E. G. Parsons - Black Rock:

by A Time For Love

  Lucy looked confused. "But I thought you broke it off with Brad because…" Seeing Roxanne's stricken expression she shrugged. "You know your own mind, I guess."

  "Well whatever the reason, it seems Brad may have a grudge against Collin. I'd hate to think that he would set out to kill someone, but I think I'll go have a little talk with him tomorrow."

  "No, Simon, that could be dangerous if it was him." Tina was alarmed at the thought.

  "It'll be okay, Honey. I won't tell him that I suspect him. I'll just tell him what happened and asked if he's seen anyone suspicious hanging around. Then I'll gage his reaction."

  "As long as that's all you do."

  "I promise. Collin, I don't think it would be wise for you to go home alone tonight. I think you'd better come and stay with Tina and me for a while."

  "He can stay right here. Lucy is here and if that's not enough to save my reputation, then he can stay out in the bunkhouse with the men."

  "Yeah, Simon, I'd better stay put. I'd hate to be in a wagon with you and Tina and have someone taking pot shots at me. One of you could get hurt."

  "Okay then. Tina, I think we'd better head on home."

  Tina stood and hugged Roxanne close, before following Simon to the door. "We'll drop by tomorrow afternoon and see if everything is okay."

  "Yes, we will and I'll stop at the bunk house and have some of the men take care of Star. I'm really sorry, Collin. It's a hard thing losing a good horse. It's like losing a friend."

  "Thanks, Simon. I appreciate it."

  After the couple had gone, Lucy declared her intentions of making a bed ready in the spare room for Collin. "Then I'll be off to bed, the two of you had better have an early night too. All this worry exhausts a body."

  "Thank you, Lucy." Collin smiled gratefully at Lucy before she left the two alone.

  As soon as she'd left the room, Collin pulled Roxanne close, tucking her head under his chin. When she tried to pull away he tightened his hold. "Just let me hold you a moment." His voice was so sad it wrenched her heart.

  "Collin, I'm so sorry about Star. I know how much he meant to you."

  "I loved him."

  She pushed back just far enough to be able to look into his face. "There's something else isn't there."

  "Well, someone did just try to kill me."

  "Besides that?"

  "You invited Simon and Tina tonight in order to keep me from talking about our future."

  "Do we have a future, Collin?"

  "I pray we do, but, Roxy, I can't stay in a past where I don't belong. There's nothing here for me. I have a career, family, and friends back home."

  "I know and you have to understand, Collin, it's the same for me. Black Rock is my home, everything…everyone that I love is here. I have nothing in your time period."

  "That's not true, my darling. You are not of this time anymore than I am. Neither of us belongs here. You have family in my time that loves and needs you."

  "No, Collin. I may have been born in your time, but I was raised here. This is what I know. I would be completely lost and confused there. I understand why you feel you can't stay. Please try to understand why I can't go."

  "I do understand. You're frightened of an unknown time, an unknown future, and your emotions are tied to this ranch. But, Darlin', Opal and Jacob are gone. You have friends here who love you, that's true, but not family. Your family is waiting for you. They love you and want you to come home to them and you will still have Black Rock. You won't lose your home."

  "I can only say that I'll think about what you've said, but I make no promises, Collin." She pulled away from him. "Come, I'll show you to your room."

  Collin followed her up the stairs to the bedroom at the end of the hall. It was large with a big soft looking bed covered with a colorful quilt. Roxanne left him standing there and turned to go to her own room.

  "Goodnight, Collin. We'll have time to talk more tomorrow. I know there's more you need to tell me, but I'm just too tired right now."

  "I know, goodnight, Darlin'."

  After she left, he sank onto the bed. He was exhausted and fell asleep on top of the covers, fully clothed. He didn't sleep long and jerked straight up on the bed, images of Stars bullet riddled body still fresh from the nightmare he'd had. At first he thought it had all been a dream until he realized where he was. Sadness washed over him and then anger.

