Forever Eva [Sequel to When Kat's Away] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Missy Martine

  “I had a feeling you’d be out here today.”

  Tony turned around and smiled at Zach. “Where else would I be on our anniversary?”

  Zach grimaced. “I’m not sure I wanna think of this as our anniversary, man. That’s pretty dismal.” He looked around at the mounds of wood and rock up and down the small dirt road.

  “I can’t get this place out of my mind. I feel like it draws me here,” Tony said. “Like it’s waiting to give up its secrets. You just have to be here at the right time to understand everything.”

  Zach’s eyes widened. “Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel. I think about those poor women and wonder whatever happened to them.” He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I mean, I know they’re probably dead, but it’s like I can’t rest until I know for sure.”

  Tony pulled off his hat and smacked it against his leg, a cloud of dust drifting in the air around him. “You wanna get some lunch?”

  “Sure, just let me…” Both men whirled around, drawing their guns, when a faint, feminine scream came from the old saloon.

  “Tell me you heard that,” asked Tony.

  “Oh, yeah, I heard it. It came from inside the building.” Zach motioned toward the saloon with the tip of his service revolver. “There ain’t no back door to this place, and the windows are all boarded up tight. We’ll have to go in from the front to check it out.”

  “Should we call for backup?”

  Zack frowned. “I’d rather not. I’m not anxious to explain what I’m doing out here if it’s all the same to you. I’d rather wait and see if there’s anything to report before I get anybody’s dander up.”

  “Fine by me.” Tony moved closer to the building. “I’d just as soon not be the butt of a thousand ghost jokes. I’ll take point. Cover me best you can.” The two men moved slowly toward the open door of the old saloon. The sun was blistering hot, with hardly any breeze stirring the air. Tony could feel the sweat rolling down his back as he moved up the rickety steps. The foul stench of rotting wood was almost overwhelming as he cautiously peered inside the dark room, sweeping the interior with a quick glance. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he moved farther into the dismal building.

  Inside was a heavy mildew smell and definite signs of critter infestation. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zach move through the door, slowly making his way around the room in the opposite direction. A soft crash, and a muffled voice, had both men turning toward the only door in the room. Tony knew, from their past investigation, the door led to an underground basement. When he reached the opening, he glanced down.

  “When I get my hands on Timothy Canders, I’m gonna slap him silly.”

  The feminine voice drifted up from the basement. Tony quickly moved back when footsteps sounded on the stairs.

  “Is anybody there?” the girl called out. “It that you, Timothy?”

  Tony glanced at Zach and then back at the open doorway. “Come up with your hands in clear sight. I’m a police officer.”

  “Okay, I’m coming. It’s awfully dark. You wouldn’t happen to have a lamp, would you?”

  Tony frowned. “No, but I’ve got a flashlight. I’m gonna shine it down the steps. You come straight up and keep your hands where I can see them.” He pulled the flashlight from his belt and moved closer to the open doorway. He had to choke back a laugh when he heard the girl muttering.

  “What? Does he think I’m some kind of dangerous criminal? I can’t believe anybody would be afraid of me.”

  Tony nodded toward Zach where he stood against the far wall, his gun pointed toward the basement door, and then moved to shine his light down the steps.

  “Thank goodness. Thank you, sir. I can see the steps now.” Footsteps sounded on the stairs. “Ew, I hate spiders. David would be furious to see the condition this place is in. I mean, if this is his place. No telling where that dang circle dropped me.”

  As she neared the top of the stairs, Tony stepped back and blinked twice. The woman looked like a page out of a history book. Her hair was a burnished red gold that fell around her shoulders in a tangled, sexy mess. She had a clean, windblown appearance and clear complexion with a face that wouldn’t be easy to forget. Shapely, narrow nose, long cheeks dusted with a suggestion of freckles, blue eyes trying hard not to blink, with long sandy lashes. But it was her clothes that were a shock. He raked her torso up and down with his gaze.

