A Window in Time

by Carolyn Lampman

  He picked up a length of copper wire. “Just hand me things when I ask for them. Here, hold this.”

  For the next three quarters of an hour Brianna saw a side of Lucas she had never seen before. His eyes seemed to glow while his nimble fingers twisted wires and snippets of metal together into a complicated gadget. This was his passion.

  At first Brianna was fascinated, then incredulous as his experiment began to take shape. “You’re trying to build an electric light!” she blurted out when he finally inserted the contraption into the upside down flask to see if it would fit.

  Lucas looked up in surprise. “How did you know that?”

  “Oh...uh...it was just a guess.” Brianna didn’t know exactly when the electric light had been invented, but it sure wasn’t before the Civil War. Thomas Edison was probably still in grade school.

  “Pretty amazing guess,” he said going back to his work. “Actually, it isn’t the same as the arc lamps they’re using in France.”

  “It isn’t?” They had lights in France already?

  “I’m trying to improve on Robert Grove’s incandescent lamp. It’s a completely different principal. Arc lamps produce light by forming an arc between two carbon rods. Grove ran a current of electricity through a coil of platinum wire in a glass tube...”

  Brianna listened with growing astonishment as he expounded on the virtues of incandescent lighting. Gone was the autocratic stationmaster who irritated the devil out of her. In his place was a scientist with an awesome intellect who envisioned a world lighted by affordable incandescent bulbs. She was captivated.

  As the morning wore on, Brianna realized how intensely curious Lucas was about anything to do with electricity. He had obviously studied extensively before he ever started experimenting. He knew far more than she who had grown up in a world powered by it. Gratified by her genuine interest, he explained why the incandescent lamp was superior, how he’d built his generator, and even what made magnetos work.

  “You really love this, don’t you?” Brianna asked as he finished connecting all the wires together.

  “Mmm. I suppose you could call it that.”

  “Then why are you clear out here in the middle of nowhere? Surely your experiments would be easier to perform closer to civilization.”

  “Maybe, but then coming out here had nothing to do with my experiments.”

  “Oh,” Brianna said. Suddenly it all made sense, his self-imposed isolation, his surly attitude, even his distrust of her. “You came because of Marie, didn’t you?”

  He gave her a sharp glance then turned his attention back to the workbench in front of him. “It’s time to test this and see if it works. Better step back. You never know what’ll happen.”

  He rose from the stool and began cranking the handle on his generator. For several long moments nothing happened, then slowly the wire inside the flask began to glow.

  Brianna clapped her hands together in excitement. “Oh, Lucas, look, it’s working!” But even as she said the words there was a flash of light and then the bulb went dark. “What happened?”

  “The filament burned out just like it always does. It lasted a lot longer this time, though. I think I’m on the right track at last. Maybe it’s just a matter of finding the best material to use for a filament, something that won’t burn up as quickly.”

  “That must be why it has to be a vacuum,” Brianna murmured as she contemplated the inverted flask.

  “What did you say?”

  Startled, Brianna looked up and encountered Lucas’s intense stare. She hadn’t even realized she’d spoken aloud. “Oh, nothing important.”

  “Yes it was, you said something about a vacuum.”

  Brianna’s eyes widened into what she hoped passed for an innocent look. “A what?”

  He gazed at her suspiciously for a long moment before shaking his head and turning back to his experiment. “No, of course you wouldn’t know what that is. Still, it’s worth looking into.”

  What had she done? As little as Brianna knew about light bulbs she could tell Lucas was fairly close to inventing a workable one. What if she had just given him the last little piece of information he needed? Whatever else had happened in the past, she knew Lucas Daniels hadn’t invented the light bulb.

  “Is this the only thing you’re working on?” she asked, hoping to distract him long enough that he’d forget all about vacuums.

  “No. I have a couple of other ideas.”

  “Like what?”

  “The talking telegraph for one.”

  “The talking telegraph?”

  Lucas smiled. “I have a theory that it’s possible to change voices into electrical impulses, send them across a telegraph wire, and change them back at the other end. Sounds crazy doesn’t it?”

  Crazy? He ought to see her phone bill every month. “You think you could really do that?”

  “I’ve run into a problem, but I’m pretty sure I can work it out. Actually, I’m closer on the talking telegraph than I am on the incandescent light.”

  “You’re incredible, Lucas. I had no idea.”

  “Most people just think I’m touched in the upper works.”

  “That’s what they say about all great inventors.”

  He rubbed the side of his nose self-consciously. “One thing’s sure. You’re bound to like my other invention.”

  “Oh, what’s that?”

  “Come on, I’ll show you.”

  As he took her hand and pulled her across the room, Brianna was once again reminded of an excited child. Whatever it was, he couldn’t wait to show her. If her half-dressed swimming partner was attractive, and the highly intelligent scientist fascinating, this tousle-haired little boy was completely irresistible. Her heart turned over in her chest.

  I’m in love with him! The thought hit her with the suddenness of a lightning strike. How could she be so stupid? Of all the men in her life, why did he have to be the one? He was her own great-great grandfather for heaven’s sake, and a man who didn’t particularly like her to boot. Ian would have been a much safer choice. Even Seth or Billy would have made more sense. At least they liked to have her around.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Wh...what?”

