Time Will Tell (Timeless Series)

by Loyd, Sandy

  “Libby can certainly ride. Zeus and Fortuna beat their records today,” Gus said, pulling her interest back to the conversation. “Colin and I have found our jockey.”

  Humbled at the genuine praise in his voice, Libby prayed her warm face wasn’t beet red. Having spent so much of her life vying for her father’s approval, she couldn’t stop the smile forming. Gus’s expression said it all. So did Berta’s. More happiness welled up inside her. They appreciated her skills. She ignored the slight twinge of discomfort resting on her conscience over the thought of never seeing them again once she finished her mission. Would they miss her?

  As Nathan talked about finding tadpoles, Libby wished for a family like this one. Being an only child, she’d never enjoyed dinners like this with her father. When the two of them had dinner together the conversation was usually stilted, because Libby felt as if she’d somehow disappointed her father.

  That led to other conflicting thoughts, like those of Dave. She hadn’t thought of him in a while. Could they have something similar ten years down the road? Somehow it didn’t seem possible. Dave never relaxed enough to enjoy simple things like discussing the day’s events. Her fiancé didn’t usually talk openly about anything. Maybe she could draw him out and get him to open up to her—to show his inner self, as Gus was doing to Berta? The idea intrigued her. Maybe that was the reason she hadn’t been able to go home yet. She needed to learn something here in the past in order to have her wish answered in the future.

  That seemed reasonable. What could it hurt to spend more time here in the past to figure it all out? Besides, she’d be training thoroughbreds and also be able to work with Nathan.

  “What do you think about letting Nathan help with the yearlings?” she said, leveling her gaze on Gus. “I’ll take responsibility for him.” She’d use the lessons to let the boy in on the fact that their time together was limited. It was the least she could do before visiting the trees tomorrow night.

  The thought of leaving shouldn’t disturb her, but it did.

  ~

  The next morning, Gus pushed away from the table and stood. He bent to kiss Berta, then glanced at Libby. “Best get a move on. We have much to do today.”

  Libby waved good-bye to Berta and Nathan and followed Gus out the door.

  They trained at the track until the heat of midday started to affect the horses. From there they moved to the stables.

  “What do you think?” Gus looked askance at her after stopping at a stall holding a pregnant mare.

  Clearing her throat, she realized he wanted her opinion on the mare’s condition. Sure, she’d been around pregnant horses before and even helped when Pride was born, but her experiences were limited. Bev had been the expert in dealing with foaling mares.

  Besides, Gus had known her for less than a week. As Colin had said, he was overly protective of these thoroughbreds, as well he should be. The farm’s future rode on the foals these mares produced. His faith in her added to the sense of belonging she’d felt last night.

  A similar sense of sadness tugged on her heartstrings as she eased closer and rubbed the mare’s neck in an attempt to introduce herself. This would be the last morning to be around these beautiful animals.

  The horse nickered and took a few steps back. “Easy, Electra.” Using the name Gus had provided, Libby kept her tone soothing and continued stroking. “I just need to check you out. It will only take a minute and you won’t even feel it.” Her examination was quick. “She’s ready to foal.” The udders were enlarged and a waxy substance appeared on the edge of her teats.

  Approval evident in both his eyes and his smile, Gus nodded. “We’ll keep a closer eye on her today.” While he continued watching Libby’s progress, she examined the others. None were as far along as Electra.

  Gus led her out of the stable and up to the paddock gate. Inside the fence, three yearlings grazed. “I need to check on the stallions.” He took off his hat and wiped at his brow with his shirt sleeve. “With so many mares in heat, I can’t ignore them any longer.”

  “What do you do? Just put them together and let the process begin,” Libby asked, interested in the differences in mating throughout the centuries.

