by Rebecca York
Alice glanced down at her old self, reaching a hand to stroke her arm. It felt comforting to touch this woman who was part of her—but not.
She was starting to feel dizzy. She’d been fighting the sick feeling since they’d left the campgrounds. Now it was almost impossible to push through the weakness.
Unable to sit any longer, she fell to the side. From that odd angle, she saw Jonah glance toward her in alarm.
Alice?
I think I’m fading away, she managed to say. I guess me and my shadow can’t be in the same place at the same time. And I’m the one who doesn’t belong.
Oh Christ!
As her head swam, she saw Jonah hurry with what he was doing—probably not working carefully enough. Then he scrambled down the cliff face. Dropping to the ground, he came running toward her.
“Let him get away in time. Let him get away in time,” she chanted over and over as she watched him putting distance between himself and the huge rock formation.
He was almost out of range when a low blast broke off huge chunks of the cliff.
Smaller pieces rained down on his running figure, and she gasped as she saw him stumble. When a couple of enormous boulders broke loose and rolled toward him, she cried out.
It looked like they were going to overtake him—until he put on a burst of speed.
He was still pelting toward her. He had saved himself. But it was too late for her.
She could barely breathe now. Barely think. Barely feel the ground under her body.
She thought she heard Jonah calling her name. But she wasn’t sure because every sense had dimmed.
Jonah was speaking but the words didn’t reach her. He must have known because he knelt beside her and shouted directly into her mind, Hold . . . your double, he said urgently. The way we do when we time travel. Hold her and make yourself one with her.
She understood what he wanted, but it was hard to even lift her arms.
Let me help you.
She felt Jonah turn her and use his body to press her down, holding and pushing her against the other Alice. As he did, he tightened his grip on the two of them.
It was so strange. She knew he was pressing hard, but she could barely feel him. Barely feel anything. She was so tired it was impossible to hold her eyes open. She felt Jonah pouring energy into her, and she struggled to grab on to it as she tried to hold on to the woman who was also herself.
That was confusing, she thought, just before she felt herself losing consciousness and heard Jonah desperately calling her name.
I love you, she managed to say as everything went black.
Chapter 22
It might have been minutes later—or hours—when she felt Jonah’s hand clasping hers as his thumb pressed and rubbed against her palm.
Her eyes blinked open and she stared up into his dear, familiar face, seeing the lines of worry and fear etched there.
Alice, he asked urgently, Is it you? Do you know me?
She smiled at the question. It might have sounded strange, but she knew what he meant. She had been fading out of existence since they’d pitched Hayward into the rushing river. Then they’d gone back to stage the accident that had supposedly buried her earlier self. But only one Alice could survive, and Jonah didn’t yet know which one it was.
Yes. It’s me. And I know who you are—the man I love.
She felt his deep relief. Thank God.
She wanted to sit up, but she felt too shaky to manage it. She was lying in a pile of brown and orange leaves under the trees, and Jonah eased down beside her, his arms around her.
The change of scenery was confusing. “What happened?”
“I brought us back to my time. All three of us, I mean. I guess while we were traveling, the two of you merged. “But I didn’t know if it would be you or her who arrived back here.”
“Me.”
His eyes shimmered as he buried his face against her neck, breathing deeply.
“You smell good.”
“It’s the soap from your shower.”
“No, it’s you.” He dragged in a breath and let it out. “It’s been a hell of a few weeks, knowing we had to do this but not sure if we could pull it off.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“I made our lives hell.”
“But look what we accomplished. Something nobody else has ever done.” Just then, his cell phone rang, and he swiped the screen to answer. Frank Decorah was on the other end of the line.
“Put me on speaker,” he said.
Jonah complied.
“I take it you succeeded,” his boss said.
“How do you know?”
“All the newspaper articles and the references on the Web to the missing women are gone.”
“But you remember?” Jonah asked.
“Everybody here remembers. But I think as far as the rest of the world is concerned, nobody knows you saved six women’s lives—Alice’s and five others.”
“And we didn’t change history?”
“Just a few minor things.”
“Well, it’s sinking in that we saved the other victims. And I’m so glad,” Alice murmured. “But how did I hook up with Decorah if Jonah didn’t rescue me from captivity?”
“We brought you in as a consultant.”
“On what?”
“Computer research.”
“But I don’t know. .” Her voice trailed off. “I guess I do.”
“And here’s a bit of trivia you may like. One of those minor changes.” He flashed a picture onto Jonah’s screen. It was of a red brick Georgian mansion with a portico held up by Doric columns.
She gasped. “That’s his house, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“But it burned down. Is that an old picture?”
“No. Because he died before he could carry out his private hunting fantasy, he never incarcerated anyone there. It’s owned by another family member. She rents it out for wedding parties and other special occasions.”
“Oh Lord. From private prison to weddings.”
