I quickly told her how Hope had overheard Susannah’s plans.
“Will you follow through with it?” she asked me.
“That’s the strange part. For years, I’ve known I would accuse Hope.”
“What?” she asked again, frowning.
“I saw it in a history book and kept this horrid secret locked away in my heart. I had no idea how it would come about. But the ironic thing is that it’s Hope’s idea! I’ve been plagued with this knowledge, and I’m not as guilty as I thought I would be.”
Despite the situation, Mama smiled. “It’s proof that we spend far too much time worrying about things we don’t understand.” She studied me for a moment. “Perhaps Hope has the right idea. I’m not an advocate for lying to the authorities or admitting to a crime you didn’t commit—but it might be the only way to beat them at their own game.”
“But she’ll have to stay in prison, and I don’t know how long she’ll be there.”
“If it’s something she’s willing to do for you, then you might need to let her.” She studied me with her clear, blue eyes. “Sacrificial love hasn’t always come easy for Hope. She’s so single-minded, she often only thinks of herself. It heartens me to know she has made this offer for you. Perhaps being stuck in 1692 has softened her.”
I thought about Hope’s behavior the past few months and nodded. “I have seen a change in her.”
“Brokenness changes our hearts. We either become bitter and angry, or more compassionate, selfless, and loving. I’m happy to know she’s letting her brokenness change her for the good.”
“Me, too.” I leaned my head against the backrest and let out a deep sigh. “I don’t think I can accuse her, though. It’s not in my nature to do something so horrible.”
“Pray about it. You don’t need to make your decision right now.”
“There are so many hard choices to make.”
“I know.”
“And I need to stay focused on what I’m doing here. I really want to finish this in thirty days or less—and I want to find Tacy.”
Mama nodded. “And somewhere in all of that, you have to decide where you’re going to stay—and,” she said more quietly, “if you’re going to tell your sister that you’ve fallen in love with Luc.”
I lowered my eyes.
Mama placed her hands on either side of my face. “I love you with all my heart and soul, Grace. You and your sister.” She lowered her hands and put them on my upraised knees. “I had accepted the fact that I would never have my own children, so when I became pregnant with you and your sister, I was overjoyed. But from the day I knew you were on your way until this one, I have always known that your times are in God’s hands.
“I want to give you the same gift my parents gave me—and that’s the freedom to make the best decision for you. If that means 1692, then you have mine and Daddy’s blessing to stay there. I will miss you every day of my life, but I will know you are where you belong. If it’s 1912, then I will cheer you on and support your decision. Whatever you decide, I will love you for the rest of my life.”
“Thank you, Mama.” I leaned forward and gave her a hug.
“And tell Hope I love her,” she said, her voice just above a whisper. “She’s exactly where she’s supposed to be, and the twenty-four years I had with her were a gift from God.”
“She loves you, too.”
“I know she does.” She patted my knee. “If it’s any help, I think you should tell her that you’re in love with Luc—and let her help you decide which course to take. You might be surprised.” She smiled. “I should probably get dressed. Everyone will be up soon, and we must get going if we want to make it to California on time.”
“Okay.”
As she pushed aside the curtain, I looked up, and my gaze collided with Luc’s.
He was standing in the aisle, wearing a robe over his pajamas, holding a small towel and his toothbrush in his hand. His dark hair was damp, and his face looked freshly shaved.
My heart fell as I pulled my sheets up to my chest, though my nightgown and robe were as decent as my regular clothes. But it was more than my lack of dress that made me feel exposed and vulnerable.
It was all the things I had just said.
Mama paused as Luc and I stared at each other.
“Perhaps I should leave you two with some privacy,” she said as she moved away and climbed into her berth.
