“He’s going to bleed to death,” the man said.
“We need to take him to the doc in town, Chris.” The soft voice of a woman was like music to Vin’s ears. He opened his mouth, but no words came. His mother had a soft voice like that. She was dead. Did that mean he was dead, too? The man’s voice interrupted his dream about his mother, whose face he no longer remembered.
“I don’t think the doc in Heartsbridge is going to be able to save him, Francine. No one in this time can, not with those wounds.” There was a slight pause. “Do you remember what happened with Vin last year when Scott and Amber were here?”
“You mean . . . he was supposed to time travel?”
“We need to get him to Cissie Durham.
Chapter 2
“Oh, my goodness, you look absolutely stunning!”
Ashley Gilbert came up behind her cousin, Amber. The large oval mirror hanging on the wall reflected the bride’s glowing features. Amber’s future mother-in-law had offered the huge bedroom for her to get ready before the wedding. Everything about the Kincaid’s Diamond K Ranch was huge and elegant, and Amber was one lucky woman to marry into the family. Today was her wedding to Scott Kincaid. Ashley couldn’t have imagined a more perfect man for her cousin, or a more perfect place than the ranch for the wedding.
Amber appeared skeptical as she faced the mirror, even though the simple, spaghetti-strap, white satin gown looked elegant on her.
The fabric hugged her slim figure as Ashley helped her zip up the back of the dress. The material ended just below the shoulder blade. Below her right shoulder, a small tattoo stood out. The artwork depicted a flowing blue ribbon curled around an intricate silver watch. Tiny stars burst like confetti around the watch, giving it a magical appearance. The word “survivor” was written on the ribbon in elegant script lettering.
Ashley studied the tattoo for a moment. It hadn’t been more than a couple of months ago that she’d gone with Amber to the tattoo parlor to have it done. Her cousin had designed the artwork herself, but hadn’t elaborated on the meaning of it when Ashley had asked. The word “survivor” was clear. Amber was a cancer survivor, but what cancer had to do with an antique-looking pocket watch or a blue ribbon was a secret she hadn’t been willing to divulge.
“Someday, I’ll tell you all about it,” she’d said when Ashley had pressed for more information. “Scott will understand, but you might not believe me if I tell you.”
A little over a year ago, Amber had wanted to give up on life because of her cancer diagnosis. Today, she was healthy and vibrant, and it was all because of Scott.
Ashley smiled. She and Amber had planned this wedding for weeks, and now it was finally here. It was going to be perfect. Since a fairy-tale wedding didn’t seem to be in her future anytime soon, standing by her cousin’s side on her important day was the next-best thing. A twinge of sadness and maybe even a touch of envy, would creep into her mind as the day wore on, but Ashley would push it aside.
There was no reason to be unhappy, really. Ashley had a boyfriend, and he’d even been willing to come to Montana from California to be with her for this wedding. That showed he cared about her. None of the other guys she’d ever dated would have gone this far out of their way for her. Zeke was different.
Keep telling yourself that, Ash.
She sucked in a deep breath. Her friend, Morgan, was here, too, with her husband, Gabe. Ashley had been maid of honor at their wedding, too, and here she was, again – always the bridesmaid. Gabe had been a dream come true for Morgan, just as Scott was the perfect guy for Amber.
She was so ready for her own hero. Maybe Zeke was that guy. They’d been together a little over six months, which was a lot longer than she’d been with anyone in a long time. He was here, making an effort to connect with her friends, and they always had a good time together. Still, something wasn’t right.
What was it about her that had always attracted the losers in the past? Maybe they weren’t losers, just the wrong guys who didn’t want long-term commitments, and simply didn’t care enough. The only person to ever care deeply for her, other than Amber, had been her grandma, and she was gone now.
Neither of her parents had done much in the way of parenting, letting her run wild for as long as she could remember. Her mother had even called her worthless at some point. She hadn’t even turned eighteen when she’d left home, and they hadn’t bothered keeping in touch.
