Wanted: One Ghost (28 page)

April snuggled into his chest, feeling the rapid staccato rhythm of his heart against her cheek. He pulled away from her just a bit to look down into her eyes. “Look at me.”

Opening her eyes, she felt the heaviness of tears spill over onto her cheeks. She didn’t want to cry. She was just so happy everything was over now. Trying for a smile, she was afraid it came out a bit wobbly.

“Do you believe in fate?”

“No,” she spoke with finality, trying to pull out of his arms.
Please James, not you too—not now. I can’t deal with this anymore.
He wouldn’t let her go.

“Your aunt seems to think it has everything to do with how two people are aligned through time and space. You’ve listened to her talk about it. I believe, April! How can I not believe? Until you came along and were able to see me, hear me, and bring me to life, I was trapped in time, waiting for something to happen. Don’t you understand? It’s all so clear now. You were supposed to happen to me. Fate held me back, knowing it was just a matter of lining up our
time,
waiting for you and your wonderful gift to set me free.”

“I don’t know what I believe in, James.” April sniffled back her tears, casting her eyes downward. “Things have been happening to me, around me, through me so much I just don’t know. I’ve always believed we made our own decisions in life; each step, choosing or not choosing those open doors for us. It’s all about what we do, not something as simple as ‘fate.’ There is no such thing.”

“Then believe in this,” he tilted her chin up, cupping her face in his hands. Holding her tenderly, she looked up at his face, “no matter what comes our way, I will love you forever, April Branford.”

Kissing her mouth, he stopped her lips from trembling. Her hands settled on his chest, her hand lying tenderly over his pounding heart. James picked her up in his arms and settled her on the counterpane. Tonight, she would prove to him, with all of her heart, body and soul, she would never let him go. Fate be damned!

***

James woke early Saturday morning. The day looked bright and sunny for a mid-November morning. He couldn’t remember what kind of day it had been on the day of his execution. He never saw the outside. He’d been led from the dark, damp gaol out onto the streets with his head covered. He remembered a chill in the air but it could have been latent fear spreading through his soul, knowing what his fate would be once he’d been paraded in front of the crowds.

April’s warm, naked body snuggling against him in exhaustion reminded him of where he was now. Wonderfully alive, sharing the present with a phenomenal woman who he knew to be his destiny. No other woman made him feel the internal pull of his heartstrings. If she’d been in his past, life might have been different for him. He thought about her residing in the manor house, bearing his children, working beside him through the day, loving him madly through the night.

He kissed her head. April gave a brief snort and rolled over to burrow down into the fluffy counterpane. James smiled and got up to prepare for his busy day. The schedule of his personal appearances for the festivities was overwhelming. A brief hour this morning would be all the free time he’d have.

Checking his colonial costume one last time for authenticity, he picked up his wallet and checked the bills he had tucked inside. It was enough for now. The small slip of paper fortune April had left behind at Beth’s fell out. He bent and picked it up.

‘
Believe in Fate.’
He did.

He’d picked up the fortune after April had wadded it up during their dinner. What did she have against fate?

Confronting her about her belief had been difficult but necessary. He wanted her to believe in something as great as what had happened between them. What other explanation could there be? Hopefully, someday she would see. And believe. He would find a way to make her believe, no matter what happened to them. Past, present or future, fate would bring them together. James tucked the piece of paper back into his wallet, blew his sleeping beauty a kiss across the room, and quietly walked out, closing the door behind him.

The household still slept. He would grab a bite at the café after he took care of his first private shopping trip in the modern world. With Christmas a month away, he needed to purchase the gift for April. He figured he’d be here to celebrate. Now that he was really alive, he wanted to start his plans for their future together. They would have a future. He knew it. 

Things were looking up for him. After all of last night’s reveals, Dr. Freelane had been excited about the changes his presence brought about. He’d received a bonus from Beth for what she considered hazardous duty for tonight’s performance. She’d also offered him a part-time position providing tourism publicity as James Addison, along with a retainer fee to stay on as a historical reference to her research.

***

The tiny bell over the jeweler’s door tinkled as he walked in. He’d been in the other day to look around.

