Free Incredible Dreams by Sandra Edwards

going to be there at least until then.” Her tone was the same one she’d always used when she knew her influence had prevailed.
    Aunt Marilyn had said, more than once, that Izzy had inherited the ability to know when she’d won from her mother. Now she realized how frustrating that must have been for her aunt.
    Common sense told Izzy to object to spending several weeks in 1946, but try as she might she couldn’t rally sufficient reservations.
    “By the time Jack’s birthday rolls around, you have to be friends so you can present him with a birthday gift.” A certain amount of hope had crept into Cynthia’s voice, but it was still mostly filled with doubt.
    “And you’re sure I’ll go out and buy him a hunting knife?” Izzy’s confidence lacked the assurance she saw bubbling over in her mother.
    “Yes. It’s something you’ll feel compelled to do. You’ll insist that he carry it with him when he flies, too.” Cynthia’s tone, now calm and relaxing, reached out to Izzy but didn’t quite soothe her doubts.
    “If you say so.” Izzy bit back the vulnerability charging up her throat and trying desperately to surface as laughter.
    “You must believe, Isabelle.” Urgency enhanced Cynthia’s words. “Your ability to succeed will depend upon your belief.”
    She believed her mother believed it. She believed the woman had a distorted view of reality too. She also believed she couldn’t forget about Jack and just go on with life as if nothing happened. Even if it meant jeopardizing her own existence, she had to make a heartfelt attempt at the endeavor.
    “Okay, I believe I can do this.” Izzy’s tone fell flat, her words forced, her belief suspect.
    “Are you sure about that, Isabelle?”
    Great. She had to say that and question her dedication.
    Was she sure?
    Maybe.
    Yes. “I’d rather be disintegrated and banished into oblivion than have Jack’s death on my conscious.”
    “If you’re sure.” Her mother reiterated with a probing eye. “There’s so much riding on your success, but the decision ultimately has to be yours.”
    “I have to do it.” There was no other choice. Izzy had resigned herself to that. Although, she wished she had more going for her when she landed in the past than a forgetful memory and a few intuitive inklings toward Jack.
    Cynthia smiled and laid her hands over Izzy’s. “Close your eyes,” she said in that soothing voice Izzy remembered from her childhood. She followed her mother’s lead and stretched out on the couch. Izzy rested her head in her mother’s lap and set about clearing her head. “Let your mind relax and open your psyche to the possibilities.” Cynthia stroked Izzy’s hair. “Open yourself to the idea of holding my pre-suggestions inside your mind. Open yourself to the notion that when the time comes, your mind will release those suggestions. Open yourself to the possibility of success.”
    Izzy’s urge to giggle was replaced by an even greater need for this to work. If she could save Jack, it was worth the risk.
    An overwhelming need to find him, in his time, and forge a friendship swallowed her up. If they became friends, she believed the rest would fall into place.
    Izzy nodded. “All right. I’m there.” Images of Jack flashed in her mind. “I am definitely open to your suggestions.” That was mostly true. Seeing Jack in the flesh again was worth just about any peril.
    But wait—what about Rebecca and Daddy? “Mother, wait. I wanted to ask you....”
    I zzy opened her eyes. What the hell ?
    Rows of twin-sized, wrought iron beds lined both sides of the long, rectangular quarter. Where was she...a hospital? A primitive patients’ ward came to mind, like something from the thirties or forties.
    What I am doing here ? Pain, dull and throbbing, pounded against her skull.
    Sunshine blared through sheer curtains hanging over sparkling windows. The effect was almost blinding. The strong stench of antiseptic weakened her stomach. She cut her