Another Time (Guardians of Now Book 1)

by Donna Steele

  “I’ve seen her too.”

  “What?”

  “At the wreck, but I thought I dreamed her.”

  “Yes, you did say something. I’d forgotten that.”

  “I saw her again.” Dee spoke quietly. “That night you started to sleep in the guest room.”

  Dusty lay still, absorbing those words. “We see her during crises.”

  He felt Dee’s nod. “An angel?”

  “I don’t think an angel would be keeping an eye on me. And I haven’t noticed any wings.”

  Dee’s halfhearted smack of her hand on his chest made him chuckle. “In any case I found Daniel and was able to grab hold of him.”

  “And save him,” Dee reminded him.

  “It was a joint effort. When William came to the door . . . Dee, did you feel the buzz more strongly around Daniel and William?”

  “What?”

  “Think about it. Wasn’t the buzz more pronounced when they were here?”

  “I’m not sure. You were here, so I accepted the feeling as normal. A lot of adrenaline circulated in that room.” Dee was silent for a moment, finally asking, “Is your family from around here?”

  Dusty pulled her closer. “I don’t know. I never gave any thought to my heritage.”

  “The two of you could be brothers.”

  “I know. Do you suppose . . .? Nah, never mind.”

  “Spit it out.”

  “What if we were thrown here by something for a reason? And not to get solar off to an earlier start. We saved a boy’s life today.”

  “And if he’s your ancestor, we saved yours too.”

  “Do you think I wouldn’t have been born if Daniel had died?”

  “You haven’t been born yet, to be precise, but . . . how? How would that be possible?”

  The image of the woman in the robe came to Dusty’s mind but he shoved it aside. “I can’t even go there. And we don’t know if Daniel is some long-lost relative.”

  “William might have more children.” Dee rested her hand on his chest, her ear against his heart.

  “Then why save Daniel?” Dusty asked.

  “Because the man had given up. When he arrived here, thinking his son had died too, he was ready to end it all. He’d already decided. I saw the reality of it in his face.”

  Dusty’s arms tightened around her.

  She held his gaze. “Do you think this is why you were sent here?”

  “We,” Dusty corrected. “We were sent here. Something compelled us to that particular bar, something caused us to be together, and something threw us into the field outside of this town.”

  “You have a theory. Finally.”

  “Yeah. No place to go with it, though. If all of this happened to us to make sure I would be born, then why?”

  “A good question, and not one that’ll let either of us get any sleep tonight. And what’s the point of knowing, if we’re still here?”

  “Another good question. I do have an appointment at the Coppridge Brothers’ place tomorrow. Some of the older kids are going with me to meet with Bell.”

  Dee’s fingers moved against his skin, caressing. “Then we’ve done something worthwhile.”

  Chapter 36

  A knock at the door interrupted Dusty and Dee at dinner. She could hear Mrs. Masters heading to the foyer, and she took another quick bite of the roast Cook had made. As always, the meal was delicious and would be just as good when warmed over, but Dee was hungry and an emergency always took time.

  Marcus dined with them again, and Elizabeth. These evenings had become normal for the four of them to talk, and sometimes argue, over the evening meal. The gatherings became a welcome respite a couple of times a week, as had the luncheons with the Working Women’s Group. If nothing else good came from this trip, enlightening Marcus to the abilities of women would make Dee happy. Topics at both gatherings ranged widely and women contributed to the discussions.

  Mrs. Masters came to the door. “Mayor Pickerson to see you.”

  The mayor hovered behind her and entered the dining room at Dee’s gesture. “I didn’t realize you’d still be at dinner.” He nodded to the assembled.

  “We were visiting,” Dee said. “Is there an emergency?” She waved for him to take a seat and Mrs. Masters placed a serving of the cake they were having for dessert in front of him.

  He nodded his thanks and took a deep breath. “No medical emergency. I wanted to let you know I have been contacted by a physician who is interested in the position here in Braddock Crossing.”

  “A man or a woman?” Dee asked, and watched as Pickerson blinked at the question. She grinned and he relaxed slightly.

  “I don’t believe we would be able to find another woman of your caliber, Doctor Stevens.”

  She stilled at his words. He’d never used her title before. “Thank you.”

  “For the record, I have not searched for a replacement. Been busy with other things of a higher priority.” He flapped a hand in dismissal of his duties. “This gentleman contacted me, and some members of the town council are researching his credentials. This is slightly unorthodox, but I would like your opinion of his experience.”

  “Me?” Dee was taken aback, then saw Dusty’s smile from the corner of her eye. “I would be honored. I would also like for Elizabeth to review his information, if you don’t mind. She will be working with whoever takes over the practice.”

  “Of course, two heads and all that.” Pickerson eyed the cake now and Dee turned to Elizabeth to give him time to eat.

  “Would you mind helping me, Elizabeth?”

  “Not at all. I’d hate to see the standard of medical practice decline here.” She straightened her back defiantly when she glanced at Marcus, though he only nodded.

  Oh yes, there was definitely a spark there.

