Heaven On Earth Read online

  "You went in my purse?" Why that shocked her, she had no idea, considering her situation. Anything was possible now.

  "How else was I to know whom I was seeking? Casey O'Reilly. One seventy-four Beacon Street. Langhorne, Pennsylvania. One nine zero four seven. Hair color, blond. Eyes, blue. Weight—"

  She grabbed her wallet from him and held it to her stomach. "That's enough!" she interrupted him before she heard those numbers. She had lost ten pounds since that lousy picture was taken nearly two years ago. "Okay, so you saw my license. Thank you…" she added when she realized what she had done. "Thank you for bringing me my wallet… and my shoe, but this proves you know where my car is!" she added with a defiant tone.

  He smiled at her again. "Yes, I know where your car is, but you must believe me when I tell you it is not within your reach now. We will not be able to walk to it this night."

  "Tsk." Casey clucked her tongue in frustration. She couldn't believe he was continuing with this time-travel story. "Would you please drop the sci-fi, adventure act? It can't be eighteen…" She mentally subtracted 120 years from 2000. "Eighteen eighty-something! It's physically impossible."

  He simply nodded and then pushed the hat back on his head, revealing a few strands of tiny black curls that fell onto his forehead. "Yes, of course."

  She sensed he might be mocking her again as he turned and looked out into the desert, then repeated, "Now we must find shelter and perhaps some food."

  "Well, I need to find some sanity, cause this is madness!" Casey blurted in disgust, turning quickly away and peering into the darkness. "Please… where's my car, the road? I have a sister who is expecting me and will be worried. I must get to her."

  "And that is why I am here. I will do everything I can to insure you are returned safely to your family."

  "When?" she pleaded, turning back to him.

  "When the time… is right. Please, come along with me now. I know of a place in the mountains where we can find shelter."

  She didn't move. Terror was racing through her system.

  "It is your choice, Casey O'Reilly. I cannot force you to do anything, but I would advise you to trust me, and if you would not trust me… at least trust yourself."

  The words of the Jackson Browne song seemed to reverberate inside her head. The next voice you hear will be your own.

  Could she trust him? Could she trust herself?

  She needed help.

  None of it made sense. The car was gone. The road was gone. There was nothing but her and this… this incredible-looking man, who was obviously a little crazy, but had been, for the most part, helpful.

  "Well?"

  "Wait a minute," she said, looking out to the mountains. They were so far away! Could she walk to them? And what if she did? Would she ever see her sister again?

  "Perhaps your decision has been made for you," he murmured, looking away from her.

  She followed his line of vision and couldn't see anything, but she did hear something. It sounded like… like metal clanging against wood. "What is it?" she asked.

  "I believe a wagon is approaching. Here," he said, removing his coat. "Put this on."

  She stared at him, at his soft chambray shirt tucked into tight black trousers; a large belt buckle with a chunk of turquoise captured her attention briefly. "Why do I have to put on your coat? It's way too big. I won't be able to walk in it." She needed to say something to cover up her blatant inspection of him.

  He winked at her. "Hopefully, señorita, we won't be walking. However, you are dressed inappropriately for a woman of this time. Accept my direction in this."

  "Inappropriate…?" She tried not to sound offended and glanced down at her own attire. She knew she must look a sight, with sand stuck everywhere, but—

  "Your jeans would not be explained easily," he continued as though she hadn't interrupted. "A sophisticated woman of this era would be wearing a skirt to cover her legs, so we must improvise as best we can. Quickly, slip your arms into this now," he said, holding out his coat to her, "and trust me," he insisted.

  His "sophisticated lady" remark made her turn back to his face. She stared directly into his eyes and was certain she saw another twinkle. Angel or Devil… ? The mental debate continued.

  "Por favor. Covered up, you will stir fewer questions, and I assure you we can find you something proper to wear in Santa Fe."

  Shaking her head in disbelief at her own submission, Casey turned around and slipped her arms into the huge, heavy coat. It felt like armor around her and weighed her down, the sleeves dangling far beyond her hands.

