Lightning Only Strikes Twice by Stanalei Fletcher Read Free Book Online Page B

my car, just point the way.”
    He grew serious again. “Annie, sit down. I need to explain something to you.”
    She hesitated.
    “Please?”
    This man was difficult to resist. “Only for a minute.” She sat on the bed.
    Luke’s hands clenched then opened slowly as though he’d forced them to relax. “It took me days to come to terms with this situation. I don’t know how to tell you, other than to just say it.”
    He cleared his throat and leaned closer, his brown gaze dark. “Somehow, we’ve been transported into the past. You’re…No. We’re both in White Rock...1891.”

Chapter Four
    Annie sat straight-backed on the edge of the bed in the doctor’s patient room. “Eighteen ninety-one.” She repeated his words in a monotone voice that told Luke she didn’t believe a word he’d said.
    He didn’t blame her. If their positions were reversed, he wouldn’t believe him either. He hadn’t believed it when it happened. Even now, he’d awaken in his room above the doctor’s office disoriented, wondering why he wasn’t in his apartment in Boise.
    “You heard me.”
    “You’re telling me we’ve time-traveled. Into the past.”
    “Exactly.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at her like she’d guessed the correct answer to a game show question. This might go easier than he thought.
    She shook her head slowly, eyes narrowed as she stared at him like some problem she had to figure out. Then her face cleared, understanding lit up her eyes, and she smiled.
    “I get it.” She let out a shy laugh.
    The gentle sound wound its way inside him and settle somewhere in his chest. He sat back, shocked at her ready acceptance. “You do?”
    “Of course.” She smiled again. “This is a historical reenactment, right? People get into character at these things.” She gestured at the room. “I’m impressed with how you’ve made the Founders’ Day party look so real. The doctor and those kids played their part very well.” She glanced down at her soiled clothes. “I’m sorry I missed the memo about dressing up.”
    Luke groaned and buried his head in his hands. Taking a deep breath, he looked up. “No, you aren’t getting it.” He leaned toward her again. “This is real—not playacting. We are in the past. Eighteen ninety-one, to be exact.” He paused, waiting for his words to sink in. “No one’s pretending.”
    The smile fled from her face and without it, the room turned gloomy.
    “Okay, Mr. Maxwell.” She stood and swayed slightly. “Whatever you say.” Her face was pale, but she took a breath and lifted her chin. “I don’t feel well enough to join the celebration, so I’m going home now.”
    He gave her credit for keeping her cool, but she was about as stubborn a woman as he’d ever come across. “You can’t go home.” He didn’t sugarcoat the hard truth. “Since we’re stuck here together, you might as well call me Luke.”
    “We’re not stuck anywhere together, Luke .” Her eyes narrowed to points. “Why can’t I go home? Has something happened to my car?”
    “Yes. I mean, no.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Honestly, I don’t know where the hell your car is.”
    “Was it stolen?”
    “No,” he answered, running a hand through his hair. “This has nothing to do with your car.” Everything he said made things worse, but there wasn’t any other way to have this conversation.
    “If my car’s fine, why can’t I go home?”
    “Your home doesn’t exist.” He tried to say more, but she interrupted.
    “What’s happened to my house?”
    “Nothing’s happened. At least not yet. My guess is that it’s still a hundred or so years in the future.”
    “You’re not making any sense.”
    He swallowed a curse. If he was going to get through to her, he had to stop trying to break it to her easily. “Your home, as you know it, doesn’t exist. You won’t be born for another ninety years.”
    He stood, forcing Annie to look up at him.
    Her lips tightened and fear