  He wasn't sure if the bullets had been meant for him or if the shooter had shot the horse on purpose as a warning. A warning for what though, to stay away from Roxanne? If it had been Brad and Collin succeeded in going home without Roxanne, he'd be leaving her at the mercy of a very dangerous man. The very thought turned his blood cold and he knew it was something he could never do. She had to come back with him or he'd have to stay.

  * * * * *

  Roxanne was up early the next morning after a very unsettled night. She'd tossed and turned, reliving the moment when she realized that Collin could have been shot and killed. She'd known then what it might be like to lose him and as horrible as that was—she knew she could never leave Black Rock. She also knew that Collin had to leave before something worse happened.

  Going to the kitchen, she put the coffee on to boil and then watered the little pot of flowers that Lucy kept on the windowsill. She supposed Lucy and Collin had also had a bad night as both were still sleeping. She decided to wake Collin and tell him she'd made her decision. Once the coffee was done she poured two cups and carried them upstairs to the room where he was sleeping.

  Opening the door without knocking, she entered the room quietly and set the coffee mugs on the little table by the bed. Collin was sprawled on top of the quilt sound asleep. A lock of his hair had fallen down over his forehead and she brushed it back with her hand. He opened his eyes and smiled up at her.

  "Good morning, Darlin'." His voice was husky and his sleep drowsy eyes roved over her.

  "Good morning, I brought coffee. I thought we could have it out on the balcony and have that talk now."

  Collin stopped his perusal of her delectable body and glance up at her in surprise. He thought she'd try to avoid talking about leaving, not bring it up first thing.

  "Okay, Baby, let me go splash some cold water on my face to wake me up and I'll be right there."

  Roxanne carried the coffee out to the balcony off the bedroom as Collin made his way to the table with the water pitcher and bowl. He splashed his face with the cool water, wishing he could take a cold shower to quiet another part of his anatomy that had been aroused by Roxanne's presence at his bedside.

  Joining her on the terrace, he bent and kissed her lips, taking his time and savoring the taste and feel of her, leaving her breathless before she pushed away. He took the seat next to hers just as the sun began to rise. They watched in silent awe as the huge orb of fire rose, painting the sky with brilliant colors of red, gold and lavender.

  "Wow, I'll never tire of that sight, no matter how may times I see it."

  "I know. Papa, Mama and I used to come here and watch the sunrise and it never fails to leave me feeling renewed somehow. Collin I have something to tell you."

  He turned toward her. "Yes, Roxanne, what is it?"

  "I've made up my mind. I've decided not to come with you. I realized last night that I couldn't just walk away from all that's home to me and go into an uncertain future."

  That was the last thing he wanted to hear and his entire being was swept with despair at her words. Standing, he pulled her into his arms.

  "I'd take care of you, Darlin'. You'd never feel lost or frightened. I'll be right there with you. I promise. Please, Roxanne. Think about what you're giving up."

  Roxanne pulled back a little and stared into his amber gaze. "I can't leave, Collin, and you have your own life to live without having me to worry about me."

  Collin wanted to tell her that without her, his future was bleak and he cherished the thought of taking care of her forever. Looking into her face, he knew she'd never believ
e him and it was a promise he couldn't bring himself to make.

  "Then I guess we're staying."

  Roxanne's eyes glistened with unshed tears and her voice wobbled. "I don't understand."

  "I can't leave you here. If the shooter was Wellman, he's a very dangerous man and he's obsessed with having you. I could never leave and not know if you were safe."

  "Oh, I see." Roxanne didn't know what she'd expected… an undying declaration of love and a marriage proposal maybe.

  "I won't be alone, Collin. I have Slim, Lucy, Tina and Simon as well as Jim and the hands to look out for me. And I won't allow you to give up your chance to get back home because someone shot Star and you feel some kind of responsibility to keep me safe."

  "Roxanne…"

  "No, I mean it." She turned away from him and went into the house.

  Eleven

  Simon and Tina came by later that evening and Simon was convinced that Brad had been the shooter.

