Jesse sat in the corner of the diner, glaring out the window. From where he was seated, he had a good view of the sun setting across Heartsbridge, which reminded him of the park Abby had taken him to.

When he first arrived, all he’d wanted to do was bide time and get back home, where he could look for Maya. Now, having to leave was killing him.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Jesse murmured to himself. But if that was the case, why the heck did his heart ache so badly for this woman.

The truth was, he could very well go back to 1880 and still never find Maya, which means he would have walked away from a life with Abby for no reason.

“You really were going to leave without saying good-bye?”

It was William. He hadn’t heard him come through the door.

Jesse stood up at the sound of his voice.

“William! I thought you were at the hospital.”

“Yeah, well, I got released a few hours ago, and called a friend to pick me up. I figured I’d give you and Abby some time alone to figure things out but I guess you’re still leaving.” William gestured over to the waiter. “Not to mention, I’m craving a good piece of pie, which is why I’m here.”

They both took a seat.

“If there was any way I could stay, I would. To be honest, I love Abby, and I ain’t never met no one like her before. And I’m certain I could live one hundred years longer and still never meet anyone like her.” Jesse sighed. “But the truth is, I have to find out what happened to my sister. If I don’t, I’ll always wonder.”

William nodded. “I’m surprised Abby didn’t wait here and see you off.”

“I’m sure she thinks I’m long gone by now. Besides, she had an appointment downtown.”

“She did mention that.”

“Anyway, I’m glad I got a chance to see you before you took off. Take care of Abby for me. And tell her, I’m going to find my way back to her one day.”

“That’s something you should tell her yourself. Here, you can use my phone to call her.”

“Excuse me. You’re, Jesse, right?” the waitress said, twisting a curl around her finger and smiling flirtatiously at him.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, Moira wanted me to tell you she won’t be back for a few hours, she got caught up in some business.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you, miss.”

“Call me Lisa,” she said pointing to her nametag. “Everyone else does.” Her smile widened before she turned to Jesse.

“You need a menu?”

“Nope. Just a slice of apple pie to go, please.”

“Sure thing.” She turned to walk away but not before giving Jesse another look.

“I see you’re a real ladies man, aren’t you now,” William said, wearing a sly grin.

“There’s just one lady I’ve got eyes for, and that’s your sister.”

“Well, if you’re going to be just sitting around here waiting for Moira, why don’t we make the best of it?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Not what, but who,” he said, before dialing a number on his phone.

Jesse rode in the back of the cab in deep thought. Why was he doing this to himself again? They’d already said good-bye. Seeing Abby once more would just make it even harder for him to leave, not to mention how upsetting it would be for her. But when William had made the suggestion, he couldn’t resist seeing his beloved redhead beauty one more time.

The cab stopped, and Jesse was surprised they were at the park Abby had taken him to. After a quick look around, he realized Abby’s truck was parked across from where they’d been dropped off.

He circled around, hoping to see her face but she was nowhere in sight. That’s when he remembered the trail and took off in search of it, leaving William behind. If he remembered correctly, he should be close. He thought to call out her name but didn’t want to scare off the people walking.

Why couldn’t he find the spot? Each time he’d thought he was close, he was at the wrong place. With his heart beating fast, he began to feel as if he was racing against time. Actually, he was. He needed to see her and hold her for as long as he could. Why had he let her go so easily? Why didn’t he ask Miss Dunham if she could come back with him? If Lady had somehow come with him to the future, why couldn’t Abby come with him to the past?

Pushing past a hanging limb, he saw her sitting on a bench alone.

“Abby!”

She turned fast. Rising to her feet, they rushed to each other, and Abby leaped into his arms. He grabbed her as she wrapped her legs around him. He held her tightly, spinning her around.

“Abby, come with me.”

“What?”

“Come with me,” Jesse repeated. “Things will be a little different. Well, a lot different but we can make it work.”

Sliding from his hold, her feet touched the ground.

“Jesse, I have something to show you.”

Abby reached into her purse and pulled out his pocket watch and handed it to him. He’d completely forgotten about it. How odd.

“I forgot to give you this. When I washed your pants, it was in your pocket.”

“Thank you, Abby.”

"Who's Maddie, by the way? Was she an old girlfriend?" asked Abagail.

Jesse looked surprised. "No. Madison Browning Landers was our blessed mother. She gave my father this watch on their anniversary, right before she died."

Abby reached into her purse and pulled out the picture Mr. Landry had given her.

Jesse’s brows drew in. “Maya…but how?” he asked, his gaze going from the picture to Abby.

“Remember I told you I needed to see our family attorney today? Well, he gave me that picture, this letter, and property deed.”

Abby linked her arm in his and stood beside him as he read the letter.

“Do you understand what this means?” asked Abby.

“It means she left of her own free will.”

“Yes, but read farther down, Jesse. It says she was happy. After she left Maplesville, she moved to the outskirts of Heartsbridge because she and Sims, her husband, could be happy there. It was a place where a white man could marry a Native American and live without being judged.”

Jesse flipped over the picture. Maya Landers-Sims and Harry Sims could barely be seen written on the back.

“She lived to be 101 years old. They never had any kids of their own but they assumed you had. They wanted your kids to have the land.”

Jesse removed the hat he’d been wearing and ran a hand through his thick head of jet-black hair.

“Are you okay, Jesse?”

Studying the picture, he flipped it from one side to the other, while rubbing his chin.

“I…I am. So this means, Maya was happy. My pa married her mom and they had Maya. Her mother died when she was six-years-old. Her mother’s tribe had requested her to be raised among them and my pa agreed to it, knowing how some responded to Injuns.”

“Injuns?” Abby’s eyebrows raised.

“Indians.”

“I see.”

“Well, when she made sixteen, her aunt passed and she came back to live with us. I promised her I would protect her.”

“And Jesse, you did. Don’t you see? She lived to be over 100 years old. And she was happy.”

“She was happy, wasn’t she?” Jesse repeated, still gazing at the picture.

“She was. So you don’t have to blame yourself. You kept your word.”

Their eyes met.

“Abby, this means I don’t have to leave. I can stay here with you in Heartsbridge. Or I can follow you wherever. I don’t care where we live. I only want to be with you.”

“You have me, Jesse. You’ve had me for some time now. I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you.”

He lifted Abby off her feet to his waist. “It doesn’t matter now. You have me until forever,” Jesse said before their lips met, igniting a warmth inside him unlike any he’d ever felt before.

“Umm…umm.”

“In case you were wondering, this all happened because of me,” William said, emerging from the bushes.

“Finally, my brother’s my hero,” Abby said, smiling. “And so are you, Mr. Landers,” she said, looking up at Jesse.