Chapter 8
As they stepped out of the apartment and into the sunny day, Callan wasna sure about riding in the horseless carriage. A horse did what he bade the animal, but this—this little green car, was beyond him.
“’Tis so … so… green.” He settled on, dubiously eyeing the small car.
“Don’t say anything ugly about my little Kia Soul. She always gets me where I need to go.” Daisy patted the black dashboard.
Callan frowned at the car. Would he fit inside? ’Twas verra small. He shook his head. “Nay, I would not trust my life to such a thing.”
“Just get in.” She laughed, seeing the apprehensive look on his face.
The carriage, as he thought of it, moved at a good pace. The only thing he did not like was all the people on the road with them. Not knowing what they would do or if they would swerve into their lane had him clutching the seat and handle on the door as Daisy drove, oblivious to his rising panic.
“’Tis not natural to be traveling at such a pace with so many people so near to us.”
Daisy snorted. “I’m going twenty miles an hour, and we’re on a residential street. Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. It’s nice to spend time together.”
“Lass, we have been together since ye offered me a place to stay.”
She nodded. “I know. Isn’t it great?”
The lass had not let him out of her sight except when he went to the bathing chamber. Mayhap she was lonely, with no man to provide for her or any family nearby. He knew what it was like not to have any family left and to lose a parent.
A few moments later, Callan unclenched his fists as she turned onto a less crowded street and parked. They had dropped off his plaid with a man who promised to care for it and see it returned to him.
The lass was talking about everything she wanted to show him as she had decided Callan had addled his wits, and seeing no reason to say otherwise, he went along with her.
But when she stepped out of the car, still talking, a man running past them, dressed in tiny red shorts and a red and white shirt so tight Callan wondered how the man could breathe, crashed into Daisy, sending her sprawling on the ground.
Before she gained her feet, Callan lifted her up, made sure she was whole, then whirled on the man.
“Apologize to the lass.”
The man rolled his eyes. “She should look where—”
“Callan, put him down.” Daisy frowned at him. “I’m fine. It doesn’t matter. Let me deal with it.”
But it did. It mattered a great deal. He shook the wee man, whose eyes had gone wide, his face as red as his tiny shorts.
“Alright, already. Geez, no need to get all physical.”
Daisy narrowed her eyes at the little man. “Can we go now?”
Callan ignored the anger in her voice and kept his gaze on the man. “You will apologize to the lass.”
Whatever he saw on Callan’s face made the man gulp. “Sorry, I didn’t see you.” He looked at Callan. “Happy?”
He put the man down and watched until he was out of sight. When he turned around, Daisy was frowning up at him.
“I told you I could deal with it.” Daisy brushed herself off. “I didn’t need your help.”
“I will nae let anyone harm ye.”
She had dressed in a pair of the shorts she liked that showed off her long golden legs. They were a faded blue, called cutoffs. Her shirt said she was a booktrovert. He knew not this word, and she had braided her hair down her back, showing off her delicate, unblemished face.
Daisy stomped off. “I don’t need a man to protect me. I can take care of myself.”
Callan caught up with her. “I meant no offense, lass.”
“Whatever.” Daisy took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I know you were just trying to help.”
Callan opened his mouth to argue, but she held up a hand.
“Let’s enjoy the day.”
He needed this woman to aid him so he would shut his mouth. For now. “Where are we?”
“We’re on the Freedom Trail. A two-and-a-half-mile trail that goes through downtown Boston. We’ll be able to see sixteen historical sites. It’s a terrific way to see the city and learn about the history of Boston.”
Her face softened.
“Maybe it will jog your memory and help you remember where you live?”
She had left the dog behind, saying someone would take Frankie for a walk while they were gone.
“Mayhap.” He wished to tell her the truth, that he was from 1311, that he had traveled through time, but Callan did not think she would believe him.
He saw a sign and pointed. “Is this the trail?”
Daisy nodded. “It starts in the Boston Common and goes all the way to the Bunker Hill Monument. It’s a beautiful day, so I thought we’d walk the whole thing.”
“Aye, I would enjoy a walk in the sun with ye.”
She turned pink as she pointed out a man juggling.
They walked along, Callan taking everything in as Daisy chattered about anything and everything.
“Are you listening to me?”
He glanced at her, a sheepish look on his face. “Nay, what did ye say?”
She rolled her eyes. “I said we’re almost to the Paul Revere House.”
“Was he a great warrior?”
She gave him a look. “Paul Revere is a big deal in history. You know, the British are coming, the British are coming.”
He did not know, but listened, asking many questions of the guide as they went on this tour.
After the tour, ’twas time for dinner.
“What are you in the mood for?”
He blinked at her. “Mood?”
She let out a sigh, something he noticed she did quite a bit around him. “Where would you like to eat?”
Looking around, he pointed at the first establishment that caught his eye.
The place was small and crowded, so many voices talking over one another, filling the air and making it hard for him to hear.
When the waitress came over to take their order, Daisy wanted a turkey club, and he ordered a Reuben sandwich. The waitress looked at Callan.
“Do you want chips, fries, or a salad with your sandwich?”
He turned to Daisy, a question in his eyes.
“Fries. We’ll both have fries.”
The waitress looked at him, a wide smile on her face. “What would you like to drink?”
“I will have ale.”
The waitress smiled even bigger, and he swore he heard Daisy swear under her breath.
“Let me go through the list.”
Daisy interrupted the woman. “We’ll both have the summer ale.”
With a sniff, the woman took their menus and left.
“Hussy.”
Callan blinked at her. “What is a hussy?”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Someone who steals another woman’s man.”
Then her entire face turned red.
“Not that you're my man. It’s just we’re together. Eating together, I mean. She doesn’t know if we’re together or not. It’s rude. The hussy.” She huffed.
