Pursuing Honor (The Forever Time Travel Romance Series, Book 2)

By Carol A. Spradling

Hunter Morgan is intelligent, handsome, and in love with Honor Moran. She has never given any indications that she would accept his marriage proposal, but medical school is over and Hunter needs to make his intentions known. All set to pop the question, he sees her nervously enter a dark alleyway known for ruthless activity. Hunter fears for her safety, and charges into the shadows after her. How could he know that his chivalrous act would launch him two hundred and fifty years into the past?

Honor had no idea it was possible to bring someone along with her when she traveled through time. She never wanted to hurt anyone during her stay in the future, especially Hunter. For two years, she has evaded his good looks and attention, but now, he lays unconscious at her feet, and has no way to return to his time.

Thrown back to a time as foreign to him as the means in which he got there, Hunter is determined to prove he is suited for anything as long as he has Honor's heart. Her growing feelings for him are threatened when her mysterious sister interrupts their chance for happiness. Honor will stop at nothing to prove her love for Hunter. And Hunter, he may have won the heart of the woman he loves, but is he willing to stay in a time that is not his own?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carol A. Spradling
• Release date: May 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781484016244

Book preview

Pursuing Honor

By: Carol A. Spradling

Copyright © 2013 by Carol A. Spradling

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

Contact Information: CarolASpradling.com

[e-mail]

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locals, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used, reproduced, or shared in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without prior, written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Other works by

Carol A. Spradling:

The Forever Time Travel Romance Series:

Faithfully Yours

Novels:

Shades of Gray

For Mercy's Sake

The Night Lamp

Novella:

Redcoats and Sleigh Bells

The Freedom Series:

Cost of Freedom

Bound by Honor

Dedicated to

My parents.

Thank you for always loving me.

Acknowledgments

Peggy Henderson:  More than anyone, you know how hard it was for me to finish this book after a four-month interruption. How grateful I am that you were still an IM away when I returned to the keyboard.

Lorraine & Steve Richardson:  Your eagerness to read Pursuing Honor helped keep me in my writing chair.  Thanks for the incentive. 

Pursuing Honor

The Forever Time Travel Romance Series

Book 2

by

Carol A. Spradling

Chapter 1

A sea of black mortarboards and tassels flew into the air, peppering the sky like a swarm of locusts.  It would be impossible for each graduate to find their assigned cap when the madness died down. Honor Moran picked up a square from the many boards that littered the ground and held it with her diploma.  She wasn't sure why she bothered to claim one; she'd have no use for it after today.  Even as a keepsake, she couldn't take it with her when she left Winston-Salem.  Cries and laughter floated through the air, mingling with promises of continued friendships.  Honor checked her watch.  Now that commencement exercises were complete, she should make her way out of the auditorium.

Julie Cushman snaked her way through the crowd and locked her hand on Honor's elbow.  Squealing, she pulled Honor to her side and hugged her tight.  They had been friends since the first day of medical school.  Honor was certain she wouldn't have survived clinicals without her roommate.  The girl knew every chemical compound and physical reaction that was known to exist.  Julie would be an asset to any local hospital, but had decided to join a pediatric research facility after completing residency in Boston. 

"Can you believe it, Dr. Moran, Julie said, nearly shouting.  Her wide smile had not faded since the end of her last final exam. They're turning us loose on the world." 

The world? Honor repeated and chuckled.  She had no plans to travel as often as her friend, but there was no denying she would travel more extensively.

Goofy smiling graduates posed for pictures all around them.  Honor held to Julie's hand and slowly led her through the throng of people. She waved to a girl being sandwiched between her parents, the trio singing cheese in unison.  There would be an endless supply of parties and celebrations later today.  She wasn't sure about Julie, but she had no plans to attend any of the gatherings.

It was good that she and Julie had said their goodbyes last night at dinner.  They had cast their diets to the wind and ordered an extra large pizza with all the trimmings.  She would never find the exotic toppings she loved once she moved away, but it didn't matter.  In a few hours, she wouldn't have time for such luxuries.  At least she would always have the memory of their time together.  She and Julie had retold stories, laughed, and cried until well past midnight.

No longer needing to follow behind her, Julie stepped next to Honor and looped her arm through hers.  I'm sorry your family didn't attend, she said in a hushed tone.

Honor inwardly cringed.  She pursed her lips and cut her eyes to Julie, knowing where the conversation was headed.  The topic had been thoroughly explored in depth last night.  No amount of explanation had satisfied Julie's concern that Honor's two guest seats remained empty.  She had been even less happy that Honor insisted on leaving town immediately following graduation. 

Honor turned to face her friend, ready to scold her for revisiting the sensitive subject.  Tears welled in Julie's eyes, and her lower lip quivered.  Unspoken emotions showed on her face like a billboard. Honor's heart dropped.  It was hard to admonish her friend when she understood what she was feeling.  She took Julie's hand in hers and shook her head.

