Timeless Whisper (Timeless Hearts Series Book 1) Page 4

  She yelped and swung her leg out at him, hitting him in the shin. He took a step back, raising his hand to swing it toward her. Before it could connect with her already aching cheek, it was caught in midair.

  “Since when have you taken to striking females? I know she's hurt you. But hitting her is not the way, and in my opinion taking things a little too far. You'll regret it,” Ryder said, still holding Lance's wrist, and stepping in between them.

  The wind force of his would-be attack made her teeth chatter. Had Lance really been about to hit her? Raven glared at him past Ryder’s shoulder, blinking back the tears of frustration dampening her cheeks. She struggled against the rope and tried to stand. Lance yanked on it, and she fell backward abruptly onto the bench.

  “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay there and don’t move.” He pulled himself free from Ryder’s grasp.

  They all turned toward the door of the city hall as it opened. Raven sucked in her breath. There was no mistaking this formidable man and his presence. This was Justice Theodore Thornton. His beard might have been shorter and he looked much younger, but it was definitely him. She'd know that face anywhere.

  It hung in the town library, and the school building. A bust in his honor had pride of place at the main entrance of this building. Well not exactly this building, the other much bigger one, with more rooms, elevators and flights of stairs, that wasn't featuring in her dream.

  "Well this is an unexpected welcoming committee."

  "Howdy, Uncle Teddy. I was wondering if you could fit me in today?"

  "How many cases do you have for me, Lucore?"

  "Four drunk and disorderly, five cattle rustlers, and two indecent assaults at the whorehouse."

  "At the whorehouse?" The judge raised an eyebrow and seemed to be suppressing the need to laugh, judging by the twitching motion at the corner of his mouth. "And what is it you’re looking to seek justice for, Lance?"

  "Breach of Promise."

  His uncle glanced around Ryder at her and gazed back at Lance. "I take it she’s the one who broke her promise? Is that why you have her all tied up?"

  "I lassoed her because she wouldn't come willingly. She hurled obscenities at me and tried to escape, while strutting down the street in her undergarments. I had to give her my coat."

  "She could hardly be trying to get away if you say she was strutting. Maybe you should take the rope off her. What do you think?"

  "I'll take it off for now, but if she tries to get away again, I'll tie her up, and she'll stay that way. So, can you fit us in or not?"

  Although he’d said he’d release her, Lance made no attempt to remove the ropes that bound her.

  "I'd need a jury for a case like this. Where are you going to find twelve people at such short notice? Lucore, have any of your scoundrels got representation?"

  "No, sir."

  "Then I guess if you can round me up a jury, he can have his trial."

  "Excuse me, Justice Thornton, may I speak?"

  "I wondered if you were able to. Thanks for the vote of confidence by the way. However, Judge Thornton will do. What did you want to say?"

  "It's just." She licked her lips. “I think this is a case of mistaken identity. My name is Raven Eyez not this Charlotte Springfield, everyone claims me to be. I think I'm either dreaming or I'm in the wrong century like Cissie says I am. In which case I think I might need help getting back to my own time. If you could see your way clear to helping me with that, it would be much appreciated."

  "Is that right? So all this is just a figment of your imagination. Is that what you’re saying?"

  Raven smiled, finally someone got it. Hope and excitement sprang to the surface of her being. "Yes, Your Honor, that’s exactly what I'm saying. I knew you would understand. Thank you, some sanity at last."

  "Oh, I understand all right. You want me to believe this is all a figment of your imagination. Then any verdict we have here shouldn't be of any consequence to you or anyone else for that matter, as none of it is real. This wasn’t actually happening. Therefore, I can conclude you have no reason to fear the outcome. Wouldn't you agree?"

  "Huh?" That not what she meant. "No, that’s not it at all. I don't think you understand any of it. Let me try again. What I'm saying, is—"

  "I think you’ve said enough. Please go and find me a jury, Sheriff. I'm interested to see what other gems this young lady has up her sleeve."

  "This isn't fair. You can't trial me, it’s a conflict of interest. The plaintiff is related to you."

