The girl's eyes opened wide as she shook her head. "I can see ye mean well but I mustn't miss work. I'm not a silly girl. In my heart I know what that woman said be true. Rick loves me but he..." She shook her head and wiped at the corner of her eye. "He is not so strong ta be standin' up against his kin. Even when he kissed me today and said he would be back, I knew he mightn't be after keepin' his promise. I cannot take the chance of losin' me job too."
Noah ran his fingers through his hair. "I'll tell you what. Stay with us tonight. Bring your uniform and whatever else you might need. At least that way we can see how you're feeling in the morning." He pulled out his pocket watch and amended his statement. "In a couple hours. If Amelia told the truth, she and her parents, and maybe the Hampshires as well, will all be on their way back north tomorrow and you'll be safe."
It took a few more minutes to convince the girl but soon they were heading to her barracks to get a few of her belongings.
Maggie could not begin to imagine herself in this girl's position. She wasn't sure she would be nearly so strong... or so wise. There was no question in her mind that Moira Flanagan deserved a second chance to live, even if it meant changing history.
For some reason she and Noah had been chosen to make that change and, if they had actually done what they were sent here to do, by this time tomorrow they should be back in their own time.
Instantly, her stomach soured. As much as she wanted to ignore it, she knew what it meant. Their task was not yet finished. Had they rescued the wrong person again? Had they missed something important? Something that would prevent them from ever going back to their own time?
Her thoughts followed that train, imagining a future right when and where they presently were. Noah's earlier question came back to her.
Would that really be so bad?
She remembered Noah's sweet words and her logical response. She had no doubt that, as long as they were together, they'd figure out everything else. It probably wouldn't take long to get accustomed to not having twenty-first century advantages.
Abruptly, a thought she'd had before came back. But what if one of the restrictions Reynard had mentioned was that she and Noah were separated?
Just in case, she reinforced her intention to keep her thoughts focused on returning to their own time.
Luck stayed with them as they sneaked Moira into their bungalow without anyone seeing them. Maggie had to use the angel card again to get Moira to lie down on the couch with her feet propped up. And after Moira felt an uncomfortable twinge in her lower belly, she grudgingly told Maggie how to find another maid who would explain to their supervisor that she was too ill and feverish to work in the morning.
As soon as they were alone behind the closed bedroom door, Maggie whispered to Noah. "I'm worried that she's still in danger. Amelia's attack was enough to trigger a miscarriage. Moira wouldn't be able to go to a hospital and she's far enough along that she could bleed to death. Or maybe Amelia won't leave in the morning and she could come after her again or maybe she'll convince her father to—"
"Sh-sh," Noah sounded then touched his lips to hers. Whispering into her ear, he said, "We don't have anything better to do tomorrow than keep a close eye on her. Reynard said after we fulfill our mission, we had to be at the exact same spot on the beach when the moon is at its zenith. Assuming saving Moira was our assignment, tomorrow night's the magic time and we'll be ready."
Maggie sighed. Even if her feeling about there being something more to do was accurate, nothing more could be done that night. Moira was safe. They hadn't been seen in an off-limits area and Amelia had no idea who they were or where Moira might be hiding.
By this time tomorrow they should be in the Diamond Suite... with air-conditioning and hot showers, television and the internet.
The fancy dress clothes and accessories were set aside, but underthings stayed on, just in case Moira suddenly needed their help. But that didn't stop them from spooning after they got into bed.
Noah kissed her neck and murmured, "You truly are the most amazing woman I've ever known. I would give up everything to have your face be the last thing I see every night and the first thing I see every morning." He was quiet for a moment before adding, "For the rest of my life... whatever time period we end up in."
Maggie's heart swelled with emotion. She wanted to say something just as eloquent, something that would make his heart soar like hers but only three words came to mind and she was afraid to say them aloud.