You promised me you wouldn't do that.  She fished in her pocket for a tissue, and then handed it over to her.

Julie accepted the tissue and then wiped a tear from her cheek. You're my best friend.  What am I going to do without you?

Honor readied a second tissue, using it to dry her own eyes.  You will be the best pediatrician in the country.  Your research will benefit so many children.

Julie sniffed and dabbed her nose.  Maybe I should go with you. What's the name of that third world county you're going to?  I'm sure there will be children there I can help.

Honor widened her eyes, and her body stiffened.  She hadn't felt so unprepared to answer a question since her arrival at school without proper documentation.  Honor had almost reconsidered her decision to get a medical education when the woman in the registrar's office had grilled her with a similar inquiry. 

It didn't matter how difficult school would be, her decision to attend had not been made in haste.  The death of her husband had been the deciding factor.  A Yellow Fever epidemic had spread through their valley.  As the only doctor, her husband had gone to each person in need, determined to help as many people as he could. He had continued treating patients while his own symptoms worsened.  The valley needed medicine and a doctor who knew how to administer them.  Honor was determined to continue the work he started.

Honor looked over at Julie.  The blonde woman slid her sunglasses onto her face.  Her skills would be wasted where Honor was going. 

You can't come with me, Honor insisted, trying to sound as gentle as possible. 

I know, Julie said.  I'll visit you though.

Honor looked to her side and bit on the edge of her lip.  It might not be easy for us to get in touch once I return home.

Julie's brows pulled together.  No cell phone towers in that part of the world?

Honor chuckled.  She could imagine trying to explain to the valley residents what a cell tower was.  No, she said.  No phones, landlines or wireless. 

Honor glanced around, absorbing faces and scenery.  Tears filled her eyes.  She knew it would be hard to leave her friends, but she had no choice.  The last time she had been home, people were dying.  Her husband had been one of them.  If she brought the right medicines and skill to them, she could save many lives.

A tall man stood across the parade grounds.  He scooped up his mortarboard and waved over to her.  The hem of his ceremonial gown flapped behind him as he walked toward the two women.

Why doesn't that surprise me? Julie asked.  She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Julie, Honor scolded, and gave her friend one of those be nicelooks.

Look at him.  I bet he went through every tossed cap before he found his own.

Honor tilted her head and looked over at her friend from under furrowed brows.

He doesn't like germs.  Many people become doctors because of that phobia.

Julie jutted her hip to the side and crossed her arms over her chest. She had not accepted that reasoning when a professor had implied it at orientation. 

Honor continued to watch the tall, brown haired man from across the field.  Broad shouldered but not beefy like a football player, he could easily fill out a baseball uniform.  It was too bad his lack of coordination kept him from making the team.  Honor watched him as he walked.  She lowered her gaze and concentrated on his gait.  Did he realize his steps were perfectly balanced away from the diamond?  

He's in love with you, you know, Julie said.

Honor couldn't determine if Julie approved of this statement or was disturbed by it.  Either way, she sighed deeply and nodded.  I know.

Julie tilted her head as though reconsidering her assessment of Hunter Morgan.  He may have his quirks, but he would never ask you to give up your dream, if that's what you're afraid of. 

Honor pulled her lips tight.  She knew Hunter’s character better than most students.  In many ways he reminded her of her late husband, but in other ways, he had none of the flaws that had led to her husband’s demise. 

"I know.  He would never ask me to sacrifice my dreams, and that'swhat I'm afraid of."

Hunter, Julie said, louder than necessary, greeting him as he approached.  Did you write your name in that thing or attach a string from the tassel to your wrist?

Julie, Honor admonished.  Although she knew it was good natured ribbing, sometimes the tone of her voice grated on truth.

Julie smiled playfully at Honor.  Fine.  I’ll leave you two alone to say your farewells.  I need to talk with Jeff Bookman before he leaves. She held Honor’s arms, and their entire discussion from last night fast-forwarded in her eyes.  Don't forget you have friends in this part of the world, too.

Fighting back tears, Honor gave a stiff nod.  I'll never forget you.

Her ear banged against the side of Julie's head, cushioning her friend's rock hard hug.  She peered over Julie’s shoulder to Hunter. He turned away, giving them privacy.  It wasn’t going to be any easier to say good bye to him.

Hunter, Julie said and kissed his cheek.  She made a sucking sound against his skin.  His face screwed tight, but he didn't pull away.  Embrace the germ, Hunt.  Jeff, wait up, Julie shouted as she ran back into the throes of graduates.

She'll miss you, Hunter said.  He wiped the heel of his hand against the side of his face. 

Honor watched as Julie met up with a small group of capless students.  I'll miss her, too.  She turned back and looked at the cap he held in his hands.  Did you write your name on the inside cover? she asked.

