Page 28 of A Matter of Time
“Aye. I heard them all chattering happily about ye as they prepared to leave. Ye’ve made quite an impression on them.” Nick began the cleanup work that was a natural byproduct of their classes. “I believe we’ll have them do an exhibition at the tournament. The teenagers and the ladies can participate as well. It will be good publicity for my school and should bring me new students by the New Year.”
“Where has Angelina gone off to?” Richard asked. He spun on his heel, searching for her among the departing students.
“She’s here somewhere. She cannae leave without us, she’s our ride home.” Nick continued picking up items that had been left on the floor. “I’ll need to send an email to the students informing them of the exhibition times, once I’ve spoken with the event organizers about adding them to the program.”
“You amaze me, Nick. You’ve adapted so well to your surroundings. Even though I know you’re not from this time, it’s easy for me to forget when I hear you talking about the school.”
“’Twasn’t always like this, I can assure ye. I made many mistakes and got many funny looks when I first arrived. I made it a point to quickly learn what would make me blend in.” He stopped what he was doing and stood up straight, stretching his back as he rose. “There she is,” Nick announced, pointing to Angelina as she exited the office.
“We were wondering where you were.” Richard smiled appreciatively as he watched Angelina walk towards them.
“For the record, I wasnae wondering. ’Twas him,” Nick nodded his head in Richard’s direction.
“I was just cleaning up your desk, Nick. I don’t know how you can find anything in there.” She gave Nick a disapproving scowl and then immediately smiled, to let him know she was just teasing. “Are you almost done out here? I want to get home as early as I can.”
Richard didn’t like the thought of her returning home alone. “Why? Why must you go home?” He realized immediately that he sounded like a besotted schoolboy, but it was too late, the words had already left his mouth.
Angelina, for her part, appeared unfazed by the question. “I have things I need to do there. I’ve been spending so much time with the two of you, I’ve let some things go and it’s time for me to take care of them.”
“I see.” But he didn’t really see at all. He wanted her here, where he could keep an eye on her. For some reason, he couldn’t shake the idea that she might be in danger, and he would prefer she was by his side.
“Richard, she’ll be fine,” Nick stated quietly, so that only Richard would hear. In a louder voice, he spoke to Angelina. “Let’s go then. I believe we’re done here.”
They locked up and walked to the car. “Angelina, how are the three of us supposed to fit in here?” Nick asked, surveying the sporty little car.
“Oops! I forgot I was going to need to get you both back home. If I’d been thinking, I would have brought the truck. Oh, well, we’ll have to make do. Nick, you sit in the back this time. I know it’s cramped back there, but I’ll try not to go over any bumps and I’ll get you both home as quickly as I can.” She exchanged an impish grin with Richard as Nick tried his best to fold himself into the back seat.
“Richard, move your seat forward,” Nick grumbled.
“What?” Richard asked. “How do I do that?”
“There’s a button on the side of your seat. If you push it, your seat will move forward,” Nick harrumphed impatiently.
Richard had a difficult time locating the button Nick spoke of, and he was surprised when Angelina leaned across his body and reached down beside the seat to operate it for him. Richard felt the seat lurch forward, but he was completely focused on the sensation of Angelina’s breasts nestled between his legs and he groaned involuntarily.
“There, is that better, Nick?” Angelina asked.
“Much,” Nick answered. “How is it for you, Richard?” Nick laughed, peeking around the seat back to observe his friend’s pained look as Angelina slithered back into her own seat.
Richard offered Nick a dirty look, but didn’t bother answering. It had been a rhetorical question and Nick obviously knew everything he needed to about the situation. As far as Richard was concerned his friend was enjoying the situation far too much.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, Richard gazed silently out the window, his head filled with thoughts of Angelina.
Chapter 14
Thanksgivingmorning arrived in the form of a clear, but cool day. The sun was shining brightly and showed promise of warming the air for the afternoon football game that was planned in the field next to Estella’s home. Angelina had eluded Richard and Nick over the past few days. She had gone to practice, worked with her students and prepared all the paperwork necessary for the tournament and the exhibitions with little or no interaction with the men. Overall, it had made the time fly by and now here she was, getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in the way it was meant to be celebrated – with a real family. Over the years, Angelina had spent many holidays on her own and she’d gotten used to it. Being used to it didn’t mean she didn’t long for the type of holiday she imagined everyone else in the country celebrating.
Nick and Richard would be joining her soon. Zeke was dropping them off, on his way to his own mother’s house, which had left Angelina plenty of time to make the pies for dessert. Between Estella and her daughter, everything else was under control – the turkey, stuffing, gravy and vegetables were all taken care of and Estella had told her they’d made an assortment of quick breads as well. When Angelina had visited earlier, the aroma from the kitchen had permeated the entire house and had her mouth watering. Just as she was getting her own mincemeat pie in the oven, the front door opened and Nick and Richard walked in, both carrying bouquets of flowers.
“Good day to ye, lass,” Nick said. “We come bearing flowers for ye and the Lady Estella.”
“They’re beautiful! Thank you!” Angelina kissed Nick on the cheek and hesitated a moment before doing the same to Richard. “I just put my first pie in the oven and I’m about to get the others prepared. Would you like to help me?”
“If ye dinnae mind, I believe I’ll take these flowers over to Estella and see what wondrous food she’s cooking,” Nick said, heading for the door. “Richard, would ye like to join me?”
“I’ll stay and help here,” Richard said. He sauntered into the kitchen, bouquet still in hand.
Angelina took the flowers from him, retrieved a vase from under the sink, filled it with water and then set the flowers in a pretty arrangement. She stood back and admired them. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
