"It is rather distressing to learn that Mama and Papa weren't my parents after all."
"Oh, Jacob and Opal were your parents, my dear. They raised, loved and nurtured you. They were indeed your parents."
"Your right, Mr. Ramsdell, and they were wonderful parents. I couldn't have asked for better."
After Mr. Ramsdell left, Roxanne went to the barn to saddle Sally. She had invited Collin for dinner and she'd been looking forward to setting things straight between them with Lucy as a buffer. But now she needed to talk to Collin right away. It was high time Mr. O'Neal was truthful with her about all he knew.
Nine
"Roxanne, this is a lovely surprise. I thought I was coming for dinner tonight." He smiled and tried to pull her close.
Roxanne pushed him away. "Take that look off your face, Collin. I came for answers and this time I want the truth, the whole truth."
"What are you talking about?"
"First, who are you and how do you live? You don't ever work for anyone and yet always seem to have money. Do you have a rich father back East?
"My father's dead, but yes he did have money."
"Fine, now tell me what you know about Roxanne Jane O'Malley and everything else my father may have confided to you."
"So you know?"
"That I'm an O'Malley? Yes."
"Come over here and sit down, Roxy." He led her to the sofa, taking her hands in his as he sat beside her.
"Have you ever noticed the inscription on that locket you wear?"
"Yes, of course, it's my initials, R J I and a photograph of my grandmother is inside."
"No, my darlin', those are the initials of your mother and it's her photograph in the locket. Your mother is Rowena Jane Ingram O'Malley and your father is William Douglas O'Malley."
"Why did they give me away? Are they dead?"
"No, your parents are very much alive, as well as a sister and two brothers."
"What, I don't understand? If they are still living, why then am I not with them?" Roxanne's heartbeat quickened and she felt excitement and anger race through her at his words.
"I want an answer, Collin. Where are my parents and siblings?"
Collin tightened his grip on her hands. "Your family lives in Wild Rose, Texas, Roxy. They…"
"What are you telling me? Are you crazy? My family lives right here in Wild Rose?" Roxanne jumped up and began pacing the small room.
"Roxanne come and sit down. It's time for you to know the truth, you're going to find it hard to believe and you need to remain calm."
Roxanne sat back down and turned to face him. "Very well, Collin, tell me everything. I'm about as calm as I'm likely to be."
Collin retrieved her hands and held on when she tried to pull away. "Listen, Darlin'. Your family does live in Wild Rose, in the year 2006."
Roxanne's mouth fell open and all the color drained from her face. Then she flushed red in anger.
"Do you take me for a fool? I don't know what game you're playing Collin, but I warn you, I've had all I can take of it. Either you're mentally ill, in which case, I pity you or you are trying to be funny and I don't find this at all amusing."
"I'm telling you the truth, Roxy. I can explain it and I can prove it to you, just as soon as you're calm enough to listen."
Taking several deep breaths, Roxanne contained her anger. "Very well, prove it."
Collin stood and went into the bedroom, returning to hand her a small card and a newspaper. Roxanne examined both and looked at him in horror.
"That card is my driver's license and the other is the newspaper I had on me when I came here. Notice the dates on both. That was five years ago in 2001. The driver's license is issued so that a person can legally drive a car, an automobile. Everyone drives, that's why I couldn't ride a horse until you taught me, Roxy. There's no need in my time for riding horses."
"You actually believe this… that you're from the future?" Tears sprang to her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. "Oh, Collin."
Collin was stunned by the pity he saw in her eyes. She not only didn't believe him, but also thought him a raving lunatic. Collin didn't blame her. If someone had told him five years ago that he'd be zapped back to the year 1893, he'd have had them carted off to the loony bin. He'd been studying paranormal occurrences for years, but even he'd never believed in time travel before this happened.
"Look at the dates, Roxy. Look where it has my date of birth on the card. I'm telling the truth."
"Collin, I don't know where you had these printed, and the photographer did a fine job on your image, but you can't honestly think I'm going to fall for this. It's just too much. I want to know what my father told you about me, Collin."
"He didn't have to tell me much, Roxy. I already knew. I'm interested in paranormal anomalies and when I have time I do research for The Dallas Paranormal Research Center. They've been making scientific studies of that black rock for years with your father's permission.
"I'm also a friend of your family and I was helping your brother in his search for you. You'd disappeared when you were two years old and he's never stopped searching for you. I know this seems impossible, but it's true. I can explain what happened, but even I don't understand it."
Roxanne stared at him as if he'd truly gone mad.
"You disappeared through that rock twenty years ago and I came here the same way five years ago. Jacob saw you come through the rock and took you home to Opal. They considered you a gift from God. When I showed up the same way and explained it to Jacob, he was devastated."
"He wanted you to have the choice to stay or go back to your own time. He was going to explain everything and give you that choice. But whatever choice you make, Roxy, I still need you to help me get back."
"You told all this to my father and he believed you and what do you mean, you need my help to get back?"
"Yes, Darlin', he believed me because his father had told him stories of men disappearing into the rock and warning him to stay away. And he saw you come through with his own eyes."
