Knight's Legacy (28 page)

“Cat? Catherine Terril?”

Opening her eyes, she saw a nurse standing over her. The woman had long, blond, curly hair. She wore a crystal around her neck, and had on brightly colored scrubs.

Cat frowned. “Sierra? Sierra Casslin? Is it really you?”

The woman smiled. “The one and only. I haven't seen you since high school. Your family has been told you're missing, and from all accounts they thought you were dead! You've been in the news a lot. There was foul play on that movie set, according to the paper. The article said it would give the film a lot of negative publicity because one of their stunt people disappeared. What happened to you?”

“It's a long story,” she whispered.

“No doubt. But it's not as if you're going anywhere,” Sierra said.

“I don't want to talk about it now.”

“Well, it's understandable. Being stabbed is not a great memory. You should speak to the police and file a report about who did this to you, but I know you're weak. For now, just concentrate on getting well.”

“Thank you,” Cat said.

“I'll bet you didn't expect me to go into nursing.” She grinned.

“No. Too establishment. Too PC. Now, if you ran the first hippie commune since the sixties … that would make sense,” Cat said.

“True. I've always gone my own way, but I love this job! There's nothing like caring for people; watching them get well and walk out of here.”

Cat smiled and nodded.

“Cat, they have you listed as a Jane Doe. We found no identification, and we need to let people know you're alive and well, especially your family.”

“Sierra, hold off on that a bit, please? Can you give me a chance to face everyone? I'm not up to the press.”

“How about your father?”

“I don't want him to see me like this. My head is so sick and cloudy,” Cat said.

“You have a bit of a concussion. It can be that way for a while. If you think it's best, and the doctor agrees, I'll do it your way for now. But eventually, we'll have to let them know who you really are,” Sierra said.

“I know, but allow me a little time. If you must speak to the authorities, can you tell them I can't remember, that I have amnesia?”

“I suppose it's as good a story as any,” Sierra said.

The pain in Cat's shoulder eased after three days. Both relieved and full of dread to be back in her own time, she was still confused.

There were times she didn't answer to her own name. She had become Catherine Montwain and had immersed herself body and soul in the role of being Roderic's wife.

Time and again the events of her rescue came to her and she was thankful to Merlin. Time travel was a huge mystery that he had been unwilling to share, but he saved her life when it was in danger. Cat took comfort in the modern hospital, and the care she was receiving. Glyniss could have wrapped and cared for her shoulder with skill, but here she was also given antibiotics. Thankful for the drugs, she was confident they would speed her recovery.

She missed them all, especially Roderic, and felt an overwhelming desire to return to the excitement of the life she had left behind, in spite of all the modern conveniences she would miss. Cat would stay long enough to arrange her affairs and see her father. When Merlin came for her, she would leave it all behind.

Regardless of the outcome of the siege, she wanted to be with her husband. Roderic was the only man she had ever loved, and she would rather spend a small bit of time with him, than a lifetime with one who could only be a poor substitute. Merlin would have his way after all. She would follow her heart.

On the fifth day she was sitting up in a chair when Sierra bustled into her room. She fetched Cat some water to swallow her medication, then tidied the area.

“I don't feel I need this any more,” Cat said.

Sierra shrugged. “It's for pain. I'll leave it here by the bed in case you change your mind. Did you call your father today? If all goes well, the doctor will release you in the morning.”

“I know. Sierra, sit down for a moment. I must talk to you, as a professional, and as a friend,” Cat said.

“Sure,” Sierra replied. Glancing at her watch, she sat down. “I have a few minutes.”

Cat opened her mouth to begin, then closed it. Taking a deep breath, she swallowed hard.

“What would you say to someone if they told you they had experienced something phenomenal? Something they could not explain?”

“You mean like a UFO?”

“Similar. Oh, this is going to be more difficult than I imagined. You know the theories about traveling through time and space? What would you say to someone who said they had traveled back in time?”

Sierra smiled and folded her arms. “My first thought would be that we have a whole wing of this hospital for people who have those kind of notions.”

Cat's expression was not one of amusement.

“You're serious,” Sierra said. Studying her patient, her demeanor changed to one of curiosity. Cat nodded.

“Then, I'd like to hear all about it. So much of life is a mystery. Many things can't be explained. I've witnessed medical miracles.”

“This isn't one of those. You see, I … traveled back in time. I lived in the early thirteenth century in Scotland.”

Sierra's expression was concerned and curious. “When you were missing?”

Cat understood the skepticism, still, she went on. “Yes. I was in Scotland working on that film. I traveled back in time through one of the castle doors. I married there, Sierra. I fell in love with my husband, and we even adopted a child together. I'll go back there when I'm well, but I want you to do some things for me. I'll pay you with money in a savings account. My father is ill with cancer, and I want you to take care of him at home when he's finished with his cancer treatments.”

“That's where I've seen him! He gets his treatments at the cancer center, doesn't he?”

Cat nodded. “I'm sure. You see, we've never discussed his disease. I found out through other means.”

