by L. P. Dover
Adeline
It had only been a few hours since I’d last seen Will, but I couldn’t get him out of my mind. It was a wonder I got anything done around the house, while walking on cloud nine. But after all the hard work, everything was finally ready for the big Christmas party the following day. The ham was ready to be put in the oven, and once everyone brought their sides, it would be a feast.
A knock sounded on my door and I already knew who it was going to be. I’d seen him earlier this morning, putting my horses back in the barn. Arnold, my neighbor down the road, had been taking care of my family’s horses for the past twenty years. He was in his late-fifties, with graying red hair. I grabbed his check off the foyer table and opened the door.
He took off his hat and smiled. “Morning, Adeline. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you, Arnold. Got lots planned with the family?”
His grin brightened. “We do. My oldest son and daughter-in-law are coming in from Charleston to spend Christmas with us. I’m ready to see my grandbabies.”
I hugged him hard and smiled. “I know you are. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful Christmas.” I let him go and handed him his check.
“Thank you, darling. Are you going over to your parents for Christmas again?”
“You know it. My mother and I have tons to bake. I’ll be sure to save you some treats.”
He chuckled. “Thank you. I think you know how much I look forward to them every year. Are you sure you don’t need me to come by next week?”
I shook my head. “I’m good. With no school, I’ll have plenty of time on my hands once Christmas is over.”
He looked inside my house at all the decorations. “You’ll need a week just to put away all of that,” he said, laughing.
I waved him off. “I can handle it. Besides, these decorations will stay up way past next week. My Christmas spirit hangs on until early February.”
Arnold slipped his hat back on and smiled. “Take care, Adeline. I’ll see you after the holidays.”
“Sounds good.” Turning on his heel, he walked down to his truck and left. I took one last look around, before grabbing my bag off the floor and locking the door. One day, I’d have my own family to celebrate Christmas with.
When I arrived at my parents’ house, my father was in the garage, working on his candy apple red 1970 Chevy truck. He loved old cars. When he wasn’t working for the power company, he was in his garage.
I shut my car door and he looked over at me, grinning wide.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
I walked over and looked at the shiny, new engine. “Looking good.”
He snorted. “It better. I’ve worked on this thing for six months straight. It runs like a champ now.” Looking down at his hands, he cringed. “I would hug you, but I don’t want to get you dirty.”
“No worries. I’ll be here all night.” I patted my bag. “I brought us a bottle of wine to drink tonight.” It was what we did every Christmas Eve. My mother and I would bake, while he and I drank a bottle of wine.
He winked. “Sounds good. I’ll be in soon.” I kissed his cheek and walked past him to the kitchen door.
I’d just gotten inside, when my phone beeped with an incoming text. I set my parents’ Christmas presents under the tree before looking at my phone. Seeing the message, I couldn’t stop from smiling.
William: Merry Christmas Eve!
My mother was already in the kitchen, rolling the sugar cookie dough, while Christmas music played over the radio. She stared curiously at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile like that. Who, might I ask, has put it on your face?”
After setting my purse on the table, I grabbed a seat at the bar across from my mother. “It’s William, Trent’s brother. We’ve been spending some time together here recently.” I texted him back.
Me: Merry Christmas Eve to you too! I’ll be sure to save you some goodies!
William: I’m counting on it. See you tomorrow.
Me: Can’t wait!
“It sounds pretty serious,” my mother noticed. If she only knew.
I shrugged. “It’s a little complicated, actually. I wish I could explain it. But William is different from any guy I’ve ever known.” Closing my eyes, I could still see images of him in the past, intermingled with who he was now. He was a gentleman in both times. I opened my eyes back up and met my mother’s gaze.
“How is he different?”
I blew out a breath. “I don’t even know where to begin. He’s extremely good-looking, yet he doesn’t let that get to his head.”
“You mean, not like the others you’ve dated, parading around like their God’s gift to women?”
“Yes, nothing like those.” I laughed, shaking my head incredulously. “William is sweet and funny, but he’s also an alpha male who gets what he wants. Let me tell you, he doesn’t stop until he gets it either. He turned Blair Realty into a multi-million-dollar company.”
My mother snickered, and my cheeks burned. “I see. What exactly does he want from you?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know just yet. It’s all pretty new.” I was still waiting for him to remember the dream. If he could, we could pick up where we left off. “But,” I added, “we have a lot in common. None of the men I’ve dated in the past have ever ridden on a horse. Will does. He’s adventurous, and you know how I love that.”
She snorted. “Yes, I know. You were always traipsing through the woods and digging things up. The museum wouldn’t have half of the things they do, if it wasn’t for you and your grandfather.”
“Those were the good ol’ days,” I murmured. “Every time Pappy and I found something new, it was always so exciting. I miss him more than anything.”
Her gaze saddened. “So do I. And you know your father was torn up at his passing. But you always understood him more than anyone. Granted, I loved hearing his stories about the past, but neither I nor your father ever appreciated it like you did. You were his world.”
