by Loyd, Sandy
“Why should it matter if he believes you or not? Besides, I thought all women wanted to get married.”
“Words spoken like a true man.” Libby didn’t bother keeping the sarcasm out of her voice.
But rather than offending Colin, he only chuckled after pulling the blade of grass out of his mouth and tossing it aside. He then bowed his head. “At your service. Do you always get your hackles up when someone says something that annoys you?”
“My hackles aren’t up.” Libby shook her head and crossed her arms. “Why is it that men think all women want to get married?”
“Because it’s true,” he said. “Marriage is always their ultimate goal. If he’s willing to marry you, why should you care whether he believes you or not? He’s giving you his name, isn’t he?”
“It matters. Times have changed. Marriage isn’t the only thing we women want. In my time we don’t have to marry to better ourselves. We can marry for love.”
“Ah yes, love.” His eyebrows inched higher. “And do you love him?”
“You sound so skeptical. Don’t you believe in love?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been in love. I’m not sure it exists.” He picked up another long blade of grass and twirled it between his fingers. Then he looked back at Libby with a sad expression.
He appeared so forlorn. His lost little boy expression tugged at her. Libby asked gently, “Not even with your wife?” When he shook his head, she offered a consoling smile. “That’s sad.”
He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “We became friends during the early part of our marriage. I guess you could say we cared for each other. At least, I cared for her, I’m not sure if she cared about anyone but herself. We definitely weren’t in love. She hated the farm—hated her life here.” He stopped talking and threw the twisted blade of grass on the ground. “I don’t know why I told you that.” He sighed wistfully. “I guess I feel comfortable here with you.” A smile lit his face as he said, “Let’s get back to our discussion. You never answered my question.”
His smile was too persuasive. Libby returned it. “What question?”
He laughed again, the sound sending a tingling sensation to her insides.
“Going for evasion? That’s a good tactic, but not good enough. I asked if you loved your intended.”
“My intended?” Libby gave a nervous grunt, ignoring the feeling his laughter was creating on her system. “That sounds so formal.”
“Evading again?” He pierced her gaze, raising his eyebrows.
“God, you’re tenacious.” She focused on her hands and distractedly made figure eights in the ground next to her. “Yeah, I love him, but I don’t think it’s enough. I need him to believe in me. He just doesn’t understand how important it is to me and I don’t know how to remedy the problem.” She risked a quick glance at him. Her smile turned sheepish. “Listen to me. I’m as bad as you. I don’t know why I told you that. You have enough problems without adding mine.”
“Me? What problems have I got? We were discussing you. Remember?”
“Well, your wife died. And you have three young children. Even if you didn’t love each other, it must be hard not having her here, especially for the kids. I lost my mom. I know how that can be.”
He was obviously about to accuse her of evasion again, except that same forlorn look suddenly crept into his expression and his words seemed to stick in his throat. She swallowed hard and couldn’t stop the concern or compassion from spilling out in her gaze. The connection she’d felt earlier was back. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as Colin swallowed hard. Breaking the connection, he glanced down at the ground, appearing as uncomfortable with it as she.
“I guess it is hard,” he whispered. “I just plow through one day at a time,” he said minutes later. “Eventually it does get easier.” His voice took on a teasing quality as he added, “You have a way of distracting me from my melancholy thoughts, so I’m glad we had this time together.”
“So am I,” Libby said, shrugging her shoulders, happy to have the conversation veer toward other topics besides Dave. “I think there is another reason I couldn’t return home tonight, you know? Besides the deed.”
When she didn’t elaborate, Colin looked at her with an expression that said, “Well? What is it?”
“Promise not to laugh?”
His bark of laughter rang out, and Libby slapped at his arm. “I asked you not to laugh.”
“I’m sorry,” Colin said, a big grin still splitting his face. “I can’t help it. Here we are baring souls, and you make me promise not to laugh. It struck me as funny.”
“Yeah, well, being stuck in the wrong century is no laughing matter. I only hope I can get home when I need to.” She stopped and realized she sounded unappreciative of all she’d experienced up to that point. “Not that you don’t have a wonderful place here, and not that I haven’t loved every minute of working on the farm and learning all about it. It’s just that I don’t belong here.”
He visibly sobered. “I’m sure you’ll be able to travel back when the time comes. Until then, I’ll help any way I can. Two heads are always better than one.” His voice trailed off. “Finish what you were going to tell me.” He glanced at her, then made an imaginary cross on his chest. “I promise not to laugh.”
“Oh my God—did you just cross your heart?”
His grin was quick. “Yes, I did. But don’t expect me to spit on my palm like I did as a lad.”
“Oh, we don’t spit anymore—at least, girls don’t.”
“So the universal cross your heart and spit in the palm still exists into the next two centuries?” At Libby’s nod, he sighed. “It boggles the mind what stands the test of time. But enough of your evasion—you do that a lot, you know.”
“Do what?”
Colin shook his head. “I rest my case. Finish with your thoughts, then I think we should call it a night. It’s getting late. Berta and Gus will be worried about you.”