  "Well, when I get to Santa Fe, I can find my sister and then straighten out everything," she asserted, and turned toward the sound of the wagon. She stepped forward, nearly stumbling on the long hem of the coat. Grabbing the bulky fabric up into her hands, she attempted again to walk. "Amy will help me," she added, then began to tramp off in the direction of the approaching vehicle.

  She felt his strong hand gently grip her arm, motioning her to stop. "You must wait here, señorita. I shall greet whoever is traveling north at this hour and find out if they are able to assist us." In a fluid motion, he tipped his hat, smiled grandly at her, then brushed ever so slightly against her as he passed.

  She watched him stride away, while still feeling the heat of his body inside the coat. Part of her wanted to run after him and make sure he wasn't trying to trick her. Time travel indeed! Like this was some hokey movie of the week, and she was supposed to just blindly follow the big handsome cowboy into the unknown?

  Yeah, right!

  Seeing the flatbed wagon nearing, she could make out two figures seated upon it in the light of the small lantern they carried. Why didn't they have a car? Then she remembered Amy telling her that although Santa Fe was beautiful, the Indian and Hispanic populations, for the most part, were still impoverished. Casey yanked up the tails of the heavy coat and disobediently followed him. Maybe she could get some sane answers from these people.

  She came up beside him as he waited for the wagon to stop. Without turning around, he said in a firm voice, "Do not speak a word, Casey O'Reilly."

  "What d'ya mean don't speak?" she demanded.

  He turned his head and stared at her. Although it was just after sunset, she could see the seriousness in his expression through the dusk. "These people may not speak any English, and that will only add to your confusion."

  "M-my—" she stuttered as she watched him turn with a grin back to the oncoming travelers. Her mouth gaped at his insinuation, leaving her to obey his command. I'm confused? Her mental rant continued. You're the one who thinks he's H. G. Wells, Master Time Traveler. And I'm confused!

  "Shh…" he whispered as though he had heard her thoughts, and then began waving at the driver. "Hola! Buenas noches."

  She listened as another man's voice answered with the same words. She couldn't help but look in fascination as Luke spoke in rapid Spanish to a man and a woman. In the dim glow of an oil lantern attached to a pole on the wagon, she could see they appeared to be poor, dressed in crude clothing… the man with a tattered jacket, and a long black shawl covering the woman's head and shoulders. Yet they seemed very friendly as they happily conversed with Luke. She had no idea what any of them were saying, and she meekly smiled when they all glanced in her direction. She could only imagine what Luke might be telling them.

  He turned to her with a reassuring grin. "We have been offered a ride to town by this most gracious family, Señorita O'Reilly."

  Casey smiled again as best she could. "Thank you."

  "In their language," he whispered, then tutored, "Muchas gracias…"

  She smiled again, wishing she had paid more attention in her high school Spanish class. "Muchas gracias, señor y señora." She remembered that much!

  The man and woman smiled back to her and motioned them both to get aboard.

  Luke's eyes sparkled again with pleasure. "Muy bien."

  Oh, that was a compliment… It meant she had done we
ll. He certainly was taking on the tutor role with gusto. Speak when spoken to, huh? She hesitated briefly in her thoughts when he held out his hand, inviting her into the back of the wagon. Rather than make her point now, Casey merely smiled again to the family, who nodded back to her. But she wasn't about to be silent for the rest of the trip.

  Just as she was wondering how in the world she was going to climb into the wagon with such a heavy coat, Luke lifted her off the ground as though she were as light as a feather.

  "Oooph—" She wished she'd been able to stop the sound of surprise that burst from her throat when she experienced that moment of wonder… and then found herself promptly deposited in the cluttered back of the crude wagon.

  She stood, making more room while he climbed in, and noticed his fancy black cowboy boots. Well, he certainly dressed the part, she thought as she awkwardly lowered herself to the wooden planks. Suddenly she noticed something small moving toward her and she jumped in fright, nearly yelping as two big brown eyes stared directly at her.