“You can go see it later. For now, I’ve made reservations for the two of you at a resort in Western Maryland—Snow Cap Lodge. They have skiing in the winter, but autumn is nice in the mountains, too. You can spend the week relaxing after what you’ve been through. Then come back ready to join our IT team. Or you could go back to teaching English. Your choice.”
“I like the idea of working with you—if I can really be a help.”
“Yes. And you’ll also be good for some field work—based on your recent success.” He added, “Enjoy your well-earned vacation. But, Jonah, do e-mail me a report of today’s activities.”
“Of course.”
“And one more thing.” Frank’s voice turned serious, “No more going back and saving murder victims in the past. It’s too dangerous. Just this little episode shows how the timeline can be changed.”
Jonah and Alice stared at each other. “Yes,” they both answered.
Frank clicked off, leaving Alice and Jonah alone.
He rolled her to her back, and lowered his mouth to hers for a long, lingering kiss.
She clung to him, thinking that this was where their life together really began. For weeks they’d been afraid they would lose each other. Now that fear was over.
Yes, he answered her unspoken thought as he explored the interior of her mouth and slipped his hand under her shirt to cup her breast. At his touch, her nipple beaded.
“Oh Lord,” she moaned. In the next second her eyes flew open. “We’re outside.”
“True. But the camp is gone, and we’re in a nice private grove of trees.”
“Private?”
“Let’s hope so, because I don’t think I have the strength to walk anywhere.”
“Uh huh.”
“Too bad you aren’t wearing a skirt,” he murmured against her mouth as he undid the snap at the top of her pants and thrust his hand inside.
“Do women still wear skirts in this century.”
“A few do. On special occasions.”
She moaned again as he slid his hand downward, into her sex. He watched her face as he stroked her.
You know I’m ready for you.
Uh huh. But I’m enjoying seeing the heat in your eyes.
Don’t make me desperate. She lifted her hips to help him get rid of her pants and panties as she worked on his belt buckle and the button behind it.
Quickly she freed him from his dark pants and squeezed and stroked his length, bringing him to the same fever pitch she felt.
They were in too much of a hurry to undress further. In seconds he was inside her. And seconds after that, they both climaxed, calling out as intense pleasure swept through them.
He gathered her to him and rolled to his side, and they lay locked together, still kissing and caressing.
When she drew in a breath, he raised his head. “What?”
“We forgot about a condom.”
“I thought we were using them because we didn’t know if you could stay with me. But now you are, right?”
She felt his sudden tension. “Yes.”
“Thank God.” He cleared his throat. “So the next thing we should settle is—when are we getting married?”
“When do you want?”
“As soon as possible.”
“I guess this is as good a time as any to test out that ID Decorah got for me.”
She hugged him to her, so glad that the uncertainty hanging over them was gone—and they were free to live the lives that . . .”
The lives that were our destiny, he said in her mind, repeating her thought. Even though we met on a reality radio show.
She giggled and said aloud. “So if this place is private enough to make love, we might as well take advantage of it again.”
“You read my mind,” he agreed, bringing his mouth down to hers for a long, lingering kiss.
Epilogue
There was no way for Jonah to transport a vehicle into the past, so he and Alice simply appeared in a wooded area near the entrance of the Davenport farm.
She looked around and blinked, taking a deep breath of the crisp fall air. “Thank you for doing this.”
“I understand why you wanted your parents to know you’re not dead.”
Her voice hitched. “But they are still going to be sad. This is the last time I can ever see them.”
He squeezed her hand as they stood in the shadows, looking out at the cornstalks that had turned brown and the cows contentedly munching grass in a nearby field.
They were married now, and a lot had changed over the past year. Because Jonah had improved the garage considerably, he’d been able to sell it at a nice price—along with most of his vehicles, since he now had better things to do in his spare time than fix cars. But he and Alice both wanted to keep the Chevy—of course.
With the cash, they’d bought a house not far from the Decorah offices. But Jonah had sensed a restlessness in his bride, and after much prompting, she had told him what was bothering her—the idea that her parents thought her life had been cut off all too early. He’d told her there might be a way to remedy that.
They’d talked to Frank, and he’d said they could visit her parents—once. But they would have to follow strict rules when they did it. She had understood and agreed.
Jonah was wearing jeans, a white tee shirt, a leather jacket and sneakers. She was wearing a pale green shirtwaist dress, a classic blazer, and loafers with white socks.
“Ready?” he asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
They stepped out into the sunshine and headed for the two-lane blacktop road she had traveled every time she left the farm. From there, they walked up the gravel lane that led to the simple Victorian two-story where Alice’s family lived, and she waited around the side of the house while Jonah walked up to the front porch.
His heart was thumping as he trained his gaze on the door. It was 10:00 in the morning, and Alice had told him her father would have been up early and out to milk the cows and do some other chores. Then he liked to come in for some coffee with his wife. Her brothers and sister would be at school.
Hoping for no surprises, Jonah knocked on the door. After almost half a minute, a woman who looked a lot like an older version of Alice came to the door.
