Another Time (Guardians of Now Book 1)

by Donna Steele

  She stared down at their hands, fingers entwined over her stomach, and shivered. “We don’t know there’s a baby.”

  “Not for sure, but that’s the only place I feel the buzz. We need to find out.”

  “Then let’s get you to the airport.”

  He blinked at her comment. Leave her? “How can I go now?”

  “You have to. Learn everything you can, and I’ll do the same here.”

  “I suppose we don’t have much of a choice,” he reluctantly conceded. “So far only things seem to be different, not people. Leonard, my boss, sounded as annoyed with me as usual.” That won him a weak smile. She started to rise from his lap, but he pulled her back. “You do know I love you.”

  Her eyes widened. Hadn’t he said those words out loud before? They’d been “married” for months, each other’s only real companion. Surely she knew how he felt. “Dee?”

  “Are we . . . together?”

  “Yes! Dee, after what we’ve been through?”

  “That was real, wasn’t it? I mean, all of it happened.”

  He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Yes. And we were made for each other. Dee, you and I are the only people in the world who know what we’ve been dealing with. I still don’t have a concrete theory about what happened—parallel universes, alien intervention—but you rode in what had to be your car this morning, you saw the solar panels on every building.” His hold on her tightened. “Hell, this building must be green energy rated even though the structure is old.”

  “What?”

  “This building is over fifty years old, which means the green designs have been in use for decades longer than they had been.”

  Pushing against him, Dee attempted to stand. “We need to get going.”

  He resisted her struggles for a moment. “Will you be okay? You could come with me.”

  “I hope I have a job I need to be at this afternoon, if my medical education is still current. I’ve been improvising for months. What if I can’t—” She paused with an audible gulp.

  “You can. Your instincts are better than ever. You can cover any missteps by telling them you met this great new guy.”

  She harrumphed and wriggled from his grasp, gaining her feet. “Come on, so you can hurry back.”

  Had he spoken those words to her that morning the first time they’d been hurrying to the airport? Something similar, anyway. He nodded and got to his feet, collecting his luggage. The handle felt odd; the material unfamiliar. What the hell is this made of?

  Looked like he had plenty of catch-up to do himself.

  The airport, jetport according to the sign, had changed for the better; more modern, with solar panels covering the entire structure. No long lines for security impeded them, and Dee accompanied him to the gate.

  “No 9/11?” Dee whispered to him.

  “Apparently not. There was that odd security arch we passed through. The radiation wouldn’t hurt the baby, would it?”

  “I don’t think so.” She tilted her head at a group of passengers nearby. “She went through.” Dee indicated the obviously pregnant woman with them.

  “Yeah, but she’s not as important to me.”

  Dee rose on tiptoe to kiss him. A cough drew their attention and Dusty forced himself away from her lips to see his boss staring at them in shock.

  “Oh, uh Leonard, I’d like you to meet Dee Stevens. Dee, this is Leonard Hodges, my supervisor.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Leonard eyed Dusty closely. “Are you ready for this meeting?”

  “I want to go over the design on the flight one more time, but yes.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I’ll leave you now,” Dee said. “Hurry home.”

  Dusty wanted to say more, just not in front of Leonard. He handed her the control for her car and then, ignoring his boss completely, took her into his arms and kissed her. “Be careful. I’ll talk to you tonight.”

  Dee nodded, and walked away. Everything in Dusty yearned to race after her. The astonished look on Leonard’s face finally caught his attention.

  “She’s important,” he murmured, as much to himself as to his boss.

  “No shit. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

  “I never did before.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Dee took her seat behind the wheel in this new car. Once again Dusty had adjusted to their circumstances so much quicker. She longed to have him by her side. Everything was as foreign to her as when they’d landed in that field.

  Maybe she was slightly more prepared for what faced her in the past, but where before she had been in the ‘Jetson’ position, now she felt like a ‘Flintstone.’ She needed Dusty to come home soon.

  He loved her.

  Okay, Dee. Think work. Shower and change. Let’s go.

  ~ ~ ~

  The hospital roof boasted solar panels like every other building she’d seen. The windows displayed that sheen Dusty had pointed out earlier. When she had parked her car—correction, when the damned car parked itself—a charging unit was integrated into the space she chose.

  People she recognized spoke and greeted her as she entered the building. No “how have you been” greetings. They had seen her yesterday, right? Obviously, she and Dusty were the only ones who knew of the missing chunk of time.

  “You okay?” Sherry, one of the other ER doctors stopped her in the corridor.

  “Yes, why?”

  “You’re looking a little dazed.”

  Good reason for that. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “Hope there’s a story behind it. Let’s eat together.” Sherry grinned and moved on.

  Story? More like an entire epic but not one Dee could share. She could take Dusty’s suggestion of the ‘hot new guy’ and run with it. For now, she needed to concentrate. And remember to breathe.

