Forever Eva [Sequel to When Kat's Away] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (5 page)

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.”

“Great!” Zach held his hand out to Eva. “Let’s go, little lady.”

She looked at his hand for a moment and then cut her gaze to Tony briefly before she laid her small hand in Zach’s larger one. Tony stood there and watched them walk away. Zach helped her into his truck, took a moment to fasten her seat belt, and then got in himself. He started the engine and then moved away slowly as if he were afraid of scaring her.

When the truck disappeared from sight, he headed toward his own vehicle. He felt a keen, sharp pain at the thought he’d disappointed her somehow. He climbed into the Durango and thought about Zach taking her back to his apartment. Gritting his teeth, he slammed the door, a tightness beginning in the center of his chest. Breathing through a clenched jaw, he slammed the butts of both hands against the steering wheel. The memory of her wounded eyes and drawn face haunted him. “I’m being ridiculous. She’s just another one of those reporters trying to make a buck from a sensational story.” He turned the key, the engine flaring to life. He put the truck in gear and stepped on the gas. “I, for one, am not gonna fall for her routine no matter how pretty she is.”

* * * *

Eva studied Zach’s hands as he moved the small wheel back and forth, and then glanced out the window. They sailed around corners, up curving hills, past strange street signs and huge houses with elegant windows until she was totally lost. “Is this really Hamilton? Nothing looks familiar.”

“What year did you say you came from?”

“It was 1899 when I left. I was born in 1876.” She frowned and leaned forward as far as the strange strap across her shoulder allowed. “I hear music. Where’s it coming from?”

Zach chuckled. “There’s a radio in the dashboard. I’ve got the volume so low I forgot it was on. You must have really sharp hearing.” Reaching forward, he pushed one of the buttons and the music stopped. “Yes, that was Hamilton, at least what’s left of it. I think it’s been in that condition for a long time.”

“You don’t know for sure?”

“I’ve only been living here for a little over two years.”

Eva watched out the window but didn’t see anything but trees. “Where do you live?”

“I have a small apartment in Ely.”

She frowned and ran her finger over the glass window. “I never heard of Ely.”

He laughed. “Well, that’s because it didn’t exist until sometime around 1906.”

She turned her head to watch Zach. “That’s not very long after I left. How do you know about the history here?”

“When I graduated from college, I had my pick of three different jobs. I did some research on each area and finally chose Ely.”

Eva peered out the window again, letting her feet slide back and forth across the carpet on the floor. “Tell me more about this Ely place.”

“Well, it was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express route originally.”

“What’s the Pony Express?”

He glanced at her and frowned. “How can you not know about the Pony Express? It was a mail delivery service that started around 1860.”

Eva snorted. “Well, they damn sure didn’t deliver to Hamilton. Papa Zeke always got our mail when he went for supplies in Treasure City.”

“Huh! Well, I’ll have to do a little reading up on this Treasure City. I don’t remember ever hearing that name before.”

“You were telling me more about Ely.”

“Oh, yeah. Anyway, when they discovered copper in this area it became a mining town.”

“In my time they’re still pulling silver from the Silver Bell Mine, but Papa Beau says it’s about played out.”

“The copper mines played out in the mid-70s, but made a dramatic comeback around 2005. Now we’re also known as a popular tourist trap.”

“What’s a tourist trap?”

Zach glanced at Eva and winked. “It means it has a lot of older, antique stuff here that people come and pay money to see. It keeps the town’s revenue up.”

Eva giggled and turned toward the window. “I don’t understand half of what you say, but I sure like listening to your voice.” She glanced back and saw a pink flush work its way up Zach’s neck. “There aren’t any roads like this in my time. There’s a dirt road that’s pretty well-traveled from Hamilton to Treasure City, well at least what’s left of it. Most of it burned down before I was born. There’re still a few shops my fathers do business with.”

He frowned. “You have more than one father?”

Eva bit her lip and looked away.

“It’s okay. I’m not gonna push you to talk. You’ll tell me everything in your own time. Why don’t you just relax, darlin’, and we’ll be home soon.” He reached out and pressed a button on the panel, and slow, easy music filled the air.

Eva leaned back and thought about the two men.
They’re my prince charmings. I know they are. I can feel it. Why did that Tony fellow
wanna
get rid of me so bad? There’s got to be a way to bring him around. Mama always told me things happen for a reason. Fate wouldn’t have brought me here, in time to meet these two men, if they weren’t supposed to be mine.
She let her eyelids drift closed and felt the purring of the engine, the faint vibration of the road, and the gentle sway now and then as they rounded a curve or changed lanes. She let it engulf her in a place halfway between sleep and wakefulness, halfway between worry and security.
What can I do to get both men under the same roof with me?

Zach sneaked another peek at his sleeping passenger as they neared his apartment building.
I don’t understand this need I feel to protect her and keep her hidden away from everyone except Tony.
Pulling into the parking lot, he stepped on the brake so hard the seat belt jerked tight.

Eva’s head shot up, and she looked around her dazedly. “Are we home?”