He made her feel worshipped. Adored. Loved in the way that lasts forever. In this moment, with this man, she had absolutely nothing to fear and there was absolutely no other place she wished to be.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear. "Always have. Always will. No matter where. No matter when."
She felt his heart beating steadily against her back and knew she didn't need to wait for the adventure to end. Her feelings were real and they weren't going to change. Turning in his arms, she gave him a soft kiss, and whispered, "I love you too. And I want to be with you, wherever, whenever, however. I finally understand what you meant about fate bringing us back together. It was always meant to be you."
A confirming shiver ran through her body and she embraced it without question. The eerie sensations were now familiar. It was how she knew the connection between her and Noah was far from ordinary. It was extraordinary.
Chapter 25
Maggie opened her eyes to find herself alone in a room filled with sunlight. She was getting used to Noah not being in bed when she awakened but she had thought this morning would be different. That thought barely registered before the bedroom door opened and her darling man entered carrying a large tray. The smell of coffee had her sitting up in an instant, wondering what culinary delights were on today's menu.
Noah set the tray on the dresser then greeted her with a brief kiss. She instantly wanted more but excused herself to take care of her morning needs. By the time she came out of the bathroom, her head was clear and she remembered they had a guest. She grabbed her cover-up and whispered, "Moira?"
Noah motioned her back to bed and handed her a cup of coffee. "She's on the couch, with her feet up. She's eaten and swears she feels fine but I convinced her to let us keep an eye on her anyway. And before you ask, I already took care of explaining her absence and turning down maid service for today. So you can relax and enjoy breakfast." He presented her with two dishes. One offered scrambled eggs, sausage links and a buttered muffin. The other held a big golden waffle topped with bright red strawberries and whipped cream. Her stomach gurgled and she took the waffle.
Noah kept the other dish for himself and settled down beside her. "Since this could be our last day here, what would you like to do?"
Maggie didn't need to think about it. "Maybe I'm being overly cautious but I still have a bad feeling."
"Bad, like Moira's still in danger or bad like we haven't done what we're supposed to do yet?"
She shrugged. "I'm not sure. But I still have the feeling that it's not over. Maybe we need to split up today. Take turns staying with Moira, or at least watching the bungalow, while the other one keeps roaming around the island. Maybe try to find out whether the Gavistons checked out."
"Okay," Noah agreed without hesitation. "Moira is going to be more comfortable with you so I'll take the first roaming-around shift. Maybe I'll be able to confirm what Amelia said about both families heading up north today."
Maggie abruptly straightened her back. "What time is it?"
He pulled out his watch and said, "A little after ten, but we never got to sleep 'til—"
"We forgot about Connor! Remember? Nine o'clock on the nature trail. Oh my, he must think we're horrible people to ignore him like that."
Noah chuckled. "I'm sure he realizes we slept in, but I'll track him down and explain while I'm roaming."
Noah headed out right after breakfast and Maggie offered Moira the use of the bathroom. Considering what the girl was used to she thought it would be
a real treat but when she was taking longer than Maggie thought she should, she checked on her. Moira had gotten cleaned up and dressed and was on her knees cleaning the floor.
"What are you doing?" Maggie asked unnecessarily. She grasped the girl's elbow and made her rise. "You need to rest today."
"I really am quite perfect," Moira insisted. "Me head is fine, just a bit of an ache and sore neck. And me babe is moving and not causin' any pains."
"Good. But today I'm your boss and I say you're going to rest." She walked her back to the couch, fluffed up the pillows and stood with hands on her hips until Moira settled back down. "Now stay right there while I bathe and get dressed. I mean it," she added in a very stern voice that was negated by a soft smile.
Maggie guessed Moira was probably as fine as she claimed. After all, the girl walked several miles a day and worked at a physically demanding job with a baby growing inside her. Yet Maggie felt compelled to do something worthwhile and hovering over the expectant mother was better than doing nothing. When she came out of the bathroom, however, Moira was sound asleep. Not wanting to do anything to awaken her, Maggie tiptoed out onto the front porch and sat in one of the yellow rockers.
