“Thumbs up on the potatoes, but I can do without the beans, if you don’t mind.”
“As you wish.” Amanda doled out potatoes on both plates and a dollop of beans on her own, then handed Jack a fork.
He stabbed a potato and raised it to his lips. Before biting into it, he noted Amanda’s quirked brow.
“What is it now?”
She waved a hand. “Nothing at all. Go ahead and eat.”
He bit into the potato relishing the flavor. He wouldn’t mind staying in this century so much with a great cook like Mrs. O’Leary feeding him.
As he devoured the chicken and potatoes, he noticed Amanda picked at the food on her plate.
“Not hungry?” he asked.
She gazed at him, licking her lips. “It’s just…I can’t stop thinking of how you kissed me.” Her face colored, and she glanced toward the pond.
“Oh.” Jack swallowed, suddenly ashamed. He was doing the exact opposite of what he’d promised Erin. “Was it good?” he asked feeling lame.
She dropped her gaze, but smiled. “Oh, yes. It was very good.” She glanced up. “The best I’ve ever felt with a man.”
“How many men…” Jack stopped himself.
She shrugged. “I haven’t been with any man, except for a quick peck on the cheek. It isn’t proper for an unmarried woman, you know.” Her gaze bore into his.
“Of course.” His face heated. “It was a stupid question. I mean…I forgot about how things are in this time period.”
She bit her lip. “So, it’s different in your time, I gather.”
Jack gulped. He really hadn’t planned to get into a discussion of future dating customs. He was sure they didn’t even call it dating here. Courting maybe?
“Amanda…” He leaned close, so close her sweet breath tickled his cheek. “I’d like to kiss you again, if it’s okay.”
She glanced around, then nodded.
He scooted closer, to enfold his arms around her back and draw her close. Leaning toward her mouth, he noted her eyes closing as her lips parted on a sigh.
He lowered his mouth and kissed her, lightly swirling the tip of his tongue into her mouth. She didn’t resist, her body pliant in his arms. She pressed herself closer as he angled her so she partially lay beneath him. He deepened the kiss causing his body to react, his erection pressing against her belly.
He longed to lie beside her, but the fact they were outside in a public location, reined him in. He released her.
Her eyes fluttered open wide. “Oh, Jack,” she gasped. “That was so—so wonderful.”
“Glad you liked it.” Jack grinned. He glanced around. “I hope no one here took note of us.”
Amanda pursed her lips. “I can guarantee we’ll be the talk of the town come tomorrow.” She brushed out her skirt.
“You think?” Jack frowned as he pondered the implications of what he’d just done. Her father wouldn’t much like him taking liberties with his daughter. And if Erin found out, she’d be furious.
Amanda patted his arm. “Don’t worry so, Jack.”
“But I do.” He gazed out over the pond. “I don’t belong here and sure haven’t a clue how to act.”
“You’re doing fine,” she assured him.
“But if your father finds out about this…” Jack frowned.
“Don’t worry about Father. I’ll straighten out any misunderstandings with him.” She leaned toward Jack. “Besides, if I’m going with you to the future, I have to learn how women act there.”
Jack’s pulse raced. How could he tell her?
“Amanda, I…” He stopped unable to voice what he needed to say.
She leaned close, brushing a finger over his lip, sending a wave of desire to take her and make her his own in every way.
“Jack, what is it…what’s wrong?” She frowned.
“I can’t take you with me…” His gaze bore into hers. “…to the future.”
Her gaze dropped. “But it might be possible.”
“No, Erin says it’s not possible.” He swallowed. “Besides, a woman like you would never fit into my life.”
Amanda’s gaze grew cold. She stood, grasping the empty basket, and stalked off.
Chapter Twelve
Jack raced after Amanda, but she sprinted ahead, evading his grasp. How could he take advantage of her when he’d never intended to take her with him?
