A Break in Time

by Michelle Miles

  He looked at her with a mixed emotion of hopefulness and worry. “Would you…would you talk to Pa for me?”

  Ah, geeze. “I can’t do that, John. I’m sorry. It wouldn’t be right.”

  “Please?”

  She sighed. “I could try. It’s all I can do. Why don’t you find that aloe for me? I need to go check on my, uh, cousin.”

  “Okay.” He rose, snatching the lantern, and started off into the darkness. But something made him pause and he looked at Skye as she got to her feet. He flashed a smile. “Thanks.”

  She nodded with a smile before heading into the house. Ben was by the fire, his boots off and a pipe between his teeth. Lara was nowhere to be found; neither was Clarabelle. With a shrug, Skye entered the bedroom but stopped short.

  Clarabelle was snuggled next to Dane, his arm around her. Her head rested on his shoulder. Skye paused, not knowing what to make of the scene.

  The girl looked up, surprise evident in her blue eyes. She jumped away from the bed, her apron twisting in her hands.

  “I was just…um…we were just talking, that’s all,” the girl stammered.

  “Okay.” Skye eyed Dane.

  “I’ll go now.” She hurried out of the room, pulling the door closed behind her.

  Skye cocked her head to one side in question as Dane threw his hands up in surrender.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Skye.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re ready to murder me. It was nothing. She told you the truth. We were just talking.”

  “Are you trying to make me jealous or something?” she teased.

  “Are you jealous?” he asked, sounding smug. He had an eyebrow raised and a cocky grin on his handsome face.

  Even sunburned he was still sexy. Damn him.

  “No.” She dropped her hands and crossed them over her chest, taking on a haughty look.

  “Because you sure look and sound jealous.” He continued to grin as he rose from the bed and took two steps to stand in front of her. He cupped her chin in his hand and tipped her face up to his. “I’m flattered.”

  “Sit down, you overgrown hormone. You shouldn’t be up walking around.”

  With a chuckle, he complied.

  “Where’s the aloe?”

  “Oh, uh…yeah, there’s an interesting story about that.”

  “Really?” He slipped his arms under the pillow, crumpling it under his neck and head as he lay on his stomach. “Do tell.”

  “John kissed me.”

  Chapter Sixteen: A Trade

  “He what?” Dane rose back up, only to wince.

  “Lie down, will you?” She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a gentle shove. She looked down her nose at him. “Now who’s the jealous one?”

  “You let him kiss you?” he asked, ignoring her question.

  “Yes, Dane, I succumbed to passion right there in the middle of the field. Are you an idiot? He’s half my age.”

  “And Clarabelle is half my age.”

  “Or more.” She couldn’t resist one last jab.

  “Watch it,” he warned, though she knew his tone was less than serious.

  “All right, fine. You win.” She sank down on the bed next to him. “Do you want to hear this or not?”

  “It’s not like I have a choice.”

  “Are you trying to get under my skin? Because it’s working.”

  “No, but you’re certainly under mine.” He winked.

  “You’d better be nice to me or—”

  “Or what? You aren’t going to give me an empty threat of leaving without me, are you? Besides, I meant it as a compliment.” He craned his neck to look at her.

  The soft look in his clear green eyes told her he was sincere and it sent her heart pattering. She knew nothing had happened between Dane and Clarabelle, but she still had to tease him just a little.

  “Now are you going to tell me your story, or what?”

  “Ooo, I hate when you’re ornery,” she said. “Anyway, John said he was going to show me where the aloe plants were. I followed him into the field—”

  “Skye, please tell me you have more brains than to follow a stranger into a field at night?”

  “Shut up, will you?”

  “But you did it anyway, didn’t you?”

  “Shut. Up.”

  “Fine. Continue.”

  “Thank you. We were walking along when all of a sudden he turned and grabbed me.” She paused, trying not to think of the kid’s sickly, rancid breath. Her stomach roiled at the thought.

  “That’s when he did it?”