“You’re right. I guess I am evading the issue.” Stalling, she smoothed out non-existent wrinkles on her jeans. “OK, the way I see it, I originally came here for a reason, like maybe to learn something. At first I had the feeling that maybe I’m here to help Gus with Nathan—teach him about the farm. You know Gus has no time right now?”
At his nod she continued. “Yet when I’m with the family, I get this feeling I was meant to see them. I’ve never seen a family as close as Gus and Berta’s. They are so wonderful and warm. They accept each other and work toward a common goal, a goal both share. Seeing them together makes me realize that I want what they have. Maybe somehow by being around them, I can learn how to achieve that end.” She stopped talking. “Or…do you think there’s a bigger reason I wished myself here?”
“I have no idea. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around you coming from the future. I’ll think on it, though. In the meantime, since you still want to work, tomorrow comes bright and early.” He stood and brushed grass off his pants. “I’ll see you in the morning. I’m taking over for Gus with the thoroughbreds. We can train them together.” He turned and started to walk away. “Good night, Libby.”
Before he’d taken ten steps, Libby said in a loud voice, “Thanks, Mr. Thorpe. Good night.”
He stopped and pivoted, snaring her gaze. “Do me a favor, will you?”
“Yes?”
“Call me Colin. Everyone else does. We’re just not that formal around here,” he said, much like his great-great-grandson had done, eliciting a déjà vu moment.
As she continued staring after him, other feelings surged through her system.
He was halfway up the path to the house when he turned around again. “Are you ever going to tell me if there is a racetrack in your Louisville?”
Libby hesitated. “I don’t know how much I should tell you about the future.”
“Fair enough. Well, till tomorrow.” And then he was gone.
Chapter 12
The days raced by in a bl
ur. Near the end of the first week, Colin provided Libby with a notarized copy of the deed. As one week became two, eventually easing into three, Libby tried not to obsess about her inability to return home. Instead she focused on the exhilaration of doing a job she loved, using her workday routine as something to count on. Breakfast in the morning followed by training the thoroughbreds with Colin until the heat set in. From there she helped Gus check on the mares before moving on to the foals, and then training the yearlings with Nathan in the afternoons. Lunch was somewhere in between.
The work was challenging as well as rewarding. Mostly because the men around her took her opinion seriously and valued her contribution to their end goals. That alone was worth every bit of the time spent in the past, and did much to take her mind off the hardships of living without electricity and the Internet. What Libby would give for a hot bath, she thought, trudging down the path toward the trees in another attempt to wish herself home. Her routine now included visiting the trees every night. At this point, she was certainly ready to leave. Yet, no amount of wishing seemed to matter.
Was she stuck here? Her heart skipped beats at the thought. No! She refused to believe that. The trees weren’t working. With no idea as to why, the only thing to do was to keep trying. Hopefully, when she did return to her own time, it would be to within minutes of her earlier departure. The thought of having someone in the future worry over her disappearance only added to her troubles.
There was one advantage to her delay. Colin began joining her in the evenings. Libby looked forward to seeing him emerge from the path if she happened to have her eyes open. If not—if it was one of those times she’d closed her eyes, only to open them and find him watching her—a thrill always went through her. It was a rush to imagine that he’d actually sought her out. She was coming to depend on his quiet strength. Too much, if she were honest.
Tonight was no different as she glanced up and watched his approach. A smile lit his expression when he noticed her. Libby crossed her fingers, hoping that he was just as happy to see her as she was to see him.
Warmth flooded her senses when his steady amber gaze ensnared hers, holding her eyes captive for what seemed like infinity. Finally, the spell was broken when he turned to sit down next to her.
As Colin stared off in the distance, Libby surreptitiously studied him. He seemed different tonight. Smoothing out her jeans in an effort to calm her rapid heartbeats, she prayed he didn’t realize the effect he had on her. That was all she needed. To be trapped in the past with Sam Thorpe’s great—God only knew how many greats—grandfather and him knowing about her crush. Just another destination to add to her guilt trip with Dave in tow, thanks to her constant comparison between the two men.
“So, how was your day?” He tore off a blade of grass and stuck it into his mouth. “How is the foal doing?”
Libby cleared her throat. “Fine.” She went on to tell him more about her day, something she loved—that and their common interest in horses. Libby could probably talk his ears off about the subject and he’d listen intently, as if he valued her thoughts. If only Dave could be more like Colin.
“How about yours?” She must have imagined the earlier look because there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary in his manner as he recounted his day.
“I thought you could wish yourself home,” he said after a lengthy pause.
Libby shrugged. “I thought so too.”
“You have the deed, so why are you still here?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed. “But at least I’m enjoying myself.”
“I’m enjoying your company.” His gaze moved over the landscape as he exhaled. “I mean my words. I feel comfortable talking with you.” His attention returned to her face. “I find myself hurrying with my chores in order to come out and meet you under the trees.” He hesitated and met her gaze. “Why do you think that is?”
