Page 29 of A Matter of Time
“Their beauty is a mere shadow of your own.” Richard was standing too close for comfort, making the small kitchen seem even tinier in his presence.
“If you want to go visit Estella with Nick, it’s okay, I can manage the pies on my own.” She realized she was already trying to get rid of him, but was uncertain why she was reacting in this manner. She’d been thinking about him all morning, imagining him walking through the door, tall, dark and handsome. And here he was, and she hadn’t been disappointed. He was all of that and more. So why was she so determined to avoid him?
“I’d like to stay,” Richard said. His eyes seemed to be burning holes right through her.
“Okay, then. I’m going to put you to work, so I hope you’ve got some cooking skills.”
“I follow directions very well, m’lady. I promise I won’t disappoint you.” He did a little mock bow and his eyes danced with amusement.
Angelina fastened an apron around his waist and handed him a rolling pin. She instructed him on how to roll out the pie dough and true to his word he did exactly as she showed him and made a perfect round for the pie plate. Next he cut up the apples while she prepared the pumpkin for the pumpkin pie. They worked side-by-side in the kitchen with hardly a word spoken between them, other than the occasional question from Richard on what she needed him to do next and her brief answers. Angelina found it to be a comfortable silence and she gradually began to relax. Having Richard here helping her, gave Angelina a warm, fuzzy feeling she hadn’t expected. When the last pie was in the oven, she removed her own apron and untied his.
Richard turned to Angelina with an amused expression on his face.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
In answer, he grazed his thumb across her cheek. Trapped as she was between him and the counter, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from his smoldering eyes. She stood perfectly still as he reached behind her for a towel and proceeded to wipe some flour from her face. The air between them was thick with emotion and Angelina found it difficult to take more than a shallow breath. She couldn’t get past him without touching him, so she stayed exactly where she was and hoped he would move. He didn’t. Clearing her throat, she made small talk, spouting words that sounded inane, even to her own ears.
“Once those pies are done, we’ll set them to cool and head on over to Estella’s.” She fidgeted nervously with her hair and finally, unable to take another moment of awkwardness quickly turned her back to him. That was a mistake, because she could feel his hot breath on her neck. His calloused fingers sent chills down her spine as he moved her hair away from her neck. “Angelina, I know you’ve been avoiding me these past days, but I don’t understand why.” His deep voice rumbled through her body as she waited to see what he’d do next. “Why are we fighting this attraction we have for one another? You’re all I can think about, all I want. Would it be so wrong, to let down our guards and enjoy each other?”
Angelina couldn’t speak. Her body was tingling, from head to toe and her breaths were coming in tiny gasps. She wanted to turn and be held in his arms, to experience his lips engulfing hers in passionate kisses, but how could she? They’d agreed to be friends and now, he was saying all the things she so desperately wanted to hear. Finally managing to inhale a deep breath, she spoke. “Richard, I can’t do this right now.” She pushed her way past him and practically broke into a run as she headed for her bedroom and closed the door behind her. Leaning against it, she did her best to get a grip on herself, to ensure she wouldn’t run out and throw herself at him.
Richard watchedin disappointment as Angelina ran away, shutting the door on him as she went into her bedroom. He stood outside her door, not knowing what to do to make the situation better. “Angelina. I’m sorry,” he apologized. “Please, come out. We can talk about this later if you like, but I don’t want it to spoil your day. Please…”
“I’ll be out in a minute. I’m just getting changed,” she said through the door. “I’m not angry with you, I’m just confused. I need time to think.”
Resting his head against the door, he closed his eyes in relief. Perhaps she would think about what he was offering, and come to him. Since he had no choice but to wait for her decision, he walked into the living room where everything he saw was so very Angelina. Beautiful photos of the coast and framed photos of people he assumed were members of her family were set here and there on bookshelves, end tables and the fireplace mantel. One in particular caught his attention and picking it up, he recognized Dylan, standing on the beach next to a large, oddly shaped board. Next to that was a photo of a young lady he’d also seen before. She had been with Cormac that day when he’d crossed the bridge from Glendaloch back into his own time. He smiled, realizing it wasn’t merely a coincidence that he had ended up here with Angelina. “Edna,” he said out loud and then he laughed at the absurdity of it all. Edna was the keeper of the bridge, and as such, she obviously decided who could travel through time and where they would travel. Everything that had happened over these past few months had been carefully orchestrated by her and Richard knew she must have a very important reason for sending him to this particular time and place. He was certain both Angelina and Nick were a part of the plan, but that was all he knew. The rest would reveal itself soon and he decided he could relax and let events unfold for themselves. He still had to learn the lessons Edna had spoken of in order to return home, but he knew she would present him with opportunities to do just that. All he had to do was wait.
