Timeless Healing (Timeless Hearts Book 4)

by Peggy L Henderson

  “I can’t marry you.”

  The whispered words echoed in his head as if they’d come in slow motion from a dream. He swallowed. He’d found someone he cared for more than anything, and she’d said she loved him, too. He must have misunderstood.

  “Pardon?” His question was nothing more than a raspy sound.

  “I can’t marry you, Chris.”

  He leaned forward, bringing his hand to touch her face. “Why not? I love you, and you just said you love me. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He laughed and glanced around. “Coming here was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  Francine placed her hand over his that still rested on her belly. “And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Chris.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” Dread and an icy chill ran down his spine, just as it had the day he’d woken at the hospital and learned that Eric hadn’t survived the crash, and Amber had miscarried.

  “You have things that need to be resolved in your time,” she said tentatively. “You’ve told me yourself that you regret not having told Eric’s folks that he was a good person and they shouldn’t have ill thoughts about their son.”

  Chris squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “Yes, I’ll always regret that, but you’re more important to me. There’s nothing I can do to change what happened in the future.”

  Francine smiled through her tears. “Yes, there is. You need to return to the future and tell them.”

  “I can’t leave you. I won’t leave you.” He came off his knees and sat back on the swing next to her, clasping her face between his hands. His lips sought hers, needing confirmation that she’d told him the truth when she’d said she loved him. Francine clung to him, returning his kiss while tears rolled down her cheeks. Out of breath, Chris ended the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers.

  “What do I have to do to convince you to marry me?”

  “I can’t let you give up what you left behind in your time, Chris. You will always regret that you didn’t go back to set things right there, and someday you’ll resent the choice you’ve made to stay here. You will never be fully healed if you don’t go back. I couldn’t live with myself if you sacrificed that for me.”

  Chris straightened. He had time. He smiled, and kissed her again. “If I go back to my time, talk to Eric’s parents and take care of unfinished business, will you marry me then?”

  Francine frowned, shaking her head.

  “I can go home, and then come back here. Cissie told me as long as the hands on the watch are moving, I can return to the future, and still change my mind again and come back to the past.”

  “And if they stop moving?”

  “Then I’ll be stuck in whatever time I’m in when they do. She told me she’d send word when the hands slowed down, so I’d know when I have to make a decision. I haven’t heard from her, so clearly I’ve got time.”

  Francine fixed her eyes on his as renewed hope filled them.

  “Yes,” she said, nodding. “If it’s possible for you to come back, I will marry you.”

  Chris wrapped his arms around her, careful not to hold her too tightly. Not a second later, she stiffened and gasped. He pulled back.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “The baby. I don’t think it’s false labor this time.”

  “How do you know? Have you had pains today?”

  She nodded slowly. “My back has been sore most of today, and I had contractions earlier. I thought it was false pains again.”

  Chris sprang to his feet. He reached for her, holding her hand and gently wrapping his arm around her back to help her to her feet.

  “Let’s get you inside.”

  Francine gasped again and her face contorted in a grimace. She clutched at her stomach.

  “It’s all right. I’ve got you.” Chris ushered her to the door to get her inside. His heart raced with fear and anticipation. This time it was clear that this wasn’t a practice run.

  He opened the door to help her inside when a horse snorted. The jingle of harness and the squeaking of wagon wheels mixed with hooves clopping on the ground. Chris turned to gaze toward the dirt road leading to the house. A buggy approached at a fast clip. Chris cursed under his breath. This was a bad time for visitors.

  “Let’s get you to your bed.” He helped Francine to her room just as someone pounded on the front door.

  “I’ll be right back. Lie back or sit up, whatever’s most comfortable.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, then rushed from the room. The quicker he got rid of the visitors, the better.

  When he ripped open the door, Cissie Durham stood in front of him. Chris breathed deeply to calm his racing heart. Behind him, Francine let out a pained scream from her room.

  Cissie stared past his shoulders, then back into his face. “The hands are slowing down, Chris. It’s time for you to make a decision.”

  Chapter 14

  Chris held the screaming infant in his arms. The baby boy was swaddled in clean linen, his face a healthy red color as he drew air into his lungs with each wail. A mop of blond hair covered his head. Chris blinked at the sudden stinging sensation behind his eyes. He grinned, smiling at the baby, then turned to look at the woman lying on the bed.

  “Come and meet your mama.”

  He leaned over the bed and placed the infant into Francine’s waiting arms. Her tired eyes instantly sparkled to life as her lips spread into a wide smile.

  “You did real good.” Chris bent down and kissed her damp forehead. “I’m proud of you, and I love you.”

  She glanced up from looking at the baby in her arms to him. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, for everything.”

  He winked, his smile broadening. “Of course you could have done it. Piece of cake, right?”

  Francine narrowed her eyes. “You only say that because you don’t have to ever worry about enduring childbirth.”

  Chris sobered. “I may not have felt your physical pain, Francine, but believe me, I felt your pain in other ways. And I admire you for your strength.”

