Final Hours

by Cate Dean

  She let go of his hands and reached forward, gasping against his lips when she met bare chest. What was left of her brain had forgotten he was half naked. Her hands took on a life of their own, fingers spreading over warm skin, touching firm, sculpted muscle. His low moan encouraged her. She slid her hands up to his wide, strong shoulders, found the new scar left by Guy’s knife. His arm wrapped around her waist and hauled her in.

  A sigh behind her brought Elizabeth to her senses.

  She broke off the kiss, her breathing ragged, her heart beating an uneven staccato in her chest. Kane let go of her, ran his hand through his hair. He looked more frustrated than happy.

  “I do enjoy watching love expressed so tenderly.” Martha’s wistful voice had heat spreading over her face.

  Bridget gave her back a quick, soothing rub. Like the comfort, the support a mother would give her daughter. Tears stung Elizabeth’s eyes.

  “Some of your wounds will need more professional attention than I can give, Kane, but they will do for now. Martha, give over the shirt.” A blue shirt was shoved into her outstretched hand. “This may be a bit big, but it will keep you warm, and keep dirt off those cuts.” She eased Kane’s right arm into the sleeve, and slipped the shirt over his shoulders. “I believe you can take care of the rest.”

  She winked at Elizabeth, crawled over to a blanket spread on the floor. There were two more beside her, empty. Every inch of Elizabeth wanted to do nothing more than curl in a ball on that blanket, and let sleep give her a few hours of oblivion.

  Instead, she helped Kane with the heavy shirt, buttoned it for him, and tried not to touch the warm skin under it. He ruined it when he cradled her cheek.

  “Thank you. I’ll take the transport from you, now. It will not be comfortable when you sleep, sliding all over your arm like it does.”

  So, he noticed. He seemed to notice everything. It should have embarrassed her; she hated too much attention from other people. But his attention left her feeling cherished. And wanting badly to kiss him again.

  She shoved that want to one side, took the transport off and helped him buckle it on his left wrist. “You need sleep more than I do.”

  “I need to check on Robin.”

  “Then I’ll go with you—”

  “Go lie down. I will only be a few minutes.” He pulled her to her feet and kissed her forehead before he moved to Bridget. “May I borrow your first aid kit, madam?”

  She handed it up to him. “Give that boy a kiss for me. And don’t linger. Your lovely lady is not the only one who needs rest.”

  “Yes, madam.” He winked at her and made his way through the maze of bodies stretched out on the floor.

  “He’s a flirt, your Kane. And a good man.”

  “Yes, he is.” Elizabeth watched him crouch next to Robin, reach out to brush Lindsay’s cheek. Even from here, Elizabeth could see that color had returned to Robin’s face, and he was snug in a blanket, his head pillowed in his sister’s lap. “I can’t stay with him,” she whispered.

  He spent a few minutes with them before he returned to Elizabeth, gave her a gentle kiss, then lowered himself to the closest blanket. He fell asleep almost immediately.

  “Elizabeth?” Bridget held out her hand. “Let him take his rest, and come sit with me.”

  She accepted the invitation, and eased herself to the scratchy wool blanket. Her cup of soup still sat on the floor, but she had lost her appetite, something that happened when she overextended herself. With a sigh, she slipped out of her jacket. She wanted to be comfortable, unconfined when she finally did sleep. Her fingers went to her braid, pulling the tie off before she slowly loosened her hair.

  “It’s lovely hair you have, Elizabeth. May I brush it for you? I am assuming you don’t have a brush handy.”

  “You have a brush?”

  “I have a suitcase packed at all times. I refuse to spend the night in this drafty hole with no creature comforts.”

  “I—yes, that would be nice.”

  She never let people get so close, so personal. But this woman she had known less than hour felt more like a friend than the acquaintances in the periphery of her life. And Kane—she shied away from any thought of him. Her heart was still too raw, every emotion on high alert, even with him out of reach.

