Unexpected return, p.29
Unexpected Return, page 29
James found the blankets and placed them on a soft spot on the ground. Then both of them lay down and stared at the night sky. Justine turned on her side, placed her head on his chest and whispered, “I want you, too.”
James raised his head and then sat up. “Are you sure?” he asked somewhat excitedly.
Justine knew she was protected and wanted this more than anything, especially since she was to leave the next morning and would not see him for at least a month. “I’m sure,” she replied quietly.
The sun started to rise in the east and as it came up over the castle walls, sunbeams streamed across the garden and into Justine’s face. She opened her eyes slowly for she did not want last night to be a dream. She looked next to her and there lay James, still asleep. He looked so peaceful she didn’t want to wake him. She carefully lifted his arm, put her head on his chest and then placed his arm around her. She knew this was how she wanted it to be forever. She just lay there listening to his heart beat in his chest and her head rose and fell with each slow breath he took. He started to stir and opened his eyes. She felt both his arms wrap around her.
“Good morning. How are you this morning, my love?”
“I am wonderful. I didn’t know love could feel like this. I can’t explain how I felt last night. I’ve never felt anything like it, but I know I want to feel it again!”
“We will. We have our whole life to enjoy each other. But right now, I am afraid we need to get dressed for you will certainly be missed if we do not appear in the palace soon.”
“Oh my gosh! My family! We’re leaving this morning.”
“I will help you dress.”
“Nope. I mean no thank you. I know what will happen if I let you help me. I think it would be best if I dress myself.”
“If you need my help, let me know.”
“I will.”
Justine walked over to a nearby bush and put on her clothes, the ones she was wearing when they first arrived.
“There, back to my old self.”
James just stood there and stared at her. She wasn’t dressed in 16th century clothing anymore, she now looked like the girl he first met that day in her bedroom. He knew the moment he saw her then that she was the one he would marry.
“Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?”
“Not since last night.”
“Well, you are. I would not lie. As I look at you now, I remember the day we first met. I walked in the room and there you were. That moment I knew I would be yours forever.”
She ran to him and kissed him. “And you, mine,” she said as they stared at each other.
In the distance, she could hear someone calling her name and telling her to come inside. She grabbed James and held on to him tightly. “I don’t want to go. I wish you could come with us, but I know your father said no.”
“We will be together soon, only four weeks from now. That is not long compared to the lifetime we will have together. Hold my hand, and we will walk into the palace together.”
The two walked back through the garden and into the palace. They found everyone standing in the main hall. Her mother walked over to her and extended her hand. Justine looked up at James and then took her mother’s hand. They walked together to where Luke and her dad were standing. They were joined by three seekers. Then Justine noticed Gretchen was standing next to her. She turned and hugged her. “Gretchen, will you be coming with us?”
“That I will, Justine. I am to watch over you while you are gone and to see you safely back to Prince James.”
“I’m so glad it’s you that will be with me. I feel safe already!”
“I do not know where Arius is. He should have delivered John and Catherine to Dorchester by last night which means he should have returned by now,” Gretchen said concerned.
No sooner had the words come out of her mouth when Arius appeared in front of her. “I have finally returned and King John and Queen Catherine are safe in Dorchester. However, upon my arrival back here, I had a vision of everyone standing in the hall so I came to investigate. What is happening?”
“We are leaving, Arius,” Justine replied.
“Leaving? I cannot leave for an overnight without something happening around here. I suppose you need me to transport you to the portal.”
“That we do, Arius. That we do,” Gretchen repeated.
“Well then, I need everyone to gather in a circle and hold hands.”
“We will see you again Ross family. Be safe and return to us whenever it is possible,” King William told them. “Blessings on you all.”
Justine turned to look at James and mouthed the words, “Goodbye, my love.”
Next thing she knew they were all standing in front of the portal.
“Before you disappear, Arius, I want to thank you for all you have done for us,” Dr. Ross stated. “You and Gretchen were instrumental in convincing the King to grant us this two-year leave before we are to settle in Wiltshire. We are all very grateful for that. So, even though we say good bye now, it won’t be long before we return.
“Please know the Ross family will be missed,” Arius affirmed.
Then Justine spoke up. “I would ask that you watch over Prince James for me, please. Keep him safe,” Justine requested.
“I will do just that. Now I take my leave of you. You are in Gretchen’s good hands now.” And then he disappeared.
Gretchen turned to address the small band of travelers and, as before, explained the procedure for their departure. Once on the other side, they would all be invisible until she was sure no one had seen them come through. This was all very familiar to Justine now, and she looked forward to repeating this often in the next two years. What they were going to find on the other side she didn’t know. She just knew she had to keep her mind focused on James and her return trip.
Gretchen pointed to the portal, and one by one each person walked through until no one in the group remained in Wiltshire.
And so begins another adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a young girl, reading was not one of my favorite past times. I would much rather sit and watch a movie than read a book. But this changed when I became a teacher. I loved to read the books my students were reading and looked forward to the conversations we would have about the characters. I also realized how much I enjoyed teaching my students to write. Because of this, I decided that one day I would write my own book but didn’t realize how long it would take me to put those words on paper. Now that I have retired, I have finally accomplished the goal I set for myself. Unexpected Return is the sequel to Unexpected Detour and I hope you enjoy reading both.
Pam Knowles resides in Carmel, Indiana, USA. She is married and the proud parent of three children and Nana to six grandchildren.
This eBook is published by
Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
Link House
140 The Broadway, Tolworth, Surrey, KT6 7HT.
www.grosvenorhousepublishing.co.uk
All rights reserved
Copyright © Pamela Knowles, 2023
The right of Pamela Knowles to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
The book cover is copyright to Pamela Knowles
Paperback ISBN 978-1-80381-377-6
Hardback ISBN 978-1-80381-378-3
eBook ISBN 978-1-80381-379-0
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to
people or events, past or present, is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
Pamela Knowles, Unexpected Return
