
Beside him lay Ma. The tiny marker Deirdre had ordered all those years ago for her lay broken in pieces in the shadow of a larger, newer one Brendan must have ordered. Under Ma’s name and dates on the massive stone were the words:
Beloved Daughter, Wife, and Mother
Healer and Herbalist.
On Ma’s other side was a tiny marker for Deirdre, of the kind the church had provided for those too poor to afford one. Here also, a newer marble stone stood. The polished face of it depicted an angel flying over water with a tiny boat below. Under the scene, the mason had carved only her name, no dates. Below it were the words:
Gone To A Better Place
She threw her arms around her husband. “And it’s true, Brendan. I did go to a better place. Not Purgatory as I first feared, but to you where I belong.”
He held her and swung her around. “My love. What would I have done if you hadn’t come to me? I’d never have known this joy, never experienced being complete.”
When he released her, she took his face between her hands and looked into his eyes blue as the ocean on a summer day. “Thank you for seeing to a proper stone for Ma. It means the world to me.”
He kissed her, then sat on the fence and let her visit the graves of her family. When she’d finished, he took her hand and led her back to their hired car. They crested the hill and she looked for familiar sights.
But where was her village? She leaned forward and tapped the guide. “Stop here, near that ruined cottage.”
The driver pulled over and Deirdre opened the door and climbed out. Slowly she turned, still astonished at the changes since she’d left. The fences remained, but hadn’t they been taller? And what had happened to the other cottages? Was the pub always that small?
Brendan joined her. “The driver will wait in the pub. Take as long as you need, love.”
She clasped his hand for strength against the turmoil within her. Too many memories surged up.
Ma as she’d walked along this way, her smile lighting her beautiful face.
Da tossing Deirdre into the air and catching her each day when he came in from the quarry.
The children who’d taunted Deirdre and refused to let her join their games in yon field.
Father Padric making his rounds, with always a kind word for her and Ma.
They seemed the experiences of another person, yet also a part of her. She crossed herself and gave thanks to the saints who’d protected her. And to God for giving her a new life with a loving husband. Fighting back tears of joy mixed with sorrow, Deirdre took a deep breath.
When she’d composed herself, she pointed out their surroundings. “That ruin down the hill is what’s left of the Balor family’s home and their small plot of land. Over there’s where the village stood.”
Three houses and a small pub remained on one side of the road. Their driver’s small car was parked near two old men who sat in the afternoon sun in front of the pub. A small grocer, the only building to appear since she’d been gone, was across the road from the public house. No one else was about but a bicycle leaned near the shop’s door and a small sedan was parked in front.
“Our cottage was this way.” She led him across a field to a low stone wall. Climbing over the fence, she paced off the distance. The village had changed in appearance, yet enough remained for her to find her way.
And some things never changed. The sturdy land beneath her feet. Fresh sea breeze that kissed her skin. Tangy scent of peat fires burning.
She touched the rough bark of a tree. “Ma and I planted this oak when I was twelve. Look how tall it is.”
Kicking at a bit of stone, she knelt and pulled away vines and grasses. “See here. This is the corner of our cottage. How small it looks to me now, yet I loved this place when I lived in it.” She rose and walked the length of it. “Here’s where the door stood. And inside was the tunnel Gran and Ma and Da built before I was born.”
She looked, but nothing remained. Even the charred timbers had weathered away. Picking up a branch, she scratched the ground but the escape passageway had filled in. She tossed the stick down.
In Texas, their bedroom was larger than this cottage. But she and her parents had been happy here. Love had made their happiness. Turning to her husband, she smiled.
“Thank heavens for the tunnel.” Brendan tugged her to his side. “Otherwise you’d never have come to me.”
She snuggled against his chest but pulled away. “Let me show you the place where I jumped.” She stepped over another wall and walked to the point of land where she’d prayed and leaped.
She touched the worn surface of a boulder that seemed smaller than when she’d used it. “As a girl I sat here staring at the ocean so many times. Wondering what lay across the water.”
“And now you know.” His arms gathered her to him.
“And right here is where I jumped.” She looked down and the crashing waves. How foolish to think she could dive in and survive. But she’d been desperate. And it had worked, thanks to Saints Brendan and Brigid propelling her through time.
Her own Brendan pulled her back from the edge, as if fearful she might leap again. They walked together toward the waiting car. “Unbelievable as your trip through time still sounds, love, I’m thankful for your journey.” He stopped and gath
ered her to him. “I’m the luckiest of men because you came to me from out of the blue.”
She leaned into his embrace. “And the best is yet to come.” The saints had saved her for this man and the love they shared, and she’d love him for the rest of her days and beyond.
Forever and a day.
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About Caroline Clemmons
Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling author of historical and contemporary western romances whose books have garnered numerous awards. Her latest release is The Most Unsuitable Courtship, book three of her popular Kincaid series. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel.
Caroline is a member of Romance Writers of America, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, From The Heart Romance Writers, and Hearts Through History Romance Writers. Her latest publications include the acclaimed historical Men of Stone Mountain series: Brazos Bride, High Stakes Bride, and Bluebonnet Bride and the audio books of Brazos Bride and High Stakes Bride.
Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets—Shih Tzu Webster, huge tuxedo cat Sebastian, and small Manx kitten Max. Prior to writing full time, her jobs included stay-at-home mom (her favorite), secretary, newspaper reporter and featured columnist, assistant to the managing editor of a psychology journal, bookkeeper for the local tax assessor and—for a short and fun but unprofitable time—an antique dealer. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, painting, and getting together with friends.
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Her other books include the Historical Romances The Most Unsuitable Wife, Kincaids book one; The Most Unsuitable Husband, Kincaids book two; The Most Unsuitable Courtship, Kincaids book three; Gabe Kincaid, Kincaids book four (April 2014); Brazos Bride, Men of Stone Mountain book one; High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain book two; Bluebonnet Bride, Men of Stone Mountain book three; Tabitha’s Journey, Stone Mountain series; The Texan’s Irish Bride, McClintock’s book one; Save Your Heart For Me; Happy is the Bride; Long Way Home and Contemporary Romances Be My Guest; Home Sweet Texas Home (re-release April 2014); Snowfires and the Time Travel Out Of The Blue; Mysteries Almost Home, a Link Dixon mystery and Digging For Death, A Heather Cameron mystery
Boxed sets and Anthologies include Men of Stone Mountain,
Hearts and Flowers, Nine Ways to Fall in Love, and Rawhide ‘n Roses
Thanks for reading this book!
A Train Through Time
Bess McBride
A Train Through Time
Copyright 2012 by Bess McBride
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the publisher and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
Cover Art by Tamra Westberry
Formatted by IRONHORSE Formatting
Contact information: [email protected]
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
To Cinnamon, Mike and Lily, who waited for me at the library while I did the research, and to Les, for listening to the story as it unfolded.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasing A Train Through Time. A Train Through Time was my first time travel romance, and seems to be a favorite of many of my readers. It’s one of my favorites too! I love Robert Chamberlain almost as passionately as Ellie Standish does. When I decided to embark on a new adventure in publishing, I knew A Train Through Time was the first book that had to be re-released. If this is your first time travel romance with me, I hope you enjoy the story. It’s short and it’s sweet! And for those of you who liked A Train Through Time the first time, I hope you continue to enjoy the book. The story is the same, but the cover has changed. And isn’t it a beauty?
Thank you for your support over the years, friends and readers. Because of your favorable comments, I continue to strive to write the best stories I can. More time travel romances are on the way! I’m dreaming of them all the time.
You know I always enjoy hearing from you, so please feel free to contact me at [email protected], through my web site at www.BessMcBride.com, or my blog Will Travel for Romance
Thanks for reading!
Bess
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Books by Bess McBride
About the Author
Prologue
“I’m not going to marry an eighteen-year-old girl, Grandmother.” Robert turned away and strode to the bay window, where he stared down onto the city below.
“Robert, be reasonable. You need to marry sometime. Don’t you want a wife? One young enough to give you children? Any one of your sister’s friends would be quite suitable.”
“I’m afraid not, Grandmother. I’m waiting.”
“Waiting for what?” Mrs. Chamberlain demanded.
“The right one. She will come along. I know it.”
“For goodness sake, Robert. Where will you find her? You never appear even to look.”
Robert continued to stare out the window with his hands clasped behind his back. “I do not think I have met her yet, but I feel certain that I will know her when she does finally appear.”
“Robert, what nonsense! You are usually so sensible in all matters, except when it comes to this subject. It seems my son’s wife raised a silly romantic,” the older woman muttered.
“Perhaps she did, Grandmother. Perhaps she did,” he murmured with a soft smile.
“Give me great-grandchildren, Robert. I cannot live forever.”
He turned away from the window and grinned at the frail-appearing, silver-haired woman resting on the green velvet settee.
“Yes, you will, Grandmother. You will outlive us all.”
“Hmmppff.” She looked away. “The house is quiet. We need children in it once again.”
“Perhaps my sister can do the honors in a few years, Grandmother. All she lacks is a suitable husband.” He consu
lted his pocket watch.
She eyed him with a piercing stare. “Have you become a confirmed bachelor, Robert? Has time passed you by, then?”
Robert laughed and bent to kiss his grandmother’s pale cheek.
“I hope not, madam. I did not intend to remain a bachelor for the rest of my life.”
“Then why do you wait? Give me a practical reason, none of your romantic musings.”
He straightened and grinned. “I can only assure you once again that I wait for the right woman. I know it sounds foolish, but it is the truth.” He turned toward the door. “I must go into the office to see to a few things before we leave tomorrow. I look forward to riding the train. I always do.”
Chapter One
“Look at the mountain goats, Mom! Can you see them? Hurry, look!”
Ellie heard the boy’s excited prattle from behind her seat and looked out the train window in time to catch sight of three white mountain goats perched precariously on a rock shelf on the craggy hills bordering the tracks. One brave goat nimbly jumped down to a lower ledge on the seemingly sheer cliff front. Ellie caught her breath and held it. The goat made a successful landing and immediately began nibbling on some tender morsel growing on the rock front.
“Did you see that, Mom? I can’t believe it didn’t fall. I wish we were coming here to Montana to visit, instead of going to Seattle.”
A woman’s voice murmured, “Shhh. Maybe we will, John. Maybe we will. Lay your head on the pillow and get some sleep. We’ll be in Seattle in the morning, and then you can see Grandpa.”
10 Timeless Heroes; A Time Travel Romance Boxed Set Page 185