  "Are you suggesting I'm not a fair judge and my judgment can be influenced by family ties?"

  "No but—"

  "But what, young lady? May I remind you, I have no influence over a jury of your peers. Your trial will be a fair one."

  "Well, can you at least get him to untie me?”

  "Lance." He nodded to his nephew to release her. "Ryder, send one of your deputies to find me twelve people willing to sit on a jury. Do you have an attorney, young lady?"

  So Uncle Theodore was a smarty pants too. Well she'd beat them at their own game. Emily had told her Jake Thornton was an attorney in a prestigious law firm in town. He’d come over for dinner when she'd arrived and had been hitting on her all night, finally giving her his card. She hadn't shown any interest, but she was glad she'd paid attention to some of what he said.

  He was a criminal law defense attorney who'd never lost a case. If she remembered rightly, he was always able to influence Lance when they were growing up. She felt confident nothing had changed. She’d use their own family against them, see how they liked them apples. Judge Thornton was right if this was her dream, then she could do whatever she liked in it. All she had to do was stop making her delusional imagination and fear of Lance get the better of her.

  Maybe what she needed to do was win this law case against Lance. This had to be how her subconscious mind was able to cope with Lance getting married. She had to beat him from her mind by beating him in court. Wow, how devious was that? She had no idea her subconscious was this clever. She could have used some of that smartness during her class test. None of her results showed even a drop of imagination.

  "Well, do you have someone in mind? Or do I have to appoint one for you? You seemed to be thinking on it quite hard."

  "I have somebody, Jake Thornton. If you just get the sheriff here to inform him of my situation, I will soon be out of here?"

  "You have to be mistaken. Which Jake Thornton are you referring to?"

  "Well if Lance is your nephew, I assume Jacob must be your nephew too."

  "What the two-year-old?"

  "He's not two. He has a law firm here in town. He gave me his card. He's twenty-four, the same age as Lance."

  "I assure you, Miss Springfield, I know all my family members. Jacob Thornton is two years and seven months and won't be old enough to represent you in court for another twenty-three years from now. Ryder, I think you better get the doctor while you’re at it. I need to make sure this woman is mentally sound."

  Ryder told his deputy to find a jury and fetch the doctor too.

  Chapter 10

  What could she say? Justice in Heartsbridge was swift. It took a supposedly random jury of her peers, exactly fifteen minutes to decide she was guilty as charged. Her sentence—two months hard labor on Lance's ranch. With an additional two weeks at Lance's discretion for being in contempt of court. She'd asked Judge Thornton if he'd accept a credit card for the initial one hundred dollars awarded to Lance, for his injured pride and mental anguish at being left at the altar.

  The judge told Lance to remove her from his courtroom, he didn't care how he did it. He wanted her gone from his sight. Then he had the cheek to wish Lance luck.

  It was her inability to pay, which had landed her in this position. It was only a hundred dollars for God’s sake. She knew she should have gone to the ATM last night. Hog tied, she was slung across Lance's horse on a bumpy ride to his ranch, where he assured her, hard labor me
ant just that. He was giving his workers two months off with pay to do as they liked and she would work the ranch alongside him. Just as his grandma did with his grandpa, when it was just the two of them building a life together.

  Her squeals of anguish had gone unnoticed by all, except Ryder the dirtbag who took her iPhone. It was her only proof she was telling the truth, that she really was from the twenty-first century. Not to mention that crackpot excuse for a horse doctor, trying to pass himself off as a physician! She had no clean words to describe him, or his incompetence.

  When Doctor Clancy arrived, she'd been relieved, feeling sure he'd believe her. However, before she had a chance to talk to him, Ryder felt along her arm when he untied her.

  "Judge, if I could use your office to check Miss Springfield here for any concealed weapons. She has something in her sleeve. I think it needs to be investigated, out of harm’s way."

  "This isn't my sleeve. It’s Lance’s jacket. I don't have any sleeves."

