Conjuring Sight (Becky Jo Chronicles Book 1)

by Teresa Rae

  He is paralyzed by shock for a split second, but it’s only a split second. His strong arms pick me up, and he eagerly returns the kiss.

  I wrap my arms around his neck. I’ve never kissed anyone before, but I’m pretty sure first kisses aren’t supposed to be like this. We kiss until we are both gasping for air.

  He pulls away, calming his breathing before saying, “Rebecca, the time has come for us to put aside the formalities. You have properly refused my proposals. We can proceed to a formal engagement.”

  In my time, a kiss can mean many things. In his time, a kiss is a lot more official. I keep on doing all the wrong things! I should have left good enough alone.

  “Colonel Blair, please forgive me my rashness,” I whisper with embarrassment. “I should not have kissed you. Regardless of my feelings for you, I must leave.”

  “If you must return to South Carolina, I will accompany you. It is not safe for you to make such a journey by yourself, and you would be much safer traveling as my wife.”

  I fight back a smile. The journey I made to 1875 was much more dangerous than a train ride to South Carolina. I clear my throat. “When I leave, there will be no way for you to follow.”

  “Do not say such things.” He puts a finger to my lips. He whispers, “I will follow you to the ends of the earth.”

  I move his hand. “I want to be completely honest. I can’t marry you. Not now, not ever.”

  “Yes, you can. I will escort you to Charleston, and we will find your sister.”

  I shake my head. “No, I will travel by myself. We just have to accept the fact that we aren’t meant to be together.”

  He lets the words linger in the air. I think he’s furious until he stuns me with a forceful kiss. My stomach does a summersault, and the magnetic attraction I feel for him is stronger than before. It feels as though I’ve been hit by a bolt of lightning, and Colonel Blair must feel the same way. He sucks in a deep breath before resuming the kiss.

  “Marry me,” he whispers, kissing down my neck.

  “I can’t,” I reply, running my fingers through his beautiful hair. I feel like I can’t get close enough to him.

  He lays me in the straw, kissing his way back up to my lips. “I love you. I will always love you.”

  “I love you, too.” The words shock me as they come out of my mouth, but I know they’re completely true. I love Colonel James Blair! Stupid me, I’ve fallen in love with the blasted man!

  He traces my neck with the back of his hand.

  I lift my face to his, gently putting my lips to his. The underlying emotion I feel for him is evident in every breath and touch. We kiss for several minutes. We are still in the midst of this passionate kiss when he undoes my corset and tries to remove it.

  “Hey!” I wriggle out from under his large frame. I immediately reattach the corset.

  “Rebecca,” he says, taking my hand in an attempt to draw me back to him.

  I withdraw.

  “You owe me an apology, Colonel Blair!” I snap, getting to my feet.

  “No, I refuse to apologize.” He moves the hair out of his face. “You are the one who kissed me. Moreover, all you need do is say the word, and I will marry you, but as you refuse, I have little choice. I assume you have refused me because you lack your sister’s approval, so there is only one option open to me. If you were carrying my child, the decision would be taken from your sister.”

  “You want to get me pregnant?” I am stunned. This is something guys in my time would never do. They want to run away from responsibility, not towards it. I shake my head. I roar, “I thought you were a gentleman!”

  He also gets to his feet. “You are only half right. I am a man, and I will do anything to marry you. Can you not see my desperation? I cannot lose you! Since my father died, I have lived a half-life. With you, I feel as though I’m alive once more.”

  I grab the blanket, not listening to his words. I’m still stuck on him trying to get me pregnant. I so do not get nineteenth century guys!

  “Rebecca…” He reaches for my arm at the stable door. I turn and slap his face. He doesn’t even flinch. He pleads, “Please…”

  “Stay away from me!” I yell, running through the pouring rain into the Mansion.

  “Rebecca, what done happen?” Rose questions as I storm through the kitchen.