  “You look…strange.” Lucas was watching her with real concern.

  “I’m fine.”

  He reached over and brushed the backs of his fingers against her forehead to check for fever. “Are you sure? You look a little peaked.”

  “Just a little dizzy. I think I moved too fast.” Her hand tingled where his fingers still clasped hers, and she pulled away. “What was it you wanted to show me?”

  Lucas gazed at her intently for a moment. Then, apparently satisfied that she was all right, he relaxed and nodded toward the corner. “After the stampede, I realized going swimming every day was more than just fun for you. You have a real penchant for being clean. The river’s going to be too cold soon, so I rigged this up for you.”

  Brianna looked at the apparatus in confusion. By no stretch of the imagination could it be a bathtub. A pipe with a strange flat metal piece attached to the end of it extended out and downward from half a barrel. A thin chain was hooked to a metal piece behind the pipe. “What is it?”

  “First you heat your water and pour it in here,” he said indicating the top of the barrel. “When you pull the chain, the water comes down the pipe and spreads out across this plate. I’ve drilled holes in the bottom so it comes out in a spray. I’ll hang it on the wall in the cabin and build a stall around it for privacy. You may not be able to bathe every day, but it won’t use as much water as a tub.”

  “You made me a shower?” Brianna was incredulous.

  Lucas shrugged. “I guess that’s as good a name as any.”

  As she stared at the primitive shower, Brianna felt tears form in her eyes. He must have spent hours working on it. “Thank you, Lucas. It’s wonderful.”

  He looked at her oddly. “Then why are you crying?”

&nb
sp; “It’s just such a surprise,” she said wiping her eyes. “You built this before we went to Platte River Bridge, didn’t you?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did. Why?”

  “Because something happened on that trip that changed our whole relationship. I came down here today to find out what.”

  It was like watching a door slam. The beautiful gray eyes became distant and a muscle jumped in his jaw as he gritted his teeth.

  “What is it, Lucas?” she said softly, fear of his answer squeezing her heart. “I’ve gone over it a hundred times and can’t think of anything except maybe wearing clothes you don’t like.”

  “You didn’t do anything on the trip.”

  “Then it was something I said?”

  “You might say that.” He walked to window and leaned his arm against the frame as he stared out unseeingly. “The only thing I detest more than lies are the people who tell them.”

  Brianna’s brows came together in surprise. “I didn’t lie to you, Lucas.”

  “You’ve been living a lie since the day you got here.”

  A shock of apprehension ran through her as goose bumps rose on her skin. “What do you mean?”

  He turned to stare at her, his eyes as cold as polished steel. “I don’t know who the hell you are, but you’re not Anna Daniels.”

  CHAPTER 24

  “I never said I was Anna Daniels,” Brianna said cautiously as she faced Lucas across his workshop. “My name is Brianna.”

  “I suppose you’re going to try and tell me it was you that wrote all those letters to Billy and Seth.”

  “You obviously don’t think so.”

  He snorted and leaned back against the window frame with his arms folded across his chest. “I know you didn’t. The woman who wrote those letters was a nineteen-year-old orphan who had spent her entire life living with her spinster aunt. She didn’t have a father or a brother, couldn’t remember her mother, and as far as I can tell never set foot inside that school of yours. The one thing she did have was a husband, even if it was for a short time. If you wrote those letters, then everything you’ve told me since you got here was a lie.”

  Brianna sighed. This was going to take very careful handling. “No, I didn’t write them, and I didn’t realize Anna had either. It’s only because I’ve been telling you the truth that you figured it out.”

  “So, you admit you’re not Anna Daniels then?”

  “No, I’m not Anna.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I didn’t lie about that either. My name really is Brianna. Anna and I are...closely related.”

  “Where is she?”

  “I’m not really sure, but I know she’s trying to get here. It’s just a matter of time.” Brianna swallowed a hysterical giggle at her choice of words.

  “I don’t suppose you’d consider telling me what the hell is going on?”

  Oh, but she was tempted. All she had to do was show him the contents of Tom’s backpack, and Lucas would have no trouble believing she was a time traveler. If this conversation had come up yesterday she’d probably have done just that, but now she knew she couldn’t. It would take him about thirty seconds to figure out the flashlight or camera strobe. That knowledge would throw the world ahead at least twenty years; it could conceivably change the outcome of the Civil War. Even the batteries or calculator were dangerous. There was no way she could let that technology fall into his far too capable hands.

  “Well?” He was waiting for an answer, and none too patiently at that.

  “I won’t lie to you, Lucas, but I can’t explain. It’s not my secret alone.”

  Anna’s involved in something illegal, isn’t she?”

  “No, it’s nothing like that. I’m not sure where she is or when she’ll be back, but neither of us is a danger to anyone. Come on, Lucas, two helpless women who can’t even communicate with each other, what could we do?”

  “I don’t know about Anna, but I wouldn’t exactly describe you as a helpless woman.”

  “What? Did I just imagine it, or did you actually admit I can take care of myself?”