  "Just as you aren't wearing clothes. I think you need to cooperate with the sheriff, Miss Springfield, or he may be forced to search you out here where it’s public," Judge Thornton said.

  "My name is Eyez. I'll go with him, but I want it noted it was under duress."

  "Duly noted, Miss Whoever, you think you are." The judge waved her away. She was dismissed with the swipe of a hand.

  Ryder looked at her iPhone with a lot less interest than he should have if this was really 1880. He ripped open the Velcro fastener of her armband, wrapped her head phones around the device, then shoved them deep into his pocket. "Do you have anything else?"

  "Where would I put anything else? You know I’m telling the truth, don't you?"

  He looked behind him, then back to her. Lowering his voice, he said, "I know you’re not Charlotte. You best pray Lance doesn't see what I see. He needs closure and you’re going to give it to him."

  "I'll do no such thing."

  "You will if you want your little toy back."

  "You're a snake, Ryder Lucore, or are you really Hunter, having a laugh at my expense?" She narrowed her gaze.

  "I assure you my name is Ryder. But I've been having some really strange occurrences lately and maybe you can help explain them to me."

  Raven folded her arms across her chest. "Why should I help you?"

  "Trust me. You're going to need me on your side. I was there when Charlotte gave Lance that scar on his forehead. I know what she meant to him, and I know how he was after she jilted him. He will try and make you suffer in ways unimaginable. So I can help make things easy for you or I can see to it that they’re unbearable, because in a small town like this—you will be found guilty."

  "Lucky for me you're not on the jury. Shouldn't I be speaking to the doctor now?” She raised her chin in defiance, although she was well aware she had no power, none whatsoever—bravado was the only thing she had going for her at the moment.

  "After you cover yourself up." He pointed to her middle.

  She glanced down at her stomach, then cocked her head. "Why? He's a doctor, isn't he?"

  "Do as I say, or I'll add solicitation to the rest of your charges."

  She pursed her lips. "You wouldn't dare."

  "Try me."

  Raven shoved her arms back through the sleeves of Lance's jacket, and fastened the buttons, clutching the lapels closed in front of her. "Is this decent enough for you?"

  "It will have to do. Don't try anything stupid. You won't get far."

  Ryder left the room a few seconds later. She was walked back to the seat she’d vacated, shoulders slumped from seeing the deputy outside the window cleaning his fingernails with a knife. The street seemed strange without the hustle and bustle of the usual traffic racing by outside. The familiar sounds and smells she was used to, gone.

  She suddenly felt lost and alone. For the first time, she began to wonder if this was more than a dream. Her brain was finally catching up to her other five senses.

  "Well, Charlotte, do you remember me? I'm Doctor Clancy, I was there when you were born—"

  "Even if I was Charlotte, which I'm not, I doubt I'd remember that."

  Doctor Clancy kept talking as if she hadn't interrupted him, giving no indication at all that he had even head her speak. "Although I was much younger then. I bandaged your arm for you when you were just a girl. You probably have a scar. Would you roll your left sleeve up for me?"

  "Why?" After Ryder took her iPhone, she was suspicious of everyone’s motives.

  "Well, Judge Thornton says you're a little confused as to who you are. I'm here to help you figure it out. I know my handiwork when I see it, so lift your sleeve and we can have this misunderstanding cleared up in an instant. Then you can be on your way."

  She stuck her arm out. The doctor put on his glasses and hummed and hahhed as he inspected her arm. Yes, she had a scar, but he'd never seen it before. This was good, they were making progress. Once he'd finished examining her arm, he'd see he hadn't in this or any other time period laid his wrinkled, old, liver-spotted hands on her.

  She'd be vindicated and free to go back to that Cissie woman and find out for sure what was really going on here. She'd resigned herself to the fact she might have been hasty in refusing her assistance, and she was never going to wake up. The pain in her cheek was real and the synapses firing in her brain were telling her, whether she believed it or not, she needed to smell the coffee.

