Lightning Only Strikes Twice (7 page)

She stiffened, but desperation drove him to keep her quiet with his kiss. He’d be damned if he was giving her a chance to bring the entire town down on them

One. Two. Three seconds passed like an eternity. Her body relaxed and she opened to him. She tasted sweet, heady, and addictive. Unexpected heat speared him. His heart thudded a painful beat against his chest as her lips moved under his. When he finally pulled away, he was breathless.

“Please, don’t scream.” His lips brushed hers as he spoke. “There’s no place for you to go. If you’ll give me a chance, I’ll prove I’m telling the truth.”

Her half-mast eyes fluttered open. Her breath mingled with his as she clung to his shoulders.

He eased his hold. “I can’t force you to believe me, Annie. But I’m asking you. At least listen to what I have to say. Please,” he added.

Something in his plea must have reached her. She licked her kiss-swollen lips and nodded. “Okay, tell me.”

Hope sprang inside him. The smile he gave her was born of pure relief. He almost kissed her again. Instead, he took her hand. “It’s better to show you.” He started out the door, then stopped and looked at her bare feet. “Wait. You need boots.”

He pulled her back inside and into the bedroom. “There must be some in here we can use.” He released her hand to open a wardrobe and found a pair of boots. “Here.” He held them out.

She frowned, but took them.

“The doctor won’t mind,” he said and crossed to a dresser and opened a drawer. After digging for a moment, he found what he was looking for. Holding up a pair of stockings, he said, “These should work until we find something that fits better.”

He ushered her to a chair.

“This would be so much easier if you’d help me find my shoes,” she said.

Luke stood in front of her, legs apart, hands on his hips ready to block her exit if she bolted. “You promised.” He nodded impatiently. “Just put them on for now.”

Her mouth tightened.

“Please?” He couldn’t remember when he’d literally begged a woman to do anything, let alone get dressed.

Annie sighed and pulled on the stockings that nearly reached her knees. Next, she tugged on the boots. They looked a little big but she’d be fine for the walk he had in mind.

“Good.” Luke led her into the other room where he grabbed his hat. “Follow me.” They headed out the door.

Outside, the sun had set over the mountains. The bewitching rosy glow had faded to a deeper purple. A distinct chill filled the air. The springtime mountain night could be quite cold.

Annie shivered and he realized her sweater wouldn’t hold off the chill for long.

“We won’t be gone long,” he said. “I want to have you back before Doc Smyth returns from supper.”

“Speaking of supper…”

“We’ll eat when we get back.” He was hungry too, but proving his point was more important.

He took her hand as they hurried across the boardwalk in front of shops and businesses.

Although her hand was cold, her touch curled inside him, affecting him almost as much as their kiss. Just holding her made him feel stronger—more stable than he’d felt in the last couple of months.

He wondered if she felt it too and understood the significance.

They reached the edge of town and he turned passed a huge barn. The sign over the doorway read LIVERY AND STABLES. She paused and covered her nose and mouth with her free hand. “How many horses are in there?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure. It’s probably full for the celebration today. Why?”

“Because it really stinks.”

Laughing, he shrugged. “I hadn’t noticed. I guess I’ve grown used to it. Come on.”

They continued past the livery. The mill stood on a small hillside to the right.

Luke veered in that direction. “Paul Crawford’s house is across town, but he runs the mill.”

Annie jerked to a stop. “Wait a minute. You have your facts wrong. My great-great grandfather Crawford
owned
the mill. You’re going to have to do better than that if you want me to believe this is 1891.”

“Paul Crawford doesn’t own the mill.”

“Of course he did.”

“No,” Luke said. “He doesn’t.”

“That’s not true. Paul Crawford owned the entire town. He bought up property as the miners left. That’s how my grandfather inherited the land.”

His shoulders sagged and he shook his head. Proving this was harder than he thought. “
Present tense.
In 1891, Paul doesn’t own the mill. It hasn’t happened yet.” He tugged her hand to keep moving. “We can discuss it later. Let’s hurry, before it’s too dark to see anything.”

