Faithfully Yours (The Forever Time Travel Romance Series, Book 1) (30 page)

She nodded.  "And I'll never leave you again."

Epilogue

Faith's eyes followed Aidan's dark form from the doorway to the fireplace.  She slowed her breathing to a slow and even pattern, adding an occasional sigh.  She didn't want to give him any reason to reconsider his decision and leave the room.  It had been a week since her injury.  Aidan had barely come to bed while she recovered.  Four nights ago, she had tripped over him on her way to the privy.  Although she had reopened her wound, the fall had been enough to convince him to share her bed and not sleep on the floor.  She shifted her head, angling her chin for a better view of her half-naked husband.  His body lying next to her was enough to keep her warm, but she was ready to reclaim more than her side of the bed. 

Illuminated in a reddish glow, he stoked the fire, his upper body taut.  She could almost feel the ridges of his ribcage rising and falling as she imagined herself lightly tracing her hand down his chest to the top of his breeches.  A sharp tug on his drawstring would be sufficient to see exactly where the ripples stopped.  He leaned against the mantle, rolled his shoulders, and flexed his back.  Heat flushed Faith's body.  She swallowed and moved her leg out from under the blankets, trying to cool her temperature.  Her gaze slid slowly down his back and to his waist.  The fire in front of him was barely lit, but the heat emanating from the far side of the room burned hot.

"How long have you been awake?" Aidan asked as though speaking to the fire.

Faith snorted and rolled to her side.  No longer needing to fake sleep, she openly stared at the reason for her unrest.  "Several hours.  I had something on my mind."  She stretched her leg, rubbing her toe along her calf.

"Don't worry about Grace.  We'll find her."

"I'm certain we will.  Trista said the skeleton wasn't Grace.  I believe her."

"Does her confidence on the matter bother you?" Aidan asked.  He turned and crossed his arms over his chest.

Faith sucked in her breath.  Authoritative and commanding looked good on him, and he wore them both well.  She could smell his scent from across the room.  If he didn't get into bed with her soon, she would push him down on the floor and withdraw her objection to his previous sleeping arrangement. 

"Trista has been right about everything else, I see no reason to question her now," Faith said.  She hoped this was the last of his generalized conversation.

Aidan nodded and reached for something on the mantle.  He pulled his hand away from the back of the tray.  A shiny object encircled his finger. 

Faith leaned up on one elbow, her eyes wide.  "You found my ring.  I hoped you would." 

Aidan stood motionless as though cast in bronze.  Faith looked from his uplifted hand to his face.  His eyes were unmistakably on her, and she followed his gaze.  She smiled.  The blanket that had covered her shoulders now lay crumpled at her waist.  Looking back to Aidan, she licked her lips.  Tonight's bed would be less lonely than he intended. 

She held her hand toward him, her fingers outstretched.  Aidan's Adam's apple rose up and fell as he swallowed.  Faith stifled a giddy giggle.  She had not felt this flirtatious even while courting.  What a wanton woman she had become.

He stepped toward her, his gaze moving slowly up her bare leg and to the curve of her hip.  She pointed her toes reflexively.  A guilty thought of sinful judgment crossed her mind, complete with a whiff of brimstone.  She cast it quickly to the side, grateful that God sanctioned marriage and all that accompanied it.  She would offer up an extra prayer of thankfulness later tonight. 

She wasn't sure which was more heated, Aidan's stare or the ring he slid on her finger.  "There," he said.  "It's back where it's supposed to be."

"As am I," Faith said, refusing to release his fingers.  She pulled him closer to her until he sat next to her on the bed.  She rested her hand on his thigh, heat permeated through the fabric of his breeches.

"Are you ready for bed, or do you have more work to do?" she asked.

He closed his eyes, and Faith yanked the drawstring to his breeches.  She had been right; one tug was all she needed.

"Faith," Aidan groaned and held to her hand.

She slid her fingers beneath the cotton material and backward over his hip.  "Um hmm," she answered.  She had waited long enough.  Sitting up, she pressed her mouth to his neck.  Her tongue flicked across her lips and onto his skin.  Salty and musky, she would never tire of the taste of him.

"I'm well, Aidan, if that's what concerns you."

He looked at her cheek, to a place below her eye, and rubbed the pad of his thumb across the skin.

Faith took his hand in hers and moved it to her mouth, kissing his palm.  "It's gone now, isn't it?  The birthmark?" she asked.  Her lips brushed his calluses as though she could miraculously heal the rough spots.

"Yes," he answered.  "Not even a scar is left."

"So you see.  I'm here forever."  She moved his arm to the back of her neck and scooted closer.

"Are you sorry?" he asked.

"No.  I never want to leave you."  She looked up at him ready for him to become as involved as she was.  "Kiss me, Aidan."

He leaned forward as though he would comply with her request.  He stopped as their foreheads touched.  His breath mingled with hers.  "I won't risk losing you again," he said. 

She shook her head.  "You'll not lose me.  I promise."

He brushed his fingers over her face once more.  Looking down at her, he had the appearance of a desperate man releasing his last hold on reality.  His mouth found hers and he pushed her back on the bed. 

