by Mary May
We watch as Bruce and Anna dance one dance after another with her turning away any other man that asks for a dance. Finally, I hook my arm through Eli’s and drag him out onto the floor. “I thought you didn’t want to dance?”
Laying my left hand on his shoulder, I let him take my right hand into his. “I’m not dancing; I’m interfering. There’s a difference. Dance me over to Bruce and Anna. We are going to swap dancing partners. Don’t take no for an answer; in fact, don’t even ask!”
We dance around the dance floor for a few minutes until Eli can maneuver us into position. I guess since I am so focused on Bruce and Anna I let Eli guide me and we are actually doing pretty well! When we get next to Bruce and Anna, I tap Bruce on the shoulder, smile, then basically knock poor Anna out of the way. Eli swoops in before she can protest and glides her away.
Bruce grins down at me. “Howdy, Miss Shelby. You look mighty pretty tonight.”
I slap his shoulder. “Don’t you even try to smooth talk me, Bruce Dale Mitchell! What are you doing? Anna is supposed to fall for Robert, not you! You are ruining the plan!” I watch in surprise as Bruce turns serious.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen. It was just supposed to be for a dance or two. Enough to get my brother’s attention. He never could stand to let me actually win the girl. I knew if I danced with her, he would come and try to steal her, but what I didn’t plan on was Anna refusing to go with him.”
“Well, maybe you should sit out the next dance or two and give her a reason to dance with someone else. You could also try not being so blasted charming. I know it will be hard, but do it for the team, okay?”
With a flirty grin he agrees to try to tone himself down a little as he dances me to a line of benches where we sit down. Eli keeps Anna on the dance floor for a while longer. But she isn’t happy about it. She keeps turning her head, watching Bruce. Oh, mercy, she is sinking fast!
Bruce has stepped away to go get us a glass of punch when I feel someone standing next to me. Thinking it is Bruce returning, I hold up my hand for my punch. The next thing I know, I am pulled back onto the dance floor and into Robert’s arms! I can’t disguise my disgust at being back in his arms. He cocks his head at me, giving me a cold smile. “You know, I almost think you don’t like me, Miss Cher. Why is that, I wonder?”
Returning his cold smile with one of my own, I reply. “I don’t know, maybe because I don’t?” I guess I am done playing nice with this creep!
His face darkens. “Careful, I really don’t make a good enemy.” I choke back laughter. “You really don’t make a good friend either, Mr. Mitchell, so that does make one wonder just what you are good for.”
He slowly tightens his grip on my right hand to the point I am near whimpering. To counteract his move, I dig my thumb nail into the underside of his wrist. “I could easily snap your wrist, Miss Bono. It’s really rather foolish to get into this game with me.”
I smile through gritted teeth. “You could, but you won’t. Not in front of all these witnesses. You won’t risk your reputation. Now be a gentleman or I will start screaming.” He knows I have him and I know he won’t risk doing anything right at the moment. He inclines his head in a mock salute while easing his grip on my hand. “Well done, Miss Bono.” He continues to swing me around the small dance floor and with every pass I can see Eli’s face growing more concerned. I can also see that Ann is back with Bruce and the whole plan seems to be falling apart.
Maybe it’s the thought of never returning home or perhaps the thought of not being able to stop Jesse’s death no matter what we try that has me opening my mouth. “Robert, we know about the curse. We know the reason why you need to marry Martha, but what you don’t know is she is already pregnant with Jesse’s child, so even if you succeed in your plan of setting up Jesse for cattle rustling and then murdering him, the curse still won’t be broken. What you saw the other night truly is your future unless you let us help you. No one has to die. No one has to end up insane or miserable. Please…please let us help you.”
At some point during my speech Robert has stopped dancing. We now stand still, staring at each other as couples spin past us, looking on in curiosity. I can see him debating on how to handle my bombshell. “Please don’t say you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m beyond tired, I’m homesick, and I’m sick of worrying every second about who is going to kill who, so can we just skip over the denials and move right to the part where you admit what’s going on and let us help you? That would be great.”
