by Bess McBride
Susan nodded in a resigned fashion. “I understand. I worry about her traveling alone though.”
“I worry less now that I know women travel alone in her time, but it is still not seemly.”
“What about Mrs. Chamberlain? They seem to get on very well. Maybe she could go with her?” Susan gave her brother an assessing look.
Stephen stiffened. The child was very astute.
“No, Mrs. Chamberlain cannot travel as she is in the family way.”
“That’s it then,” Susan said defeated. “No one else knows about Dani.”
“No one,” Stephen said.
****
They arrived at the train station with a half hour until departure time. Dani noted with relief that the train yard had been regraded, and she hitched up the skirts of the brown cotton traveling dress Ellie had loaned her and tiptoed over the still moist soil until she stepped onto the platform. She balanced the small straw hat Ellie had sent with the dress precariously on her hair, not holding out much hope for the stickpin holding it in place.
She had clung to Stephen’s hand on the carriage ride from his home, but they remained silent, having nothing left to say. He wanted her to stay, she had to go; she wanted him to go with her and he might have considered coming but for Susan’s illness...which Susan would survive in Dani’s time.
And all of this was a big “if” she could get home. She had no firm idea how it might work. Dani had stuffed the now-cleaned clothing she’d worn the day before into a small satchel Stephen had given her...just in case. She was unwilling to dwell on any further thoughts in that area in case they somehow inadvertently hexed her plan to return home.
The train was in station—steam hissing, smoke billowing, conductors, stewards and porters busily about the business of loading passengers, luggage and supplies. Stephen handed Dani her ticket, some money and something else. From his coat pocket, he withdrew her small afghan square and crocheting needle and held them out.
Dani took them wordlessly, unable to speak over the ache in her throat. If she said one word, she would start bawling. She glanced around to see people boarding the train—women and children hugged, men shook hands, but she didn’t see any men and women embracing. Dared she kiss Stephen goodbye...yet again? Would he be shocked?
Stephen settled the matter by taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply and thoroughly, almost as if willing her to stay by promises of nights of passion and days of tenderness.
Dani came up for air with a watery chuckle. “You don’t have to convince me in one kiss what a wonderful life I might have with you, Stephen. I already know that.”
“I just do not want you to forget,” Stephen said in a husky voice. He clenched his jaw, and Dani knew he struggled for control.
“I will never forget you. Never!” She pulled off her hat and clung to him, pressing her face against his chest. His heartbeat raced. “I’m going to try to come back, Stephen. But if somehow I can’t, don’t wait for me. Find someone.”
“I already have,” he said.
“I’m going to get on the train now,” Dani said, “before I change my mind. Don’t wait to wave me off. Just go.” Her chest ached with unbearable pain, and she could only drag in shallow breaths. The possible loss of her mother or the almost certain loss of Stephen were choices no one should have to make.
Stephen shook his head. “I cannot do that.”
“Please go, Stephen,” her voice broke. “I don’t want my last memory of you to be standing on the platform waving goodbye.”
“Oh, Dani,” he sighed heavily. “You ask too much of me.”
He bent his head and kissed her hungrily before turning away and striding toward the carriage.
Dani froze, staring after him. The last memory she would have of him was walking away from her, which seemed a hundred times worse than watching him wave goodbye from the platform. He jumped into the carriage without a backward glance, and Samuel set the carriage in motion.
Dani turned away, blinded by tears. She dashed at her eyes, trying to focus on the train. She moved toward the train on leaden legs. The conductor nodded his cap.
“Which way is the observation car?” she muttered, her watery eyes on the ground.
“The observation and library carriage, Madam? Two carriages down. I suggest you board the carriage directly down there.”
With a glance over her shoulder, she walked toward the observation car. Stephen did not stand on the platform to wave at her. He had done as she asked. He had left. Even now, the carriage probably inched its way toward Queen Anne Hill.
She entered the observation carriage and took up the same seat she’d sat in before, when she first met Stephen. Obviously, her best chance of getting back was to re-create the same set of events...without Stephen’s presence though.
Unlike her first experience in an almost empty observation carriage, the carriage hosted about ten other passengers, perhaps due to the earliness of the day. Several people were already ensconced in various seats throughout the carriage, some in the library, some in the observation car. A steward, already on duty, asked her if she wished anything. She came very close to asking for a hot toddy but opted for a cup of tea.
“Right away, Madam.”
While mulling over various ways her travel to the future might occur, Dani studied her fellow passengers in the observation portion of the carriage. Several middle-aged couples visited with each other as if they traveled together. The women dressed in sensible-looking dark traveling dresses with white blouses, and the men in dark neutral-colored suits and conservative ties. Two older women chatted excitedly with frequent gestures out the window, suggesting they didn’t ride the train very often.
The steward returned with her cup of tea.
Around the edge of the divider between the observation portion of the carriage and the library, Dani saw several pairs of crossed legs housed in male trousers. One of the men rose and entered the observation section as if in search of something to the rear of the carriage.
On seeing Dani, he paused and tilted his head inquiringly.
