| |
As before, the family stopped at the local seaside inn within New Brunswick, but this time with the men whom Patrick had arranged to escort them over the border.
"The owner is very nice," Arlana explained from the backseat. "He likely won't mind if we stop here to get changed. It is better if we arrive at the fort after dark, so as to not draw unnecessary attention."
Once again, Joshua held the door open for his aunt while Gavin circled the car until he'd reached the passenger door, both perfect gentlemen.
The inn overlooked the ocean, but on the right hand side, just beyond the ridge lay a quaint old cemetery. Arlana's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Perhaps if we have time later, I might be able to go to the cemetery?" Arlana directed her question at Gavin, seeking his permission. "It might have some answers."
Cemeteries gave Gavin the creeps and he couldn't for the life of him understand why his bride would want to kill time walking in one of them. Gavin hesitated, searching Arlana's blue eyes as they walked toward the inn.
"What are you hoping to find?" Joshua asked from Arlana's opposite side.
"I'm looking for the descendants of a certain Acadian man. After the deportation, many fled into New Brunswick so I would bet they are buried here. If I could perhaps collect some names, then when we return I could have them researched and it just might lead me back to the man we are trying to find in the past."
Josh frowned, trying to make sense of everything Arlana had just said.
"So you are going back in time looking for a man whose name you don't even know?"
"Pretty much," Arlana sighed, once again realizing the enormity of her mission. "I just know that he is our relative and will betray our people to the English when they attack. I have the correct year, I just don't know who he is and when it is going to happen - which month. I hope we haven't missed it."
"You're waiting for an attack?" Adelaide's eyes widened, not liking the sound of this trip one bit.
"Yes."
The ladies thanked Gavin as he held the door open for them, their conversation coming to a grinding halt, at least for the moment, as the elderly man with a cane approached, welcoming them to the inn.
"We were wondering if we might be able to change as we did the last time we were here? I apologize for any inconvenience, but our options are limited, as you can imagine."
"Of course. It is no trouble at all. Feel free to use the first two rooms at the top of the stairs and then make yourselves comfortable. I was just about to make myself a cup of tea. Would you like some? I may have some juice for the children. Give me a moment to check..." And with that he was already shuffling off towards a back room located behind the desk.
The men who had accompanied them took their leave, assuring Gavin they would return to escort them back over the border, if needed, before they mounted their shiny black motorcycles once again, the engines roaring before they disappeared back up the hill.
"That was so cool!" Zek's eyes shone as he watched them disappear from view.
Gavin ruffled Zek's soft curls before motioning toward the stairs with his free hand.
"Ladies first."
The women had taken a moment in the parking lot to rifle through their suitcases for the clothing they'd worn the previous day, having washed a small load of laundry just that morning. The clothes still smelled fresh as they were draped over their arms, Isabella holding Zek's hand, leading the way up the narrow flight of stairs. Sarah and Adelaide followed, then Arlana with Joshua taking up the rear, Gavin at his side.
The rooms were relatively small but had an amazing view of the ocean below, earning appreciative "Ahhhhs" from the younger children as they ran to the large window for a better view.
"Come, Zek. You need to join the men," Arlana called him over as she held the bedroom door open.
Gavin stood outside the opposite bedroom door waiting for Zek to join him. Reaching across the hallway for Arlana's free hand, he brushed a gentle kiss on her knuckles before whispering, "I love you."
Arlana smiled but didn't say anything, not wanting to be obvious, but the soft flush dusting her pale features was enough, conveying what she wished she could say to her husband.
Gavin released Arlana's hand as Zek appeared in the doorway, crossing the hall into the men's room.
"We'll meet you downstairs in a few minutes," Gavin spoke louder this time before closing the door behind him, blocking the view of Zek already tugging off his t-shirt.
"You can use the washroom first, if you like," Arlana looked over at her sister and nieces who stood at the window, admiring the view. "I don't mind getting changed out here. Then we can be finished at the same time."
"Thank you," Adelaide turned from the window, her eyes drifting to the dark green dress she held in her arms.
Arlana misunderstood Addy's expression, quickly assuring her, "There is a seamstress in the fort, so we can have more dresses once we arrive."
"Oh no, it's not that. I am concerned about this attack you mentioned. The idea of knowingly endangering the children..." Adelaide paused, motioning her daughters to head into the washroom. "Get changed, girls. We'll be waiting for you out here."
The sisters reluctantly stepped away from the window, doing as their mother requested.
Adelaide waited until they had closed the washroom door before turning back to Arlana. "I assumed this would be more of an adventure, not something that could endanger the children. If I had known..."
"I wouldn't put the children at risk," Arlana swallowed the hurt creeping into her voice. "Dakota knows how to escape the moment it begins and as long as we are standing near each other - linked with at least one person touching me - I will have us back in the present within seconds. There is really nothing to fear."
Adelaide looked relieved before turning her head as Arlana began to unfasten her dress, stepping into the corner of the room. Addy followed suit, using the opposite corner of the room to quickly shed her clothes before tugging the green, floral-patterned dress over her head.
"I almost didn't come, you know. After Gavin told me everything last night, I had every intention of staying at Jaira's for a while until I can clear my head and process everything, but I see how much this would mean to the children and they do miss their father. I've agreed to give this arrangement a week - not a minute more. Gavin has given me his word that he will not disrespect me in public, and that is all I ask."
"Of course...Well, I'm glad you decided to come and do hope you'll choose to stay. It's rather wonderful..."
"Being married to the same man? Being a polygamist? I shouldn't think so," Adelaide's voice hardened.
"No...I meant it is wonderful living among the Acadians and having an opportunity to meet our ancestors. Unfortunately I'm slow to grasp Acadian French, but other than that, I think I would be happy to live out the rest of my days among them."
The sisters, now dressed in their period clothes stood awkwardly as they faced each other. Arlana wore a deep burgundy dress that was more becoming the wife of a captain or official, but not as risqué as her dress the day before had been although still less modest than Adelaide's simple, but lovely dress with the shawl that she knotted above her breasts to add another layer of modesty.
Of Gavin's two wives, the one dressed according to her convictions, and his second, to please her husband although both dresses had been ordered by Gavin himself, the man knowing his wives exceptionally well.
"You're really serious," Adelaide continued the conversation.
It wasn't a question.
"You'll see what I mean in the morning. Everything we dreamed of as a child is right there. The people are kind and friendly and there is plenty of space for the children to be kids. And," Arlana smiled at her younger sister, "the local natives freely come and go within the fort. For you, it will be nothing short of paradise."
Adelaide couldn't help but smile. As a child, she never would have wanted to leave, yet as an adult, she wasn't as certain. There was only one way to find out.