  “Ja, basically. Thorpe’s farm uses a process called teasing, which is safer for the two animals involved, but it takes longer and is more work. We put the animals in a separate, specially built corral that keeps the animals from getting hurt,” he replied. “A stallion can be overly aggressive and unmanageable when picking up the scent of a mare in estrus.” Gus stuck his hat back on his head and grunted. “Sometimes it’s downright violent, especially if a mare isn’t ready.” He spent a little time telling her about the process. The mare and stallion would be separated in a corral with a divided partition. If the mare exhibited signs—adopting the position and moving her tail to the side—she was ready, which made his job easier. If she bared her teeth or tried to kick and bite the stallion through the fence, she still had a day or so to go, which could be dangerous.

  Libby knew all about how dangerous the situation could be. In her own time, most farms used artificial insemination to avoid injuring either horse.

  “I love it when it’s over, because that is where it all begins,” Gus said, grinning. “The prospect of a new colt or filly next year makes all the work worthwhile.” He broke off for a moment, then nodded at the yearlings. “Now might be a good time to work with Nathan.” When her gaze turned questioning, Gus shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I don’t trust the stallions. Maybe next year, when you’ve grown a bit.” He started for the gate. “Nathan’s just finishing his chores and should be here shortly.”

  Eventually Nathan joined her. While showing him how to clip the horse’s hair to create a bridle path behind the yearling’s ears, she broached the subject of her leaving. “You know, Nathan, I can’t stay here forever.”

  Nathan, laughing only seconds ago over the frisky horse’s playfulness, frowned. The expression in his blue eyes added to his woeful expression. “Why? I thought you liked it here.”

  “I do. But I need to go home at some point. When I do, just remember you’ll always be close to me, in my heart.”

  “I understand.” Nathan nodded. “Ma says I have to look for the silver lining in sad news.” He remained silent, clearly thinking. Then his face brightened with a smile. “Pa is letting me work with the horses and he never did before you came.”

  The lump in Libby’s throat grew larger and she smiled back, meeting the boy’s earnest gaze. If ever she had a child, she’d want him or her to be just like Nathan.

  The horse’s neighing interrupted the moment and soon both were too engrossed in training yearlings to worry about her leaving.

  ~

  Colin’s first stop that morning had been the blacksmith shop, where he’d ordered much-needed tack to be delivered within the week. Next, he’d dealt with ordering feed and other necessities. Scuttlebutt about the new track and the newly formed Louisville Jockey Club and Driving Park Association had abounded everywhere he turned. The air had all but snapped with energy and excitement.

  With his errands finally out of the way, he headed to the train station. The eastbound train to Shelbyville pulled into the station. He quickly boarded, took a seat, and peered out the window. Colin couldn’t wait to see the finished racetrack. Hopefully his horses would be ready to run in the next spring meet.

  His thoughts shifted to the boy, and for the hundredth time he wondered what he’d seen out by the oak trees. Had Libby really disappeared then reappeared? Or had his eyes played tricks on him?

  Other questions formed. Where had the lad come from? What was he doing out by the two oak trees? Where did he get the clothes? And for that matter, why change? It was all very puzzling.

  Liberty Edwards was a godsend, so maybe he came from heaven. Lads that talented with horses didn’t show up every day on his farm. Colin decided to have a more in-depth talk with Berta as soon as possible.

  T
he shrill whistle of the train blasted in the air and the big steam engine and four cars slowed to a stop. Colin promptly disembarked, headed to the livery to pick up his horse, and was well on his way home in no time.

  At the stables, he left his horse with a handler for grooming and went looking for Berta, who was outside hanging laundry.

  “Colin?” She nodded, watching his approach.

  He halted near her basket and peered down at the ground, trying to figure out a way to broach the subject of Libby. When he didn’t say anything, she bent and pulled a shirt out of the basket, shook it out, and then used a wooden pin to anchor the ends on the line. “Was there something important you needed?” Her questioning glance rested on his face.

  “Um…yes…um…” He rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger, still thinking. Finally, he decided to just blurt it out. “There’s something strange about Liberty Edwards, and I’m betting you know what that is.”

