Spirit of the Revolution (32 page)

Jo let out a small laugh and nodded. “Agnes and Timothy are so cute. I don’t think they could’ve treated royalty any better than what they have treated me. Actually, the entire orchestra pampered me something awful. All the fuss made me just a bit uncomfortable, though.”

“Any fool can see you’ve won the hearts of the Scottish people with your talent. But such is inevitable,” Mathias replied. “Whether you choose to believe it or not, something magical always happens when you pick up your violin. For those who hear it, they find it quite an experience, as all your audiences have attested.”

Jo tilted her head to the side as she considered the compliment. “Thank you, Mathias. I’m glad you think so.”

“It isn’t a matter of thinking,” Mathias lightly grazed her cheek with his fingers. “It’s a matter of knowing.”

Jo briefly lowered her gaze, in the hopes he didn’t see the blush, caused by his simple touch and tone. She looked for a change in subject. “So, did you and Sam enjoy your visit?”

“We did,” Mathias replied. “I didn’t think I would ever see the home of my ancestors, or ancient castles filled with a bunch of rowdy knights still hanging about the place.”

Jo laughed as she recalled her experience with those unruly knights. “I didn’t either. Still, I have to admit, I found meeting Sir Cailen quite a shock. Yet, I wouldn’t have missed the chance for the world. I found it enthralling to hear about life in the fourteenth century from someone who actually lived it.”

“An interesting tale, from an interesting escort,” he said.

She breathed out a sigh. Interesting yes, but the handsome knight didn’t hold a candle to the Pennsylvania Ranger who held possession of her heart. How she wished she could tell him that. Mathias gazed at her then as if he wondered where her mind had taken her. Better to change the subject now, before he asked. She glanced up at the stars for a moment before she returned his gaze.

“Mathias, I’ve been meaning to thank you for coming here with me despite the risk you took in doing so. Having you here meant a great deal to me,” she said.

“I think the greater risk would have come in remaining at home,” he said. “So you needn’t thank me.”

Jo could feel the butterflies take flight simply because of the way he looked at her while he spoke. And she wondered at that moment, what it would feel like if he leaned over and kissed her—really kissed her. She shook her head to clear away the impossibility of the notion and rose to her feet.

“Well, I suppose I better go in and try to get some sleep. The day will start early enough, and I want to make sure I’m packed and ready when Agnes and Timothy arrive.”

“Good night then and sweet dreams,” he said as she made her way back inside the cottage. In truth, he meant what he said. He hoped her dreams this night would be sweet indeed.

Sam’s sudden appearance on the walkway outside the cottage drew his attention. That Sam wanted to come along on this trip, pleased Mathias to no end. Then again, it wouldn’t have happened any other way. Sam, ever loyal, and ever at his side, never allowed him to take risks alone.

“I’ll get back about sunrise,” Sam said as he turned south toward the small village in the distance. “As I mentioned earlier, I want to say goodbye to the lads at the pub and thank them for their fine hospitality.”

Mathias chuckled and raised a brow. “You forgot to mention the lovely Rosalie. Surely you want to bid her farewell too?” He referred to the lovely nineteenth-century barmaid. From what Sam told him, she seemed quite captivated by the appearance of the eighteenth-century American spirit who visited her pub.

Sam merely laughed in return and winked. “Well, we just can’t go home without so much as a by-your-leave, can we now?” And with that, he disappeared.

Not that Mathias minded his absence. For just as he hoped, a short while later Jolena fell into a deep, restful slumber. He entered her room, took hold of her hand, and lifted it to his lips.

“Where would you like to go tonight, my love?”
he whispered and waited for the images in her subconscious to manifest themselves.

****

Jo waited eagerly on the green grassy fields outside of Laird MacNaughton’s castle. Mathias rode swiftly toward her on a beautiful stallion that gleamed in the sunlight. Somewhere during his exhilarating ride, his hair loosened from its queue. He looked very handsome as he approached her. He flashed a grin as he reined his mount to a halt.

Then, he stretched his hand out toward her and said, “Come with me, Jolena, I want to share something with you.”

