“So I live for each day and believe everything will work out as long as I work hard enough and have a plan. My five-year plan is my friend.”
Ashley crouched down, digging in the dirt.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s time for me to quit obsessing about time.” She blinked up at him. “I’m having a funeral for my watch. You know, my pretty pink bracelet those men stole?”
“Ah, you should go in, sleep.” She was drunk, and Christian did not know if he should pick her up and take her inside or let her dowhat she needs to. In the end, he decided he would stay with her for as long as she needed. He looked around, found a small spade, and dug the hole for her.
“Thank you. I know I don’t have my watch, but I wanted a way to let go.”
She patted the ground around her, found a rock, and placed it in the hole.
“Farewell, time. I hope we meet again.” She covered the rock and stumbled when she stood. Christian swept her up in his arms.
“It makes me sad to see time standing still. The hands on my watch were frozen, just like me. But I’m not going to worry about time anymore. I’m going to live in the moment and somehow find a way home.”
“’Tis good.” He grinned. “You are a strange woman.”
“So are you, Christian, but I like you anyway.”
CHAPTER 13
He hadher inside the inn and all the way to the steps leading up to the rooms above when she turned.
“I want another beer.”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough this eve?”
“Just one more, then bed.”
Christian called to the serving wench, who brought them cups of ale. They leaned against the wall, where he kept one hand on Ashley’s arm so she would not slide down the wall.
“I believe you’ll regret this in the morning.”
“Regrets. The world is full of regrets.” She drank half the cup and let out a very unladylike belch. “You know, I don’t know why I trust you, but I do. Trusting people has always been difficult for me. But when I do trust, I’m loyal to the end.” She poked him in the shoulder. “But if you betray me, I will never forgive you.”
She squinted, wrinkling her nose. “I hate camping. I hate horses. And I hate the way it smells in here. Like old beer, body odor, and wet dog.” She leaned into him, so close he could count the three brown spots above her eyebrow. He’d never noticedthem before; they were faint and formed a half-circle, calling attention to her eyes.
“I love my creature comforts. Massages, pedicures, spa days. How will I ever get back home?”
“Do not worry. I will find a way to send you back.” He took the cup from her. “You have a lovely voice.”
“I never sing in public, but I didn’t want to sleep outside.” She turned a brighter pink. “I’m afraid of things crawling on me while I sleep.”
“Aye, the wee beasties can be fearsome.”
“You’re making fun of me.”
“Nay, mistress, I would not jest. Shall we seek our beds?”
She shook her head. He did not let her stumble. All she’d had to drink had softened her edges and prickly temper.
“I hear music. I want to dance.”
One of the men was playing a lute, and others were dancing with the serving wenches. Christian made her a low bow.
“Then we shall.” He offered her his arm, which she took, and he smiled as she held on rather tightly. The women were in high demand, and before he knew it, Ashley was swept away to dance with others. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, where he could make sure no one made untoward advances. The amount of ale he had consumed was making Christian drowsy when a slap rang out.
