Twisted Roots (DeBeers 3)

"No, I have to stand guard. I have to stay here. Thatcher might return and annoy her."

'Thatcher can't return. He's gone for good. Uncle Linden. Don't worry. Come along. We want to rest before dinner. We have a long journey ahead of us. Please come with me,' I pleaded, taking his hand.

He started to pull it away, but I held it tightly.

"Uncle Linden, think, think!" I urged, pumping his arm with every word, trying to shake hi

m out of his trance. "You're here with me. Hannah. You're not in Joya del Mar. It's years and years later. Uncle Linden. I've already been born. You don't have to worry."

He turned back to the closed door. I tugged harder on his arm.

"Look at me!" I said sharply. "Look at me now. Uncle Linden," I demanded.

He turned and gazed into my face. "You see it's Hannah. Hannah!" 'Hannah?"

"Come along. Uncle Linden. You're tired. You have to rest yourself. Remember how far we have come. Please," I said, still holding tightly to his hand.

Like someone whose blood had drained from his head and then started to slowly return, his face regained color, his eyes became less distant.

"Hannah?"

"Yes, it's Hannah." I said a little softer. calmer. "I'm here with you. Come along. Uncle Linden. You'll be fme. Everyone will be fine."

"Our Hannah?"

"Yes, Uncle Linden."

"Oh." He nodded, blinking fast, and then rubbing his forehead with his free hand. "I had such a bad dream." He looked around. "Where are we again?"

"We're at Mrs. Stanton's farmhouse in South Carolina.

Remember? Our rented motor home broke down, and she was nice enough to take us in?"

"Oh, yes. right. I must have fallen asleep." he said. "I feel like I was walking in a dream,"

"I think you were," I said, breathing with relief. I looked back at Mrs. Stanton and nodded. "He's all right now. Come on. Uncle Linden. Let's rest up downstairs."

I tugged him gently and he followed.

"Oh." he said when he saw Mrs. Stanton standing there on the stairs. "I hope I haven't caused any problems for you. I had a bad dream. I think."

"It's all right," she said. "You should rest. Go on down to the sitting room and relax, Mr.

Montgomery. I'm preparing us a nice dinner."

"Thank you." He looked at me. "Let's get out of this nice lady's way. Hannah," he said as if I were the one holding us back from doing that.

I smiled. "Right, Uncle Linden."

I continued down the stairway with him while Mrs. Stanton went in to check on Bess. She joined us in the sitting room to say Bess was resting

comfortably. She knew nothing of what had happened outside her door. "Is he all right?" she asked.

"Fine," I said, looking at Uncle Linden, who had his head back on the big easy chair and his eyes closed,

"I'll see to dinner."

"I'm sorry about what happened."