A Matter of Time: Book 4 of The Thistle & Hive Series Read online

  Angelina appeared to soften. “Apology accepted.”

  Nick, who was seated in front once again, peered back at Richard with a questioning look. “Malcolm Granger is a very wealthy man who is fascinated by anything medieval. He has one of the largest collections of medieval artifacts in the world. Rumor has it that more than a few of them were collected illegally, but he has more than enough money to prevent anyone from investigating their true origins. He’s currently searching for a sword from the time of James IV, apparently with no luck, as it has nae been uncovered in any archeological digs to date. He’s obsessed with finding it and will spare no expense to get what he wants.”

  Richard sat stone faced in the back seat, absorbing all of this information and building up a huge dislike for Malcolm Granger.

  “He’s also our chief competition in winning the Northern California Medieval Martial Arts Finals Championship. He’s trained his men well and several of them are experts in other forms of martial arts,” Nick explained. “They’ve won every year since the competition began.”

  “They’ll not win this time,” Richard stated as he stared balefully out of the window. “I’ll see to it.”

  “That’s what I like to hear,” Nick said. “Now, where are we going for dinner, Angelina?”

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going home. You two are on your own.” Angelina pulled her car into a parking spot in front of Nick’s.

  “I hope you’re not leaving because of me,” Richard said, recovering from his momentary anger. “Please, join us for something to eat. I promise to behave myself.”

  Angelina gazed back at him and his heart skipped a beat. Damn it, why does she have to be so beautiful? He tipped his head to the side and did his best to look as sorry as possible.

  “Well, when you look at me like that, how can I refuse?” Angelina pulled the key from the ignition and opened the door to get out. “I’m hungry, let’s figure out where we’re going. Somewhere close by would be good.”

  Richard noted that her whole demeanor had changed. He knew it was because of his apology and he was pleased with himself for recognizing his own bad behavior and correcting it. He pulled himself out of the infernal back seat and did his best not to curse as he did so. He was happy they would be walking to their next destination, because he really didn’t think he could take another minute in that car.

  “Shall we go to the diner around the corner?” Nick offered.

  “Sure,” Angelina responded. “Although all that greasy fried food you like to eat is going to catch up with you, sooner or later.”

  Nick laughed. “Later, I hope.”

  * * *

  The three walked off down the street, Angelina, between the two men, as they discussed the day’s practice and Malcolm Granger.

  “I’ve known Malcolm for a few years,” Angelina said. “He’s nothing, if not intense.”

  “Yes, that would be putting it mildly. I’d say Malcolm and I started as friends, drinking buddies ye might say, but shortly after he realized that I was teaching medieval martial arts, he became confrontational and belligerent. The man doesn’t like to lose. Granted he never has, as long as I’ve known him, but he looks at me as a particular threat to his standing in the community. Now that yer here, Richard, he may become even more ruthless. We’ll have to wait and see.” Nick opened the door to the diner, ushering his friends inside. They settled in the first empty booth, Nick on one side and Angelina the other. Richard opted to sit next to Angelina and a thrill ran through him at the touch of her leg against his thigh. Nick handed menus to them both. “I dinnae need a menu. I know exactly what I want.”

  Richard stared at the laminated card in his hand wondering what it was for, until he realized it listed the various foods available in this establishment. He wasn’t sure he’d made a wise decision sitting next to Angelina. Having her so close was making it uncomfortable for him, but he couldn’t exactly get up and walk away and Nick was entirely taking up the other side of the booth. He would simply have to suffer through the pain and pleasure of her nearness.

  “I know what Nick is going to have,” Angelina said with a laugh. “What about you, Richard? What would you like?”

  Richard cleared his throat to stop himself from saying, you. “I’ll have whatever Nick is having.” He glanced away from her penetrating eyes and took in the diner. It was a rather unusual place, but he assumed it operated in much the same way as the eating establishments he had seen in Glendaloch.

  “Well, that’s not very original. I’m going to have the Ahi Tuna Salad. Nick doesn’t eat nearly enough veggies.”

  “Nonsense, Angelina. I’m having french fries. They’re made with potatoes,” Nick stated with authority.

  A young woman came to their table with paper and pen in hand. “My name is Serena, I’ll be your server tonight. What can I get you?” She sounded about as interested in serving them as Richard was in the conversation between Nick and Angelina over what Nick was going to eat. Nick ordered something he called a cheeseburger with fries and Angelina ordered her salad.

  When it was Richard’s turn to order, he repeated Nick’s order and put his menu back in the holder Nick had taken it from. As he leaned across Angelina to do so, he had the overwhelming urge to kiss those pouty lips that tempted him from not more than a few inches away. She licked her lips and he groaned.

  “Is everything okay,” Angelina asked.

  He realized too late, he’d foolishly groaned out loud. What is wrong with you, Richard? “Fine,” he answered as he sat back on the bench. He saw the knowing grin on Angelina’s lips and stifled a chuckle. She knows exactly what she’s doing. Two can play this game.

  The waitress returned with water, silverware and napkins. “Your food will be out shortly,” she said in the same disinterested tone.

