Epilogue

SEPTEMBER 5, 1727 CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

We'd enjoyed two days of an uninterrupted honeymoon in the captain's cabin in Boston Harbor, but on the third day we knew we needed to return to reality.

The Redemption had laid anchor in Provincetown Harbor at the tip of Cape Cod that afternoon as Maxwell and I stood on the quarterdeck. The salted sea breeze tickled the tendrils of hair at my cheeks, and the waves lapped against the side of the ship.

"You think your family is still here?" I asked him.

"I don't know, but this is where my father came and where my mam was heading when we were overtaken by Edward Zale fifteen years ago." He looked down at me, his brown eyes filled with unquestioning love. "'Tis a long time. They might not be alive, or they might have moved on."

"If that's true, then someone will know the answers."

As we boarded the launch, Maxwell held fast to his family Bible.

Before we left Boston, I had penned a letter to my grandfather with a postscript to Nanny, letting them know where I would be living. I spared Grandfather the details about Maxwell being an ex-pirate and simply told him I had married a successful merchant and was living in Boston. I apologized for leaving without warning and explained that I had gone to look for my mother and found her family. At the end, I had included an invitation for him to visit if he would like. Hawk had posted it for me, and I was already anxious about whether Grandfather would respond. Only time would tell if he would forgive me and we could move forward.

We were soon on a long wharf, walking toward the main thoroughfare in Provincetown. I was still wearing my wedding gown, though Maxwell had told me that as soon as we returned to Boston, we would find a home and I was to buy as many dresses as I wanted. I was pleased with this one—not only a gift, but the gown I'd worn to become his wife. It would always hold a special place in my heart.

Hawk went with us, as was his custom, and we entered the first business we found on Commercial Street, which was an inn.

The innkeeper eyed us with curiosity. But in our fine clothes and with a bodyguard, not to mention my husband holding a large Bible, he probably believed us to be trustworthy people of means, so he smiled pleasantly.

"How may I help ye?" he asked.

"I'm looking for a family by the name of MacDougal," Maxwell said. "Liam or Alish MacDougal."

"Aye," the innkeeper said. "Liam MacDougal lives not far from here. Continue down Commercial Street and take yer first left onto Center Street. His home is the second on the right. The white house with the black shutters."

"Thank you," Maxwell said as he reached for my hand, and we walked out of the inn. It had become second nature to hold hands, to touch whenever we were in proximity to each other. I loved his physical touch. The reminder of his love and affection.

Commercial Street was narrow and full of businesses, most of them associated with the fishing industry that dominated the cape. The sound of the ocean crashing onto the nearby shore was another reminder of the daily lives of the cape's inhabitants.

"I'll wait in the tavern," Hawk said as he stopped at the nearest public house and nodded for us to continue.

We took a left onto Center Street, which was narrower than Commercial Street and lined with quaint houses. The second on the right was a one-story white clapboard home with black shutters. It sat on the street, with no front yard.

"Are you ready?" I asked my husband as we paused on the road.

"I don't know if they'll even want to speak to me," he said. "I've hurt both of them deeply."

I squeezed his hand and smiled. "Even if they don't, we have much to be thankful for."

"Aye." He returned my smile. "And they cannot be displeased with my choice of wife."

I smiled as he knocked on the front door.

It opened a minute later, and a woman stood over the threshold. She appeared to be in her midforties, and she had the same beautiful brown eyes as Maxwell. She had to squint into the sun to look at us, but when she realized who was standing before her, she let out a cry of delight and threw herself into Maxwell's arms.

"My son," she said as she wept. "You've come home."

He held her tight, lifting her off her feet. "Mam," he said, burying his face in her shoulder. "I didn't think you'd want to see me again."

"Maxwell, my love." She continued to weep as he set her on her feet, and she put her hands on either side of his face. "You've grown into such a braw young man." Her gaze turned to me. "And who is this bonnie woman?"

"My wife," Maxwell said with pride. "Caroline MacDougal."

She put her hands on my face next and smiled as if I was another of her long-lost children. "'Tis pleased I am to meet you, daughter."

I entered her embrace, feeling the love from a woman whom I'd never met, but who still accepted me wholeheartedly, because I belonged with her son.

"I have something for you, Mam," Maxwell said as he held out the family Bible. "You told me to not forget where I came from, or who my Maker is. I've come all this way to tell you that I haven't forgotten either."

Her joyful cry filled my heart to overflowing as she took the Bible and gave him another hug. "You don't know the thousands of prayers I've uttered for you," she said. "Hours on my knees, asking God to be with you and guide you home."

"Your prayers were answered," he said, "and Caroline is the reason."

Alish took my hand and tugged me into her home. "Come," she said, "and tell me your tale. I know 'tis a good one."

I turned to Maxwell as I smiled, and the look on his face was so tender, I would remember it always.

"Liam," Alish called toward the back of the house as we entered, "we have visitors!"

Maxwell's shoulders stiffened at the sound of his father's name. But Alish didn't seem to notice as she led us into the cozy kitchen where a table sat in one corner and a large fireplace dominated the back wall. She gently set the Bible on the table, giving it a loving look before moving a hook over the flames and putting a teakettle to boil. "You're just in time for afternoon tea."

"Mam," Maxwell said as he joined her near the fireplace. "Has Father changed?"

There was a sad smile from his mother, and then she said, "Aye, some things have changed, and other things are the same, but I think you'll be pleased with the man he has become. He's a fisherman now, in charge of his own destiny. That has a way of changing a man." She paused and then touched Maxwell's hand. "My greatest regret was the way things were. The reason you left. I can't change the past, or how he treated you, but I pray you can forgive him."

"I have."

Her lips trembled, and she nodded as she gathered her emotions.

I sat at the table, watching mother and son, my heart warming at their exchange.

But when an older man appeared at the door to the kitchen, I held my breath. His hair was graying at the temples, and there were wrinkles around his eyes, but he looked like an older version of Maxwell.

Maxwell turned, and his father stared at him for a moment, clearly not recognizing him after so many years.

"Father," Maxwell said.

The look on Liam's face shifted from confusion to clarity and then joy. He took two giant steps across the room and embraced Maxwell in a hug that seemed to take Maxwell's breath away.

"My son," Liam said as he began to weep. "I didn't think I'd ever see you on this side of heaven."

It took Maxwell a moment, but he returned his father's embrace, and I had a clear picture of his face.

It was filled with relief.

When they separated and I was introduced to Liam, he embraced me as Alish had done, welcoming me into his life and his heart without knowing a thing about me.

Maxwell put his arm around me as we sat next to each other at the table, drinking tea and eating sweet biscuits, telling them the story of how we'd met. We left out the part about my time-crossing, but the tale was filled with adventure and the miraculous hand of God, nonetheless.

As I told the story, peace settled inside my heart, and I started to realize the gift that God had given to me. I had gone on a quest to find my mother and to learn the truth about my time-crossing family, but in the process, I had discovered a new family. The family I had created with Maxwell.

I was eager to learn about my other time-crossing family members, and I had so many questions that I would ask Hope. I wanted to know all I could about her and Grace and their beautiful children. I was also excited to get to know Liam and Alish and watch Maxwell's relationship with them heal.

As I sat with my husband, in a quiet little cottage in Cape Cod, I realized I finally had what I'd wanted all along.

Peace.