The smell of Angelina’s perfume announced her presence behind him.
“I was just looking at your photos.” Richard wondered if he should mention Dylan. He decided it might be best to keep that information to himself and when he had the chance to speak with Edna again, he’d ask her about it. “Are these all members of your family?”
“Not all of them. This is a photo of my mother,” she said, pointing to a woman who looked a lot like herself.
“She’s a beautiful woman, as is her daughter.” He smiled as he glanced from the photo to Angelina, who still seemed uncomfortable.
“This is my cousin, Jenna.” She held up the photo of the young woman he recognized. “And this is Dylan. He’s not really related to me, but I still think of him as a cousin.” She stared lovingly at the photo. “Both of them went off to Scotland and they haven’t even called me to tell me they’re okay.” She sounded both angry and worried as she spoke about them.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” he said, trying to reassure her. He knew, of course, that they were both doing well and were happily living their lives in his medieval world. Angelina, on the other hand, must have felt as if she’d been deserted. “If there were something wrong, I’m sure you would have heard by now.”
She nodded, but still seemed quite sad. “I guess I thought they were the family members I could count on, and now I see that may not have been the case at all.”
Without thinking, he wrapped her in his arms, doing his best to soothe her hurt. He stroked her hair and her back with his large hands and her muscles gradually relaxed. “Come. This is to be a happy day, is it not? The pies smell wonderful, I can hardly wait to try them.”
“You’ll have to wait a while.” She smiled up at him as he held her close. “Estella wouldn’t be happy with us if we had the pie before our Thanksgiving dinner.”
The day couldn’t have beenany better. Estella’s family included her two sons and daughter, their adult children and their spouses, along with her great grandchildren. Everyone gathered in the adjacent field to play a game of touch football while they waited for the food to be ready. Nick and Richard listened intently as Estella’s son, Sean, explained the finer points of the game and then divided everyone into equal teams. The great grandchildren, ranging in age from about four through to eight were excited to be included and jumped up and down as they waited for the game to begin. Angelina and Nick were on one team, with Sean, his wife, their two sons and their wives. Richard was on the other team with Brian, Estella’s other son, along with his wife, their son and daughter and their spouses. Estella’s daughter, Bella, and her husband were acting as referees, and the youngest children were divided evenly between the two teams. The game was a lot of fun and the children were all given opportunities to score touchdowns. The smallest girl had taken a shine to Richard, and tailed him wherever he went. Brian threw the ball his way and Richard reached up and plucked it out of the sky, handing it to little Sienna. He lifted her into the air and ran with her across the goal line. She squealed in delight the whole way and when he finally put her down she did her very own version of a touchdown dance. Richard ruffled her hair and laughed at her antics.
“Dinner’s ready,” Estella called and everyone headed into the house. No one cared who had won the game, it had all been in good fun and it had been an enjoyable way to pass the time before their meal.
“Thankye so much for a delicious feast, m’lady Estella.” Nick bowed low and kissed the elderly woman’s hand. Estella beamed at this, seemingly enamored with Nick’s actions.
“Nick, if you keep that up, I don’t know how I’ll compete with you,” Harry chuckled.
“Have no fear, Harry. I would not rob ye of yer own true love.” Nick was beginning to slur his words, after a long day of feasting and drinking.
“Thank you for having us, Estella. It was a pleasure meeting all of you - I guess I don’t have to tell you what a special woman your mother is,” Angelina said, addressing Estella’s children.
“We know,” Sean assured her, putting his arm around his mother’s shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze. “She’s the best. Dad’s not so bad either,” he teased.