  I don’t stop to answer. I head directly to my room, climbing the stairs as quickly as possible. I am dashing down the hallway when I catch a glimpse of Colonel Blair through a small window in the hallway. He has fallen to his knees in the mud outside the stable. Rain is pouring on him, but he doesn’t seem to notice. His face is hidden behind his hands. His shoulders are slumped, and his head is bowed. Even as a ghost, Colonel Blair never looked defeated. I’ve made his life worse than it was before. I fill with sorrow and guilt.

  Just then a warm, sweet, peppermint-smelling breeze blows up the stairs. It whirls around me, blowing my hair and tickling my skin.

  I think someone has left a window open until a voice says so softly I can barely hear, “Jump, Baby Girl.”

  The breeze simply disappears as though it never was.

  Tears roll down my face. There is only one person who has ever called me Baby Girl and smelled like peppermint. I finally understand my dreams. All this time Mama’s been trying to tell me something, and I’ve been too thickheaded to decipher her message.

  Have thine own way, Lord, Have thine own way; Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mould me and make me, after thy will, While I am waiting yielded and still, I think the words of A.A. Pollard as I force myself to walk.

  Moving slowly, I can scarcely think due to fear. I know what I must do, but it’s very difficult. I don’t remember the walk down the stairs or out the kitchen door but, somehow, I make it to the stable. I force myself to breathe as I kneel in the cold mud next to Colonel Blair. I remove his hands from his face, finding his eyes filled with despair.

  I swallow and nervously lick my lips before saying, “Yes.”

  He blinks in confusion until he understands what I’m saying. He jumps to his feet. “Really?”

  I nod, trying to control my breathing. “Yes, but you must remember that I will leave on the twenty-first, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.”

  He picks me up in blissful exuberance. “I would rather spend one glorious day with you than a lifetime with anyone else!”

  He immediately puts me back down, putting a hand in his pocket. He withdraws the ring he purchased for me. Taking my hand, he slides it over my ring-finger. It’s too big. He places the ring on my middle finger. It fits perfectly.

  “You are so small. We will have it fitted after the wedding.”

  I look at the beautiful ring. In the center is a large, round diamond. It’s surrounded by several smaller diamonds.

  “I had it set in silver. I thought it was only fitting,” he says, apprehensively watching for my reaction.

  “It’s perfect,” I say, and I mean it. The ring is absolutely perfect.

  “Ahhhh!” A scream makes us turn. Rose’s eyes are on the ring. She charges, throwing her arms around us. “Thank da Lord Almighty!”

  Her scream draws out the residents of the cabins and wikiups. She lifts my left hand above my head. When our diverse group of friends sees the ring, the air fills with riotous cheers.

  * * *

  “Colonel Blair, it’s late.” I yawn, pulling the blankets over my head to block out the candle light.

  “I’m writing the last of our announcements so I can send a telegram in the morning. Aunt Mary would disown me if I did not inform her of my marriage,” he says.

  “Aren’t you being a little dramatic?”

  “Not at all, she disowned Samuel for breaking one of her chairs.”

  I hear paper shuffling, and I think of the countless announcements he’s written. “Can’t we just have a simple wedding?”

  His face appears next to mine under the covers. He steals a kiss. “I want everything to
be perfect.”

  “Well, I’m going to sleep, Colonel Blair.” I close my eyes.

  His fingers gently trace my lips. “Please call me by my given name.”

  “Goodnight, James.” I turn over.

  I hear him snuff out the candles. For the first time, he climbs in the bed under the blankets. He wraps his arms around me, kissing the back of my neck.

  “Two days and you will be my wife,” he whispers.

  I don’t want to get anywhere near a honeymoon. I can’t even handle the thought of having to deal with all the problems sex brings. I argue, “I still think we should marry on the twenty-first.”

  “The twenty-first is the Sabbath. The twentieth is more appropriate.”

  “I don’t think it’s enough time to prepare.”

  He laughs. “Trust me; Rose will have a feast of southern foods prepared for Saturday.”