  “Thank you,” Angelina responded.

  Richard gave up trying to contain himself to his half of the bench and spread his legs so that the one that was closest to Angelina was in contact with hers from hip to thigh. He threw his arm over the back of the booth and challenged her with a smile. “This is quite cozy, isn’t it?”

  Nick, who had been observing the two of them quite closely, stifled a laugh.

  Angelina for her part, didn’t appear bothered by it at all. Instead, she adjusted her own leg and in the process rubbed up against Richard’s. For the next ten minutes or so, they continued to tease one another until thankfully their food arrived, forcing them to drop their little game of cat and mouse, and eat. Richard having never seen one before, couldn’t help but be fascinated with Angelina’s salad and it must have been obvious to her.

  “Would you like to try it,” she asked, as she picked up a forkful of the unusual leafy greens and held it out to him.

  He hardly had time to reply when he found it at his lips, so he opened his mouth and accepted her offering. The flavors were unlike any he’d ever tasted. “Delicious,” he said after swallowing the last bit. “Would you like to try mine?”

  “I’ll have a french fry,” Angelina said and waited for him to feed it to her. “Ketchup, please.”

  Richard looked to Nick for guidance on that one and watched as Nick picked up a fry and dipped it in the red liquid on his plate. Richard reached across and dipped the fry into the ketchup before returning it to Angelina’s mouth. The sensual way she accepted it from his fingers was more than he could bear, as a dribble of ketchup landed on her bottom lip. He quickly focused on his own food and tried to avoid further eye contact with her.

  He had to admit that the food was very good. If he had no other choice, he imagined he could live here and learn to fit in the way Nick had. His friend would be there to guide him when needed and perhaps this woman who sat beside him would… what was he thinking? He didn’t want to stay here and he was going to do everything he could to find a way back to his own time and place. His family needed him. He’d been away much too often over the past few years and it was time for him to settle down
and manage the family holdings. He had no idea how he would make that happen, but perhaps when Edna realized that she’d mistakenly sent him to the future, she’d find a way to get him back where he belonged. Unless it was her intention all along to send him here. Perhaps she wanted to keep him out of his own time and away from the MacKenzies. He was getting agitated just thinking about it and his tense posture, he noted, had Nick and Angelina exchanging concerned glances. Once again he had to get himself under control. He smiled warmly at his old friend and his new one. He would manage, no matter how things worked out. What choice did he have?

  * * *

  What’s up with him? Angelina thought as she watched Richard go from relaxed and enjoying their interplay, to tense and distracted. He was intriguing. She’d never met anyone quite like him before. He was everything she looked for in a man, along with a little something extra. Richard had an old world sensibility to him and she liked it. He also appeared to be completely genuine. He didn’t act like he was playing a part, trying to be someone he wasn’t in an effort to impress her. She’d seen enough of that in her dating life and she could spot it from a mile away. Angelina could tell within a date or two, just what to expect from a man and most of the time it wasn’t much, so she let them go. She enjoyed their company and found herself surrounded by different men all the time, but that was her choice. Contrary to popular belief among the women she knew, she wasn’t the type to sleep around. She valued herself too much and that was a gift that only went to those who proved to be worthy of it. Yes, she was a flirt. Everyone knew that about her, but her female acquaintances were jealous of her ability to attract men and so they fabricated stories about her, trying to make her appear ready to jump into bed with every man who came her way.

  The truth, Angelina knew, was deeply hidden. No one knew her real reasons for keeping men at a distance and they never would if she had anything to say about it.

  Chapter 7

  The sound of a woman’s voice coming from the living room fireplace woke Richard with a start a few hours later. Someone had called his name. He had heard it loud and clear, but aside from himself, the room was empty. Nick had apparently gone off to bed a while ago, and left Richard sleeping on the sofa. He sat up, preparing to head to his own bedroom when the voice called to him again.

  “Richard. Can ye hear me?” the voice asked.

  “Yes. I can hear you.” The voice sounded familiar to his ear.

  “’Tis Edna, Edna Campbell. I’m checking to make sure ye are all right.”

  “Yes. I’m fine, but I would very much like to return to my home.” Richard hoped Edna was contacting him to tell him just how to do that. “Thank you, for saving my life. I don’t know what happened after you removed me from harm’s way. Are Maggie and Dylan well?” He had thought of them often since his arrival in San Francisco. He’d only spent a short time with them, but they were the first people outside of his own family who had seen the real Richard. They had accepted him, despite his flawed past and he had been grateful for that acceptance. He considered them friends and wanted to know they were unharmed.

  “They are well. As a matter of fact, they are here with me at the inn, preparing for their wedding day.”

  “And Brielle?” He had to know that she had been dealt with, and would no longer be a threat to any of them.

  “Brielle is dead,” Edna answered.

  “Then there is no reason for me to remain here. I must return to my family. I have been away far too long.” Silence was the only response. He thought Edna had left him and was just about to call out to her, when she spoke.

  “Richard, ye must stay in San Francisco for a while longer. Ye ken that there are some valuable lessons to be learned there. Lessons about life and love. Once ye have accomplished what I’ve sent ye to do, then ye will be able to return home.”