  “Yes. It seems his father has not been a great role model.”

  “I’m not surprised. He wants Clarabelle to marry some man named Mr. Fields by her next birthday. That’s why she was here talking to me.”

  “Oh?” Skye’s curiosity was piqued. “So what does she want you to do about it?”

  “Marry her,” he said casually.

  Skye stared, thunderstruck.

  “And?”

  “Don’t worry, Skye. Your man will remain single.”

  “I figured as much, but what did you tell her?”

  “That we’d think of something. We can’t exactly take her with us.”

  “I know. So, where does that leave Clarabelle? And what about John? And we haven’t even talked to little Lara. These kids need some guidance.”

  “Seeing as how we’re just visiting, I’m not sure we can do anything.”

  Skye knew he was right, though she still had the urge to help. “I guess you don’t have any suggestions, then?”

  He closed his eyes and leaned back. “Not at the moment and I have a headache.”

  “That headache is from being in the sun.”

  “Maybe you should kiss it and make it better?” he suggested with a lascivious grin.

  “Maybe you should be quiet and go to sleep?”

  His face registered disappointment. “You’re no fun.”

  “Actually, I’m quite a lot of fun.”

  “Actually, you’re right.” He reached for her and dragged her to him, his mouth pressed against hers. “Promise you’ll be gentle.”

  “I will because nothing is going to happen.”

  She wiggled out of his grasp and kicked off her shoes before settling on the bed next to him. The featherbed felt delicious beneath her and she let her eyes drift closed.

  “Oh, this feels good,” she moaned. “I never thought a featherbed could feel so good.”

  “Skye?” He turned his head to look at her.

  “Hmm?”

  He paused then, as if trying to decide what to say. “Good night.”

  “Good night, Dane.”

  * * *

  Skye was up early the next morning, following her nose. Sunbeams streaming into the room woke her at dawn. The scent of bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the small house and she found Clarabelle cleaning up what was left of breakfast. When she shuffled into the kitchen, Clarabelle looked her up and down. Skye was embarrassed at the state of her clothes—her dirty pants and her tattered shirt.

  “Mornin’,” Clarabelle greeted.

  “Did I miss out?” Skye eyed the empty plates.

  “I saved you and your cousin some.”

  Clarabelle showed her two full plates piled high with sausage, bacon, eggs and biscuits. Skye couldn’t help the wide grin that spread. It had been too long since she’d laid eyes on such wonderful food.

  “Coffee?” Clarabelle held the metal coffeepot, ready to pour.

  “Yes, please. Thanks,” Skye replied.

  The girl handed her a steaming cup. Skye took it gratefully and sipped the dark brew, grateful for the caffeine spreading into her veins. She closed her eyes and savored the taste. It was great to have it in her hand again.

  Clarabelle studied Skye. “You need some new clothes. I think I have an old dress that would fit you.”

  “That’s very nice of you. I appreciate it. Where is everyone?�
�

  “Pa and John are plowing the field. Lara is milking the cows.”

  Somewhere in the distance, Skye heard a rooster crow the early morning hour. She wandered to the window and looked out. Dawn shattered the blue expanse of sky, a contrast against the red land around them. In the distance, Skye could see snow capped mountains.

  “Wow,” she breathed.

  Clarabelle shrugged, indifferent. “I grew up here.”

  It would be easy to take the view for granted if you lived here all your life. But if she woke up to this every day, she would still be in awe of the devastatingly beautiful landscape, the gorgeous mountains rising on the horizon and the bright blue sky.

  “Well, it’s beautiful here,” Skye said. Clarabelle placed the plate on the scarred wooden table and motioned for her to sit. The smell of food made her stomach growl with savory anticipation.

  “I’ll get those clothes for you while you eat.”

  * * *

  Clarabelle outfitted Skye in one of her faded calico dresses with a frayed hemline and sleeves edged in lace. She stifled a yawn and cursed Dane’s loud snoring. He, however, still slept. She was glad for he needed the rest. When she stepped outside, she took in her surroundings. Now that she could see in the daylight, she was astounded by the small farm. A corral and a barn were on one side of the house. A group of chickens and a rooster pecked the ground.

