Thoroughly Modern Amanda

by Susan Macatee

  He swallowed. “What happened to bring you here?”

  “I crashed my car and blacked out.” She glanced toward the door. “When I woke up, I was in a tent in a Confederate army camp wearing a gown with blood stains on the collar of the dress. They told me I’d fallen off a horse.”

  “A horse?”

  She nodded. “Seems they knew me as the camp washerwoman, Erin O’Connell.”

  “How do you explain that?” Jack’s head started to throb.

  “She was an ancestor of mine. I took over her body.”

  Heat rose to Jack’s face. “What the hell? Are you saying you’re in a dead woman’s body?”

  She lifted her arms in an expansive gesture. “It’s all relative. I’ve come to believe I was Erin O’Connell in a past life. I’ve just come here to reclaim my body and live my life in a better manner.”

  Jack frowned. “Past lives? How badly did this ancestor’s life go?”

  Erin sighed. “Seems she was a Union spy who betrayed Captain Will Montgomery during the war, leading to his death.”

  “Amanda’s father?” Jack’s eyes widened.

  “And my husband. I’ve been given a chance to rectify history.”

  “But if you’re in your past-life body, what happened to your body in the future?”

  “Originally, I was lying in a hospital in a coma. When I returned, I believe either my future body died or was absorbed into this body.”

  “Whoa!” Jack raised a hand to his head. “This is getting too weird. Like sci-fi stuff. How do you know you were in a coma? And you said, ‘first time’? How many times did you go back and forth?”

  “When I first came here, I thought I’d just wake up one day and be in my own time, like waking from a dream. But it took being shot—”

  “You were shot?”

  “I was trying to prevent Will from being shot, but I took the bullet instead.”

  Jack drew in a breath. “What happened afterward?”

  She spread her hands. “I woke in a hospital bed with tubes attached all over my body. I learned I’d been in a coma since the crash.”

  A sound at the door drew Jack’s attention. Erin glanced at him, her eyes wide, then strode to the doorway.

  Chapter Six

  Amanda pressed her back against the wall to prevent being seen. So, all those stories her stepmother told Amanda as a child were true!

  She’d come from the future and believed Jack did too. Amanda’s pulse raced at the implications. How she’d love to see a future time like Erin had described. If there was a way to get there, maybe Jack could take her.

  In her excited state, she accidentally thumped her foot against the door frame and drew back with a gasp. Conversation quieted in the room and footsteps approached. She couldn’t allow Erin to find her eavesdropping.

  She shuffled down the hall and retreated into her own room, swiftly closing the door, although she left it open a crack.

  Erin emerged from Billy’s room, glancing up and down the hall. Her gaze fixed on Amanda’s door. She held her breath, but her stepmother retreated and closed Billy’s door.

  Amanda breathed a sigh of relief and shut her door completely, being sure not to make any sound. She sat on her bed, trying to absorb what she’d just heard, then clasped her hands together in glee. The future! A place where women were equal to men. A place with horseless carriages, flying machines, and indoor plumbing in every home.

  Her father had promised they’d have an indoor bath as soon as it was available in their town, but in the future everyone had this convenience and more. How could Erin stand to live here, when she came from such a fantastic place?

  She had to know how Erin was able to move back and forth through time and how Jack got here. If Erin found a way to send him back, Amanda would be first in line to go with him.

  All her life she’d felt out of place and longed to be more modern. Maybe Jack was her way to a life she’d never dreamed possible.

  ****

  After Erin departed, Jack sank into the mattress, too weak to do anything but mull over what the woman had told him. If she’d been able to go back and forth through time, he should be able to return. But what if the conk on the head had sent him into a coma? The idea of returning to a comatose body didn’t appeal at all. And then, there was Amanda.

  Although he’d only just met her, something about her set his pulse racing and his heart fluttering. He must be nuts!

  Thankfully, the headache that had plagued him from the time Amanda discovered him lying on the floor had dissipated. The beef soup and homemade bread with butter and raspberry jam Erin brought him for lunch helped as well, but she insisted he only walk as far as the chamber pot. Lying in bed irritated him. If only he had a TV or video game to keep him entertained. He had to get up and out of here as soon as possible.

