A Matter of Time: Book 4 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  Angelina’s phone buzzed again. Good enough, then. I hope to see you tomorrow. Good night.

  Good night, she texted back. She wished she could shake the uneasy feeling that had followed her since leaving the city. Angelina poured herself a glass of wine and settled into the overstuffed sofa that faced the fireplace. Reaching into the gap between the arm of the sofa and the cushion she rested on, she found her dirk and placed it within easy reach, just in case she needed it.

  * * *

  A shadowy figure stood watch, hidden amidst the shrubbery surrounding Angelina Lawson’s home. Satisfied that he had gone unnoticed, he silently headed back the way he’d come. As he reached his car, which he’d parked in a darkened area around the corner, the man made a phone call.

  “Well,” asked a voice at the other end. “How’d it go?”

  “Fine. She never even noticed me. When the time is right, this should be easy.” The man started his car and holding the cell phone to his ear, he began to drive off.

  “As long as we can get at her when that big highlander isn’t around, I’d agree.”

  “And if we can’t?” The man merged his car onto the freeway, heading back towards the city.

  “You’ll have to get rid of him.”

  * * *

  “Explain to me what you’re doing with that,” Richard said, pointing to the cell phone.

  “It’s called ‘texting’. I’m sending and receiving messages from Angelina. With this phone, I not only can keep in touch with everyone I know, but I can access any information I might need. The answer to any question ye could think of, is right here in this phone.” Nick handed the phone to Richard so he could examined it more closely.

  “I find that hard to believe.” Richard was turning the phone every which way. “How can something so small contain the answers to every question? It seems impossible.”

  “Here, I’ll show ye.” Nick took the phone back and said, “Ye’ll enjoy this, Richard.” He pressed the button on the front of the phone and said, “Medieval martial arts.” A woman’s voice came from the phone and responded, “This is what I found on the web for medieval martial arts.”

  “Who is that?” Richard was astounded. The shocked expression on his face must have been amusing to Nick, because he burst into laughter.

  “Here, see what she found for me.” Nick handed the phone back to Richard who nodded seriously as he examined the phone.

  “Will she answer any question?” he asked.

  “Most of them. What will the weather be like tomorrow?” Nick asked as he retrieved the phone from Richard once again.

  “The weather in San Francisco will be sunny, but cool, with temperatures in the high fifties.”

  Richard couldn’t believe that the phone could talk. “What magic is this?”

  “Nae magic. Modern technology,” Nick said.

  “Modern what?” Richard was becoming more and more baffled with each passing moment.

  “I’ll tell ye more about it tomorrow, Richard. Let me show ye to yer room.” Nick threw an arm over Richard’s shoulder, “I’m happy to see ye once again, my friend.”

  “As am I,” Richard responded. He wondered how he was going to survive in this world he found himself in. There was much to learn and he’d better get used to it, because going back didn’t seem as if it were a possibility at this moment in time.

  Chapter 4

  Richard woke to the sound of clattering and banging coming from the other room. He stretched and yawned and for a brief moment forgot where he was. He sat up and much to his dismay, found he was still in San Francisco. Not a thing had changed during the night, although he’d hoped it would. Throwing the covers off, Richard stood to his full height and took a good look at his surroundings. The bedroom he’d spent the night in was beautifully furnished in a fashion he was unfamiliar with. There was a large, comfortable bed, covered with many different fabric types, end tables with electric lamps, and a dresser for clothing. He explored the one door he hadn’t opened last night and found it was a small room, filled with clothes and shoes. He walked inside and stared in disbelief at the huge amount of clothing the room contained.

  “Richard,” Nick called from the doorway.

  “Here,” Richard answered as he peeked out from the closet. “Who do all these clothes belong to?”

  “The young man who had been living here. The one who went off to Scotland. I believe his name was Dylan,” Nick said thoughtfully. “If anything in there fits you, feel free to use it. It appears Dylan was about the same size as the two of us, so I’ve made use of this closet myself.”

  “Hmmm…” Richard wondered if this Dylan was the same one as Maggie MacKinnon’s man. “Do you know anything about this Dylan?”

  “Nae. He was gone when I arrived. Although I believe Angelina has a photo of him on her phone. Why do ye ask?” Nick was leaning against the doorjamb, dressed and ready for the day in modern garb similar to what he’d worn yesterday.

  “I think I may know him. He was with me just before I was sent to this time.”

  “’Tis possible, I suppose,” Nick said. “Why don’t ye get cleaned up… and put some clothes on for pity’s sake. My eyes are painin’ me.”

  Richard was not at all embarrassed. He walked around in the nude in front of his men all the time and they did the same. “Perhaps that’s because you’ve never seen such a fine figure of a man before.”

  “On the contrary, I have. Every time I look at meself in the mirror.” Nick laughed heartily at his own joke. “Are ye hungry? I’ll be making some breakfast if ye’d care to join me.”

  “I would. Let me get dressed and I’ll be right there.”

