Lightning Only Strikes Twice (28 page)

Annie lifted her chin in a way that told him she’d come to a decision. “Okay,” she said.

“Good.” Anticipation rushed through his body. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

He carried the book to the front desk and asked the librarian to hold it for him. Then he strode over to her. “I know a little place around the corner that serves some decent coffee. Come on.” He took her hand.

Although she attempted to tug free a couple of times, Luke refused to relinquish his hold. He was reminded of the night they’d hiked the hill. The night they’d first made love. She was reluctant then, too. That had quickly changed. Even if it
was
only in his imagination.

They walked around the corner of the library to a little café. Once inside, the aroma of food and beverages assailed his nostrils. All his senses seemed heightened because of this woman beside him.

“Coffee?” he asked.

“As long as its decaf,” she replied. “I’ve had trouble sleeping.”

He glanced at her. “Have you called Dr. Michaels?”

She shook her head. “It’s not that bad. I simply don’t want to add to the problem.”

“We’ll take care of that.” Luke walked to the bar and ordered coffee for himself and a hot chocolate with splash of non-alcoholic Irish Cream for Annie. He paid for their drinks and they found a corner table to sit.

She took a sip and sighed. “This is really good. Thank you.”

“I’m sorry you’re having problems sleeping.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.” She took another sip. “You seem fine since—since the accident.”

“I’m doing all right.”

He noticed the hesitation again in her voice when she brought up the accident. He wanted to question her, but was afraid of how crazy he’d sound.

His research hadn’t turned up enough evidence to prove anything, but he was confident, if he continued looking, he’d find it.

He’d had the tree trunk removed and sent for testing to find the carved initials. One of his engineers thought they might be able to use some acid to remove the fire damage, although he’d been told it was a long shot.

“The doctor checked me for burns,” she said. “Did he check you too?”

Luke took a sip of his coffee and nodded before answering. “Considering how close the lightning was, I think he was being thorough.”

“I guess we’re fortunate we weren’t injured more severely.” She lifted a hand to her temple.

The bruise near her hairline looked almost healed. “Does it still hurt?”

“Only if I forget it’s there and bump it while brushing my hair.” She lowered her hand. “I’m sure it’s the source of my dreams.”

“Dreams?” He’d been having dreams too. Ones that included Annie. In his arms. In his bed. He cleared his throat. “What do you dream about?”

She glanced into her cup, taking a long moment to answer. “Nothing specific, really. But they’re so vivid.”

Lifting the cup, she took a sip of cocoa, and then licked the chocolate from her lips.

Luke’s groin tightened, remembering those lips on his skin. His brain stopped working as he just stared at her.

“I hope you weren’t late for your appointment the other night.” She lowered her cup to the table.

“Appointment?” Luke started at her question.

“When you left my house, you said you had another appointment.” She reminded him.

Reluctantly, he focused on the conversation instead of the way the overhead light shimmered off her hair like a halo.

“No, I wasn’t late.” Actually, he had been late. He should have ended his relationship with Emmaline much sooner. That was over now and he could concentrate on the future. On the woman in front of him.

“That’s good.”

Annie stared down into her cocoa as she stirred it with a spoon.

The conversation lagged. Chatter from other patrons crowded between them. Luke struggled for more to say, but all that came to mind was something he didn’t dare voice. How could he when it was clear she didn’t seem to know they’d time-traveled?

She looked up, turmoil churning in her eyes. “It’s late.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “I need to go.” She slid off her chair and stood beside the table. “Thank you for the cocoa.”

Luke stood too, unable to think of anything to say that would keep her from leaving.

She turned and hurried toward the door.

Spurned by an urgency he couldn’t name, he followed her.

“Annie.” He caught her arm above the elbow and she stopped, but didn’t look at him. “I’d like to see you again.” The word blurted out. He felt, more than saw, the deep breath she took.

When she turned, her expression was tight. She looked down at his fingers closed around her arm.

He released her. “Please.” He couldn’t let her disappear again. Somehow, he’d find a way to stay in touch with her. Even if his memories of her and the past were a dream, surely their connection to the property and to each other couldn’t be random.

The tip of her tongue slipped over her lips as she gazed up at him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Chapter Sixteen

Annie stood in the restaurant doorway, hesitating over Luke’s request to see her again.

Her desire to be with him was powerful. Yet tonight’s stilted conversation proved the only thing they had in common was the property and a freak accident.

Everything she shared with him—those nights in the grove, his kisses—was all in her imagination.

She tamped down a threatening hysteria at the paradox.

The property brought them together. They’d intimately shared its history. Now they were back in their own time, and she couldn’t even discuss the most important event that had ever happened to her.

The “accident” hung between them, bearing witness that her experience was a lie.

She wanted to rail against the unfairness. How could she continue to see him when she knew exactly how his mouth tasted—how her body fit against his when they made love? How could she accept that none of it ever happened?

She couldn’t.

She couldn’t trust herself. Too many times tonight she’d come close to revealing her feelings. Where would that get her? She’d sound like she’d lost her mind.

She’d rather keep Luke’s respect than live on eggshells every time she was near him. The best thing—the only thing she could do was keep her distance. If only her heart would listen to reason.

“Why can’t I see you?” he asked. His question echoed the same in her mind.

With a fortitude she wasn’t aware she had, she squared her shoulders. “I don’t think it’s wise. Our business arrangement should stay business.”

“If I recall correctly, you said those words before,” he said with an easy smile.

Annie tried to stop herself from responding. She took a deep breath, knowing she had to back away. “It’s still the right thing to do.” She pushed open the doors leading outside.

Luke followed, reminding her of when he’d done the same in—
No!
It hadn’t happened. It was all a dream.

“I think we’re beyond a business relationship,” he said. “We’ve shared a remarkable experience.”