  He tossed in bed, the nightshirt wrapped around his body. How did any man sleep in a thing like this?

  Swearing, he lifted the sheet and grasped the hem, yanking the garment up around his waist. He undid the buttons and lifted it over his head, tossing the shirt to the floor.

  He breathed a sigh of relief but was now completely naked. With women coming in and out of his room, he’d have to find the clothing he’d arrived in.

  Grasping the sheet, he rose slowly. Slight dizziness swept over him, but once he sat upright, it faded. He held the bedpost and stood, wrapping the sheet around his waist. He shuffled across the floor to a chest of drawers. He hoped his clothes hadn’t been taken to the wash. Then he’d really be in deep shit.

  He opened one of the drawers and found male clothing, although he wasn’t sure it was his. Maybe Amanda’s brother. Glancing toward the screen, he noticed a pile of folded clothes on top of the dresser.

  He stepped toward the clothing but stopped at the sound of a click. His gaze slipped to the door. Someone was turning the knob. He held his breath and clutched the sheet around his waist.

  The door cracked, followed by a gasp.

  “Sorry. I’m not quite decent,” Jack called out.

  Amanda stood wide-eyed, staring at him. Instead of apologizing and leaving, she stood gazing in through the partially open door.

  Jack grimaced. “I’m trying to find some clothes.”

  “Where’s your nightshirt?” She glanced toward the heap of cloth on the floor by the bed. “Oh!”

  “I needed to take it off,” Jack explained. “Too confining.”

  She bit her lip, her eyes bright. Her hand rose to her lips. Was she stifling a giggle?

  “Jack…the clothes you were wearing when I found you are on top of the dresser.” She bit her lip, peering at him, her gaze lingering on his chest.

  He wrapped the sheet tightly around him and stepped toward the dresser. Sorting through the clothes with one hand, holding the sheet with the other, he produced what looked like underpants, although they appeared to be knee-length.

  He padded back to the bed, noting Amanda glanced toward the hall. Serve her right if her father caught her spying.

  “Are you going to stand there and watch? Why’d you come anyway?”

  Amanda swallowed. “Of course not. I just thought I should check on you…to see if you needed anything.” She appeared to be suppressing laughter at his predicament.

  He shuffled to the bed but turned back once to scowl. “So glad I amuse you,” he muttered. “As you can see, I’m fine. You can leave now.”

  She giggled, then quieted. “I’m sorry, but you do look funny walking about in a sheet.”

  “You wouldn’t think it was so funny if I dropped it.” He plopped onto the bed.

  Her face turned beet red. “You wouldn’t dare,” she challenged.

  He grinned. “Don’t bet on it.” Grasping the garment, he examined it. Except for the lack of an elastic band at the top, he’d take these for underwear, although a bit long. Two buttons provided closure at the waist.

  “Those are the clothes you wore when I brought you here.”

&n
bsp; He frowned. “Who took them off me…and why?”

  She blushed. “Well, they needed to be washed…and so did you.”

  “You mean…” The thought of her undressing and washing him wasn’t too embarrassing, unless it wasn’t her, but…

  “I didn’t do it.” She scowled. “Do you really think my stepmother would allow me to look on a strange man?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know the customs here…er, I mean…I really need to get some clothes on…without you watching.” He tilted his head.

  She sighed. “Very well. We’ll speak later.”

  He nodded, then scowled when she hesitated. “Amanda, please…”

  She didn’t move. He liked her blue-eyed gaze drifting over him but knew if one of her relatives found her eyeing him like this, there’d be hell to pay.

  “I’m going.” She gently closed the door.

  He still held the undergarment and considered slipping it beneath the sheet but she wouldn’t dare return. He hoped.

  The last thing he needed was for her parents to think he was trying to seduce their daughter.

  Chapter Seven

  Amanda tossed, waking in a sweat. A dream. She sat up in bed trying to recall what the dream had been about. Erin was there and her father, but they were in a strange world, the likes of which she’d never seen. Erin had taken her and her father to the future.