“Ah, good morning, Mr. Addison.” The jeweler smiled and bowed briefly at him.

“Good day, sir.” He greeted with a flourish and doff of his tricorne hat. “I would like to see the ring I admired the other day.” James peered down into the clear glass case filled with various rings.

“Yes, the princess cut emerald surrounded by diamonds.” The man produced the ring, already nestled in a black velvet box.

James admired the simple yet elegant ring from every angle. The emerald glinted like April’s eyes when they were full of passion. Like they had last night. She had been wild, trying to outdo herself with sensual fervor. He’d been enraptured and knew spending eternity with her would never be long enough. The sparkle of the gem made his breeches tighten in remembrance. The diamonds, small and simple but perfect in cut and clarity were his declaration of forever. The ad behind the store clerk stated,
diamonds are forever
. It proclaimed what he wanted with April.
Forever
.

“Is this the one?” the man asked politely.

“Yes. I want to pay part now and the rest on your ‘lay away’ plan,” James thought the idea of lay-away was perfect for his needs. Especially since he didn’t know if he would be around come Christmas day. He only hoped he would be, but just in case.

Also, he didn’t want to have the ring on him, tempting him to propose only to be rejected again. Hopefully by the time they celebrated he could convince April that fate meant for them to be together. Besides, the price was a little too expensive for his budget right now but with the pay he would be making, between now and then, he would have it paid off in time for Christmas.

“Very good, sir. Will this be credit?”

James paid in cash, the man wrote out a receipt for him, explaining he would have three months to pay the remainder and thanked him for his time. They talked about the day’s activities leading up to the grand finale. James thanked the man, turned to leave, but stopped when he got to the door.

“One more thing,” James said as he strode up to the counter again. “Do you have a piece of paper to leave a special note for my fiancée to go with the ring? I would like to capture my feelings on why I bought this ring for her today.”

“Very romantic, Mr. Addison.” The jeweler produced a small notepad and pen.

James smiled as he penned his thoughts for April to read on Christmas Eve when he intended to present her with the gift.

—The emerald represents the fiery passion in your eyes. The diamonds, one for every ‘forever’ I want to spend with you. The gold band represents how fate constantly circles to bring us together. Fate will always find us when our hearts lead the way. Merry Christmas, my love.

Yours for all time, J. A.

James opened his wallet, placed the small slip of paper fortune into the missive he’d just penned and folded the paper to fit inside the small ring box. Handing the box back to the salesman he doffed his hat again, wished him a good day’s profit, and went out to greet his public. He couldn’t wait for Christmas Eve.

April rolled over, the sound of her cell phone ringing waking her up. Nine o’clock. She’d intended to sleep in until ten. She’d received an email from Kenneth shortly before going to bed. He’d been overjoyed at seeing the copy of James’s deed and couldn’t wait to tell her about his findings in London. His flight wouldn’t be arriving until two o’clock her time. She had plenty of time.

Reaching for the phone she noted Dr. Moreland’s name and number on the caller ID.

“Hello?” she greeted groggily.

“April, turn on the news!”

“What?” She rubbed her eyes and looked around. She didn’t have a television up here. “Wait a minute, let me get my laptop. Why, what’s going on?”

“I can’t believe it…it’s Kenneth…”

Oh great. “What’s he bought now? Microsoft, our national debt…what?”

She waited for her laptop to boot as silence and deep sighs answered her. “Bob, what is it? Just tell me.”

Her internet server page came up. The headline read,
Financial Mogul in Car Accident. Critical Condition
. “Oh my God! No.” She scanned the article. Kenneth Miles had been on his way to Heathrow when the Bentley he was riding in was struck broadside by a truck. The official report didn’t look promising. He’d been rushed to Ashford & St. Peters Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

April surfed the net, looking at every news source available. All said the same thing, and the financial networks were already beginning to panic. They were wondering what his condition would mean for all of his investors. She didn’t care about that. She was more concerned about the man.

“Have you heard any word from his associates?” April asked Bob as they talked about the news.

“Nothing yet. They have my number, but I don’t think we are high on their list of priorities right now. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

“Please do. I’ll pass the word along here. With the event going on, I’m not sure Dr. Freelane has been keeping an eye on the news.”

