Window on Yesterday Read Free Page B

framing a scene of cold winter white. Her ploy worked, too well.
    As Alycia stared at the steadily worsening weather, a sinking sensation invaded her stomach. Driving would obviously be horrendous, and if the snow continued to fall much longer, the road conditions would not improve a whole lot by the time spring break began at the end of the week. Alycia had made her plans for the spring break soon after the Christmas holidays. Now, in mid-March, she could see her anticipated plans being blanketed by a foot of heavy snow. Disappointment was tugging her lips down when Sean’s quiet voice shattered her reverie.
    “More coffee?”
    “Why not?” Alycia sighed. “It doesn’t look as if I’ll be going anywhere.”
    “I beg your pardon?” The frown curled around his tone drew her gaze from the window. “Where were you hoping to go?” Before she could gather her wits enough to reply, he added, “I’m sure classes will be canceled for the rest of the day, if not the rest of the week.”
    Alycia felt embarrassed again, this time by her display of self-pity. “Oh, don’t mind me,” she said, annoyed by her own impatience. “I’m just feeling sorry for myself.”
    Sean looked thoroughly confused. “Ah, you lost me somewhere. I think it was around the point where I asked what you had hoped to do today.”
    “Not today,” she corrected wryly. “During the spring break.”
    His expression went blank. “That clears everything up.”
    Alycia laughed. “I’m sorry; of course it doesn’t.” Her laughter faded on another sigh. “I made plans for spring break that will require quite a bit of driving, and unless this blasted snow ends soon, I shudder to think what the roads will be like.”
    Enlightened, Sean smiled at her—somewhat condescendingly, Alycia thought. “Taking off for fun and sun to frolic at some beach somewhere for the traditional spring spree, are you?” he asked in a tone that injected a stream of steel into Alycia’s spine.
    “No,” she said in an acid-sweet tone. “I had planned to take off for Williamsburg, Virginia.”
    “Williamsburg!” Sean exclaimed. “Please don’t tell me that’s the latest in place for the wild-eyed college crowd letting off the end-of-winter steam!”
    Alycia fought against a smile, and lost the battle. The historian in Sean was patently appalled at the mere idea of the historic site being overrun by college students, kicking up their heels in sheer relief after long winter months of cracking the books. She answered him by way of a question.
    “Does that seem at all likely to you?”
    Sean exhaled an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Thank the mercies for small favors.” His russet eyebrows inched up. “Then why are you going?”
    Alycia smiled politely. “Because I want to.”
    Sean smiled back at her, a genuine smile that gave his eyes a soft glow. “Excellent reason,” he commended her. “Have you been there before?”
    “Yes, several times,” Alycia answered. “I love it.”
    “So do I.” Sean’s expression grew pensive. “It’s strange, but every time I go there, I have the oddest feeling of homecoming.”
    Alycia was astounded; her surprise was revealed in her voice. “So do I!” she exclaimed. “It’s almost as if I belong there more than any other place in the world.”
    “And I,” Sean murmured. “I’ve assumed it was because I’ve always been intensely interested in the Revolutionary period of American history. A lot of pre-Revolutionary activity occurred right there.”
    “How strange “ Alycia laughed. “I’ve always felt exactly the same way.”
    Sean’s entire face lit up. “You’re hooked on the American Revolution?”
    “Why do you suppose I was so angry at you for dragging me away before I could register for your lectures?” she retorted.
    Sean made an impatient, brushing movement with his hand, nearly tipping over a glass of water in the process. “Don’t worry about that,” he said, adroitly but absent-mindedly