Twisted Time

by Candi Fox

  “Don’t cry, my little Bella.”

  “Daddy!” She cried out. “I was so worried, but I stayed strong. Just like you always taught me.”

  He moved over, lightly patting a spot on the bed. “That’s my girl. Now come here and tell me what happened.”

  Emma told him what happened from start to finish. Well most of it; he didn’t need to know Wolf cooled her nude body in the stream to keep her fever down. Nor did she include the dream, the one that still seemed real.

  Her father listened intently while holding her hand, giving comfort. She missed him so much. The tears that ran down her face were tears of joy. Her father was alive, her mother was on the way and she was safe, at least for the moment.

  She agreed to talk to Cord about their relationship. It was past time to be honest with him, and with herself. Emma could no longer deny the growing feelings, the attraction she felt for him.

  The confusing parts were the feelings she had for Nik and Wolf. If only Mamit were here. She’d know how to help Emma with this predicament.

  Her head spun as she rested it on her father’s shoulder. She came to the States a virgin, thinking she’d remain one the rest of her life. Emma awakened with Cord’s touch.

  Her sensual side was unleashed. The sensual thoughts inside her head warred with the propriety she’d been brought up to believe in. Mamit taught her many things, many different viewpoints.

  Travels with her father cemented those views. Life isn’t as cut and dried as most people believe it to be. Her grandmother’s words came back to her. “Life is never black or white, but shades of every color of the rainbow. Don’t settle for less than what you can have, sweets.”

  What her heart truly desired was all three men. Each touched her differently. Cord’s untamed passion. His animal magnetism. Nikolas, the gentle giant who tugged at her heart strings. Wolf, who touched her soul. How could she choose between them?

  “You’re lost in thought, Bella.”

  Color tinged her cheeks a bright shade of pink. “I have a lot to think about.”

  “Would it have anything to do with the two young men courting you?”

  She smiled softly at her father; he didn’t need to know about the third, at least not today.

  “Yes.”

  “You like them both, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  “You’ll have to choose.”

  “I know.”

  “Will it be that difficult?” her father asked as he wiped the large tear trailing down her face.

  Her lip quivered as she answered, the truth of the matter crashing down on her.

  “Yes.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Your mother will be here soon. She’ll help us sort it out.”

  Emma smiled; her mother was much like Mamit. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree and all that. Her mother had a way of looking at things with a fresh perspective and Mamit’s wisdom.

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “For what?”

  “You always know the right thing to say to make me feel better. Now tell me truly how you are?”

  “Better than I should be if I’m truthful. Strange and wonderful things seem to happen here. Like when we visited the heart of the Congo to meet the witch doctor.”

  “That trip held such magick. We were the first white people most of the tribe members ever saw. Remember the little girl who played with my hair for hours?”

  Her father laughed.

  “That sweet little girl thought you were a goddess sent from Heaven.”

  “I miss her sometimes, the jungle, too. Nothing but nature for hundreds of miles. The remoteness brings a magick all its own. Oh Daddy, do you really think it’s real magick?”

  “Yes.”

  Emma thought about Wolf’s healing skills. She wondered if any of his abilities were supernatural. Later when she had more time she’d think over the last few days.

  The nice gentleman came back to her father’s room with Cord and Wolf following close behind. Her father greeted them.

  “Doctor Bennet, I see you’ve met my lovely daughter. Sheriff, nice to see you again. Who’s your friend?”

  Cord replied. “Phillip this is my blood brother Iron Wolf. Wolf, this is Emma’s father, Phillip Monteith.”

  Her father extended a hand toward Wolf. “I understand that I owe you a great debt of gratitude for saving my little girl. If there is ever anything, I can do for you, it’s done.”

  Emma watched as Wolf took her father’s proffered hand.

  “I’m blessed the Great Spirit chose our paths to cross.”