  Skye saw Ben plowing the field, his sleeves rolled to his elbows and his hat shading his weathered face. She considered going and talking to him on John’s behalf but it just didn’t feel right. It wasn’t her place to interfere in these stranger’s lives.

  Instead, she found her way to the barn and peered inside. She could hear the soft humming of the young girl, Lara, while she milked the cows. Skye wandered into the stall and saw the little girl perched on the edge of a stool. Lara picked up the bucket full of fresh milk, some sloshing over the rim.

  “Here, let me help.” Skye hurried to grab the pail.

  “Thanks.” The little girl smiled up at her, her blue eyes sparkling. “You’re pretty.”

  “So are you.” Skye winked. “My name is Skye.”

  “I know.” The girl thought for a moment then asked, “Is it like the sky above?”

  “Sort of.” She chuckled and placed the milk aside. “How old are you?”

  “I’m six. I gotta brush Sugar.”

  “Sugar?” Skye asked, watching as she picked up a large brush and slipped her hand in it.

  “My pony. Pa said you and your cousin came from the desert.”

  “We did. We’re a bit…lost at the moment.” Skye wasn’t sure how she could explain to this young girl and she figured that would suffice. She followed her to the paint horse named Sugar.

  “I know,” she said.

  “You do?”

  “You don’t belong here. You belong somewhere else.” The hair on the back of Skye’s neck prickled as she watched her brush the horse.

  “He doesn’t like you,” Lara continued.

  “Who doesn’t? The horse?” Skye asked.

  She giggled. “No, Pa. Well, not you, really, but the man. I know you’re okay. And he’s not really your cousin, is he?” She gave her a questioning look.

  “How do you know that?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  “That’s what the man told me. I know there are people looking for me, too.” She paused and looked up at her. “But the man…he’s bad. He comes to get me.”

  Skye wasn’t sure what Lara was talking about. Either she was extremely imaginative, or she knew something Skye didn’t. She sincerely hoped it wasn’t the latter. “What bad man, Lara?”

  “The one in the long brown dress. He comes to get me to take me back where I belong. I don’t belong here.”

  Who was this man in a long brown dress she spoke of? And if she didn’t belong here, then where did she think she belonged? Skye didn’t know where to begin with her questions, so she started with the bad man.

  “Who’s he?”

  “The man with the glasses.”

  A sick feeling crept over Skye. “Do you know the man’s name?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “He said his name was Ridgewood.”

  * * *

  “Dane! Wake up!” Skye leaned over him, shaking his arm, but he wouldn’t move. “Dane!”

  He pulled her down to him, his mouth a breath from hers. “There are better ways to wake me up, doll. Nice dress, by the way. It’s so Little House on the Prairie.”

  “Shut up and listen, will you? There’s something I need to tell you!”

  Instead, he flipped her to her back and nuzzled her neck. “What’s so important?” His words were muffled against her skin.

  “I just talked to Lara. Stop!” She shoved at him, albeit weakly, because she was rather enjoying the way he nibbled her earlobe. “She told me a bad man comes to get her. She knows you’re not my cousin.”

  That stopped him and he lifted his head, meeting her gaze. “What bad man? And how does she know that?”

  “I don’t know but Dane. She said a man with glasses told her. A man named Ridgewood.”

  He released her and sat up, raking his hand through his hair. “Son of a bitch.”

  “Do you think that means what I think it does? That he was here?”

  “Possibly. That man is like a bad penny. He just keeps turning up.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “It’s like he’s one step ahead of us or something. Like he knows what we’re going to do next,” he muttered.

  “Yeah. So what are we going to do?” she asked again.

  “Something he doesn’t expect.” Dane stood up quickly then. “We’re leaving.”

  “How? The time bender doesn’t work yet.”