Without a word he takes my arm and leads me off the dance floor. We pass the others who by now are watching us closely. I nod my head at them, indicating I need them to follow us. A minute later and we are all standing in an alleyway. The same one where me and Eli spotted Martha on our first day here. I wait for everyone to get there. “Listen, I probably just messed everything up, but I told Robert that we know about the curse and his plans for Jesse and Martha. I guess I just didn’t know what else to do.”
“I’m sorry…did you say someone was cursed?” We all turn to Anna, who has followed along behind us. Oh, shoot! I had forgotten she was even there! She now has a curious yet confused look on her face. I look to Eli to see what he wants to do.
“She is part of this, too; we might as well tell her the whole story.” Robert still hasn’t said anything, although he is sharing some long looks with his twin. “Anna, this will be hard to believe, but I assure you it’s the truth.” Eli starts telling her the really short condensed version of what she is now involved in. He actually tells her everything, even the part about us being from the future. That finally makes Robert speak up.
“That does explain a few things. Like why I couldn’t find out anything about you. No one just shows up without leaving some kind of trail to follow.”
“I simply find this fascinating! So you are truly from the future? You were sent back to help Mr. Mitchell? How utterly fascinating!”
Something Anna says clicks in my mind. Sent back to help Robert? Could that have been the case all along? All this time we were so focused on saving Jesse, then Bruce and even his friend Cletus, but never once did we try to save the one that was cursed to start with! I look at Eli and I can tell he is thinking along the same lines I am. We have been way off base this entire time. It isn’t by saving Jesse that everyone will be saved, but by saving Robert! Wow! How did we not see this before? It’s so obvious now!
“So now what?” I ask.
Jesse shakes his head. “Nothing has changed. We all know what it will take to break the curse.” He pulls Martha close in next to him. “We also all know what isn’t going to happen now. Correct, Robert?”
Robert actually looks shamed-faced for a moment before he scowls at Jesse. “It’s not like the girl would be of use to me now. She has already been…shall we say…compromised?”
Anna looks at Martha carefully. “Compromised?” Martha leans over and whispers into her ear. The woman’s face brightens. “Oh! That’s…that’s…why, it’s wonderful! A new baby to love!” Then she scowls fiercely at Jesse. “You will, of course, make her your wife, Jesse Lee Barrows. Martha is a respectful young woman.”
He lowers his head to kiss Martha on the cheek. “Oh, yes, ma’am, the church is already booked for this Sunday after service.”
Anna beams once more. “Very well then! A double celebration! Of course, we shall wait a wee bit before we celebrate everything.” She then turns to Robert. “Now what are we to do about you? Tell me again what the ghastly curse says.” Robert explains the curse and what would be required to stop it. Anna’s purses her lips as she walks back and forth for a moment. We all just stand there watching her like she will somehow have the answer. Turns out she does!
“So, all you need in order to stop this terrible thing from occurring is to marry a Spencer woman and have a child, correct?”
Robert nods. “Yes, ma’am. That’s why I needed to marry Martha. I tried to woo her, but she only had eyes for the Ba
rrows boy. Now that she is…well, as she is, I’m not sure what to do.”
“Chin up, Mr. Mitchell, all is not lost! I happen to be a Spencer woman. I’m not married, nor do I have any hopeful prospects.” She paused to pat her hair gently. “Not that I haven’t had offers, mind you. There just wasn’t anyone that I could see myself settling down with who wouldn’t bore me senseless. It appears as if you lead an interesting life, plots of murder and mayhem aside, of course.”
Robert looks at the smiling woman carefully. I’m pretty sure he is as surprised as the rest of us at Anna’s offer. “Are you saying that you would be willing to marry me and bear me a child to stop the curse? You don’t even know me.”