  Nick left the room and Richard rummaged through the clothes in the closet. He didn’t want to create a stir walking around in his own garb. Angelina had been intrigued by it, but obviously people of this time did not dress in that manner. He found a pair of blue pants similar to the ones Nick wore, and a white shirt. He tried them on and despite the fact that they were snugger than he was comfortable with, he was pleased that they seemed to fit. When he’d travelled to the future in Glendaloch, he had continued to wear his own clothing and no one seemed the least bothered by it, but he somehow knew it would be different here. Next he looked for shoes. He wasn’t sure he’d be successful, but upon trying on a pair of fine leather boots, he was happy to note that they fit quite comfortably. He took a quick look at himself in the mirrored doors, admiring himself, pleased with what he saw.

  Entering the kitchen, Nick whistled at him and nodded his approval. “No one would ever know you weren’t from this time. You’ll fit right in.”

  “Is Angelina joining us today?” Richard asked, trying to keep his question casual.

  “Mayhap later. She’s things to do. Yer taken with her, arenae ye?” Nick teased.

  “She’s a beautiful woman,” Richard responded. “I’d be a fool not to be.” He sat at the counter while Nick prepared their breakfast. “It smells delicious. I had no idea you could cook.” he said, changing the subject.

  “Of course, I can. Ye’ve been in camp with me, ye should ken that.” Nick continued stirring the eggs in the pan. “We’ve a practice to attend to this morning. I’ll introduce ye to me men and ye can take over some of their training.” Placing plates on the counter, Nick spooned the eggs onto them. He placed a few pieces of bacon and some buttered toast onto each plate. “Voila,” Nick announced with a flourish.

  Richard dug right in. “Delicious,” he said.

  “And ye doubted me abilities! Would ye care fer some coffee?” Nick reached for some cups and filled them without waiting for an answer. “Cream and sugar?”

  “I remember that I enjoyed coffee. Yes, to the cream and sugar.” Richard stirred the coffee with the spoon Nick handed him and then took a sip. “Mmmm. I’m curious. What is the point of training these men for battle, when there won’t be one?”

  “I ken yer meaning, Richard, and I wondered the same. ’Tis the disciplin
e involved in perfecting a skill. The men and women who participate, gain confidence they put to use in their daily lives; they learn respect for their opponent and ’tis an excellent form of exercise, something that is also prized in this time. So, ye can see while they may have no cause to use their swords or dirks in real battle, the artistry of wielding the sword benefits them in other ways.” Nick picked up his empty plate and took it to the sink. “Are ye done?”

  “Yes.” Richard handed him his empty plate and holding up his cup, pointed to the coffee pot indicating he’d like a refill. “Are there many women who participate? I know Angelina does, but I didn’t think it would be something most women would enjoy.”

  “Women and children participate as well. In this time, women can do anything a man can do, if they wish.” Nick poured another cup for himself and one for Richard. “I teach many at my school, but other than Angelina, none of them will participate in the tournament.”

  Richard nodded his understanding and sipped his coffee.

  “I noticed when ye arrived ye didnae have yer sword with ye.” Nick tidied up the counters as he spoke.

  “I must have lost it during the time travelling. I admit I feel a bit naked without it.” His hand went to the spot his sword would normally hang, reflexively searching for the hilt.

  “I know a man who can make ye a beauty. He’s a true artist. He’ll make it according to yer specifications, of course. We can go see him this morning if ye’d like.” Nick turned to the sink and rinsed the dishes. “I’ll show ye the brilliant work he did on mine.” He dried his hands and then left the room, returning shortly with a beautiful, gleaming sword, which he handed to Richard. The heft of it in his hand felt well balanced, the hilt comfortable to hold. At the very top was a Celtic knot, flawlessly executed and polished to a radiant glow.

  “I’d like to meet this man,” Richard said, continuing his examination of Nick’s sword in admiration of the artistry his eyes beheld.

  “And so ye shall!” Nick finished cleaning up and grabbed his jacket. “Ye’ll need a jacket. There are more in the hall closet.”

  Richard opened the door Nick had indicated and found several to choose from. The one that called to him was of a soft black leather. He removed it from the closet and put it on, pleased that it fit him so well.

  “Ye’ll be fighting the women off with that one,” Nick observed. “Come, let’s go see Quinn.”

  “Quinn?”

  “The sword maker. He lives nearby. We can walk, so there’s no need to wait for Angelina to take us. Can ye believe she willnae allow me to drive the car that’s in the garage.”

  “Can you drive one of those cars?” Richard asked.

  “How difficult can it be? I’ve watched Angelina drive many times and I believe I could do it. Unfortunately, she says I must pass a driving test to get a license,” he harrumphed. “It requires that I prove my identity, and I have nae way to accomplish that, so I walk most places. If Angelina isnae around and I need to travel further, then I take the bus or a cab.”

  “I can’t believe how well you’ve adapted, my friend,” Richard said. “I can only hope that I will do the same.”