  “I imagine Connie will be wanting to return to work soon as well,” Dusty mused, as Pickerson laid down his fork.

  “I haven’t spoken with her about her plans. Is she recovered enough for such duties?” Pickerson glanced over at Dee.

  “She should be able to return to work next week.”

  The unspoken questions hung in the air as the mayor scraped the last bit of cake off his plate. “I’ll leave the information I’ve received about Doctor Morgan with you. Sorry to interrupt your dinner.”

  Dee rose to escort him to the door. “You’re always welcome here, Mayor Pickerson. I hope this Doctor Morgan works out for you.”

  To her surprise, Pickerson took her hand. “What about you, my dear?”

  “I don’t know. Dusty and I should be heading home. We’ll have to see where our journey takes us.”

  He nodded and left. Dee slumped against the front door for a moment, oddly breathless. She still stood there when Dusty, Marcus, and Elizabeth entered the foyer, though she straightened quickly at the look of worry on Elizabeth’s face.

  “I don’t want you to go,” Elizabeth declared abruptly.

  “Thank you. But this was never my position. I acted as a fill-in, and an unwelcome one at that.”

  “Not unwelcome for long,” Elizabeth pointed out.

  Dee nodded and welcomed Dusty’s arm around her. She leaned her head against his chest. “I hope not.”

  Marcus’s hand lightly touched Elizabeth’s shoulder. Dee could almost feel his longing to duplicate the embrace she and Dusty shared. Another good thing to come from their unexpected trip.

  What now?

  There were still things Dee wanted to teach Elizabeth, discuss with the women’s group. She didn’t think sleep would come easily tonight. She would begin writing those things down to leave for Elizabeth, just in case.

  ~ ~ ~

  As Dusty readied for bed, Dee perused Dr. Morgan�
��s information. “He any good?” Dusty asked.

  “You know how it is with applications, even in this time. I’m waiting to see where he mentions the walking-on-water part in his letter. At least he’s young, without enough experience to be set in his ways. Elizabeth can help there.” She laid the papers aside. “Tell me about the concrete plant. We got interrupted at dinner.”

  Dusty slipped into bed beside her. “They’ve already got close to a hundred and fifty conduits made. Even Bell is impressed and he said he took the idea to his people. They are no doubt buying concrete plants as fast as they can. The brothers got an order yesterday from a town about twenty miles west of here. The boys who went with me will be working in the yard part-time to keep production up. They’re working ‘round the clock right now until they can get ahead.”

  Dusty shifted his weight in the bed and winked at her. “The windstorm last week did a lot to further our cause. Lines went down in Washington in a very public and flamboyant way. There was quite a bit of publicity about it. Fortunately, no one was killed. Some of the people did see the snapping and sparking, and that got attention. We’ve changed things so much, even if it is a small town. I hope things work out in the future.” He reached for her and Dee settled into his arms.

  “At least Connie won’t be separating the boys from the girls in class again,” she mused. Maybe a letter to Connie would be a good idea as well.

  Satisfied, Dee snuggled in for sleep.

  Chapter 37

  Awakening, Dusty began to stretch, then froze.

  Something was wrong.

  There seemed to be a light coming through windows on the wrong side of the bed, and the bed was . . .

  His eyes flew wide and his hand went out, groping for Dee. He fell back on the pillow, able to breathe again when he found her beside him.

  “Um, what? Is there an emergency?”

  “Dee, is this your apartment?” Dusty tried to keep his voice steady.

  Her eyes were open now. “What are you . . .? Oh, my God! How? It’s . . . I think this is my place.” Dee glanced around, blinking as she took in everything. “Some things are different.” She moved closer to Dusty and his arms encircled her.

  “How different? I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the furnishings the last time I was here.”

  Abruptly, she sat up. “I don’t . . . the furniture is different, but the arrangement is the same.”

  “Not Doc Tillman’s place.”

  “Definitely not.”

  “Dee, the buzz is gone.” His hands roamed her body, checking, feeling for the vibration that had always been between them. He felt her hands on him as well.

  “Dusty, what’s going on?” Her voice trembled badly.

  “I don’t . . . there, yes, I feel it very faintly right . . .” He stared at where his hands caressed her body. And said the first words to come to mind. “Dee, are you pregnant?”

  “Am I what?”

  His mind raced, flitting over half-remembered theories that led nowhere. Again, they had done nothing to instigate the change. They’d saved Daniel, possibly leading to Dusty’s birth. But, conception . . .?

  Finally, he met her eyes. “Your birth control shot, it had worn off, right?”

  She nodded.

  They hadn’t discussed it; there was little they could do, though he recalled she’d begun using something Viola had suggested. “You know, when we saved Daniel and William, I wondered if we might return.”

  “You never said anything,” she admonished.

  “Only a feeling, maybe a hope. Nothing happened, so I dismissed it. This is what they were waiting for.”

  “This? And who is they? Who was waiting?”

  “What’s the date?” Dusty leapt out of bed and raced into the main room, Dee only a step behind him.

  “You can’t say something like that and then—”

  She froze in place as her gaze swept the room.