A moment later, Annie tripped as she caught the toe of her boot in the dirt. “Let go,” she said. “I can’t walk with you dragging me around.”

“Why not?”

“These boots are too big.”

He smiled. “I have a feeling you’re going to have a harder time adjusting than I did. You’ll have to wear dresses.” At least he hadn’t had to change his whole demeanor to fit in. Annie on the other hand…

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

First, he had to convince her they were in 1891, then, they could deal with how to help her fit in. “Never mind. Try to keep up.”

She bent over and tucked her pant legs inside the boots. The added material seemed to help since she didn’t stumble as much.

When they neared the front of the mill, Annie slowed and stared at the building. “You’ve restored it!”

“No, I didn’t,” Luke said. “That’s what I wanted to show you. This is the way it looked in 1891.” He cocked his head to the side. “Actually, it’s the way it looks now.”

“I can see that,” she said.

Luke glanced at her unbelieving expression.
Way
harder than he thought. “Maybe this wasn’t the best example.”

She shook her head. “Not really. You did a terrific job, though. It looks almost new.”

“Look over here.” He walked around the side of the building, motioning for her to follow. He pointed at the long wooded planks that made up the south wall. “No burn marks from the fire.”

Annie studied the building. Her expression told him he still hadn’t proven anything.

He touched her shoulder and pointed down the hill. The community of White Rock spread out below them. Homes, businesses, even the Chinese shantytown on the outskirts had to be enough proof. “We’re back in 1891. Before the fire burned the town. It’s all still here.”

He hated that his enthusiasm sounded more like desperation. She had to understand—to believe—or she wouldn’t comprehend how important it was to find a way to get home.

“Nothing here proves I’ve gone back in time,” she said. “I will admit I’m impressed with your change of heart. Before, all you wanted was to build fancy summer homes and make an artificial lake. It must have cost a fortune to re-create the entire town.” She rubbed the lump on her head. “I only wish I hadn’t forgotten so much.”

“This didn’t work.” Frustrated, he took her hand again and started down the hill. He wasn’t taking any chance that she’d run away from him.

“Where are we going now?”

“Back to the doctor’s office,” he said. “I don’t want him and Paul to return and find you gone.”

“I can’t imagine they’d care. I barely know them.” Annie trotted to keep up. “I should give the doctor some information to bill my insurance, though.”

“Trust me,” Luke muttered. “The doctor would rather you pay him with a chicken, than wait a hundred years for an insurance check.”

Annie pulled her hand free and stopped in her tracks. “Your jokes aren’t funny anymore. Give this time-travel thing a rest.”

Luke barely glanced at her. “Come on.” He quickened his pace, forcing her to catch up. They hurried past the livery and reached the doctor’s office just as Paul Crawford stepped out.

“Oh, there you are,” he said to Annie. “What are you doing out here? Feeling better?”

“Much,” she said, sounding a little winded.

Perspiration tricked down the side of her face. Hair plastered her head in a tangled mess. Luke thought she
did
look better. He admired her quick recovery.

“I took Miss Crawford for a short walk to get some fresh air.” Luke gave her a warning look to keep her from denying the statement. The last thing he wanted was for her to blurt out that they’d time-traveled from the future.

“Well,” Paul said. “I’ve talked it over with Elizabeth and we’d love to have you stay with us for a while.”

Annie started to refuse, but Luke seized her arm above the elbow and squeezed. She glared at him, but he ignored her and answered Paul. “That’s wonderful. I’m sure Doc won’t mind releasing her to your care.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m quite capable of taking care of myself!”

After the stubbornness he’d witnessed earlier, he wasn’t a bit surprised to see her temper flare. He hoped she didn’t say something they’d both regret.

“Independent little miss, isn’t she?” Paul observed with raised eyebrows.

“Quite,” Luke replied.

“Hey. I’m right here. I can hear you.” She turned on Luke. “I make my own decisions.” She wheeled away and collided with the doctor.

The doctor caught her shoulders and stepped to the side as he joined them.

“Well, Miss Crawford,” Dr. Smyth said. “It’s good to see you up and about. Your headache must be gone.” Without waiting for her reply, he looked at Paul. “What did Elizabeth have to say?”

