Page 106 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

He removed a folded sheet.

“I had written it in December. I remembered every word. But December had not yet happened.”

Elizabeth stared at the paper in his hand.

Jim returned to his chair.

“Sam kept it until shortly before he died. Then he gave it back to me.”

He held it toward Elizabeth.

“You may read it.”

She accepted the paper with care.

The handwriting was uneven but clear.

Samuel Grange's father has lost their farm at a gambling table. On December 21, 1748, I accompanied Samuel to Arbor Low, where he intends to attempt to return to a time before the farm was lost and prevent it from happening.

James Fletcher

Samuel Grange

December 21, 1748

Elizabeth read it twice before passing it to Mr. Darcy.

“This is your handwriting, sir?”

“Yes.”

Mr. Darcy read the letter before handing it to Georgiana.

Jim continued.

“Sam and I agreed that no one else would hear the truth from us. Who would have believed it? We had the letter, and that was proof enough for the two of us.”

Georgiana finished reading and returned the paper to him.

“Did he save the farm?”

“He did.”

Jim's mouth lifted.

“Sam knew the night his father would go to the tavern and lose the farm. When that fateful day in November dawned, he followed his father everywhere. When the older man tried to leave, Sam stopped him.”

Elizabeth rose and went to the old man. Kneeling before him, she caught his gaze, her own urgent with hope.

“How did he do it, sir?”

Mr. Darcy had also drawn near, his expression grave. Georgiana sat rigid, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“They fought.”

“They fought?”

“Mr. Grange was a strong man, and Sam was seventeen and thin. I was there to help if his father refused to remain at home. My friend begged him not to go. It was a cold night, he told him. He would do better to stay home with his family. But his father would not be restrained, and he struck Sam.