A wide grin crossed his face. “You can tell the difference?”
“I sure can.” She smiled and whispered in his ear. “I couldn’t help but notice how much better looking you are than the other men here, and I bet in no time at all, you’ll be stronger than them too.”
He blushed and shrugged. “Well, I work hard.”
She pulled away from him and nodded. “It shows.” She looked back at the women, who were still watching, and winked. Turning back to him, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’m sorry to interrupt you and your friends. I’ll let you get back to talking.” She stepped back, rubbed her arms and winced.
Ted frowned and stood up. “Are you feeling alright?”
She sighed, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and shook her head. “I don’t want to trouble you.” She turned to go back to the table.
He took her arm and stopped her. “Trouble me. What is it?”
“Well…If you really want to know, some of those pots can get heavy when I have to carry them all the way to the house. And then I have to help scrub down the tables and push them against the wall.” She rested her hand on his arm, massaging his bicep. The truth was he did actually have some muscle, and she did enjoy touching him. But she needed to focus. Peering up at him, she smiled. “I should get back and help.”
Again, she took a step away from him, and, again, he took her arm.
“No. Wait. You don’t need to hurt yourself cleaning up. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll take care of it?”
Success! Hiding her grin, she bit her lower lip. “I don’t know. I mean, all the other men are sitting and talking. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of them.”
“You won’t be. In fact, it would be embarrassing for me to let you carry all those heavy things when you’re in pain.” He turned to Ray and Richie. “You know, we should help the women. I mean, don’t you see the pile of dishes and pots they have to carry?”
Ray nodded, his face concerned as he looked at her. “Do they really hurt your arms?”
“After awhile, yes,” she replied. “I imagine it would be worse for me if I was pregnant. Claire hasn’t made a single complaint, but I do wonder how she can carry all those dishes and wash them when she’s carrying all that weight.”
“Huh. I hadn’t thought of it that way before.” Ray stood up. “I better help her.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to lend a helping hand,” Richie agreed.
Megan refrained from clapping her hands. It worked. It actually worked! Forcing a worried look on her face, she asked, “Are you sure? We don’t want to impose.”
Ted waved his hand at her. “Who’s imposing? We’re offering. Now, I want you to sit down and we’ll take care of everything. Besides, if I don’t use these strong arms for something useful, then what good are they?”
“Oh, well, thanks,” she sweetly replied before she sat down.
Ray motioned to the other men. “Come on. Let’s give the poor women a break. They’ve done enough for us today.”
Esther, Miriam and Claire followed the men’s instructions and sat down next to Megan.
“Exactly what did you say to Ted?” Esther whispered in Megan’s ear.
“I just complimented him and told him my arms were sore.”
“And it worked?”
“You tell me.” Megan pointed to the group of men who gathered around the tables to take care of the dishes while they ordered the women to sit down and relax.
Claire sat on the other side of Megan and giggled. “You have to tell us exactly what you said and what they said.”
Megan shot a smug look at Charles who scowled at her before he exited the barn. That would show him to mess with her! Brains won over brawn any day of the week, and regardless of the time period, people liked to hear how great they were. Not that she didn’t believe Ted was the most attractive man in the place, because he was. But it sure was nice to know how to get him to take a stand and make the other men fall in line while making it his idea.
***
Cole cursed his luck. He’d almost had the chip. He’d been so close. He’d been right up to the wagon, ready to take the JIC jacket when that man rushed to retrieve it. Ted was his name. And Ted had talked to a woman named Meg, which had to be short for Megan. Cole remembered reading about them in the newspaper when he was in Devils Lake. Their conversation about time travel only confirmed their identity. He sighed. He didn’t want to hurt them. He just wanted the chip, but Ted had slipped it into the pocket of his pants. Did Ted even know what the chip was for?
After the couple returned to the potluck, Cole hid outside the barn. He’d found a small hole to peek into so he could find out what was going on. Megan and Ted were happy together. That much was obvious to anyone who paid half-attention. He bit back the bittersweet memory of Penelope. He imagined that she’d make him as happy as Megan made Ted. No. He wouldn’t think of her. He couldn’t afford to think of her.
Cole directed his attention to the men who suddenly took over the chore that the women had been doing. He couldn’t make out the words that anyone said to each other, except for someone named Ray who told the men to give the women a break. But he did know that Megan instigated it, and he also knew that this irritated the tall man who someone called Charles. The moment Charles stormed out of the barn, Cole knew he had to strike while the time was right.
Cole ran after Charles before he could get to his horse. “Charles!”
Charles turned back and barked, “What do you want?”
He waited until he was in front of Charles before he spoke. “I couldn’t help but notice the problem you had back there with Megan.”
“Don’t say her name.”
“Not even if it includes getting even?”
He stopped grabbing the reins to his horse and turned to Cole. “I’m listening.”
“Good.” Cole tipped his hat back and looked up at the man. It was amazing that Megan had the gumption to stand up to someone who towered over her. One thing was for sure. Cole had to admire her for that. He took a deep breath. “I happen to know that Megan values a small charm. It’s round and it’s about this big.” He used his thumb and index finger to show the height of half an inch. “I bet she’d be distraught if it were to get lost.”
