Time Will Tell (Timeless Series) (15 page)

The next part of Clark’s plans included using the Paris
Mutuel machine, invented by a Frenchman, which calculated the bets. The total amount bet on any one race would be divided between all of the winners of that race, minus the five percent the house would take for their services, ensuring profitability. The machines were currently being used in France, and had been for a couple of years. The process worked. Clark was very excited when he ended his speech with, “My friends, this is our opportunity to bring Kentucky back into horse racing.”

There was silence in the room before the questions started flying and were promptly answered. By the time the meeting was over, the men had come to an agreement. The Articles of Incorporation were adopted for the new Louisville Jockey Club and Driving Park Association. Three hundred and twenty men pledged one hundred dollars each for work to begin on the new grandstand and stables to be finished by May, in time for the 1875 spring meet.

Though still a gamble, Colin pledged his and Gus’s money before walking the few blocks to retrieve his horse. He rode down Third Street toward the outskirts of town, intending to check out the track. Weaving in and out of passersby, horse-drawn wagons, and men on horseback, Colin was surprised to find the road so crowded well after six o’clock on this Monday evening. The sun was no longer high, but dusk wouldn’t come for a couple of hours.

Near the edge of town, walkers and riders still filled the promenade, but as he continued riding, the crowds started thinning. By the time he reached his destination, three miles south of the city limits, Colin was totally alone. The only sound, other than his horse
’s hooves hitting the dirt, was that of bees buzzing or birds chirping. It was peaceful and quiet.

Colin dismounted and walked around, noticing at once what his friend had seen—a perfect spot for Louisville’s premier racetrack. Though a ways from town, Colin could see this area surrounded by houses and activity in no time. Louisville had been slowly stretching its boundaries since its beginnings in the late 1700s.

Having achieved his goal, Colin quickly mounted his horse and headed back the way he’d come. By the time he reached Main Street, the city’s gaslights were being lit.

He dropped his horse off at the livery and settled his account. While walking back to the hotel, he ran into several friends. One in particular, Ian Stevens, invited him to dinner at the hotel. An hour later he finished eating and departed the restaurant. Energy still consumed him. Colin wasn’t ready to turn in yet. When he pushed the heavy door to go out, he almost ran into Emily Jones.

A smile lit Emily’s face as recognition set in. “Why, I thought you might be in town tonight.” Then the smile slowly faded. “I’m surprised you didn’t call.”

Colin caught the hurt look in her eyes before she quickly lowered her gaze.

Damn, this was getting complicated. “Emily, I’m sorry,” he said, feeling torn. “I did mean to call, but my business ran later than I expected. Time got ahead of me. I was just out for a bit of air—a night stroll.” He offered a bent elbow. “Would you care to join me?”

Emily nodded. “A stroll sounds lovely.” She placed her hand on his arm.

Together, they walked out into the street. Despite the fact that the time was nearing ten o’clock, there were many out and about, also enjoying the pleasant evening.

They’d gone half a block when Emily said, “How was your meeting?”

“It went well.” Colin smiled. “We actually set the gears in motion.”

“People are talking about nothing else. There is so much speculation.”

Colin chuckled. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I’m optimistic. Time will tell.”

Small talk went back and forth for a few minutes, eventually lapsing into silence.

Colin wondered how he could gracefully decline the invitation he knew she would be issuing for a late dinner as she sometimes did. He had too many pressing issues on his mind to deal with hurting her feelings. It seemed callous and cruel, but it was how he felt. He knew his not calling on her had also hurt her feelings, because he could still see sadness in her eyes when he happened to gaze into them.

After being so careful, he couldn’t believe he’d done what he
’d sworn never to do. Hurt her. He didn’t want to hurt anyone, especially someone he cared about. He cared about Emily, but he didn’t love her. Suddenly, he felt in the exact position he’d been in when he was married. No matter what he did, his actions hurt his wife. Now the past was repeating itself.

Looking at Emily now, her gaze shielded by the corner of her hat, he sighed.

“You seem distracted,” she said in a quiet voice. “I hope you’re not merely being polite.” She paused, momentarily watching him. Then her invitation came tumbling out quickly. “Would you like to have a late dinner? I’d love the company.”

The hope in her voice tugged at Colin, tearing his insides. It seemed he could hurt her a little now by being honest. Or be dishonest and carry on the lie, which would probably hurt her more later on. Thinking about it for a moment, he finally opted for honesty, mainly because he wasn’t in the mood to placate a woman who shouldn’t need to be placated.

“I’d love nothing more, but I have a lot on my mind. I don’t think I’d be good company,” he said in a gentle voice. “That’s the main reason I didn’t call. I know you were expecting it, and I am sorry.”