His cheeks reddened, and he held the bottom of the cap to her.  A blue ink signature was smudged from sweat.

She laughed and reached over and touched his arm.  I pretended to toss mine in the air and then dropped it in front of me for the same reason.  We're probably the only people in school who even care about the silly things.  What will you do with yours, wear it for Halloween?

Great idea, he said, his smile spreading nervously across his face.  But only if you promise to go with me.

Honor pulled her hand back and clutched her cardboard hat. Halloween is months away, Hunter.

Don't you plan to return?

Honor shifted her stance, and looked past his shoulder. 

I'm sorry, Hunter said, taking her hands in his.  That was unfair of me.  He squeezed her fingers, refusing to release her.  I’m going to miss you a great deal.

She knew he was trying to make this simple for her, but there was no painless way to tell him goodbye.  Assigned as cell and tissue lab partners, they had become instant friends.  His request to study with her had become a nightly occurrence.  He had not been clever in his deception.  Hunter was more than capable of passing his exams without a nightly study session. 

She had purposefully kept him at arm's length all through school to prevent a painful goodbye.  She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him now as much for herself as for him.  Deep in her thoughts, she could see the two of them building a life and a practice together.  Hunter Morgan was the type of doctor she would want to work elbow to elbow with, and sleep side by side with. 

You are a fantastic doctor, Honor whispered.  She refused to wipe the tears from her face.  He needed to know how much he meant to her.  Everyone you come in contact with will benefit from your skill.

She removed her graduation robe, wadded it in a ball with her cap, and tucked them into the oversized bag she carried.  Slipping her arm through the strap, she shouldered the bag.

Honor, come to dinner with me tonight.  His voice came out in a rush, and he held to her elbow.

I can’t.  I have to leave tonight.  There was no need to delay things.  It wouldn't be any easier tomorrow.

There will be other flights.  Please.  It's important.

Hunter.  She kissed him lightly on the lips.  I love you, but… She walked away, holding to his hand until they were too far apart to maintain contact. 

Tears ran down her face and dripped from her chin.  Why did the right decision always come at such a dear cost to her?

****

Hunter Morgan walked behind a row of buildings.  Restaurant workers brought plastic bags from inside the establishments to garbage bins.  The smell was not the same on this side of the property as when entering the business via the front door.  Hunter kicked a stone, hurtling it into a patch of overgrown weeds.  This was not how he expected to spend the evening of such a major event in his life.

He stopped under a streetlamp and pulled a small, velvet box from his pocket.  He flipped the top open and lifted the diamond ring into the open.  The one-carat stone sparkled with as much color as the jeweler had promised.  Hunter hadn't expected a quick wedding, but as long as Honor wore his ring, he would wait as long as she wanted.  The valley where she grew up was important to her, but he had hoped there would be room in her life for him. 

His future wasn't locked into a hospital internship.  Most people thought he planned to join a private group for his residency.  It didn't hurt to let them think that way but in all honesty, he didn't mind the idea of practicing medicine in a small town.  It was too bad Honor didn’t feel the same way.  He flipped the lid closed and stuffed the box back into his pocket.

He turned the corner and headed back to campus.  Presser Hall was the largest dorm.  It had once been the original college.  The board of directors had voted to turn the structure into a dormitory at the turn of the previous century.  Fifty years later when women were given admittance to the school, two other buildings were erected next to Presser to provide housing for women students.  Smaller in size, Camden House was where he had walked with Honor every night after their library study sessions.  He most likely followed the same route tonight out of routine. 

Stepping from the grounds of one building to the other, he glanced between the brick walls to the back of the breezeway.  He stopped walking and tried to make out the form of the person at the center of the square.  The woman stayed to the fray of the light shining down from the streetlamp.  Her auburn hair caught the light and flashed over to him.  He would recognize that shade of red anywhere. Honor pulled her hair out of her face and adjusted the strap of her purse.  Hunter stepped closer and sucked in his breath, preparing to shout to her. 

She raised her hands in the air as though being robbed, and he broke into a run.  As he ran, he searched the area for the criminal. Honor turned her head toward him and moved her arms vertically in the air.  He was still several feet away from her.  He hoped there would be no shot fired.  She turned her body to face the opposite direction, and Hunter ran harder.  Sparks emanated from her. Hunter leaped toward Honor, wrapping his arms around her as they fell.  Turning to absorb their fall, he wasn't sure which lasted longer, the darkness or the tumbling sensation.