Faith pulled the blanket away from them, not wanting to give him the chance to change his mind.  She pulled her nightdress off over her hips and slid out of the gathered fabric.  Tossing it to the side of the bed, the cotton joined Aidan's breeches on the floor.

She wasn't sure if all of his fears had been abated, or if he had chosen to disregard them.  Either way, he held her to him, and buried his face in her chest.  She raked her fingernails over his back, smiling as he shuddered against her. 

He drew up her knees and crouched in front of her. Faith caught her lip between her teeth, biting down as he entered her.  He moved slowly, seeming to reacquaint himself with her.  She would have it no other way.  They belonged to each other, and nothing would ever separate them again.

Aidan pressed deeper.  "You're mine, Faith.  Forever," he said in her ear, his voice breaking as he spoke.

Faith clutched him tighter, barely able to contain the passion between them.  "Faithfully yours.  Forever," she answered.

They held to each other, knowing their promise would never be broken.

Behind-the-Book

When I started forming ideas for this series, my critique partner suggested I try something different.  Instead of writing from a plot driven approach, perhaps I should consider writing this book as character driven.

While I welcomed the idea of stretching my creative muscle, I lacked confidence and wondered if I was up for the challenge.  My critique partner assured me that she would be there for me every step of the way.  Her offer of support was a huge comfort. 

There were times of exasperation, accompanied with many instant messages.  My critique partner calmly unraveled my frustration and nudged me onward.  I am thrilled with
Faithfully Yours
and can't wait to write the rest of this series.

About the author

Carol and her husband live in east Florida but look for any opportunity to spend time in the North Carolina mountains.  No matter where she goes, her laptop is sure to be with her.  She likes nothing better than pounding out the next chapter of a new book while watching the fog roll in from across the neighboring mountain peaks.

Carol loves to hear from her readers.  Drop her a note at
[email protected]
.

You can find updates of new releases at
www.CarolASpradling.com
.

Pursuing Honor

The Forever Time Travel Romance Series

Book 2

by

Carol A. Spradling

Chapter 1

A sea of black mortarboards and tassels flew into the air, peppering the sky like a swarm of locusts.  It would be impossible for each graduate to find their assigned cap when the madness died down.  Honor Moran picked up a square from the many boards that littered the ground and held it with her diploma.  She wasn't sure why she bothered to claim one; she'd have no use for it after today.  Even as a keepsake, she couldn't take it with her when she left Winston-Salem.  Cries and laughter floated through the air, mingling with promises of continued friendships.  Honor checked her watch.  Now that commencement exercises were complete, she should make her way out of the auditorium.

Julie Cushman snaked her way through the crowd and locked her hand on Honor's elbow.  Squealing, she pulled Honor to her side and hugged her tight.  They had been friends since the first day of medical school.  Honor was certain she wouldn't have survived clinicals without her roommate.  The girl knew every chemical compound and physical reaction that was known to exist.  Julie would be an asset to any local hospital, but had decided to join a pediatric research facility after completing residency in Boston. 

"Can you believe it,
Dr. Moran
," Julie said, nearly shouting.  Her wide smile had not faded since the end of her last final exam.  "They're turning us loose on the world." 

"The world?" Honor repeated and chuckled. 

Goofy smiling graduates posed for pictures all around them.  Honor held to Julie's hand and slowly led her through the throng of people.  She waved to a girl being sandwiched between her parents, the trio singing
cheese
in unison.  There would be an endless supply of parties and celebrations later today.

Honor was glad she and Julie had said their goodbyes last night at dinner.  They had cast their diets to the wind and ordered an extra large pizza with all the trimmings.  Honor knew she would never find the exotic toppings she loved once she moved away.  She and Julie had retold stories, laughed, and cried until well past midnight.  As much as she was grateful for their time together, Honor didn't want a repeat of last night. 

No longer needing to follow behind her, Julie stepped next to Honor and looped her arm through hers.  "I'm sorry your family didn't attend," she said in a hushed tone.

Honor inwardly cringed.  She pursed her lips and cut her eyes to Julie, knowing where the conversation was headed.  The topic had been thoroughly explored in depth last night.  No amount of explanation had satisfied Julie's concern that Honor's two guest seats remained empty.  She had been even less happy that Honor insisted on leaving town immediately following graduation. 

Honor turned to face her friend, ready to scold her for revisiting the sensitive subject.  Tears welled in Julie's eyes, and her lower lip quivered.  Unspoken emotions showed on her face like a billboard.  Honor's heart dropped.  It was hard to admonish her friend when she understood what she was feeling.  She took Julie's hand in hers and shook her head.

"You promised me you wouldn't do that."  She fished in her pocket for a tissue, and then handed it over to her.

Julie accepted the tissue and then wiped a tear from her cheek.  "You're my best friend.  What am I going to do without you?"

Honor readied a second tissue, using it to dry her own eyes.  "You will be the best pediatrician in the country.  Your research will benefit so many children."

Julie sniffed and dabbed her nose.  "Maybe I should go with you.  What's the name of that third world county you're going to?  I'm sure there will be children there I can help."

Honor widened her eyes, and her body stiffened.  She hadn't felt so unprepared to answer a question since her arrival at school without proper documentation.  Honor had almost reconsidered her decision to get a medical education when the woman in the registrar's office had grilled her with a similar inquiry.