  “I have nae doubt ye will.” Nick winked, opening the door and stepping out into the blinding sunshine. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses which he donned. “How do I look?”

  “Are you seriously going to wear those?” Richard should have known better. Nick had always been a bit of a peacock when it came to his looks.

  “Aye. I see others wearing them. The glasses give them an air of mystery and I like being mysterious. Is it working?”

  Richard laughed out loud. “I’ve missed ye, Nick.”

  * * *

  Two well-defined footprints in the damp soil had Angelina rushing indoors and wondering if the feeling of being watched that she’d experienced last night was for good reason. They were large footprints, obviously belonging to a man, probably wearing work boots of some sort and the owner had been facing her house, looking directly towards her living room windows. She shuddered to think that someone may have actually been standing outside watching her. What could their motivation be? She’d have to be more observant, especially since the only other people nearby were Estella and her husband. She had chosen this spot because it was isolated and she enjoyed the peace and quiet it afforded her, but she hadn’t stopped to think that it might also put her in harm’s way.

  There was a knock at the door and Angelina jumped in surprise. “Who’s there?” she called.

  “It’s Estella,” came the answer. “I brought you some of the cake I made last night.”

  Angelina released the breath she had been holding and went to the door, opening it to her sweet neighbor. “Estella, you really shouldn’t have. Won’t your husband be disappointed you’re giving away his cake?”

  “There’s plenty left for him. He’s not supposed to eat a lot of sweets, so I’m merely removing temptation. If I left this there, he’d eat it all before the day was done.”

  “Come, sit down. Can I get you some coffee? And maybe you’ll have some cake with me.” Angelina put the coffee on and got some mugs, plates, silverware & napkins, which she set on the table.

  “We’ll have a little tea party, or should I say, coffee party,” Estella said, laughing.

  “You’re in a good mood,” Angelina observed. “What’s going on?”

  “I was talking with my daughter this morning and she and her family will be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner. I’m so excited to see them all.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Angelina said. “What about your sons, will they be coming too?”

  “Mmmhmmm…. And my grandsons and great grandchildren, too. It will be the first time in ages that we’ve all been together for the holiday.” She smiled warmly at Angelina, who was slicing some cake and putting it on their plates. “Angelina, I was wondering if you’d like to join us. You can bring your handsome friend, Nick.” Estella had a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

  “Estella,” Angelina teased, “you’re a married woman and I think you’ve got a crush on Nick.”

  “I’m married, but I can still enjoy a good looking man, even at my age.” She rolled her eyes saucily and then burst into a fit of giggles.

  “Thank you so much for the invitation, Estella. I’m not sure Nick will want to go though. He has a friend in town and he’ll probably want to spend the day with him, but I’ll ask.” Angelina retrieved the coffee pot and poured some for them both. She headed to the refrigerator for the creamer, before grabbing the sugar bowl and heading back to the table.

  “Well, his friend is welcome to join us as well. The more the merrier I always say. It makes it more festive, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Of course,” Angelina said. “You’ll have to let me make the pies.”

  “That would be a blessing. I’m not good with pies,” Estella agreed.

  “Well, I make a mean pumpkin and my apple is pretty good, too. I’ll have to come up with a third, considering how many people you’ll have.” Angelina sipped her coffee and thought about the many Thanksgivings she’d spent alone, or with other single friends. The more the merrier never came into play for her. She was looking forward to this and she couldn’t wait to share it with Nick and Richard. “You know, Estella, Nick’s friend is British. He has a lovely accent and he’s pretty handsome. Richard will make some nice eye candy for you.”

  The two women laughed as they enjoyed the cake and each other’s company. Angelina found that with Estella’s presence, she could almost completely dismiss the footprints outside her little cottage from her mind for a short while; almost, but not quite.

  Chapter 5

  Sparks were flying everywhere as Nick and Richard entered the little backyard that housed Quinn O’Connell’s sword-making workshop.

  “Nick!” The man at the anvil wiped his brow and removed the heavy gloves protecting his hands. “I wasn’t expecting you so early.”

  “So
rry for the surprise visit, but I’ve got practice later and this seemed the perfect time to stop in with my friend here.” Nick motioned to Richard to join him. “This is Richard Jefford. He’s in need of a sword.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Quinn held his hand out for Richard to shake.

  Richard shook the proffered hand in his own firm grip. “And you as well. I’ve left my sword back home and I’ll need one if I’m to help Nick with his students.”

  “Of course.” Quinn continued to wipe his hands and his brow. “Did you have something in mind, or would you like to see what I’ve been working on.”

  “I’d love to see what you’ve been working on. I’m not used to being without a sword, so the sooner I can have one, the better.”

  “The blade is finished and now I’m working on the hilt. I can make that part to your specifications and probably have it ready for you in a few days.” Quinn shrugged his shoulders and stretched his neck from side to side, obviously relieving some aching muscles. “This one’s been coming to me easily. It happens that way sometimes. I have an idea in my head and it just flows out of me.” He smiled at Richard, who had been examining the blade on the table in front of him.