That was probably the reason she’d clung to every guy who’d paid attention to her. As a result, she’d always settled for anyone, and she had no standards for the kind of guys she went out with.
Ashley shook her head.
Don’t go down that road today. It’s Amber’s day, remember?
She poked a finger into the center of the watch tattoo on Amber’s skin.
“When are you going to tell me about your tattoo? I’ve been good and haven’t asked since the day you got it.”
Ashley raised her brows in a challenging gesture, meeting Amber’s eyes through the mirror. When Amber didn’t say anything, Ashley pressed on. “I think you owe me an explanation, since I was the one who held your hand while you squirmed during the entire process.”
Amber turned away from the mirror. “I’m not sure today is such a good day to talk about the tattoo. I’ll have to ask Scott’s opinion about what I should tell you about it.”
“Scott’s opinion?” Ashley made a face to convey her displeasure with her cousin’s answer. “Maybe I should go ask that wonderful guy of yours directly since you’re being so secretive.”
Amber laughed. “He can keep a secret much better than I can, so I think you’ll probably wear me down quicker than you will him, but maybe I shouldn’t have told you that.” She paused, tilted her head, and placed a hand on Ashley’s bare shoulder.
The spaghetti-strap, lavender dress she wore was a little outside her comfort zone. She wasn’t used to wearing elegant clothes, but this was Amber’s wedding, and Ashley couldn’t very well walk down the aisle and stand as her cousin’s maid of honor in her usual faded jeans and t-shirt.
“Let’s just say, the watch and ribbon symbolize the time Scott and I met,” Amber continued. “And because of that, he taught me how to face life head-on when all I wanted to do was give up.”
Ashley stepped around her cousin to face her rather than looking at her through the mirror. The smile left her face.
“I’m eternally grateful to Scott for what he did for you. Meeting him was the best thing that could have happened to you, and I’m honored to share this special day in your lives.”
Amber pulled her into an embrace. “I wish you’d come and move closer to us. Why do you have to stay in California?”
Ashley inhaled a deep breath. She stiffened. Good question. There was no reason for her to stay in her run-down little house in the middle of the desert that her grandma had left to her. The place was a money-pit. If she sold the house, she could at least take care of her grandmother’s debts, and maybe there would be enough left to start over somewhere else.
Grandma had died four months ago, and the bills from her medical expenses and nursing-home care had drained all her savings. When Grandma’d had to go to a nursing home several years ago, she’d signed over the house to Ashley so the state couldn’t take the place.
While Ashley had been grateful, she couldn’t afford the upkeep, and she didn’t like living in the desert. It was always so hot and dry. Montana was at least green.
Ashley pulled out of the embrace. “I don’t know what to do about moving, Amber. Zeke has a good job as a mechanic in Victorville. He’s not going to want to pick up and move, and a long-distance relationship wouldn’t work.”
Amber’s face lit up in an eager smile. “So, it’s really serious between you two? I’m so glad he came all this way to be with you today.”
Ashley’s mouth widened as she forced a smile. “Yes, he’s a great guy. He might actually be the one this time. I’ve got a really good feeling ab
out us.”
She averted her eyes so Amber wouldn’t see through the lie.
Amber squeezed her arms. “That’s wonderful, Ash. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that. I want you to find the same happiness I found with Scott.”
Ashley plastered a smile on her face and looked her cousin in the eye. “Why are we wasting time talking about me? Today is all about you.”
Amber pressed her lips together, but nodded. She scrutinized Ashley’s face for several uncomfortable seconds before she turned to the mirror. She scrunched her forehead, then pulled out the pins that held her hair on top of her head. Ashley’s mouth gaped open, and she let out a gasp.
“What are you doing? It took me an hour to pin up your hair.”
Amber shook her head. “I think I want to wear it down.”
She shook out the curls, letting them tumble down her back. Despite having gone through chemo a year ago, her hair was longer than it had ever been. It might be thinner than it had been before, but the copper strands shimmered in the natural light streaming in from the large window.