  Luke laughed along with the couple and spoke again rapidly in Spanish as he settled in across from her. "Their daughter, Elena," he translated. "She is only a babe, and a bit shy of strangers." He tugged on the front of his hat in a show of courtesy to the child huddled in a colorful blanket, then began in a soothing tone, "Mucho gusto, Elena. Soy Luke d'Séraphin, y esta es mi amiga, Señorita Casey O'Reilly. La dama tiene mucha hambre, pero no va a morder una angelita como tú."

  Everyone laughed again, except Casey, as they began to rock in a comfortable rhythm with the donkeys' pulling. Now that she could make out her features, Casey saw the child grinning back at Luke.

  "What did you say to her?" she asked, wanting to know what was so funny and also wanting to make friends with the child.

  "I merely told the little angel it was my pleasure to meet her and there was no need to be afraid as you are a friend of mine." He paused and she watched as a smirk grew on his face.

  "That's not all you said to her. I heard 'hungry' in there somewhere."

  A boyish look of confession came over his rugged face as he admitted, "I told her, although you were very hungry, you would not bite her."

  There was a moment of silence as Casey tried to decide if this man's sense of humor was harmless, then she couldn't help but erupt into a chuckle, which made the small girl giggle in response.

  She smiled back, delighted she could make up for the startling meeting when she'd first noticed the child.

  "Ven aquí, angelita," he said to the child, and held out his hand. Very hesitantly the girl placed her tiny hand inside his large one and he pulled her onto his lap. Grabbing the blanket, he wrapped it once more around her and grinned down at Elena. "Such a lovely creation" he murmured, and playfully touched the child's nose. "Sí, tú eres muy bonita."

  Elena's smile widened with pleasure at the compliment. Shyly she reached up for his wide hat. Luke gave it over and placed it on her tiny head, and the child seemed to disappear.

  Without looking up, he spoke again in English. "Esperanza and Sergio are traveling to Esperanza's sister's home to assist in the birth of this little one's cousin. Have you ever witnessed birth, Casey?"

  "I saw my dog have puppies once," she muttered, trying very hard not to chuckle as she watched Elena push back the large hat she was practically lost inside and start climbing up on Luke to play with his curly hair. It amazed her the way the man allowed this child to have free rein with him. It was as though he was… well, enchanted or something. She noticed the way he held the child, making sure she was still protected from the night air by the blanket. He must be a father.

  That thought stopped all others.

  Here she was, being completely rattled by a man she'd just met, and he was probably married. Not likely a guy like him would be single. Silently Casey thought the woman very fortunate… even if he was a tad nuts.

  His attention remained on the child as he began speaking. "I have never married, and I am not a father, yet surely I am now holding a miracle… no?" He then turned slightly and stared right into Casey's wide eyes.

  Holy shit… this guy must be reading her mind!

  She wasn't sure which bit of information stunned her more. That he seemed to read her mind or that he was unmarried. Say nothing, she advised herself, and quickly turned to gaze at the incredible display above them. The stars were so bright, appearing closer than she'd ever known before… and she felt she could almost reach out to grab one. A thought crept into her brain, making her wince. Could the fates be so cruel as to have this man turn out to be uninterested in women? It wouldn't be the first time she'd been fooled.

  Casey closed her eyes briefly and whispered a small prayer that she find her sister as quickly as possible and end this craziness, for none of this could be real!

  But then… ever since that flat tire, nothing was exactly ordinary.

  She heard him laugh lowly, and when she reluctantly opened her eyes, he was still smiling at her as Elena ran her tiny fingers through his curls and giggled with delight.

  This time she stifled the groan.

  Two

  "Tell me about yourself, Casey O'Reilly."

  Startled, Casey mentally slapped away her paranoid pondering and blinked a few times. She had been trying to steady herself for the past few minutes. Though, if truthful, she was also trying not to stare at the man and the way he seemed to entertain the child without doing anything. It was as if tiny Elena, no longer shy, was quite happy just to be around him. Furthermore, it was a powerful scene for a woman whose biological clock was nagging the hell out of her. Well, she wouldn't tell him that!