Roxanne stood and began to pace again. "Collin, what you say is impossible to believe. My father left a letter for me with Mr. Ramsdell. In the letter he gave me Black Rock, said my name was O'Malley and instructed me to come to you for more information. Is this what he wanted me to know?"
"Yes."
"If what you say is true, then how did he know twenty years ago that I was an O'Malley?"
"Come here, Darlin', and give me your locket."
Roxanne removed the locket and handed it to him. He opened it and removed the photograph.
"Read the inscription under where the picture was. Your mother gave it to you on your first birthday."
Roxanne took the locket and read the words inscribed in the back.
To my daughter,
Roxanne Jane O'Malley
November 1980
Her head begin to spin. "It's all true then," she whispered.
Collin stood and took her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Darlin', I know it's hard to believe and impossible to understand. There's more, but I think that's enough for one day."
"No, Collin, you must tell me all you know and about my mother and father too. I need to know everything, please."
"Okay, lets sit down and I'll tell you all I know."
"You said my parents live in Wild Rose. Where?"
"They live here in Wild Rose on Black Rock Ranch. You mother is Jacob's great niece and originally when Jacob died, his younger sister inherited the property. It remained in the family all those years."
"So Papa was actually a blood relation to me, my great uncle."
"Well, actually a great, great Uncle, but yes you are related."
"I'm so glad. Tell me about my family."
"Your parents and your younger brother and sister live on the ranch. Your younger sister, Lisa is sixteen and your brother, Evan is fourteen. Your older brother, Devin is thirty-two and he's an attorney in Dallas. He was my partner in a law firm before marryi
ng and moving to Dallas. I have no way of knowing what's happened since I've been gone."
"It's hard to believe that I have a sister and two brothers. I always wanted a sister or brother." Her voice wobbled and she swallowed hard to prevent the shedding of more tears.
"You also have a mother and father who want you home, Roxanne. They've grieved for you terribly."
"I hurt for them, Collin and I'm excited to learn that I have a family, but no one can ever take the place of Mama and Papa."
"I understand that, Sweetheart, and they will too. You'll have to give them a chance."
"I'm so confused. I just find all this time travel stuff so impossible."
"I know, I felt the same way when I walked out of that rock five years ago and found myself in the 1800's. "
"Are things so very different in the future?"
"Just like night and day. You'll see when we go back."
"I don't want to go there, Collin. This is my home. I'd be lost there."
"But, Roxy, you have to go back. You want to meet your family don't you?"
"I would like to meet them, but I'm not leaving Black Rock. This Black Rock, here and now."
"Darlin', you don't know what you're saying. You're confused and upset. You just need some time to get used to the idea. And I can tell you everything you need to know about that time period."
"What about all the years in between, Collin?"
"I can tell you all that too. It's history, Roxanne, and doesn't matter. I can tell you anything that you might need to know."
"No, I can't do it. I won't do it. I belong here."
"But, Roxy…"
"I said no, Collin. That's all there is to it." Roxanne stood and walked to the door.
"I'm sorry, Collin, I can't talk about this anymore right now. I don't even want to think about it. I just have one last question. Where do you get your money? You aren't using money from the future are you?"
"No that money is no good here. What's the matter, Darlin? Afraid I might be a bank robber?"
"It had crossed my mind. But it doesn't seem to fit you somehow."
Collin grinned. "Well thanks for that anyway. Jacob gave me money, Roxanne. He wanted me to continue to study the rock and find my way home. He was truly a very decent man."
"I know. He was kind to everyone. I'd better go now."
"Roxanne, won't you even consider the possibility of coming back with me?"
"No, I told you I don't wish to speak of it anymore."
"All right, we won't talk about it now. Am I still invited for dinner?"
"Of course, I'll see you later." She turned to go out the door.
"Roxy, wait." Collin joined her at the door and took her in his arms for a lingering kiss. Pulling back, he looked deep in her eyes. "I'm telling the truth, you do believe me?"
"I believe you, Collin, but knowing it's the truth isn't going to make me change my mind about leaving my home." With that she went out and mounted Sally.
Collin watched her ride away with an uneasy feeling. He hoped she'd change her mind because without her, his chances of getting back were pretty slim and he wasn't sure how he'd live without her even if he did make it back. He'd never felt so strongly about a woman before and it worried him.
She didn't trust him, thought him a rogue and she wasn't wrong. He'd had many affairs and when they were over, he'd never looked back. He never intended to marry, had little faith in the institution of marriage. His mother and father had divorced when he was twelve and his father had married four times before his death.
Collin's mother had never given up hope that his father would come to his senses and return to his family. It had never happened and she'd died lonely and heartbroken. Marriage wasn't for Collin. It was better to live in the moment and avoid thinking about a long-term emotional commitment. He was sure his strong feelings for Roxanne would weaken with time and no way was he going to follow in his father's footsteps.
Ten
After her bath, Roxanne dressed for dinner in one of her new dresses. She'd been looking forward to being with Collin tonight, but that was before. She knew he'd try to convince her to change her mind, so she'd ridden by Tina and Simon's on the way home and asked them to come to dinner tonight.
Collin had looked so worried when she'd left him. She didn't know what they were going to do. She only knew that she couldn't think about it anymore.