“Mrs. Sadler! How nice to see you again. Is Stephen with you?”
Rory O’Rourke, the handsome dark-haired friend of Stephen’s, turned to scan the room.
Dani cursed inwardly. How, if she knew almost no one in 1901, could she run into one of the few people she had met? She almost jumped up, but remembered the pressure of Stephen’s hand on her shoulder at dinner. She supposed she was expected to remain seated.
“Mr. O’Rourke!” she murmured. “No, Stephen is not.” She swallowed hard. No, Stephen was not with her.
He blinked his blue eyes, and quirked a dark eyebrow.
“Surely, you do not travel alone, Mrs. Sadler?”
Dani pressed her lips together.
“Well, yes, actually. Stephen was going to come with me, but Susan was ill...so he had to stay.”
“I am so sorry to hear that. Perhaps I might step in as a companion until you reach your destination, Mrs. Sadler. It is what I would wish Stephen to do if my wife were in such a situation.”
“Oh, no need to do that, Mr. O’Rourke.” How on earth was she going to attempt to “travel,” however that defined itself, under his watchful eye?
“Please call me Rory. May I?” he gestured to the seat bench.
“Yes, of course,” she replied. She studied him as he settled into a seat and hailed the steward. Such a handsome man, charming and animated. “Are you married, Rory?”
“No, no, not me,” he smiled. “I simply meant that if I were married and if my wife were forced to travel alone, I would welcome the companionship of Stephen or other friends on her behalf.”
The steward brought her tea, and Rory placed an order.
“Stephen didn’t want me to go alone, but I have to visit my mother in Montana.” She felt the need to defend Stephen. “Susan was very ill, and she needed her brother there.”
“Yes, of course, I understand.” He eyed her with
interest. “You say you are from Montana?”
“Well, originally, yes.”
“I have spent time there but do not remember meeting any women as delightful as you. Even at our meeting last night, I noted you were pleasantly original...even in your speech.”
Dani eyed him narrowly, suspecting he was probably reacting to her mannerisms rather than her universal appeal to all men.
“Are you flirting with me, Rory? A married woman?”
He blinked and laughed outright. “I suppose I am,” he said sheepishly. “It is a bad habit of long standing. Forgive me. My flirtatious attentions are not often so boldly pointed out.”
“I don’t think Stephen would like you flirting with me,” she said with a smile. He seemed harmless.
“No, he would not,” Stephen said, standing before them.
Chapter Eight
Dani jumped up. “Stephen! What—”
“Rory, what do you think you are doing?” Stephen stood over him, his eyes narrowed and angry.
Rory stood. “It is nothing, Stephen. I overstepped my bounds and made my apologies to Mrs. Sadler.”
“Stephen, what—” Dani tried again. The train began to move, dropping her back into her seat. Stephen balanced himself on the edge of the bench as he stared at Rory.
“What are you doing on the train, Rory?”
“I might ask you the same question, Stephen. Mrs. Sadler stated you were not traveling with her.” Rory appeared relaxed, but a telltale muscle twitched in his jaw.
“Which does not give you permission to harass my wife.”
“Stephen! He wasn’t—” Dani grabbed Stephen’s lapel and gave it a quick tug. “Sit down. People are staring. Rory didn’t do anything. He offered to keep me company until I got to Whitefish, that’s all.”
“I am truly sorry, Stephen,” Rory said with a sincere expression. “Mrs. Sadler and I had agreed that my behavior was improper before you arrived.”
Stephen sat down, and Rory retook his seat. The steward, who had stood by apprehensively with Rory’s coffee, served it quickly and moved on. The two men eyed each other steadily for a few moments—visually exchanging whatever communication was necessary to clear the air.
“Thank you, Rory,” Stephen conceded, appearing slightly mollified, but not entirely. “I had not thought to be able to travel with my wife today but found I could not let her travel alone after all. My sister has been unwell, but my housekeeper will care for her.”
“I am sorry to hear of Susan’s illness. Please give her my best,” Rory said with a frown.
“Of course,” Stephen nodded. He threw Dani a sideways glance, but she kept her mouth shut for the moment, at least in front of Rory.
“I believe you two must have things to discuss, and I think I will just leave you alone for a while and find a newspaper to read,” Rory said, astutely observing Stephen’s reticence to speak.
“Thank you, Rory,” Dani said. Rory nodded, rose and walked away toward the library.
“What are you doing here, Stephen?” Dani whispered. “What about Susan?”
“I could not let you travel alone. I simply could not, although I discover that my old friend, Rory, has offered to stand in my stead.” He shook his head and looked over his shoulder to where Rory had taken a seat in the library.
“He was being kind, Stephen, really. I think he’s just a bit of a flirt, but he wasn’t hitting on me, I don’t think.”
“Hitting on you?” Stephen gave her a wry smile. “I am sure I understand the meaning of the expression, but I cannot say I have heard flirting described as such. The expression has a very violent connotation.”
Dani smiled tenderly, her heart swelling at the sight of his face. “What about Susan?”
