Sidney Sheldon - The sands of time

filling the sidewalks and streets, completely surrounding the army trucks. They were ominously silent.

Colonel Acoña observed the huge crowd in desperation. He screamed, "Everybody get out of the way or we'll start shooting."

Jaime called out, "I wouldn't advise it. These people hate you for what you're trying to do to them. A word from me and they'll tear you and your men to pieces. There's one thing you forgot, Colonel. San Sebastian is a Basque town. It's my town." He turned to his group. "Let's get out of here."

Jaime helped Megan down from the truck, and the others followed. Acoña watched helplessly, his face tight with fury.

The crowd was waiting, hostile and silent. Jaime walked up to the colonel. "Take your trucks and get back to Madrid."

Acoña looked around at the still growing mob. "I—you won't get away with this, Miró."

"I have gotten away with it. Now get out of here." He spat in Acoña's face.

The colonel stared at him for a long, murderous moment. It can't end this way, he thought desperately. I was so close.

It was checkmate. But he knew that it was worse than a defeat for him. It was a death sentence. The OPUS MUNDO would be waiting for him in Madrid. He looked at the sea of people surrounding him. He had no choice.

He turned to his driver, and his voice was choked with fury. "We're moving out."

The crowd stepped back, watching as the soldiers climbed into the trucks. A moment later, the trucks began to roll down the street, and the crowd began to cheer wildly. It started out as a cheer for Jaime Miró, and it grew louder and louder, and soon they were cheering for their freedom, and their fight against tyranny, and their coming victory, and the streets reverberated with the noise of their celebration.

Two teenagers were screaming themselves hoarse. One turned to the other. "Let's join ETA."

An elderly couple held each other, and the woman said,

"Now maybe they'll give us back our farm."

An old man stood alone in the crowd, silently watching the army trucks leave. When he spoke, he said, "They'll be back one day."

Jaime took Megan's hand and said, "It's over. We're free.

We'll be across the border in an hour. I'll take you to my aunt."

She looked into his eyes. "Jaime—"

A man pushed his way toward them through the crowd and hurried up to Megan.

"Excuse me," he said breathlessly. "Are you Sister Megan?"

She turned to him. "Yes."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "I've had quite a time finding you. My name is Alan Tucker. I wonder if I could speak to you for a moment?"

"Yes."

"Alone."

"I'm sorry. I'm just leaving for—"

"Please. This is very important. I've come all the way from New York to find you."

She looked at him, puzzled. "To find me? I don't understand. Why—?"

"I'll explain it to you, if you'll give me a moment."

The stranger took her arm and walked her down the street,

talking rapidly. She glanced back once at where Jaime Miró stood waiting for her.

Megan's conversation with Alan Tucker turned her world upside down.

"The woman I represent would like to see you."

"I don't understand. What woman? What does she want with me?"

I wish I knew the answer to that, Alan Tucker thought.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss that. She's waiting for you in

New York."

It made no sense. There must be some mistake. "Are you sure you have the right person—Sister Megan?"

"Yes. But your name isn't Megan, It's Patricia."

And in a sudden, blinding flash, Megan knew. After all these years, her fantasy was about to come true. She was finally going to learn who she was. The very idea of it was thrilling… and terrifying.

"When—when would I have to leave?" Her throat was suddenly so dry, she could barely speak the words.

I want you to find out where she is and bring her back as quickly as possible,

"Right away. I'll arrange a passport for you."

She turned and saw Jaime standing in front of the hotel,

waiting.

"Excuse me a moment."

Megan walked back to Jaime in a daze, and she felt as though she were living a dream.

"Are you all right?" Jaime asked. "Is that man bothering you?"

"No. He's—no."

He took Megan's hand. "I want you to come with me now. We belong together, Megan."

Your name isn't Megan. It's Patricia.

She looked at Jaime's strong, handsome face, and thought:

I want us to be together. But we'll have to wait. First I have to find out who I am.

"Jaime—I want to be with you. But there is something I have to do first."

He studied her, his face troubled. "You're going to leave?"

"For a little while. But I'll be back."

He looked at her for a long time, then slowly nodded. "All right. You can reach me through Largo Cortez."

"I'll come back to you. I promise."

And she meant it. But that was before the meeting with

Ellen Scott.

"Deus Israel conjungat vos; et ipse sit vobiscum, qui,

misertus est duobus unicis… plenius benedicere te… The God of

Israel join you together, and He be with you… and now, Lord,

make them bless Thee more fully. Blessed are all they that love the Lord, that walk in His ways. Glory…"

Ricardo looked away from the priest and glanced at

Graciela standing at his side. I was right. She is the most beautiful bride in the world.

Graciela was still, listening to the words of the priest echo through the cavernous, vaulted church. There was such a sense of peace in this place. It seemed to Graciela to be filled with the ghosts of the past, all the thousands of people who had come there generation after generation to find forgiveness, fulfillment, and joy. It reminded her so much of the convent. I feel as though I've come home again, Graciela thought. As though I belong.

"Exaudi nos, omnipotens et misericors Deus; ut, quod nostro ministratur officio, tua benedictione potius impleatur

Per Dominum… Hear us, Almighty and merciful God, that what is done by our ministry may be abundantly fulfilled with Thy blessing…"

He has blessed me, more than I deserve. Let me be worthy of Him.

"In te speravi, domine: dixi: Tu es Deus meus: in manibus tuis tempora mea…"

"In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; I said: Thou art my God; my times are in Thy hands…"

My times are in Thy hands. I took a solemn vow to devote the rest of my life to Him.

"Suscipe, quaesumus, Domine, pro sacra connubii lege munus oblatum…"

"Receive, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the offering we make to

Thee on behalf of the holy bond of wedlock…"

The words seemed to reverberate in Graciela's head. She felt as though time had stopped.

"Deus qui potestate virtutis tuae de nihilo cuncta fecisti…"

"Oh, God, who by the mighty power didst make all things out of nothing…"

"Oh, God, who has hallowed wedlock to foreshadow the union of Christ with the Church… look in Thy mercy upon this, Thy handmaid, who is to be joined in wedlock and entreats protection and strength from Thee…"

But how can He show me mercy when I am betraying , Him?

Graciela was suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. The walls seemed to be closing in on her.

"Nihil in ea ex actibus suis ille auctor praevaricationis usurpet…"

"Let the author of sin work none of his evil deeds in her…"

That was the moment when Graciela knew. She felt as though a great burden had been lifted from her. She was filled with an exalted, ineffable joy.

The priest was saying, "May she win the peace of the kingdom of heaven. We ask Thee to bless this marriage, and—"

"I'm already married," Graciela said aloud.

There was a moment of shocked silence. Ricardo and the priest were staring at her. Ricardo's face was pale.