  "Uhhhhhmmmm…" She drew out the sound, trying to buy time. What could she tell him and how safe would it be? The image of him coming up to her when she was terrified and wrapping his coat around her for protection flooded her mind. She could trust him. Call it female intuition. "Well, you know that I'm from Pennsylvania," she began, and then not wanting him to think of her license again and all those statistics, she quickly added, "I was on my way to visit my sister in Santa Fe when I got a flat tire. I guess I was hit by lightning or something, and then woke up in that sandstorm."

  She could see him nod even as the darkness grew around them.

  "The forces of nature are unpredictable," he answered, grinning as Elena, still wearing his hat, bumped his face with the wide brim. The child giggled at the game and did it again. This time Luke tilted his head and Elena missed. They both chuckled, like old friends enjoying each other. "You are fortunate, Casey O'Reilly to be here. That was a powerful charge you received."

  Her mind tried to focus, yet she felt almost mesmerized by the picture of this large, strong man and this tiny, dark child playing together. "Ahh… yes. It was powerful and I know I am lucky."

  "You believe in luck?" he asked, again dodging Elena's attempt to prod him with his own hat.

  "Well, sure. I'm alive, right? I was never struck by lightning before, so I must be lucky. Don't you… believe in luck?"

  He shrugged. "I don't believe in chance myself."

  She found that interesting and decided to probe further. Might as well pass the time in conversation until they reached Santa Fe. Wait until she told Amy about this guy! "So you think I was meant to be hit by lightning? That it was my… my destiny to be blown outta my shoe and nearly killed?" Who's he kidding!

  He again chuckled, this time at her words. "I really don't know. Only you could answer that question. I am merely saying I don't believe it was a coincidence that I came upon your car… but I can only answer for myself, Casey O'Reilly."

  "Why do you keep calling me by my full name? Just Casey is fine." The formality was beginning to annoy her. She refused to delve further to find out why. Maybe it was just a form of respect, 'cause his speech and manners were a bit too elegant for the middle of the desert. Later. She'd figure this all out later, or maybe she'd be fortunate enough to forget it.

  Again he nodded. "You have all your answers, Casey.
Patience."

  Now, that annoyed her. "Patience? Do you realize how… how weird you sound? First you tell me I've"— she lowered her voice—"time-traveled! And then you tell me I'm back in like eighteen seventy-something and, oh… let's not forget you came right out of a lightning bolt, the likes of which I've never seen in my life and—"

  He was chuckling, and she knew it was at her and not the child.

  "This isn't funny," she scolded. Somehow it felt much better to challenge him than surrender to a powerful attraction that made her feel just like Elena!

  "You don't have to hide your words," he said with a chuckle. "No one can fully understand you right now. English is not their language. And yes, Casey. You have time-traveled. It is best that you accept this as quickly as possible."

  She blew her breath out, and her lips vibrated against each other. "Yeah, right! Time travel! Now, see… that's when you sound weird. You want me to believe a bolt of lightning threw me back in time and that is my destiny?" She couldn't stop her laugh of disbelief.

  Grinning even more widely, he looked up from the child and said, "See, Casey? You do have the answers after all."

  Incredulous, she stared at him. Leaning forward, she said through clenched teeth, "I have not time-traveled, got it? I am going to find my sister and explain how lucky I am to have survived all this."

  He didn't say anything for a few moments, and then, as if by mutual agreement, Elena and Luke stopped their game and the little girl put his hat back on his head and sat down in his lap. He left the cowboy hat sitting way back, and wrapped the blanket once more around the child. Elena sat quietly and stared across the small space at Casey. The wide-eyed interest only added to her charm, and Casey smiled.

  Elena shyly smiled back as Luke said, "It is but a word, is it not? You call it luck, pure chance, that you are alive in this time. I merely happen to think there is a pattern unfolding, perhaps even one that hit you like a bolt of lightning to get your attention. I respect the pattern, Casey, that's all."

  She looked around her. "What pattern?" she demanded.