It felt good to smile. Callan hadn’t been happy since he’d been torn away from his brother, but this lass made him laugh. She made him happy. There was much to like about Daisy.
“You wish me to be your man?” He teased her, hoping to see her cheeks turn pink again.
Before she could answer, the serving wench was back with the food. She brushed against him as she set the plate in front of him, and when he looked up, Daisy had a look of anger on her face. Instead of saying anything, Callan took a big bite of the meat and bread.
The Rueben sandwich was good. The sauerkraut and the dressing were delicious, the fries so good, he ate all of his and most of Daisy’s as well, making her laugh and call over the serving woman to order more of the fries.
Callan tried to pay with the few green bills he had, but Daisy told him to keep it for when they went shopping. When he protested, she said he could repay her when he worked for the Renaissance Faire.
After they’d filled their bellies, they walked to Faneuil Hall, where he couldn’t help but marvel at the large brick building, with its white clock tower and weathervane.
“This is Faneuil Hall,” Daisy said. “It’s been a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743. They call it ‘The Cradle of Liberty’ because it’s where revolutionaries and patriots gathered to speak out against British tyranny.”
Callan did not care for the English, well, except for William and his family at Blackford Castle.
Inside, the high ceilings and tall windows struck him. Stalls and shops lined the walls, selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted goods.
They climbed the stairs to the second floor, where a large meeting hall opened up before him.
The weight of history hung heavy in the air, and Callan wondered, did Blackford still stand in this time?
Were William’s ancestors lord of the castle?
Did they still have lords? Daisy told him the King of England no longer had power and America didn’t have a monarch, only a president. The world was in chaos.
“They say Samuel Adams and James Otis gave speeches here that helped spark the American Revolution,” Daisy said. Then she smiled. “I worked as a tour guide one summer and I have a good memory.”
“’Tis a powerful thing,” He said softly, “when people come together to fight for what they believe in.”
Daisy nodded, taking his hand in hers. “It’s what this place represents. The spirit of democracy and the power of the people to shape their own destiny.”
The next place they visited was the Old North Church.
“This is where they hung the lanterns back in 1775,” Daisy explained. “‘One if by land, two if by sea.’ It was the famous signal warning that the British were coming at the start of the Revolutionary War.”
As they entered the church, Callan marveled at the pews, soaring balconies, and gleaming chandeliers. Daisy led him down the center aisle towards the altar. Their footsteps echoing in the quiet sanctuary.
“It’s so peaceful in here,” Daisy said softly. “It’s amazing to think how this place played such an important role in history. The American Revolution and the birth of a new nation.”
Callan nodded slowly. “Aye, ’tis a bit like going into battle, I suppose. The signal that the enemy forces were on the move, rousin’ the clan to take up arms.”
Daisy smiled at him, seeming to sense his thoughts. “I guess some things are constant throughout history. People rising up to fight against tyranny and oppression.”
When they went outside, Callan blinked in the bright sunlight.
He’d gotten a few odd looks for wearing his boots with his sweating pants, but Daisy said, not to worry, they’d go shopping soon though she had made him wear a different shirt.
He hadn’t wanted to buy clothes first, instead wishing to see her city.
As they approached the USS Constitution, Callan couldn’t help but stare in awe at the massive wooden ship before them. Its tall masts reached towards the sky.
“Let me put on my tour guide hat again,” Daisy said, eyes sparkling.
“She’s the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. Launched in 1797, she fought in the War of 1812 and earned the nickname ‘Old Ironsides’ because enemy cannonballs seemed to bounce right off her thick hull.”
Callan let out a low whistle, impressed by the sheer size and majesty of the vessel. “Ye say she’s still seaworthy after all these years?”
Daisy nodded. “She’s been restored and maintained over the years, but much of her original structure is still intact. Let’s go aboard.”
They crossed the gangplank and stepped onto the deck of the Constitution. Callan marveled at the smooth, worn planks beneath his feet, imagining the countless sailors who had trod these same boards over the centuries.
“Look at the size of those cannons,” Callan said, gesturing to the rows of guns lining the sides of the ship.
Daisy led him below decks, where they explored the cramped quarters where the crew lived and worked. The low ceilings and narrow passageways made him feel closed in. He did not like being underground or under the water.
As they emerged back onto the deck, Callan took a deep breath of the salty sea air and gazed out over the harbor.
“Thank ye for bringing me here,” Callan said softly.
She squeezed his hand. “Has anything come back to you?”
“Nay, lass. Not yet.” As much as Callan wanted to tell her the truth, he did not think she would believe him, and he sorely needed her aid to find a way for him to return home. Soon. Soon he’d tell her the truth.
As they disembarked from the USS Constitution, he was full of excitement at all he had seen.
Daisy stifled a yawn. “I’m usually the one bouncing off the walls, but I’m tired today.”
Callan grinned, his eyes sparkling. “Aye, there’s so much to see and learn in this place. I didna mean to tire ye out with all my questions.”
“No, no, it’s fine,” Daisy reassured him, waving off his apology. “I’m just not used to doing the tour guide thing, not anymore. Usually, I spend my afternoons walking dogs, not traipsing through history.”
A laugh escaped as she touched his shoulder.
“Actually, that might be just what we both need.”
Callan tilted his head, intrigued. “What did ye have in mind?”
“Let’s go get Frankie and head over to the park. I’ll stop and pick up a few of the dogs I walk and they can all play while we relax under a shady tree.”
She eyed him up and down. “And then we are going shopping.”
Callan made a face. He didn’t know what shopping meant, but it did not sound like something he would enjoy.
Before he could protest, she arched a brow. “Go shopping and I’ll take you for pizza.”
“Pizza? Ye should have said that first, lass. Anything for the pizza.”