  “Tell me what’s different,” he urged.

  “The furniture, the TV.” Leaning against the couch, she rubbed her forehead as if a headache was brewing. “But there’s the picture of my dad.” She pointed with one hand, then dropped it to the colorful throw decorating the back of her furniture. “My aunt made this.” She patted the soft knit.

  It took him a second but he finally managed to get the TV on. The date and time were scrolling across the bottom. He didn’t recognize the program.

  “This is the day I’m supposed to fly to Denver. We’ve returned to before any of our ‘adventure’ happened.” He air-quoted.

  “Dusty?” He heard the quiver in her voice. She sank onto the couch, looking shell-shocked.

  He could only shake his head. “I need to call my boss.” He searched for his jacket, found it on a chair, and pulled what he assumed was his phone from the pocket. Then stared. “Uh, apparently a new design.” He spared another moment to locate his boss’s number, then contacted him.

  Dee stared at the TV, unmoving.

  Vaguely, Dusty registered their mutual nudity.

  A click in his ear, then, “Williams? Don’t give me any flack about this trip. You’re going and that’s the end of it.”

  “No sir, I wanted to confirm the time.”

  The mutterings weren’t quite audible to Dusty, but the sentiment was there. “You meet me at the jetport in three hours. Do not be late.”

  Jetport?

  “No, sir. See you there.” He disconnected the call and met Dee’s wide eyes. “I can’t explain anything. We’d better get moving.”

  “We?”

  “We. I’m not leaving this place without you. And pack some things, at least underwear and another pair of shoes. We need to get to my apartment, if I can find the place.”

  She didn’t move.

  “Dee, come on!”

  His words broke her paralysis and she darted into her bedroom. Dusty dressed quickly and helped her grab a few things to stuff into the overnight bag she dragged from the upper shelf of the closet. For an instant, he wanted to assemble survival gear, but dismissed it as crazy. Although Dee looked as shocked as he felt.

  “Would this be your keys?”

  Dee stared at the cylinder in his palm. “I don’t know.” She could only form a whisper.

  He understood all too well.

  The elevator didn’t appear different, but once they stepped out of her building, they froze again. Sunrise had barely broke and sparse traffic moved on the street. However, the scene had definitely changed.

  “I don’t see my car.” Dee scanned the curb. “It’s back in the carriage house.”

  Dusty strode forward, the cylinder in his hand semi-extended toward the vehicles in front of the building. They all seemed to be charging in some way, in addition to what looked like solar panels on the roofs. One came to life as they neared it.

  He met Dee’s eyes and shrugged. This time Dusty took the wheel himself, rather than the passenger side.

  “Destination.” A disembodied female voice spoke as he took his seat. Dee clamped a vise-grip on his leg, reminiscent of his action those months past, yet the nervous clench calmed him more than anything else could have. He placed his hand over hers and squeezed lightly. Then he recited the address he found in his phone.

  Immediately a map appeared on the dashboard. Glancing over at Dee, Dusty placed his hands on the wheel, which began moving on its own. He loosened his grip and sat back, trying to relax.

  Cars, similar to the vehicle they were using, zipped along in the early-morning rush. Arriving at their destination, they sat in silence as the car parked itself in a space outside of his barely recognizable building.

  “Well, that was . . . different.” His voice wanted to break but he swallowed against the urge.

  “Du
sty.” Dee sounded as if she choked for breath. “I feel as out of place now as I did then.”

  He met her eyes. He’d been thinking the same thing. At least they were still in this together.

  Holding hands, they approached the entrance. Dusty paused and studied the building silently. Then he inhaled deeply. The air smelled fresh, cleaner even than in Braddock Crossing.

  He didn’t know what the hell to think.

  With a deep, fortifying breath, he led her inside.

  After a few minutes of fumbling around, he figured out the fob in his jacket—along with his thumbprint—unlocked the door, and they stepped into the apartment. The leather couch was missing, replaced with one of similar size, but unknown material.

  “I’ll be right out.” Dusty broke a land speed record for fastest shower. If they had truly returned, he’d take the time to appreciate the next one—and hopefully not alone. Jerking on a fresh shirt and slacks, he returned to the main room tying the tie she had chosen for him those months ago. I should have taught that wearing ties was evil when I had the chance.

  He didn’t find her investigating the refrigerator this time. She sat on the couch, her hand on her abdomen. He was beside her in two steps. “Dee?”

  “Do you truly think I’m pregnant?”

  He’d shoved the idea of a child away along with everything else; now he took her onto his lap. “Yes. I think that’s why we’re back.”

  “Why are things so different?”

  “We must have succeeded in changing the time line. Did you notice the windows on the buildings we passed? They were all solar conducting, like the cars. There were no power poles anywhere.” He shook her lightly. “Someone listened.”

  “And now we’re home?”

  “Yes. I think for some reason something or someone wanted us to save those people and teach them the things we did. We can’t know all that’s been changed, but nothing else gave us even a hint at returning here. This baby has to be why we’ve been returned.” He covered her hand with his own.