  “We all have secrets.” Berta looked away quickly, but not quick enough for Colin to miss the bit of pink hitting her cheeks, along with a guilty expression clouding her eyes. “Some are worth keeping.”

  “Oh?” Colin waited until Berta glanced back at him before raising his eyebrows. “If there’s something I should know, you’d best tell me.”

  When Berta remained silent with her attention on the basket filled with clothes, Colin sighed. “I mean the child no harm. I just want to know more about him. Like where he came from and who his people are.” He shook his head. “It’s not like my farm is on the beaten path.”

  The blonde woman’s cheeks took on a rosy hue as she shook out a pair of long johns and proceeded to hang them on the line.

  “How could he just show up out of nowhere?” How had he gotten to the farm, miles away from town? Berta knew more and he wasn’t about to leave it alone until she told him everything.

  Her lips thinning in a straight line, Berta appeared to be waging a mental battle. Wringing her hands, she looked up at him but Colin could read nothing in her guarded expression.

  “What? You know something.” He eyed her for several seconds. “I told you I mean the boy no harm, but he’s so young. Someone must care about him.”

  “Ja, she is young…” She shook her head. “I meant he.” Her face grew a darker shade of pink, if that were possible.

  Totally stunned and not fooled one bit by her cover-up, he struggled to keep his face blank. “She,” he asked, looking at her for substantiation.

  Finally, Berta nodded. “She’s definitely not a boy,” she said, exhaling another long breath.

  This whole thing just kept getting more interesting by the minute, he thought, swallowing hard.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you or Gus, but she seemed desperate to stay. And I figured if she was as good as she claimed, both of you needed her.” She reached for another shirt to hang. “Now you know why I didn’t want her staying in the bunkhouse.”

  Unable to disagree with either claim, he remained silent, trying to digest the information. The lad who urged his horses to ride like the wind was a girl. The idea boggled his mind.

  After pinning the shirt in place, Berta turned back to him, her features taut with worry. “You’ll let her continue working?”

  “Of course I will.” He wasn’t heartless. Besides, he’d be crazy to turn her out when she knew horses. Unfortunately, there went the perfect solution to his problem of hiring a jockey. He couldn’t in all good conscience subject a young girl to such a dangerous sport. It had been bad enough when he thought her a boy. Boys grew up and needed a livelihood, so in essence Colin had been helping rather than aiding and abetting an unsafe situation.

  Then remembering the other night, he asked, “Do you know where she came from?”

  “Only what she told us at dinner.” Berta proceeded to tell him. “I’m not sure how much is true. But since she’s safe and is a good worker, I decided it wasn’t my business.”

  “Hmmm.” Colin thought about this for a moment. “Do you think Nathan might know more about her?”

  “’Tis possible.” A smile took over Berta’s face. “They’re thick as thieves. Libby spent the better part of the afternoon working with my boy. Right now, she’s helping Gus with one of the pregnant mares. Since Nathan had no stomach for watching a foal being born, you’ll probably find him in one of the twin oaks.”

  Gus most likely had things under control in the stables, especially if Libby was helping with the mare’s foaling. Colin made a detour to the trees, which was exactly where he found Nathan sitting on a high branch, kicking his legs in the air.

  “Hello, Nathan.”

  Waving, Nathan smiled. “Hey, Mr. Thorpe.”

  “Mind if I have a chat with you?” When the boy nodded, Colin started climbing and was soon sitting next to him, legs dangling. “You know Libby pretty well, don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” Nathan said, nodding. “But he’s leaving.”

  “Libby’s leaving?” Something akin to disappointment welled up in Colin’s gut. He shook it off as impossible. There was nowhere for the girl to go.

  Suddenly, the boy clapped a hand over his mouth and his eyes got big. “Never mind,” he said, glancing down at the ground.

  Colin remained silent, pretending to be deep in thought. Then he said, “What do you know about Libby leaving?”

  “I can’t tell. It’s a secret.”