  She closed her eyes, trying to recall as much as she could of the images. Carriages raced down smooth roads at high speeds with no horses or mules to pull them. Faces peered from glass window panes as vehicles flew by at fantastic speeds. Buildings so tall, Amanda imagined they’d reach straight to Heaven. And when she looked up, machines flew overhead, higher than the birds.

  People walked by in all types of garb. Many of the women wore trousers or scandalously short skirts. Men strolled by in various stages of undress as well. People raced past on smooth, paved areas, many holding small flat boxes and speaking into them. A group stood in line waiting to enter a large carriage. Again no horses. Smoke spewed from the rear of the vehicle as it angled away from the curb.

  Amanda turned as a male voice caught her attention. Jack! He spoke into one of the boxes, then raised his gaze to her. The shirt he wore resembled an undergarment, but was a deep red. His trousers, a denim material, stayed up without braces.

  “Amanda.” He held out his hand. “I’ve got so much to show you.”

  She glanced at her parents, who nodded. Taking his hand, she waved her other arm. “Is this the future?”

  Jack laughed. “It’s where I live, but to me it’s the present.”

  She glanced at Erin. Her father held her stepmother in his embrace. Erin’s wistful gaze drifted over Amanda and Jack.

  “It’s time to go, Amanda,” she said.

  “No. Mother, Father, I want to stay here…with Jack.”

  Jack’s arms tightened around her. “Isn’t there a way she can stay with me?”

  “This is the only way.” Erin held up a brooch. “But not yet. She has to come home with us.”

  Amanda’s pulse quickened as she stared at the brooch. Erin had shown her this very brooch, with her father’s chocolate-brown hair, when Amanda was a small child. He’d given it to Erin when he was in the war.

  “Mother, please, show me how to stay here with Jack,” Amanda cried.

  Erin shook her head. Her father gazed at her, then lifted his arm in a beckoning gesture.

  Jack’s arms tightened around her. “I’ll never let you go,” he gasped. But his grip dissolved.

  “No!” Amanda cried. Her hands twisted in her nightgown. She sat alone on her bed. Her body heated as she tried to decipher what had just happened.

  Had she wakened from a dream and had a vision, or had it all been part of the dream?

  No matter what, she had to find the brooch. It might be the only way for her to see the future with Jack.

  ****

  Erin brought Jack breakfast. “I’m tired of lying around,” he told her as she set down his tray. “I’d like to get out of this room. I’m going stir crazy.”

  “Can’t say as I blame you, Jack. You’ve been cooped up here for days. I see you found your clothes.” She pointed to one corner of the room. “Your boots are over there.”

  “Thanks.” Jack fingered the rough clothing he’d donned, wishing he had a T-shirt or jeans to put on. He didn’t relish walking around in these archaic things.

  Erin stood and smoothed out her skirts. “I’ll send someone up to bring you down in a few minutes.” She stepped to the dresser and rifled through a drawer, returning with a pair of socks. “But be careful what you say. My husband knows about my other life, but others might be confused if you make mention to the future. Or use modern slang expressions.”

  “I understand.” Jack’s gaze followed her as she left the room and closed the door behind her. He wondered who she’d send up after him. He hoped it would be Amanda, but likely it would be her son or Mrs. O’Leary.

  He hastily pulled on the woolen socks and lifted the suspenders, attached to the waistband of the loose trousers he wore, slipping them over his shoulders. Without the suspenders, the pants would slide down as he walked. But at least the clothes weren’t that uncomfortable. He pulled on the boots. They were old and worn. The man he inhabited seemed to be a poor, working class stiff. Just his luck.

  He stepped to the mirror atop the dresser and studied his face. His cheeks looked a bit thinner, but likely that was due to his injury and confinement. He hadn’t exactly been eating on a regular basis. He’d been unconscious for at least a day and mostly slept through the next few days. He rubbed his hand along his cheek. He needed a shave, but otherwise, he didn’t see much difference in his appearance, except for a shaggier haircut.

