She struggled to breathe. She had to get out of here. She couldn’t…
Gabe stopped kissing her. His touch became comforting, rather than sexual. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
A huge lump in her throat prevented her reply. She shook her head and forced her hands between them to push against his chest.
Room. She needed room.
“Shh. Shh.” He inched away, giving her a tiny bit of breathing room. “Just another minute. Remember? We were caught, um, red-handed.”
Laughter was clear in his voice. She clapped a hand over her mouth. She didn’t know if she was going to laugh or cry as the memory returned. Gabe stroked her arm and a bit of the hysteria retreated until she knew she wouldn’t betray their presence with sound.
She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten. The inn’s owner, Nate, had caught them in the act. Gabe with his pants unbuckled and drooping down his hips. Her propped on the edge of the pool table, legs wrapped around his waist. She’d been mortified, but thankful he hadn’t come in a second or two later and gotten a real show.
The creak of a door opening was followed swiftly by her younger self’s shriek. Viv was grateful she couldn’t see Gabe’s face in the dark. Fine tremors of suppressed mirth passed through his body. He’d found the whole thing hilarious back then, too. She could hear young Gabe’s laughter as her younger self fumbled with her clothing and Nate mumbled an agonized apology before slamming the door shut.
Their younger selves quickly gathered themselves together and stumbled away to their room. They’d gotten over their embarrassment fairly quickly and spent an amazingly athletic evening in their room. Viv could remember a fleeting desire to abstain for a month before their wedding night, but had passed off the thought as temporary insanity. They’d been so hot for each other back then, they’d thoroughly enjoyed their wedding night, despite having had a sex marathon only two nights before.
She shook off the memory as they waited to be sure Nate didn’t return so they could come out of hiding. Gabe inched the door open slowly and peered into the room. She lurched out of the closet, sucking in huge lungfuls of air. She bent at the waist, hands on her knees.
Gabe rubbed her back. Brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Let’s get some sleep. We can figure everything out in the morning.” Taking care of her. Like always.
God, she was a freakin’ mess.
* * *
Viv woke with a throbbing headache. Gabe snored softly beside her. His arm slung over her hip, his legs tucked behind hers. His warmth pulled her in, but the urgent needs of her waking body prodded her out of bed.
She got ready in record time. She didn’t exactly have a choice in clothing, so she slipped back into her blouse and pants from yesterday. Gabe had hung them up for her, so they didn’t look all that awful. In usual caring form, he’d also managed to find some ibuprofen and had the bottle on the counter next to the water glasses. Her head always bothered her after one of her panic attacks.
He was too good to be true. She was such a bitch and he continued to take care of her. Sometimes she wanted to slap him. How did he do it? He went to work, socialized with his colleagues, stayed in touch with friends, and looked after her. She went through the motions of life—work, eat, sleep—but she wasn’t living. How could he continue on as if their world hadn’t ended?
A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. Her body tensed. Who could be looking for them here? Now?
She sneaked over to the peephole to take a peek outside.
Agnes stood on the other side of the door, a porter behind her carrying several garment bags. What the…?
Viv grabbed the baseball cap Gabe had bought at the gift shop yesterday and yanked it down over her eyes. If they’d been outside, she’d have put on the sunglasses, too, but she figured that would be overkill since they were inside. She’d keep her head tilted down so Agnes couldn’t get a good look at her face.
The safety lock on the door took a moment to undo, but she finally managed to get the door open to stare in shock at her husband’s great-aunt.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.” Agnes didn’t try to hide her curious glance into their room. “Well, mostly.” She smiled. “Jimmy mentioned that the airline lost your luggage so I borrowed a few things so you could get yourself all fancied up for the rehearsal tonight and the wedding tomorrow.” She waved the porter forward and held up a hand when Viv started to speak. “Hush, now. No need to thank me. We’re family, after all. And Lord knows how members of this family love to overpack. It wasn’t any trouble. I’ll expect to see you at the rehearsal. I arranged everything with the inn. You’ll be at my table.”