  "What did he say that makes you so sure he was the one?" Collin asked.

  "It wasn't what he said so much as the way he acted. I know there's no love lost between the two of you and he was just too concerned, like you were his best friend or something. It was an act and not a very good one at that."

  "Well, he's not going to get anther chance if I can help it. I'll just have to watch my back from here on."

  "I'll go by the sheriff's office tomorrow morning and make a report, but I don't think there's much he can do since we have no proof of who the shooter was. You'd better not go back to the cabin, Collin. It's pretty isolated up there."

  "I'll stay here for a few days, but eventually, I'll have to go home."

  "But, Collin, you can't put yourself in harm's way." Roxanne didn't like the thought of Collin being alone up there. As Simon had said, it was isolated and anything could happen.

  "Roxanne's right, ole buddy."

  "Maybe so, but, I can't just hide out for the rest of my life."

  "Of course not, maybe you should leave, take a trip back east or out to California for an extended stay."

  Roxanne jumped on this idea. "He's right. I think a trip away would be a wonderful idea."

  "No, Roxanne. I'm sorry, Simon, but I'm no coward to run off with my tail between my legs. And what about you, Roxy? You may be in as much danger from Wellman as I am."

  "I don't think so. If it is Brad, he wants you out of the way, but there would be no reason for him to harm me."

  "He may be right, Roxy. Brad may try to harm you too. Perhaps you should both go away for a time."

  "It's okay, Tina. Brad might pursue me with marriage in mind, but he'd not shoot at me. Collin, I think we should seriously discuss your going away though."

  "We'll talk about it later."

  "On that note, I think we'd better leave. Come on, Sweetheart, we need to get home to our daughter and let these two sort out what they're going to do."

  After the goodbyes were said and Collin and Roxanne were alone, they sat on the sofa together. Collin took her hands and smiled.

  "What was all that about wanting me to go away? You know I'm not going anywhere."

  Roxanne swallowed the lump in her throat. "You need to go back, Collin, back where you belong, where you'll be safe."

  "I'm sorry, Darlin'. You know I won't do that without you."

  Pulling her hands free, she stood and paced nervously. "You must go. I'd never forgive myself if you stay and something terrible happens."

  "I'm sorry, Roxanne, I know you don't want to believe it was Wellman who shot Star, but I believe he's a dangerous man and I won't leave without you. I've made my mind up about this."

  "I don't want to argue the point." She stopped pacing and stood in front of him. "I just want to know you're safe, Collin. That could have been you laying out there all shot up. I can't stand even thinking about it."

  "Then come with me." Reaching out for her hand, he pulled her back down beside him. "If you agree to go back with me, we can leave in a week, Saturday at midnight. If you won't go, then I'll be staying here."

  "Why in a week, Collin? That's so soon. Is it because of the shooting or is there another reason? You said there was more you needed to tell me."

  "We'd need to go on Saturday night. All the research I've done in the past five years pointed to two dates. One of those dates was over a year ago. I tried to go through then, but I didn't have any success. The next date is this coming Saturday. With your help, I'd hoped it would work this time. If we went through at any other time, we might end up going back in time or too far forward."

  "I don't understand all this. It's like that short story by H. G. Wells."

  "The Time Machine. They made a movie."

  "What?"

  "Never mind. I don't completely understand it myself or how it's even possible. Scientists have theories, but most simply believe time travel is impossible. From what I've learned about this rock, it has to do with the phases of the moon and the time of day. The electrical field becomes much stronger during certain times of the month and at different times of the day. I believe it also helps to have a person with a strong sensitivity to the electrical field generated around the rock. The night I stopped you from touching the rock, the electrical energy was high which means you probably could have gone through, but I have no idea where in time you'd have gone."

  "Why do you think it will make any difference if I'm with you? What if we're still unable to go?"

  "Nothing is certain. This may not work at all, but it's our best shot. When I first spoke with Jacob about all this, he told me that you'd always had dreams about the rock. You yourself told me that you'd always been drawn to it, almost as if it were calling to you."

