Carousel (36 page)

Thunder rumbled again, almost in defiance of Nicholas's words. Col. Clark, impervious to the weather, stood at the front of the grandstand and greeted his guests, the owners and all the visitors who had come that day--an estimated ten thousand people, he said. A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, followed by a round of applause.

The horses were quieted at the gate. The trainers removed blindfolds as needed, and left the thoroughbreds in the hands of the jockeys. His red and black silks shimmering in the sun, Sam looked very confident on Wind Dancer's back. Jaci saw his lips move as he quietly spoke to the horse.

The starter's pistol cracked in the silence, launching both the horses and the audience into action. Surging up from her seat, she yelled along with other spectators for their favorites. Nicholas didn't shout, but when she grabbed his hand in her exuberance, he returned her tight hold.

The thundering of hooves couldn't be differentiated from the rumbling in the increasingly dark sky and it wasn't until Wind Dancer crossed the finish line that she realized it had begun to rain. But it didn't matter. Nicholas caught her around the waist, swinging her in a circle and enthusiastically kissing her.

"He won! He actually did it!" He released control of his emotions now and shouted along with the rest of the crowd. Regardless of who stood near, he cupped her cheeks and kissed her with passion. "I love you, Mrs. Westbrooke."

Her breath caught. In the excitement of winning, she had forgotten her pledge. "But I'm not--" she protested.

"Soon to be corrected." He turned her around to face the gentleman who had shared their box. "The
Reverend
Christopher Stein."

Her mouth dropped open as her gaze traveled back to Nicholas. He smiled at her and her heart melted, as it did every time he looked at her.

Despite the rain, she reached up and circled his neck. Pulling his head down, she whispered against his lips. "I love you, Nicholas Westbrooke. I'm scared to death about what might happen, but I love you too much to stop now." Her kiss would have gone on indefinitely, but Reverend Stein interrupted.

"Would I be out of line, sir, if I suggested seeking shelter?"

Jaci began to giggle when Nicholas seemed disinclined to stop licking the moisture from her lips. It was pouring now, and she saw the beautiful feathers from her hat drooping in front of her eyes. When she pushed against his chest, he gave in with a sigh.

Hand in hand, they raced to the stables and out of the rain. The crowd had followed the horses as the trainers also sought shelter for the animals in their charge. She and Nicholas found Mackey and Wind Dancer surrounded.

Col. Clark found a way to rise above the crowd and called for attention. "Though I had no control over the weather, I do most sincerely apologize, especially to our fair ladies." He doffed his hat and bowed as low as his perch on the stall partition would allow.

"I'm pleased, however, with this, our first Kentucky Derby." Applause followed. He raised his hands for silence. "Mr. Westbrooke, are you among us?"

Nicholas raised his hand in affirmation, and after giving Jaci's shoulders a squeeze, he worked his way to the front of the crowd. Before even acknowledging Col. Clark, he ran his hand down Wind Dancer's muzzle, congratulating Sam and slapping Mackey on the back. Finally, he allowed the colonel his attention.

"It is with great pleasure that I award Wind Dancer, of Wildwood Stables, our garland of roses!" As the wreath of flowers was looped over Wind Dancer's neck he shook his head as though very well aware of the fine job he had done. "And to his owner, Nicholas Westbrooke of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this bank draft in the amount of two thousand eight hundred fifty dollars." Applause and cheering erupted wildly as Nicholas accepted his winnings.

At least now Nicholas had the money to pay the mortgage and insure Wildwood success. Jaci shivered, the heat of excitement giving way to cold from the rain seeping through her wet clothes. She rubbed her arms to warm herself, wondering where she could hide and dry off, when Nicholas's words caught her attention.

"I thank you for your good wishes," he profusely stated, "and I invite you all to stay right here while the Reverend Stein marries me to the lovely Jaci Eastman."

A cheer arose. It wasn't the wedding Jaci would have planned for herself, if she had ever actually dreamed of marrying. The smell of hay and wet horses replaced the scent of flowers, and the only music came from soft whinnies. But none of that mattered when Nicholas gazed into her eyes and pledged his love through all time.