In one fluid motion, she found herself sitting behind him on the large horse. The stallion danced his impatience. “Where are we going?” She wrapped her arms around his waist and adjusted her seat.

Mathias grinned anew and said, “Wait and see.”

He turned his mount in the direction of the forest and urged him into a flat-out gallop. Jo smiled with delight as Mathias continued his wild run through the fields. Shortly thereafter, they found a path that took them over an ancient bridge, and inside the wooded terrain, where they had to slow their pace. They rode until the tall, ancient trees became so thick, the horse couldn’t move forward without undue hardship. He helped her down then and after dismounting himself, left the horse to graze freely on the luscious grass.

Mathias took hold of her hand and gave a nod to the right. “This way.”

Jo marveled over the beauty within this woodland. She desperately wanted to explore it the day she and Mathias stood on the turret and looked out over it. But they just didn’t have the time to indulge the whim.

The sound of rushing water grew ever louder while they strolled hand in hand toward a river. Just as she conjured the image of what it might look like, they suddenly stood beside it. “Look, Mathias.” She pointed at the rocky bottom. “See how clear the water is.”

“That it is, but come now, just a little bit farther.” He tugged on her hand and stepped into the dense vegetation. Then, just before they arrived at their final destination, he stopped. “Now close your eyes, Jolena.”

Jo complied with his request and with one arm firmly around her waist; he led her up a small incline. As she climbed to the top, she could hear the roar of rushing water. Mathias stood just behind her then and wrapped her in a protective embrace.

“All right,” he said. “You can look now.”

Jo stood very near the edge of the river, and as she opened her eyes, she beheld one of the most enchanting waterfalls she’d ever seen. The water splashed and played along the stones as it stair-stepped its way down the mountain. Water fell between the lush trees and then crashed into the river below and she gasped in delight.

“I’m so glad I got the chance to see this before we left Scotland,” she murmured.

Then once she could drag her eyes away from the mesmerizing scene, she turned around. She ran her fingers through the length of his hair and she gloried in the feel of it. In turn, he drew her close against his chest and tilted her chin upward. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He joined his lips to hers and after several heart-stirring kisses, he took a small step back, and gazed into her eyes. A look of regret filled the warm brown depths. “The heavens have played naught but a cruel joke on us, Jolena, my love, dividing our lives by the centuries that have kept us apart.”

Jo released a sigh as she shook her head. “No, Mathias. The heavens are never intentionally cruel. I believe each person is born to the time and place he or she is most needed. In the beginning, our nation struggled for each breath of life she took. She needed men such as you. Men with strength, courage, and the skills you possess to make her independent and free. Your life, the valiant deeds you accomplished, the risks you took, and the impact you had while you lived, is more important than what you could possibly imagine. Someday you’ll know this for yourself, but
I
know it now.”

“Such high praise for an ordinary man, and I’m not sure I deserve it. But, even if half of what you say is true, why couldn’t you have lived during my time and shared your life with me there?” he asked.

“What? And leave me a young widow, alone and defenseless?” she said in an attempt to tease him out of his present mood.

“I suppose you have a valid point.” He cuddled her closer to his chest and for a moment, rested his chin lightly atop her head.

She snuggled against him. “I don’t know all of the answers, Mathias. Perhaps I’m needed here and now, to do nothing more than play my violin for someone who needs to hear it,” she said as she searched his eyes. “I love you so much, and I know I’ll have forever to love you. So this short life, even if it lasted a hundred more years, doesn’t really matter, does it?”

“Are you promising me forever, Jolena Leigh Michaelsson?” he asked as his lips grazed lightly across hers.

“If you want it,” she said.

“Oh, I want it,” he whispered as he gave the kiss that stole her breath and made her his.

Jo awakened to the feel of Mathias’s lips still warm against hers, and whispered words of forever ringing in her ears. She rolled over and peeked through her lashes as the first light of dawn entered her bedroom. She cherished the dreams she had of Mathias. They made her feel as if she lived them. She remembered each one so vividly; she could relive them whenever she wished. All other dreams became vague, if not altogether lost upon awaking. Did that mean something?