  I turn around in his arms. “There are other preparations to be made. I don’t have a dress or…”

  He interrupts me with a tender kiss. “We will finish the arrangements, tomorrow.”

  “If we were to wait…”

  Gunshots erupt in the night. A war cry follows.

  James swears under his breath and jumps out of bed. “Stay here,” he orders. He grabs his shoes on the way out the door.

  Of course I don’t stay in bed. I slip some shoes on and follow.

  My body begins shivering the moment I step outside, but it’s not due to the cool night. Evil permeates the air, causes chills to run up and down my back. White Cloud, the Chiu family, and the Paiutes surround the Mansion. I cringe to see even the women and children are firing riles into the night. Gabe, Rose, Henry, and the other black residents defend the cabins and stable. James, ever the military leader, directs everyone.

  “Do not let them into the parameter!” he orders.

  Something whizzes by my ear. I duck behind a wikiup.

  Suddenly, the gunshots silence.

  “They have gone,” Gabe says loudly.

  “Hold your positions!” James orders.

  A deep rumbling breaks the momentary silence, echoing through the night. It is loud and full of wickedness. I cover my ears and close my eyes, but I can’t shut it out.

  “SHAMAN,” it groans. “WE HAVE NO FIGHT WITH YOU. GIVE US WHAT WE DESIRE, AND WE WILL LEAVE IN PEACE.”

  Everyone pales at the sound of the voice, but no one is affected like I am. I curl in a ball, fighting the desire to vomit. The diamond around my neck feels like it’s on fire.

  “I am simply a medicine man,” White Cloud yells in return. “I am not the leader of this group.”

  “WHO?” the voice demands.

  “I am, you evil creature!” James fiercely shouts. “What is it you want?”

  “THE GIRL, GIVE US THE GIRL, AND THIS BATTLE WILL END!” the voice rumbles and it feels as though the very earth is shaking.

  “I do not know who you are talking about!”

  The rumbling grows louder. “WE WANT THE ONE WHO IS A STRANGER AMONG YOU!”

  James’s eyes narrow in the moonlight, understanding fills his face. He knows they’re asking for me.

  “If you want her, then come and get her, but our bullets will be waiting for you!” he screams.

  Chaos erupts. Shadows dart around the Mansion. Bullets chase them. I lay on the ground, paralyzed by the evil. The feeling I am not going to survive my journey to 1875 overwhelms me. I do the only thing I can, my mind repeats a prayer of Henry Francis Lyte’s, Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O abide with me.

  I don’t know how long I have laid there when soft hands touch my face.

  “Oh, Rebecca,” Clara says, picking me up. “You should have stayed inside.”

  “Take her inside and guard her door,” White Cloud tells her, shooting his rifle in rapid fire succession.

  Clara is a strong woman. She carries me all the way to my bed before tucking me in the blankets.

  “What’s g-going on?” I say behind shivering teeth.

  “They fear you,” she answers, taking a defensive stand in front of the door.

  The very idea is ridiculous, but I am too exhausted to argue. I fall asleep to the irregular beat of gunfire.

  17

  Charity

  Friday, March 19, 1875

  “Coyotes, my ass! What in the hell is going on?” James yells, waking me. I open my eyes to find him pinning White Cloud to the wall.

  I get out of bed and dash to them, putting myself between the two men. “James, let him go.”

  He releases White Cloud and protectively wraps his arms around me. “I want answers!”

  White Cloud straightens his shirt.

  “And answers you shall have,” he says, glancing at me. “However, now is not the time. There are wedding preparations to be made. After you and our Miss Harris are joined in holy matrimony, I will tell you all you desire. If you will please excuse me, I have much to do.”

  James watches him leave. “That Indian is almost as infuriating as you are!”

  “What have I done, now?”

  “I saw Clara carry you back to the Mansion! Imagine my fear as I watched my future wife being carried away from a battlefield.”

  “How can you expect me to stay in bed when you and all my friends are at risk?” I retort.

  He picks me up and takes me to the bed, climbing in with me. “I expect you to stay in bed because this is where you belong on a cold night.”

