Texas Storm

  Texas Storm

  Texas Time Travel Series 3

  By

  Caroline Clemmons

  Copyright © 2018 by Caroline Clemmons

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  March 1943

  Long Beach, California

  Jeannie Luttrell looked at the repair order for the P-51 Mustang. “This says the oil line was leaking. No indication if it’s been repaired.”

  Fellow WASP Dolly Spiegel shrugged. “You know as well as I do that half the time the answer is no.”

  Lieutenant Carson motioned for Jeannie. “Come on, are you taking the San Antonio flight or do you expect an engraved invitation from Eleanor Roosevelt herself?”

  “I’m leaving, sir.”

  In spite of her civil tone of voice, Jeannie bristled at his smart aleck remark. First Lady Mrs. Roosevelt wrote a column in which she requested women be allowed to fly. Then, the higher ups in charge saw fit to allow the ferrying program using women as pilots.

  Those in charge insisted they’d had the idea months before the First Lady’s message. Jeannie made a face at the thought. Maybe they had thought of having women ferry pilots, but she didn’t believe them.

  Dolly tugged at Jeannie’s sleeve. “At least ask if the repair has been made.”

  Jeannie grabbed the tiny pouch of personal belongings she stashed in the planes she flew. “No point in wasting my breath. He won’t know or care. See you on the turn around.”

  Hours later, Jeannie fought to fly the P-51 Mustang through a violent storm. She radioed, “The storm’s growing in intensity by the second. Is there anywhere I can set down?”

  Her contact answered, “How close are you to San Antonio?”

  She checked the map taped to her coveralls’ right leg. “I’m an hour out.”

  “You tried climbing above the storm?”

  She wanted to yell that of course she’d tried. “That’s over the plane’s ceiling. I tried going under, but no luck.”

  “There’re no regulation airfields near. Keep fighting the storm and get to San Antonio PDQ.”

  “Wilco.”

  Since she’d been accepted to the WASP program, she’d flown most of the U.S. military planes many times but the Mustang was her favorite. She loved flying but right now she wished she were curled on her bunk with a good book. Thick clouds surrounded her and she couldn’t see the ground.

  When hail pelted the canopy, her spirits dropped further. Come on, you can do this. You’ve flown in storms many times. Keeping an eye on the gauges, especially the oil, she guided the Mustang toward her goal.

  Her heart pounded when the needle on the oil pressure gauge rapidly dropped and hit bottom. This answered the question of whether or not the leak had been repaired. The engine stopped and the plane went into a spiral descent.

  “Mayday! Mayday! Oil pressure dropped and engine is out.”

  She had never before had to bail out of a plane but she’d been schooled in the routine. Time stood still as Jeannie grabbed her personal kit and stuffed it inside her large men’s-sized coveralls the WASP called a zoot suit. Fear stole her breath and crushed her chest. She could do this, she knew the steps.

  Every second counted as the plane descended toward Earth. Last thing before she bailed, she checked the altitude gauge and saw she was now at eight thousand feet and plummeting. She opened the hatch, climbed up, and abandoned the failed plane.

  Free falling, she counted the seconds until she should open her parachute. Now the hail fell with her rather than at her. Watching hailstones accompany her created a surreal experience. Paralyzing tension didn’t keep her from observing Galileo was right—she and the ice stones were descending at the same speed.

  No longer did she know how far above the ground she was. Clouds engulfed her like cotton batting and she saw nothing else. Once terminal velocity was reached, her descent rate stopped increasing and she had the sensation of floating—but where?

  In spite of the fear that gripped her, she continued marking the seconds until she judged she’d reached the altitude to pull the cord. She had no idea if she faced up or down. Would she fall on top of the parachute or become tangled in the cords?

  The jolt of the chute opening hurt like everything. At the same time the pain reassured her even though she couldn’t see the canopy above her. Strong wind tossed her around like a piece of cork on a stormy sea.

  Occasionally a gust sent the ice pellets at her as it pushed her, but the sensation was riding a roller coaster through a cloud of bugs. Trembling, she gripped the chute’s risers with clammy hands until her knuckles were white. If only she could see the ground in time to brace for landing. Otherwise, she stood a high probability of being seriously injured.

  Unable to control the parachute, she kicked to turn so the storm would be at her back. Although she managed to turn temporarily, she spun back like a child on a tire swing. Better to shield her face with her hands in a way that allowed her to see the ground if she dropped below the storm.

  Horrifying images of all the things that could go wrong clicked through her mind. She prayed she would not be caught in an updraft that would take her up instead of down—her worst fear. Stories of that happening terrified her. Without oxygen, she would lose consciousness. Much over ten thousand feet and she would die of hypothermia.

  Close to panic, a break in the clouds offered a brief peek at the ground. She gave thanks for the glimpse of earth, and added thanks that she wasn’t over a lake or other hazardous landing point. She judged she was around three thousand feet from terra firma.

  Soon the clouds lifted and she descended beneath the storm but not the wind. At last she could see. The air was clean and she inhaled as if air-starved. Below her the world appeared a brown and green patchwork, beautiful and peaceful.