“Can I help you?” she asked as she wiped her hands on her apron.
“Mrs. Davenport, my name is Jonah Ranger. I have some news you’ll want to hear—about your daughter, Alice,” he said.
The woman put her hand to her mouth. “Alice was killed in a terrible accident a few months ago,” she said.
“I’d like to talk to you about what really happened. Can I come in?”
Her lips trembled. “What are you saying?”
“I’d like to come in and talk to you and your husband, if I may,” he repeated.
“Yes, yes, of course.”
She stepped aside, and he followed her down the hall to a big country kitchen with a Formica and aluminum table, old gas range, refrigerator with a rounded top, and a stained porcelain sink—all of which Alice had described to him.
A man with the salt and pepper hair and the leathery features of someone who spent a lot of time outside was sitting at the table with a mug of coffee in front of him.
“Henry, this man says he has some information about our Alice.”
Mr. Davenport stood slowly. He was tall and lean. Looking Jonah in the eye, he said, “What are you selling—a Bible with her name on the front? Her obituary encased in plastic?”
“I’m not selling anything. But I need to talk to you about Alice. It’s important.”
Mr. Davenport braced his large hands on his hips. “I’ll give you one minute.”
This was not going the way Jonah had anticipated, and he remembered the gun Alice had told him was in the top left drawer of the sideboard. He’d come to the house ahead of her so as not to give her parents a shock when they saw their daughter. Now he knew he couldn’t ease into the subject.
“She’s not dead,” he blurted.
Mr. Davenport’s eyes narrowed. “Is this some kind of trick?”
“No, let me talk to you for a few minutes.”
The father still looked like he was going to pitch Jonah out the door, but his wife put a hand on his arm. “Henry, please. Let him speak his piece.”
The father kept his gaze fixed on Jonah. “Go on, but this better be good.”
“Alice wasn’t killed in a rockfall. She was kidnapped by a man who wanted the world to think she was dead—so he could do what he wanted with her.”
The mother gasped.
Jonah went on quickly. “But we discovered what had really happened and rescued Alice.”
“Are you saying she’s coming home?” Mr. Davenport demanded.
“Only for a short visit. The man who took her was involved in an international criminal conspiracy,” he said, straying far from the truth now. “Alice would be in grave danger if he or his associates knew where she was. She’s had to go into the witness protection program.”
“What’s that?” her father demanded.
“A federal government program that gives people new identities and a new life—to protect them. Alice is in it. She can’t have any contact with her past. That would be very dangerous for her—and you, but she wanted you to know she was all right.”
Should I come in now? Alice asked in his head.
Better do it before your father shoots me.
They all heard the front door open and looked toward the hall. Alice walked in. Her lower lip was trembling, and when she saw her parents, she was holding back tears.
“Alice?” her mother gasped.
Too overcome to speak, she nodded.
Her parents rounded the table, embracing her, and Jonah saw her clasp them tightly, holding on for long minutes before pulling away.
“I can’t stay,” she murmured. “But I wanted to see
you—so much. Jonah and I worked out a way to visit—this once.”
“You can’t stay?” her father asked.
“I think he told you I couldn’t.” She moved to Jonah’s side and reached for his hand. “I know this is all really hard to take in. This visit has to be a secret—to protect me—and you, too. But I wanted both of you to know I’m all right.”
She gave them a watery smile. “Jonah and I are married. We’re very happy together. We’re living under assumed names—somewhere very far from here. But it’s okay. The only hard part is that I have to stay hidden. That’s an absolute must.”
Mrs. Davenport had started to cry. Alice embraced her. “I know this is upsetting. Maybe it was a mistake to come.”
Her father shook his head. “It’s not a mistake. Seeing you is wonderful. If this visit is all we can have, we’ll cherish it.” He looked from her to Jonah and back again. “And he’s really your husband?”
Alice nodded and held up her left hand, showing them a diamond engagement ring and a gold band.
Jonah saw her mother looking carefully at the two of them, judging the quality of their relationship. He pulled Alice closer and slung his arm around her waist.
“I’m lucky I found her,” he said. “You raised a wonderful daughter.”
“I just wanted to you to know I’m fine—and that I love you. And I wanted to see you one last time.” As she spoke, she hugged both her parents.
“One last time,” her mother repeated, her voice breaking.
“We can’t stay,” Jonah said. “This is bending the rules as it is.”
“I understand,” her father said to Jonah, finally coming to terms with the situation. “I appreciate your doing this.”
“Mom, Dad, be happy for me. I found a man I never would have met if I hadn’t gotten into trouble, and I wanted you to know everybody’s fine.”
Her parents were teary-eyed. “We love you,” both of them said.
Jonah could see how torn up they were, and he hated to leave them now. But after their previous adventures, he and Alice both knew that traveling back to make any changes could be dangerous to the timeline.
Jonah reached for her hand, and she clutched his fingers tightly.