I could still remember the way his face lit up when I told him I was going to be a history major in college.
She finished rolling out the dough and started cutting out snowflake cookies. “You should’ve brought him by to meet me and your father.”
“He’s with his family tonight. I was asked to join them, but I wasn’t about to skip out on our Christmas Eve tradition.”
Mouth gaping, she shook her head. “Adeline, you could’ve spent it with him. You’re getting older, and I’ve known for a long time that one day you’re going to have your own family to spend with on the holidays.”
“I know, Mom. But I wanted to be here with you. Besides, he just moved to town, and I know his family missed him a great deal. They need this time with him.”
She stopped cutting out the cookies and stared at me. “Why do you seem sad though?”
I wanted to tell her about Margaret, my dream, and everything that’d happened over the past few days, but she’d think I was crazy. “No reason,” I lied. “I’m just looking forward to making apple pastries. They’re going to be better this year.”
“How is that?”
Getting up, I walked to the other side of the kitchen, where the bowl of apples was. “There’s a new technique I learned.” I washed the apples and grabbed the shredder from the cabinet.
Her eyes lit up. “You’re going to shred them?”
“Yep. It helps the filling to stay inside the pastry.”
Once she put the cookies in the oven, she walked over and watched me. “I’m curious to see how they turn out. Want a glass of wine?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
She poured me a glass of white wine and handed it to me. “After we finish the baking, want to watch a movie? I think there’s a new Hallmark Christmas movie coming on at four.”
I started on the dough and smiled. “I’d love to.”
For the next few hours, we baked, decorated the cookies, and my mother made her famous chocolate fudge. My father even snuck in to steal a few piec
es, while my mother had her back turned. It was going to be a good night.
Thirty-One
William
I’d spent all morning on my house. Everything was unpacked, and it almost felt like a real home. However, it felt like something was missing. Staring at the Christmas tree, the only present under it was for Adeline. I was grateful I’d decided to make a quick trip to the local antique store the night before, to find something for her. For some reason, I knew she’d love it.
It was strange, but I’d started having moments where I could see Adeline and I together in my mind, yet none of it was real. There were memories of us riding together, and dancing with each other at a party, only we weren’t really ourselves. We looked different from what we were today, almost as if we were in another time. Either I had an extremely vivid imagination, I was remembering parts of a dream, or I was going insane.
The wind whipped by as I walked outside to my truck. The sky was thick, with whitish-gray clouds. We were scheduled to have a white Christmas, which was the one thing I’d missed while out in California.
Getting in my truck, I headed on my way to my parents’ house. It’d been so long since I’d been there. And when I pulled up, it looked exactly the same as it always had for Christmas, a brick, ranch-style house with a candle and a wreath in each window.
My mother opened the front door, waving excitedly. “It’s still hard to believe you’re here.” She hugged me tight and kissed my cheek. “And you brought presents too?”
Usually, I’d send everyone unwrapped presents in the mail. “Yep. And this year, I actually wrapped them.” I followed her into the living room and she set them under the tree.
My father stood and held out his arms. “Merry Christmas, son.”
I hugged him back. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
He let me go and grinned. “I brought out the old poker set. Want to play after dinner?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
Trent walked in from the kitchen and snorted. “Be prepared to lose, brother. You’ve been away a long time.”
I cracked my knuckles. “I still have what it takes.”
My mother came back in and waved us into the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready, everyone.”
Jessica was already at the table, and waved when I walked in. “Hey, Will. Did you ever find Adeline a Christmas present?” She bit down on a carrot and smiled. She’d been the person I’d bounced my idea for a gift off of, right after she’d stopped squealing about our relationship being official, that is.
My mother stopped and stared at us, clearly fascinated by our conversation.
“I did,” I replied.
“Well,” she held up her hands, “what’d you get her?”
Mischievously, I smiled back. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Her lips pursed, and she acted as if she was going to throw her carrot at me. “I don’t like you right now. Have you talked to her today?”
I nodded. “Briefly. She’s over at her parents’ house.”
“Is she not coming over for dinner?” my mother asked.
“Not this time.” Although, I really wished I could see her. The visions in my head kept getting more and more pronounced. I didn’t know what to make of it. There was simply no explanation.
“Will let Adeline decorate his house,” Trent tattled as he walked into the kitchen.
My mother gasped. “Seriously? I’m impressed. Then again, this is Adeline we’re talking about. She’s so sweet. I’m surprised she’s not already married.”
Jessica winked at me, before turning her attention to my mother. “She just hasn’t found the right man . . . until now.”
My mother patted my cheek. “We can only hope, dear. Adeline deserves someone good.” She lifted her brows in warning. I knew what it meant. She’d already told me not to break her heart, and I wasn’t planning on it.
Deep down, I knew I was the right guy for her, but I wasn’t about to say it out loud. It was too soon to think like that, or was it? I wasn’t so sure anymore. I’d never felt this way in my entire life. It was crazy.
