I’m dying. There’s no pain. Can you die without pain? Lord, let mom and dad know I didn’t suffer. I should have died when the train hit the bus. I knew it.
“My work here isn’t finished and this is where I leave you. Go through the door. All will be well.” The glow and the woman vanished, leaving her in the stygian blackness.
Anna felt for a knob, found it and turned it. She pushed against the knob and the door swung open easily. She stepped through and looked to her left… and fainted.
The water from the damp cloth on her forehead ran into her hair. Where am I?”
“You’re in my office. I’m Doctor Carter Palmer; this is my wife, Elizabeth. Do you know what happened to you?”
“I was in the Ladies Room and everything started shaking. I guess it was an earthquake. I waited until it stopped. It was black and I couldn’t see. The normal way out was blocked and someone led me out another way. I went out through the door and looked around. That’s all I remember.”
“You were found at the end of an alley and they brought you to my office.”
“Why didn’t they take me to the ER?” she asked.
“I don’t understand,” Carter said.
“The emergency room at the hospital, in the ambulance.”
“Miss… excuse me, I don’t even know your name.”
“I’m Anna Reeves.”
“Anna, there is no hospital in Helena. I’m the only doctor in town.”
Panic filled her face. “I was born in the hospital in Helena. They fixed my broken wrist there. I don’t know what’s going on. Call my mother and dad right now or I’ll call the police.”
“Miss Reeves, I’ll send someone for your parents,” Carter assured her. “I’ll send for the sheriff if you like. We don’t have a police department.”
“Don’t send for them. Call them. Our telephone number is 406-723-5689.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you mean. Tell Elizabeth where you live and we’ll send for them. Where does your father work?”
“On Helena Avenue, just off Last Chance North. He owns Reeves Realty.”
Both Elizabeth and Carter were puzzled. “That is Rodney Street out there. I’ve lived here several years and I’ve never heard of any business called Reeves Realty. What does he do?”
“He sells houses and other real estate. I’ve lived here the entire twenty-two years of my life. I graduated from Helena High School and the University of Montana.”
“Anna, I am sure of this. There is no University of Montana. There is no university in the entire territory.”
“Territory? Oh dear God.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Where am I? What year is this?”
“1870.”
“I was born in 1992 at Saint Peter’s Hospital on Broadway.”
“Elizabeth, would you send someone after Letty and Jack? This is the strangest thing I’ve ever heard. Don’t say anything about it. I don’t know how people would take it.”
Elizabeth came back, “I asked Slade to take a message to Letty. Miss Reeves, that is the prettiest dress I have ever seen. Do you mind if I ask where you purchased it?”
“You’re going to say there is no such place, but I didn’t buy it. I rented it from The Party Shop at the South Gulch Walking Mall. I was invited to a themed costume party at the country club.”
“You’re right, there is no such place. What is a theme party?”
“Everyone dresses in a costume for the designated period. The one I was invited to was for 1870. Mom and I fell in love with this dress at first sight.”
“It is a beautiful dress. This is 1870, but you’re not going to find another one like it around here.”
One of the most beautiful women Anna had ever seen entered the room. “Slade said you wanted to see me,” she said, her voice soft and musical.
“Letty, this is Anna Reeves. Letty Owens, she’s the pastor’s wife and a good friend of ours. Would you please tell her your story?”
“She won’t believe me any more than you do,” Anna said.
“I may not understand it, but if you tell me it’s so, then I will accept it as true,” Letty said.
When Anna finished recounting the events, Letty said, “I have heard some strange stories, and I’ve also seen miracles. What do you think happened?”
“I think in some way, I was transported back in time, and I think the way I was dressed had something to do with it.”
“Have you ever had anything unusual happen to you before?”
“When I was seventeen, I was on a school bus that was hit by a train. Three students and the driver were killed. I have always wondered why I didn’t die then. I had problems the rest of high school and most of college. In fact, going to the country club was the first time I had gone anywhere with Jared since the accident.”
Letty was silent. She locked eyes with Elizabeth, who was her best friend. “I believe God sent an angel to take care of you. I believe the woman in white was your guardian angel.”
“You believe in angels?” Anna asked.
“With all of my heart,” Letty said in the most compassionate voice Anna had ever heard.
“Thank you,” Anna whispered.
“You are quite welcome. When you are feeling better, I’m sure Jack would like to hear about your date with an angel.”
“We’re going to keep the time travel part of this close,” Doctor Palmer said. “I love the people of this community, but I’m not sure they’re ready for this.”
“I agree with you. Anna, may I tell my husband, Jack? I won’t unless it’s okay with you, but I assure you he is discreet.”
“Yes of course, and I’ll be glad to talk to him about it,” Anna responded.
“I’m going to let you get some rest. I’ll bring Jack over tomorrow. Thanks for sending for me, Elizabeth. It is an experience I’ll never forget.”
After Letty left, Anna said, “She’s a nice lady. Beautiful too.”