Chapter 2

Honor stood perfectly still and waited for her surroundings to stop flickering between the future and the present.  Brick buildings with commercial air conditioning units morphed into oak and birch trees with leafy canopies.  Asphalt and grass volleyed back and forth under her high-heeled pumps.  She could think of no occasion to wear her bedazzled footwear in seventeen fifty-two, but she couldn't bring herself to leave behind such a lovely piece of art.  Explaining a highly arched shoe with rhinestone details would be difficult to do. And as much as she enjoyed the look and feel of the contoured leather on her foot, she planned to tuck the sparkly footwear in a trunk and hide them from any curious eyes. 

There would be time to consider the perfect hiding place once she returned home but for now, something prevented her two worlds from separating.  Had she been away from home too long for a smooth transition back to her time?  Things still moved and shifted into place as they normally did, but something wasn't as it had been during her other hops through time. 

Honor's arms and chest constricted, and she grasped for breath. Her body twisted, and she fell to her side in a slow plummet. Although violent in nature, her passages generally ended with her landing in an upright position.  Her torso thumped to the ground, her shoulder digging into a hard, yet pliable surface.  The harsh glow of artificial lights dimmed above her and faded into a delicate flicker of starlight.  She wiped the hair from her eyes.  Moonlight filtered around her.  At least the time of day seemed to remain unchanged from when she left the university.

A heaviness, at least twice her weight, pinned her in place.  The moist breath gasping for air at the base of her neck indicated her attacker was still alive.  The man's added presence to her landing explained her disruptive return to the past.  Honor pushed against his shoulder and tried to roll him from on top of her.  She didn't have a weapon with her, but she could jab a well-placed stiletto into a sensitive area.  Raising her knee, she prepared to strike.

Honor, a deep voice moaned from in front of her.

Honor paused.  Frozen in place, she waited to see if the man would speak again.  His back was to her, but she was fairly certain of who the piggy-backer was.  She uncocked her leg and leaned forward. Pulling against his shoulder, she rolled him toward her. 

Just as she expected, Hunter Morgan rolled to the flat of his back. His eyes were closed, and he struggled to catch his breath. Disorientation was to be expected with the first few passages through time, not that she would know this symptom on a first hand basis.  Honor had experienced nothing more than slight confusion on her first hop.  But in all fairness, she had been fully aware of what was happening.  Her mother had been very thorough in preparing Honor and Hope for their adventure when they were thirteen years old, giving them full instructions on what to expect and how to respond in kind.  Time traveling was a solo venture and not something that could be done as a team effort.  

Honor shifted her weight to her knees.  She cupped Hunter’s chin in her hands, and turned his face toward her, inspecting him thoroughly.  Warmth flooded beneath her fingertips, and his breathing regulated.  At least there were no initial signs of shock. Still…  She rubbed the pad of her thumb to the side of his eyes.  He didn’t have the telltale birthmark like the time travelers in her family. A small mole to the side and below the left eye identified all members of her family who had inherited the gift.  All of her sisters except for Grace, the youngest, had been given this ability.  She kept her eyes trained on Hunter, and sat back on her heels.  What on earth was he doing here, and how would she return him to his home? 

While she waited for him to regain consciousness, she retraced her steps leading up to her return.  She had entered the alley alone, and had checked every dark corner near the dormitories.  Caution was always at the top of her list when preparing to leap from one time to another.  To her knowledge, no one had ever witnessed her vanishing act.  Hunter groaned and placed his hand to his forehead.  Honor shook her head.  How would she explain his displacement to him? 

A passionate scientist, he would not accept his journey without knowing every finite detail of how it happened.  Honor rolled her eyes.  Good luck to him with that.  As a seasoned time traveler, she knew the basic fundamentals for her family having the gift. Hereditary.  She also knew the rudimentary knowledge of how it operated.  But similar in method to driving a car, she had taken the mechanics of her gift on face value.  Her interest in the art was not as dire as her passion for healing people. 

Hunter groaned again and pushed himself to a seated position. Nervous laughter bubbled through her, and Honor bit her lip to keep from laughing.  The next few minutes were going to prove most interesting, and the last thing she needed was for him to think she didn’t take his predicament seriously.  He rubbed the back of his head and glanced over at her. 

Are you alright? he asked.  He reached for her arm.  Forever the doctor, he looked as though he half hoped to find a symptom to diagnose. 

I’m fine, she said, pulling out of his reach.  How are you?

His brows drew together, and his eyes rested on her smirk.  She stared over at him and waited for him to become aware of his surroundings.  His hair stood on end at the crown of his head like turkey feathers, and he blinked as though he had slept long and hard.  His situation would have been comical if it wasn’t so desperate.  Honor shrugged inwardly.  Although she didn’t know how to return him to the future, it was impossible for him to stay in her time.  She mentally repeated all of the steps she had used when preparing to launch.  She had done nothing different from any other time.  To her knowledge, an outsider had never tagged along with a time traveler. 

Hunter's gaze shifted to the area behind her, scanning the distance from left to right.  The cluster of birch trees stood tall and proud, their branches swaying in the breeze.