  Her father turned to her. “Why don’t you go to the hotel, get a bath and some proper clothes. We don’t want to give your mother any more of a fright than she’s already had. Doctor Bennet would you mind escorting my daughter to The Diamond? I’d like to get the chance to talk to my daughter’s rescuers.”

  “I’d be delighted to escort the lovely lady to the hotel. I believe there’s a dress shop on the way since she lost all her luggage due to the train robbery.”

  It took a moment for her to understand the doctor’s intentions. Her father must have come to the same conclusion.

  “Yes, that train robbery where they took everything my poor girl owned. No one in town need know any different.”

  He winked at Emma. “I hope you don’t mind, Bella.”

  “I understand, father.” She leaned over, kissing his forehead before she rose from the bed to stand beside the handsome doctor.

  Before she left, she turned back to her father. “I’ll be back as soon as I’m properly attired. Please, don’t tire yourself out.”

  His smile genuine, he chuckled with a sparkle in his green eyes. The ones that looked nearly identical to her own.

  “You fuss, just like your mother.”

  “Only because we love you.” Emma paused then turned around and added, “We want to keep you around as long as possible.”

  She didn’t wait for an answer before leaving. As they walked down the stairs, she spoke to the doctor.

  “Thank you for taking such splendid care of my father. Cord told me I have you to thank for him being alive.”

  “I’m confident my friend inflated my abilities to assuage the fears of a damsel in distress.”

  Emma smiled. She might have found him attractive, if even for an instant, had he not just assumed her a helpless female. One that needed someone to constantly save them because they were incapable of rescuing themselves.

  In her opinion, women rendered themselves incapable of an action by refusing to believe it possible to achieve. A sense of gratitude washed over her. Thank you, Mum. Thank you, Mamit.

  “We’ve arrived at Anna Belle’s; it’s the best dress shoppe in the tri-city area.”

  A bell tinkled as they entered the store. A petite blonde hurried out from a side room.

  “Welcome to Anna Belle’s. I’m Anna Belle, how may I help you?”

  The woman’s face lit up, making her blonde beauty angelically ethereal. White blonde hair framed her delicate face. Eyes the color of a cloudless sky sparkled as she hugged the doctor. Perfect pink lips, flawless pale skin.

  Petite, the woman, stood around 5’2”. Small waisted, with curvy hips and a generous chest. Emma fought the urge to be envious of her and she had yet to meet her.

  “Anna, I brought you a customer. This is Miss Emma Monteith, she lost all her belongings during her travels. I hoped you might have something to fit her. Miss Monteith, this is my sister Anna.”

  Emma extended her hand in greeting, surprised to instead find herself drawn into a hug. The woman was surprisingly strong for her size.

  “Oh, you poor dear. I can’t imagine. Aggie bring tea to the parlor. Please follow me.”

  Finally, the tiny whirlwind turned to her brother. “I’ll see you at supper, Blake. You leave everything to me.”

  Blake shook his head. “I promised her father I’d see her to the hotel for a bath.”

 
“Why don’t you go ahead and make reservations for her? Have them prepare her a nice warm bath. Take tea at the café. I’ll have her ready in an hour.”

  “Will you be all right Miss Monteith?”

  “Yes, I’ll be fine, thank you.”

  They waited only until the doctor left before Anna whisked her into the parlor.

  “Just let me get a few measurements. I have a few things that I think will be perfect.”

  Emma stood and allowed Anna to take her measurements before taking a seat in an overstuffed pink chair.

  A few moments later, an older woman wearing a dark uniform with a crisp white apron over it came in carrying a tea set. She placed it on the table.

  “Afternoon Miss. I’m Agatha, Miss Anna’s assistant. May I pour your tea?”

  “Yes, please and thank you, Agatha. I’m Emma.”

  “Cream and sugar?”

  “Yes please, three lumps.”

  Agatha handed her a porcelain cup with delicate, hand painted forget-me-nots. She took a sip, her mind going to Nik. Cord told her Nik brought her father here while he came after her.

