Spirit of the Revolution (33 page)

“Let me get my magnifying glass, maybe we can see it a bit better.” Jo retrieved the instrument from her desk drawer. She held it a few inches above the writing. “Well, I can see the words ‘steam engine’ and what looks like ‘simple modifications’ right here. We have some arrow indicators with notations that I can’t quite make out. But I have no idea what all of this means.” She looked up and met Mathias’s gaze.

“That’s probably because we’re missing page two,” Sam said in jest as he nudged Mathias with his elbow.

“Wait a minute Sam, maybe you’re right about that,” Mathias replied. “Jolena, check the other side of the journal and see.”

After finding her pocketknife, Jo carefully lifted the edges off the front cover. She smiled then, looked up at Mathias, and said, “You’re right.”

Once again, she extracted a large piece of linen paper, folded flat inside. The room remained deathly quiet as she opened the sheet in its entirety and placed it before their view.

“Tinker’s toy,” Mathias said in marked amazement, “we found it at last. And it’s been right here all this time.”

Chapter 26

Everyone in the room crowded around the various drawings Thomas McGregor sketched over two centuries earlier. In all likelihood, he shared these very drawings with Matthew Brewster and Joshua Porter soon after he finished them. Thomas took the idea of James’s steam engine, and turned it into something the patriots could use to further their cause. He designed the steam engine to power small paddleboats. The boats, loaded with gunpowder, would target the ships used by the English Navy and sink them once the gunpowder exploded.

Thomas’s detailed drawings showed how this would work. Mathias deduced that with Thomas’s guidance, Matthew built the boilers to power the engines, as well as the engines themselves. Hence, the need for the large amount of iron purchased in Scotland. They intended to have someone guide the boats toward the English Naval vessels and once they got close enough, they would light the fuse to the powder. After the operator lit the fuse, he would abandon the boat and head for safety. The engine would thrust the paddleboats steadily into the ships and then according to plan, the powder would blow at the same time they hit their targeted destination.

“Just like a torpedo,” Jo murmured. “An absolutely brilliant plan for the time period.”

“We could’ve used such boats as these,” Mathias added. “Just months before our deaths, the English managed to choke off most our supplies with their blockades. The blockade-runners couldn’t always find a successful way to get the supplies through. Something like this, that could’ve destroyed part of their fleet, might have made the Redcoats consider revising that plan. Especially if we destroyed enough of their ships.”

“I wonder why they never tried it,” Jo mused aloud. “Something like this would’ve been in all the history books, even if it failed. Just like the first crude submarines used during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and as we learned at the museum, the steam engine itself didn’t find success until several years after the war ended.”

“Yes, but remember all three men involved with this project either disappeared or died the same year. Perhaps the reason for that is because they never finished and thus never put the plan into motion,” Mathias said.

“Well, if that’s the case, then the entire operation is still out there, waiting for us to find it,” Alex replied with a touch of excitement to his tone. “I say we continue our search. Something made of iron would stand the test of time, and I would like to know just how far they got with the thing.”

After the boys agreed with the sentiment, Sam added, “You know, I think we’ve conducted our searches in the wrong places, lads. If you take a close look at these drawings, and from what we learned at the museum in Scotland, water is a crucial element. They would need a large supply not only while they built the thing, but they would also need it to test the design.”

“That means they wouldn’t work
inside
the borders of Joshua’s property. More likely, our unknown location is
outside
his land and close to the creek itself. Yet, it’s near enough to his property that he would know of its existence,” William said.

“I think you’re right,” Jedediah said. “They would look for a spot, partially hidden. A place most people wouldn’t give a second glance.”

“You could find such a spot, Jedediah,” Alex said. “All we need do is look for it.”

Sam nodded his agreement. “I think it best to revert to our predawn searches. Not too many people are out and about that time of the morning.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll begin the search right after nightfall,” Jedediah replied.