She stumbled in the front door, dropping the empty basket in the foyer. Racing up the stairs to her room, she slammed the door and collapsed on her bed.
Jack was a rake and a liar. Why had she allowed him to kiss her?
Later in the day, Erin knocked at the door, begging to speak with her, but she wasn’t ready to talk to anyone. She needed time to wallow and mourn for the loss of something wonderful now grown ugly.
The following day at the newspaper office, Amanda tried to concentrate on making up questions for an upcoming interview of a local farmer’s wife who’d raised a record-breaking hog.
She leaned her elbow on the table and cupped her forehead in her hand. If only her family still lived in Philadelphia. Her father had moved them to this small town after finding a position in a local bank and thought it a good place to raise children, better than in a big city.
But Amanda dreamed of working for a big city paper, a prestigious paper, unlike the small town rag with a pompous editor who thought himself the ideal match for her.
She doodled on a notepad while her thoughts drifted to Jack and his future life. What must it be like to live in such a magical place? He’d certainly want to go back, unlike her stepmother, since he didn’t really care for Amanda. Erin had obviously stayed to be with Amanda’s father. What other appeal would this backward century have for her? It would be like Amanda finding herself amid pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.
“Amanda.” A male voice drew her from her reverie.
She glanced up to find Randolph standing at the open door. His fierce scowl told her he wasn’t here for pleasantries.
She straightened in her chair, awaiting his approach.
He stepped into the room and placed both hands on the tabletop across from her. “I’ve heard talk in town that I don’t like.”
Amanda frowned. “Talk about what?”
“Your shameful behavior at the pond yesterday.” He leaned forward, looming above her.
She swallowed. “Yesterday?” Her pulse raced as she tried to come up with an explanation.
“You and your houseguest, as if you didn’t know.” He stepped around the table to hover at her back. When he leaned forward, his breath, smelling of onions and something sour caused her to turn her head toward the window.
“Yes, I took Jack out for a picnic. He’s feeling better now and needed to get some fresh air.”
Randolph’s tapered finger lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “I was told…” His voice lowered. “…the two of you were kissing and engaging in otherwise scandalous embraces.”
Amanda gulped. “We’ve gotten to know one another quite well while he’s been recuperating at my home. We were only showing what we feel for each other.” She gazed at Randolph boldly.
He took a step back and glanced out the window. “I thought you had feelings for me, but you never expressed it like that.”
“Randolph, I…I never felt that strongly about you. You must understand—”
“I expressed my desire to court you, but I wanted to go through proper channels like a gentleman, not a drooling animal.”
“Jack is not a…” Amanda swiveled in her chair to face Randolph. “I can’t force my feelings. My stepmother raised me to be true to what I want in life, not to submit to a man’s whims.”
“Your stepmother.” Randolph nodded. “She’s an eccentric one, isn’t she? Probably a member of one of those groups of hysterical women, who think they can behave as men.”
Amanda bristled. “My stepmother is a writer, who believes everyone is entitled to live the way they want.”
�
�Your father should chain her in the cellar for teaching you to behave so outrageously. Did she encourage you to pursue this ‘Jack’? Where did he come from anyway?”
“He’s none of your concern.” Amanda swiveled back and propped her hands on the table interlacing her fingers. She had a hard time believing she defended Jack after he’d hurt her. But she wanted to discourage Randolph’s attention.
Randolph stepped around the table to face her. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll speak to your father. Surely, he won’t be happy when he learns of your behavior in public.”
Amanda’s face heated. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Randolph’s brows lifted. “Wouldn’t I? I think your father would take offense at a man staying in his own house who would take such liberties with his daughter. Besides, you said Mr. Lawton had recovered enough to accompany you on a picnic. Surely, he can return to his home, wherever that may be.”
Amanda longed to wipe the smug smile from the editor’s face. “He doesn’t remember where he lives.”
“Extraordinary.” Randolph sneered. “Perhaps you should write an article for the paper. Ask anyone if they know who the man is and where he lives.”