Charles scanned him up and down. “And I suppose it’s worth a pretty penny?”
“Yes. To be honest, it is. However,” he began as he pulled out the gold ring from his pocket, “this is worth a pretty penny too.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
“Ted has the charm. He’s holding it for her. I bet she’d be real disappointed if he misplaced it, wouldn’t you?”
Charles straightened up in interest. “Go on.”
“If you bring me that charm, I’ll give you this ring.” He held it up in the moonlight. “Do we have a deal?”
“That charm can’t be worth more than gold.”
“Not in all ways, but it does for my intentions.”
Charles nodded. “Tonight. After they go home, I’ll get it for you.”
Cole put the ring in his pocket. “And I’ll pay you when you do.”
“You’ll pay alright because if you don’t, I can force it from you.”
Cole smiled. “You have nothing to worry about.” Soon. Soon he’d have the chip back. Then he’d be a wealthy man.
Chapter Seventeen
Megan sighed with contentment as Ted kissed her in bed later that night. He held her close to him, his body notifying her that he anticipated what was to come. She discovered that she liked that. It made her feel desirable, and she wanted to feel that way with her husband.
Try as she might though, she couldn’t let go of a nagging thought. “Ted?”
“Hmm?” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.
She had to ask it. As much as she dreaded the answer, she had to ask the question or else she wouldn’t feel right proceeding. She pulled away from him so she could concentrate. Bracing herself for the answer, sh
e asked, “Do you think I’m manipulative?”
He sighed. “Can’t this wait until we’re done?”
“No, it can’t. Not when I feel guilty.”
He raised himself up on an elbow and looked down at her. “Guilty about what?”
The moonlight streaming through the parted curtains showed her that he was concerned. Would he be angry once she told him the truth? She was tempted to forget about it until after they made love. He’d surely be in a better mood by then, but she’d never enjoy this as long as it nagged her. Taking a deep breath, she made her confession.
“Well, I got tired of Charles laughing at me over the fact that you and the other men wouldn’t pitch in to help with the dishes after supper, so I sort of lied to you so you’d prove him wrong.”
He frowned. “Then you don’t think I’m strong or the best looking guy at the barn dance?”
“Oh, I didn’t lie about that part. I do think you’re stronger now than when we first got here and you are better looking than the other men in town. What I lied about was my arms being sore, and I wasn’t tired.”
A smile formed on his face, and he drew her closer to him so that their bodies were touching again. “Honey, if bragging me up in front of the guys is manipulation, then I say keep on doing it. Besides, I do agree that it won’t kill us men to pitch in and help you ladies out.”
She relaxed. “So you forgive me?”
“Does this answer your question?” He kissed her again, this time deepening it.
The dog barked from the parlor, but she ignored him and returned Ted’s kiss. Now that the weight of her lie had been lifted off her shoulders, she could get caught up in the moment.
He made love to her, and unlike before, he wasn’t in any hurry. His kisses lingered at her breasts. His hands gently caressed her skin as if memorizing every inch of her body. In turn, she also studied him, delighting in her newfound knowledge of what increased his desire for her. Straddling him, she encouraged him to enter her and moved in a way that maximized her pleasure. In the back of her mind, she was aware that Buddy was still barking downstairs, but she was enjoying herself too much to care. The dog could wait. She had her husband to enjoy.
When she found her release, she stopped and let out a soft moan. He waited until she leaned forward to kiss him before he rolled on top of her and continued the rhythm she’d used just moments before. Now that her body was satisfied, she became aware of the dog as he kept barking. What in the world was wrong with him? He’d never barked this long before. They did let him out to go to the bathroom before they retired upstairs. Didn’t they?
Ted went still, drawing her attention back to what they were doing, and she realized he’d just found his release. Secretly embarrassed by letting the dog distract her, she held him close, noting how her heart beat in rhythm with his.
His breathing still ragged, Ted said, “See? I knew I could last longer.”
She hid her amusement. It was cute to know he worried about being a good lover. “You’re wonderful, Ted.” And that was the truth. She found great pleasure with him, and it wasn’t just the orgasm. It was being with someone she loved who treated her well and loved her back. She’d never felt closer to another human being in her entire life. She could be vulnerable and safe. And she liked that. She liked all of it. However, she had to admit the orgasm was the icing on the cake, and she’d happily accept that part of it too.
Ted sighed into the nape of her neck. “I should go see what Buddy wants.”
“I don’t want you to go. I like being in your arms,” she pouted. “Let’s just see if he’ll stop.”
“But he’s been barking for a long time.”
Ted was right. It was likely that the dog would only continue until he went to see what Buddy wanted.
“Well, hurry back. I don’t want to sleep alone.”
He smiled and kissed her. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
As soon as he was out of bed, her arms felt empty. She watched him as he got dressed and threw on his hat.
“You’re wearing your hat?”
