Chapter 17
With only a few more days before the tournament, Richard made his rounds from group to group, making sure everyone was prepared.
He kept a watchful eye on Angelina, as did Nick.
She wasn’t happy about it, but had agreed to go along with their wishes until they could figure out who had been following her.
They were all aware of the sensation of being watched now.
Whoever it was, they were quite stealthy, because so far, they’d been unable to catch even a glimpse.
Angelina had told Estella that she would be staying in the city until after the competition ended.
She hadn’t wanted to worry the elderly woman about being followed, but Richard insisted it was best to warn Estella and Harry that someone had been spotted on Angelina’s property, so they could protect themselves if need be.
He knew Harry was an ex-Marine, and that despite his age, he was very capable of handling an intruder if it came to that.
Harry reassured Richard that he had weapons, and he knew how to use them.
Students were coming by the warehouse to collect their medieval costumes and to do some last-minute parrying practice, in anticipation of the upcoming exhibitions they would participate in.
Those taking part in the tournament had been there almost constantly and had gained the confidence they would need in order to defeat Granger’s team.
Richard and Nick were quite confident about their chances, but everyone continued to work long hours to achieve their goal.
Where it had once been personal for only Nick, the others had all developed a deep sense of pride in their team and their abilities.
They understood that Granger believed his team would defeat them easily and they were determined to prove him wrong.
They all took turns working with the children, who were adorable in their medieval costumes.
Angelina had worked hard, alongside the team moms, to design authentic costumes for everyone.
To keep anxiety levels to a minimum, Nick and Richard tried to keep things light-hearted and fun, encouraging the others to think only of the present and let the future take care of itself.
A party atmosphere overtook the warehouse, when a dozen pizzas were delivered, along with salads, drinks and dessert.
The children changed out of their costumes, and everyone sat around on the floor with paper plates full of food.
Laughter and excited chatter filled the large space, echoing off the rafters.
“You should be quite proud of your accomplishments,” Richard said, glancing around the room at the happy faces of Nick’s students. “Not many would be able to come to a strange place and find a way to fit in so seamlessly.”
Nick appeared suitably humble. “You haven’t done so badly yourself.”
“I’ve had you to help me. I’m hopeful that once this competition is finished, we will be able to return home.”
“You’ve heard from Edna then?” Nick asked.
“No. It’s just a feeling I’ve had of late. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but I believe it.”
“Are you becoming a soothsayer, Richard?” Nick questioned curiously.
Richard thought about this as he watched Angelina approach them. “I don’t believe so, but with Edna, one never knows what to expect.”
“Who’s Edna?” Angelina asked when she reached them. “You’ve mentioned her once before.”
“Have I?” Richard tried to remember when that might have been.
“Yes. When I found you that day on the Marina. You said her name and I asked you if she was your wife, remember?”
“Ah, yes. Nick and I were just speaking of the competition. How do you feel about it? Do you think everyone’s ready,” Richard said, trying to divert Angelina’s attention.
“Who’s Edna?” Angelina repeated stubbornly.
Apparently, his diversionary tactics hadn’t worked. “She’s an old friend from the … from my past.” He could see that Angelina was determined to continue and he swallowed heavily.
“From your past in England?” Angelina cocked her head to one side and studied him.
“Yes.” Perhaps if he kept his answers simple, she wouldn’t persist, but he got the distinct impression that Angelina was deliberately trying to start an argument.
“Do you know her, Nick?” she asked.
“No. I’m afraid not. She’s one of Richard’s friends, he met her nae too long ago, isn’t that right?”
Was Nick trying to make matters worse? Richard glared in his direction and Nick smirked in acknowledgement, clearly enjoying Richard’s discomfort.
“If you met her not so long ago, then how can she be an old friend?” Angelina demanded.
“Nick is mistaken.” Richard was getting quite uncomfortable under Angelina’s intense scrutiny. This was not going well. Instead of shutting down her inquiries, he seemed to have merely piqued her interest and, it appeared, an intense streak of jealousy.