Once they firmed up their plans, the conversation turned to Scotland. Mathias and Sam drew the boys’ attention to the photos, still playing on the computer. While they looked them over and asked their questions, Jo tackled the pile of accumulated mail, which sat atop her desk. However, the light blinking on her answering machine demanded her attention too. Perhaps she should clear that out first.

“Oh, that reminds me,” Alex said as he followed her gaze. “Carolyn Taylor has left several messages for you on the phone over the past few days. She seems excited about something and she wants you to call.”

Mathias looked up from the pictures. “Perhaps it has something to do with Sanders. Maybe you ought to call and find out what she wants,” he said.

Jo nodded, picked up the phone, and placed the call. Carolyn answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Kay-Kay, sounds like you’ve been trying to get a hold of me. What’s up?”

“Yes I have, and I’m so glad you’re finally home, Jo. I couldn’t remember when you said you’d get back, so don’t get upset that I didn’t call your cell. I just didn’t want to take the chance of interrupting you in the middle of a concert or during one of your planned outings. But, you are never, ever going to believe this,” Carolyn sang out.

“Believe what?” Jo could tell from the tone of voice that something excited her beyond measure.

“I’m engaged!” she all but screamed the words into the phone. “Can you believe it? Me, of all people. We’re getting married next month. May fifteenth, to be precise, so I hope your schedule is clear for that day. If not, you’re just going to have to find a way to clear it. After all, I can’t get married without you standing next to me.”

Jo shook her head and laughed. “That’s a pretty good announcement, Carolyn, especially since you’ve neglected to tell me you were even dating someone seriously.”

“I know, I know and I’m so sorry about that,” she said. “But it all happened so fast. As you know Ray and I started out as just good friends and then suddenly it was as if we both knew that—”

“Wait—Ray Brennan?” Jo’s mouth fell open as she stared down at the phone. “You’re going to marry Ray Brennan of all people? The man you had absolutely no interest in?”

“Yes. I know you told me I ought to pursue the obvious, but so many things needed consideration and then— Oh, I don’t even know where to begin. We need to find a time to get together so I can share every single detail with you. And don’t forget you promised while still in the sand box, you would stand as my maid of honor.”

“Always the bridesmaid and never the bride,” Jo teased. Just as she made the jest she caught sight of Mathias’s gaze, and it seemed as if—

No. His expression didn’t
seem
, at all. He
looked
at her
exactly
the same way he did at the waterfall in her dream, and it left her feeling very short of breath. A heated blush slowly rose into her cheeks.

“Jo, did you hear me?” asked Carolyn.

“Hmm? Oh, sorry, what did you say?” Right now, she found it very difficult to focus.

“I said I’m well aware you just got home. I also know this is very short notice, but we would really like you to come to New Jersey for our engagement celebration. Ray’s parents are throwing us a party over the weekend. I really need
my
best friend there with me. So, will you come, please? Their place is just beautiful and their backyard opens right up into this lovely little beach that will remind you so much of one of the beaches back home. I know you’re going to love it.”

Jo leaned back in her chair and sighed. “You know I can’t tell you no. So, just e-mail me the directions and all of the tedious little details, and I’ll be there with bells on my toes.”

After she hung up the phone, Jo looked at each of her boys in turn and sighed. “All right, who wants to play my bodyguard this weekend? I just may need one,” she muttered more to herself than to anyone else.

****

No one disputed his claim to accompany Jolena to Carolyn’s party. In fact, it didn’t even need discussion. As they got into her car Friday afternoon and began the drive to New Jersey, he said, “How long do you think it will take us to get there?”

Jolena laughed and spared him a quick glance as she merged onto the freeway. “You know, I used to get in trouble for asking that question when I was a kid. Of course, according to my parents, we asked it about every five minutes or so. The funny thing is I don’t remember it that way. I remember waiting
hours
in between whining out the question.”

Mathias chuckled as he rested his elbow atop the console. “Seems it remained a common question throughout the centuries then. We used to ask it whenever my parents dragged us to visit some of our neighboring friends or relatives.”

“Really?” A breath of quiet laughter accompanied the question. “How far away did they live?”

