The Time Witch - Part 22

Recap: Danna revealed she’s a member of the Coven but stood against them, giving Evangeline a spell hidden in the limerick book. It promised to break the binding bracelet so she could travel back to Samuel in 1910—and it did—plus it caused an earthquake that the whole town felt.

LINKS: The Beginning, Last Part (#21), Time Witch page

---

“You found a way back!”

Samuel helped Evangeline through the basement hatch and into the unfinished Carnegie library. 

“I’m b-back,” she stuttered, still reeling from the force that broke the binding bracelet and Samuel’s kiss. She held onto his hand, afraid it was all a dream.

“Aye, we have all of you this time,” Samuel said. Concern creased his brow. “Are you unhurt?” 

Evangeline nodded, and her heart swelled. Standing so close, she had no words. Whatever had happened to spurn Ghost Samuel, it didn’t matter. The man was different; nothing burdened his heart. Not when it comes to me, Evangeline realized. We’re a clean slate and I want this chance. He only needed one second of her intense stare to sweep her into another embrace. 

The hug, however, was short-lived. Charles Covington-York greeted them with a beefy firearm. He cocked it at the couple. The sound echoed in the empty library, unmistakable.

Pivoting so Evangeline was not in Charles’s line of fire, Samuel stood between the bullet and its intended target. “I swear, you are trying my patience,” he said, displeased. “She is under my protection.”

The pistol in Charles’s hand did not waiver. “You know not of what you speak, brother,” he said. “Stand aside, and I will have the truth of it.”

Gently pushing past Samuel, Evangeline stepped forward with a huge smile. “Charles? It is so great to finally meet you!”

Taking a step backward, Charles wagged the pistol so she’d take notice of it. “Stop! Stop, I say! You bewitching creature. Stop!”

Evangeline didn’t stop. “You can put that away; you won’t shoot me. Instead, give me a hug.” She opened her arms wide.

The pistol lowered in Charles’s hand. “Oh, dear.”

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you!” she exclaimed. “Mabel said it would be memorable, but I didn’t know you’d want to shoot me.”

Evangeline moved forward and grabbed him in a big bear hug, trapping his arms, including the gun, at his sides. Even though Charles was taller, her movement was so unexpected he didn’t try to resist. He remained rooted to the spot. A giddy expression filled his face.

“Oh my, oh my,” Charles muttered.

Even though Samuel glared at his brother, he couldn’t help but laugh. “I told you. She’s a force to be reckoned with and utterly on our side.”

“Mabel?” Charles asked, dumbfounded by the name.

Evangeline stepped back to see Samuel’s brother better. While he had the same broad shoulders, he was slightly shorter with a fuller chest. She could see the family resemblance in his gray eyes—just like Mabel’s. Won’t she be pleased! Evangeline thought, committing it all to memory so she could share it with his great-granddaughter.

“It so happens that you and your family line have gone above and beyond to welcome me,” she said, carefully picking her words. She wanted to thank him properly, but most of what had been done hadn’t happened yet, so she didn’t want to influence their excellent work. Let it come naturally, Evangeline told herself. Aloud, she said, “Mabel is the current keeper of the family secrets, your great-granddaughter, and your biggest fan. She wanted me to say hi.”

Charles gaped at Samuel, finding it hard to process the revelation. “I have yet to acquire a wife, or hopes of one, yet it appears that I will have a child… and a great-grandchild! Oh my.”

“At least the family remembers us,” Samuel said, apparently still smarting from the fact that history did not.

Indicating Charles, Evangeline grabbed his arm and gave it a squeeze. “You start a journal. An accounting that has been passed down and added to by every generation. I’m thinking your first entry is probably about today.” For the zillionth time, Evangeline wished she could read it. “I don’t know for sure because Mabel won’t let me read it. I guess we all decided that we can’t overly influence each other’s actions, any more than we are naturally doing, by my travels through time and you helping me.”

She tried to read the brothers’ expressions. For the first time, she noticed the tension. “It’s all good, boys. Honest.”

“Will you put away the pistol?” Samuel asked.

Charles tossed it onto a square pillow. It was one of four scattered across a green plaid picnic blanket laid out on the floor, along with all the items needed for a prolonged encampment—bread, cured meats, cider, and candles. They’d clearly spent at least one night in the unfinished library, waiting for Evangeline’s return. “It’s not loaded. Give me some credit.”

“Only the smallest,” Samuel smiled, faith restored in his brother.

Charles took in the slip of a girl standing before him. “You are like nothing I have ever witnessed in the fairer sex.”

“She is remarkable,” Samuel agreed.

“Her attire is certainly remarkable,” Charles took in Evangeline’s clothes.

In all the rush, she’d forgotten to take any clothes from the wardrobe. Instead of something appropriate, she wore deep purple yoga pants and a gray long-sleeve workout top. Charles touched the shirt’s fabric; its moisture-wicking material made him lean in for a closer look.

“How unique.” He pinched the material at her shoulder.

“Charles, please unhand the lady,” Samuel groaned, motioning Evangeline to a trunk. He opened the lid. Within the chest was a selection of dresses.

Evangeline wondered if any of them were the ones stocking the wardrobe at the Covington-York manor. Her lips twitched into a smile. “They’re lovely, and you are so sweet to help me blend in with such style.”

“I hope it’s not too forward.” Samuel almost blushed.

She grasped the bodice of the top dress, lifting it. The dewy coral hue reminded her of a sunset, and the fabric felt soft to her touch. She held it up, spotting lacing at the back. “I’ll need instructions to put this on properly.”

“We can help,” Charles offered.