  No gloves were in use. After her careful maintenance of the few pairs she’d had with her, now hands were sealed in a machine that resembled one of the more modern hand dryers she had seen. Ultra violet light was part of the antiseptic during wound care. Dee didn’t spot any honey.

  Construction accidents, falls, routine injuries remained the same, but Dee treated no patients in distress from diabetes, no one with the DTs from alcohol. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen a homeless person since she’d returned.

  The students she attached herself to for the day all knew her. Unbeknownst to them, they provided insight into what was now routine. Her questions didn’t seem to give her away and the students were enthusiastic with their answers. Probably think they’re being quizzed.

  Dee found herself easing into her role, wishing Elizabeth could see these techniques. And missing Dusty.

  Chapter 38

  Dee answered her phone on the first ring. “Are you okay?” they said together, then both chuckled. “You first,” she urged, relaxing into his soothing voice.

  “I’m really glad the flight wasn’t supersonic speed,” Dusty declared. “I needed the time. I recognized everything as my work, but the whole design was new. I think Leonard wanted to have me mentally examined because I went over the design with him on the flight, like twice.”

  Dusty’s amusement was clear in his voice, and Dee chuckled as he added, “Working with those kids helped me a lot. I pointed out areas where I hadn’t been clear enough with my notes and we talked through the design. The man’s not dumb. We improved the thing as we worked.”

  He paused, then murmured, “He credits you with the change and wants to know why we didn’t get together sooner. I happen to agree.” His words settled sweetly in her ear and made her sigh.

  Collecting her scattered thoughts, Dee admitted, “I did quite a lot of studying myself today. There have been some incredible le
aps in medicine. From what I’ve seen, a lot more money has gone into medical research. The average life span is now ninety-two years. Life span had reached the seventies when we ‘left.’ And the long-term mental health facilities were never shuttered. That has made such a difference.”

  “Did you do okay at the ER?”

  “I did, but I made sure I worked with some students today, and let them lead with my guidance.”

  “I miss you,” he said quietly. Dee bit her lip against the surge of emotion.

  “When will you be home?”

  “Hopefully the day after tomorrow. Since today’s session was less contentious than anyone expected, we got a lot done.”

  “And you said you weren’t good with people.” Dee snickered softly.

  “I wasn’t before you.”

  Another soft vow that made her heart patter. Dee cleared her throat. “I need to get my mind off us. Maybe I could try some genealogy research tonight. What was your mother’s maiden name?”

  “Townsend,” he replied. “Did you call your father?”

  “Yes. I think I scared him at first. I was so happy to hear his voice. He sounded ready to jump on the first plane and come check on me. I talked him out of that, but I want you to meet him.”

  “I can’t wait. Shit, I have a beep. Probably Leonard. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you.”

  Dee paused for an instant, then whispered, “I love you too, Dusty. Come home to me.”

  After forcing herself to break their conversation, Dee took a seat in front of her computer, and managed to sign in. She’d had to watch the process carefully at the ER earlier. Thank goodness the machine turned out to be user friendly, making her think of Star Trek.

  Now, where to start? She asked for ‘Braddock Crossing.’

  And smiled as she began to read.

  Chapter 39

  Dusty had his shoes and jacket off two seconds after Dee unlocked her apartment door. She figured they’d embarrassed Leonard at the jetport concourse, but they’d been apart for three whole days.

  “Hungry?”

  “Not for food,” Dusty groaned, one hand on her hip, the other cupping her breast. “And no Miz Masters to walk in on us.”

  “She only did that once.”

  “She’d have liked to do it again. I still don’t know if she wanted me or you.” Dusty applied himself to her buttons.

  “An equal opportunity housekeeper,” Dee teased breathlessly as her blouse came loose.

  Absence did seem to make Dusty’s heart grow fonder. Dee had never felt so loved or cherished. His tongue did things to her she couldn’t even analyze, only savor. He knew her body intimately now and tonight he plucked every string.

  He had her clothing removed in no time and his lips tenderly caressed her breasts, as though realizing without words they were more sensitive now. His hand ran down her thigh and brought her knee up, opening her to him. He blew a cool breath across her hot core as she reached for him.

  He pulled back, teasing her, and a whimper escaped her throat. God, she wanted him. Her hands curved around his neck, tugging him to her lips. “Now, buster, or you’ll pay.”

  “You don’t sound very subservient, woman.”

  Her growl seemed to convey her urgency and he took her, making her his in every way as he plunged into her again and again.

  ~ ~ ~

  Sitting on the floor at her coffee table, they ate the Thai food he’d had delivered. Dee wore a silky sage green robe and Dusty had donned his boxers. They were still touching each other between bites.

  “Okay, tell me everything.” Dusty leaned against the couch and pulled her next to him.

  “Could take a while.”

  “We’ll break for more sex, or food, or whatever.”

  “You’re too kind. I do have information, though. William was your great to the fourth grandfather.”

