“No, but it’s not hard to dismiss your body language. As for that last comment muddling around in your head, I was close enough to hear that as I made my way to join you.”
“Did I say that out loud?” I know I hadn’t. I don’t make it a point to talk to myself in public. At least not out loud. But for some reason, he always seems to know what I’m thinking.
“No, but I’m a telepath. Didn’t I tell you that?”
All thoughts about our kiss momentarily go out the window. “As in telepathy? Hearing other peoples’ thoughts?” I say loud enough for the other coffee shop patrons to hear. “You can read minds?” I ask again, only my voice is down to a whisper.
“Yup. But don’t worry, I only listen in when it’s something juicy.”
The man can be infuriating sometimes. Did I really just break up with my boyfriend for him? No, I made the right choice, even if Cooper does drive me nuts. In fact, it wasn’t about Cooper at all. It was about making the right decisions for myself.
He can hear my thoughts again. “Don’t think of it as breaking up. Think of it as starting anew.”
“Stop doing that!” Does being with Cooper mean I have to deal with his constant prying into my mind? If we are supposed to end up together, do we ever reach a point of neutrality? One in which he doesn’t invade my brain?
“I’ll try. And no, I don’t usually go snooping inside your head. I’m just having a bit of fun. Sorry. Just so you know, I’m not being as callous as you think. Alex and I have a past, in another reality of course, so let’s just say I’m not entirely too bummed to see him walk out that door.”
I slump in my chair, not knowing how else to respond. “So, what? You’re just going to sit here and gloat? I broke up with a great guy because you and your friends have me so confused about who I am. Is that supposed to be funny?”
Cooper wipes the smile off his face. “You’re right, it’s not funny. I guess I’ve just been down this road with you too many times to take them seriously.”
I have to admit, I do like the carefree attitude of his, which is an improvement over the sullen mood he was in the other night. It’s one of the things I like about him, but still. Right now I’m just not in the mood for jokes.
“Isn’t it? You tell me my life here is a lie and that I’m destined to become this leader in a future reality. That isn’t serious?”
“Of course it is. And so is the way I feel about you, all jokes aside. I’ve loved you in every reality, Etta, but I’m willing to accept the fact that you may never feel that way about me, especially now, the way things have turned out in this timeline. But if there’s one thing I have to convince you of, it is that I’m not the only one who cares. You have a team back in that future, waiting to have you as their leader.”
Again with this leader thing. This is the second time he mentions my being a leader, and that guy Chance said something about that. Is this why he’s so intent on getting me to go with him? I can’t be a leader. A leader of what exactly?
“The Council. You lead us in overthrowing Oliver Thornberry.”
I ignore the blatant disrespect for the privacy that is my thoughts. “What Council? And I don’t have any experience in leading anyone. I’m a paralegal with no college degree. Not exactly leader material.” Then I think back to the conversation from the past Chance showed me. “I have a score to settle, don’t I?”
“You do indeed. I don’t have time to get into all the details. The faster you can trust me, the better off our future world will be.”
I give up. I’m tired of being expected to just believe and take everything with a grain of salt. It’s not that I don’t believe, I just don’t think it’s fair that I have to make snap decisions. “I just don’t know, Cooper.” Isn’t it enough I broke up with Alex?
He stands up to leave. “For what it’s worth, I’m still here for you.”
What, he’s leaving? This makes the second guy to walk out on me tonight. Maybe it’s for the best. We both need some time to sort out our feelings. I just hope I haven’t run him off for good. It seems I’m always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. I know what I saw the other day with Jenny, so why do I make things difficult for me and the others around me by putting up a front all the time?
Do I really need to figure out how I feel for Cooper? Unlike most women, I never sat up at night dreaming about my wedding day or cutting pictures of fancy dresses out of magazines. It’s not something that I even considered growing up. But I got the rare chance to see what happily-ever-after looks like firsthand. I’d be a fool to ignore it.
My mind wanders back to when Jenny showed me my almost-present.
Chapter Eighteen
Etta Fleming Gets Married
The Present / Alternate Timeline
“Are you sure no one’s going to see us?” I ask Jenny again. To crash a wedding is one thing, but to crash your own, in another time and place, no less, is an entirely different thing all together. I feel just as nervous as if it was my own wedding day. Though, technically it is.
“Trust me. I’ve been through this once before and I know where everyone’s supposed to be. We’ll just keep clear of those that might recognize us.”
Trust is not something I equate to, when I think of Jenny Prado. Why should I believe her? How do I even know we are where she says we are? We’re in a Vegas hotel for crying out loud! I know that quickie weddings are just as common here as drive-through car washes, but still. I have a hard time believing I get married just steps away from slot machines.
I have no choice but to follow her lead as we walk through the massive hotel. We go down a long hallway, where I assume the chapel is located. That and the sign pointing in that direction is also a major clue.
“Everyone’s already inside, so we’re going to have to come up from behind and just watch,” Jenny instructs. She looks at me with concern. “Promise me you’re not going to do anything stupid like object to the wedding or say something to blow our cover are you?”