Annie’s heart stalled. She spun around to stare at him. “What are you talking about?” Was it possible that he believed?

“You know.” He cleared his throat. “The accident.”

The painful thud of her heartbeat started again. Of course. The accident. Why would he refer to anything else?

“Unfortunately, that’s all we’ve shared.” She stepped aside as a couple passed, staring curiously at them.

Luke was a well-known figure in this town. She suddenly felt self-conscious.

The papers had him paired with another woman and being seen in a personal conversation with Annie was sure to cause speculation. The reminder of his relationship helped her find the strength to stand her ground. She’d never poach another woman’s territory.

He stepped closer. “I’m sure if we try, we’ll find we have more in common than the accident.” He paused. “I’d like a chance to find out. That is, unless you’re seeing someone else.” He searched her face for evidence to the contrary.

Annie twisted the empty finger where her engagement ring had been. Her ex-fiancé hadn’t stuck around while she tended to her sick grandfather. He hadn’t wanted a family. Those things were still important her. If she wasn’t good enough for an ordinary man like her ex, an extraordinary man like Luke would quickly lose interest in her.

For a moment, she considered faking a relationship as an excuse. Honesty wouldn’t let her. “No, I’m not seeing anyone. However, you are. I’m sure your fiancée objects to you being with other women.”

He hooked a finger under the collar of his shirt and tugged a button free. “What makes you think I have a fiancée?”

“It was in last week’s paper.”

Another patron approached, looking at them with interest.

Luke scowled and cradled her elbow to move them away from the restaurant entryway. “The paper was mistaken. I’m not seeing her any longer.”

Her heart leaped at his admission. “You’re not?”

“I promise you, I’m not a man who steps out on a woman.”

She looked up at the sky believing the stars had finally granted her wish.

There were no stars. Reality brought her back to earth. The heavens weren’t the same as they’d been in White Rock. Nothing here was the same as it had been there.

Even Luke was different. This Luke was rich, prominent, and moved confidently in his circle of affluence. The Luke she’d fallen in love with in 1891 was self-made. A man who got things done with his bare hands.

Even if he was the same man, how could he possibly be attracted to her?

In White Rock, all they had was each other.

Here in the present—

In the present, the difference was too vast. She believed in her heart, they’d traveled to 1891. He believed they’d had an accident.

Luke still held her elbow as they walked toward their cars. She wanted to ignore the warmth shooting up her arm, but couldn’t help basking in his protectiveness. With every part of her being, she wanted him in her life.

If only they weren’t worlds apart.

He glanced at the night sky as she’d done earlier. “It’s so hard to see the stars in the city, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she whispered, wondering if he remembered another sky, another time.

“Can I tell you something?” His gaze drifted from the sky to her face. “Somehow, I feel that you’re the only person I can share this with—that you’ll understand.”

Her mouth went dry. Could he hear her heart pounding? “Wha…what is it?

“I don’t know if this feeling comes from facing my own mortality, of almost dying, or if it’s something else. But I came away with an entirely different outlook on life.”

She understood. Even though routine had begun to invade her life, she was different too. “I know what you mean.”

“Right. But there’s something…” He seemed to struggle for words.

His unexpected lack of confidence made her want to comfort him. “What’s bothering you?”

“I can’t explain it.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Something happened to me…to us.”

Annie gasped. Was it possible he knew?

“You don’t have to say anything,” Luke said. “By your expression, I can tell you feel it too.”

She nodded, like a puppet, whose wooden gestures weren’t her own. Turning away from his probing gaze, she noticed they’d arrived back at the library parking lot.

Her car sat alone under a lamppost, illuminated in a way that emphasized the dings and dirt. Farther along the row, was Luke’s shiny Humvee.

Like their cars, she and Luke were on completely different social levels. Her healthier bank account notwithstanding, she didn’t know how to fit in his world. And he certainly didn’t belong in hers.

“You haven’t given me your answer,” he prodded softly.

His voice alone had the power to seduce her.

As much as she loved him, she realized now that it was the man from the past she loved. The one who built schoolhouses by day and made sweet love to her at night.

She was no longer concerned about finding proof of their time travel. It didn’t matter. They had nothing to base a relationship on.

Their values were different. Luke had proven it by tearing down the mill. He’d continue to rip up the land, simply to make more money. She couldn’t bear to watch that happen. She was shaking her head even before she opened her mouth.

“Please, Annie,” he said, not unlike the time he begged for her to believe they’d traveled to the past. “I want to see you again.”

She turned away so he couldn’t see the tears that burned in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

****

When Annie pulled away, a piece of Luke’s heart broke loose. He recalled the moment she’d collapsed in his arms after the shaman had visited—and felt like his world was falling apart all over again.

“Annie, wait!”

She ignored him, rushed to her car, and climbed inside. Without a backward glance, she started the engine and drove away. As the car’s taillights disappeared around a corner, he wondered what it would take for her to understand he was sincere about being with her.

He wanted to know her better. Here. Now.

Maybe he wasn’t her type. Tonight she hadn’t given him much of a chance to prove otherwise. All he was asking for was a chance. If it didn’t work out, then he could move on. Although something told him, Annie was the one woman he wouldn’t ever forget.

****

A knock at her front door brought Annie’s attention back to the present and the Saturday afternoon baseball game playing on TV. The game provided convenient background noise while she’d packed for her move.

Three days had passed since she’d last seen Luke. Although part of her wanted to see him, another part, her more practical side, shuddered at the pain that turning him away again would cause.

Yesterday, she’d given her two-week notice and put the condo up for sale. The time had come for her to move on with her life. Forget the memories. Forget Luke.

If only her mind would stop slipping into the past while she wrapped and boxed treasures collected over her lifetime. The dichotomy of the process left her feeling like she had a split personality.