Amanda straightened, lifting her chin. “My parents and I are working on finding his home. But we can’t exactly throw the poor man out into the streets. It wouldn’t be Christian.”
“Nevertheless, I plan to have a word with your father at my first opportunity.”
Amanda shrugged, feigning indifference. “Do what you wish, Randolph. I have to get back to work now.”
Randolph huffed. She glanced up to find him glaring but lowered her head to her notepad. She’d not allow his threats to intimidate her.
She didn’t look up again until his footsteps retreated. Standing, she stepped to the window and bit her lip. She wondered what her father would have to say when Randolph told him about the picnic.
****
Jack paced the small confines of the parlor, his hands clenched. He glanced at Amanda wringing her hands by the open window.
“He can’t threaten you like this, Amanda. I don’t care if he’s your boss. You can find another job.”
“Not so easy, Jack. This town is so small it only has one paper. I couldn’t find another job as a reporter unless I moved away.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And what do you care anyway?”
Jack gulped and lowered his gaze. “I don’t really have a choice in the matter. I belong in my time as you belong in yours.”
Amanda stepped in front of him, halting his pacing. “You must see what a tenuous position I’m in. And if I have to stay here without you, maybe I shouldn’t discourage Randolph.”
Jack’s face heated. “You’re not telling me you’ve kissed him?”
“Jack…” Amanda sighed. “I allowed him to take me out to dinner on a few occasions, but no, I’ve never let him get near enough to kiss me.”
Jack smiled. “But you let me.”
Her face colored. “I shouldn’t have.”
Jack chose to ignore her statement, clasped his hands behind his back and continued pacing. “So, Randolph plans to tell your father someone saw us kissing?”
“And embracing…scandalously,” Amanda amended.
Jack snickered. “If he could see how people live in my century. What we did wouldn’t even have been noticed.”
Amanda’s lips thinned into a firm line. “Please don’t speak of it.”
Jack frowned. “For now, what do we do about your father if Randolph tells him about us? Will he be pi—I mean, angry?”
“I don’t know.” Amanda shook her head. “Although he’s a bit more modern thinking than most girl’s fathers, he’s still rather protective of me.”
“Would he throw me out?”
“Erin wouldn’t let him.”
Jack shoved both hands into his pockets. “Good to know someone’s on my side.”
Amanda stepped closer. “I’m on your side, Jack. Don’t forget that. You’re the one who doesn’t want me.”
Jack shrugged. “I’m sorry, Amanda.”
She tapped a finger against her lip. “What if you can’t get back?” She lowered her gaze. “You could always stay here. Erin’s managed to live here all these years.”
Jack scratched his head. “I don’t know. I do have a life back there, after all.”
Amanda turned away. “Of course, you’re dead set on getting home.” She glanced back. “You’re not married, are you?”
“No.”
“You don’t have a sweetheart?”
“No, Amanda. I’m a single guy who lives alone. No attachments.”
“Then why are you so hard pressed to go back there? It sounds like a lonely way to live.”
Jack sighed. “Knowing someone like you wants to be with me will make it all that much harder to go back.”
Amanda smiled and grasped his hand. “You really do care! If you can’t take me with you, stay. You have a skill you can use here to make a living. Why not stay?”
Jack lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “I think we should deal with things as they come. We have to do something about Randolph. If he tells your father…”
She bit her lip. “I’ll deal with Father and Randolph.”
Jack’s face heated. “I swear to God, Amanda, if Randolph as much as looks at you funny, I’ll kill him.”
“Shhh, Jack. I’ve worked for him for nearly two months. I can handle him. I have to go now, but I’ll see you tonight.” She left the room.
Jack turned to the window. She stepped from the house and strode down the street, her felt hat bobbing. He meant what he said about Randolph. If the man so much as touched Amanda, he’d regret it.
