Free Between Two Worlds by Stacey Coverstone

the course. I travel back
in time to a place where I don’t belong, and I literally run into a good
guy who seems to dig me. And he’s single. That’s just my luck, isn’t it?
    “You know, you showed a lot of guts yourself,” Gabriel said,
returning the compliment and rousing her from her thoughts. “You weren’t going
to back down. That’s the second time today you risked your own life for
another’s.”
    She smiled, feeling proud. “A woman has to do what a woman has to
do.”
    “No. It’s more than that. I don’t know many people—women or men—who
would do what you’ve done today. You leapt in front of wild horses to save a
child, and you risked a beating from that ignorant louse in order to protect a
horse. You’re a special person, Miss Marshall.” The sincerity with which he
spoke was something she wasn’t used to. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I’ve never met a woman like you before, Delaney. However it happened, I’m awfully
glad that Irishman, Samuel McKinney, convinced you to cross that bridge into
1888. Frankly, I hope you never go back to the future.”
    His confession floored her. She didn’t know what to say, and her
head was spinning. She was intoxicated not only by his sweet words, but by his
raw masculinity mixed with some spicy scent. Standing so near to him was about
to become her undoing. Her knees grew weak and her tongue, for once, felt tied.
She was going back home soon. The two of them lived in different
worlds—literally. There was no use in starting something she could never
finish. Delaney gently shrugged away from his touch and backed up a few steps.
    When she finally managed to speak, her voice came out small.
“Maybe we should get on down to that boarding house now.”

Seven
    Gabriel knocked on the door of the two-story clapboard home.
Hanging on the door was a large wreath covered in black fabric, decorated with
black ribbons.
    “What’s this for?” Delaney asked.
    “It’s a mourning wreath. One of the boarders passed away recently.
She was an elderly lady who, I was told, lived here for years.”
    “Oh.” She glanced around. “This is a beautiful wraparound front
porch.” She was thinking it was large enough for entertaining, and also a
romantic spot for sitting and gazing up at the stars at night with someone
special. The porch lacked furniture or decor of any kind, aside from three rocking
chairs and a big potted cactus next to the door. She could imagine it decked
out in white wicker settees and armchairs, and half a dozen pots of colorful
blooming flowers hanging from the rafters.
    She peered down the street to the place where she’d nearly been
killed by the runaway wagon. The school was at the end of the road, but its
play yard was quiet now. She also thought of the little blond boy she’d saved,
and wondered how he was faring. He’d probably already forgotten about the
incident. Kids bounced back fast.
    The door creaked open and they were met by a plump, honey-eyed
woman looking to be in her fifties, wearing an apron over her dress—just the
type of lady Delaney expected to see running a boarding house. Delaney thrust
her hand out to shake before Gabriel could make the introductions.
    “Mrs. Quinn. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Delaney
Marshall, and I find myself in need of a place to stay for the night. Dr.
Whitman thought you might have a room available.” As she swept her hand in an
arc to include him in the greeting, she noticed the amused look on his face.
    The woman’s head was a helmet of tight brown pin curls. She
giggled like a girl as she said hello to Gabriel and then returned Delaney’s
handshake. “Hello, Miss Marshall. I’ve heard all about you. Please come in.
You, too, Dr. Whitman.” She welcomed them through the door into the foyer.
    They stepped onto an Oriental rug runner and Delaney glanced
around. The home was adorned in pure Victorian style—warm and inviting with
polished hardwood floors, a grand