  “Are you filming some kind of movie for the History Channel?” Tony asked. She had on a long, dark skirt that dragged the floor, with a long-sleeved while blouse that buttoned up the front. Some kind of gold chain hung around her neck, a locket resting between the mounds of her breasts. She wasn’t very tall, her head coming only up to his shoulder. As she moved into the room, her hands stayed out to her sides, away from her body. When she glanced toward Zach, she smiled, showing a dimple in her right cheek.

  * * * *

  Eva felt her heart race. The sight of the two handsome men stirred her warmest blood, making her nearly breathless at their unexpected appearance. “My prince charmings,” she whispered. She felt the stain of embarrassment color her cheeks when the men’s eyebrows shot up almost to their hairline. She turned her gaze to the blue sky beyond the open door and then back to the two men holding guns. A feeling of panic crawled its way up her throat. She swallowed hard and turned to the man closest to her. He was tall, with broad shoulders, lean hips, and long legs outlined by the tight-fitting denims he wore. Pale-gray eyes under thick brown eyebrows studied her. “What’s the date today?” she asked.

  A look of exasperation crossed his face. “Suppose you tell us who you are.”

  Eva met his searching gaze and couldn’t breathe. The other man stepped forward and lowered his gun. He was even taller, well built, with broad shoulders and brown eyes. He wore a simple gold chain around his neck that seemed to accent the golden hue of his skin. His face was angular and chiseled, more arresting than handsome. She could feel the security that emanated from the two men.

  “I’m Ranger Zach Carlson, and this is Officer Tony Grandy. What’s your name?”

  “Evalina Bennington-Martinson. I’m pleased to meet you.”

  Tony snorted and holstered his gun. “That’s a pretty big name for such a little girl. What are you doing here?”

  Eva studied his gray eyes, his handsome jawline, and wondered if he was feeling as hollow as she was at that moment. “Could you tell me the date first?”

  Tony glanced over at Zach and scowled. “Okay, we’ll play your game. Today is Saturday, June fifth.”

  Eva pressed her hands together. “What year is it?”

  Tony growled. “Look, lady, this isn’t funny.”

  Zack took a step closer. “The year is 2014.”

  Eva glanced around the room and sighed. “Damn, I missed it by two years.” She glanced at the small tube in Tony’s hand. It glowed like a lantern, but she couldn’t see any flame. Frowning, she leaned closer to get a better look. “What kind of light is that?”

  Tony reached and grabbed her upper arm. “You have about two minutes to explain what you’re doing here, or I’m gonna run you in and let them lock you up.”

  She glanced down at his fingers around her arm and sighed. “I don’t think I can tell you everything in just two minutes. It’ll take longer than that to make you believe I’m not insane.”

  Zach chuckled. “Well, I, for one, would like to get out of this dust bowl if we’re gonna have a long conversation. Let’s take this outside.” He turned and walked through the door.

  Tony pulled her gently with one arm stretched toward the door. “After you, Miss Evalina Bennington-Martinson.”

  Evalina walked outside and turned her face toward the sun. The wind ruffled leaves in a small tree nearby, carrying the scent of dead leaves across the field. Squirrels, much the color of the ground, chattered and chased, probably in search of their winter stores. Her gaze darted to Tony’s face, discovering that he’d been watching her.
Her heart beat in the hollow of her throat as she held her breath.

  “Well,” Tony said. “We’re waiting.” His eyes impaled her, wavering neither right nor left. He was staring at her absently, his heavy brows drawn down in thought, his whole posture stiff and unapproachable.

  * * * *

  Tony watched the small woman. Her red-gold hair hung loose in a glorious tangle around her shoulders. In the bright sunlight, she looked panic-stricken, her face white, her shoulders trembling. Her whole posture was one of fear. Her eyelashes lifted, and her tongue glanced across her lips, leaving the very tip of her tongue showing between her teeth.

  “Come on, darlin’,” Zach said. “We don’t bite.”

