Knight Moves: Merriweather Sisters Time Travel (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 2) Read Free Page A

didn’t have to deal with too many tourists. She ordered hot tea and a bowl of stew.
    “Get you anything else, miss?”
    Lucy’s boyfriend might have been a jerk and a crazed murderer, but he had an accent to die for. Oops, so not funny. The bartender stood looking down at her, a smile hovering at the corners of his lips, as if he knew the effect he had on her. She resisted the urge to tell him he could be ninety and she’d look at him the same way.
    “I’m good. On the way into town, I passed a church. What happened?”
    He nodded to two old guys at the bar trying to get his attention. “Another pint?”  
    When he smiled, she found herself smiling back. He had a friendly face.
    “Let me take care of these blokes and then I’ll fill you in.”
    Melinda finished the stew and bread. The fire warmed her back, making her drowsy.
    “Brought you some more tea.” Mr. Too Good-looking For His Own Good sat down across from her.
    “You were wanting to know about the church?”
    She nodded, which was all it took for him to chat away.
    “So it was passing strange. Old Father Moore hated technology. The young Father Moore tried to get him to change for years, but it never happened. A fire broke out in the storage closet, destroying everything. All the records were lost.”
    He looked off into the distance. “Since nothing was computerized, records of births, deaths, marriages…all gone.” He grinned at her.
    “A lot of the blokes in town think it’s a sign. No proof of marriage. They’re thinking it’s a chance to find a young bird.”
    “Aren’t you the charmer?” She couldn’t resist. Melinda stretched her foot out, caught the leg of the chair, and gave a little tap.
    He fell backward, and she tried not to laugh, really she did. But the laughter bubbled up, and for the first time since Lucy went missing, Melinda laughed so hard it hurt.
    “Not funny.”
    She bit the inside of her cheek. “Sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you.” She clapped a hand to her mouth to stifle the giggles. The look on his face… She clapped the other hand over her mouth.
    The bartender dusted off his butt. “I’ve got to get back to work if you’re not needing any other questions answered.”
    She snickered. Then held a hand up. “I’m so sorry. I can’t seem to help it. Really, I don’t mean to laugh at you.”
    Melinda took a deep breath. “I haven’t laughed since my sister went missing. Lucy Merriweather.”
    He cocked his head. “The American?”
    Melinda nodded, afraid to say anything.  
    “She and some bloke were poking around Blackford. A wall gave way and the sea took them. Terrible storm that night.”
    “Simon. The bloke was Simon. He owns the castle.”
    Now he looked confused. “Blackford Castle?”
    “Simon Grey is Lord Blackford. Or was, until he supposedly died with my sister.”
    “There hasn’t been a Lord Blackford since the fifteen hundreds. And they were named Brandon, not Grey.”  
    He turned and yelled across the small room. “Griffin. When did the last Lord of Blackford die?”
    The old guy scratched his nose. “Winston Brandon. He passed in 1564. The castle went to the National Trust.”
    Her hand trembled as she lifted the teacup. Winston was their dad’s name. Okay, so it was a common enough name. But then why would Simon lie about owing a castle? Guess some guys would do anything to impress a girl.
    She set the cup down, sloshing tea over the edge, suddenly tired. “Thanks for the information. I didn’t notice any hotels when I drove through town. Is there someplace to stay nearby?”
    He grinned at her. “You’re in luck, love. We’ve rooms above.”
    “I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. Maybe a few days to a couple of weeks?”
    “I’ll get the key and show you to your room. By the way, name’s Brad if you need anything. You’ve lovely green eyes and that red, curly hair.” He put a hand over his heart. “I think I’m in love.”
    “I bet you say that to all the