A Knight in Central Park(96)

Joe looked at Alexandra. Her hair was clean and braided, leaving light wisps about her face. She didn’t look back at him. It seemed their recent talk had placed a barrier between them. They hadn’t spoken two words since arriving at the inn, and even now Alexandra quietly avoided him, her eyes set on her sister.

Joe bent down so that he could look into Rebecca’s eyes. So very innocent Rebecca was, so fragile, too. Kids, he was slowly learning, weren’t so scary after all. “Rebecca,” he said, sensing her dilemma, “this new doll, or baby,” he amended, looking to Alexandra and then back again, “isn’t supposed to replace your other baby.”

He took her armless doll and held it high. “No baby, no matter how new and shiny,” he added, holding up the new one with its rosy cheeks and perfect curls, “could ever replace Antoinette. That is her name isn’t it?”

Rebecca’s eyes brightened the slightest bit as she shook her head, her straggly hair covering half of her heart shaped face.

Joe let out an exaggerated sigh as if not knowing her ragdoll’s name was truly eating him up inside. Then he smiled and said, “The great thing about dolls, I mean babies, is that one doesn’t have to replace the other. They can be friends.”

He looked at the new doll. “Isabele, I want you to meet your new friend. We don’t know her name, but maybe when you discover it, you will tell me what it is.”

To Rebecca’s delight, he made Isabele nod in agreement.

“This other baby may be nameless,” he said to Isabele, “but she is loyal to her friends. With her by your side, you will never be lonely.” He had Isabele shake hands with the ragdoll’s leg since she had no arms and then he handed the dolls to Rebecca.

With both dolls held tight to her chest, Rebecca ran to the door, pausing to turn back and look at Joe.

“You’re very welcome,” he said.

Her eyes sparkled and without waiting for Alexandra, she flew from the room.

“I’ll miss her,” he said to Alexandra as she, too, headed out. A part of him was glad she didn’t turn to look at him, since he already knew what he’d see...disappointment, or maybe regret for choosing the wrong man. A real hero wouldn’t let her down. If he was The Chosen One, he would stay. If he cared about the children he would stay. If he loved her, he would stay.





Five nights passed since they left the inn. Each day they rode without stopping. Only when night fell would they set up camp, eat, and head for bed, too tired to talk or ponder for too long over Sir Joe’s eventual leaving.

They said goodbye to Sebastiano two days ago, and he assured Susan she would see him again as soon as he was done with his duties in London.

This was to be their last night on the road. Tomorrow they would be arriving in Brookshire.

And then Sir Joe would leave...

Alexandra tried to turn her thoughts to something other than Sir Joe. She stirred the meat stew within the iron cauldron that hung over the fire. Sir Joe had set off for the river to wash. Susan and Rebecca were busy finding smooth ground for their beds, while Garrett worked on the lean-to.

Susan laid out the new sheepskin Mary had given them and then ran her hand over its softness. “’Tis smooth like the beginnings of Sebastiano’s beard,” she said. “Is not Sebastiano simply wonderful?” Susan asked Alexandra for the dozenth time.

“Aye, he is a clever boy.”

“He is not a mere boy,” Susan said as if terribly affronted. “He is a man. A man who knows what he wants. A man who will never leave me.”

Alexandra had nothing to say to that.

Susan came toward her. “I am sorry. ’Twas cruel of me to say such a thing. I dare not know what has gotten into me of late.”

Alexandra gave the pot of stew another stir before wiping her hands on her tunic. “Do not fret over such things. The traveling has been much and we are all tired. Let us eat and be off to sleep for a few hours before we head off again.”

“Why must he leave us?” Susan asked, taking Alexandra by surprise.

Alexandra had asked herself that same question more times than she cared to remember. Always the answer was the same. “Sir Joe is confused,” she said as she dished the stew into bowls. “He has dreams, things he wishes to accomplish while he is of this earth. Unfortunately these things cannot be accomplished in our world.”

“I do not understand. He loves you. ’Tis written all over his face. I see it every time he glances your way. Remember the way Ari used to look at Lydia before they were married?”