Texas Rainbow Read online

  His brother sent him a piercing stare. “It’s a nice place and sure to make money. Seems kind of sudden, though.”

  He shrugged. “Not really. Frankly, I was thinking about moving out before Penny arrived. Now that you’re married, I feel like a third wheel living here with you two lovebirds.”

  Jake frowned and laid a hand on Bart’s shoulder. “Hey, have we done or said anything to give the impression you’re not wanted?”

  Bart sent him a grin. “Naw, neither of you acts as if this is anything but my home. Jake, I’m twenty-eight and it’s time I moved out on my own. For one thing, being in town would be a heck of a lot more convenient to the office.”

  Jake didn’t appear convinced. “If that’s all it is, then I won’t try to stop you. We’ve always lived here together except for the years we were at university. Even then, we roomed together a couple of those years.”

  “Now you have a permanent roommate and I’m happy for you. You don’t need me hanging around.”

  “Bart, you’ve always been my best friend and you’re my closest family. Sure will miss having you here.”

  “You’re still my best friend.” Bart clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Not like I’m moving to the next state. I’ll be here often. Can’t get along without Sally’s cooking for long.”

  Sally snapped a cuptowel at his arm. “You’d better not or you’ll have to answer to me.”

  “Oh, and this abuse is another reason I need to move out.” He leaned over to kiss Sally’s cheek. “Keep our newcomer here, Gorgeous, and I’ll see you later this evening. That is, if this weather doesn’t lead to trouble.”

  At the end of the ranch’s drive, Bart glanced to the right in the direction of the ravine but he turned left toward town. He couldn’t shut from his mind the place he’d found Ellie. Goose bumps crawled up his arms.

  What was special about that particular spot on this ranch? Was it surreal? What could he do to make sure no one else wandered into the wrong era?

  They’d successfully passed Penny off as Sally’s second cousin. How were they going to explain Eleanore St. Eaves? Sally could only have so many cousins.

  On his way to his office, he detoured by the apartment complex he was buying. The units had only recently been constructed and were already ninety-five percent occupied. He’d reserved for himself one of the three furnished ones that had been models, though he intended to gradually redo the décor and replace the furnishings with his own.

  Maybe he should save one for Ellie. He wouldn’t mind having a gorgeous woman like her for a next-door neighbor. From the flirty looks she’d sent his way, she wouldn’t mind either.

  Aw, he was fooling himself. No matter how attractive or willing Ellie was, he couldn’t tangle with a woman who’d been tossed into an unknown era. She deserved his protection.

  Plus, if he wasn’t mistaken, a hot blond named Miss Eleanore St. Eaves spelled trouble with a capital T.

  Chapter Four

  Ellie strolled around the master bedroom. Although it wasn’t as ritzy as her home, the room was large and tastefully decorated in green and burgundy with pale gray walls. “Have you redone this room since you married?”

  “No, I like it as it is.” Penny selected clothes from her closet and laid them on the bed.

  “It’s a gorgeous room but it looks kind of masculine. Don’t you want to add some feminine touches?”

  “Eventually I might but I don’t have time right now. Plus, I hate shopping.” She turned toward Ellie. “Why not see if any of these appeal to you and if you can wear them.”

  Ellie look through the pile Penny had collected for her. “It’s swell of you to do this for me.”

  Ellie tried on a pair of pants like Sally wore. They were really comfortable but thick instead of flowing like the ones she owned. “I have slacks but they’re nothing like this.”

  Penny cocked her head to one side as she assessed Ellie. “Those are blue jeans and are very popular with women of all ages. Try on one of the blouses.”

  Ellie tried on clothes for the next hour. She and Penny were about the same size and the clothes fit. They were all pretty things she’d enjoy.

  “If you loan me all these won’t you be short of things to wear?”

  “I don’t think so. When I was new here Sally took me shopping and insisted I buy enough for several women. She’s always bringing in something new for me. I mostly wear the same few things that are Jake’s favorites.”