Ashley tilted her head. “You’re right. You should wear it down.”
Someone knocked on the door a second before it opened. Morgan McFarlain entered the room, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The bridesmaid’s dress she wore, identical to the one Ashley had on, fluttered around her lower legs. The rest of the dress hugged her curves, accentuating her heavily-pregnant abdomen.
Ashley stared at her friend for a second. Only Morgan could make pregnancy look elegant in that kind of dress.
“It’s time, ladies.”
She carried several bouquets of flowers in her arms. Reaching out, she handed the largest one to Amber, and another one to Ashley.
“Everyone’s waiting outside. Jake’s dad is ready to give you away, and Scott looks as if he’s going to faint at any moment.” Morgan laughed.
“I don’t think Scott is capable of fainting,” Ashley mumbled. “The guy is like McGyver. There’s nothing that rattles his nerves.”
“Today might be the exception.” Morgan hooked her arm through Ashley’s. “It’ll be your turn next.”
Ashley scoffed. “Don’t count on it anytime soon.”
To prevent any further discussion on the subject of her dismal love life, she rushed out the door. Morgan followed, along with Amber.
“I hope I don’t trip walking down the aisle and fall flat on my face.”
“That’s why you’re not wearing heels. You can’t trip in flats. Besides, I’m the one who should be worried about tripping and falling. My center of gravity is completely off. I’m sure glad it’s only a few more weeks before the baby is due.”
Ashley tuned out her friend and cousin, and headed down the stairs where Rachel Owens waited, looking nervous and uncomfortable. Ashley smiled at her. Rachel looked lovely in her bridesmaid’s dress, although she’d probably never worn a dress with spaghetti straps before. No doubt she was only wearing the dress as a special favor to Amber.
At first, her cousin Jake, and his wife Rachel had seemed like the most unlikely couple, but they complemented each other perfectly, much like Gabe and Morgan. Rachel was the most modest woman Ashley had ever met.
There was something quite appealing about Rachel and Gabe’s old-fashioned values and manners. Clearly, both Jake and Morgan thought so, too. Ashley mentally shook her head as her smile widened. Maybe she needed to abandon her skin-tight jeans, or the mini skirts she had to wear at work, for some modest dresses to attract a different type of guy than the ones with whom she’d had little luck in the past.
Ashley laughed silently. As if that would make a difference.
“You look stunning, Rachel.”
Rachel smiled uncomfortably. She clutched her bouquet of flowers. “Jake said the same thing. I only wish I didn’t feel so . . . exposed.” She glanced at her bare shoulders.
Ashley stepped up to her and leaned forward. Why couldn’t she ever feel this kind of modesty?
“The dress is gorgeous, and you look good in it. All you have to do is walk down the aisle. Don’t look at anyone except your husband, who’ll be standing with the other groomsmen. Once the ceremony is over, I’m sure you can wrap a shawl or something around your shoulders, but don’t worry. You’ll be fine. I promise.”
Behind them, Morgan and Amber came down the stairs. Outside, piano music accompanied by a violin began to play.
“That’s our cue. You’re up first, Rachel.” Ashley nudged her to walk through the double-wide French doors into the expansive backyard of the Diamond K Ranch where the wedding was taking place.
Morgan gave Rachel the thumbs-up sign and smiled. She waited a few seconds, then followed Rachel. Ashley glanced over her shoulder at Amber, who was met by their uncle, Ben Owens, who’d agreed to walk the bride down the aisle. Amber didn’t even know where her father was, having lost contact with him as a little girl. Her estranged mother hadn’t shown up for the wedding, either.
Ashley inhaled a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and headed out into the sunlight. Rows of chairs were filled with guests on either side of the red-carpeted aisle that led to a white gazebo decorated with lavender flowers. Ashley smiled and followed Morgan to the gazebo, gauging her steps to maintain a constant distance.