After dinner, my brother, father, and I played poker for a couple of hours, while Jessica and my mother baked cookies. “One more game and I’m calling it a night,” I said.
My father dealt out the last hand and chuckled. “Good. I don’t think I can afford any more. You’re kicking our butts.”
Trent rolled his eyes, while I grinned slyly, tossing a poker chip at him. “What’s wrong, brother, upset that you’re losing?”
He snarled, then smiled. “You just got lucky tonight, that’s all. I guess I can’t be too angry with you after my Christmas present.”
“I’d say not,” I said, laughing. “You just need to pick a weekend when you and Jess can get away from the hospital.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make it happen. At least mom and Jessica can enjoy the trip too.”
That was why I planned it that way. The guys would all go on a fishing excursion off the Florida Keys, while my mom and Jess enjoyed that time at the spa. Everyone would be happy.
When our final round of poker was done, and I’d cleaned the table yet again, my dad stood up and held out his hands. “Don’t get up yet. There’s something I want to say to you two.”
Eyes darting to Trent, he shrugged. Apparently, he was just as confused as I was, so we both looked up to Dad, in time to see his smile fade.
He sighed. “In a way, I don’t want this night to end. It’s the first time we’ve all been together like this in a long while.” He focused on me. “I’m glad you’re back. Your mother and I have missed you.” Tears filled his eyes as he looked at us both. “There are so many days I wish I could turn back time and redo all of my mistakes. I missed so much of your childhoods.”
Trent and I looked at each other, and it was then I could see that our father’s actions had affected him too. “It’s okay, Dad. We turned out just fine,” I said.
My father shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m so sorry for not being there.”
I placed my hand over his. “You’re here now.”
Nodding, he squeezed my hand. “Yes, I am.”
Trent and I hugged him, and even though his words would never turn back time, we could always move forward. “I love you, Dad,” I said.
“I love you too, son.”
A sniffle could be heard behind us and I turned around to see my mother with tears running down her cheeks. She hurried over and joined in on the hug. “You boys just made my heart melt.”
It felt good to be a part of the family again. I’d been away from it for so long, I almost forgot what it felt like. “We love you too, Mom.”
Pulling into my driveway, I was tempted to call Adeline, but I ended up putting my phone away. What was I going to say? That I was having visions of us together? She’d laugh in my face and run far away.
The Christmas tree lights were on when I walked inside, so I sat down on the couch and stared at her handiwork. Adeline’s present glittered in the light, and it caught my attention. Heart racing, I closed my eyes and blew it out.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
Grabbing the present, I headed back outside to my truck before I could rethink my actions. I couldn’t wait any longer to see her. It was late, but I didn’t care.
Her long, quarter-mile driveway was lined with trees, all lit with white lights. Even the fences to either side were decorated with garland and red ribbons. Unfortunately, when I pulled up at the house, her car was nowhere to be seen. Her house, however, was decked out with lights, wreaths, and garland.
Taking it all in, it was almost like I’d been there before. That strange feeling of déjà vu came back with a vengeance. I got out of my truck and walked up onto the front porch. Whether I was dreaming or not, I remembered standing in that exact same spot, with Adeline in my arms. There’d been mistletoe above our heads, and I’d kissed her.
There were a couple of lights on inside the house, b
ut I knew Adeline wasn’t there. I knocked anyway, just in case. When she didn’t answer, I sat down on the front porch, my gaze landing on the field to the side of her house. It was hilly and covered in snow—the perfect place to sled. Another flashback came to mind. It was of us racing down that very same hill, using old sleds. There were kids around, laughing and screaming with joy.
“I’m seriously going insane. What is going on?” Closing my eyes, I leaned against the house. So many visions swarmed through my mind, that I gave in to it all. The cold wind blew all around me, but all I could focus on was the last memory I had of Adeline. It made no sense at first, but then it all became clear.
We were sitting on her front porch, exactly where I was sitting now, bundled up in quilts. Her body was close to mine as I held her.
“I love you, William.”
Loving her was the easiest decision I’d ever made. “I love you too, Adeline.” One of her tears fell on my hand. I lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Why are you crying?”
“Because you’re not real. I’m only dreaming.”
That was exactly how I felt. I knew it was a dream, and I didn’t want to wake up. Waking up would mean losing her. In my dream, I could be the man I wanted to be, with the woman I loved. “Of course, I’m real,” I said, knowing it wasn’t necessarily true.
I kissed her, making sure she could really feel me. Her lips were so warm. How could something so wonderful not be real? “You wouldn’t be able to feel that, if I weren’t real.”
“You’re real in my heart,” she whispered. “Just promise me you won’t forget about me.”
“Adeline, what’s going on?” How could it be that she knew it was a dream? I was the one who didn’t belong in 1865.
She grabbed my face, her eyes desperate. “When I wake up, I’ll remember you. Promise me you’ll do the same.”
I kissed her again, knowing there was no way I could ever forget about her. Then, it was as if everything started to shimmer away. “I promise,” I said, not knowing if she heard me. Everything went dark after that.
