Moonlight Wishes In Time (35 page)

“Oh, my love, you have returned to me,” William muttered as he kissed her and spoke at the same time. “I thought never to see you again.”

“I’ve tried and tried to get back, William. I prayed and wished and cursed the moon, waiting night after night,” she cried as she held onto him.

“I cannot believe that you have returned to me,” he murmured, burying his face in her hair. He rocked her back and forth like a child.

“I love you, William. I knew that even before I was taken back the last time.” Mattie struggled to straighten to a sitting position, and she regarded him. Loath to release her, William kept hold of her hands.

“And your concerns? Your fears? What you must give up to be with me?”

Mattie smiled, almost serenely, and William studied her face. What had brought on this change of heart?

She patted the bag next to her and picked up the book.

“I’ve brought some of the comforts of home with me to last as long as they can, and this book tells me that I was always meant to be here. I’m not afraid anymore, William. Everything is going to be all right.”

William eyed the book curiously.

“I’ll tell you about it later,” Mattie said softly. Her eyes widened as she looked over his shoulder. He turned to follow her gaze.

“Look how bright the moon is,” she said. “Even as it disappears below the horizon, it seems to be glowing its brightest.”

William stared at the moon for a moment. Mattie was correct. It did seem to shimmer more brightly now than at its zenith.

“It shines for us, my love, because it has given me my heart’s desire.”

“And mine,” said Mattie softly. “Quick! Before the moon changes its mind, kiss me, William. Kiss me and don’t let go!”

William did as the love of his life requested, and he kissed her thoroughly as the moon beamed down upon them.

Mattie looked up to see William poking his head through the nursery door, an inquiring look on his face.

She smiled and nodded. The baby slept soundly, one tiny fist resting against her cheek.

“Is she well?” he asked as he stepped in quietly and approached Mattie’s rocking chair.

“She’s fine,” Mattie said as she raised her face to his kiss. The touch of his lips never failed to send a thrill up her spine.

William sat down in a chair beside her and leaned forward to look at the baby.

“The image of her mother,” he murmured with a smile. With the tip of his index finger, he smoothed a red curl on the baby’s head.

“How’s it going down there?” Mattie asked.

“The drawings you brought have the engineer puzzled, but he feels he can devise a system according to the specifications noted.”

“I’m sure he can. Just remember to tell him that the wastewater can’t be vented into the surrounding waters. It’s going to be some years before they come up with proper wastewater treatment, but I couldn’t figure out how to download plans for wastewater treatment facilities.”

William grinned. “Rest easy, my dear. We shall have your
indoor plumbing
in place before long.”

“I hope so.” Mattie returned his grin. “I’m managing everything else pretty well, but that’s the one thing I really don’t think I can do without.”

William yawned behind his hand. “Forgive me.”

“You look tired, William,” Mattie said softly. “I think I would sleep through the baby’s crying if you didn’t bring her to me every night.”

“I surprise myself that I am attuned to her crying. I did not realize it was possible to raise an infant without the services of a wet nurse and nanny.”

“I know that’s a big change for you, and I appreciate your consideration.” Mattie leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thank goodness Jane has agreed to take over as governess when it’s time.”

William took her spare hand and brought it to his lips.

“I did not fall in love with you, dearest, because you do things as we have always done. I fell in love with you because you are singular, you see things in your own way and you do things in a different way. It is not consideration, Mattie. It is love. As you returned to me for love, I dedicate my life to easing your transition to my time because I love you.”

He rose and bent to kiss her lips once again.

“I must return to the engineer.” He crossed the room to the door, and paused, turning back.

“It is a full moon tonight, my love. Shall we make our wish as usual?”

Mattie smiled. “I wish to live a long and happy life with you.”

“Yes, that is the one,” William said. “This time though, I must include ‘I wish to live a long and happy life with you and our child.’”

“I’ll see you tonight,” Mattie murmured as she blew him a kiss. “Under the full moon.”

“Under the full moon,” William echoed.

###

I began my first fiction-writing attempt
when I was fourteen. I shut myself up in my bedroom one summer and obsessively worked on a time-travel/pirate
novel set in the beloved Caribbean of my youth.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hammer it out on a
manual typewriter (oh yeah, I’m that old) before it was
time to go back to school. The draft of that novel has long
since disappeared, but the story still simmers within
, and I will finish it one day soon.

I was born in Aruba to American parents and
lived in Venezuela until my family returned to the United
States when I was twelve. I couldn’t fight the global
travel bug, and I joined the US Air Force at eighteen to “see the world.” After twenty-one wonderful and fulfilling years traveling the world and the birth of one beautiful daughter,
I pursued my dream of finally getting a college
education. With a license in mental health therapy, I worked with veterans and continue to work on behalf of veterans. I continue to travel, my first love, and almost all of my books involve travel.

I write time
-travel romances, light paranormal/fantasy romances (lovelorn ghosty stuff), contemporary romances, and romantic suspense. Visit my website at
http://www.bessmcbride.com