“I don’t believe you wouldn’t be good company,” Emily countered hopefully. “You always are, no matter what. Besides, maybe I can help.”

He shook his head. “Not tonight.” He stopped and looked down at her. When she raised her head so that he could hold her gaze, he smiled wanly. “Were you at the Galt House for a reason? Are you going back? If so, I’ll escort you there.”

She blinked back tears and shook her head. Her voice was just above a whisper when she spoke. “No, I only went there to see if I might bump into you. I guess I am the one who should be sorry.”

Noticing the tears, Colin felt as low as the dirt under his feet. Still, he’d wanted no entanglements and he couldn’t relent. That would be too cruel in the end. “There’s no need for you to apologize. Come, I’ll escort you home.”

They started in the direction of her house. When they reached her porch, Colin stopped. He turned to her and said in
a solemn voice filled with sadness, “I believe you are starting to want something I can’t give.”

“That’s not true, Colin.”

He winced at the desperation in her voice. He was silent for several minutes. Finally, he met her gaze so she could see the truth in his eyes. “We’ve always dealt with each other honestly. And you know where I stand. Where I’ve always stood on marriage. I’m not going to change my mind. I don’t want another wife, especially one from the city who’s afraid of horses. My God. I could never make that mistake again. Think about it. You’re a city girl. You’ve lived in the city your entire life. My farm is my first love and I have three children to think of, leaving me time for little else. After this racetrack settles, I’ll have even less time.”

“But Colin, I love you. I would love being with you anywhere.”

“That’s not good enough,” he said in a resigned voice, shaking his head. “That may work for a little while, but what about after that? I can’t handle being the cause of another woman’s unhappiness. You are too much like my wife. I see too many similarities.”

“Then let’s continue as before,” she said a little too quickly. “I’ll ask nothing of you.”

“No, it will never be as before and you know it.” His tone gentled. “You need to find someone to share your life with. I know you say you don’t want it, but your actions prove otherwise. I care about you, Emily, but not enough to marry you. I’m sorry. I think it’s best if we didn’t see each other anymore. In time, you’ll see I was right.” With those words he turned to go.

Colin’s walk back to the hotel took only a matter of minutes. The entire time his thoughts had been on Emily and the relief he felt in speaking his mind. During their last few times together, he sensed she was beginning to see much more in him than he did in her. As he pushed his way through the entrance to his hotel, one truth hit him between the eyes. He doubted he’d ever find a suitable mate, so he should just quit trying.

Libby hurried along the trail to the big house, having found Berta’s suggestion of a bath in the creek a perfect opportunity to snoop for the deed to Colin’s land. Gus was still at the stables, staying later to work out a guard detail. Nathan was busy with chores.

According to Berta, two older nannies, Minnie and Maiz
ie, were prone to eat in their room and turn in early when Colin wasn’t in residence. Approaching the house, Libby spent a moment looking around, praying the two women weren’t in the parlor.

Everything appeared quiet. Even the insects hadn’t begun to chirp yet. With fingers crossed that the coast would stay clear, she sneaked up the porch steps. She eased the door open and listened. Her heart pounded so loud, she was sure the noise would alert either one of the nannies or another servant. She inhaled deeply, using the technique to calm her nerves. When nothing happened for the longest time, she slipped inside. Afraid to move too quickly, she edged her way along the wall, listening for any noise other than her rapid heartbeat that still hadn’t slowed to normal.

A door opening sounded above and Libby stopped short, her heart in her throat. The pounding inside her chest grew louder as someone on the second floor walked in her direction. Another door opened and total silence followed. Libby stood watching the staircase for the longest time, then quickly ventured toward the study door and slipped inside.

Taking several deep breaths to still her rapid heartbeat, she shook her hands and rolled her shoulders. Being a thief required the kind of gall Libby didn’t think she had. But now that she was here, she had no time to waste questioning her sanity and moved quietly across the room. The large dark wood desk suited a man like Colin, she thought, sitting in his oversized chair and methodically opening the side drawers one by one. It didn’t take much searching to spot a locked strongbox. Figuring the deed was probably
inside, Libby continued looking for a key.

At the sound of a thump, she froze with her hand on the locked box on top of the desk. Her gaze flew to the door. When all was silent for an extended moment, she let out the breath she’d been holding and picked up a letter opener to jimmy the lock.

The lock clicked open. Her glee-filled grin broke free, and she couldn’t contain the triumphant excitement running through her. Nestled inside with other documents, Libby found the deed, which she quickly grabbed and stuck inside her shirt. She jiggled the makeshift key to relock the box, put everything back the way she’d found it, and hurried out of the house the way she’d come. Staying near the bushes, she made her way toward the twin oak trees to wish herself home. Hopefully, she’d be able to make notarized copies and then return to replace the deed before anyone knew it was missing. Only then would her task be complete. The thought of being nestled in her own bed in her own century tonight had her rushing.