  She hadn’t seen Nik at the clinic and hoped he would still be in town. Not only did she want to thank him, she wanted to see him too. Emma missed him.

  “I have three dresses that I think will fit. Let’s see which looks best.”

  Emma tried on all three dresses before choosing one to take with her. She promised to come back the following day to purchase the other two after stopping by the bank and getting the money for all three dresses.

  The doctor arrived an hour later and escorted her to the Diamond. A large three-story structure that sat close to the middle of Main Street. Balconies stretched across the second and third floors.

  Large double doors opened into a large foyer. Plush red patterned carpet covered the floor. Matching chairs and couches sat to one side for guests to enjoy the lobby.

  Several planters gave the lobby a more welcoming feel. A bespectacled man with wire-rimmed glasses greeted

  her. Emma waved and headed up the stairs to her prepared bath. She thanked the doctor once again when he left her at her door to tend to her own needs.

  Chapter 36

  Emma

  She took her time luxuriating in the hot water. Delayed, her mother would be arriving by train early evening.

  Emma washed her hair, enjoying the fragrance of the bath supplies the hotel provided. It wasn’t her usual scent of primrose, yet the lilacs’ floral aroma calmed her senses and made her feel like things would be normal again.

  Reluctantly, she got out when the water cooled to the point of being cold. She started working on her hair immediately; it would take hours to dry all the way through.

  Combing her hair, she began to think about the last few weeks. After she lost her virginity to Cord, she felt dirty and ashamed, yet being naked with Wolf hadn’t embarrassed her.

  Then again, her nudity didn’t have anything to do with sex. Not counting the realistic dream. Her cheeks colored, remembering the dream. It felt as real to her as the night she and Cord spent together.

  Her lips tingled, remembering Cord’s lips on hers and Wolf’s tongue trailing down her body. Wetness pooled between her thighs and for once she didn’t feel embarrassed or wanton. In fact, she yearned to kiss Nik again, to be in his arms.

  Arabella Emmaline Monteith, get a hold of yourself. She’d best focus on looking presentable when her mother arrived. Emma planned on being at the station to meet her mother and take her to the clinic to see her miraculously recovered father.

  Emma gathered her clothing, allowing time for the top layer of her hair to dry. She gathered hair from the back most part of her crown, braiding it into a herringbone style braid.

  This exposed the underlayer of her hair and would hasten the drying time. She didn’t want to greet her mother with a wet head. Once her hair dried sufficiently, she put on her new garments.

  Anna Belle’s even had shoes that matched her lilac floral gown. Odd that the woman had three dresses that fit her near perfectly. Standing four or five inches taller than most women, and plenty of men as well, meant that all her clothes had to be special ordered.

  Her mother took her shopping in Paris for her fourteenth birthday. None of the premade clothes fit. She’d been near tears when they entered the final shop. The proprietor had just finished a beautiful emerald green gown and it fit like a glove.

  Over the years, her father commissioned the same proprietor for much of Emma’s wardrobe. She fingered one of the lilac striped flounces it set off the color of the flowers perfectly.

  Chapter 37

  Chandler

  The train pulled into the station. These past few days were excruciating with Emma missing, Phillip clinging to life, then he promised to escort Sage Monteith, Emma’s mom, from Cooperstown to Warren.

  He used more than one magic spell to make that happen. Exhausted, he wanted only to see Emma, have a hot bath, a decent meal, and some rest.

  “We’re here, ma’am. Let me help you off, then I’ll get your luggage.”

  “Nonsense, Nicolas. You’ve done enough by escorting me here. You said Philip was stable when you left?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  The dark-haired beauty looked at him. “The S

  Sheriff will be bringing Emma back. Do you think they are here already?”

  Not for the first time since meeting her, Nik wondered at Sage’s resemblance to Evanora. The resemblance was downright eerie. Chandler wondered why he never saw family photos at Emma’s. He’d ask her once this was over and they were all back home.