  "That's true, but why me?"

  "I can't answer that, Sweetheart. It just seems that some people are more susceptible to the rock's electrical energy and you're one of them. Or your dreams and your attraction to the rock could be a subconscious desire to return to your family. I believe it's a combination of both."

  "Tell me more about how I came here. Did I wander off and find my way to the rock?"

  "No, you were kidnapped and taken to the stone. My research led me to evidence that pointed to the man who took you. At that time he was head of the paranormal research department where I volunteered. When I accused him and asked what had happened to you, he told me you were alive and well. He took me to the rock on a night when an electrical storm was raging over Black Rock."

  "And you just walked right through?"

  "Hardly. We were standing next to the rock and the wind was blowing so hard, it was difficult to hear what he was saying. He kept rambling on about how he was going to prove that time travel was possible and that the past could be changed. Then he said that if I wanted to find you, I could go back in time and look. He shoved me into the rock and I ended up here."

  "Were you terribly frightened?" Roxanne could imagine how terrified she'd have been.

  "At first, I thought I'd just blacked out and come to after the storm had passed. Black Rock looked about the same. I didn't realize what had actually happened until Jacob rode up and took me back to the house. I was stunned and couldn't believe I'd come back in time. Was I frightened? You bet I was."

  "So, you believe that if I go with you on Saturday night, we'll be able to go through to the right time period?"

  "It will be our best chance and if we miss this chance, we may have to wait years for another."

  "Then you must go, you can't lose this opportunity."

  "I told you, Roxanne, I won't go without you. You don't belong here. You belong there with your family and regardless of what you think, I believe you're in danger from Wellman."

  Roxanne felt torn in two. She couldn't risk Collin being killed. She'd never forget how she felt when she realized how close he'd come to being shot that night and she never wanted to feel that way again. If agreeing to go with him were the only way to keep him safe, she'd have to go.

  "Very well, Collin. If
that's the only way you'll leave, then we'll go on Saturday."

  Collin hugged her close. "I'll be there with you every step of the way. You'll never be alone or feel deserted."

  * * * * *

  Saturday dawned bright and clear. Having coffee on the veranda, Roxanne found it hard to believe that it would storm that night. She'd said her goodbyes to Tina and Simon, telling them that she'd agreed to go away with Collin for a time. Now taking her cup to the kitchen, she made her way to the barn to say goodbye to Slim.

  He was cleaning one of the back stalls and didn't hear her come in. Roxanne watched him for a minute before speaking. She was going to miss him so much.

  "You work too hard, Slim. You should get one of the younger hands to do this type of work."

  Slim turned and leaned on the pitchfork as he looked at her. "I was wondering when you'd come to say goodbye."

  Roxanne ran to him and dropping the tool, he folded her close and patted her back as they both cried.

  "Now, now, it's gonna be okay. I'm gonna miss ya, girl, but this is for the best. You never did really belong here. We only had you on loan for a while and you've been a real blessing to us all."

  "Oh, Slim, I'm so scared."

  "I know you are, but that young man of yours will take care of you. He's a fine, decent sort and your other family has grieved long enough."

  "Slim, he's not my young man. Wait…you know about the time thing. How?"

  "Ah, honey, I've known all along, even before Collin came and told Jacob."

  "But how, Slim? How did you know?"

  "I come here the same way, honey, a long time ago."

  "No, that's impossible. You came here with Grandpa and helped build the ranch."

  "That I did, but I'm the one who told your grandpa about this here land. I walked out of that rock ten years before I ever met Mister Joe. I was scared at first and just wanted to find a way to go home."

  "Did you try to go back through the rock?"

  "At first I did, but had no luck. Then I realized that I had nothing to go home to. I had no family and no friends to speak of. I'd always loved the old western stories and here I was in the west in the 1800s. I decided to stay and when I met your grandpa and found out he was searching for land, I told him about this place. The rest is history as they say."