The porter placed the garment bags on a wing chair and left. Agnes gave a jaunty little wave and followed after him, shutting the door behind her.
Viv stared at the fire escape route posted below the peephole. What just happened? She’d had an entire conversation and hadn’t said one word. Agnes had blown in and out, leaving Viv stumbling for balance in her wake, trying to catch her breath.
“She’s a force of nature sometimes.” Gabe spoke from the bed.
Viv turned to face her husband. He sat propped against the headboard. The sheet draped across his lap, his chest bare. He looked good. His salt-and-pepper hair stood out all over his head. He could use a haircut, but she liked the unkempt look.
He’d gained a lot of weight immediately after losing Connor. Drinking and eating had taken the place of sports and camping. But for the past year, he’d been hitting the gym pretty hard. She could see the results.
He was moving on with his life, while she wasn’t.
She forced her eyes to stay on his face. She was not going to ogle her husband. “Yeah. She probably thinks I’m mute. I couldn’t get a word in. On a positive side, she likes me more as Jimmy’s wife than she ever did as yours.”
“That’s not true. She loved you.” He didn’t sound entirely convinced.
She snorted. “Bull. She decided to tolerate me when we didn’t divorce right away.” They’d made peace with each other, but there’d always been a bit of residual tension.
Gabe got out of bed and strolled over. He wore nothing but boxers slung low on his hips. She fought to keep her breathing steady when he stopped right next to her. She kept her back rigid and grabbed one of the garment bags, hanging it up in the closet then struggling with the zipper.
He sighed. With a quick jerk, he got the zipper started, then turned and took care of the second bag.
“I’m not sure I want to see what she expects us to wear.” Agnes favored kitten prints and flannel leggings. Hopefully she’d borrowed from one of their more stylish family members.
“Nice,” he said, pulling out a charcoal-gray suit, lavender button-down shirt, and striped tie. He checked the tag. “Might be a little snug, but it will do.”
She held her breath as she checked out her options. Not bad. She fingered the silky material of a black wraparound with a large red flower print. The flower was placed perfectly to disguise the flab around her middle. Size? Close enough. A little big, but that was probably a good thing with that clingy fabric. At least she wouldn’t be stuffing her extra inches into a tight little sheath dress. This would fit well enough so she wouldn’t make a spectacle of herself. She released her breath in a rush.
Speaking of spectacles, she better find herself a floppy hat to hide her face or someone was bound to notice her resemblance to her younger self. That would certainly up the drama level of her wedding.
Her wedding—one of the happiest moments of her life. She couldn’t ruin it. She couldn’t. For Connor, of course. And Gabe. Despite everything, she couldn’t imagine her life without him. Didn’t want to.
“What are we going to do? We can’t stay here forever. Do you think Agnes will send us back if we…” She closed her eyes and rushed on, “…if we don’t stop the wedding?”
He put a hand on her shoulder and forced her to face him. “You’re wrong. I know it. Maybe she just wan
ts to remind us why we got married in the first place. That we’ve made a mistake letting ourselves grow apart these last years.”
She grimaced and clenched her fists at her side. “You’re saying she thinks it’s my fault.” Was she right?
“That’s not what I said.” He threw his hands up. “Damn it, Viv. I can’t say anything right. You jump down my throat.”
She wrapped her arms around her midsection. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I’m confused and freaked out. I don’t know what to think about any of this.”
He gave her a quick hug. Before she could return it, he let her go. Did he think she’d push him away? Funny. Yesterday she probably would have. Today, she wished he’d held on longer.
“I know. I’m kinda freaked myself,” he said. “Let me get dressed. We’ll go down and check out the gazebo. Maybe there’s a way to get back that we overlooked.”
“And if we don’t find anything?”
His mouth was set in grim lines. “I’ll think of something.”