  Lucas gave a ghost of a smile, “Don’t try to change the subject.”

  “Somehow I didn’t think you’d concede that point.” Then her smile faded. “I know this is hard, Lucas. If you can’t trust me, at least believe I mean you no harm.”

  He stared at her thoughtfully. “What about Anna?” he asked finally.

  “You’ll find her much easier to get along with,” Brianna said without hesitation. “And she won’t be as out of place here as I am. In fact, I think the two of you will really hit it off.”

  “Hit what off?”

  Brianna smiled. “That means you’ll really like each other. She even speaks the same language as you do.”

  “Which one of you am I supposedly married to?”

  “Anna.”

  “Then why have you insisted on staying here?”

  “Because I have to be here when she comes back.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t explain, Lucas.” Brianna sighed. “Look, nothing’s changed except your perception. I’m the same person that’s been here for the last three months. There’s no reason to act any differently until Anna arrives.”

  “And what the hell am I supposed to do when she shows up, welcome her with open arms?”

  “That would be nice.” Brianna tried to ignore the stab of jealousy his words evoked. After all, he was going to have to do more than hug Anna if the Daniels family was going to exist in her time. “At least try to stay open minded toward her.”

  “That’s asking a lot, isn’t it?”

  “Maybe, but don’t worry, you won’t find Anna nearly as aggravating as you do me.”

  “I’m kind of getting used to being aggravated.”

  She grinned slightly. “I like you, too.”

  He turned back to the window with a sigh. “I don’t have much choice in this, do I?”

  “None of us do, Lucas. Anna and I don’t like it any better than you.”

  Brianna had always heard that confession was good for the soul, but she felt guilty instead of purged. Though Lucas had said little else, she was conscious of his speculative glances all day. It was obvious he still didn’t trust her, and she really couldn’t blame him. At least now she understood the distance he put between them.

  By suppertime the next day, she almost had herself convinced it was for the best. She certainly didn’t have to worry about giving in to her baser instincts; he’d never again get close enough to be a temptation.

  Brianna was determined to act normal and thought she’d been fairly successful until the men came in for supper. It was obvious Ian and Billy thought she and Lucas had argued. Their overly cheerful banter was meant to boost her spirits, but it only served to emphasize Lucas’s unusual silence.

  “You looked mighty pretty this morning when the stage came in, Brianna.” Billy said toward the end of the meal.

  Brianna was startled. “Why, thank you, Billy.”

  “Reckon I’ve missed seein’ you in a dress.”

  She bit back a smile. Was he trying to give her a subtle hint about what he thought would please Lucas? “I don’t have any shoes to wear with a dress. My boots look kind of funny.”

  “You know,” Ian said suddenly. “I just might have something that will work.”

  Lucas raised his brows. “You have a pair of women’s shoes?”

  “No, but...heck, I’ll just go get them.” The other three exchanged a surprised glance as he left.

  When Ian returned, he was grinning from ear to ear. “Don’t know why I didn’t think of these before.”

  Brianna looked down at the shoes he put in her hands. “Moccasins!” She measured one against the bottom of her boot. “Looks like they’ll fit perfectly. Where did you get these, Ian? They’re beautiful.”

  “My...friend made them for me.”

  Something in his voice made Brianna glance up in surprise. She thought she
caught a fleeting glimpse of pain in his eyes, but it was gone so quickly she wasn’t positive. “Are you sure you want me to wear these?”

  “I outgrew them a long time ago.” There was a touch of sadness to his smile. “Besides, I think my friend would approve.”

  “Thank you,” Brianna said softly. “I’ll take very good care of them.”

  She jumped slightly as Lucas abruptly scooted his chair back and stomped outside to smoke his pipe.

  When he didn’t return by the time the dishes were done, Brianna decided she didn’t feel like swimming and went to bed early. She was fast asleep when Lucas finally came back in and stood by her bunk staring down at her.

  His eyes were sad as his gaze followed the line of her body under the blanket and then returned to her face. After a moment, he reached down and gently touched her cheek. With a sigh, she turned her face into his hand. Her lips brushed against his palm and Lucas jerked his hand away as though it had been burned. With a sound like a growl he retreated to his own side of the cabin, where he undressed and threw himself down on his bunk in disgust.

  It was dawn when the sound of high-pitched screams and whinnies brought them both straight up in bed.

  “What’s going on?” Brianna asked fearfully.

  “Something’s after the horses.” Lucas pulled on his pants, grabbed his rifle and strode to the door with Brianna right behind him.

  Outside pandemonium reigned supreme. Horses milled both inside and outside the corral while a huge stallion reared up on his hind feet above the wild herd. His were the screams that split the air as he called to the mares behind the pole fence.

  Brianna stared at the stallion in awestruck silence. His palomino coat shone golden in the first rays of the sun as his hooves pawed the air with lethal intent. He was magnificent.

  The click of a rifle hammer being cocked near-by drew her attention. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Lucas take careful aim. He was going to shoot the stallion!

  “No!” She threw herself at Lucas just as the charge went off knocking them both back against the side of the cabin.

  “Jesus, Brianna, what do you think you’re doing?” he yelled struggling back to his feet.