Nicholas somehow managed to have a bath ready for her when they got back to the hotel. He deposited her with a kiss and a promise to return soon. He had told the men they would have rooms in the hotel that night, and promised to share a drink with them.

She experienced a twinge of disappointment but shrugged it off, knowing he would return quickly. It was her wedding night and she shivered in anticipation as she sank deeper into the tub. No matter what had gone before, she was married now.

"Mrs. Nicholas Westbrooke,"
she whispered as she turned the wide gold band on her finger.

"And how delightful Mrs. Westbrooke looks, all slick and naked in that tub of water." Nicholas leaned over from behind and kissed her nose.

"How did you get in?" She didn't even jump, for Nicholas was always sneaking up on her, and she had somehow come to expect it ever since he had started walking again.

"I told the desk clerk I wanted to ravish the lovely lady in room 108 and he gave me a key--with a grin." While he spoke, he began peeling his wet clothes off, for it still poured outside.

Jaci pretended not to notice, but her body hummed with desire. He sat and jerked off his boots and socks, wiggling his toes, and Jaci even found his feet sexy.

"Do you mind?" he asked as his pants dropped to the floor.

"Huh? Mind what?" She had no idea what he asked, for his naked body claimed all her attention.

"Mind if I ravish you?"

She raised her gaze to his. "Not if you do it very, very slow."

With a growl, he reached down and scooped her out of the tub. She squealed, grabbing him around the neck. Seconds later, water splashed from the oversized tub as he sat down with her on his lap.

"How strange. I wondered why this tub was much larger than the one back home," she murmured as he began kissing her neck.

"Don't women of the future share their baths?" His soapy hand slid over her breast. "I didn't take baths; I showered."

He quirked a brow.

She tried to explain, which was difficult given the movement of his hands. "It's a nozzle high on the wall, in an enclosed area, like a closet. The water comes out a spray, and you stand up to wash."

He nuzzled the sensitive area behind her ear. "Novel invention, but it doesn't sound very relaxing," he pulled her down against his chest, "nor as cozy."

She wiggled her bottom against him and was delighted with his response. "And your point is?" she teased.

"My point, darling Mrs. Westbrooke, is that no matter what else changes through the years, no matter what marvelous wonders are invented, one thing will always remain constant." He turned her in his arms and kissed her deeply. "My love for you will endure through all eternity."

Epilogue

Menlo Park, New Jersey--1879:

"You must think us dreadfully boring, being awed by such inventions as were in the exhibit. After all, I'm sure you've known about Edison's light bulb and phonograph for some time," Nicholas commented as they left the exhibition hall and walked into the bright afternoon.

"Of course I know about them, but since I've been here, I've come to appreciate the simpler life. I only wish I had the wherewithal to do the inventing. Imagine what I could show them."

"Jaci--" He shook his head in warning, for they had decided on their wedding night that she would do nothing which might irrevocably change history.

"Well, it's marvelous to see Amanda's eyes light up at all the new wonders she'll have in her lifetime. I can't wait until she hits her teens and has access to Bell's telephone. Now that Cameron has decided to stay in Philly and let others drive his ships, she can have a house full of modern conveniences."

"Pilot, dear, not drive," Nicholas corrected gently.

"Sorry. Speaking of pilots, they didn't have an airplane in the exhibit hall, now did they?" "I warn you," Nicholas reprimanded, but his eyes twinkled.

"Papa! Penny, Papa, penny." Four-year-old Cassandra came racing at her father and Nicholas scooped her high above his head, spinning her around in a circle. Jaci smiled as she remembered him doing the same to Amanda years ago. Now ten-year-old Amanda followed in Cassandra's wake at a much more sedate pace.

Nicholas tweaked his daughter's nose. "What does my precious Cassie want with a penny?"

As Cassie tweaked her papa's nose in turn, Jaci laughed, her hand sliding over her slightly rounded stomach. She had never expected to find happiness in a marriage, much less the incredible bliss she still experienced in Nicholas's arms. Though Amanda was like their own child, she would soon be leaving to live with Cameron and attend school in the city. God had blessed them with Cassandra and now she was pregnant with another. This time she hoped for a son for Nicholas, to carry on the Westbrooke tradition. Not that Cassandra wouldn't be capable, but Jaci longed to see her do something extraordinary--like become the first woman pilot, or President.