“She’s just as beautiful inside. A finer woman never walked the earth. She is the most compassionate person I’ve ever known,” Elizabeth said. “She was a big help when I first moved here. Jack’s nice too, but folks hereabouts say Letty has a direct link to the Lord.”
Chapter seven
Helena
The next morning…
“Carter, could I have a word with you before we see Anna?” Letty asked.
“Jack and I talked about this last night. She doesn’t have any means at all does she?”
“I don’t believe so, she had that small purse with her, but that’s it,” he answered.
“If she’s willing, we would like for her to stay with us. You never know when you’ll need your space.”
“Are you sure you don’t already have your hands full with your daughter, not to mention your widows?” Letty had taken on the task of helping those women who had lost their husbands and were destitute.
“I’m fine. Carrie’s a handful, but right now, I don’t have any widows, thank the Lord. It would be a privilege to be able to help her. I don’t know of anyone else who has met an angel.”
Later…
“Anna, Jack and I talked about your experience and he would very much like to meet you. Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do?” Letty asked.
“Just all last night.” Her laugh was strained and empty. “I don’t think I slept at all. I don’t know whether there is anything to go back to since Mom and Dad were both at the country club. I would like to know what happened to them, and whether they are all right. Under the circumstances of my arrival, I don’t know if there is a way to return.”
“Our church makes it a practice to help those in need, and we would like to help you. The church has a large parsonage where we make our home. There’s just Jack and me, and our two-year old daughter, Carrie. We would like for you to stay with us until you determine what you want to do. Are you a believer?”
“More so than ever. I can’t pay you. I have some money in my bag, and tw
o credit cards, but they would be no good in this time.”
“All we would ask is for you to help keep the church ready for services and to help with Carrie. I play the piano for the services, and have to rely on the kindness of friends to keep her contained. Carter says you can be up as long as you take it easy. He’s a good doctor and a gifted surgeon but he has no experience in this type of situation. For that matter, I don’t know of anyone else who does either.”
“I’m sure I’m not the only one to ever experience it, but there can’t be too many of us. Two of the top physicists in the world have said there’s no scientific reason why time travel cannot happen, but you don’t see it on the ten o’clock news.”
“What do you say to walking home with me, and talk to Jack, and then decide?”
“I’d like to do that,” Anna said.”
Before she left, she spoke to Elizabeth. “I have some money, but it’s no good.” She laughed. “I have insurance but it’s no good either. I’ll pay you when I get work.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Elizabeth said.
“I will pay you.”
* * *
The Owens’ Home…
After the introductions, Jack Owens said, “From what Letty told me yesterday, you’ve had a unique experience. I know you’ve been asked to repeat it several times, but would you mind doing it for me?”
“No, of course not.” She went through her evening beginning with the earthquake, and continued on to the time she awakened in Doctor Palmer’s office.
“Tell me about the woman who guided you,” Jack asked.
“I didn’t see her until just before we got to the door, because the only light was from the light she held. I don’t think it was a candle because it was steady and not flickering. She was a little taller than I am; her hair was long and down her back. The further we walked, the brighter the light became. Her gown or dress was the whitest white I’ve ever seen.
“I thought I was dying, because she said ‘The end is near; you’re going to be all right. She had no halo or wings, or anything like that.’”
“People have a lot of pre-conceived notions about what God looks like; the same for angels. No one really knows. My feeling is it was a guardian angel. God tells us in Matthew, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even to the end.’ In your case, He sent an angel.”
“Why wasn’t I just led to the outside rather than to a time over a century earlier?”
“It isn’t in the Bible, but it is said, ‘The Lord works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.’”
“He’s performed a wonder with me, twice.” She told him about the train accident.
“Which arm was hurt?”
“The left, just above the wrist.” She showed him the scar. “I wouldn’t even have had that if my boyfriend hadn’t landed on me.”
“Where is he now?”
“I don’t know. I left the table to go to the ladies room.”
“Are you going to stay with us until you decide what to do?”
“I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It won’t be a bother. You can help us with the church, and I’m afraid Carrie’s going to need a keeper.”
“I’ll stay until I can decide what to do, and I do thank you,” she said.
“Good. Let’s tell Letty the good news. She’s probably in the church.”
They found her dusting the pews. She was wearing a scarf to keep the dust out of her hair. “What can I do to help, Miss Letty?”
“First, please call me Letty. I’m not much older than you. Does this mean you’re going to stay?”
Anna nodded. Letty grabbed her and hugged her. “Good. I need to get the hymnals straightened, and make sure there’s a fan in every box.” The backs of the pews each had racks that contained two hymnals and funeral home fans.
“I can do that,” she said. “Letty, don’t be shy about asking me to help, I volunteered at the hospital for a long time. I was a candy striper.”
“What, pray tell is a candy striper?”
“High school girls volunteered to help at the hospital, They wore pink pinafores with white stripes. We were very cute, and did what we could to help the nurses.”
“A commendable duty,” Letty said. “I’m afraid we don’t have any pink pinafores though. We need to find something else for you to wear though, so you don’t ruin that pretty dress.
