The Great Locomotive Chase, 1862 by T.L.B. Wood

Author:T.L.B. Wood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2018-03-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Peter retired to the guest bathroom to dress, while I did the same in the privacy of my bedroom. Kipp padded quietly after me and watched with his critical eye as I pulled on the layers of clothing. It was still more than my typical t-shirt and sweat pants but, nevertheless, a great advancement from the dreaded crinoline and corset. Kipp drew his lips back from his teeth and grimaced as I buckled his collar around his massive neck.

"I hate this thing," he whined.

"Oh, come on, you get off lightly. Look at what I have to do," I said, as I fumbled with the dark blue necktie. It took me several attempts to get it the way I wanted before I added the stick pin. Turning, I checked out my appearance in the full length mirror and felt some satisfaction that my rear end was cleverly concealed. Everyone would be happy, I thought dismally.

Fitzhugh made arrangements to spend the night with Philo and Claire, taking Juno and Lily with him. We could not risk any telepathic distractions and travelling was best done in a quiet environment. If it had just been me and Kipp, it wouldn't have mattered, but Peter and Elani were a little nervous.

It was time, and Kipp and I made the walk to the living room; Peter had arrived ahead of me and closed the plantation shutters so we would not be visible. I looked over at the fireplace and thought, a little too late, that I should have had the chimney cleaned since April had arrived.

"You'll take care of that when you get back," Kipp said, confidently.

Peter looked much more the part than did I. He'd grown, as Suzanne promised, a carefully groomed mustache and goatee, both of which aged him nicely. The coat, which hung past his knees, made him appear taller and accentuated his rangy frame. Stretched across his vest was a gold chain, something I didn't recall having been issued by Suzanne.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing at the adornment.

Smiling, he pulled a large, gold watch from a little pocket on the front of the dark gray vest he wore. After hesitating, he held it out for me to cradle in my hands; with care, I pushed the stem and watched the front cover swing open. It was a lovely piece with delicately engraved initials in an ornate script on the interior.

"My mother gave it to me to take," Peter said, his voice soft. "It was her father's–my grandfather's–and she wanted me to carry it on this time shift." After a moment, he added, "She made me promise I'd bring it back safely."

Of course, that was her code language for wanting Peter to come home in one piece. In any case, it was a fine gesture, one that indicated her trust and belief in her son. Kipp's eyes opened wide as he stared at the piece.

"Uh, oh," he said to me. "I hope nothing bad happens to that watch, or she'll be mad at us.

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