She left the bedroom and went down to the kitchen to see if Lucy needed help finishing the dinner preparations.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, Miss. I've got everything under control and I believe I hear a wagon out front. You go greet your guests and I'll let you know when dinner's ready."
"Won't you change your mind and dine with us, Lucy?"
"No, I've been wanting to read my new dime novel, Master of her Fate. I can't wait to get into it."
"Okay, Lucy. We'll miss your company, but I understand."
When Roxanne heard the knock, she went to greet Simon and Tina, leading them into the front parlor.
"Dinner will be ready in just a minute or two."
"Good, I'm starving."
"Simon! Goodness, where are your manners?"
"Sorry."
Roxanne giggled at the by play. "It all right, Simon, you're among friends and there's no need to be formal here."
"Don't encourage him, Roxy, or he'll be unbearable."
"Hey, I can be a gentleman." Simon looked at Tina with a mock look of hurt on his face."
Roxanne couldn't help but burst into laughter and Tina couldn't hold her look of disapproval.
"I can't fight you both." She chuckled. "You know, Roxy, you spoiled all of our fun."
Roxanne looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Simon and I were going to have so much fun throwing you and Collin together at every opportunity. We wanted to play Cupid, but you and Collin spoiled it all by getting together on your own."
Roxanne blushed. "It's only a neighborly dinner invitation, Tina."
"Sure, okay." Tina looked at Simon and he grinned.
"Speak of the Devil, I believe I hear Collin's horse now. It was sure nice of you to teach him to ride. Can't imagine how he ever managed without having a horse." Simon shook his head as if the thought of a man not riding and having his own horse was beyond him.
Gunfire shattered the happy conversation. "Get down! Simon shouted at them before running to the front door. He eased it open, scanning the ranch yard and surrounding landscape for any sign of a gunman. Seeing and hearing nothing, he cautiously made his way out, running to his wagon for cover.
"Collin, are you all right? Collin?"
"Yeah, the bastard shot Star. You can come on over, Simon. He rode off over the hill as soon as Star went down."
Simon made his way to where Collin sat on the ground cradling the horse's head on his lap. He was stroking the horse gently, whispering to him.
"You'll be okay, boy. We'll get you all fixed up and you'll be fine."
Simon went to his wagon and removed his rifle. Returning to Collin, he reached down and took his arm. "Come on, Collin, Star is suffering. We have to put him down."
Collin glanced up and saw the rifle Simon had in his hand. "No! Get away with that thing. I'll get a vet and he can fix Star. He'll be fine."
Star whinnied pitifully and Simon jerked Collin to his feet. "There's no horse doctor in Wild Rose. Look at him, Collin. Even a veterinarian couldn't do anything. He's suffering and this has to be done."
Collin looked at Star and his heart felt as though it had burst. The big horse was bleeding badly and he continued to make pitiful sounds. Collin knew that nothing could be done. Turning, he'd only gone a few steps when he heard the shot. Walking back to the now still horse, he sank to his knees. He could taste the salt of his tears as he stroked the horse that he'd loved at first sight.
"It's okay now, boy. There's no more pain. It's okay."
Simon turned and walked to the h
ouse, giving Collin the privacy to say goodbye to his first horse. Simon knew well the pain of this moment.
Going into the house, he told the three women what had happened. Roxanne hurried to Collin and the fallen horse. She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around him, sobbing.
"Collin, I'm so sorry about Star. I'm so sorry. You could have been killed. Who would do such a horrible thing?"
He wrapped her close, having no answers. Crying softly, they sat there in the ranch yard until Tina came and gently urged them inside.
Sitting at the dining room table, the five of them discussed the fact that someone wanted Collin dead.
Simon looked at Collin's tear streaked face and couldn't imagine anyone wishing harm to his friend. He'd known Collin for five years and the man was decent and honest. He was also well liked by everyone in Wild Rose as well as on both Black Rock and Simon's own ranch.
"I don't like it. Until we find out just who this gun happy person is, no one is safe. Do you know of anyone who has a grudge against you, Collin?"
"No, I can't think of anyone that might want to kill me. I didn't think I had any enemies. I don't know anyone who actually dislikes me enough to try to shoot me."
Roxanne gasped and they all turned to look at her. Tina took her hand in hers and asked her gently, "What is it, Hon? Do you know someone who might consider Collin an enemy?"
"Yes, but it's crazy to think he had anyting to do with this."
"Who? Come on, Roxanne, who do you know that hates Collin?"
"I don't know that he hates him, but Brad has been less than complimentary to Collin on several occasions and even tried to warn me away from him. Then when I told him that I couldn't see him anymore because I was in…" Roxanne stopped and blushed brightly.
Collin stared at her. "What did you tell him, Roxanne?"
Roxanne's color deepened and she looked away from the eyes of her friends.
"It's all right Roxanne. If it makes you feel any better, Tina and I are thrilled for you and Collin. We think you're made for each other." Simon grinned at her and winked at Collin.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I only told Brad that I didn't love him and couldn't marry him and he became very angry."
E. G. Parsons - Black Rock: Page 10