“He probably needs to go outside. That’s why he’s at the front door.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. The cool summer breeze drifted into the room, so she snuggled under the blanket. Without Ted there, she didn’t feel so hot. She listened as Ted opened the front door and Buddy went outside, still barking like crazy.
“Hey, don’t go too far!” Ted yelled after the dog. “Oh great. Now I’m going to have to track him down.”
Despite the frustration in his voice, Megan chuckled. Within minutes, she fell asleep.
***
Cole stared in disbelief as Charles dumped Ted’s unconscious body on the floor of the abandoned home that Cole had found.
Charles held out his hand, palm up. “Where’s the ring?”
“Are you crazy?” Cole asked as soon as he found his voice. “I didn’t ask you to bring Ted. I asked you to bring the charm.”
“I couldn’t get into the house. That damn dog kept barking. I had to wait until Ted came out. As it was, I had to fend off the dog when he attacked me. I’ll tell you, that mutt may not look like much, but he’s got it where it counts.”
Cole swallowed the lump in his throat and dimmed the light on the kerosene lamp so Ted wouldn’t wake up, at least not right away. This wasn’t how he planned things to go. Charles was supposed to sneak into Ted’s house, find the chip, and bring it to him. Ted wasn’t supposed to be directly involved in this. Now, as he stared at Ted on the scratched wooden floor, he considered his options.
If Ted woke up and discovered what happened to him or if that wife of his found him missing and sent the marshal to investigate, this could easily turn into a disaster. Then he’d be arrested and sent to prison where he’d be stuck here indefinitely. He might even lose the chip for good and never get out of this time. Or he might never see Penelope again. He shoved the thought aside.
Great. This was just great. Anxious, he ran his hands through his hair.
“I brought the chip,” Charles said, his tone firm. “That was the deal.”
“That deal didn’t involve your bringing Ted.”
“You didn’t say I couldn’t.” Charles held his hand right under Cole’s nose. “Now, hand over the gold ring.”
“No. You didn’t follow my instructions. Take Ted back and get the charm. Then we’ll talk.”
Charles scowled and pulled out a gun from his back pocket. “No. We’ll talk now.”
Cole froze. He didn’t want this to get worse than it already was.
“I didn’t do this to get even with that bullheaded woman. I did this for the gold. Hand it over and I’ll let you live.”
Cole dug into his pocket. So much for being in control. He took out the ring, and as he did, the kerosene lamp’s light hit the ring, making the gold shine bright. Gold. Almost like the golden hair of an angel. His angel. Penelope. Was this what he’d traded a future with her for? Gold. Something cold and hard, something that could be lost in a split second, something that ultimately didn’t matter? It might buy things but things didn’t last forever. They certainly didn’t satisfy, for no matter how many possessions a man obtained in his life, if he didn’t have someone to share those things with, his life remained empty.
“I feel sorry for you,” Cole softly stated as he gave Charles the ring.
“Don’t. I’m not the fool who just lost his gold.” Grinning, he slid it into his pocket. “Nice doing business with you.” Then he left.
***
Megan had a dream. She dreamt that she had her hand in a glass of water. When she pulled her hand out of the glass, the water clung to her like sticky goo. She gagged at the feel of it. She went to the sink and pumped the handle so fresh water came out of it. She rubbed her hands with soap and tried to get the gooey sensation off her hand, but no matter how much she scrubbed, she couldn’t do it.
Behind her someone let out a high-pitched whine. She turned but didn’t se
e anyone. “Who’s there?” she called out.
No one answered. Then she heard a bark.
“Buddy?” she asked as she made her way to the parlor. The dog stood by the door and barked again. “What is it, boy?”
Then he jumped on her.
Shrieking, she woke up with a furry body on top of her. Startled, she rolled away from the slobbering hairy beast and landed on the hard floor. The monster landed on top of her and licked her hair. It took her a moment to realize the beast was Buddy.
“Get away from me,” she ordered.
Buddy backed away and sat.
Grunting, she got off the floor and removed the hair from her eyes. She focused on the dog in the moonlight. “Ted, do you see what your dog is doing to me?” She pointed to the mutt and looked over at where she expected her husband to be.
Only, Ted wasn’t there.
She rubbed her eyes and willed herself to fully wake up. She looked back at the bed and saw that he still wasn’t there. She frowned.
Buddy whined.
She turned her attention back to the dog. “Where is he?”
The dog barked and ran to the door.
She thought that was odd. The dog couldn’t possibly understand her question.
Buddy barked again.
“Okay, okay. I’m coming.”
She might as well humor the animal, especially since she was wide awake. She put on the clothes she wore earlier that night and followed the dog down the stairs.
“Ted?” she called out.
It wasn’t unusual for him to grab a late night snack. She entered the kitchen, and for the first time since Buddy woke her up, she felt an unease settle in her stomach. She ran to the parlor. He wasn’t there either.
Buddy ran to the open front door and barked.
She glanced at the clock and saw that it was 3am.
A knock on the doorframe caught her attention. An unfamiliar man stood in the doorway.
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