“No, we cannot,” Samuel corrected. 

Evangeline laughed. “I’ll figure it out. Thank you for the dresses. I’ve never had anything so elegant.”

Returning to her side, Samuel pulled Evangeline close. “What happened? Why could you not return before?” He watched her eyes.

“The Coven,” she explained, “from my time. They aren’t my biggest fans.”

“When you couldn’t get through the vortex, I feared for what must be transpiring on your side,” Samuel admitted.

Evangeline took his hand, and he cupped hers in both of his, exactly as he had when she couldn’t cross over. “Just holding your hand gave me strength,” she said. 

“Oh, just kiss her!” Charles grumbled.

Samuel turned toward his brother. “Please, curtail such outbursts.”

“The attraction is palpable,” Charles said in his defense. “Standing close to you both is utterly intoxicating. Soon, I shall be compelled to kiss the wall.”

He picked up the cider bottle, contradicting exactly where the impulse came from, as it was already half empty. He poured a bit into a heavy stoneware mug and offered it to Evangeline.

“What is it?” she asked, leaning forward to take a sniff.

Still holding the mug, Charles pulled it back. “Cider. You drink it. With your mouth, not your nose.” 

Evangeline took no offense. The cider smelled pungent. She figured it was hard cider, not juice. Unsure of the alcohol content in 1910, she waved off the drink, guessing it was strong. She needed a clear head.

“Suit yourself,” Charles said, emptying the mug into his cup. He raised it. “Sláinte!”

Samuel ignored the toast and pulled Evangeline down to the picnic blanket. “Did you cause the ground’s rattling?” He marveled at her talents. “I feared the foundation would crack.”

“Yes, the earthquake was all me, and I’m afraid other shockwaves will hit us soon,” Evangeline said, hoping to instill an urgency.

Samuel nodded. “So I gather you have learned more?”

“How long have I been away? What day is it?” Evangeline asked, desperate to know everything.

Charles sipped his drink. “I implore you to sample the grape, my dear, as a way to calm the nerves. I fear you require it more than I do.” 

“How long?” She needed to know.

“It was our longest separation yet,” Samuel said. “Three days.”

She had no idea why time was moving so fast for him. And faster still with each crossing, she lamented.

Charles raised his glass. “Oh piddle paddle, I beg of you to raise a glass. I must, after all, toast the birth of my granddaughter Mabel.”

“Great granddaughter.” He didn’t seem to hear Evangeline’s correction.

Samuel patted his pockets. “Rushing it a bit, Charles. If I could find my pocket watch, I’d tell you exactly how early you are today.”

“Did you lose your watch?” Evangeline asked, remembering one had been found on the skeleton.

Finding his pockets empty, Samuel frowned. “Indeed. How odd.”

“I think your watch is in 2024,” Evangeline said, having no idea how to explain how the watch had transferred through with the skeleton but not the whole man. She’d held onto Samuel’s arms and perhaps touched the watch, as well.

Could physical contact matter? she wondered.

“You stole his watch?” Charles asked. 

“Not exactly.” Evangeline shrugged. “I’m afraid we’ve only rounded a bend, and a hall of doors is before us. Each one could lead to success or failure.”

Charles toasted them again. “To the Hallway of Doom.”

“Please, Charles,” Samuel begged. “Your interjections are hardly constructive.”

Charles pressed a finger over his lips. The cider had certainly lightened his mood, pushing away the gravity of the situation.

“Never mind about the watch; how do we forge ahead?” Samuel asked, ever helpful. “What have you gleaned from your future travels?”

Evangeline wished she had a good answer. “This town has too many secrets.”

“No truer words have been spoken!” Charles swallowed more of the intoxicating brew.

Of all the people that could be troublesome, many were nameless, but Evangeline had two options. “Have you stayed away from Gordy and Lenora?”

Charles indicated the empty library with his mug. “We have eluded the whole town.”

“You are sitting in our temporary home. Once ensconced, not a soul crossed our path,” Samuel explained. “However, before encamping, we did encounter Adas Abernathy.”

Evangeline’s heart skipped a beat. She never thought they’d cross paths with Adas Abernathy and kicked herself for failing to stop the encounter. “The apothecary?”

“One and the same! And we lived to tell the tale,” Charles chuckled. “Odd fellow, that.”

Seeing her instant alarm, Samuel quickly explained their brief meeting. They’d visited the shop and found Lenora within, as if a confidant of the man. They’d hurried along, but Adas had come out of the shop to watch them walk away.

“Disturbing,” Evangeline said, keeping the photograph of Adas and Lenora’s future family status to herself. Adas was an unknown, and the tintype of them was a distraction. Equally, Charles’s pending marriage to the snooty Lenora was a problem for another day. “Our first goal needs to be the Coven. We need to meet them. Any ideas on how to get that done?”

“Is it wise?” Samuel asked.

“It’s probably unavoidable.” She eyed the cider, thirsty.

Samuel touched her arm, bringing her attention back to him like he’d said something and she hadn’t heard. “How did you contact the Coven in your time?”

Thinking about it, Evangeline realized the Coven made the first disastrous move. They’d sent Danna to spy on her. “I think they were watching me as soon as I arrived in Baxter Creek. Sorta ambushed me, actually. Can’t let that happen again.”

A creak echoed throughout the library. The trio turned, shocked to discover a woman stepping away from the shadows, practically materializing out of nothing only a few feet away. She’d somehow entered the building without them hearing. Not one step. Not one rustle. Not even the front door opening.

“Excuse my interruption,” the interloper whispered in an appropriate hushed library voice. “I might be able to help you meet the Coven. I’m a witch.”