Anna chuckles. “Nor do you know me, Mr. Mitchell. But you are a soul in need and I can help. Of course, you don’t have to take me up on my offer. But I’m looking around and I don’t really see a line of likely prospects coming your way. Now I am a Spencer woman. I am healthy and well able to have children. I’m intelligent and well-schooled. I believe we would make as good a match as any. There may not be love, but we can have mutual respect for one another. So be warned, sir, I will treat you as well as you treat me. I won’t expect poetry and flowers, but I will expect to be treated with dignity and respect. If not, I will take myself and whatever children come from this union and return home. I am not without means, you understand. I don’t need a husband to support myself. What you may wish to keep in mind is, once fulfilling the requirements of the curse, who is to say if I leave that it won’t be reinforced once more? Who really knows about these things? So, what do you say, Mr. Mitchell? Shall we make this a double wedding come Sunday or do I leave you to your fate?”
I cover my mouth with my hand, hiding my smile. I do believe that Robert just met his match! Anna Spencer in one swoop just secured herself a husband and future children, or at least one child anyway. She also made sure that she would be treated well. We all wait to see if Robert will take the offer. He studies the woman before him. Anna has a remarkable poker face. Keeping her features smooth, she returns Robert’s look.
Finally, Robert nods his head. “Very well, Miss Spencer. I will take your offer of marriage and I agree to your terms. If you would like to marry this Sunday, that is fine with me. However, Jesse and Martha may want the day for themselves.” They look to the couple in question. Both are smiling.
“We would be happy to share our wedding day with you! Especially if that means that we can actually live our lives together.”
CHAPTER 14
Sunday morning rolls around and Eli and I find ourselves still in the past. We are hoping that once the actual vows are said that will be enough to send us back home. I’m really hoping we won’t have to stick around until Anna gives Robert a child. I have had about all of the 1800’s that I can stand! We are waiting in the kitchen for Martha and her mother to come downstairs. Sally is helping Martha put on her wedding dress. I can’t wait to see it in all its glory. It was gorgeous in my time; I’m sure it will be even more so brand new. Hearing footsteps on the stairs, we look up. Sally is coming down first, wiping tears away from her eyes. Then we see Martha. I feel my jaw drop. I knew she would be beautiful, but she is beyond even what I expected! She looks like a princess! The dress fits her perfectly, snug around her tiny waist then flaring out over her hips. Sally has pulled her blonde curls up into a loose knot, placing two pink roses on the left side. Martha is simply stunning. Poor Jesse isn’t going to know what hit him!
We all hurry to get loaded up into the wagon. Sally throws a light blanket over Martha to keep her from getting dusty on the short trip over to the church. Since there will be two weddings, the preacher keeps the sermon short and sweet. He talks about what love truly is and is not. I think it is beautiful. I guess Eli must have thought the same thing because he reaches over and takes my hand, holding it firmly in his for the rest of the service. Once the church service ends, I help Sally and the other woman start bringing in flowers to decorate for the weddings. Anna has decided that Martha and Jesse should go first, so each couple will have a separate ceremony.
Thirty minutes later we are back in our seats. The doors open and Jesse, along with the preacher, walks to the front. Jesse stops then walks back to where Eli and I are sitting. “Eli, Shelby, Martha and I would be honored if you would stand with us today as we say our vows. If it wasn’t for you, today would have a very different outcome.”
I feel silly tears spring to my eyes at Jesse’s request. “Of course we will!”
Holding out his hand, Jesse helps me to my feet before pulling me close. “I will never be able to repay you for all you have done for me, for us. From the bottom of my heart…thank you.” I just hug him back, unable to speak for fear of blubbering like an idiot. “Martha is waiting for you in the back.”
I find her standing with her father, Paul, just outside the double doors. She smiles when she sees me. “Oh, Shelby! Thank you so much!”
Pulling me into a tight hug, I feel the tears that I had fought so hard to contain slip out. “You’re welcome! I’m just so happy for both of you!” We both wipe away tears as we hug one another. I am really going to miss her when all this is over. A woman opens the door, asking if we are ready. I reach up, patting Martha’s face, trying to dry it up for her.