“She’d love to have Miss Annie stay with us until she can find a place of her own.”

“Good, good,” the doctor replied. To Luke he said, “Why don’t you take Miss Crawford to get something to eat? They’re still serving over at Shelby’s. Then Elizabeth won’t need to feed her.”

“But—” Annie’s protest was stopped short when Luke took her elbow.

“I’d be happy to,” Luke said. He turned to Paul. “I’ll bring her over to your place after we’ve eaten.”

Luke steered Annie across the street before she could object. The best thing to do was get her away quickly.

“I can walk perfectly well without you dragging me around.”

She tried to free her arm, but he kept a tight grip.

“I’m sure you can.” Dipping his head near hers, he whispered quietly in her ear. “I want you out of earshot before you say something that will land you in the asylum.”

“I’m the only
sane
one here!”

A passerby glanced over and he gripped her arm a little tighter.

She got the message and lowered her voice. “It’s the rest of you who have stretched this celebration out of proportion.”

“I thought you were hungry. Let me buy you dinner.”

“I’m not hungry any more.”

Her stomach growl just then and he chuckled. “Liar.”

“I’m leaving after I’ve eaten.”

“Suit yourself.” He wished leaving White Rock would be as easy as she thought, but he supposed she’d figure it out soon enough.

They walked over to a long table set outside on the dirt street in buffet style for the celebration. The spread of beef brisket, rolls, and freshly made pies made his mouth water. One of the things he
did
like about this time was the home cooking.

Luke heard Annie’s stomach rumble again. He took that as a sign that she was recovering, at least a little, from her ordeal. He grabbed a couple of tin plates and handed one to her.

She stared at a short stack of cloth napkins. “Why don’t they use paper?”

“Because paper plates and napkins haven’t been invented yet.”

She gave him a scowl.

He ignored her. At some point, she’d realize he wasn’t pretending.

She put a roll on her plate and helped herself to a slice of the brisket. At the end of the table, they found a hodgepodge of utensils.

He headed toward an empty table, away from other diners, figuring it was safer in case she started babbling about cars or computers.

Her shoulder brushed his as she sat.

Tingles raced up his arm and his insides steadied. The intensity of his reaction to her touches surprised him. He wasn’t sure if he liked the sensation, although not feeling the constant wooziness was a nice change.

Annie took a bite of brisket. “This is really good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“Just remember, there’ll be days when food won’t be as plentiful. While you’re staying at the Crawfords’, you’ll at least know when your next meal will be.” He took bite, enjoying the tender meat. “When I first got here, I had to work in the livery to earn my meal ticket.”

She frowned and pushed her plate aside. “You sure know how to kill an appetite. You promised I could leave after we ate.”

“You can,” he said. “I’ll walk you to Paul’s house.”

“No, I want to
leave.
” She gestured around her. “Leave this town—or whatever it is.”

“You can’t.” He took another bite of his brisket and gave her a sidelong glance as he chewed. “I can’t leave either. We’re stranded here.” He no longer saw a point in trying to convince her. It was what it was. They were stuck.

“You’re repeating yourself. It stopped being funny a long time ago.”

He picked up a roll and stacked his plate on hers. “I’m telling the truth, Annie. You’ll have to accept it sooner or later.”

“Later would be better,” she said. “Much later. When I’m in my own home.”

“Look around you.” He nodded toward the buildings. “It’s getting dark. Do you see anyone turning on lights?”

“I’m sure keeping the atmosphere is all part your celebration plan,” she said. “Even I know electricity was invented before 1891.”

“But White Rock is an out-of-the-way mining town. It hasn’t been wired yet.”

“I’ve had enough.” Annie stood. “If you’re not going help me, then I’ll find my own way home.”

Luke gave her a short head start before leaving the table to join her. Just as he reached her, the Beacher kids came running up.

“Miss Annie!” Willie called.

She smiled as they approached. Her smile was almost as sweet as the one she gave him when he handed her his knife back in their own time—when this whole mess began. He could get used to seeing it more often.