For now, her attention turned to where Cassandra pointed. "Me want to ride horsies, like Papa's."

If Nicholas's free hand hadn't already been holding Jaci's elbow, he probably wouldn't have been able to stop her from falling. As it was, he had to juggle her and Cassandra. However, she couldn't stop the dizziness, nor the incredible sense of déjà vu that twisted like a knife in her heart.

"Nicholas." Her voice came out a strangled whisper. She managed to keep from collapsing into a ruffled puddle, but leaned heavily on Nicholas as they stood in the middle of a busy walkway.

Straight ahead, not more than a hundred feet, a carousel glimmered, its horses and menagerie animals chasing each other round and round the platform. It wasn't hard to pick out the lead horse, for he rose high above the rest, his mane and tail flying, one leg raised as he proudly stepped forward in all his midnight glory.

"It's
your
horse." Her voice was urgent. All the ghosts from hell had risen up and fluttered very close by.

Nicholas steadied her as he set Cassandra down and asked Amanda to watch her. He turned to her, and she frantically searched his face for the reassurance she needed. He didn't fail her, just as he hadn't any time before. His shoulders back, his feet braced, he exuded confidence. But it was his gaze that held her, for in his sweet, silver eyes she saw love--enough to last a lifetime and beyond.

"That horse is our destiny, Jaci. I promise you it will be all right." He took her hand and stepped towards the carousel. She jerked back. He turned, taking her chin in his hand and forcing her to focus only on him. "Do you love me, Jaci Westbrooke?"

"Yes, you know I do." Her answer was automatic.

He grinned at her rapid response. It was a game they played, whenever she became over-anxious about her fate. "How much?"

"With my life," she answered, and saw his love shining in his gaze. A great burden of worry seemed to lift from her shoulders.

Nicholas lifted Cassandra to one hip, took Jaci's hand in his and began walking towards the carousel. "Then trust me."

Jaci grabbed Amanda's hand. She felt she needed all the anchors she could grasp.

When the carousel stopped, a group of riders got off. Nicholas sat Cassandra on his replica of Wind Dancer and gathered Jaci and Amanda close. Jaci kept her gaze focused on Nicholas, holding her breath each time the platform jiggled.

"I thank God daily for seeing fit to send you to me," Nicholas told her quietly, "and believe me, our love will surmount any obstacle."

He held out his hand and when she placed her hand in his, encircling Cassandra, their fingers brushed the mane of the horse. An electric shock raced up Jaci's arm, but she remained next to her husband.

Before the carousel began to move, a photographer called for their attention. Nicholas and Jaci laughed together, their daughter squealing in delight over riding her papa's horsie, and the photographer's camera flashed.

* * *

Dallas, Texas--2008:

"We didn't find anything, Miss Eastman. Witnesses said it looked as if your sister dropped down into the middle section of the carousel to help the old man."

Mandy Eastman shook her head in disbelief. "I don't understand. You mean she simply disappeared?"

"We've put out a missing person report," the detective explained. "It's the strangest damn thing. I guess the gears on that merry-go-round weren't adjusted right or something. Apparently once the children got off and the operator fell against the lever, it spun so fast some of the poles actually bent outward with the centrifugal force. But, that doesn't help you any, does it? We'll check back at the park later today and see if anything's been reported."

The police detective turned to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot. Your sister's camera was still at the scene. It must have been set on an automatic timer, because the roll of film had been completed used. I took the liberty of having the film developed, for clues, but didn't find anything out of the ordinary. Just photos of the carousel and some people."

Mandy thought it odd that the detective said there were people in the pictures, because Jaci had wanted only the horses for her magazine layout. However, she thanked the police and closed the door behind them.

It had been five days since her sister's disappearance, and the police hadn't come up with even one clue. Wearily she sat down on the couch, opening the envelope and spilling the pictures out on the coffee table. She smiled at the sight of the horses, seemingly so alive through her sister's photographic ability.