  “Yes, ma’am I’m certain Sheriff Masterson will have brought Emma back. If they are not here, then it’ll be tomorrow at the latest.”

  “Good. I need to hold my girl and see her safe with my own eyes.”

  He smiled at her.

  “Emma will be thrilled to see you. She spoke of you often.”

  “Is that how your mother knew my favorite tea?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  His mouth turned up in a bigger smile he chuckled and led Mrs. Monteith to the door. Turning around he went down the steps backwards so he could help her down.

  He barley turned around when found himself in a warm embrace.

  “Nik. I’m so glad to see you! Were you on the train with my mom? Are you all right? I missed you.”

  He heard Sage clear her throat.

  Emma released him looking around him to see her mother. She gasped, rushing forward embracing the smaller woman. Sage’s head came just above Emma’s shoulder.

  The two women embraced, tears running down both of their faces. They quickly exchanged words and Emma updated her mother on her father’s condition. Going on about the doctor being a miracle worker.

  He took a moment to take her in. Her hair, loose and down her back, fell just past her waist. She didn’t wear it down as often as he liked. Chandler studied her dress for a moment. Emma looked amazing in her lavender print dress. The leaves on the flowers were nearly the same color as her eyes.

  “I’ll go get your luggage while you two catch up.”

  The baggage sat on the dock, unloaded and waiting. He picked up the large steamer trunk slinging it over one shoulder with ease.

  “Ready, ladies?”

  “Oh my, isn’t that heavy?”

  Chandler smiled at her, showing his even white teeth. A mischievous sparkle twinkled in his blue eyes.

  “No ma’am, my momma feeds me well.”

  “You’ll want a wife that can cook. Emma makes the best chocolate fairy cakes.”

  “Is that right, Miss Emma?”

  He watched the slow blush spread across her cheeks she met his gaze under her lashes.

  “Mum and Dad love them.”

  Sage laughed.

  “Not just us, everyone that’s tried them swears she puts magic of some kind in them.”

  “Mummy!”

  He bit his tongue to keep from laughing at the look
of horror on Emma’s face. She had feelings for him, or rather for Nik. Fuck! Why does it always have to be so fucking complicated?

  He had Nik’s memories, and his feelings. Nik loved Emma, which only served to intensify his own feelings for her. Just five months. You got this. In a few months he, and everyone else, would be back in their own time.

  “Are you ladies ready to head to the clinic?”

  “We are please, lead on,” Mrs. Monteith said before slipping her arm in her daughter’s.

  “I can rent a carriage, ladies, if you want to wait here while I run fetch it.”

  “No need, Nik.” Emma walked up beside him and pointed to a smart carriage with a pair of matching blacks.

  “The one with the matching blacks is ours. A friend of the doctor’s loaned it to us.”

  Chandler loaded the luggage securing it tightly before helping each of the ladies into the carriage. Climbing up on the driver’s box he headed the carriage to main street toward the clinic.

  The drive didn’t take long. Less than ten minutes later he pulled to a stop setting the breaks, before he dismounted. He helped each of the ladies out and followed them into the building after holding open the door.

  Blake led them to the back of the clinic, towards the small quarters he had there. Nik shared a glass of whiskey with the good doctor more than once. He wondered at the destination.

  “Ladies, if you will follow me, I have a surprise for you.”

  By the time he entered, the Monteiths were hugging each other. The other occupants of the room gave him some surprise.

  Cord and Iron Wolf also sat in the doctor’s parlor. Both men nodded their head in acknowledgment. Nik took a seat on the couch by Wolf.

  “Thanks for escorting Emma’s mom.”

  “Happy to do it. Phillip is doing well, I see.”

  “Mmhmm; seems Doc pulled off another miracle. Say Nik, I’d like the three of us to meet after dinner. There’s something important we all need to talk about.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Chapter 38

  Emma