* * *
They spent the better part of the day scouring the grounds and trying to check out the gazebo without being noticed by their families. Thankfully, part of the weekend itinerary had been a nature hike led by their old friend Todd—so life became a bit easier once most of the guests left.
Not that the freedom to roam got them anywhere. Viv ended up hot, tired, and no closer to figuring out how to get home. She flopped onto the top step of the gazebo. A second later, Gabe sat beside her.
“What are we going to do?” She caught her head in her hands, bracing her elbows on her knees.
“I think we should talk to Agnes.” He leaned in, his shoulder pressed against hers, the scent of his gum minty fresh.
She brought her head up slowly. “Why? She doesn’t know who we are. Or do you have some way of contacting her ghost?” She regretted her snotty tone the second it came out. He was doing his best in a crazy situation. He didn’t deserve her scorn.
He backed away, then stood before her, though he kept his gaze toward the inn. “She may not know what’s going on, but she could know how it’s possible.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” Getting to her feet took more effort than it should have. All she wanted to do was curl up and forget everything. Particularly the hurt look in his eyes right now.
Why did she have to be such a bitch to him? Her throat clogged with all the loving things she should say to him, but never seemed to make it past her lips. There was so much to say. Where to start?
She put a hand on his shoulder. Tears clouded her vision when he flinched. Damn. “I’m sorry, Gabe. I don’t know why I act this way. You deserve so much better.”
His lips curled in a faint smile and the pain in his eyes lessened. “Hey, none of that.” He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to his side. “For better or for worse, right?”
“I’m the worse; you’re the better.”
“We’re having a tough time,” he whispered. “We’re gonna get through it. I know we will.”
She wished she could believe him.
They made their way in silence back to the inn. They’d watched Todd take his nature group out on the hike, so they knew Agnes wasn’t among them.
She’d almost forgotten Tara had gone on that hike but had caught a glimpse of the famous jazz singer in her shorts, tank, and sneakers that were definitely not made for hiking the trails around here.
Viv and Gabe had had a good laugh about the city girl taking on the mountain. Poor thing. And she’d been such a good sport about singing at the last minute when the band canceled. With everything she’d been going through at the time, she’d come through for them.
Viv pushed thoughts of Tara out of her mind. Thinking about her friends put her deeper into her fog of self-loathing and regret. Tara was another friend Viv had ignored. Gabe at least made an effort to keep in touch with many of them. He’d give her updates while she picked at her dinner or mindlessly flipped channels.
She didn’t understand how he managed. She needed him just to get through the day, but he didn’t need anyone. He certainly didn’t need her.
No one did anymore.
She missed being needed.
When they got home, she’d do better. She’d been useful once—she could be again. She’d prove to Gabe how much she cared about him.
And Agnes’s ghost could go to hell.
* * *
Gabe’s aunt wasn’t hard to find. They found her and Albert at the bar. Albert had a drink in his hand, but looked like he hadn’t taken a sip. He stared off into space. Agnes kept up a steady stream of chatter with the pretty bartender, but kept her eye on her husband, a small frown on her face.
Albert had already begun slipping by this time. His dementia had gotten worse over the years, to the point where he wasn’t able to recognize anyone. Not even Agnes. The poor woman’s heart had about broken when that happened. She hadn’t lived long after his memory of her completely faded.
Yet once she was gone, Albert hadn’t had the will to live on without her. Viv figured a part of him had always known Agnes, though his mind hadn’t. No matter how agitated he’d become, Agnes’s voice had had the power to soothe him. Without her to hold him to this world, he’d simply slipped away.
Viv wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. She may not have gotten along with Agnes all that well, but she’d always admired her dedication to her husband. And grieved over the way they’d slipped away from each other, though they’d remained together till the end.
Was that where she and Gabe were headed? Together physically, but mentally adrift from each other? The thought terrified her. She felt the color drain from her face. She pressed her palms against her thighs to still the shaking of her fingers.
