Thoroughly Modern Amanda
Page 13
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“Jack!”
He gazed up into Amanda’s beautiful face, her delicate brows drawn into a frown. Her arms cradled his shoulders as his head lay in her lap. She bent to kiss his forehead.
“I feared the devil killed you.” Her gaze shifted across the room.
Jack glanced up. Randolph stood over him. In the dim light, the leer stretching across his face reminded Jack of a grinning skull. “Glad to see you’re not dead, Lawton.”
He reached out his hand. “Come, Amanda. This is no place for you. I’ll see you home, then return for Mr. Lawton.”
Amanda tightened her hold on Jack. “You will not, sir. I’ll see Jack to my home so my stepmother can give him care.”
“But his family…” Randolph protested.
“I’m his family now.” Amanda eased Jack’s head from her lap and rose. “We’re going to marry.”
Randolph’s gaze narrowed. “Amanda, are you insane?”
She shook her head. “No, I am not. Please leave. I’ll take care of him from now on.”
Jack leaned on an elbow hoping to ease the spinning in his head.
Randolph glared at him, then Amanda. “If you do this, don’t return to the office. You’ll have no position there.”
She bit her lip, then glanced down at Jack. “I don’t care. I know where my future lies.”
Randolph swore but stepped away and out the door. “Get him out of my house, and if either of you ever return, I’ll have you brought up on trespassing charges.” Jack listened for his footsteps descending the stairs, fearing he’d return to pummel him again or harm Amanda.
The sound of the front door opening and closing convinced him the man had left. He blew out the breath he’d been holding.
Amanda dropped to the floor beside Jack. “Can you walk?”
He gingerly tilted his head. “I think with your support, I’ll make it back to my hotel room.”
“Oh, no.” Amanda shook her head. “You’re coming to my house until I’m sure you’ve recovered.”
“Guess I can’t argue.” He smiled. Amanda traced his lips with her finger, sending a tingle up his spine.
“I was afraid he’d killed you.” She rose and helped him to stand. “I couldn’t wake you.”
He steadied himself as she held onto his arm. “It was the damndest thing.” His gaze captured hers. “I was home.”
She gasped. “You were in the future?”
“Yeah. For nearly two weeks.”
“But you were only out a few minutes.” She gazed off into space.
“I was home, and all I could think of was getting back to you.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her lips. “I love you, Amanda. You brought me back here.”
“But I wanted to go with you.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I want to live the modern life you keep telling me about.”
He guided her to the door. “Let’s go home and make wedding plans. Afterward, we’ll try to figure out a way to get us both to the future. And if we can’t…” He smiled. “…will it be so bad to live together here?”
Amanda grinned. “No, Jack, not at all.”
A word about the author...
Susan Macatee sets her stories of romance during and just after the American Civil War. Her passion for this period in American history also extends to the paranormal. You'll find time travelers, ghosts, and vampires in the mix.
Her interest in the period stems from her years spent as a civilian Civil War reenactor, alongside her husband, who did the military side, with the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment for about ten years.
She lives with her husband and sons, and the family dog, a boxer-mix named Chase.
She spends her free time cheering on her local baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies, spending time with Chase and her husband, watching favorite old movies, and inhaling books.
Visit Susan's website for more
information about her books.
www.susanmacatee.com
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