“Fine then. If you don’t want me to know, then don’t tell me.” Turning away from them, Angelina stomped off towards Zeke and Wade, leaving Nick and Richard behind.
“Thanks for your help,” Richard grumbled.
“Sorry, I wasnae trying to cause trouble, just having some fun. I had nae idea she’d walk away so angry.”
Richard knew Nick well enough to know his apology was sincere and he nodded his acceptance. “I don’t know what to do, Nick. The woman baffles me. There is an obvious attraction there, yet despite everything, she keeps me at arm’s length.”
“What are your intentions towards her?” Nick asked.
This gave Richard pause and he realized he hadn’t really thought this out. “I want her, Nick. More than I’ve ever wanted any woman in my life.” The truth struck him, the words flowing from his mouth without conscious effort.
“More than Irene?”
“Yes. But, I also want to go back home, and I know I cannot take her with me. I can’t even tell her the truth.”
“You could try. She may be more open to what you have to say than you think, even if it’s far-fetched. I know Angelina—she’d prefer that to lying.”
“I agree. She is an honourable woman who’s been lied to in the past. I don’t want to lie to her. I want to be truthful, but I’m afraid it may be too much for her, and then I’d never see her again.”
“When you go back, you’ll never see her again anyway. What do you have to lose?” Nick pointed out.
“How do you tell someone you’re from the past and you’d like them to return to the sixteenth century with you?
” What he needed was some sort of sign. Some divine intervention that would tell him it was all right to approach Angelina with the truth.
Somehow, he doubted that was going happen.
He hadn’t heard from Edna again, although he assumed she must have been keeping track of things somehow.
He was frustrated with his situation, but knew he would have to let it go for now.
***
What on earth is he trying to hide? Richard remained a complete mystery to Angelina and she was annoyed with herself for even wanting to know more about him.
After the other night, she had thought she might start peeling back the layers, but he seemed determined to skirt around her questions.
Her distrust of men had always been an issue despite the fact that her gut instincts were telling her she might be able to trust this man.
How could she though, if he was obviously hiding something?
Her attraction for him had grown even stronger this past week, knocking down the walls she kept in place to protect herself from hurt and disappointment.
Maybe he wasn’t any different than all the others who’d tried to win her heart, after all.
Angelina patiently awaited her opportunity, and once Nick and Richard were deeply ensconced in conversation with some of the other members of the team, she had slipped away.
Being in constant contact with them—with Richard in particular—was starting to get to her.
She was drawn to him like a bee to honey and seemed helpless to stop herself.
She definitely needed to have some time to herself and already angry with him for avoiding her questions about the elusive Edna, she was going to slip out while nobody noticed.
She seized her chance, hopping into her car for the short drive to a nearby coffee shop.
She hoped Richard and Nick might not even notice she was missing.
If they did … well, she didn’t want to think about that.
They’d be furious with her, but she needed some time.
With any luck, she’d sneak in to practice again before they even noticed.
As she entered the coffee shop, she noted the lack of patrons.
While unusual, it simply meant she could choose a nice spot to sit and enjoy her coffee without interruption.
She got a cup of her favorite pumpkin spice coffee and nestled into a corner spot with a view of the door.
She was exhausted. They’d been working day and night since Thanksgiving to get ready for the competition and she needed to clear her head and take a deep breath.
If she didn’t, she wasn’t sure how effective she’d be against her own opponent.
As she sat daydreaming, she heard the sound of the coffee shop door opening and closing and then felt the presence of someone standing nearby. Startled back to the present, she nearly jumped out of her seat as she lifted her eyes to see Malcom Granger standing before her.
“This is a surprise, Angelina. I wouldn’t expect to see you here all alone.” His lips smiled, but the rest of his face remained impassive.
“Malcolm, you scared me,” Angelina said.
“That wasn’t my intention. May I?” he asked, pointing to the chair opposite her.
“Sure. Please, join me. What are you up to today?” she asked, trying to ignore the unsettled, nervous feeling which had overcome her with Malcolm’s arrival.
“The same as you, I would imagine. Getting ready for this weekend.” A server brought him a coffee, and he barely acknowledged their presence.