“I have a box of donated things in back. You might find something to fit. I think you’re about the same size as Carrie Jamison, and she’s donated some nice things.
“Carrie, Elizabeth and I are best friends. My daughter is named after her. She and her husband, Case, have a large ranch near here and are benefactors of the church. You’ll meet her Sunday.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to put any pressure on you. We would like for you to attend services, but you don’t have to. Sunday church is almost a social event here, since there’s not a lot to do.”
“I want to go,” Anna said. “Except when I was in college, I rarely missed a Sunday.”
Sunday morning…
“I’ve got Carrie,” Anna told Letty.
“Good, Carrie Jamison usually watches her. She has a son the same age, and the two of them together are a handful.”
“Mind if I sit here?” a lady wearing a pale green dress asked, smiling.
“Please do. Perhaps we can box Carrie in.”
“Don’t count on it. She’s a little escape artist. I’m Carrie Jamison.”
“Anna Reeves. Letty has told me about you. In fact, I think I’m wearing one of your dresses.”
“I’m glad someone is getting use out of it. After CP, I had trouble buttoning it.”
“CP?”
“Carter Patrick. He’s my little man, same age as Carrie. Letty and I are planning their wedding someday.”
Anna laughed.
“You laugh now, but it will happen someday,” Carrie said. Letty began playing the introit and the buzz of conversation quieted as Jack strode to the pulpit, and asked the congregation to join him in prayer.
After the prayer and opening hymn, he proceeded to the announcements for the coming week.
“As you know, it is my custom to introduce guests and new members. Letty and I are blessed to host Anna Reeves, a new member of our community.”
Chapter eight
Meet Anna
“Anna, would you please stand so everyone can see you and will know whom to greet and welcome after the services? We’ve pressed Anna into service helping Lettie take care of Carrie, much to the relief of Mrs. Jamison.”
“He does this with everyone,” Carrie whispered. “It caught me by surprise when he introduced me my first Sunday.”
After the services, Anna was warmly welcomed to the church. “I see you met Carrie,” Letty said, hugging her best friend. “I’ll bet you appreciated the help with my daughter,” she told Carrie.
“I haven’t had any problems with her since I started tying her to the pew. Where are you from, Anna?”
Anna glanced at Letty. “I was born here in Helena. I’ve been in college.” She had stretched the truth, but at least she hadn’t had to lie.”
“I’m one of Letty’s projects,” Carrie said. “I am one of Helena’s mail order brides. Case had a lot of advice and encouragement from Letty trying to make it happen.” She looked around. “I don’t know where he went; I guess he’s off somewhere talking with the other men.”
“Letty, what’s a mail order bride?” Anna asked after Carrie had gone in search of her husband.
“They advertise for a husband or wife, and correspond. If they decide to meet, the man pays the way here from wherever they live. Usually they get married soon after she arrives. If either is dissatisfied, he pays her fare to return.”
“I don’t think I could do that,” Anna said.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures. We have five in our congregation now. There may be others around, but we have five.”
She put her a
rm on Anna’s, “There is someone I want you to meet.
“Bart,” she called. A tall, sun-bronzed man turned and looked to see who had said his name. A delighted grin overtook his features when he saw who had called. He walked over, his dark curls bouncing against his collar. “Bart, this is Anna Reeves. She’s staying with us for a while. Anna, meet Bart Williams. He and his brother own the Flying W Ranch.”
When he smiled, his bright, even teeth glistened. “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Anna.”
“Anna, please,” she said.
“Pleased to meet you, Anna,” he corrected.
“I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Williams.”
Her smile brightens the entire area. She sure is pretty. He realized she was asking a question. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get that.”
“It’s all right, it wasn’t important,” she said.
“I placed an ad,” he told Letty. “I hope I’m as lucky as Brett was with Emma.” He glanced at Anna. “Brett is my older brother,” he said. A mischievous grin was playing at the corners of his mouth.
“I’m glad you did. Now all you have to do is wait for the letters,” Letty said. “Is Brett here?”
“He and Emma are around somewhere.”
“Let’s introduce him to Anna and put her to the test.”
“Letty, you’re incorrigible,” he said with a look of amusement.
He walked away and returned five minutes later accompanied by Brett and Emma.
“Brett, Emma, meet Anna Reeves. She’s staying with Jack and Letty.”
“You’re playing a game,” Anna said to the man who had just spoken. “He told me he was Bart, and now you’re pretending to be him.”
“They do it all the time,” Emma said. “Most people can’t tell them apart. I can, and Letty can. I don’t know anyone else. It’s nice to meet you, Anna. Are you going to be here long?”
“Probably so,” Anna replied. “I have nowhere else to go.”
“I’m curious. How could you tell them apart?” Emma asked.
“It was easy, there was something different. I knew he wasn’t the one that we were talking to earlier.”
Belle of the Ball: A Historic Western Time Travel Romance (An Oregon Trail Time Travel Romance Book 2) Page 3