They said goodbye and hung up. April continued to check out all the news sites, but nothing more was revealed. She hoped he would be okay. Even though she hadn’t met him face to face, they had been working closely together for the past couple of weeks. She sent a silent prayer for his recovery.

***

Sitting in the parlor of the historical society townhouse, April watched James prepare for his final performance of the day. She shared the news with him about Kenneth.

“I do hope he’ll be all right. It would have been nice to meet him today, but perhaps it is better not to—until I can figure out how to introduce myself as his great-great-great uncle. For all I know, he might have me committed,” James said with a wan smile.

The smile faltered and he weaved wearily on his feet. “Are you all right? You look pale,” April asked, steadying him by reaching out and grabbing his arm. He pulled away abruptly out of her touch.

“I’m about to replay my execution,” he said tersely adjusting the plain collar of the linen shirt, slightly dirty and mussed for authenticity. “What did you think, my love? That I would walk to this event carefree and easy?”

April hung her head. She wasn’t thinking. “No.”

James sighed and kneeled down in front of her. He touched her cheek, caressing a finger along her lips. “I’m sorry, lass. Forgive me. I guess I’m just nervous and a bit out of sorts.”

She smiled weakly and turned her lips into his palm. His usual warmth was missing tonight. His hand felt cool and clammy. “You have every right to be, James. I should know. You don’t have to do this. I never want you to have to face your nightmare again.”

“I promised Dr. Freelane I would. It’s my job, just as yours was to face your ghosts for me. This is something I need to do so I can move on.”

April’s heart clenched. Move on as in death? No. She wouldn’t allow it. “—so we can move on with our life, together,” she corrected.

His forced smile tried to reassure her, but something was wrong, she felt it like an ominous presence resting over them.

“Of course. That is what I meant.”

She touched his face lovingly as if checking for fever. He looked tired, exhausted. “James, I think you might be coming down with something. You’re not feeling well, are you?”

“Probably just tired.” He tapped her nose playfully. “You kept me up for quite awhile last night.”

“Yes, I did. You were ‘up’ for hours.”

Laughing at the sexual innuendo helped to break the tension of the impending moment. The plodding clop of horses’ hooves echoed outside on the cobbled streets. April went to the window and looked out. A black steed was being led to the curb.

“My ride’s here.” James tried to sound jovial as he stood. “How do I look?”

“Handsome and innocent,” April said trying hard not to break down and cry for him. She would have never been able to know him centuries ago and bear witness to this event.

“Will you be there for me when this is all over with tonight?” he asked.

“James, I will always be there for you.”

***

April stood with her family and Beth near the staging area of the execution. The crowds had been gathering in the city park for over an hour, waiting for the actual event. Many had dressed up in period costume, carrying old-fashioned tin lanterns. Bonfires and burning pitch pots illuminated the streets like a colonial village night. People huddled around them with their cups of cider and hot cocoas from local eateries staying open late to cash in on the mass of extra consumers. April felt a chill not associated with the night course through her as she watched James being led to his execution just like two-hundred thirty-eight years ago.

Her mother hugged her shoulders as they huddled front and center to see James’s approach. She needed the strength. After having witnessed the scene only the other day by touching the tree, it seemed eerily familiar. She didn’t know what James could be feeling, but her heart ached anyway.

“He looks so formal,” Beth whispered to her in awe. “Remind me to give him a raise when we get the grant money. He’s doing a great job, considering what he must be going through.”

As all the players came onto the stage, April noted the proud carriage Beth spoke of. James sat as she had remembered in her ghostly vision just days ago. Drums played a tattoo. Even though April didn’t remember a drummer being there, it added a dramatic touch. A priest stepped forward and gave last rights to the victim, spouting verse and lecture to fit the crime.

“Wait!” a breathless, feminine voice called out above the hush of the crowd.

Murmurs of confusion and interest sparked the night.

“Stop!” the voice continued to cry out.

April looked to Beth to see what was going on. Beth seemed just as baffled as everyone else.