  “What lessons? What must I learn?” Richard was puzzled as to why Edna would keep him here against his will.

  “I cannae tell ye? Ye must find yer own way, Richard. I have faith that ye will do exactly what needs to be done. Now, I must go. I willnae visit ye again, but ye ken when the time is right, the fog will be there for ye.”

  “I cannot stay here, Edna. I must return home immediately, do you understand. Anything I must learn I can learn there, back in my own home.” Anger was bubbling up inside of him and the fact that he had little if any control in the matter was making it worse. “You have no right to force me to stay here, Edna. Do you hear me?”

  “Calm yerself, Richard. Yer temper willnae get ye home any sooner. You’ve come a long way, but as I said, you have things to learn and they can only be learned where ye are now. I have faith in ye Richard. Ye can change yer ways and living in San Francisco for a while will lead you in the right direction. Ye’ll have to trust me on that one. There is nae use in arguing with me.”

  Richard realized she was right. What could he possibly do to change his situation? Edna was the only one who could get him back home and he didn’t wish to anger her or he may find himself stuck in the future forever. “Edna, one more question.” He stared into the fireplace, thinking he might be able to see her, but there was nothing unusual in the hearth. “What of Nick?”

  “Occasionally a person wanders into the fog when it is being used to transport someone else to or from the past, ye ken. ’Tis how ye managed to get yerself back to the year 1514 the first time ye found yerself in Glendaloch.” Edna laughed heartily. “’Tis also how ye found yerself in Glendaloch in the first place.” Clearing her throat, Edna continued. “Yer friend is also one of those people. He wasnae meant to be cast into the future, but he walked into the fog at precisely the wrong moment and now finds himself in the year 2014, which is a good thing for ye. When ye return, he may return with ye, if he so desires.”

  She lapsed into silence and he knew she was gone. Richard could feel it. The room was different now and once again, he was alone. This is all so unbelievable, he thought as he headed down the hall to his room and the warmth of a very comfortable bed.

  * * *

  “There’s been a change of plans,” Nick was saying into the cell phone he held to his ear. Richard didn’t think he’d ever get used to the idea that people could communicate with each other over vast distances, much the way he had communicated with Edna last night. “Yes, yes. We’ll practice indoors today. We’ll meet this evening. I’d appreciate it if ye’d call the others.” Nick paused while someone at the other end of the call obviously responded to him. “Thank ye and we’ll see ye tonight.” Nick turned to Richard, looking for all the world like the happiest man on earth. “Good mornin’ to ye, how did ye sleep?”

  “Well,” Richard responded, not understanding how anyone could be in such good spirits so early in the day.

  “Coffee?” Nick was pouring himself a cup and he grabbed an empty mug for Richard and began pouring before he received a response. “’Tis raining today. I’ve asked Zeke to call the others and tell them we’ll be practicing at the warehouse tonight.”

  “I’d ask why you’re so happy, but I recall that seems to be a constant state for you,” Richard said, sounding out of sorts, even to his own ears. “Edna spoke with me last night.”

  “Edna? The witch? What did she say?” Nick sat across from Richard, giving him his full attention.

  “She told me I cannot go home yet. There are some things I must learn, or some such nonsense. She also explained your presence here in San Francisco.” Richard proceeded to tell Nick what he had learned during Edna’s visitation. “And she said you can return with me when I go back, should you wish.”

  “I wish!” Nick almost shouted in his delight. “If we can find out what ye need to learn, perhaps we can speed up the process.”

  “I don’t believe it will be that easy. After I went to bed last night, I thought a lot about it and I’m sure the lessons have something to do with my jealousy and anger.”

  “How will ye do it?”

  “I don’t know what she expects of me
. I imagine we’ll have to wait and see what presents itself.” Richard frowned. “I don’t like not knowing what will happen, but I am prepared to show Edna that I am a changed man.”

  “Perhaps ’tis not Edna that ye must convince,” Nick said. “Nonetheless, I will be here to help ye. No matter what, ye can count on me!”

  “I know that I can, my friend.” Once again, Richard was overwhelmed with how lucky he was to have a friend like Nick. They’d picked up right where they’d left off when last he saw him.

  “Ye ken that if I hadn’t walked into that fog, I would’ve come in search of ye. Yer like one of me brothers, with one exception. I chose to have ye in me life and ’tis happy I am to have ye here now.”

  What could he possibly say to that? Richard smiled warmly at his friend, knowing that they would each give their life for the other if it were ever necessary.

  * * *

  Dampness permeated everything in the warehouse. The roof was leaking and puddles formed on the floor in several places. Angelina grabbed towels and buckets and began soaking up the water and strategically placing the buckets under the leaks. The door opened and a group of bedraggled students entered, shaking the rain out of their hair and off their jackets.

  “Hey, Angelina,” Zeke called. “It’s really coming down out there.”

  “Way to state the obvious,” his friend Kyle said, rolling his eyes.

  “Glad you could make it,” Angelina said, placing the last bucket under a leak before she walked towards them. “I was wondering if any of you would show up tonight.”