Considering their active evening and minimal sleep, Maggie should have been tired. Rocking in the shade, watching the waves and being fanned by the salty breeze should have been relaxing. Instead she felt as though electric current was zipping through her body. If she hadn't agreed to stand guard over Moira, she would have taken a swim or run in the sand. Something was about to happen and she was confined to the front porch.
As soon as she heard Moira stir, she hurried inside to make sure she was still feeling okay. Other than not being accustomed to lying around, the girl was fine and after a few minutes Maggie got her talking about how she got from Ireland to Crystal Island, Florida. Her story was similar to others Maggie had read about European immigrants who fled one desperate situation only to be caught in another on the other side of the Atlantic.
Moira's Catholic upbringing helped her through the death of her grandparents, who had both succumbed to influenza shortly after they had brought her to New York City. Her emotional and physical strength helped her survive a nearly lethal stint in a workhouse. And, according to Moira, a bit of Irish luck created a chance meeting that got her a menial position in an upper-class Boston home.
The children there became so attached to Moira, the parents took her along on their holiday to Palm Beach, Florida. Unfortunately, that was the season Moira's body blossomed into womanhood and the father took such a fancy to her, the wife insisted "the little whore" be left behind. Being a generally good man, before he boarded the train with his family, the husband arranged for Moira to be employed as a maid at the new hotel on Crystal Island.
A year later, while scrubbing the bathroom floor of a suite, "Rick" Hampshire walked into Moira's life and captured her heart. That season, they'd done no more than meet secretly to talk, but, when the Hampshire family returned the following year, conversation gave way to love... in all its forms.
Maggie wished she had a tape recorder so that Noah could hear Moira's tale himself. Maybe one day, when he decided to write something other than horror, he could write about this incredible young woman... and give her a romantic, happy ending.
Noah returned with lunch for everyone before Maggie had to think of another subject that would keep Moira from dwelling on the virtues and weaknesses of Broderick Hampshire. However, Noah's news involved him.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Moira, but it looks like he's gone. The concierge confirmed the Gavistons left for Chicago this morning. I told him I had a gift for the engaged couple and he told me which cottage the Hampshires had rented on the other side of the island. But when I got there, the maid said the family had left for an extended trip north. I wish I had happier news but at least you don't have to worry about Amelia or anybody else in either family bothering you."
He flashed a look at Maggie and she understood. His news meant they had saved Moira. She would be alive to see her baby born.
"'Tis fine," Moira said, though her eyes brimmed with tears. "'Twas only in a moment of foolishness I thought 'twould be any other way."
Noah handed her a linen napkin as Maggie patted her hand. She wanted to say something encouraging but the truth was she had no idea what could help under the circumstances. She certainly couldn't tell her not to worry, that everything was going to turn out nicely. All she knew was Moira had already been through hell and survived. She would undoubtedly figure this out as well. At least they had given her the chance to try.
"Me sister and her husband are after leavin' Dublin next week. When they get settled in New York I'm sure they'd be willin' ta take me in. They have a wee boy and a new babe is on the way so I can be useful."
Maggie patted her hand again. "Family is good. But are you sure you want to go back north? New York is a very hard place for—" Noah nudged her before she revealed anything about the future. "The weather. It's very cold there."
Moira laughed. "'Ta be sure. But 'twas not exactly paradise in Boston nor Dublin neither."
Noah and Maggie both smiled in agreement then Noah smoothly changed the conversational direction. "By the way," he said to Maggie. "I ran into that fellow we met last night. You know, the one from back home. He said his wife will be arriving at two this afternoon and thought you might like to greet her with him at the boat dock. I already told him I had another appointment but I accepted for you."
Maggie nodded her agreement though she wasn't sure what she and Connor would have to discuss now that it seemed certain Moira was the one they were to save.