Sierra stood. “And what with starring in movies, and going back in time to fall in love with ‘Braveheart', you haven't had the time?”

“I didn't star in movies! I was a stunt-woman, and my husband was an English knight, not a Scotsman,” Cat said.

“Even better! A knight in shining armor,” Sierra said, barely containing her laughter.

“I know how it sounds! Far fetched?”

“It sounds worse than that, sweetcakes. It sounds like you've gone over the hill from far fetched right into the valley of ‘Wacky USA'.”

“Listen , I want you to go with me to the bank when I'm well. I want you to have everything. All the money in exchange for taking care of my father. Why would I give everything away if I could use it where I'm going? Think about it. I need to go home to the ranch when I'm released tomorrow. Come and see me, and we'll talk about it again.”

Sierra helped Cat lie down. “You poor thing. You really believe this happened to you.”

“I'm very serious, Sierra, and I need your help. Please, say you'll come to the ranch as soon as you can! Promise me!”

“All right, all right, calm down. Take this pill now,” she said. Sierra handed it to Cat, then tried to bring the glass to her lips.

“I promise. Just swallow this and rest,” Sierra said.

Cat heaved a sigh of relief as she took the pill, and allowed Sierra to bundle her back to her bed. She would trust her to come.

Cat's return home was much more complicated than she anticipated. Her shoulder was much better, she felt capable of driving, so she rented a car and made the trip herself. It was a long, tedious journey, and she was relieved to see the house. Her father looked thin. He moved slowly down the steps from the porch, exhibiting an unexpected anger as he watched her exit the car.

“Where in goddamn hell have you been? A nurse from Saint Luke's called. She said you've been there a week and didn't call me! How the hell did you get stabbed?” He glanced at the sling she wore.

The hurt little girl inside responded in kind. “Welcome home to you, too, Dad. It was an accident with one of the stunts.”

She hated lying to her father, but there was no way she could explain to him that she had traveled through time. Howard was pragmatic in nature, not given to an open mind about things he did not understand.

“That's not what your boss told me. He said you disappeared two months ago, and he hasn't seen hide nor hair of you! You care to stop lying to me, Cat?”

Cat knew his bark had little bite. “What does it matter now? I'm home. You've been keeping secrets yourself lately, haven't you, Dad? If you don't mind, I'd like to continue this conversation when I'm not so tired. The Houston traffic hasn't improved, I should take a pill for my shoulder, and I'm hot, sweaty, and tired. I need a shower and some rest before you light into me.”

Her father, once a robust man, seemed to shrink visibly. Thin, pale, and haggard, his body gave evidence of the disease. Putting his arms around Cat, he held her close.

“Thank the good Lord you're all right. I thought you might be kidnapped or worse, baby girl.”

“Oh, Daddy.” She held on tightly, and cried. Traveling back with Merlin had been worth it. The pain she had suffered from her injuries paled in the joy of seeing her father again.

Cat lay in her bed, having slept several hours of the afternoon away. She wanted to be with her dad as much as possible, although she planned to give as little information as possible concerning her disappearance.

Sierra was an efficient nurse, had done hospice work, and she trusted her. Sierra was also feisty, and would take none of Howard's guff. Cat wanted to make arrangements for her father to have the best health care available. Merlin had implied that she must go back with a new purpose, and therefore she must first be here for her father until the end.

That evening Cat strolled out to the barn to find her father with the horses. Acknowledging her with a nod, he went on with his work, slipping a bridle on the horse.

“Dad, why didn't you tell me about the cancer?”

Sighing heavily, he stood silent for a moment, staring off at nothing.

“I would have come right home. You know that,” she said.

“You had your job. It made you happy. What was I suppose to do? Ask you to come home to listen to me whine, and sit by my bedside?” He spoke angrily.

“You've never whined in your life! What's wrong with family taking care of one another? That's what I'm here for! I can hire a nurse. There are treatments …”

“I've had all I can stand! I'm not going back. I won't spend my last days on this earth puking with my hair falling out when it won't do any good anyway!”

Cat turned away, tears running down her cheeks. Her father patted her shoulder awkwardly. Tears and emotions embarrassed him, still he offered comfort.

“Don't cry, baby. I've lived my life just as I pleased. Hell, they even give me the pain pills I need close to the end. I've known it was terminal for months since they told me it had spread to the liver and kidneys. You're going to think I'm crazy, but I feel a peace inside, especially now I know you're home safe. I read once that when Gary Cooper was dying of cancer, he spoke of it to a friend who was in the same boat. ‘Bet I beat you to the barn' he said. Now I know how he felt. It won't be long until I'll be joining your mother.”

Cat threw her arms around him.

“One thing I've always appreciated about you was I never had to baby you. Even when I wanted to, you would have none of it. You were as tough as an Appaloosa pony. Well, I'm glad for it now. I need you to be strong.”

Cat stepped back and swiped the tears from her face.

“I know, Dad. I know.”

For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

~Proverbs 4:3