  She’d cried out several times during her labor and while delivering the baby, but his love and respect for her in her effort to bring forth a new life had grown to new proportions. While he’d recovered from a shattered knee and a broken collarbone, he’d had the luxury of being pumped full of pain meds to help him endure it. Francine hadn’t taken so much as an aspirin.

  A knock on the bedroom door forced him to tear his eyes away from the woman he loved, a love that had instantly transferred to her newborn baby. He’d been the first to hold the infant as he’d made his entry into the world, and he’d cut the umbilical cord. There had been an immediate connection with this baby, just as there had been with his mother many weeks ago, as if he’d been given a second chance after his first child was taken away from him.

  “Come in,” Francine called, answering the knock on the door. Her voice was softer than usual.

  The door opened, and Cissie Durham peeked her head into the room. She tentatively opened the door wider and tip-toed in, looking at the bed with a smile.

  “Is everyone all right in here?” Her eyes went to Chris. “It’s a bit unusual to have a man perform the duties of a midwife, but I suppose you two and the Langleys seem to think it’s perfectly acceptable.”

  Chris grinned at her. “It’s not like you wanted to deliver the baby.”

  Cissie quickly shook her head. “No, I’m certainly not a midwife. I’m just glad Elizabeth Langley was here to help.” Her gaze drifted to Chris. “I need to speak to you.”

  Chris glanced at Francine. He hadn’t told her about the watch after Cissie had arrived. There was no way he would have gone anywhere while Francine was in labor, and she might have insisted he leave.

  “I’ll be back in a minute. You and little junior hang tight.”

  Francine’s forehead scrunched, while Cissie shook her head and rolled her eyes, no doubt at h
is modern choice of words. Chris leaned over the bed and touched the baby’s cheek. He kissed Francine on the mouth, then followed Cissie out the door.

  “I’ll send Mrs. Langley in to keep you company,” he called over his shoulder.

  Noah and Elizabeth Langley waited in the living room. They had brought Cissie out to the farm several hours ago. With another woman here, it had been easier to help Francine through her labor. Even if she wasn’t exactly a midwife, she’d gone through childbirth herself, at least, and had known what to expect.

  Noah met Chris’s stare across the room. They hadn’t had much of a chance to talk. In case he was mistaken about Noah Langley, he had to feel him out.

  “Thanks for the advice last week at the courthouse.”

  Noah smiled. “I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I’m from the future, too.” He glanced at Cissie. “I didn’t want to be here at first, but then I fell in love with Elizabeth. I’ve had no regrets.”

  Chris let out a relieved breath. His hunch had been correct. “And I won’t either, but Francine refuses to marry me unless I return to the future and take care of some unfinished business.”

  “I can’t guarantee you’ll have enough time, Chris.” Cissie glanced at the watch around her neck. “The hands haven’t slowed down any further, but you should have come with me right away a few hours ago. If you really want to return to the future, there may not be time to get back to town and still come back to this time.”

  “I don’t want to go back to the future, but I don’t have a choice. I can’t force her to marry me, and she thinks I’ll regret it if I don’t go.” Chris ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll regret it more if I run out of time, but I can’t convince her of that.”

  “We’ll stay here and look after the place, and Francine, while you’re gone,” Noah said. “I think that watch knows when two people are truly meant to be together. Something strange happened to me when I was supposed to go back, too. The watch knew I needed to be here.”

  Chris glanced from Noah to Cissie. If he was going to go, it had to be now, or risk running out of time. He returned to Francine’s bedroom. Elizabeth nodded to him, then left, closing the door behind her.

  “Cissie’s here to take you to Heartsbridge, isn’t she?”

  Chris sat at the edge of the bed and reached for Francine’s hand. “I don’t have to go. I’m perfectly fine with staying here. In fact, it’s what I’d rather do.”

  Francine shook her head. “You have to go. I know you’ll be back.”

  Chris brought her hand to his lips. “I wish I had your confidence.”

  “You told me to follow my instincts, and they’re telling me you will always be haunted by what happened in the future if you don’t go back and find peace. I’ve told you, I won’t have that hanging over us.”

  Chris leaned down. He touched her cheek, then kissed her. Her hand came up to snake around the back of his neck, drawing him closer.

  “I love you, Chris Hawley.”

  “I love you, Francine. The first thing I’m going to do when I get back is take you to see the preacher in town.”

  She nodded, while tears rolled down her cheeks. Chris sniffled. He brought his lips to the sleeping baby’s forehead, then forced his feet to move. Francine was the most selfless, caring person he’d ever met, and he didn’t deserve her. She loved him unconditionally, and that’s why he had to do what she asked. Nothing was going to haunt them about his past when they started their life together.

  Chris didn’t look at anyone in the living room, but walked out the door to the buggy that was still waiting outside the house.

  “Let’s go, so I can get back here where I belong,” he called over his shoulder.

  He helped Cissie climb into the rig, then hopped onto the driver’s seat and urged the horse into a fast trot. Night had settled in when he pulled the buggy up in front of Cissie’s Boarding House. Lanterns had been lit on the main street, and piano music drifted from the saloon. His heart hammered in his chest as he followed Cissie to the back room where he’d first woken up in this time.

  “What happens now?”

  “Just make yourself comfortable. I will leave, and you should wake up again in your future time.”