At the base of one of the trees, she stood and glanced up into its monstrous fully-leaved branches. Closing her eyes, she wished to go home.

Nothing happened. Looking at the trees, she tamped down the rising trepidation and said more forcefully than was necessary, “Come on. You’re supposed to be wishing trees and I’m wishing to go home.” Maybe she wasn’t wishing hard enough. Giving it another try, she closed her eyes and wished with all her might. When that didn’t work she did it again. Several times.

What was wrong? Why wasn’t she going home? The thought of being stuck here sent another streak of fear down her spine. Yet, no matter how much she wished, it did no good. She definitely wasn’t going anywhere tonight. Finally, her shoulders rounded in defeat and she slowly headed back to
the smaller house, beyond the big one. There had to be a reason she couldn’t go home. Nothing would let her believe she was stuck in the wrong century. She’d try again later. In the meantime she’d keep the deed hidden and pray no one would realize it was missing.

As usual
, the scents coming from the kitchen were strong enough to make Libby’s mouth water. Only tonight, eating was the last thing on her mind.

Gus joined them a minute later and bowed his head to say grace.

Dinner was another boisterous affair that Libby usually enjoyed when the Gundersons shared the events of their day. She tried to stay focused on the conversation rather than on her failure at the trees.

“Minnie and Maizie certainly have their hands full with those poor angels,” Berta said, warming to one of her favorite topics, Colin’s
three motherless children. “Yesterday Sam had turned the parlor into a stable and had Melanie acting like a horse he was training. Where that child gets his imagination, Lord only knows. Soon, he had both women playing in the game.”

Libby did the math in her head. The boy Berta mentioned must be the future Sam’s grandfather. She wondered what he looked like.

“Sam’s interest in horses is inherited.” Gus reached for the platter going around the table. He probably had his father’s and grandson’s blue eyes, Libby thought as he added, “Colin will train him properly.”

Berta clucked. “He’s only five, much too young to lose his mother.”

In Libby’s book, fourteen was too young too. “That’s sad,” she said, feeling a strange sort of kinship with kids she’d never met.

“Now
, Berta, you know Minnie and Maizie love those kids—more than their own mother ever did, if you ask me.”

Libby would have liked to learn more about Colin’s children and was disappointed when the conversation turned to other topics. Since it didn’t seem fitting for a boy to be too interested, she let her mind drift back to her time travel problem as Gus shared his day with Berta, even encouraging Nathan and his sister, Sarah, to share their experiences.

“Libby can certainly ride. Zeus and Fortuna beat their records today,” Gus said, pulling her interest back to the conversation. “Colin and I have found our jockey.”

Humbled at the genuine praise in his voice, Libby prayed her warm face wasn’t beet red. Having spent so much of her life vying for her father’s approval, she couldn’t stop the smile forming.
Gus’s expression said it all. So did Berta’s. More happiness welled up inside her. They appreciated her skills. She ignored the slight twinge of discomfort resting on her conscience over the thought of never seeing them again once she finished her mission. Would they miss her?

As Nathan talked about finding tadpoles, Libby wished for a family like this one. Being an only child, she’d never enjoyed dinners like this with her father. When the two of them had dinner together the conversation was usually stilted
, because Libby felt as if she’d somehow disappointed her father.

That led to other conflicting thoughts, like those of Dave. She hadn’t thought of him in a
while. Could they have something similar ten years down the road? Somehow it didn’t seem possible. Dave never relaxed enough to enjoy simple things like discussing the day’s events. Her fiancé didn’t usually talk openly about anything. Maybe she could draw him out and get him to open up to her—to show his inner self, as Gus was doing to Berta? The idea intrigued her. Maybe that was the reason she hadn’t been able to go home yet. She needed to learn something here in the past in order to have her wish answered in the future.

That seemed reasonable. What could it hurt to spend more time here in the past to figure it all out? Besides, she’d be training thoroughbreds and also be able to work with Nathan.

“What do you think about letting Nathan help with the yearlings?” she said, leveling her gaze on Gus. “I’ll take responsibility for him.” She’d use the lessons to let the boy in on the fact that their time together was limited.
It was the least she could do before visiting the trees tomorrow night.

The thought of leaving shouldn’t disturb her, but it did.

~

The next morning,
Gus pushed away from the table and stood. He bent to kiss Berta, then glanced at Libby. “Best get a move on. We have much to do today.”