  “I belong at your side on a cold night!” I object. “The other women were helping!”

  “You are not like other women,” he says, kissing my neck.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I angrily cross my arms.

  He slides the nightgown off my shoulder, kissing the exposed skin.

  “It means you will stay in my bed, and I will protect you,” he says with a naughty grin.

  “This isn’t even your bed. It’s mine.”

  He sits up, pulling me into his arms.

  “You are correct on that matter.” He goes to the door, taking me with him.

  “Put me down!”

  He goes into his room, placing me on his lion bed.

  “That is better,” he says climbing into the blankets with me in tow.

  “Colonel Blair, I must object!”

  He forcefully puts his lips to mine. I melt in his arms. We kiss for several minutes, until he places a hand on my butt.

  “Whoa!” I try to push him off me. He holds on tighter, helping himself to the other cheek. I kick him. “You need to keep your hands to yourself!”

  He laughs with delight. “Only for one more day!”

  I get out of the bed, shooting him a really dirty look. I storm out of the room and down the stairs.

  “Rose, do you know what Colonel Blair did this morning?” I ask as I stomp into the kitchen.

  “No, but I be grateful you finally gonna put da poor man outta his misery and make beautiful babies with him,” she retorts, stirring a pot on the stove.

  He smiles victoriously while following me into the kitchen. “As I have said before, we are going to spend our lives together. I’m hoping to make you with child the first time I bed you, like my father did my mother. We are going to immediately start a family.”

  This is another thing guys in my time would never say, further proof we are worlds apart.

  “James!” I swat at him, mortified to be having this conversation with him, especially with Rose listening.

  He smiles slyly at me. “I am nearly twenty-seven. It is time I settled down. Besides, if you are expecting, you cannot leave.”

  I put a hand on his cheek, knowing he just doesn’t understand. He thinks I’m like the girls in his time.

  “James, I love you,” I say softly. “But nothing can keep me here.”

  His smile doesn’t fade. “Rebecca, we will spend forever together.”

  * *
*

  When I return to my room, I find a warm bath waiting by the fireplace. I don’t waste any time getting in the water. I wash my face and body while sitting in the little tub. I am working on washing my legs and feet when there’s a knock at the door behind me.

  Thinking it’s Clara or Ida I call, “Come in.”

  “Are you dressed?” James asks, walking in. I quickly move a washcloth, strategically covering myself. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees my bare back.

  “Obviously I’m not dressed,” I say.

  He swallows laboriously, but he doesn’t avert his eyes.

  “Is there a problem?” I question. I don’t know why he’s acting so strange. He lives in a city with scantily dressed prostitutes. Surely he’s seen a little leg and shoulder before.

  “My uncle is here,” he blurts out. He clears his throat, regaining control of his mind. “Uncle Samuel has just arrived. Please join us for breakfast.”

  My first instinct is to tell him to forget it. I’ve already had my fill of Samuel, but I’ve got to keep an eye on the nasty man. I put a fake, beauty queen smile on my lips.

  “I will be there as soon as I dress.”

  He nods, still staring. “I will send Clara and Ida to assist you.”

  The door quietly shuts behind me.

  My friends make short work of dressing me. Before I know it, I’m dressed in my everyday dress, and my hair is elegantly piled on my head. I glance in the mirror, satisfied I look the part of a nineteenth century lady before I go out the door.

  “Old friend!” Henry cheers when he sees me emerge from my room.

  “Henry!” I enthusiastically hug him. “What are you doing?”

  “Helpin’ old friend down da stairs,” he explains. “Massa James be sayin’ it important job.”

  “Does he now?” I smirk, linking my arm with his. We start down the stairs. “What have you been doing today?”

  “Feedin’ horses,” he answers. “Dey be eatin’ a lot.”

  “I’m sure they do,” I reply as we reach the bottom step. “Have you had your breakfast?”

  “Yes, Old friend, with Rose.”

  “I wish I could have eaten with you and Rose,” I lament.