forgot about pictures, the past, their future, even the porch. Only she and Daniel existed, and he filled her heart. Oliver had one thing right—neither of them could hide the current flowing between them. She moved closer and put her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his shoulder. She did love him, dammit, and she had no doubt he loved her back.
Charles cleared his throat. “We should get going.”
“Right.” Daniel let go of her. “Join us, so the lad can take our likeness with the wee box, and then we’ll depart. It’s fairly early yet, Charles.”
After a few more photos had been taken, Charles and Oliver climbed into the wagon’s cargo area, and she and Daniel took the buckboard. Meredith studied the pictures, pleased with the results. “Oliver, show Charles how to scroll through photos, so he can see a bit of what the future looks like.” She handed him her phone.
Charles grunted and shook his head. “I want to look, and yet I find the prospect … disturbing.” He flashed her a sheepish look. “For truth lass, I prefer to pretend you’re not from the distant future, and that you really are my cousin from New York.”
“I’ve never been to New York. It’s not a good topic to bring up in conversation around anyone other than the four of us,” she informed him. “You don’t have to look at the pictures. I just thought you might want to.”
“I’d love to see them,” Daniel told her. “Show me, Meredith. Do you have pictures of your family in that wee box?”
“Of course I do.” She scrolled until she found the pictures she’d taken when her nephew had been christened a year ago. “Here’s one where we’re all together, including my older sister’s husband, Fáelán.” She held her phone in front of him. “That’s my mom, my dad, my sister, Regan, and my twin, Grayce.”
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Why is your twin’s hair …” He glanced at her. “It’s blue and she wears it short like a man’s. And what is that in her eyebrow?”
“Lots of people color their hair that way in my time, and the length has nothing to do with gender. That’s a piece of jewelry. Her eyebrow is pierced.” She smiled as she located more recent additions. “Here’s a video of my nephew.”
Daniel gasped as he watched Conan toddle across the room and throw himself at his father’s legs. The sound of her older sister’s laughter, music playing in the background, and Conan’s gibberish, interspersed with the occasional Mama and Dada, answered by Fáelán’s murmured response, brought an ache to her chest. “He’s so cute. Missing out on seeing him grow and change on a weekly basis is difficult.”
Daniel shook his head. “This is wondrous indeed. I want a video of the two of us, Meredith. One where we’re moving and talking.” He twisted around to peer at Oliver. “Will you take one for us, lad?”
“Of course.”
“When town comes into view, stop for minute. I’d like to take a few pictures. Oliver, did you bring your phone?” Meredith asked.
“Not this time. I plan to walk into Garretsville on my own one day. I’ll find ways to take pictures then.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Charles told him. “I think the two of you should stick close to each other and to our camp. Daniel and I would prefer that neither of you go anywhere unaccompanied by one or both of us.”
“I agree, “ Daniel added.
“We know this seems like a lark to you, Oliver, but there are ruffians about, and not just the three we’re trying to foil,” Charles continued. “We don’t wish to see either of you come to harm in a time and place you don’t belong. Give a thought for how truly far away you are from home and your kin.”
In a time and place you don’t belong. Charles’s words pierced her heart and stole her breath. Was that how Charles truly saw her, as not belonging? She glanced at Daniel. His jaw clenched, he stared straight ahead. Charles’s words must’ve also hit a nerve with him.
As much as she’d like to ignore the enormity of the gap between where he belonged and where she belonged, she couldn’t. As if sensing where her thoughts were taking her, Daniel leaned close.
“This is not the day for doubts or decisions,” he whispered. “Let us enjoy this fine evening together. This moment is all that matters.” He reached for her hand. “This moment is everything.”