A woman dressed in colonial attire ran forward, her blonde hair askew as the heavy woolen hood of her cape slipped to her shoulders. “He’s innocent! You can’t execute him for any crime.” Her voice, breathless and urgent rang out through the crowd. “Henry Samuel accuses this man of treason against the crown, but James Addison is an upstanding citizen and honest merchant.”

The crowds rumbling grew louder, people looked at each other, perplexed. April turned to her mother, grandmother, and aunt as they all tried to gauge the reaction of the crowd.

She looked just like Catherine Samuel! The girl represented her ghostly heroine perfectly. April studied her appearance. A flash of silver hung from the open folds of her cloak and skirt. She even wore a reproduction of the chatelaine. Wow! Talk about detail.

“Well now, young lady, and who might you be?” The man playing the part of the executioner stepped forward, looking confused as if expecting someone to explain a change of script.

“I’m Henry’s wife, Catherine Samuel, and I want you to let this man go!”

“Do you have proof of Mr. Addison’s innocence?”

“The only proof I have is Mr. Addison’s loyalty to his King and country. My husband is accusing this man without a trial so he can obtain his lands. Henry has been trying to acquire Mr. Addison’s mill for some time.”

There were murmurs among the attendees. The crowd seemed confused and excited by the turn of events. April knew this wasn’t the normal program they were used to. Stepping closer to the staged area, she studied the young actress closely. Then the most amazing thing happened, Catherine’s re-enactor stepped closer to her, as if seeking her out and began talking directly to her.

“The governor has suspicion of Henry cheating the good people of Kings Mill out of their property. Henry’s ledgers show his lack of revenue and purchase of deeds from those who he’s wronged. Some of the ledgers were destroyed, but the ones that remain show proof of my husband’s deeds. The truth is in the numbers.”

April’s jaw trembled as the young girl held her stance. Her dialog finished with dramatic pause. Gasping, April finally realized the girl wasn’t a re-enactor at all. This was the real Catherine Samuel standing before them. She’d somehow found a way from Henry’s grasp tonight and was brave enough to tell the story to free James from dying yet again.

April nodded solemnly, letting Catherine know she understood what she was saying. Clapping her hands as if honoring an opera diva for her aria, April turned her attention onto the performance, playing along as if it were all part of the act. Others began to applaud along with her, until it was a standing ovation. She wasn’t honoring her performance. She was honoring the woman’s strength. Catherine stood proud, her head regal instead of bent in fear of reprisal. With hands firmly planted on her hips she awaited the executioner’s next move.

But both April and Catherine paused as another voice broke out among the crowd. Costumed in common workman’s clothing and a tattered leather tricorne, he hopped up effortlessly onto the stage next to Catherine.

April gasped. “Daniel.”

Her grandmother turned to her and looked back to the stage in wonder.

“D…Daniel?” Beth asked, her voice shaking. She had finally picked up on what was going on.

“The lady is right! What say the villagers of Kings Mill? Should we let this man go? Let the colonists speak! This is your town, your fellow colonist being accused without a trial! Your voices need to be heard.” The man began to chant, “Free him! Free him!”

A wide roar of ‘aye’ broke through the crowds. People chanted to let James go. The mob became excited as they got into character, adding their part to the festive scene, righting the wrongs of history through this simple adaptation. Catherine and Daniel stood on stage stomping their feet, rallying the crowds until the executioner shrugged and untied James.

Nearly in tears, April watched as Catherine and Daniel went to stand beside James. Catherine took the hood from his head and smiled at him. His dazed expression latched onto the two figures before him. A look of bewilderment and complete and utter astonishment highlighted his face. April fought back a sob. Her poor beloved ghost looked close to fainting.

“Is that the real Catherine up there?” Beth asked as the shock of what they had just witnessed actually registered.

“Oh yes,
that
is really Catherine.” April grinned past the tears of joy. James was alive and receiving congratulations from the other actors on his part.

“And Daniel, too?” her mother added, trying to smile. But a tight grimace of pain creased her brow.

“Migraine,” Aunt Vickie said as she nodded towards Virginia. “The ghosts of the past, there are so many here tonight. She can’t concentrate.”

April looked around at the crowds and wondered how many of the people were modern citizens in costume, and how many were actual ghosts.