Chapter Thirteen
Will Montgomery paced the small confines of the parlor. The scent of cigar smoke hung in the air. Amanda twisted her hands in the folds of her skirt as she waited for her father to speak.
Her stepmother had caught her when she arrived home from the newspaper indicating her father wanted to see both of them in the parlor before supper.
Erin stepped to the window and raised it allowing the smoke to dissipate. Her father paced for a few minutes, his expression unreadable. Amanda swallowed, wishing he would just get what he had to say out in the open.
He gestured to the settee. “If you ladies would please sit.”
Amanda gathered her skirts and perched on the seat beside Erin.
“What is it, Father?”
He didn’t take a seat but stood glowering at both of them.
“It appears our houseguest is sufficiently recovered. Mr. Lawton needs to leave our home and find a place of his own.”
“But, Will…” Erin half rose from her seat. “You know his circumstances. We can’t just throw him out. He has no other place to go.”
Will raised a hand. “I understand your concerns, darlin’. But his staying on any longer, now that he’s healed, will surely compromise Amanda’s reputation.”
“Father!” Amanda protested.
Her father’s glare silenced her.
“I’ve been made aware of you and Mr. Lawton putting on a public display at the pond the other day.”
“But, you don’t understand—”
“I think the close proximity of Mr. Lawton in this house and his fanciful stories of the future have enticed you, Amanda. I’d hate to see this escalate into an improper situation.”
Amanda glanced at Erin. Her stepmother’s mouth set in a thin, straight line.
“What kind of situation are you referring to?” Amanda asked.
“A situation where he goes back to his time and leaves you compromised, or worse yet, with child.”
“Father!” Amanda’s face flamed.
Erin clasped her hands in her lap but said nothing.
“I want him out of this house within the next two days,” Will said.
“But, Will…” Erin stood.
Amanda did, too. “If he goes, I go.”
“Amanda!
” Erin grasped Amanda’s arm. “We’ll work this out.”
“Mother,” Amanda protested. “He’s listening to lies Randolph told him.”
“What are you saying?” Erin glanced from Amanda to Will.
“Randolph has been after me to marry him. He wants Jack out of the picture. He threatened to tell Father about me and Jack by the pond. But he didn’t see us. He’s just going on hearsay.”
Her father bit the tip off a new cigar. “Are you telling me Randolph is lying?”
“Well…” Amanda shrugged. “I did take Jack on a picnic. Thought he needed to get out of the house and get some fresh air.”
“But he told me you two…” His face colored.
“Mother.” Amanda glanced at Erin. “Tell him it’s nothing.”
“I…ah…” Erin flushed. “I think it was likely very innocent, Will. Randolph is obviously jealous.”
“Nevertheless,” Will said, “I’ll not have folks gossiping about my daughter. Jack won’t be staying.”
Erin bit her lip. “Why don’t we get him a room at the hotel?” She nodded at Amanda and set her gaze on her husband. “Just until we see if a way can be found to send him home.”
Will scowled, but slowly nodded. “I suppose that’ll do. For now.”
After her father left the room, Amanda grasped her stepmother’s hand. “Thank you. At least I’ll know Jack isn’t alone on the street.”
“It’s the least I could do. After all, I was once in the same situation. He’ll be glad to have a place to stay until we can figure a way to get him home.”
****
Amanda and Erin escorted Jack to the hotel. As he’d packed, Amanda had assured him it was a decent place and being just across town, easily accessible for both her and Erin to pay him visits.
Erin checked him in and insisted on seeing him to the room. Amanda tagged along, thinking this her chance to see exactly where Jack would be staying.
The bed looked and felt comfy. The room had a washstand and a mirror with a dresser plenty big enough for Jack’s one change of clothes.
“This’ll do fine, Erin.” Jack smiled, but Amanda read tension in his stance. He surely must be terrified of being left alone in this place.
Thoroughly Modern Amanda Page 9