After lunch, Noah pulled a deck of cards out of his pocket and introduced Moira to gin rummy while Maggie got ready for her appointment.
* * *
Connor was already at the boat dock when Maggie arrived. His warm hug was unexpected but it allowed Maggie to sense how much he missed being his true self. She really did wish she could help him, but she had no idea how.
He drew her back onto the path just in case someone happened to stroll by that section of the beach. "How's the mystery coming?"
"Solved. At least we're ninety-nine percent sure it is." As she gave him a rundown of the events of the previous evening, his expression changed a dozen times but he didn't comment until she was finished.
"I'd say that was unbelievable but I've been here long enough to know how the privileged see themselves above everyone else and the law. I guess this means you'll be going home tonight."
"After what happened the first time we saved someone, I sure hope so."
"Would you do me a favor?"
Maggie was fairly sure she knew what he would ask for. "If it's within my power, absolutely."
"Please tell Lilli you saw me and that I'm okay and my not getting back to her wasn't because I didn't want to. If for any reason she doesn't believe you, tell her I said I forgive her for being so rude to me that first day. Tell her I'm sorry. And tell her what happened when you saved her grandfather. She won't like it, but she needs to know why her warning to him didn't help. Tell her..."
Maggie waited for him to say the one thing Lilli probably wanted to hear the most.
Finally his shoulders slumped with resignation and he murmured, "Just tell her I love her."
Maggie couldn't resist giving him a comforting hug. "I wish you could tell her that yourself." A strong shiver ran through her and she stepped back from him. "Maybe you can! Maybe, when Noah and I go back, we can take you with us! Reynard had told us clothing and whatever we were holding could travel with us through the portal. Maybe the reason he said that was so we would bring you back by holding on to you." The idea seemed so logical she couldn't understand the doubtful look on Connor's face. "What?"
"I can't even get off the island in this time period. Why would you think they'd let me piggyback on your success?"
She shrugged. "Maybe whoever's in charge of all this will see that you've paid the price
for whatever you did or didn't do. If nothing else, they might want to make sure you leave so there's no chance of your saving Robert Davenport in 1930 and causing another disaster like we did. At least it's worth a try."
He almost appeared to be convinced then shook his head. "It could boomerang. My being with you could prevent you from going back. I really don't want to be responsible for anyone else's misery."
She shrugged again. "For all we know, part of our assignment was to bring you back. Or maybe none of us will go back because our mission was to save someone else entirely."
Connor continued to frown. "I don't know—"
"That's okay. Neither do I... at least not with absolute certainty. But I have a really strong feeling about this. If it doesn't work, you're no worse off. If we get stuck here, you'll help us figure things out. And just in case you were the one we were sent here for, we've covered that possibility. We have to be at the rock when the moon reaches its zenith tonight. Since we don't know how to figure that timewise, we'll be ready once the moon rises and cross our fingers. Just be there and trust that everything will work out for the best."
"Maybe you should discuss this with Noah—"
"Already did... well, sort of. Believe me, he would want to help you if at all possible and we both made our peace with the possibility that we could end up living the rest of our days in this time."
* * *
Maggie heard the laughter even before she reached the bungalow's porch. She wasn't the least bit surprised that Noah had not only distracted Moira but had her smiling.
"I think I've been conned," Noah said with phony pout. "She swore she never played gin rummy but she's beaten me three games in a row."
Moira giggled lightly. "I think your mister may be playing poorly on purpose."
"Oh, I doubt that," Maggie said seriously. "We used to play this game when we were younger and I beat him all the time. Deal me in!"
The card game helped the rest of the afternoon pass quickly and when hunger set in, Noah had a selection of sandwiches and fruit delivered to the bungalow. By the time the sun began to set however, Moira was clearly getting antsy.
Some Time Away (Lovers in Time Series, Book 3): Time Travel Romance Page 23