  Ellie’s arms were loaded. “I love clothes and I love shopping. I never get tired of looking for new things.”

  Penny picked up the rest of the garments. “I’ll help you carry these to your room. I’d love to see what you brought in your suitcases.”

  “Thank goodness I have my favorites with me. I also have most of my jewelry. I suppose I could sell it to get money for living expenses.”

  “Please don’t even think about doing anything like that yet. Stay with us until you get your bearings.”

  Ellie laid down her pile of things and opened her suitcases to display the clothes she had brought. The faint scent of her perfume drifted from the open case. She picked up her favorite garment.

  “This was my maid of honor dress. I love the color, don’t you?” She held the gown to her and twirled around. Beads on the pale pink crepe sparkled as she moved.

  Penny touched the dress tentatively. “This is the most gorgeous fabric I’ve ever seen. Hundreds of hours must have gone into sewing on the beads in this intricate pattern. I’ll bet you looked wonderful wearing it in the wedding.”

  Ellie looked at the dress in the mirror. She had never thought about how long it took to create her clothing. She couldn’t even count the rows much less the number of the crystal beads.

  “I’ve only cared whether or not a dress was pretty and whether the garment would look good on me. I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve been oblivious to the work that went into my clothing.”

  “Don’t be. I sewed, you see, before I came here and that makes me think about the construction of a garment.” She held up a pair of black slacks. “These are wonderful. Look how the legs flare and the material drapes beautifully. Do you know the name of this kind of fabric?”

  “That’s shantung and very comfortable. I have a lot of pairs at home. That is, I had a lot. If I can’t go back, who knows what happened to them?”

  Penny held up a long dress in pale ivory. “This is exquisite even though a little daring for me. The way the material drapes is heavenly. What is this fabric?”

  “Satin charmeuse. You should try on the dress. I mean, if you wish. You can’t wear a bra with it, of course. It flows around you like a second skin. You have to be careful how you move or your bubs show.”

  “Oh, it’s gorgeous but don’t tempt me.” Penny hooked the gown on a hanger and hung it in the closet.

  Penny took Ellie’s hand and led her to a chair while she sat nearby at the end of the bed. “I know this is hard for you. At least I’m in my own home.” She explained how she came to be in this house.

  “That’s an amazing story. So, you were able to reclaim all your things.”

  “For several weeks it looked as if I wouldn’t get to stay here and had lost everything I ever owned.”

  “But now you’re happily married and this is still your home. I think that’s wonderful.” In spite of trying to be positive, tears filled her eyes. What was going to happen to her now?

  Penny squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, Ellie. I know you’re frightened, but things will work out.”

  Ellie wiped at her eyes. “I hope I find a place where I can belong. I mean, if going back to that ravine doesn’t work.”

  “We’d better get these things hung and the bed cleared so you have room to sleep tonight.”

  Ellie stood and cocked her hand on a hip. “Won’t your housekeeper do that?”

  Penny shook her head. “She’s not that kind of housekeeper. Each person in the household has to pitch in.”

&n
bsp; “What kind of housekeeper is she if she doesn’t keep house?”

  “Sally mainly cooks and does laundry for her and for Bart. She’s been like a mother to Bart and Jake. We’re trying to find a part-time cleaning woman but haven’t found the right person yet.”

  “I see.” Ellie didn’t really understand but she transferred several hangers holding clothing to the closet. “You know, I really don’t know how to do anything for myself except shop.”

  “You appear to be an intelligent person. I’m sure you’ll become self-sufficient in no time.”

  Ellie dropped onto a chair because her legs wouldn’t support her. Worry clawed at her insides. How could she be independent with no money?

  “I don’t know. I’m feeling pretty useless and lousy now.”

  “You’ve had a terrible shock today. Don’t burden yourself with worry. Trust me that things will work out for you.”

  She shook her head, despair weighing heavily on her shoulders. “I wish I could be as positive.”