  Chris nodded, his eyes on the door that closed behind Cissie. He sat on the couch, leaning forward and holding his head between his hands. A sense of dread and foreboding slammed him, like he was making the worst mistake of his life. He sat up straight to get to his feet and rush to the door to tell Cissie he’d changed his mind, when a bright flash of light blinded him, and then there was nothing.

  Frannie paced the kitchen, rocking the baby in her arms. He hadn’t stopped crying in several hours.

  “You’re sure he’s getting enough nourishment?” Elizabeth Langley watched her with a concerned look on her face.

  Frannie shook her head. “I believe so. I have plenty of milk, and he has no trouble eating.”

  Elizabeth came up to her and held out her arms. “Let me take him for a moment. You’re plum worn out. I don’t think you’ve slept in two days.”

  Frannie handed her screaming baby to her new friend. Without Noah and Elizabeth’s help, she would have been completely lost. Elizabeth rocked the baby, and the infant began to settle.

  “I remember losing sleep with my little Henry. It sometimes takes a while for everything to fall into place. I don’t think we’re ever quite prepared after a baby is born.”

  Frannie swiped a hand across her forehead. “I think he knows I’m tense and worried.”

  Elizabeth looked at her, a hesitant smile plastered on her face. “It’s going to work out, Frannie. He’ll be back.”

  Frannie blinked back the tears that seemed to want to fall constantly since the baby’s birth. There had been no word from Chris. Earlier, Noah had arrived from his and Elizabeth’s farm, then offered to go on to Heartsbridge to talk to Cissie. It was reassuring that this man had also come from the future and was perfectly settled and happy with a wife and child.

  Chris had said he’d rather stay here, but for his own sake, he needed to make things right in his own time. She would never forgive herself if, at some point down the road, he’d have regrets. As painful as it was, she’d rather see the man she loved happy in the future than be unhappy in this time. Once he’d taken care of everything, they could start their life together.

  A buggy squeaked outside. Frannie glanced out the kitchen window, her heart racing in her chest.

  She turned to Elizabeth. “It’s your husband.”

  Frannie rushed out the door. There was no sign that Chris was with Noah. She shook her head. It was too soon for him to return. It had only been a couple of days.

  Noah raised his eyes to her when she stepped out onto the porch. The serious look on his face made her heart drop to her stomach. Something was definitely not right.

  Noah came up the porch steps. He looked at Frannie, removing his hat.

  “You should go inside,” he said, motioning with his hand to the door.

  “What’s wrong?” Frannie’s legs went weak. The answer was obvious on Noah’s face, but she needed to hear it.

  “He’s not coming back.”

  Noah’s words dropped like rocks to the bottom of a creek. Frannie’s trembling hands went to her mouth. She glanced from Noah to Elizabeth, who’d let out a gasp.

  “Why not?” Elizabeth moved to stand in front of her husband. “And how do you know?”

  “Cissie showed me the watch. She said the hands stopped moving this morning.” He looked past his wife at Francine. “She was getting ready to ride out here and tell you when I arrived. I’m sorry.”

  Frannie shook her head. It couldn’t be true. Chris couldn’t be gone forever. This was her fault. She’d insisted he go. What was she going to do now? She’d been so sure that he would return. Noah might as well have told her that Chris had died. This was final. She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Too numb to think clearly, s
he looked from Elizabeth to Noah.

  “Could you give me a ride into town?” Her voice sounded foreign in her ears.

  Noah’s forehead scrunched. “You just had a baby a couple of days ago, Francine. Are you sure you want to leave the house so soon?”

  “I have to see Cissie. Please.”

  Noah nodded. She had to find out for herself if Chris was truly gone. She went to retrieve her shawl from her bedroom, then took the baby from Elizabeth.

  “I have to know,” she whispered. Elizabeth gave her a quick hug, as understanding passed through her eyes.

  Noah helped her into the buggy. He drove to town in silence. Frannie held her son in her arms. She’d been so sure that Chris would return, and then her baby would have a father, and she would have a husband. Had she lost her chance at happiness with the man she loved? She shook her head. Even if she never saw him again, she’d done the right thing for him by insisting he go back to his time. At least he would find peace over the loss of his friend.

  Before Noah even stopped the buggy, Cissie Durham stepped out of the building with the sign overhead that bore her name. Noah helped Frannie down, then waited while she rushed to the boarding house proprietress.

  “How’s the baby?” Cissie greeted. She wore a grim look on her face.

  “He’s fine.” Frannie choked the words from her mouth. She stared at Cissie, who reached for her arm and gave it a squeeze.

  “I’m sorry, Frannie. I told Chris it was risky to go back, that he might not have enough time to return. He insisted on being present for the birth of your baby. Maybe if he had left as soon as I’d arrived at your farm . . .” Her words trailed off with a sad shake of her head.

  “I love him,” Frannie whispered. “I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if he hadn’t gone home. I was hoping he would come back.”

  “And I know that’s what he wanted, too. He only went back because he wanted to marry you, and make you happy.”

  Frannie blinked, letting the tears spill down her cheeks. “And because of me, we’ll never see each other again.”