  Closer to earth, she had the sensation of the ground coming faster and faster. Ranchland and a dirt road lay below. She prayed she’d avoid barbed-wire fences, animals, trees, and other hazards. She kicked to propel herself while she braced to roll when she landed.

  She hit the dirt road with a whoosh and rolled to protect herself from a broken leg or ankle. A huge sigh of relief escaped her. She’d made it to the surface without dying or injury.

  “Ohhhhh….”

  The wind caught the canopy and dragged her into a ravine. She remembered her instructions and reached for the cutaway handle on her left shoulder strap. Before she could execute the release, and in spite of her leather helmet, her head hit a rock and the world went black.

  Chapter Two

  Caleb Knight sped toward the home of his aunt and uncle, cousins and their wives for the Sunday family dinner.

  “What the….” Up ahead an odd white mass lay hanging on both sides of the barbed-wire fence beside the road. He pulled over and parked his car to investigate.

  When he stopped, he saw what rippled in the breeze was a parachute. Not the new type, this appeared to be old-fashioned kind. An eerie sensation crawled along his spine.

  No, no, no, not another one.

  He hurried toward the figure at the bottom of the small ravine. “Hey, are you all right?”

  He bent over to check the person’s health. When he turned
the parachutist over, Caleb’s shock increased. Famous Texan Willie Nelson might wear braids, but this person with black pigtails was definitely female.

  After quickly releasing the chute, he lifted the woman’s head and shoulders. “Ma’am, can you talk to me?”

  Long eyelashes fluttered against ivory skin and she opened sky blue eyes. “Who are you? Where am I?”

  He was used to beautiful women but something about this rag tag looking female made him swallow hard. “You’re on the Knight-Terry Ranch and I’m Caleb Knight. Who are you and why are you here?

  “Bad storm… oil pressure…” she rubbed her forehead. “I had to bail out. After I landed, wind caught my chute and dragged me. I must have passed out.” She touched her helmet. “Ow, or hit my head. It’s pounding and there’s a sore spot.”

  “Are you able to stand?” He wondered why she had a map taped to one leg, but didn’t think this was the time to ask her.

  “Guess we’ll find out.” She let him help her to her feet but her knees must have buckled.

  Caleb caught her. With his support she could stand.

  He grasped her firmly. “Hold on while we go to my car.”

  Caleb guided her up the side of the ravine. Oh, man, he hated to get his new Jag’s interior dirty and she was less than tidy. He opened the car’s door for her.

  As if she’d sensed his reluctance, she unzipped her stained coveralls and stepped out of them. Underneath, she wore a uniform that appeared military—but not quite. She folded the coveralls and removed her helmet and placed it on top before she looked at him.

  “Should we put these in the trunk?”

  “Good idea. You want that parachute?” He took the coveralls and helmet from her and popped lid to store them.

  She stared as if he’d asked a stupid question. “Of course I want it. It can be folded and re-used. Besides, we can’t leave it littering the landscape.”

  True, his was a dumb question. He’d have had a devil of a time explaining if he’d asked one of the ranch hands to retrieve the chute.

  She started as if she intended to walk toward the ravine. Instead, she swayed and grabbed hold of the door for support.

  He steadied her. “I’ll get the parachute. You climb inside the car.” He waited until she was seated before he closed the door.

  Drat, he was wearing his best suit. He removed his jacket and laid it carefully on the back seat. Here he went traipsing up and down that ravine again.

  The drop wasn’t deep, maybe eight or nine feet, and the sides were sloped. Still, negotiating the sides was not easy while wearing new Italian loafers. He made it down all right but the opposite side was more difficult to climb.

  The darned parachute was stuck on the fence. He wrestled it from the barbed wire while avoiding snagging his trousers and shirt. There was no way he could neatly fold the thing so he gathered it into a giant ball.

  When he reached the car, he shoved the blasted chute into the trunk and closed the lid. He brushed at the dust on his trousers and shirt then emptied dirt from his shoes. Once he’d climbed inside the car, he realized she’d been watching him.

  “My, you’re very tidy.”

  Was that a prissy remark? “A habit. Goes well with my profession.” He started the car and drove toward the ranch house.

  “I see. What do you do?”

  “President of the Terry Springs bank, among other things. What kind of uniform is that?

  Her eyes widened. “Don’t you recognize I’m a WASP?”

  “A what?” He glanced at her.

  Her expression turned from prissy to miffed. “Surely you know about Women Airforce Service Pilots.”

  “Yeah, okay.” Better leave explanations until later to avoid repeating them.

  Caleb turned up the tree-lined drive to the ranch house. He’d always loved this drive which recalled fond memories of playing with his cousins. Today, the sense of peace eluded him, thanks to his passenger.

  She ran her hand across the dashboard. “What kind of car is this?”

  “Jaguar, top of the line.” Now why had he felt compelled to brag to her of all people?

  Next she caressed the leather seat. “I’ve seen very few Jaguars and none like this one.”

  “Latest model.”

  At the gate, he punched in the code, the gates opened, and he drove up to the house. He parked at the side, which was where he and Bart always parked.