Even I’m not that dumb to try anything foolish. “Duh, of course not. I still don’t even believe we’re here.”
Jenny snorts. “I know, right? Getting married in Vegas, even if the Bellagio is a Five Diamond resort, is still a little tacky. I mean, it’s certainly not where I plan on getting married,” she drones. “Oh, no offense.”
“None taken.” Really, can I be offended by anything she says? This Jenny we’re talking about.
“If it makes you feel any better, it’s a beautiful service,” she offers.
We make our way into the chapel parlor and hang back, lest anyone is still lingering around. Fortunately, the room has cleared and it’s only us. I’m so nervous, my stomach is in knots. I think I’m going to throw up. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself down.
“You look like you’re the one going down the aisle. Relax and enjoy the show,” Jenny says.
“This is a stupid idea,” I whisper. The chapel doors are closed, but I don’t want to alert anyone to our presence. My stomach grumbles in agreement. “Why are you showing me this, anyway? What’s this going to prove?”
“Nothing, really. I just figured it’d be a cool thing to show you,” she says. “I was sent to show you something from your present, but frankly your life is pretty boring, so I thought I’d go with this. It’s as close to the present as I can take you that actually has meaning.”
Well, she has a point there. My life isn’t exactly filled with adventure. I guess that holds true for all my other realities. But marriage? That’s certainly a venturesome feat. Jumping in with both feet, right? “Lead the way.”
Jenny walks toward the double doors and opens it slightly. “They’ve started! Come look.” She waves me over, flailing her arms as if I can’t see her. It’s like she’s more excited than I am. And why should I be, anyway? I didn’t ask to see this alternate version of my life. I think I’m more nervous than the actual bride—me. I take a deep breath as I walk towards the open crack between the doo
rs.
The only thing visible to me are the backs of people’s heads. My eyes follow down the few rows in the chapel, and I note that there are very few in attendance. Not exactly the wedding I would envision for myself, if I ever gave it much thought, which I haven’t. Well, not really. I know I’m not the kind to fantasize over elaborate affairs, but I guess in this brief time since finding out I marry Cooper, I imagined something a little, well, grander. At least in terms of guests. I can say this for sure, the small room is beautiful. It didn’t even need decorations. The soft earth tone colors of the room are warm and elegant. Never mind what I thought a few moments ago. This is exactly the type of wedding I would have chosen for myself. Small and intimate.
That’s when my attention finally falls on the bride and groom. The same as with the guests, I can only see the back of their heads, but there’s no question who they are: me and Cooper.
I feel a gentle tug on my arm. Jenny, trying to get me away from the door. “Come on,” she whispers. “I think you’ve seen enough.”
“But I haven’t seen anything.” I may have protested a few minutes ago, but now Jenny can’t take me away from the scene in front of me.
“Yeah, you have,” she urges. “I only brought you here to prove your relationship with Cooper, in case you had any doubts. Now you’ve seen it.”
“Not yet,” I hiss. Now that I’m here, I’m not ready to go. After all the effort it took for her to bring me here, the least she can do is let me enjoy the moment. I want to see my face as I marry Cooper. It’s important to me.
I shrug off Jenny’s efforts and keep watching and she leaves me be. From the crack in the door, I can see the minister still speaking, and all I want is a glimpse of the couple in front of the altar. Come on, I think to myself as the minster drones on. I have to see her face.
And that’s when I hear the minister request they face each other for their vows. They turn slowly towards each other and I’m grateful she’s not wearing a veil. I can see every emotion etched in her eyes as she faces Cooper. If there was ever any moment of doubt, they’re now gone—I see nothing but love radiating from her eyes.
Okay, I’m ready now. I’ve seen everything I need to see. I gently close the door, so as not to alert the guests, and walk away from the double doors.
Jenny waits impatiently by the main chapel parlor. “Satisfied? Did you see what you wanted to see?”
I nod, though I’m a little peeved. “I didn’t realize I was putting you out. You’re the one that brought me here Jenny,” I remind her. “And yes. I got what I needed.” I’d thank her, but her attitude prevents me from doing so.
“I’m not trying to rain on your parade. I’ll admit, taking you to this point in time wasn’t one of my better ideas, but I just don’t want us to get caught. It could cause serious repercussions if anyone catches us here. Besides, just bringing you here and letting you see this is enough of a risk.”
She has a point. “You’re right. I just had to see something for myself. We can go now.”
Jenny’s face brightens and winks. “Wanna check out the casinos while we’re here? Try our luck?”
Only Jenny would suggest something like this. “I think I’ll pass. Hey, before we get out of this surreal dimension, why did we get married in a casino?” Call me curious.
“Oh, that. You can thank Moose for that. He used to work here and he got you guys got a great deal on the wedding package,” she laughs.
Who’s Moose?
Chapter Nineteen
Panic War Room
Thornberry Reality 2017
He finally found her alone in the war room. Everyone around the place was jumpy ever since Etta disappeared from their lives the other day. To their amazement, she’d since reappeared and was still a part of their world, much to the relief of everyone. Whatever Cooper told her to change the path again worked, but it could change tomorrow, or the next day. It only proved they had to continue with their plan delicately, as they’d witnessed firsthand how sensitive their mission actually was.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
“Huh?” Etta stood in the middle of the room, staring off into space. “Oh, hey, Moose.”