  “Tomorrow, I’ll show you the office equipment and teach you a few things about the computer.”

  Lessons? Ellie brightened. With help she might be able to survive. “You seem hep to modern things. How long did it take you to catch up? I mean, if going back to the ravine doesn’t work.”

  “Much more time than it will take you. For instance, I’d never seen anything electric, an automobile, or an indoor bathroom—or a lot of other things familiar to you. For now, why don’t I let you get to bed? The bathroom is next door. Do you need me to set the electric alarm clock?”

  “I have a travel alarm with me.”

  Penny smiled. “I’ll knock on your door in the morning at six to wake you in time for breakfast. It’s our largest meal of the day. Goodnight.”

  “Thanks for your help. I-I’ll see you in the morning.” Ellie wanted to beg Penny not to leave her, but restrained herself. After all, she was a grown woman not a child. She shouldn’t need a babysitter.

  Ellie readied for bed. Although she was incredibly exhausted, she was certain she wouldn’t sleep a wink for worrying. She wished she could ask her grandmother where the rainbow was in this situation.

  How could she rest when so much about her life was in turmoil? Thank goodness she had kept the sleeping pills that had been prescribed when she learned Bobby had been killed.

  Chapter Five

  An annoying ringing woke Ellie until she turned off her alarm. She had the slight hangover her sleeping pills gave her. Dawn hadn’t broken but she heard noises in the house. She checked her little clock—ugh, half past five. What an uncivilized time to rise. Though she would have preferred remaining where she was and pulling the covers over her head, she climbed out of bed.

  For the day, she chose deep blue slacks and a matching soft top from the clothes Penny had loaned her. Since she was staying in, she wrapped a blue paisley silk scarf around her head and tied it in back. With her rat-tail comb, she pulled a few strands of hair from under the scarf so her blond curls showed favorably.

  Through bizarre circumstances, she was a guest here. The Knights had been kind to her and she didn’t want to repay them with tardiness. She thought again of how frightening this situation must have been to Penny. Heavens, even with Penny’s assistance, Ellie was terrified and struggled to comprehend what had happened.

  Penny rapped lightly. “Ellie, time to go down for breakfast.”

  Fighting her fear, Ellie pasted a smile on her lips and opened the bedroom door. “I’m hungry even though we had those huge sandwiches last evening.”

  Bart walked behind them. “I’m always hungry. Sally’s a great cook.”

  Penny looked over her shoulder at Bart. “Jake said you’re definitely buying that apartment complex. I sure hate that you’re moving to town.”

  “More convenient to the office. Besides, I’ll be back here often.”

  They took their seats around the table.

  Sally said, “Jake, your turn to give the blessing.”

  His strong voice was pleasant to hear. He kept the blessing short.

  Bart inhaled over the meat platter and grinned. “That bacon called to me from upstairs.”

  Penny wrinkled her nose. “Sleepyhead. Jake and I have already had our morning ride.”

  Her husband’s grin mimicked his brother’s. “Someone ‘let’ me groom her horse today so she could hurry back and clean up for our company.”

  Ellie enjoyed the banter among the Knight family. She supposed that included Sally from the way the woman was treated. In spite of herself, she couldn’t help envying the camaraderie she saw and the obvious love they shared.

  After the meal, Penny helped clear the table so Ellie picked up a few dishes too. Before today, she’d never done so much as carry a glass to the sink.

  Sally made a shooing motion. “You two go ahead and do whatever you need to. Won’t take me a minute to load the dishwasher.”

  Penny hugged Sally. “Thanks. I’m going to give Ellie a mini-workshop.” She turned to Ellie. “Come back to the study with me and I’ll show you the computer.”

  Ellie said, “Thank you, Sally.” Then, she followed Penny.

  In the hallway, Penny glanced at her. “I don’t expect you to learn to use these quickly but at least you’ll know what things look like. There are all kinds of electronics now that you’ll get used to having.”

  Penny pulled a small object from her pocket. “The first thing is the cell phone.”

