Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) by Melissa Pearl Page A

the lock briefly, she lifted her trowel and brought
it down with a forceful thwack ! The lock fell away. She
pushed the box towards him.
    His heart was thundering as he lifted the
lid. Inside was a leather pouch. Loosening the tie, he pulled out a
thick bundle of letters. Helena was written in perfect
calligraphy on each of them. Respectfully he laid them on the earth
and gazed at the smaller bundle in his hands. His heart stopped as
he read the name inscribed.
    “What does it say?”
    Gemma moved to look over his shoulder.
    “Harrison.”
    “He wrote you?” Her eyes danced. “Well, open
one!”
    He shakily unfastened the bundle and tore
open the first letter.
     
    My dear son, Harrison,
     
    It does seem odd writing to you, when we
have never met, but from the stories I’ve heard, I’m sure we would
get along just fine. My gratitude towards the young woman who saved
me is unfathomable. To have this chance to write to you is more
than I could ever hope for.
    My heart will forever remain broken that I
never got to hold you or raise you as my own, but I take comfort in
knowing that I may in fact be able to teach you a few things I have
learned throughout my years. May these letters be a blessing to
you, son.
    My progress to New York is going smoothly.
No sickness has befallen our ship and so we gratefully head across
these oceans to a new life of promise. I will continue to diary my
journey for you and include as much history of my life with Helena
as I deem appropriate.
    And so I end this first letter with a piece
of advice my grandfather once told me. ‘Love your woman as if she
was a precious jewel and you will forever have a happy home.’
    Farewell for now, I will write again when I
reach American shores.
    Though I will never see you, I feel
confident ending my correspondence this way, because if I had but
one chance to glimpse your face, I’d know it to be true.
    I love you, Harrison.
     
    Your father,
    Nathaniel
     
    Tears were inching their way down his face by
the time he had finished. Gemma squeezed his shoulder.
    “He was such an amazing man. I wish you could
have met him.”
    “I just did.” He sniffed then quirked a
smile, feeling a lightness he couldn’t describe.
    “Well.” Gemma cleared her throat. “I loathe
saying this, but I have to go.” She pouted then rose to her
feet.
    Jumping up with a smile, he rubbed her arms,
trying to decimate her grey mood.
    “We’ll be seeing each other again in less
than 24 hours.”
    “Yeah.” Gemma forced a smile. “Hey, good luck
with your mom. I hope she takes it well.”
    “Me too.” He glanced back down at her mammoth
stack of letters then shot a look at Gemma, sudden guilt gripping
him. “You needed to tell me something this morning. I forgot to ask
again, I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s okay.” She waved her hand. “Some other
time. We need to make sure you don’t go anywhere first.”
    She forced a smile and his eyes narrowed.
    “No, seriously Harrison, it’s fine. Later.
I’ve really got to go.”
    He let her leave after a little more
assurance. As he bent to clear away the evidence, his worries for
Gemma ebbed and his mind built with anticipation. Gathering up the
letters, he placed them in the leather pouch.
    “This is it.”
     
    Swerving into the driveway, he yanked up the
parking brake and strode into the house. Jumping around a stack of
boxes he walked through the kitchen hollering for his mother.
    “I’m in your room!” she called back, her
voice sounding worn and irritated.
    Harrison took the stairs two at a time and
paused in his doorway. His mother was systematically packing away
his belongings. His shelves were clear and she was now working on
dismantling his computer.
    “Mom. Stop. Please stop.” He kept his voice
gentle, trying to quell his vexation.
    “Well, someone needs to pack up your room
before Sunday and you’ve made it abundantly clear that you’re not
going to, so I guess that just leaves me.”
    She yanked a