Being an empath, Moose could tell Etta had been struggling the last few days. He had full confidence in her leadership, but it was her own confidence that he worried about. He could feel her conflicted emotions ever since that night at dinner. Whether she realized it or not, her emotions were all in flux and he hoped he could step in before it was too late.
“I came to look for you… see if you needed anything,” he finally said, approaching her.
“I’m fine, really. Just taking stock of everything.”
Moose moved closer to Etta and draped his arm over her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze of support in the process. “You’re a pretty tough chick, you know. It’s okay to say you’re a little freaked out.”
“You calling me ‘chick’ is the same as Coop calling me ‘darlin’. It’s infuriating on both counts.”
Forging strong relationships wasn’t something that came easy for Moose, but there was something about Etta that he felt an instant connection with. Not that he would admit it to anyone, but he viewed her as a sister and best friend rolled into one. There was nothing he wouldn’t do keep her safe, and in this case, sane.
“Ah, come on. You know you love it. So come on, spill. What’s got you all worked up?”
“What if this doesn’t work, Moose? How many times can you guys come to my rescue? Some leader I turned out to be, huh?”
“Hey, none of this is your fault. You know that, right? There were others involved in skewing the timeline. We’re just here to make sure you get on the right path. We obviously succeed this time around, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
Etta let out a swish of air she’d been holding in. “Yeah, but you know as well as I do I can be here today and gone tomorrow. What if something changes?”
“You know, when I was still working at the casino, I learned that there’s no such thing as luck. I still believe that, Etta, but you know what I do believe in? Faith. You gotta have that or there’s no point in any of this. That’s why people overdraw their bank accounts. To play the odds. It’s the same reason why we risk our lives. We can win this Etta, but we can’t do it without you. I have faith in you. In us.”
She knew he was right. What was the point in any of this if they didn’t have faith that they would ultimately succeed? “Have I ever told you that pouring your heart out to an empath totally sucks?”
Chapter Twenty
It’s a Mad, Dad, World
Present Reality
I can’t talk to Jaime, because she won’t understand, I can’t mull things over with Alex, because we just broke-up, and I’m certainly not turning to Cooper, because I honestly don’t know where we stand right now. So I head over to the one person I can talk to: Maggie.
Living and working in Old Town, I don’t generally drive much—since everything is within walking distance and parking around here is a nightmare, but since Maggie lives several miles away, I decide it’s time for a little drive. It’s not much, but my old rusty Mini Cooper that I got used for a steal is my most prized possession. Especially living in a neighborhood that only accommodates street parking, my little gem makes parallel parking a breeze.
She greets me with open arms as I show up unannounced at her house. It isn’t a planned visit, so I’m grateful she’s up for some company. Even if we don’t get into the whole time-warp mess I’ve somehow gotten myself into, it’s nice to know I have someone to talk to that has a different perspective on things.
“You’re just in time,” she says, as if expecting me. “I just made an apple pie.”
Maggie ushers me into the kitchen, which I’ve now come to figure out is her favorite spot in the house, and pours me a cup of coffee before slicing me a piece of the delicious-smelling pie.
“So,” she starts, after she settles herself down to the
table. “What’s brought you to my door all pensive-like?”
“I’m not really sure. I guess I just wanted someone to talk to.”
“Ah, I see. I’m guess there’s not very many people who would understand your complex predicament.”
“Exactly.” See? I knew she’d understand. “It’s not even that I want to talk about it so much as just being around someone who understands. Does that make sense?”
“Of course, dear. You’re trying to seek comfort in the only person you know without having to make explanations or excuses, and that person happens to be me.”
“Oh, I don’t mean it like that. I mean, it’s not just that. I love being around you. You’re my aunt.” All this time, I’ve been referring to her at Maggie and not my aunt. Maybe it’s about time I change that.
She takes me into a warm hug and kisses the top of my head. “And nothing makes me prouder than having you as my niece. So tell me, what’s new?”
We both laugh at that, seeing that we only just met like a week ago. I instantly feel at ease whenever I’m around her. I feel like I can tell her anything. She’s the family I’d sought after all these years, and now my dream has finally come true. Even if nothing else happens to me, I’ve reunited with my aunt.
“Everything! Let’s see, I have a great job at Thorne and Stone, a law firm in Old Town, and I just turned twenty-two. Oh, well, you know that already. And I just broke up with my boyfriend Alex.”
Maggie looks concerned for a second upon hearing my last statement. “Is that why the long face?”
Is it that obvious? “I guess so… No. It was something I had to do.”
“I see. Does this have anything to do with that young man who stopped by the other day?”
I can feel the heat rise to my face. This is unfamiliar territory for me, talking to my aunt about my love life. “A little.”
“You don’t have to explain. I remember what dating was like at your age. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, dear.”
Paradigm (Travelers Series Book 3) Page 11