  Ellie gaped. “That’s a telephone? Where’re the cord and the receiver? How does it work?”

  “Wait until we’re in the study and I’ll explain everything I can. I’m still learning, so I can’t get technical.”

  When Penny had given Ellie a tour of the office equipment and demonstrated the computer and cell phone, Ellie held a hand to her head. “My brain feels like I’m zozzled but I haven’t had a drop of hooch.”

  Penny laughed and handed her a book. “Why don’t you look through this timeline of the twentieth century? That’ll get you within eighteen years of now.”

  Ellie took the book, which was an illustrated United States history. She started at the page Penny had opened for her, which was 1920. Turning the pages, overwhelming sadness claimed her.

  She sniffed when she saw photos of people dancing in a speakeasy. They appeared so carefree and happy. That had been her until now.

  Except she hadn’t usually been all that happy, had she? What she had been was good at hiding her feelings. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Why couldn’t she hide them now?

  Penny handed her a box. “These are facial tissues. You use them like a handkerchief except you toss them in the trash bin when you’ve used them.”

  “Thank you.” She wiped at her eyes and blew her nose. “I don’t mean to be such a Debbie Downer. Never mind me, I’ll just keep reading.”

  Penny went back to work at the computer. The clacking of her fingers on the keys produced a steady rhythm. She looked as if she were typing on a typewriter but there was no paper and no body for the machine. Occasionally, she made notes on a stack of papers at the side of her typing keys, so not everything nowadays was done mechanically.

  Having Penny nearby soothed Ellie. What had happened to her was terrible, but her hostess understood. How horrid this must have been for Penny without a kindred soul.

  She reached 1929 and gasped. “I would have lost some of my money when the stock market crashed. How terrible for investors.”

  Ellie met Penny’s gaze. “I wonder how much of my money would have lasted through the stock market crash. The question is moot now unless going back to that ravine works.”

  Penny’s expression was filled with sadness. “Don’t pin your hopes on the ravine reversing your time travel. I’m afraid you’re in for many upsetting events, Ellie. Still, you’re better off knowing what’s happened so you’re up to date no matter how hard learning them is.”

  “I know you’re right. I’ll keep going.” She dreaded turning th
e pages.

  At least this photographic history meant she could cover the years quickly. She was appalled at the Depression and the Dust Bowl. The tales of mass poverty surprised and crushed her.

  Would she have been one of those on the soup line? She didn’t think so as her funds were widely diversified. Some of her friends might not have been as lucky, though.

  She hoped Mattie and Freddie were all right. Although they wouldn’t still be alive, she’d bet their descendants were. If she stayed in this time, she was determined to investigate the Colgate family.

  As she turned the next page, she couldn’t suppress a cry, “Another one? There was another world war? How crazy can people be?” She wondered if they’d used mustard gas in the second war. That was what had killed Bobby.

  Penny grimaced. “They’ve quit calling them world wars now.”

  She gaped at her hostess. “You mean they’re still going on?” Disgusted, she gave a dismissive wave. “Never mind, I’ll keep reading.”

  As Ellie completed the book, Sally called them for lunch. According to the history book, she’d missed a lot. Some of it was bad, some good.

  She wasn’t like some people who wanted to know the future. If she did manage to return to her own time, she’d have advance knowledge. What could she do to help warn her friends that wouldn’t get her locked in an asylum?

  How did she feel about going back versus remaining here? She could tell Penny thought she was stuck here. No one had ever called Ellie a coward, but she was scared spitless. All she could do is keep going forward.

  Neither Jake nor Bart was there for this meal. Sally served something called taco salad. As far as Ellie could tell, there were a lot of ingredients in the salad that made it a meal in one bowl.

  She savored a bite that included beans, tomatoes, avocado, and something crunchy. “Mmm, Sally, this is really great. I’ve never eaten it before.”

  Penny stuck her fork into her bowl. “One of my favorites. Thank you for making it, Sally. I love your avocado dressing.”