“Oh, we had them stretched out anywhere between say, a couple of miles to about ten, which by carriage or wagon took a while. Especially if you were the one jostled around in the rear, or if you walked.”

“I don’t think anyone would even consider walking that distance, now. Our modern conveniences have made us lazy, I think.”

About two hours later, they arrived at their destination. Jolena looked down at her watch, tossed him an impish smile as she opened her car door, and said, “Oh, and by the way? I think it will take us a couple of hours to get there.”

Mathias laughed as he exited the car. He didn’t have time to reply as Carolyn rushed toward them, leaving her beau stranded on the porch.

“Well, let me see it.” Jolena demanded after receiving Carolyn’s exuberant hug.

The woman dutifully extended her left hand so Jolena could see her ring. “Isn’t it just gorgeous?” Carolyn asked.

“Yes it is, and I’m so happy for you,” she replied as she then took hold of both her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze.

“Jo!” Ray wore a broad smile as he approached her. “We’re so glad you could make it. I know having you here means a great deal to Carolyn and therefore, it means a great deal to me as well. Thank you so much for coming.”

“I wouldn’t have missed this party for anything,” Jolena said as she accepted his friendly peck on the cheek. At that same moment, she turned her head, shot him a glance, and rolled her eyes. Mathias chuckled in response.

During the exchange of pleasantries, he spotted a familiar car, rolling down the road at a snail’s pace. His eyes narrowed. Paul Sanders must’ve received an invitation to this party as well. Perhaps he could reverse that invitation. In keeping with his mortal ruse, he popped over to the porch and while walking down the steps, he projected himself just to Sanders. Their eyes met the moment Paul approached the house. The man’s face took on an expression of panic.

“Hey, there’s Paul,” said Ray as he lifted a hand and waved.

Jolena and Carolyn shot each other a glance before they cast their gaze in the direction of the approaching car. Paul reversed his course, screeched the tires as he rolled back, turned in the opposite direction, and then raced off. Seconds later, Ray’s cell phone rang.

Mathias didn’t care what lies the man spouted, as long as he kept going. Jolena gave him a questioning look and he winked in return. “Not to worry,” he whispered.

She breezed through the weekend without a whole lot of difficulty, once the single men Ray and Carolyn invited for her benefit understood her disinterest. Of course, some of his whispered suggestions might have helped her out of her dilemma. And along the way, Carolyn managed to divulge all the particulars concerning her relationship with Ray. The shared details amused him somewhat and left him wondering if all females engaged in such practices. In a few short hours, at the close of breakfast, the celebration would officially end. Shortly thereafter, they would leave to go home. They both looked forward to the journey.

****

Jolena had arisen early, so they could take a walk on the beach and explore it a bit before the morning meal. The activities of the past few days had precluded her from wandering very far from the backyard and she said that she really wanted to see the area. After kicking off her shoes, they strolled down the deserted beach.

“Do you always walk barefoot in the sand?” he asked as he ambled alongside her.

“Every chance I get,” she replied. “I used to do it all the time growing up. Mom and Dad took us to the beach whenever they could back then. Sometimes we’d take along picnic lunches and just spend the whole day doing whatever pleased us. The entire Michaelsson clan carries an inherent love of the ocean or any large body of water for that matter. My dad loved to fish. However, since he preferred fresh-water fish, we’d usually go to the lakes or rivers whenever he wanted to indulge the whim.”

“Is that what you were doing in the picture you have on your desk?” he asked.

Soft laughter accompanied a nod. “Yep. Dad caught a big one that day. You can probably see from the expression on his face, just how proud he is of—”

Mathias looked up from the sandy beach when she stopped mid-sentence. She focused on something off to her right. Her smile faded. A look of total confusion took its place.

He followed the direction of her gaze. Understanding dawned, even if a bit tardy. He willed Jolena to this very beach Christmas night while she dreamed. From all the changes that had transpired over the centuries, he didn’t recognize it himself until this moment. Nevertheless, the distinctive rock she stared at remained intact, albeit, a little more worn with time since he last visited this place.