There's A Fine Line Between Coincidence & Fate ✓

Chapter 30

We disembarked the next morning in New York City and both Ardeth and I couldn't help but be a little overwhelmed by all the noise and people. Cairo wasn't exactly small, but we weren't there all the time and there certainly was not this many people. I instantly felt better when we were standing firmly on the docks, much to my delight. I didn't get this sick on the original crossing. No matter, I was in the clear for a while as we checked into our hotel for the night before catching the train west in the morning.

The closer we got to Texas, the more anxious I was feeling. More than once on the multi-day train ride, Ardeth had to rest his hand on my knee to get me to stop bouncing it. As we passed through the luscious green of the northeast to the endless fields of the Midwest, I couldn't help but pull myself far away, back to our village and the comfort that that brought to me. It was funny how a definition of home can change so much as you grow and live. When I was younger, I couldn't imagine living anywhere but my family's ranch, working with the horses that I was breeding and trying to help my mamma with my younger siblings. And then, as I grew older, that shifted to a dream of discovering lost civilizations and working my ass off to get through university to make that happen. And finally, to the man that was currently snoring next to me in our train car. He was home now. I would follow him to the ends of the earth, take on whatever new threat the gods threw at us, just for the chance to see him smile. I just hoped my family would give him the chance that his people gave me.

We got off the train in El Paso, quickly getting accustomed to the dry heat. It wasn't quite like home, but it was close enough. I turned to Ardeth, who was carrying our packs. "James said that he was going to meet us at noon with a surprise. God, I hope it's not Rose. I can't handle her quite yet." I told him, checking the clock that stood prominently in the center of the station. Heading to the entrance doing our best not to draw too much attention, which was quite difficult with Ardeth wearing his traditional Medjai garb. That was something that we would have to see to. I personally loved him in his robes and loose desert clothing, but America was a very different beast from Egypt. Even in Cairo, Ardeth wouldn't draw attention from his clothing; his towering and silent presence yes, but not what he wore. It would have to wait until we reached the ranch though.

Walking out in the crowded square, I was on my tiptoes trying to see my brother amongst the throng of people. It was noon, where the heck were they? I was facing Ardeth, an annoyed look gracing my face when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Whipping around I came face to face with Joseph, my second oldest brother. I squealed and threw my arms around his neck. He lifted me up and swung me around, a laugh of relief coming from him. "Peggy! I thought we'd never see you again."

"How long have you known? James said he could keep a secret." I said, sending an accusing look to the brother in question who seemed to have materialized out of thin air behind Joseph.

"James can keep a secret just fine. This little shit, however, was snooping through my desk and found our letters, in the locked drawer that he picked open I might add."

"Joseph, didn't you learn your lesson when Mamma ripped you a new hind part for going through her things?" I asked. He just shrugged his shoulders, laughing. I felt Ardeth come up behind me.

"Where are my manners? Joseph, this is Ardeth, my husband. Ardeth, this is my second oldest brother, Joseph. But most of the time we refer to him as little shit." Ardeth smiled and stretched out his hand in greeting.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Margaret speaks so highly of all of you." This caused both brothers to turn to me and laugh. I punched them both in retaliation.

"No need to lie to me Ardeth. I know my sister has more than just fond memories of us."

"Yeah, the incessant torment as children was surely a highlight of my childhood." I said sarcastically. As we walked through El Paso towards the livestock stables on the edge of the city, I grew more tense. "So, who all knows about me? Was Joseph the only one to find out or should I expect some of the others to know as well?" I asked James.

"Calm down, Joseph is the only other one besides Edward to know. And Sarah..." he added quietly.

"No need to quietly mention her name James. I knew you weren't going to be able to keep it from her." We made it to the stable and Joseph and James brought the horses out. I gasped as I saw my own mare, Prancer, amongst them. I approached her in a daze and when I was close enough for her to catch my sent, she went wild, nickering and neighing and pulling on her lead to get to me. "Hey girl. It's been a while. You still look so beautiful. Yes, you do." I whisper to her as I rub the spot on her forehead that was her favorite. As I brushed the hair out of the way, her white star could be seen, standing out amongst the black hair that covered the rest of her, save for the four white socks on each leg.

We mounted up and took off towards home. It would take us a day and a half for us to get from El Paso to the family ranch, so we'd be stopping for the night at our dad's hunting cabin. It wasn't much but it would do for the night. We rode mostly in silence. Every now and then Joey would ask Ardeth a question. I was surprised that he was being as calm as he was. Of all of us kids, there were only three girls and as such all my brothers were protective of us. It made me wonder how much James had told him. We got to the hunting cabin just as the sun was setting over the vast Texas landscape and quickly got everything that we would need unloaded. I saw Ardeth looking out at the plains, completely lost in thought.

"Are you ok?" I walked up behind me, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Of course, ya amar. It's just very different from home. I'm taking it all in." I could tell there was more to it than that, but I wouldn't push it until we could be alone. Ardeth didn't like sharing his burdens with anyone really and it took him a while to be able to be open with me. It was one of the things that we had to really work on in our first few years of marriage. James prepared a light dinner since there wasn't much in the cabin before turning in early. Tomorrow we'd be leaving before dawn in an attempt to make it home by midday and I was exhausted from all the travel that we'd done already. James and Joey insisted we take my parents room, the only bedroom and after some shared looks of disgust amongst us siblings, Ardeth and I laid down for the night.

Try as I might, I couldn't get comfortable. I tried on my back but that caused pain in my lower spine. I'd switch to my side, and I would get a kink in my midback. I finally drifted off to sleep after what felt like hours. I swore I saw the early bits of sunlight coming in through the only window in the room. I didn't feel rested at all when I was woken later by Ardeth gently shaking my arm. "Time to wake up my love. We're going to be leaving soon." I grumbled, turning over to face away from him. He laughed at this and pulled me over to lay on my back, grabbing both of my hands to pulling me into a sitting position. I pushed the blankets off me and got out of bed, still grumbling about pushy husbands and ungodly hours. We ate a quick breakfast, telling Ardeth that Mama would have a big meal ready by midday, as was how we did it on the ranch.

We left shortly after that, saddling up the horses and getting the bags situated on each of them. With one final look over in the cabin to ensure everything was like we found it, we set off on the final leg of our journey. The closer we got to home, the more nervous I got. I knew they would be angry. How could they not be? I lied to them for five years and didn't tell them that Jack had died. I would be mad too. I mean I still was mad. They might not know for sure and could be living each day with some hope that we'd come back but I lived every day for the past five years knowing that he was gone, and I couldn't bring him back.

These thoughts stayed with me for most of the morning and I didn't even realize that we were entering into our land until my brothers yelled so those up at the house could hear us. Great. We stopped at the barn, dismounting, and taking care of the horses. I took my time fixing up Prancer, nerves slowing my movements even though I could've gotten this done in five minutes in my sleep. When there was nothing else to distract myself with, Joey grabbed my arm and drug me up to the house. Rose was at the door, white as a sheet like she had seen a ghost. He led me through the house that held so many cherished memories to our parents' room on the first floor.

He left me there, patting my arm. I knocked on the door, almost losing my nerve. I heard Mama yell from within to come in. Before I could convince myself that this was a horrible idea, I turned the knob and stepped into the doorway. "Hi Mama, hi Papa."