  Bridget sat behind her, gently smoothing her hair. “So thick, but it is soft as spun silk. You never thought of cutting it?”

  Elizabeth flinched. “No. I had it cut as a child, not by choice. I guess I never got over that. I’ve been growing it out ever since.”

  She closed her eyes as the brush ran down the length of her hair. The bristles gently scraped her scalp at the start of every long stroke. Her muscles gradually relaxed. The tension she didn’t know she held on to leached away under the care of this gentle woman.

  “Tell me your story, Elizabeth.” The quiet voice opened her eyes. “I know you carry a burden. Let me ease some of it for you.”

  “Why?” She pulled away, turned to face Bridget. “What will you get out of it?”

  “The pleasure of your company. A chance to get to know a lovely young woman. Is there another reason?”

  The genuine confusion convinced Elizabeth more than any words. She did something she swore never to do; she told another person everything about her parents’ death, and her life in the system.

  Bridget prodded her whenever she faltered, held her hands, let Elizabeth talk until she was hoarse. She didn’t realize she had been crying until she reached up and felt the tears on her cheeks.

  “My dear, brave girl.” Bridget wiped her cheeks, kissed her forehead. It made Elizabeth want to cry again. “You have such courage, and a big heart, in spite of how you were treated.”

  “I’ve been pretty selfish when it comes to sharing anything.”

  “That takes time, and the right person.” She touched the locket. “Is this the one you spoke of?”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth let out a sigh. “It was all I had of my old life. Sometimes I think wearing it creates a barrier. One I don’t want anymore.”

  “When the time is right, you will know whether to keep it or give it away, with a free heart. Now,” she took Elizabeth’s hand. “Tell me how you and Kane met.”

  “I—there are things you won’t—”

  “Believe? I know you and Kane are different. He may have been wearing a BEF uniform, but with that hair, and especially the pierced ear, I know he is not military.” She smiled when Elizabeth stared at her. “I have known some bohemians in my day, and the earring does give him a dangerous look. It always attracted me to them, that willingness to be different. I promise you, dear girl, whatever you tell me will remain between us.”

  So Elizabeth found herself telling the woman everything—except the reason they came here. She knew they had intruded too much, messed with past events. She just hoped that stopping Guy would set everything back on course.

  Bridget held her hands tight, sympathy in her soft brown eyes. “That is quite the story, my dear.”

  “I know you don’t believe me—”

  “Whatever gave you that idea?” Bridget tightened her grip on Elizabeth’s hands. “I have seen atrocities that would make your hair stand on end. The possibility of science advancing so far gives me hope that we won’t destroy ourselves before we reach our potential.”

  “I—wow.”

  Bridget smiled. “I do enjoy surprising people. I tend to have a reputation for being ordinary.”

  “Whoever said that has never met you.”

  “Oh, go on with you.” She let go, long enough to take out a handkerchief tucked under the cuff of her sweater and dab at her eyes. “You have been through so much already, and now you end up in the middle of a war you have no part of. A war that will take far more before it’s done.”

  “You speak from experience.”

  Bridget sighed. “I lost my son to the first war to end war.” Elizabeth tightened her grip, unable to say anything. “He died in a muddy trench in Fran
ce, far away from home, from the family he fought so hard to protect. I still miss him, every day.”

  “I am so sorry, Bridget.”

  “Thank you, my dear girl.” She let out a sigh, her eyes sad. “War destroys, in ways we never imagined, but it also tears away pretenses, strips people down to their basic goodness. I see it every day, the way strangers care for each other, as your Kane took on that sweet boy.”

  “I keep expecting Kane to blame me.” She lowered her head, spoke out loud what she was afraid to even think. “He was injured because of me. He could have stopped Guy, gone after him—”

  “Stop, right now.” Bridget freed one hand, cradled her cheek. “If your Kane is half the man I think he is, if he cares as much as I suspect, he will not blame you. You left behind everything to save the life of a stranger. That takes powerful courage, Elizabeth.” Bridget glanced over at Kane. “I have a feeling your Kane would willingly give his life to protect what he sees in you.”