  “And Daniel?”

  “An uncle. Your great to the third grandmother was the daughter of William Sutton and Constance Everett Sutton.”

  “Connie?” Dusty jerked upright. “Connie married William!”

  “Yep, and had three more kids. Deanna Sutton was their first child together.”

  “Deanna. I like it. Kept the name in the family.”

  Dee nodded. “Braddock Crossing is quite famous. The first women’s shelter was created there by Reverend Marcus Grant and his wife, Elizabeth Gray Grant.”

  Dusty burst out laughing. “He did marry her.”

  “Oh yes. They had four children and she started a nursing school in addition to the shelter. Connie kept teaching as well, especially equal rights.

  “Coppridge is also famous for several reasons. One is having the first on-site daycare for infants, using the women in town who were past childbearing age but wanted to help out. Apparently, a tradition arose for the grandmothers to work at the daycare as a co-op thing that spread across the country, as did the women’s shelters until they weren’t as necessary.”

  “Not necessary?” Dusty’s incredulity showed clearly.

  “Not as much. Equal rights, even equal pay, are the norm now.”

  “Are you kidding? Kennedy signed the equal pay law before I was born, but the damn thing had never gone into effect.” He sank back against the couch, shaking his head.

  “Turns out, statute wasn’t even necessary. Why shouldn’t men and women be paid the same for the same work? And there’s no OPEC I can find. Big oil never got much bigger than when we were there. The free energy of sun and wind revolutionized the industry and anyone could brew their own fuel for transportation. Everyone could afford power.” Dee plucked a mushroom from the plate and popped it into her mouth. “Didn’t you design some solar batteries?”

  “We were playing with the idea at school.”

  “Those kids did more than play after we left. Your protégé Silas founded the Stevens Battery Design and it’s still the leading manufacturer of solar batteries in the world. They merged with Coppridge Brothers for ‘safety in energy.’” Dee winked at him. “Thanks for using my name.”

  “He reverse engineered the car! Damn, Silas.” Dusty’s wonderment came through loud and clear in his voice.

  “One more thing,” Dee continued. “We’ve become kind of a legend.”

  “Us?”

  “Yes. There are no pictures of us, but a man and woman appeared in Braddock’s Crossing from nowhere, in September of 1891. She was a doctor and they have samples of her handwriting in an old medical journal. Also in letters left to Elizabeth, Connie, and several other women. The man taught school and came up with revolutionary ideas. Then one morning they were gone. They vanished without a trace, except for the letters. There are two main theories about what they were.”

  “Go on,” Dusty urged.

  “Some speculate they were aliens, come to pass along information to help mankind. That’s the newer of the theories.”

  He raised one eyebrow. “And the older one?”

  “That we were angels because we saved several lives. They interviewed Daniel before he passed on and he had vague memories of us. I only saw him once after the day you brought him in, as a follow up.”

  “Angels.”

  “Yes. And Silas credited you with leading him toward his life’s work. He had notes from things you had brought up, even drawings. A lot of people had passed on before they thought to record the story.”

  Dusty sat silent for a moment. “Time travelers weren’t one of the theories?”

  “Nope,” Dee confirmed, her eyes twinkling.

  “What are you thinking?” Dusty asked, his eyes narrowed.

  “The woman in the robe.”

  “Yeah, I thought of her too.”

  They were both quiet for a while.

&nb
sp; “Dusty,” Dee hesitated, then leaned away to see his face, “did all the people you expected attend your meeting?”

  He blinked at her change of subject. “No. I didn’t think that much about it. Two of the men I knew weren’t there.”

  “Were they missed?”

  Dusty rolled his eyes. “No. They were the ones who always gave me the most grief. They couldn’t follow my instructions. Why?”

  “One of my students was gone too. The one I always thought had gone into medicine for the status and to hit on nurses. I searched for him online when I got home. He’s a tattoo artist in Virginia.”

  “So he’s still working with needles.”

  Dee swatted him but chuckled. “It’s a plus to the medical community.”

  “Having those two not working with engineering designs would be considered a plus in my book too. I’ll have to check them out.” Dusty leaned in and kissed her soundly. “Now the big news?”

  “What?”

  “Dee, are you pregnant? Can you find out this early?”

  “You can, and yes, I am.”

  His eyes lit up like fireworks and matched her own feeling of amazement. “You don’t mind?”

  “After what I had to go through to knock you up? No, I don’t mind. You can find out this early?”

  Dee nodded. “A lot of money has gone into medical research. I guess they used money that went to war previously. Most cancers have been cured. Ebola has been eradicated like smallpox, which was wiped out even earlier.” She hesitated briefly, digging through recent memory. “I did talk to Elizabeth about vaccines, though we didn’t dwell on them. I didn’t find anything in my research about AIDS, but same sex marriage never became a political issue. It was just quietly accepted.”

  “I didn’t realize you had such far-ranging topics with the women.”