All throughout the flight and the drive home from the airport, the dream never strayed far from her mind. At times, Mathias gazed at her with probing eyes as if wishing to discover the reason for her silence. What would he think if she told him? She scoffed inwardly. Yeah, right. She could never tell him such a thing. Though, at times, she would give anything, if she could.

Finally, after hours of travel, they arrived home. Jo expected to see William, Alex, and Jed all standing beside the car as she turned off the ignition, but no one rushed out to greet them. They entered the house and found it empty. Not even Dakota made his presence known. She dropped her luggage by the stairway and turned to face Mathias.

“Where would all of them have gone in the middle of the afternoon?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe they’re still out looking for our unknown location and feel it safe enough for all of them to leave at one time,” he replied. “Especially now we know we’re looking for a place large enough to house seven tons of Scottish iron.”

“I guess that makes sense. All right, while we’re waiting for their return, I’ll just run upstairs and unpack my things,” she said as she retrieved her bags from off the floor. “It should only take me a few minutes.”

Once she had everything where it belonged, she picked up her camera bag and walked into the library. Mathias and Sam stood talking near her desk, but fell silent once she entered the room. “Let me guess,” she said as she rolled her eyes heavenward. “You’re talking about the iron again.”

“Iron?” Sam appeared confused. “What iron?”

They both assumed an innocent expression, but just couldn’t quite make it believable. Jo shook her head and laughed. “Oh, whatever.” She opened the bag and withdrew her camera. “I think I’ll go ahead and download all our pictures. The boys seemed anxious to see them.”

The process took about ten minutes. Once she completed the file, she started the revolving slide show. Mathias and Sam joined her behind the desk to watch. Amidst the laughter and recalled memories the photos invoked, the unmistakable sound of Dakota’s neck chain chimed up the stairs.

With a smile on her face, she glanced up at both Mathias and Sam. “The boys are home.”

Everyone converged into the library at the same moment. Jedediah, Alex, and William made their sudden appearance in the middle of the room. A split second later, Dak rushed through the open door. At once, he jumped up and rested his paws on either side of Jo’s shoulders. He whimpered in excitement, and made every effort to lick her face in greeting.

Jo laughed over his exuberance and just managed to keep her face out of range while she stroked his fur. The wild wagging of his tail took hold of the book on top the end table and sent it flying half way across the room. All eyes followed the flight as the volume slammed down on the surface of the hardwood floor and skidded to a halt. Silence followed the thud.

“Jolena, I’m so sorry,” William said, sounding contrite. “I should’ve put that away, but I just didn’t think—”

Jo looked down at the scattered pages of Thomas McGregor’s journal and then up at William’s horror-stricken face. She waved a hand in dismissal.

“Don’t worry about it, William. None of this is your fault. As you see, the fall didn’t destroy any of the pages and we still have access to all of the same information we had before. Besides, I’m pretty sure Carolyn can fix it as good as new,” she said.

She stooped down to pick up the pages that tore away from the binding, and then picked up the leather cover. She carried them over to the desk and placed the cover on top. After she arranged the pages, she opened the journal so she could put them back inside. But as she did so, she suddenly stopped and stared. The outermost endleaf had broken away from inside the back cover when the journal hit the floor, and the very act uncovered something.

“What is that?” asked Mathias as he leaned over her shoulder for a better look.

“I’m not sure.” She used just the tips of her fingernails to extract the folded linen paper from out of its hiding place. The page didn’t feel brittle in her hand as her grandfather’s letter had. “I’m going to try to open it.”

“Careful, lass,” Sam cautioned.

Jo nodded and with slow, careful advances, opened the document. She took in a breath and then looked from Sam to Mathias to gauge their reaction.

“These drawings are very similar to the steam engine sketches, designed by James Watt,” said Sam.

“I’d say they are almost identical. What does that say there in the corner, Jolena? Can you make it out?” asked Mathias, pointing to the smudged and faded writing.