He enjoyed the sound of her calling his place
home.
“Yeah, this is where I live.” He looked out the window and tried to see it through her eyes. He scanned the street and flinched. It held only cold, brick structures and noisy truck traffic that never seemed to stop. The building that housed his apartment lay drenched in the early afternoon heat. The sun filtered down to the ground in patterns through the oak leaves. The large building was surrounded by split rail fences and abundant daylilies thrusting in clumps of yellow and orange.

Zach helped Eva from the truck and held her arm as he led her toward his apartment door. He lived on the ground floor, with neighbors on both sides and above. Swiftly, he unlocked the door and motioned for her to enter first. Sighing, he moved into the blessedly cool interior and watched Eva as she looked around.

“Make yourself at home.” He flourished his hand toward the living room. Colored light filtered through the leaded glass overlay above his patio door, splashing across the living room like a rainbow. Amethyst, garnet, sapphire, and emerald falling in elegant designs. “I guess it’s a little more masculine that you’re used to.”

Eva smiled, her eyes twinkling. “It has a warm feel to it.” She walked over to the window. “I like it.”

The room was furnished with an overstuffed couch and chair of mismatched design that somehow seemed more proper than the most carefully planned out grouping would have been. The tables had worn edges, but fit nicely with the other décor. In the corner stood a brass lamp reflected by an oak-framed mirror.

Zach took Eva’s arm and turned her around. “Over here to the left is the kitchen, and right down the hall is the bedroom.”

“You only have one bedroom?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry. I’m gonna let you have it. The couch opens up into a queen size bed, and I’ll be very comfortable there.”

Eva frowned, her teeth worrying her bottom lip, and nodded before she walked into the kitchen. She looked around, a lost look on her face. The kitchen was compact, efficient, and had a dishwasher, disposal, side-by-side refrigerator-freezer, and a glossy flooring of rich vinyl. It looked practically new because he seldom used it. She turned in a slow circle. “I have no idea what any of this is. If it’s a kitchen, it’s not like any kitchen I’ve ever seen. Where’s your woodpile?”

He took her hand and pulled her toward the stove. “We don’t need a woodpile, darlin’.” He reached out and turned the knob for the front burner.

Eva squeaked and jumped back when the flame ignited almost immediately. “You don’t need kindling and matches?”

“No, it burns gas. It’ll light like that every time you turn this knob.” He turned the burner off and watched her lean down closer to get a better look. “Come on. Let me show you the rest of the place.” He led her to the hall and moved down to the first door. “This is the bedroom.” The early afternoon sun slanted across the bedspread and from outside came the muffled sound of a lawn mower.

“That’s a mighty big bed. I’ve never seen one that size.”

Zach smiled and pointed to an open door. “Over here is the bathroom.”

* * * *

Eva glanced into the bathroom and smiled. She walked over to the white seat. “My mama told us about indoor privies. Papa Zeke once asked her what she missed the most from her time, and she said flushing toilets and something called thirty-one flavors.”

Zach threw back his head and laughed.

Eva grinned and then cleared her throat. “Could you show me how to use this thing? I really need to relieve myself.”

Blushing, Zach showed her what she needed to know and then left her alone, closing the door behind him. Eva kept glancing furtively at the door as she emptied her bladder. Giggling softly, she watched the water rush through the white bowl and then turned the shiny knobs at the sink that brought the water and washed her hands. “Man, I would’ve given anything to have this warm water pumped right into our kitchen. No more heating wash water on the stove.” Hesitating for a moment, she confronted herself in the large mirror, moving closer to analyze her reflection, until her breath beaded on the glass. “What are you gonna do now, girl?” she whispered. She reached down and gripped her locket, the gold warm against her palm. “Are you watching after me, Great-grandmother? Something brought me to these two men. I know I’m where I’m supposed to be, so show me how I can get the three of us together.” Taking a deep breath, she blinked back tears and then opened the door. Hearing Zach’s voice, she followed the sound.

She found him sitting on the couch, talking into a little brown box he held in his hand. Fascinated, she sank into a deep chair made out of some kind of smooth animal skin. Cocking her head, she listened to his conversation while she studied the room. A table near the window held several pots with some of the plants looking peaked, as if they’d suffered through a drought.

“I don’t know, Tony. She’s not even settled in here and you wanna move her. What are you trying to prove?” Zach asked.

She glanced around, looking for the young police officer, and turned back to watch Zach. A myriad of emotions raced across his face.
Somehow he’s talking to Tony on that little box, and they’re talking about me.
She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees.

Zach sighed heavily and glanced at Eva. “It has to be her choice, Tony. I’m not gonna force her to do anything.” He paused for a moment and rubbed two fingers between his eyes. “Hold on for a minute.” Zach held the small box at his side and stared at Eva. She couldn’t decipher the expression on his face. “Darlin’, Tony’s on the phone.”

She looked at the little box and caught her breath. “That’s a telephone? I’ve heard of them, but we didn’t have any in Hamilton.”