  “A secret?” He swallowed his smile. In his experience, it would take no time to unearth the news Nathan held back, but the key was using the right bait. “What if you tell me what it is and I promise to keep it a secret? That way you and I will have a secret.”

  Nathan considered this for several minutes, then came back with, “Will you let me ride Zeus?”

  Colin laughed. Imagine, the little bugger was bargaining with him. Shaking his head at how easily he’d been manipulated, his smile broke free.

  “Sure, Nathan, I can do that. So tell me. What’s the secret you two share?”

  “You promise not to tell Libby I told you?” When he nodded, he added, holding out his hand, “You have to shake on it.”

  Still smiling, Colin shook it. “OK, now give. What’s the secret?”

  “Libby’s from the future.”

  “The future?” What the hell? “Where’s the future?”

  Nathan shrugged. “I dunno, but it’s far away. The trees brought him here. That’s why I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, especially adults ’cuz they might think he’s crazy. You won’t think he’s crazy, will you?”

  Of course it sounded crazy, Colin thought, absorbing his revelation. That just couldn’t be. People didn’t go through trees into another era. Maybe Nathan didn’t understand exactly where Libby was from. It could be some city he’d never heard of. The minute the thought was out, he discarded it. He looked up into the tree’s branches and wondered. If the trees took people through time, then why didn’t they whisk him someplace different?

  He thought back to the other night. Was that why she was wearing different clothes? Because she came from the future? My God, it was unbelievable. At the same time, it all began to make sense. If he hadn’t seen her disappear and reappear with his own eyes, there was no possible chance that he would have believed what Nathan told him.

  An anxious expression slid over Nathan’s face. “Yer not going to fire him, are you? Libby really needs the job and has to stay by the trees in order to go home.”

  “No, Nathan, Libby will have a job here as long as he needs it. But let’s not say anything about where he comes from. It will be our secret.”

  Nathan’s face took on a toothy grin before he said, “Yeah, our secret. So, when can I ride Zeus?”

  Colin had to laugh at Nathan’s one-track mind. “You’ll have to wait until things slow down a bit. Think you can do that?”

  “Sure, Mr. Thorpe.”

  “Good. I’ll leave you to your tree. Thanks, Nathan. I think you helped Libby by telling me. Don’t forget. It’s our secret. Mum’
s the word, OK?”

  “Sure, mum’s the word.” Nathan’s grin got wider. “I like that new word.” He repeated it several times.

  With thoughts on his newest employee, Colin climbed down and started for the stables. It was bad enough to try to wrap his mind around the lad being a girl. He couldn’t fathom the rest.

  How had she fooled them all? Except for Berta. But he couldn’t blame her for remaining tight-lipped on the subject. Women usually stuck together in times of trouble. He could picture Berta going one-on-one with Gus about Libby sleeping in the bunkhouse. That thought made him smile and cringe at the same time. One thing he was sure of as he neared the foaling mare’s stall, Libby was good with horses. She must have had some experience with them to be able to ride and to handle them so well.

  “The foal needs to be turned,” Gus said as he neared the pregnant mare’s stall and took in the scene before him. Libby stood to the side, watching, a fearful expression on her face.

  Electra and her foal were in good hands. Colin slipped in to give what aid he could without saying anything. Now was not the time for a confrontation.

  Still, he had lots of questions. Being a betting man, he’d bet his favorite thoroughbred, Zeus, that she’d be at the trees after dinner tonight, just like the other night. He planned on being there, too, waiting to get his answers.

  Chapter 11

  Leaving the newborn colt with his mother after a difficult birth, Colin followed Gus out to the corral to work with the mating stallions. Libby kept busy in a separate pasture, training yearlings. During the earlier ordeal, Colin had watched the child closely, giving him ample opportunity to make out her feminine features. Her gentle cooing to calm the mare had been a dead giveaway. He had no idea how any of them could have mistaken her for a boy when there was nothing masculine about her. While not very old and having a boyish figure, Liberty Edwards was, as Berta so aptly put it, no male.