  It was time to stay quiet, trust no one, and tread carefully. Didn't they hang people in the 1880s? She swallowed. How in the world did she even get here? It had to be the nosy waitress at the Heartsbridge diner. Why couldn't she have sent her fifty years into the future? She could go and visit aging Lance and his drooping, saggy wife and let him know that's what he got for wanting to see other people.

  At least she'd still have Internet access.

  She'd have to play her cards close to her chest and wait for her opportunity to escape, go back to Cissie and have her send her back to her own time. Things didn't quite go as she’d planned it. History had never been her strongest subject.

  After putting her through a series of stupid questions, the most Doctor Clancy would testify to was—there was no doubt in his mind she was Charlotte Springfield. She was indeed sane, but suffering from flights of fancy, and her ideas were somewhat whimsical at best. The idiot.

  Chapter 11

  They'd arrived at the Thornton ranch without Lance saying a word, other than his famous last words outside the city hall—"walk or ride."

  When she refused to answer or move, he’d tied her wrists and ankles, and slung her over his horse like dirty laundry. Then rode with her bent over his saddle in silence the whole time.

  He slowed his horse to a canter, then a trot as he made his way to the main entrance of the ranch house. On their approach, they were welcomed by the tentative greeting of a young stable hand whose mouth formed the perfect O when he realized she was tied up. Lance dismounted, handed the reins to the boy, and started to remove her from his horse. She raised her head and flinched away from him.

  "Don't touch."

  "Fine, with me." He turned to the red-faced boy. "Don't you help her, if the lady thinks she’s so smart, she can find her own way down. See to the horse once she has."

  She could barely see him through her curtain of hair, yet the cold, twisted smile he wore filtered through.

  "You can wiggle your way into the house when you’re ready. I'll leave the door open for you. And when you’re done dragging dirt into my home, I’ll have a bucket with water waiting for you to clean up the mess you'll make."

  He started to stride away, then stopped. "Hitch the horse while she’s figuring it out, and go tell Brad I want to speak with him."

  Raven blew the hair from her face and watched as the youngster looked from her to Lance in confusion. She could see, unlike Lance, he wasn’t comfortable leaving her alone on the horse.

  "It’s fine, I've been in worse situations than this," she reassured
him, as he slowly backed away. Jeez, when did she become such a liar? She couldn’t imagine a worse situation than the one she was in now, and she wasn't talking about being tied and left on the horse either.

  Left alone to get down on her own, Raven realized her little act of defiance was probably foolhardy. She had no idea of this creature’s temperament. What would she do if it objected to her wiggling around on top of it, and threw her off its back? It would probably trample her underfoot. Lance of this century was an irresponsible jackass. So what if she told him not to touch her—he didn't have to actually listen to her.

  He hadn't paid any attention to anything else she told him, like the fact he had the wrong woman. When she was free, she'd add a few scars of her own to his ridiculously handsome face. The man was an arrogant pig and a horrible excuse for a human being.

  Slowly she began to rock back and forth on the animal. So far so good. She hooked her tied wrists over the horn of the saddle and shimmied farther down. Her bound feet hit the ground and Raven unhooked her wrists to stroke the horse's neck.

  "Thank you for being so good to me. You're the only one around here so far who has been." Arms above her head, she touched her forehead lightly to the side of the animal’s neck and sighed.

  When she raised her head slowly and looked around her, it was hard to believe the evidence of her own eyes, and that she was anywhere else than back in 2017. The Thornton ranch hadn't changed in over a hundred years, but there were subtle differences she couldn’t deny. Some of the trees looked taller and wider to the trained eye, and maybe there were a few more.

  But as far as she could tell, the old barns were the same, and so was the house for that matter. Very little had been changed or modernized to the old buildings. Only the disappearance of the new ones stood out to her, and she didn't miss them.

  Just looking out into the open pasture, she fell in love with the land all over again. Being so far away and living in the concrete jungle of New York, she'd forgotten the simplicity of country life. The vast space that stretched for miles, rich and green with all the other natural colors in between and the serenity all around her. With only the soft murmurs of the animal and the songs of birds washing over her.