An honest yearning brimmed in his eyes. Libby sucked in a breath. “I don’t know.” She swallowed hard and looked at her hands to break eye contact. “I think tomorrow will be the day Fortuna’s going to beat Zeus.”
Colin’s low chuckle seemed to mock her evasive ploy, drawing her focus.
His smile slowly faded, his expression becoming tormented.
Her stomach did somersaults. For a split second, she could have sworn she spied desire in those brown depths. But it was gone in a heartbeat as he took the blade of grass out of his mouth and tossed it aside while his attention roamed over the horizon.
Seconds later his grin was back. “You think so?” he replied, now appearing so under control that her imagination had to be working in overdrive.
Squinting at him, Libby fought to figure him out as he added lightly, “Are you going to tell me about the racetrack and any races that are still run?”
It was the same question she always refrained from answering every night. Libby laughed, glad to note he was back to his normal teasing manner once again. “Not tonight. But you can tell me more about your plans.”
“I’ve told you about them already. I can’t see why you won’t give me a clue.”
She crossed her arms. “Time will tell, not me,” she countered, locking her mouth with an invisible key, then adding, “Since I’m not talking, tell me more.”
Colin chuckled, the rumble of it zinging straight through her insides. “Fair enough.”
The two spent several hours talking about everything and nothing before Libby said, “I think it’s time for me to go in. I had a wonderful evening, Colin.”
“The evening certainly passes quickly when I’m with you,” Colin said in a regretful voice. He stood, then bent to help her rise. “Here. I’ll escort you back to the Gundersons’ door.”
Together they walked the path to the house. At the door, Libby thought for a moment that he would kiss her. But all he did was pull her into his embrace for a warm hug and kiss her forehead.
“Good night,” he said, before turning and starting for his own house.
Libby went inside extremely confused. Walking upstairs, her mind was on the hours spent with Colin and whether or not she’d wanted his kiss.
~
The next morning Libby struggled to keep her thoughts off the man who’d kept her awake most of the night. Walking toward the track to meet Colin for their morning workout, she forced herself to focus on Nathan instead.
Working with the bright boy gave her immense satisfaction. He usually joined her in the stables after his chores. She loved teaching him. Nathan was a natural with the horses, much like his father must have been at his age. The kid was such a quick learner, hanging on anything Libby said. She realized she was getting attached to him. In fact, she was becoming much too attached to all of them. The Gundersons were becoming family. The noisy meals she spent with them were always full of love and laughter. That never changed. Why couldn’t they all live in her own time so she wouldn’t have to leave them behind?
As she continued walking, her thoughts shifted to her other experiences since Colin’s discovery of her time travel. So much had happened in such a short span. The early morning was her favorite time of the day. Riding champion horses around a track and shaving seconds off their time gave her a sense of accomplishment. The elation she derived was like nothing she’d ever experienced.
She’d learned a great deal about riding and racing thoroughbreds in the past three weeks. As her technique improved, the horses began responding and their times improved. Both Gus and Colin had been impressed and her duties increased. She started working with all of the runners.
Colin, looking too handsome for words, came into view and Libby couldn’t help but remember last night. Chills tingled down her spine as she thought about how much she loved being with him. He always made her laugh.
That she was starting to enjoy their encounters more and more troubled her greatly. She wasn’t sure what she would have done if he had actually kissed her last night, another reason to worry. From the moment she’d first set eyes on him, h
e’d attracted her. Yet, getting to know him was actually more appealing as was their shared love of horses and the outdoors. Even worse, she saw his vision for the farm as clearly as he did.
“Good morning.” Colin nodded as she approached.
“Good morning,” she replied, watching him give an order to one of the grooms. Of course, she didn’t particularly care for his autocratic manner. Arrogant and confident, he assumed a leadership role, which carried over to everyone on the farm. Including her.
Occasionally, he would say something that riled her. When this happened, he’d look at her with those incredible eyes—eyebrows raised—as if to say, You really want to test me? Libby’s answer was always a resounding yes. Still, it did no good. He’d always win. But that didn’t stop Libby from trying. In fact, she was beginning to think he said things to get a rise out of her.
The thought brought a smile to her face. It was still there when Colin, holding two horses tacked and ready to exercise, refocused on her. Dressed much as he’d been the first time Libby saw him, he looked totally masculine and sexy as all get-out.
He smiled. “Your expression’s very much like a cat that has swallowed the canary all of a sudden.”
Libby’s grin got wider. “Oh, and what expression is that?”
Colin’s laughing eyes caught hers. Having gotten used to the way his gaze affected her every time their eyes met, she’d come to expect it and accept it. But this look carried something different as he said, adding a wink, “A very satisfied one.”
My God. He’s flirting with me. The notion brought her up short. She wanted nothing more than to flirt back. Big mistake. Libby had to force herself to remember her fiancé.
Except that when she did happen to think of Dave, she compared him with Colin and he kept coming up short. Unfortunately, that said a lot about their relationship. Colin Thorpe was everything any woman could ask for, but he belonged in 1874 and she didn’t.