  Anxiety tinged her eyes. “Where are we?”

  “This is my family’s home. Well, as much family as I have. They’re all nice and guaranteed not to bite.” He came around to help her into the house.

  Sally opened the house’s door. “Caleb, I thought I heard your car. Who have you brought with you today?”

  He was baffled because he’d forgotten to ask her name and could only stare at her.

  She smiled at Sally. “I’m Jeannie Luttrell. I’ve forgotten his name but this man rescued me from a ditch where my parachute had dragged me.”

  Sally’s eyes grew wide as saucers. She glanced at him and he offered her a resigned nod.

  Sally held the door wide. “Won’t you come inside? You’re just in time for dinner.”

  Jeannie halted. “Oh, I don’t want to impose. Perhaps I can borrow your phone to contact an airfield.”

  Sally ushered her, bypassing the kitchen for the hall. “I’m sure a few more minutes won’t hurt and you need to eat. Everything’s ready.”

  “Is there a powder room I can use?”

  Sally opened a door. “Right in here. Shall I take your package?”

  Jeannie hesitated. “I suspect I should use the brush and comb it includes.”

  “Make yourself at home, dear. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be putting food on the table.” She closed the door.

  Jeannie heard her say, “Ellie, Caleb rescued a young woman from the ravine. Would you wait here and show her where the dining room is located?”

  Chapter Three

  Jeannie relieved herself then washed her face and hands. Wouldn’t a shower be great? After undoing her braids she brushed her hair.

  She started to put her locks in the snood she carried, but decided to let it hang loose. She applied lipstick and gave herself a last inspection. At least she was more presentable.

  When she opened the door, she was surprised to find a beautiful blond woman waiting for her.

  “Hi, I’m Ellie Knight. Welcome to the Knight family’s Sunday dinner.”

  Jeannie stared at the other woman’s clothes and shoes. “Your heels, Ellie. The government specified no heels over an inch-and-a-half and yours must be twice that.” My word, what was wrong with her? She shouldn’t insult the people she was dining with.

  Ellie didn’t appear angry as she held up her beautifully shod foot. “Five inches but don’t worry.” She smiled and linked her arm with Jeannie’s. “Let’s eat, shall we?”

  “Please accept my apology for fussing at you. I don’t know what came over me. I know I’m intruding but I am hungry.”

  “No problem. You’ve come to the right place for food. Sally is the best cook you’ll ever meet.” Ellie gestured to the chair beside the man who’d rescued her. What was his name?

  Jeannie smiled at the other people around the table. The four men were plenty rugged and strongly resembled one another except that one was clearly the father. The other three looked to be a few years either way of thirty and handsome as any she’d ever seen with dark hair and blue eyes. One wore a lawman’s uniform and his badge said Sheriff.

  Sally appeared in her forties, so she must be their stepmother. She had dark hair and brown eyes and her face showed she smiled often. In addition to Ellie, the other woman had dark red hair, green eyes, and looked about ready to deliver her baby.

  Sally said, “Caleb, your turn to say grace then we’ll have introductions.”

  That was the name of the guy who’d stopped to help her. His voice was clear and deep and the prayer brief. “Amen.”

 
The redhead smiled. “I’m Penny Knight and this is my husband Jake. The dog lurking by my husband is Rascal, who’s hoping Jake slips him some food. As you can see, Jake and I are soon to be the parents of twin elephants judging by my size and the baby’s kicking.”

  Jeannie couldn’t help laughing. “I’ll alert Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.”

  Ellie ran her hand up the arm of the man in uniform. “This handsome man is my husband, Sheriff Bart Knight. Across from me is my wonderful father in law Howard Knight, who is Jake and Bart’s dad and Caleb’s uncle and, best of all, Sally’s husband.”

  Howard smiled at his wife. “Sure is best of all, although I’m proud of these three boys, too.”

  Jeannie met the eyes of each man. “I’m pleased to meet each of you.”

  Jake grinned at his father. “We’re hardly boys, Dad.”

  His father sobered. “You are to me. Reckon you always will be. Now, I’m half starved so let’s get the food going around.” He picked up what looked and smelled like spinach casserole and passed it.

  Jeannie agreed the food was the best she’d eaten but she was more impressed with the camaraderie of the others. In spite of joking and poking fun, these people loved one another. This was the type family she’d always yearned for.

  No chance of that ever happening, was there?

  When the meal was over, she helped clear the table then clean the kitchen.

  She stacked plates on the counter. “Sally, that was the best meal I’ve ever eaten. Did you prepare all the food?”

  “I love to cook but Penny and Ellie helped.”

  Penny waddled over carrying glasses. “Don’t let her fool you. She insists on doing everything but setting and clearing the table.”

  Sally took the glasses from Penny. “I told you not to help. Now, go into the family room and prop up your feet. We’ll be in there in a few minutes. Jeannie, why don’t you go ahead with Penny?”

  “I really should alert an airfield. They’ll be out looking for me and the plane.”

  Penny grabbed her stomach. “Jeannie, I wonder if you’d help me to the family room. I’m suddenly not too steady on my feet.”