Chapter Nine: A Change in the Wind


Michael lay in bed that night, Sarah curled up next to him, fast asleep. He had his hands resting behind his head. Sarah's words still echoed in his head menacingly. We may still be in danger. He hadn't wanted to admit this to her right off, but he had thought the same thing as soon as Manfred had walked through that door on the plane, and simply put, it frightened him. At first he just dismissed it, telling himself he was paranoid. But throughout the lovely evening he'd spent with Sarah and her mother, those words had grown in his mind, and Sarah's suggestion sounded better and better. Wanting to think of happier things, his mind drifted to the sweet homecoming Sarah's mother had planned for them.


First, she had met them at the airport with their car, radiant smile on her face. "Oh how I've missed you both so much!" She then fussed over Michael and demanded an explanation for his healing gash as she inspected it. Sarah told her briefly what happened, having to smile at the affection and care she exhibited towards Michael. "You really must learn to be more careful, Michael Armstrong!" She'd led them off to the car, muttering under her breath, "Getting stalked, almost arrested, and now falling out of boats...What will I do with him? My daughter will be widowed before her first wedding anniversary!"

The drive home was quick, and as they drove, they told everything they had done, and when Michael mentioned how Sarah had knocked him silly with her riding skills, she just began to roar with laughter. "Michael, believe me, Sarah's going to be blowing you away more than you think! Carried home blue ribbons from every show she entered in, she did. You should see her charming a stubborn horse out of the pasture with nothing but eye contact and a gentle voice. A lead line isn't necessary; the horse just follows her into his stall. That silences you." She winked over at her daughter. While listening to this, Sarah had been trying to keep from laughing at Michael's stunned look. She finally couldn't hold it any longer and had just flung herself onto him, kissing him tenderly.

"I had no idea you were such a fine horsewoman, sweetheart. Perhaps we should do something about that?" He hugged her close, taking in the sweet scent of her hair.

Sarah snuggled in his arms and said, "Michael, with my job, you know that I just wouldn't have the time. It wouldn't be fair to the horse. Or myself and you."


Upon arrival at their apartment, Michael's mouth had nearly fallen open. Both his and Sarah's suites were sparkling clean. Sarah hadn't seemed too surprised; she'd just given her mother a hug and a kiss, commenting, "You must have gotten terribly bored."

"Pshaw, wasn't hardly a lick of work. You and Michael are so organized."

"Regardless, the house is amazing, Mom." Walking into the dining room, Michael's jaw literally fell off his face. A light dinner was all set out, candles glowing all around the room.

"Yes, yes, I thought the three of us might enjoy a quiet, candle-lit dinner together, then I'll leave you alone for another two weeks." She smiled warmly at her son-in-law, coming over and hugging him. "Thank you for making my daughter a happy girl."

After that simple dinner, that had been prepared so lovingly, the three of them moved into the living room and talked till nearly midnight about everything that had happened at home and abroad after the wedding. It was some enchanted evening.

But why did everything have to come crashing down now? Finally married, ready to settle in at home, and danger made itself apparent once again. Maybe it was best Michael didn't think about it for the time being. He would talk with Sarah in the morning. Yes. Sarah's level-headed input would definitely need to be in on this, it affected her just as much as it affected him. He had learned that the hard way a few weeks ago. Rolling over, Michael was finally content to let himself sleep.


Sarah was up before Michael the next morning, and having nothing better to do, went out into the kitchen to sit at the table with a cup of coffee. Her dreams had been mixed, and she hadn't gotten a whole lot of sleep, many thanks to the issues that had just cropped up, but she wanted something better to do than lie in bed uselessly trying to catch some more sleep. She sat down at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee in her hands and just began to think. They definitely couldn't remain in Washington more than another year; things would be too risky. Sarah's sharp brain began to reel as she began to plan things out. Michael would definitely be teaching during the next school year at the University, so they'd have to stay. It would be easier that way anyways, since they could both give an adequate notice of their departure. Grabbing a pen and paper, Sarah began jotting things down. The definitely needed to move to a completely different state. Sarah had grown up in the New England area and Michael in the Midwest, but both had always loved the enchanting country land of West Virginia, and had been considering a move to there.

Hmm, what of the new home? Sarah knew Michael would want a real house, and she did too. It would need three bedrooms, one for her and Michael, one for guests, and one for a nursery once their first child came along. Sarah smiled, imagining Michael's naiveté as she said such a thing to him. They both wanted children desperately, but Sarah wanted to continue working for at least another year before bringing a child into the world. And Michael had been firm in saying that she would stay home with the baby.

"You'll wear yourself out unbelievably if you try to balance work and an infant. It happened to my sister. Her husband finally laid the law down and said she wouldn't be working until the baby wasn't constantly dependent upon her."

The living room would be spacious, and open up into the dining area. Sarah liked the cozy size of the kitchen she worked in right now, so she'd want it along those lines.

As far as work went, she and Michael could probably find a job at a local college or high school. Sarah's doctorate degree allowed her to teach if she wished, and Michael already was a teacher.

Scanning her list up and down, she sighed. After discussing everything with Michael, she'd start calling around about things.


The last weeks of August flew by for Michael, and he had been preoccupied in preparing for the new semester at the University. Throughout it all, Sarah was at his side, content to do her job- assisting Michael in his work. As the new semester drew near, she found herself typing up reports, recommendations and invitations, organizing files, helping Michael with the college lesson plans, picking the days when she would lecture in his classes, and making him slow down enough to eat lunch.

Though their schedules where stocked full with things to do, they'd found time to discuss moving out of Washington.

"It is a completely random location, West Virginia, but I've always wanted to live there." Michael was looking over Sarah's list. As she had expected, he raised his eyebrows questioningly when he noticed the description of the house, specifically the bit about three bedrooms. "Why do we need three bedrooms, love?"

Sarah wandered over to stand behind him, then leaning down to hug him, she whispered in his ear, "Well, it's obvious that one is for us. One will be a guest bedroom, and the other can be an office until it can be put to better use."

"And what would that better use be, darling?" Michael stroked her face as he questioned her again.

"Can you think of anything?" There was a teasing glint in her eyes. "If we were to have a baby, where would we put it once it moves out of the bassinet? The living room?"

Michael jerked around at her words, looking at her. "You aren't-"

Sarah laughed. "No, darling. I told you we wouldn't be taking any chances until we've got everything settled. Remember?" She shook her head at him. "My, you are absentminded. Maybe you should go take a shower and go to bed?" She sat down on his lap and kissed him warmly. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she let him continue it, savoring his touch on her bare arms and neck. His gentlest touches sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine. It'd been a while since they had done any serious cuddling together.

Sarah was disappointed that she had to break it, but the dinner dishes were calling to her. "Darling," she said quietly, kissing him, "you go take your shower. I have to do the dishes." Pulling away from him slowly, she stroked his chin as she stood up. Michael watched, rather disappointed, as she got up and waltzed herself into the kitchen. Getting up, he stretched. May as well do as she ordered.

Half an hour later, Sarah wandered into the bedroom, having just finished wiping down the counters and turning all the lights off. She couldn't help but smile as she saw Michael already fast asleep under the covers, his hair still damp. Looking over at his sleeping face as she slid herself into bed, Sarah couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love for the man lying beside her.