“He is, and because of that, I know I can’t have a life with him.”
My parents frowned.
“You’re going to marry him, knowing you have to leave him in four weeks?” Mama asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d rather have four weeks with him than none at all. And because if I don’t, it could negatively affect all the people I love in 1849, even if I’m not there.”
Mama squeezed my hand. “Does Sam know you won’t be staying?”
“Yes. I told him I need to change history to ensure he doesn’t die, but I didn’t tell him when or how.”
“That’s a dangerous game to play,” Papa warned. “Sam shouldn’t know anything about that.”
“I couldn’t not tell him and abandon him like Bess did.”
Papa was silent for a moment, then said, “What if you can stay there?”
“What do you mean? I can’t stay there if I want to save him.”
“There might be a way.”
Mama frowned. “What are you talking about?”
I moved to the edge of my seat. “How?”
“I’ve only heard of time-crossers forfeiting one life,” Papa said. “I don’t know if they can forfeit both of them.”
Neither Mama nor I spoke for a moment as we tried to understand what he was saying.
“Do you mean,” I asked, “that if I forfeit 1929 and choose 1849 on my birthday, before I knowingly change history there, I might not forfeit that path, too?”
“I’ve never spoken to a time-crosser who has done that,” Mamasaid, her voice anxious. “Or anyone who knows someone who has done that. It’s too much of a risk, Grant.”
“But it could be a possibility?” I asked Papa.
“I don’t know. It’s just an idea. We would need to find out.”
A seedling of hope sprang to life in my heart. “How?”
“We can ask Grace if she knows,” Papa said, “and we can call Maggie in Washington, DC, and see if she has heard.”
“And there’s always Lydia,” I told them. “We can ask her to discuss it with Hope when she’s in 1709, and Hope can ask the Howletts. There are dozens of time-crossers in that family who might be able to help with an answer.”
Mama looked skeptical. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up, Ally.”
“It’s too late.” Sadness mingled with the anticipation that had already sprung to life inside my chest. “I must find a way. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try.” I looked from Mama to Papa as I said, “Do I have your blessing to marry Sam?”
“Is it what you truly want?” Papa asked, studying me closely. “You know what you’re getting yourself into?”
I wasn’t sure anyone knew what they were getting into when they married, but I nodded. “Yes.”
“Years ago,” Mama said, placing her other hand over mine, “when Julia told us that she was going to marry Peter, I told her something that I will repeat to you. Whoever is important to you is important to us, and whoever you love, we will love. It’s as simple as that. If he is a godly man, and he loves you and will care for you as you care for him, that is all we ask.”
“He is.”