  Elizabeth fought the tears lodged in her throat.

  “Thank you. For everything.”

  Bridget waved off her gratitude. “I was a bit player. Kane is the star in this. He saved that boy’s life without thinking twice about it. We will need more like him in the months to come.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Bridget studied her, as if she asked a stupid question. A question she should have known the answer to. “We lost so many good men in France.”

  Her heart skipped. “Excuse me?”

  “Admiral Ramsay was killed, before he could—” She turned, pulled a folded piece of paper out of her suitcase and handed it to Elizabeth. It was the front page of the newspaper, dated 14 May, 1940. The bold headline announced Ramsay’s death, that most of the BEF were lost to them. Her fingers shook against the paper as she read the article.

  Oh, God—

  Bridget’s voice dragged her back. “German forces trapped a good portion of the BEF, behind enemy lines. If not for the SIS stepping in, we would have lost all of them. They managed to save a few thousand before the rest were overwhelmed by the Germans. It took months for those who escaped to make it back to England.” Bridget reached out, touched the fist Elizabeth didn’t realize she had clenched in her lap. “You didn’t know this.”

  She shook her head, her heart pounding, her throat so dry she couldn’t swallow. No—no, no no—

  Guy succeeded.

  Ten

  Kane slept like the dead, and woke starving.

  His body protested every movement as he carefully sat. His right shoulder throbbed by the time he stood. Elizabeth was still asleep, curled in the blanket, so he left her; she needed rest as much as he still did. He could check on Robin and Lindsay and be back before she woke.

  “Kane?” Her sleepy voice halted him.

  He turned, found her propped up on her blanket, all that blonde hair falling around her like a golden cloak. He wanted nothing more than to bury his hands in that hair, feel her body under his as they—

  He choked off the rest of that thought, but it was too late. The image already had him painfully hard. “Go back to sleep, Beth.”

  “I’m already awake. Where are you going?”

  “To check on Robin. Come with me?” He did not mean to say that. It sounded—plaintive, almost like he was begging her to spend time with him.

  She pushed herself up, dressed only in the blue shirt and trousers, her feet clad in argyle socks. Kane nearly smiled. Before he could think to avoid it, she slipped her hand in his, and paused long enough to step into a pair of worn black boots.

  Together, they searched out the facilities, then headed over to where the kids sat, eating bread with a thin layer of jam on it. Robin looked better; still pale, but he was young. Time and rest would put color back in his cheeks.

  “Good morning.” Kane crouched in front of him and smiled. Robin gave a shy smile in return. Lindsay almost knocked him over when she threw her arms around his neck.

  “Thank you.” She whispered against his throat, tears in her voice. “I will never forget what you did for my brother. For us.”

  “It was my pleasure, sweetheart.”

  She let him go, a blush on her cheeks, and moved to hug Elizabeth. “Thank you. I would not have—Robin and I—”

  “I’m glad we were here to help.” Elizabeth eased back, and Kane watched in mute surprise as she removed her locket, put it around Lindsay’s neck. “I want you to wear this for me, as a remembrance.”

  “Oh, I cannot—” Lindsay’s fingers already closed over the gold heart.

  “I insist. The heart is empty, but I know you will fill it with images that make you smile.” She leaned in, kissed Lindsay’s forehead, then leaned over to kiss Robin as well. He smiled, his eyes dancing. Yes, he would be all right.

  Kane took her hand as she stood, kept his voice low. “You gave your mother’s locket away.”

  Elizabeth smiled up at him, and there was an ease to it she didn’t have before. “It felt right. I only kept it because it belonged to my mom. Even she never wore it much, so I don’t know when the sentimental attachment to it happened. Maybe because it was all I had of my parents.” With a sigh, she leaned against his arm. “Bridget told me I would know when to let go of it. She was right. Lindsay will treasure it, as I never did.”

  A siren broke the early morning silence. The people around them stood and gathered up their belongings, shuffling toward the exit.

