Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Anna was walking around Blackmoor with John while Robert slept in.

“Riders approach.”

“Come. We’ll go up on the battlements for a better look.”

She followed John. It was a long way down. With a hand up to shade her eyes, she wished for sunglasses. They were around in some form in ancient China and Rome. Imagine gems for sunnies. If she was stuck here maybe she could create sunglasses for the rich. It wasn’t like she could rely on John to support her. Anna would have to find a way to make a living and a place to live.

“Wow. That’s a lot of people.”

The man with gorgeous blonde hair she’d recognize anywhere waved to them. A beautiful blonde beside him. Behind him walked men and women. There were men who looked like soldiers and wagons bursting with stuff. In one of the wagons, she spied pigs and chickens.

“He looks like you. Which brother is it?”

John’s words were gruff. “Henry has grown to a man. I have missed so much time. ”

Anna knew the feeling all too well. As the group entered the courtyard, the level of noise rose to a crescendo. The blonde man dismounted from his horse, and helped a striking woman do the same. She was tall and thin, blonde, and looked like Barbie come to life. Anna was completely intimidated.

“I should have known you were still alive. The bandit of the wood. Well done.” Henry hugged John. His voice was rough. Anna stood close enough to hear him say, “You should have told us you were alive. I have missed you every day for the past ten years.”

“I could not. Our family was dishonored. The loss of our lands, titles, gold. So much lost because of a jealous girl. If Letitia had kept quiet, the king would not have turned his wrath on the Thorntons. There is a large price on my head. You should not have come.”

“Our father would have been gladdened to know you were alive.” Henry released John and stood back, looking at Blackmoor. “Robert let it fall to ruin. Too busy drinking and whoring.”

“I heard that, whelp.” Robert clapped Henry on the shoulder.

John looked a bit overwhelmed. “I’m grateful you’re here, Henry. But we are bound to attract undue attention.”

“Our people are loyal. Others in the surrounding countryside are loyal to the Thorntons.”

Robert rocked back on his heels. “And many others to the bandit of the wood. News has traveled fast. Everyone knows ’twas you. Do not worry, brother. None will betray us.”

John grimaced. “Betrayal comes when we least expect it.”

“What an awful thing to say.” Anna wished she could take it back. Now everyone was looking at her.

Henry’s mouth twitched. She blushed where she stood. “You have obviously made her miserable with your foul moods.” He made her a little bow. “I am the most charming and handsome brother. Henry Thornton, at your service.” He pulled the gorgeous woman forward, interrupting her conversation with a group of women .

“My wife, Charlotte.”

Anna smiled, feeling like the frumpy girl facing the head cheerleader. The woman pulled her into a hug.

“I’m so happy to meet you.” She looked to the men. “What have y’all been doing? Hell’s bells. This place looks like it was used for target practice.”

Anna blinked up at the tall Amazon goddess. Charlotte was Southern. As in Southern United States of America. It was true. Another time traveler.

Charlotte winked. “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s go for a walk and leave the men to unload the wagons.”

She took Anna’s hand, pulling her toward a mass of weeds that at one point she supposed might have been a garden.

“Y’all get this mess taken care of. Anna and I have womanly things to discuss.”

“Best not to argue with her,” Henry said to his brothers. Anna giggled as they walked away.

“Lucy’s going to be so jealous, she hasn’t met John yet.” Charlotte’s eyes sparkled. She was as nice as she was pretty. The tension left Anna’s shoulders and neck. “Talk about major scoop. Wait until they hear John has a girlfriend.”

Anna blinked. “I’m not his girlfriend. When I landed in the past and helped him escape, I thought I was in the middle of a movie.”

Charlotte laughed. “Oh, honey, we all had that feeling.”

“It’s true, then?” Where else would she have learned to talk like she did but the future?

“What?” Charlotte gazed up at her, a look of such feigned innocence that Anna knew without a doubt she too was from the future.

“Robert and John said they thought so. Tell me I’m right. ”

Charlotte shot her a wary look. “What exactly do you think you’re right about?”

Anna huffed. She wanted to play it like this, huh? Fine. “Pizza. Hot showers. The Walking Dead . Chris Hemsworth. Bikinis. Cell phones. Shall I go on?”

Charlotte groaned. “Chocolate, Pepsi, and Pop-Tarts.” She pulled Anna to the corner of the wall where no one could sneak up on them. “Tell me what I’ve missed on The Walking Dead . My oh my, that Daryl Dixon.”

“I don’t know where to start. I’m still trying to get my mind right. Someone like me. Another time traveler.”

“Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I’m talking to someone from my own time. Well, other than my sisters.”

“Where are you from?”

“North Carolina. Holden Beach. You?”

“Venice, Florida. I miss the beach.”

“You’ll come visit. If I didn’t invite you, Melinda and Lucy might chop off my head. Melinda has a new baby. Lucy and William are dealing with a small skirmish, so they couldn’t come either, but you’ll meet them all. Wait until you see the ocean. The beach and the water aren’t anything like the Gulf of Mexico, but the smell is the same. Well, except for the sunscreen. I miss the smell of coconut oil.”

The dreamy look on Charlotte’s face was probably the same look on her own face.

“Me too. And music.”

“Books.”

“Movies.”

Charlotte sighed. “Tell me how it happened to you.”

“It all began when I found out I was taking my first vacation in five years. Two whole weeks in England. I landed in London…”

She and Charlotte found a stone bench partially buried in the weeds. They pulled enough away to sit. They both leaned against the wall, faces tilted up to the sun. It was so nice to talk to someone from her own time.

Charlotte had been here the least amount of time. Anna couldn’t believe Charlotte’s sister, Lucy, had been in the past over twenty years. From everything she told her, Charlotte’s sisters sounded like the kinds of friends Anna wished she’d had. But when you dropped out of college and worked three jobs, you didn’t have time to make friends with anyone, or date, or do much of anything.

“I can’t believe you figured out your sisters went back in time. You planned your own trip back in time. I wish I would’ve paid more attention in history class.”

“I know, right? It’s not like any of us thought we would ever need to apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.” Charlotte turned serious. “I’ve seen the way John looks at you. You say he’s not your boyfriend, but I can tell he cares for you. And you seem to care for him. Am I totally off base?”

“I can’t care for him. I have to get home.” And now, Charlotte had provided the small sliver of hope Anna needed. She had been ready to give up. Now maybe she could get back, but she had to be in the tower when she tried.

For the first time since her mom died, Anna felt something wet on her cheek. She touched a finger to her face. Tears.

“Oh, sweetie, let it all out.” Charlotte pulled her close, hugging her. Anna couldn’t remember the last time anyone touched her with a comforting touch. To feel close with another human being without them wanting anything from you or expecting anything—it was almost more than she could bear.

John had been kind to her and touched her, but this was different. It was like Charlotte could be the sister she never had, but had always yearned for. She sobbed, letting the tears run down her face and puddle by her feet.

It seemed like hours had passed when Anna finally wiped her eyes .

“I’m such an ugly crier. And I’ve ruined your dress.”

“Don’t worry about it, sweetie. We’ve all had that moment when we realize we’re here for good. I’m so very sorry. I cannot imagine what you’re going through. My sisters were already here and I didn’t have anyone left to go back to.”

Anna sniffed. “I’m so worried about my dad. But in some small way it’s almost a relief. If I can’t get back then I know it isn’t my fault. Part of me thought about staying here.”

She hesitated. “Not that I thought I would be with John. But in the time I’ve been here, I’ve grown to love this time. Things are harder, yet easier.”

Charlotte took her hand. “I know, right? I think about someone being flung back in time and not being able to acclimate. I guess they wouldn’t survive. If we all did it, I wonder how many others have traveled through time? And did anyone from the past go forward?”

“There’s something to be said for being adaptable. Knowing I’m almost certainly stuck here instead of thinking I could go back and didn’t try hard enough, it makes the pain a little bit easier to bear. I just wish I could get a message to my dad.” She pursed her lips. “But from what you told me, it doesn’t matter anyway. You didn’t even get the message your sisters left.”

“I have been looking for you, wife.” Henry stood in front of them, sweaty and disheveled. He saw Anna’s face. His eyes widened. “Is my wife making you cry?”

Charlotte smacked him on the arm. “We were having a girl talk. Anna’s fine.”

And the funny thing was, Charlotte was right. She was fine. No matter what happened from this day forward, she was at peace. She would try one last time at the tower, and if it didn’t work, she would build a life here. Based on what Charlotte told her, there was a moment when each of them thought they could go back but they chose not to, so they didn’t know if they actually could. And if they did, there was no certainty they’d end up back in their own time.

It was enough to give her a migraine. Anna would always be sad about never saying goodbye to her dad, not being there to pay for his care. But knowing she couldn’t do anything about it and was stuck across an ocean of time made it just the tiniest bit easier to accept. If, by a miracle, she did go back, well, she’d deal with her broken heart then.

Now if she could only figure out if John liked her the tiniest bit.