It's not the time for a rant about feminism. I nodded instead of speaking. "Who better than the sheriff?" I agreed.
"You'll tell me the truth."
I opened my mouth to speak.
"Not now." He held up his hand. "Later. The kind of secret that stays between a man and wife."
The sense this might mean more to him than me tickled my mind. I had been drawn to him since we met. No part of me, however, considered staying here permanently an option.
I wasn't leaving the house with John in the throes of death, and I wasn't going to remain here without being married off to someone. Whether it was the abusive Philip or mysterious Taylor, I had to choose a husband for the next four days. Carter was going to pull me out when I finished my mission. In the meantime, the sheriff could help me stay alive.
If I had to be stuck with someone, Taylor was my obvious choice.
"Okay," I said finally. "Truth."
Taylor's gaze lifted. He moved past me into the bedroom and approached Philip. I watched in surprise as he took the arm of the man clearly protesting John's choice of son-in-law and escorted him outside the room, down the stairs and to the main floor.
John appeared restless.
I entered once more and sat by his side. "I'm here, Father," I said.
He sighed, a flicker of his previous joy in his eyes.
The sight of it destroyed me. I didn't deserve the look or emotion. Tears I didn't think I should feel pricked my eyes. I had never known my own father and was losing the father of real-Josie, a man I shouldn't have ever met. One whose love for his daughter was completely selfless, unconditional and pure.
Sitting next to him, I felt dirty. I had never loved anyone the way he did me or rather, who he thought I was. He deserved to know about his daughter, but I couldn't say the words. I didn't want to say the words and forever lose the way his loving look made me feel.
I focused on his face.
The doctor stepped away into the hallway, speaking to Nell and the preacher beside her. I sneaked my phone out of my pocket to check Carter's message. For once, he had responded with a thorough message.
Taylor was identified by the first woman sent back to that time period and the rest of you were given his name to figure out who he is. You were the first to have the memory chip installed. If the chip can't read him, it's because he shouldn't be there - at all. He doesn't exist anywhere in time or history. Even the knowledge you shared of him being a sheriff is nowhere in the history books. Basically, he is operating in time without leaving any trace.