  If he was in a body of someone from the past, he must be an ancestor. Erin believed she’d lived in this century. Was he reliving his former life? Who had he been in this time period?

  Suddenly, he was hungry to learn all he could.

  A knock at the door startled him. He took one last glance in the mirror, then stepped toward the door.

  Amanda stood outside, a blush coloring her cheeks. He longed to reach up and stroke her ivory skin. He imagined it would feel like flower petals. “Mother sent me up to fetch you. Do you think you can manage the stairs?”

  Jack grinned. “With your help, Amanda, I can manage anything.”

  She bit her lip. “I’ll take you to the top of the stairs. You can hold onto the rail, and I’ll hold your other arm to be sure you don’t fall.”

  “Very courageous of you.” He grinned again.

  Her eyes widened. “You’re making fun of me.”

  “Oh, no. I’m sure you’re very strong and competent, it’s just…”

  “Just what?” She scowled.

  “If I fall, I’m sure we’ll both end up in a heap at the bottom of the stairs.”

  She pursed her lips and held out her hand to him. Her grip was firm, but also soft and warm. Although he tried to focus on walking, his mind raced with the intoxicating scent drifting from her and how smooth the skin of her face appeared. Her figure in the flowing gown proved a bit of a mystery. Did they all wear corsets in this century? He didn’t dare probe her waistline to find out.

  At the top of the staircase, she halted, moving his hand to the flat top of the post. He glanced down the stairs. Uncarpeted and steep looking, but not unlike the old homes he refurbished.

  Her red-gold lashes brushed her cheek, then her gaze rose to meet his. “You seem to have regained your balance. Can you manage the stairs?”

  He gulped, trying to shift his brain to the task at hand. “Sure I can.”

  “Hold the railing. I’ll be right on your other side.” She smiled. “Take it slow.”

  He nodded. Gripping the polished wood banister, he took one step, then another. He felt a bit wobbly, but with Amanda supporting his other side, was sure he wouldn’t fall and make an ass of himself on the narrow staircase
. Amanda pressed against the wall on one side and him on the other. Her close proximity caused his breath to hitch. Once they’d reached the bottom, he blew out a sigh of relief.

  “Told you I could do it,” he said.

  He caught her answering grin. “You are quite arrogant about your abilities, Mr. Lawton.”

  “Jack,” he corrected.

  At her frown, he added, “Even your stepmom calls me Jack.”

  Her brows lifted.

  Voices from the hall caught Jack’s attention. One was male, the other sounded like Erin.

  “Oh, no,” Amanda said.

  “What is it?” Jack’s pulse sped up.

  “It sounds like…”

  The parlor doors stood open. “I must see Amanda now.” The male voice sounded insistent.

  “She’s upstairs caring for our guest.” Erin’s face appeared at the open door. She waved her arm in a gesture of warning.

  Amanda sighed. “It’s my boss.”

  “Your boss?” Jack glanced from Amanda to Erin. “Are you in trouble or something?”

  Erin spread her hands. “He insisted on calling on you even though I told him…”

  A man pushed past her into the hall. He wore a brown coat, a thin black tie, and a round brimmed hat clutched in his hand. A thin mustache was the only facial hair on his pale face. “Amanda?” His glare took in her and Jack. “This is the invalid you’ve been caring for?”

  Jack stepped forward, but Amanda threw out her arm to warn him back.

  “What is your name, sir, and how did you get here?” The man scowled.

  “Randolph, he’s our guest.” She glanced at Jack. “He was hit on the head and lost his memory.” She crossed her arms over her chest in a challenging gesture.

  Jack inhaled, figuring he’d better just play along.

  Randolph turned to face Erin. “You told me this man was a relative.”

  She bit her lip.

  “She told you that to protect my respectability,” Amanda said. “He was hurt and unconscious. What would you have us do?” She spread her arms.

  Randolph stepped closer, his gaze focusing on Jack. “He’s dressed as a common workman.” He sniffed. “Wherever did you find him?”