  “You don’t know that and neither do I. This one could be different.” He slipped his hand under the pillow and brought out the bender.

  “Okay, but I don’t think it’s going to work.”

  “Pessimist, aren’t you?” He waved her toward him and she slipped into the crook of his arm. “Let’s try, okay?”

  “Okay, but—”

  “No buts. Think positive.”

  He turned on the time bender; he spun the dial and took a deep breath. Skye peered at it in his hand. At least with this one, the digital numbers were readable. However, that didn’t seem to matter since they ended up in the desert in what Skye supposed was the 1800s.

  She couldn’t help but hold her breath and wait. He pushed the button.

  Nothing happened. He waited a few agonizing seconds and tried again. Still nothing.

  “See?”

  “Fine, then.” He put the bender in his pocket. “Get your stuff. We’re going.”

  “Where?” she wanted to know, refusing to budge.

  “We’re taking a horse and getting out of here. I don’t care where. If Ridgewood is somehow tracking us, then we need to vary the course. Instead of laying low here, let’s ride somewhere else.”

  “Seems kind of pointless if he already knows what we’re going to do before we do it.”

  “Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t.”

  “What about the kids?”

  “There’s nothing we can do for them. You know that.”

  Since there really wasn’t any “stuff” to gather, she waited while Dane pulled on his tunic and slipped on his boots. As they headed out of the farmhouse toward the stable, Skye still wasn’t completely convinced running was the answer.

  Outside, they could see Ben had finished plowing the fields and walked toward the farmhouse. John scurried by, flashing Skye a smile.

  “Going to take a bath, Miss Skye,” he hollered on his way.

  “Great!” At Dane’s questioning glance, she gave him her best innocent look. “Kids, huh?”

  “Uh-huh. He doesn’t think he’s going to get lucky if he takes a bath, does he?”

  “Dane, don’t be silly. I told him I was too old for him.” Seeing his look of disda
in, she distracted him by nodding toward Ben who headed toward them. “The sheriff…”

  “Let me handle this,” Dane said.

  But that was as far as he got. The sound of a galloping horse made them all pause and they turned to see a man riding at breakneck speed toward the small farm. Dust from the dirt road followed him in a cloud. The sheriff stopped as the man reined in his horse.

  “Fields,” Ben greeted. “What do I owe this early morning visit?”

  The man gave Dane and Skye a cursory glance before turning his attention back to Ben. He tipped his hat in greeting.

  “Not a pleasant visit, I’m afraid. There’s been an attack on the Harrison farm,” he announced.

  “What happened?” Concern filled Ben’s face.

  “Dunno. The entire family has been slaughtered. I thought I’d better tell you.”

  “Were you there? Did you see them?”

  “No, but I heard about it. Indians, they said,” Fields said.

  “I’ll be going to check it out then.”

  “How’s your daughter?” Fields asked, leaning on the saddle horn.

  “Depends on how much cattle you’re willing to trade.”

  Sitting straight up again, the man clenched his jaw. “We’ll be talking.”

  Fields tipped his hat again, this time in farewell, before riding away, leaving the three of them to stare after him. So that was it, Skye thought. The sheriff was trading his daughter’s hand in marriage for more cattle. Despicable.

  Tense silence hung in the air before Ben finally spoke.

  “We’ve had problems with the Navajo lately. You folks are welcome to stay, but I have to head out there. The Harrison farm is about a half a day’s ride.”

  “Thanks, sheriff, but I think we’ll be on our way.” Dane grasped Skye’s hand in his.

  “Where ya headed then?” He glanced between the two of them.

  Skye hoped Dane had a ready answer, because she sure didn’t know how to respond. She was fresh out of lies.

  “West,” Dane said and she knew he was trying to be vague. “I don’t suppose you have a horse you could loan us?”

  The sheriff looked thoughtful. “What you got to trade?”

  Oh, God. We have nothing to trade and we’ll be on foot. She thought about what they had between them, in their possession, but the only thing she could come up with was—