“I sent Samuel back to the house with a note for Mrs. Oakley and Susan. I had thought to have Ellie check on her, but as she is with child, I decided against it. Susan urged me to accompany you. She will not be upset that I could not force myself to abandon you.”
Dani grabbed his hand. She resisted the urge to bring it to her lips, assuming those around them would be shocked.
“I cannot imagine you ever abandoning me, Stephen. Not ever.”
He touched her face lightly with his free hand. “Not ever,” he repeated.
“So, what’s the plan?” she asked.
He looked taken aback. “Plan? I do not know. I thought you had a plan. We did not really talk about it. You seemed reluctant to discuss the matter of your return short of adamantly insisting that you needed to go home.”
Dani colored. “I know. I’m sorry. It’s easier for me not to think about the consequences, but to just do it. Otherwise, I won’t be able to.”
“I understand, my love, truly I do.” Unabashed, Stephen brought her hand to his lips.
Dani took a deep breath. “Both Ellie and I seemed to travel through time near the Wenatchee station, but she’s not sure she ever returned to our time. She thinks they might have been dreams.” Dani kept her voice low in case they were overheard.
“She said she had fallen asleep in her seat and woke up in Robert’s private carriage. She didn’t mention the observation car, so I’m not sure that’s a significant factor, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m staying here. When I traveled, I started out in the observation car, although ours looks very different from yours.”
“What do you see as the most significant factor?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Wenatchee? Sleeping? I’d fallen asleep too. At least, I yawned, and then it seemed like I was here. There was this wonderful old fella on the train. We’d talked a bit. He had an old Victorian house in Seattle that had belonged to his family for generations. He invited me to visit it.” She smiled. Such a gracious man he’d been, tall with green eyes.
“Do you think his presence is significant?” Stephen raised his eyebrows.
Dani shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I don’t see how. Ellie never mentioned him, and I never asked. There was something very old-fashioned about him though. Beautiful green eyes.”
“Should I be jealous?” Stephen asked with a smile. “Perhaps of his ancestors? If his family had been in Seattle for generations, they must surely be there now.”
“Silly!” Dani grinned and squeezed his hand. “I imagine they are though. Isn’t that strange?”
Stephen consulted his pocket watch. “We reach Wenatchee in five and a half hours.”
“Five and a half hours! Gosh, that’s slow.”
“Is it?” Stephen spoke in a bemused tone, his eyes on her face. Dani blushed under his loving regard. “It seems too short.”
She sighed, and settled in beside him as near as she dared given the public setting. Over the next few hours, they drank tea, laughed about hot toddies, chatted with Rory who returned for a visit, and ate lunch.
Dani reached for Stephen’s pocket watch. The time had flown all too quickly. They would arrive in Wenatchee in approximately thirty minutes. She stared at him with wide eyes.
“I think I need to sleep, Stephen. I don’t know if I can return while I’m wide awake.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I had procured a sleeping compartment for you in the possible eventuality that you might not be successful. Would you like to go there now to sleep?”
Dani shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I’d better stay here in the observation car. How can I possibly go to sleep while you’re here?”
“You managed last night,” he said, smiling.
She responded to his smile. “I did, didn’t I? I must have been exhausted, because all I really want to do when I’m with you is bury myself in your arms and enjoy the moment.” She didn’t hold back. There was no time to be bashful.
Stephen’s face bronzed charmingly. “I feel the same about you, my love.”
“Wenatchee, twenty minutes.” A conductor passed through announcing their imminent arrival.
“Hold me now, Stephen.” Dani threw a quick glance over her shoulder
toward the nearby passengers. She gathered the satchel in her lap. “Hold me now so I can sleep.”
Stephen didn’t hesitate but pulled her into his arms. Her face rested against his chest, and she closed her eyes, giving herself up to the warmth of his body.
“There, there, my love,” he whispered. “Sleep. I will watch over you.” He kissed the top of her head.
His heart thumped loudly against her ear. A tear slid down Dani’s face, and she wrapped her arms around him as if she could take him with her.
“I love you, Stephen.”
“I love you too, Dani, with all my heart.”
****
“Whitefish, Montana, twenty minutes.”
Dani opened her eyes to the sound of the conductor’s voice. Her face pressed against something warm, something dark blue. She jerked her head. The seat! The sun shone through the large window onto the train seat, warming it against her skin. For a moment she thought it was Stephen’s vest.
“Stephen?” Dani bolted upright in her seat and looked around the modern observation car of the gleaming steel train. She was back! Back in her own time. And Stephen wasn’t with her. She was alone.
A searing pain tore through her chest, and she doubled over sobbing. Stephen. Stephen. His name repeated itself again and again in her consciousness. He was gone. It was as if he was dead.
She blocked the thought that he was dead in her time as too horrible to contemplate.
“Ma’am? Are you all right?” The conductor, a young man in a crisp dark blue suit, paused at her seat, his face a picture of concern.
“I’m fine,” she gasped. “I’m fine. Just had to say goodbye to someone. I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry,” he said with a click of his tongue. “That’s always tough.”