Gabe strode toward the bar.
“Jimmy. There you are, dear boy.” Agnes held out a hand to Gabe. “Albert, Jimmy’s here. Make room.”
Albert started, spilling some of his beer onto the counter. “Damn it, Agnes. Look what you did. You can’t go yelling at a man like that. Near popped my heart right out my chest.”
“All I did was talk to you.” Agnes’s smile was pinched, like she had to force the pleasant expression onto her face.
“That’s what I’m saying. Don’t do that.”
Gabe grabbed the old man’s arm when he made to get off his stool. “No worries, Albert. We just wanted to borrow your lovely wife. You mind?”
“Mind?” Albert cackled. “Delighted. Keep her as long as you want. Then maybe a man can get a drink in peace around here. Talk up the ladies.” He gave the bartender a lewd wink. She returned the look with a wink of her own.
“Peace would drive you crazy, you old bat.” Agnes patted Albert on the shoulder, then slid off her stool. Before leaving, she waved to the bartender. “You let me know if he causes you any problems, all right?”
The bartender nodded. Viv got the feeling Agnes had already made arrangements with her regarding babysitting duties for Albert.
“Lovely.” Agnes slipped her arm through Gabe’s. “Let’s find a nice quiet place to talk, shall we?” She crooked a finger at Viv. “Come along, dear. Don’t want you to think I’m stealing your man from you.”
Viv barely managed not to roll her eyes as she followed them out of the bar.
* * *
Finding a quiet spot was easier said than done. They ended up under an umbrella, poolside. People milled about, some lay out in the sun, a few braved the pool. Viv had dipped her toe in earlier, surprised at the warmth of the water. She hadn’t realized it was heated.
Agnes greeted just about everyone they saw. Viv fluffed her long bangs forward and dipped her chin whenever anyone came near. With oversized sunglasses covering half her face, she hoped that at fifteen years older, with her hair cut short in the back and long in the front, she wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention with her resemblance to her younger self.
Not so simple for Gabe. Everyone did a double take when they saw him. The gray
hair and crow’s-feet notwithstanding, he looked the same. Viv was glad they had the ready explanation of a long-lost relative, but it took forever to get somewhere they could talk without an audience. Finally, Gabe told his aunt they really needed to speak to her alone, and she started shooing people away when they looked like they might approach.
Viv didn’t hold out hope Agnes would be much help. Gabe tried to get her around to talking about her Wiccan background, but every time he came close, she’d go off on some tangent. She came off as absentminded, but Viv wondered whether she was deliberately avoiding the subject. Agnes was too shrewd. Did she suspect the truth?
“Just spit it out, Gabe.” Viv finally lost her temper. The rehearsal dinner was going to start soon and Agnes would end up evading them altogether by claiming she needed to get to the event. Now or never. “Agnes, what do you know about time travel?”
Agnes laughed. “I love time travel. Why, my very favorite book involves a time-traveling nurse.” She glanced left and right before leaning forward and whispering, “There’s quite a lot of sex in her books, too. Keeps the old heart thumping.”
Gabe groaned. “I did not need to hear that.”
Viv shot him a dirty look and swatted his arm. “A little less fictional and more practical knowledge, Agnes. You’re a witch—how would you make someone travel through time?” A nerve twitched in Viv’s temple. What if Agnes figured out what happened and decided not to help them? She didn’t approve of the marriage, so why would she help keep Viv and Gabe together?
“Don’t be ridiculous, dear. I’m no more a witch than you are. And time travel only happens in stories.” Agnes put her hand on top of Viv’s. “Are you feeling all right, dear? Maybe you were out in the sun a bit too much today?”
Viv slipped her hand out from under Agnes’s, teeth clenched at the all-too-familiar patronizing tone. Agnes had used it with Viv for years—insults veiled in fake concern. If she didn’t need answers…
Timeless Vows: Five Tales of Love (Timeless Tales Book 4) Page 11
