Meredith swallowed and blinked against the sting at the back of her eyes. Once she knew he was safe, she’d quietly return to her place in time to live out the rest of her life missing him. At least she’d have the satisfaction of knowing she’d righted the wrong committed against him, and he’d continue to live the life he was meant to, even if it was without her.
Daniel brought the mules to a halt in front of their cabin. The moment Charles had mentioned that Oliver and Meredith did not belong in this time, Daniel had sensed her turmoil, and he meant to have a talk with his friend. Charles’s pronouncement had put a damper on their entire evening, and his own frustration had threatened to boil over more than once.
“Meredith, Oliver, you know where we keep the matches. Go on inside and light the lamps. Charles and I need to take care of the wagon and the mules.”
“Sure.” Oliver lifted his paper-wrapped parcels from the bed of the wagon and hopped to the ground.
Daniel held out his arms to help Meredith, and she placed her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her down.
“It’s too early to go to bed. Shall I put the kettle on for tea?” she asked. “Maybe we can play cards or read for a while. I’d love to take a look at the dime novels Oliver bought at the mercantile.”
“Tea would be grand, lass,” Charles said as he began leading the mules toward the shed, pulling the empty wagon behind them. “You know where the kindling is for the stove.”
Daniel pressed a kiss on her forehead, reluctant to take his hands from her slender waist. “Once the other two are asleep, may I come to you?” he whispered. She nodded, and his pulse raced. Soon he’d have her in his arms again.
He let her go and followed Charles to the shed where he unhitched one harness while Charles worked on the other. “I’ve a bone to pick with you,” Daniel began.
“Oh?” Charles continued to work, not even glancing his way.
“When you mentioned to Oliver that he and Meredith don’t belong in this time, that upset her greatly.” Daniel scowled.
“It’s the truth.”
Daniel drew in a fortifying breath. “The fae man who provided Meredith with the means to come to us also helped me to regain the memories of my time with her in the future. I asked him to do so, for I didn’t want to forget. I was in love with her then, and I’m in love with her now. I intend to marry her, and your—”
“Danny, you’re tampering with things that ought not to be tampered with. This is not her time or her place, and tempting fate will not end well for either of you.”
He should’ve known Charles would react negatively. He was always the pessimist. “Though I was born in the nineteenth century, I haunted Garretsville through to the twenty-first. By your logic I belong in either era. Anyway, I’m hoping to convince Meredith to remain here with me.” He had much to offer her now that they’d struck gold and his plans were coming to fruition. That boosted his confidence.
“I expect she’s every bit as determined to convince you to return to the future with her, aye?” Charles’s tone hardened.
His gut twisted. So Charles feared Meredith would convince him to return to the future with her. That must be why he made his feelings clear to her and Oliver. “Meredith and I will discuss the matter and come to a decision together.”
Charles stopped what he was doing and glared at him over the backs of the mules. “Have you forgotten you and I have a legally binding business partnership? After all we’ve been through together, you’d consider abandoning everything we’ve worked so hard to build? What about our plans, Danny? What about our friendship?”
“I’m hoping she’ll stay, but I must at least consider whatever course allows me to be with the woman I love.” Charles had lost both his parents during the years of famine. He had only a sister remaining, and she was happily married and living in Canada. As far as Daniel was concerned, he and Charles were brothers, and his gut wrenched at the thought of letting him down.
“Dan, I saw the pictures of Meredith’s family, her wee nephew, and her identical twin sister. Meredith spoke about her aspirations to work on an advanced degree and to become a professor of history. She can’t do that in our era, here or in Ireland.” Charles shook his head. “I see two people on parallel paths, both with ambitions and dreams they wish to pursue. That she came here to save our lives was a generous, courageous act, and I’m grateful, but …”
“But?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, and that’s the truth.” He flashed him a sympathetic, almost pitying look. “You have obligations and responsibilities here. What of the promise you made to your mother? What of Meredith’s family, her career, her dreams? You’d have her give them up for you?” Charles grunted. “Best let her go, lad. There’s no way to—”
“Perhaps she and I will flip a coin.” He stomped to the barrel holding the mules’ feed and lifted the lid. “Meredith is my destiny, and I love her more than I ever imagined possible. Fate brought her to me, and I will not let her go.” Conflicting emotions churned through him, and guilt had the upper hand. “I’ll thank you not to speak disparagingly about her not belonging here ever again.”
“Why is that? Could it be you fear she knows I’m right? She doesn’t belong here anymore than you belong in the twenty-first century. Existing as a ghost does not qualify as belonging, and you know it. We’re on the cusp of realizing our goals. What do you have that would