  “The all clear,” Elizabeth said. She let go of Kane and helped Robin stand. Lindsay wrapped one arm around his waist, moving slowly as he hobbled along beside her.

  Kane started after them; he had made a promise, to help them find their parents. Elizabeth’s quiet voice stopped him.

  “People will be out there to help him and Lindsay, Kane. They’ll be fine.” How did she read his thoughts, know what he meant to do before he told her? She continued before he could start to panic. “The hard part is the wondering. If their home is still standing, if their family and friends made it. I hate this war.”

  “Beth.” Her bitter tone set off a warning. He caught her arm before she could get away from him. “What is it?” Something had changed, between last night and now.

  “I’ll tell you when I can.” Bridget approached them, Elizabeth’s jacket in her hand. Blankets were tucked in a deep basket hooked over her arm, a suitcase in her other hand. Elizabeth took the jacket from her and slipped it on. “Thank you, for taking care of us.”

  “I am afraid your shirt and your coat are beyond repair, lad.”

  Kane nodded. “I figured as much.”

  She handed Elizabeth a card with a handwritten address. “If you need a place, and it’s still standing, you are more than welcome.”

  Elizabeth hugged her, with the familiarity of people who had shared secrets. Another thing Kane would have to pull out of her. “Thank you.”

  Bridget kissed her cheek. “The pleasure was mine, dear girl. Come here, my brave, handsome man.”

  Laughing, he wrapped his left arm around her waist, gave her a smacking kiss. “Thank you, for all of your care.”

  She patted his scarred cheek. “Take care of each other. That will be thanks enough for me.”

  After a last hug for Elizabeth, she joined the last of the stragglers headed for the stairs. Kane waited until their voices faded, and turned to face her.

  “Tell me.”

  “The evacuation didn’t happen.”

  If she had slapped him he wouldn’t have been more stunned.

  “How—”

  “Bridget.” She told him what she knew.

  He started pacing the now empty platform, to keep from punching the nearest wall. The morning trains hadn’t begun yet, so he took advantage of their isolation. He knew his next words would start an argument.

  “I’m sending you back to the lab.”

  “Like hell you are.” Elizabeth stalked toward him, and surprised the breath out of him when she slammed her fist into his gut. “I am not wea
k or pitiful or needy. I can stand on my own, damn it, and do what needs to be done.”

  “I’ll not have you—”

  “Tell me where you need to go.”

  He stared down at her. “What?”

  “Tell me where you need to go to stop Guy.”

  He didn’t have the answer she wanted, and she bloody well knew it. “Dover.”

  “You won’t find the Admiral in Dover. Try again.”

  “Damn it, we don’t have the time for—”

  “You want to send me away so badly, you have to know.” She crossed her arm. “Try again.”

  Kane bit back the curse on his tongue. “Dover Castle.”

  “All right. Now tell me how you’ll get past the gate, the soldiers, and the locked door between you and Admiral Ramsay.”

  With a sigh, he admitted defeat. “You’re not planning to share this information, are you?”

  “I could, but it won’t do you much good. Kane,” she reached out, stopped before she actually touched him. It hurt more than he expected. “The evacuation was a top secret endeavor. Right up until they started implementing it. The only reason more people learned about it beyond the inner circle was because Ramsay needed boats, and he commandeered the pleasure crafts up and down the coast.”

  “How do you know so much about this?”

  She shrugged and lowered her head. But he saw the blush before her hair curtained her face. “I enjoy learning about history, especially British history. I spent three days exploring Dover. I also bought a pile of books on the evacuation. If you want to stop Guy, you’ll have to get past more obstacles than you think.”

  “So will he.”

  She let out a sigh, looked at him. “I believe he accomplished that.” He ran one hand through his hair, stung by her simple words. They told him that he failed; failed to stop Guy, failed to do the one thing he was good at. “I have a question for you,” she said, pulling his attention back. “How, exactly, are you going to get yourself back there to stop him?”