Scott stood, looking nervous the way Morgan had described. His younger brother stood next to him as his best man. Gabe McFarlain and Jake Owens were the other groomsmen. Ashley glanced around. Where was Zeke? He should be sitting in one of the front rows. She’d almost made it down the aisle when a loud whistle came from somewhere near the outdoor bar that had been set up for the reception.
“You look hot, Ashley. That’s my girl.”
Ashley’s eyes widened as her head whipped around. Zeke stood at the bar, a glass raised, grinning broadly. He whistled again. Stars swam in front of Ashley’s eyes, and a ringing sensation in her ears grew steadily louder. Her eyes became unfocused and her vision blurred. It was a cool afternoon, yet heat flushed her face to an almost unbearable temperature. She nearly lost her footing and stumbled as all her limbs turned to rubber.
Even if the ground couldn’t swallow her up right then and there, she might still die of embarrassment. With every ounce of restraint, she focused on making it to the front of the aisle, while every cell in her body wanted to run away and hide in some dark corner and never come out again.
The wedding ceremony passed in a blur. Ashley stood with the other bridesmaids and smiled the entire time, but her mind had distanced itself from her body, leaving her numb to everything going on around her. When it was over, she leaned heavily on Scott’s brother as he led her back up the aisle and to the receiving line.
Ashley glanced around. The guests were leaving their seats, laughing and smiling. Maybe she could get away and hide, and no one would notice. Holding back her tears of embarrassment was no longer possible. She stepped out of the line to head for the house when a hand snaked around her upper arm and pulled her against a thick chest.
The smell of alcohol reached her nose. In a lightning-fast move, Zeke wrapped his arm around her waist, spun her around, then leaned over her to press his lips against hers. He swayed precariously as he dipped her backwards. Ashley stumbled to keep from falling, bumping into Amber. Her cousin was knocked against the table behind her, and dishes rattled.
Zeke released her, a wide grin on his face. His chest was puffed out like a strutting peacock. He looked straight at Scott when he said, “Sorry man. This hot babe’s all mine.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. Her body trembled from shock, anger, and embarrassment. She pushed away from Zeke and everyone else around her and ran to the house, then locked herself in one of the guest bathrooms. Sinking to the ground, the sobs she’d forcibly held back erupted.
She’d never been this embarrassed in her life. The wedding hadn’t even started, and her boyfriend, the guy she’d told everyone was so wonderful, was already drunk and making a fool of himself and of her, and had nea
rly ruined the ceremony with his whistles and catcalls.
Ashley startled when someone pounded on the door.
“I know you’re in there, Ashley. Please come out.”
Ashley raised her head. Amber should be with her husband, enjoying her day, not chasing after her to console her while she was mortified and miserable. She couldn’t show her face in front of the guests anymore.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” Ashley lied and wiped some tissue under her nose.
“Scott and I are going to wait right here outside this door until you come out.”
Ashley groaned. She’d already ruined this day for her friends. What more could possibly happen on their wedding day?
She pushed herself off the ground, then opened the door a crack.
“You should be out there having fun with us.” Amber pushed the door open further. “I need my favorite cousin and best friend there with me.”
Ashley scoffed. “You don’t need me there. Because of me, your beautiful ceremony was almost ruined.” Not to mention what had happened afterward.
“What are you talking about?” Amber reached for her, and pulled her into an embrace.
“Are you talking about your date?” Scott laughed. “Gabe and Jake already took care of him. He was trying to start a fight with one of the other guests. Everyone thought it livened up the wedding a little. Even Gabe and Jake said so. The bartender apologized, but he didn’t remember serving him that many drinks already.”
“No doubt he brought his own,” Ashley mumbled. She stared up at Scott. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think he’d behave like this. I never would have asked him to come.”
“Chin up, Ashley. There are lots of eligible bachelors out there. I can introduce you to some, if you’d like.”
Ashley shook her head. “No thanks. I think I’m going to stay single from now on. Clearly, I’m a big loser when it comes to finding a decent guy.”
Timeless Hero (Timeless Hearts Book 12) Page 2