  Eva laughed, the sound as pretty as the song inside a Swiss music box. Tony was suddenly fighting a raging arousal that shocked him senseless. He caught the glimmer of unshed tears in her blue eyes and let out the breath he was holding, his fists unclenching. She was visibly frightened. Then, she slumped, a convulsive shudder flowing over her body.

  She wiped unobtrusively at her eyes and glanced toward Zach’s truck. “I saw a picture of a car about a year ago, but it didn’t look like that.” She took a step closer and glanced at the bed. “The picture I saw wasn’t all open in the back like this. It’s like Papa Beau’s wagon without the mares.”

  “We don’t have all day, Miss Bennington-Martinson.” Tony wanted away from this little slip of a woman who made him feel things he didn’t want to feel.

  “I know you’re not gonna believe me, but I came here from the past in some kind of a time portal.”

  Tony smirked, leaned back against his truck with both hands behind his head, and settled down to listen to her story.

  “Look, I know it’s gonna be hard for you to believe me. All I’m asking is for you to listen with an open mind. Can you do that?”

  “We’re listening,” Zach said.

  Tony nodded and watched her carefully.

  “My mother came through the time portal.” She glanced back at the old building. “She came from right here, if this is really Hamilton, and that’s what’s left of the Silver Rush.” She turned back to Tony. “You said the year was 2014, so that means she was here two years ago.” Eva paced back and forth in front of the Zach’s truck. “According to her stories, she came here with Kat on a vacation and she found the portal in the basement of the saloon.” She gave a weak laugh. “Or maybe it would be more accurate to say the time portal found her. It brought her back to 1871.”

  Zach pushed away from his truck and walked over to stand in front of Eva. He looked down at her and frowned. “What’s your mother’s name?”

  She gripped her hands tightly together in front of her stomach. “Her name is Anna.”

  “Anna Lorraine Oakland?” Zach asked in a strangled voice.

  “You’ve heard of my mother?”

  Tony straightened up and walked over to take Eva’s arm again. “That’s enough. It’s pretty remarkable that you’d turn up here today, of all days, to pull your little stunt. You probably think you’ll be featured on the nightly news with a story like that.” He pulled her toward his truck. “Maybe a night in lockup will have you rethinking this game you’re playing.”

  “Wait!” Zach walked over and pulled Tony’s hand away from Eva’s arm.

  “What are you doing?” Tony asked. “Don’t tell me you believe any of this crap?”

  Zach shook his head. “Can I have a private word with you for a moment?”

  Tony studied Zach’s eyes for a moment and then turned to Eva. “I want you to stay right here while I talk with Ranger Carlson. Do not make me have to chase you down.”

  Eva’s eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. “No, sir. I’ll stay right here.”

  Tony frowned. “I need to see some identification.”

  Eva’s brow furrowed, a puzzled look on her face. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

  “Do you have a driver’s license, or some other form of identification? Where’s your purse or wallet?”

  Her eyes lit up. “I know that word. Mama said a purse was like a reticule. But I didn’t have mine with me when Timothy grabbed me.” She looked around the clearing. “Have you seen anybody else around here? Timothy’s kind of tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. He came through the portal with me, so he should be around here somewhere.”

  Tony shook his head. “Just don’t move from this spot.” Sighing, he followed Zach over to the sign proclaiming this site to be Hamilton. “Have you ever encountered a bigger nut in all your born days? She’s certifiable.”

  Zach cleared his throat and scuffed the toe of his boot in the dirt. “I’m not so sure she’s crazy.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? You heard her. She thinks she’s some kind of time traveler.”

  Zach raised his gaze. “What if she is?”

  “Have you taken leave of your senses?”

  “Hear me out!”

  Tony took a step back. “Okay, calm down.”

  “Those women disappeared two years ago without a trace. Nothing came to light in the investigation to remotely explain how they could totally disappear in less than a half hour. My grandmother always told me if you’ve exhausted all the plausible explanations for any given event, then it’s time to start thinking about the impossible. With everything that’s going on in the world, is it such a stretch to think that supernatural things do exist all around us?”