She laughs as she shoos me away. “It’s hopeless, Shelby! I’m going to cry all the way through the ceremony. I just know it.” The doors swing wide, so I take my place, walking just in front of Martha. I make it down the aisle and stand off to the left. Eli gives me a wink, which makes my face burn. I know that my relationship with him is changing. We are no longer friends or even two people thrown together in a freaky trip back in time. We have somehow through all the craziness developed feelings for one another. I know a part of me will always love Jesse. I mean, come on, how could I not? But the feeling is now one of tenderness. I know that his heart will always belong to Martha, and I can’t blame him. She is pretty special. As I watch them stand before one another vowing their love for all eternity, I truly understand that love can overcome all things…even death, revenge, and an insane ghost bent on destroying you. When the preacher finally pronounces them husband and wife, I can’t help but feel a sense of great relief. If this trip didn’t accomplish anything else, it accomplished this!
After Jesse and Martha’s wedding, it is Robert and Anna’s turn. Once more Eli and I find ourselves standing alongside the couple as they say their vows. While this one doesn’t bring me to tears, it fills me with a sense of hope that perhaps what is starting out more a business arrangement will grow into something more. I really hope so. I want Anna to be happy, and, believe it or not, I even want that for Robert. Everyone deserves a happy ending. After the second wedding is over, everyone walks over to the place where the dance was held a few nights before. It makes a great place for the receptions to be held. Eli and I pitch in, helping to carry out food and set up tables, when I notice the wind starting to blow. Fat rain drops start falling as the sky turns an ominous shade of greenish black. I turn to go find Eli, only to find him running towards me.
“Is this it? Are we going home?” I yell out, trying to be heard over the now howling wind.
“I hope so! Hang on to me so I don’t lose you!” I wrap my arms tightly around Eli’s waist while trying to see Jesse or Martha to say goodbye. Suddenly just as before it’s pitch black and I feel my feet leave the ground. As hard as I try I can’t hold on to Eli and I feel him slip away somewhere in the blackness…
The next thing I know, I’m freezing cold. My teeth are chattering as I open my eyes to gray overcast skies. I wiggle all my fingers and toes, then lift my arms and legs one at a time, but like before I seem to have come through the storm unharmed. I sit up, closing my eyes until the dizziness passes. I’m all alone in the cemetery. Wait…I’m back in the cemetery! I’m home! I get to my feet, looking around, and everything looks like it did before…or does it? No… it’s not exactly the same. Before I have time to figure out ex
actly what’s different, I hear Eli calling for me from beyond the tree line.
“I’m here! I’m over here!” I see him step out with a huge smile on his face. We both start running towards one another like you see in the movies. I jump into his arms, so grateful that he is okay…that we are both okay!
“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” He cups my face in his hands, looking me over. “No…I mean yes…I’m fine! Are you okay?” I laugh, trying to get my words out right.
“I’m good. We are home, right?” He asks.
“I think so; things look right, but different. Go look at the cemetery.” We walk over to the headstones. There seem to be more of them now, and the grounds are well-kept. I see one that most definitely wasn’t there when we left. It has a large double marker. Walking around to the front, I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. Eli reads the words that are faded yet still visible.
“Martha Ruth Spencer Barrows Jesse Lee Barrows
July 16, 1812 March 21, 1809
October 2, 1891 December 12, 1891”
“Look, Jesse died only two months after Martha! They lived a long full life together!” I hated the thought that my friends were dead, but I was happy that things turned out like they should have.
“Shelby, look over here.” Eli is standing beside another set of markers. “Jackson Eli Barrows. Oh! They named Jackson after you!”
He smiles, nodding before pointing to another set of markers.
“Anna Sarah Spencer Mitchell Robert Luke Mitchell
Beloved wife of Robert L. Mitchell Beloved husband of Anna S. Mitchell
April 18, 1802 August 23, 1800
January 4, 1879 November 17, 1875”
“Maybe it turned into a love match after all? I mean look at what they wrote on the markers.”
Eli puts his arm around my shoulders. “I bet it did. I have a feeling that Miss Anna didn’t give old Robert much choice but to love her, kind of the way you did me.” It took a minute for Eli’s words to sink in. Looking up at him, I can feel my heart jackhammering in my chest.