Libby waved good
-bye to Berta and Nathan and followed Gus out the door.

They trained at the track until the heat of midday started to affect the horses. From there they moved to the stables.

“What do you think?” Gus looked askance at her after stopping at a stall holding a pregnant mare.

Clearing her throat, she realized he wanted her opinion on the mare’s condition. Sure, she’d been around pregnant horses before and even helped when Pride was born, but her experiences were limited. Bev had been the expert in dealing with foaling mares.

Besides, Gus had known her for less than a week. As Colin had said, he was overly protective of these thoroughbreds, as well he should be. The farm’s future rode on the foals these mares produced. His faith in her added to the sense of belonging she’d felt last night.

A similar sense of sadness tugged on her heartstrings as she eased closer and rubbed the mare’s neck in an attempt to introduce herself. This would be the last morning to be around these beautiful animals.

The horse nickered and took a few steps back. “Easy, Electra.” Using the name Gus had provided, Libby kept her tone soothing and continued stroking. “I just need to check you out. It will only take a minute and you won’t even feel it.” Her examination was quick. “She’s ready to foal.” The udders were enlarged and a waxy substance appeared on the edge of her teats.

Approval evident in both his eyes and his smile, Gus nodded. “We’ll keep a closer eye on her today.” While he continued watching Libby’s progress, she examined the others. None were as far along as Electra.

Gus led her out of the stable and up to the paddock gate. Inside the fence, three yearlings grazed. “I need to check on the stallions.” He took off his hat and wiped at his brow with his shirt sleeve. “With so many mares in heat, I can’t ignore them any longer.”

“What do you do? Just put them together and let the process begin,” Libby asked, interested in the differences in mating throughout the centuries.

“
Ja
, basically. Thorpe’s farm uses a process called teasing, which is safer for the two animals involved, but it takes longer and is more work. We put the animals in a separate, specially built corral that keeps the animals from getting hurt,” he replied. “A stallion can be overly aggressive and unmanageable when picking up the scent of a mare in estrus.” Gus stuck his hat back on his head and grunted. “Sometimes it’s downright violent, especially if a mare isn’t ready.” He spent a little time telling her about the process. The mare and stallion would be separated in a corral with a divided partition. If the mare exhibited signs—adopting the position and moving her tail to the side—she was ready, which made his job easier. If she bared her teeth or tried to kick and bite the stallion through the fence, she still had a day or so to go, which could be dangerous.

Libby knew all about how dangerous the situation could be. In her own time
, most farms used artificial insemination to avoid injuring either horse.

“I love it when it’s over, because that is where it all begins,” Gus said, grinning. “The prospect of a new colt or filly next year makes all the work worthwhile.” He broke off for a moment,
then nodded at the yearlings. “Now might be a good time to work with Nathan.” When her gaze turned questioning, Gus shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I don’t trust the stallions. Maybe next year, when you’ve grown a bit.” He started for the gate. “Nathan’s just finishing his chores and should be here shortly.”

Eventually Nathan joined her. While showing him how to clip the horse’s hair to create a bridle path behind the yearling’s ears, she broached the subject of her leaving. “You know, Nathan, I can’t stay here forever.”

Nathan, laughing only seconds ago over the frisky horse’s playfulness, frowned. The expression in his blue eyes added to his woeful expression. “Why? I thought you liked it here.”

“I do. But I need to go home at some point. When I do, just remember you’ll always be close to me, in my heart.”

“I understand.” Nathan nodded. “Ma says I have to look for the silver lining in sad news.” He remained silent, clearly thinking. Then his face brightened with a smile. “Pa is letting me work with the horses and he never did before you came.”

The lump in Libby’s throat grew larger and she smiled back, meeting the boy’s earnest gaze. If ever she had a child, she’d want him or her to be just like Nathan.

The horse’s neighing interrupted the moment and soon both were too engrossed in training yearlings to worry about her leaving.

~

Colin’s first stop that morning had been the blacksmith shop, where he’d ordered much-needed tack to be delivered within the week. Next, he’d dealt with ordering feed and other necessities. Scuttlebutt about the new track and the newly formed Louisville Jockey Club and Driving Park Association had abounded everywhere he turned. The air had all but snapped with energy and excitement.

With his errands finally out of the way, he headed to the train station. The eastbound train to Shelbyville pulled into the station. He quickly boarded, took a seat
, and peered out the window. Colin couldn’t wait to see the finished racetrack. Hopefully his horses would be ready to run in the next spring meet.

His thoughts shifted to the boy
, and for the hundredth time he wondered what he’d seen out by the oak trees. Had Libby really disappeared then reappeared? Or had his eyes played tricks on him?