  “Are you telling me that you believe she came here through some kind of time machine?”

  Zach shrugged. “No, she didn’t mention anything about a machine. She said she came through a time portal. What if it’s some kind of tear in the fabric of time that allowed her, and her mother before her, to travel into a time that wasn’t their own? Think of the possibilities, man, if she’s telling the truth.”

  Tony’s mouth dropped open. “Let me guess. You’re a big Star Trek fan, or wait, I’ll bet you’ve got all the Doctor Who episodes on disc.”

  Zach rolled his eyes. “Very funny, asshole. Open your eyes, Tony. Look at her. Really look at her. Does that look like a costume from some store to you?”

  Tony turned and looked at the young woman. Her skirt looked worn, with frayed edges around the bottom that could have come from dragging around on the ground. “The outfit doesn’t mean anything. If she wanted to perpetuate a hoax, she’d do a lot of research to make it as real as possible.”

  Zack groaned. “Then look at her. Does she seem dangerous to you?”

  Tony raised his gaze to her face and caught his breath. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her smooth skin, without a trace of makeup, practically glowed in the midday sun. There were no stress lines, just the fresh, wholesome face of a young woman. Sighing, he turned to look at his friend. “What do you wanna do, Zach?”

  “I don’t want you to lock her up. Let’s see if she’s got a place to go, and we’ll take it from there.”

  Tony shrugged, and moved to stand in front of Eva. “Well, young lady, this seems to be your lucky day. Ranger Carlson has convinced me not to take you to jail.”

  Zach scowled and pushed Tony to the side. “Evalina, do you have anywhere you can go?”

  “Please, everyone calls me Eva.”

  Zach smiled. “Okay, Eva. Do you have anywhere you can go?”

  She bit her lip. “I don’t know what you mean?”

  Zach glanced briefly at Tony. “Do you have family or friends nearby that can take you in? Do you have money for a hotel?”

  A single tear trailed crookedly down Eva’s cheek. “I don’t have any money, and I don’t know anybody in your time.”

  Zach moved closer and draped his arm around her shoulders. “It’s all right, Eva. Don’t cry. Why don’t you come home with me? I promise you’ll be safe, and we can work together to see if we can figure out how you got here, and how to get you home.”

  Eva gasped and pulled away. “I don’t wanna go home.”

  Tony moved to stand beside Zach
. “Why not?”

  Shaking her head, Eva placed her hands on her hips. “I spent my whole life listening to my mother’s stories about the time she grew up in. There’s nothing for me back in 1899. I wanna stay here and make a life. I need to stay here. I’ve been dreaming about traveling to the future my whole life. I’ve always known my destiny was here, and not back in Hamilton.”

  Zach glanced at Tony and then smiled at Eva. “I guess none of that matters now because we don’t know how to send you back even if you wanted to go. Will you come home with me until you decide what you wanna do? You’ll be safe. I can offer you a clean place to sleep, food to eat, and I can get you some clothes a little more suited for our time.”

  Tony grabbed Zach’s arm. “Are you sure about this?”

  Zach nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll keep her safe.”

  Eva raised her gaze to Tony. “Are you gonna be with us?”

  Zach laughed and took her hand. “No, Eva. He doesn’t live with me.”

  For a moment, Tony thought he saw regret in her eyes, maybe even disappointment.

  “I accept your generous offer to let me stay with you, and I thank you kindly.” She glanced briefly at Tony and then sighed. “Don’t worry. I’ll earn my keep. I can clean and cook.”

  “We’ll worry about that later, darlin’.” Zach turned to Tony. “I think I’m gonna take a rain check for lunch. I think I should get Eva settled and pick her up some clothes before I do anything else.”

  Tony nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll give you a call later to see how things are working out. Sooner or later we should sit down and get her whole story. I’d like to know more about what happened to those two women that disappeared.” He frowned. “Or, at least, what she says happened to them.”