by Jo Noelle
Headstones and stately monuments dotted the grass. She wondered what she’d say to her parents if they were beside her. She’d made this walk dozens of times with her father to visit her mother’s site. Now, they were all here—together.
She sat on the grass, looking at the monument inscribed with their names. She remembered a poem she’d heard once about a dash between the years.
It touched her how final a decision to marry was. Just as her parents weren’t parted, even in death, lying here together, so would she be with Simon. Her chest clenched at the thought that today, in this time, he was dead. Sorrow filled her with the prospect of never living his dash with him, not knowing what he accomplished and who he became if she couldn’t return. It was her place to be there and hold him. Even then, someday, one of them would have the loss of the other.
Cora had watched that with her own parents. She knew it from losing them both. Living gave memories and emotions that sustained you over the years after loss. Cora couldn’t imagine herself without making those kinds of memories with Simon. That had convinced her to seize the time with him now—each day a gift to be treasured up, like her father had told her.
Her father would have loved the opportunity to be pulled into the past and crawl through history with his own experiences. He would support her for that reason and for the love she’d found. He and her mother had had feet in two cultures and had found love and happiness together. She and Simon would do the same.
She sat at her parents’ feet, her hands pouring out her heart, telling them all about the children and the school, having a chance to give them words and language and community. She told them of the man who loved her as they had loved each other, of her dreams for a family, of her hope for happiness. She told them of the other time, of her own future in the past, of how she would miss them, of how deeply she loved the man.
When her words were still, and her hands were settled in her lap, and her eyes were dry but sore, she knew without a doubt she could leave the cemetery and Waco and her time.
Chapter 28
Simon
Simon could only cling to the words Cora had said when she left a month ago. The full moon and Aunt Nellie’s party was tonight. He hadn’t seen Cora, and as far as he knew, no one else had either. Whenever he questioned Nellie, she spouted off a platitude. “All in good time.” Then she giggled. Or, “Time will tell.” And, “Time is on your side.” Apparently, Nellie found it hysterical, but Simon didn’t share the humor.
He stared at the life-sized mural. Although his family enjoyed the morning’s festivities at Nellie’s monthly party, Simon rose when the moon set and had waited alone in the room for several hours already. Cora’s part of the mural was a shadow of the woman he longed to hold. The wedding was in an hour. Nellie had assured him the time was right and all would go as planned.
There was a tea service waiting in the middle of the room. Now and again, Nellie walked through the room and zapped it with a streak of lighting from her finger. “Just keeping it warm,” she’d say. Finally, she looked at Simon, really looked at him. You’ll need a little something for yourself when this is over. She pointed to the teapot again. Magic sparks whizzed toward the pot. “Poor duke,” she clucked, patting him on the shoulder. “It’s almost over.”
Although Simon knew she meant it to be reassuring, it wasn’t quite. Longing and fear ran through his veins. Would she be safe? Would she come back? The questions filling his mind cast him adrift. Maybe his longing created the change, but he thought Cora’s painting glowed with life. Her face more radiant, her smile brighter, her eyes sparkling. It brought him to his feet in anticipation.
The room swirled with magical wind. It didn’t move his hair or clothes but blew into and through him as it twisted around the room, pelting him with rain that wasn’t wet. The glow of the paint grew in intensity. Heat swelled. Simon stood and approached the mural. The radiance seemed to push against him, forcing him to step back. With a crack of lightning, Cora tumbled through the painting into a heap of white-colored confection onto the floor. Other colorful dresses toppled beside her, each of the women looking dazed. Two men returned with them, already dressed for the ball and the wedding at midnight. Everyone from the mural was lying on the floor at his feet.
Simon ran to Cora and fell to his knees, his arms wrapping her securely though she swayed. Cora’s hand rested on his cheek. He drew a deep breath, closed his eyes, and savored the warmth.
With firm pressure, she guided his right ear to her lips. “I love you, and now, I’m home.”
All the air in the room seemed to be sucked out, leaving him breathless. His lips pressed against her temple. “I love you,” he whispered as his world tipped and righted itself.
About the Author
Jo Noelle is a Colorado native but lived in several other mountain states--Idaho, Utah, and California. She has two adult children and three small kids. She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking (especially desserts), builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains. Oh, and by the way, she's two people--Canda and Deanna, a mother/daughter writing team. We write sweet romance stories with contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, or time-travel twists. Visit Jo's site at http://JoNoelle.com or connect with us on Facebook @JoNoelle.
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Other Books by Jo Noelle
Newbie “The housing market is crashing, and Sophie’s life is crashing with it.”
Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life “Falling in love is easy in fiction—in high school, not so much.”
Amnesty “Cassie is going to heaven, if she can get amnesty from hell in the next 20 days.”
Years & an Ocean “Going to a séance was supposed to be a harmless diversion in Victorian England, but for Delia Spencer it was life-altering.”
All By My Selfie “Gwen Mackenzie has nightly dreams of an ancient warrior bound by a curse, nicknamed #ScottishBoyfriend, and can that man rock a kilt!”
One Last Summer “A year ago Jenna broke Cole’s heart. Now, she’s back, and she isn’t sure which worries her more—a summer of rivalry or romance?
We are always striving to improve our books. If you see an error, we would appreciate knowing about it. Please email [email protected]
Twickenham Time Travel Romances
Thank you for reading P.S. I Love You by Jo Noelle. There are other companion books in the Twickenham Time Travel Romance set. Read about them below.
Against the Magic by Donna K. Weaver
Reese Hamilton has big plans to help make the world a better place and a new job lined up to help her do it. Before starting work, she heads to England for a Regency immersive experience. She doesn’t expect her best friend to invite her heart-destroying brother to join them, and two years hasn't been long enough for Reese to forget him. Then fae magic rips them back to 1850. It’s a time when women have few rights. It’s also a time when a determined woman could make a difference, with the right man at her side. Reese finds she must make a choice between two men and two times.
Jem Taylor messed up big when he walked away from Reese to pursue his dream job. He hasn’t been able to forget her and jumps at his sister’s invitation. Suddenly hurtled into Victorian England, he has the chance to woo Reese again. But to do it, he’ll have to fight the magic that brought her to that time—and an Earl with the means to keep her there.
Love’s Past by Laura D. Bastian
Kaitlyn loves all things regency and jumps at the chance to take a trip to England for a full immersion experience. But when the ancient fae magic causes a disruption in reality, she’s unexpectedly pulled back in time to 1850. Kaitlyn is thrilled to spend time in the past and eager to try it all, including the harmless flirting with the wealthy m
en who visit Twickenham Manor. Though her mind belongs in the twenty-first century, as she spends time with a handsome Baronet she wonders if finding love in the past is really a possibility.
Cyrus told himself the real reason he came to England was to help keep Kaitlyn safe as a promise to her mother, but he soon discovers that there’s more to his best friend’s younger sister than he remembers. When he finally gets a chance to explore where a relationship might lead, he finds himself in the past where there are others willing to sweep Kaitlyn off her feet. Will Kaitlyn give him a chance to prove his love, or will he lose out to a genuine Victorian gentleman?
Also by Jo Noelle
P.S. I Love You
Lucky in Love
Waiting on Waylon
Kisses With KC
Newbie
All By My Selfie
One Last Summer
Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life
Amnesty
Years & an Ocean
See all of Jo Noelle’s books on Amazon.com
