Read Online A Leap of Faith (The Hands of Time: Book 2) by Irina Shapiro - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Irina Shapiro
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them, their eyes never leaving her flushed face. They’d been happy then –- and alive. Finlay had taken her on a honeymoon, of sorts, to London. Valerie could still recall the thrill of driving through the streets of the London she’d only read about or seen in movies. The sights, sounds and colors of the thriving metropolis overwhelmed her, and she bounced with excitement as she saw an advertisement for a play by William Shakespeare. Finlay had taken her out on a pleasure cruise on the Thames, pointing things out to her as they sailed past Whitehall Palace and the Tower of London; having no inkling that just a few short months later, that would be the place where he’d come face to face with a horrible death.
Valerie heard a rustling noise and quickly sat up, looking around. The Indians rarely came this far, but anything was possible. They had been receptive at first when the explorers came to their shores, but relations were becoming distinctly hostile between the Tsenacommacah Indians and the settlers, as they took more of their land and food. Alec appeared between the densely growing trees and sat down next to Valerie, taking her hand in his and kissing her palm.
“Is it one of those days?” She simply nodded. “I just wanted to be alone for a while.”
“Should I leave you in peace then?” He looked a little hurt as he turned to leave. Valerie assured him that she wanted him to stay, and Alec lay back on the blanket next to her, gazing up at the canopy of trees overhead.
“Tell me a story about the future,” he said, pulling her head onto his shoulder. “I’d like to hear about space exploration.”
Alec loved her stories, but as much as she enjoyed telling him things, she hated the way it made her feel. Being forced to remember the details of her modern life, only reminded her of all the things she missed. Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a trip to the movies or to the mall. Being surrounded by people who didn’t care what her religious views were, or how often she went to church, seemed like a version of Heaven. She hated the idea of her children growing up in these times of ignorance and intolerance, and felt a terrible frustration at not being able to do anything to change that. This was her life now and truth be told, she wouldn’t go back to the twenty-first century if it meant a life without Alec and her children.
Valerie got more comfortable, and began telling Alec about the last space mission she could recall. His face was tense with concentration as he tried to picture a space shuttle and the image of Earth as a blue sphere covered with oceans and continents, visible to the astronauts from their craft. Valerie kissed Alec’s brow. He was so dear to her that no movie or shopping trip could ever compare to even one kiss from him.
Chapter 13
Kit Sheridan splashed his face with a bit of tepid water, and pulled on his boots. It was almost four in the morning and time for his shift. Most quartermasters hated the 4 a.m.-8 a.m. shift, but he actually liked it, especially on a warm, spring night like tonight. Kit went up to the bridge and took the wheel, inhaling the briny smell of the sea. The moon hung low in the sky, silvering the tranquil ocean and illuminating the billowing sails. There was hardly anyone about and that’s how he wanted it. It was the only time Kit could be alone on a ship full of people. The majority of the crew was fast asleep in the hammocks in the hold, snoring away and dreaming of land and the people they had left behind.
Kit hadn’t left anyone behind. He was all alone , and being at sea, surrounded by people, kept him from being lonely. He dreaded going home to his silent, empty house; the house where Helena used to wait for him, flushed with happiness at having him back. The couple who took care of the house always welcomed him home, but retired as soon as they could, leaving him alone with
Valerie heard a rustling noise and quickly sat up, looking around. The Indians rarely came this far, but anything was possible. They had been receptive at first when the explorers came to their shores, but relations were becoming distinctly hostile between the Tsenacommacah Indians and the settlers, as they took more of their land and food. Alec appeared between the densely growing trees and sat down next to Valerie, taking her hand in his and kissing her palm.
“Is it one of those days?” She simply nodded. “I just wanted to be alone for a while.”
“Should I leave you in peace then?” He looked a little hurt as he turned to leave. Valerie assured him that she wanted him to stay, and Alec lay back on the blanket next to her, gazing up at the canopy of trees overhead.
“Tell me a story about the future,” he said, pulling her head onto his shoulder. “I’d like to hear about space exploration.”
Alec loved her stories, but as much as she enjoyed telling him things, she hated the way it made her feel. Being forced to remember the details of her modern life, only reminded her of all the things she missed. Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a trip to the movies or to the mall. Being surrounded by people who didn’t care what her religious views were, or how often she went to church, seemed like a version of Heaven. She hated the idea of her children growing up in these times of ignorance and intolerance, and felt a terrible frustration at not being able to do anything to change that. This was her life now and truth be told, she wouldn’t go back to the twenty-first century if it meant a life without Alec and her children.
Valerie got more comfortable, and began telling Alec about the last space mission she could recall. His face was tense with concentration as he tried to picture a space shuttle and the image of Earth as a blue sphere covered with oceans and continents, visible to the astronauts from their craft. Valerie kissed Alec’s brow. He was so dear to her that no movie or shopping trip could ever compare to even one kiss from him.
Chapter 13
Kit Sheridan splashed his face with a bit of tepid water, and pulled on his boots. It was almost four in the morning and time for his shift. Most quartermasters hated the 4 a.m.-8 a.m. shift, but he actually liked it, especially on a warm, spring night like tonight. Kit went up to the bridge and took the wheel, inhaling the briny smell of the sea. The moon hung low in the sky, silvering the tranquil ocean and illuminating the billowing sails. There was hardly anyone about and that’s how he wanted it. It was the only time Kit could be alone on a ship full of people. The majority of the crew was fast asleep in the hammocks in the hold, snoring away and dreaming of land and the people they had left behind.
Kit hadn’t left anyone behind. He was all alone , and being at sea, surrounded by people, kept him from being lonely. He dreaded going home to his silent, empty house; the house where Helena used to wait for him, flushed with happiness at having him back. The couple who took care of the house always welcomed him home, but retired as soon as they could, leaving him alone with
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