Free Linked Through Time by Jessica Tornese Page B

lift his head and squint in my direction. I jumped in defense, almost diving for cover in the overgrown ditch. My curiosity was ill planned; I’d forgotten how awful I looked. He lifted his hand in a wave, dropped his tools on the roof, and scrambled down a ladder that sat propped haphazardly against the store. He reached my side before I could attempt to fix my appearance; some things were beyond repair, like the smell that emanated from my clothing. He didn’t seem to notice, however, as he pulled me into his arms and planted a firm kiss on my open mouth.
    Dave pushed me out to arms’ length. “What are you doing here? I didn’t think I’d get to see you until Sunday.”
    Flustered, I blinked twice and tried to gather my thoughts. “Dean needs money for the fair and I offered to pick ditches for him. It’s not going so well,” I said, holding up the eight bottles.
    Dave smiled, taking the bottles from me and placing them on the ground. “I’ve got it taken care of. I told you, as long as we’re together, I’ll take care of everything. I’ve got enough bottle returns in the store for all of your brothers and sisters to get tickets for the fair. And get cotton candy.”
    I threw my arms around Dave, overwhelmed at his generosity. “You’re a lifesaver.”
    I couldn’t wait to tell Dean the good news.
    Dave ran his hands up my back and into my hair. “Oh, yeah? I guess that means now you owe me,” he said with a wink, eyeing me up and down suggestively.
    My stomach gave a nervous flutter as I comprehended the meaning behind his words. Of course the tickets had some price attached. I would have to put off running away until after the fair, to make sure Dean got his tickets.
    The possibility of another date with Dave between now and my escape sent streaks of fire to my cheeks and my pulse jumped erratically. “Does that mean you’re taking me to the fair?” I asked, changing the path of direction both our minds had wandered on.
    Dave grimaced. “I’ll have to meet you there. Dad’s making me open the store half a day, so I won’t be able to get there until two.”
    “I better run.” I motioned toward the farm. “I’ve already missed out on berry picking and Louise will be looking for me soon.” I shot him a quick smile and then turned to race to the closest fence. If I cut through the fields, I’d make it to the house a lot quicker. “Thanks again!” I called out over my shoulder, turning for one last glance of Dave’s bronzed chest. He had disappeared, the bell over the door to the farm store tinkling at his entrance.
    A barbed wire fence separated me from the field. Stretching the wires apart, I edged my way between the fence’s razor sharp barbs. I jogged across the field, dodging cow pies and swatting at the flies that swarmed my head.
    Distracted, my thoughts flew between my individual predicaments with an alarming rate: Would Dave collect on his fee for the tickets at our next meeting? Could I run away and survive in the wilderness? Would I actually be able to stop Sarah’s death from happening? Would I change the future, including Dave’s feelings for me, if I did run away? What would my father think if I abandoned him?
    Leading a double life was so confusing. I had no idea who I was any more, or who I was supposed to be. I was caught somewhere between my old identity and fitting into what was expected of me in my new identity. The weight of the responsibility to change the past was the scariest part. I hoped I was doing the right thing.
    A flash of movement in my peripheral vision caused me to slow to a walk. I saw it, black and menacing, eyeing me from a short distance away. My heart stopped and I froze in stride. I had mistakenly crawled into the bull’s isolated patch of field, and there was at least another hundred yards between me and the safety of the bordering fence. The bull looked irritated, snuffling the air and shaking its head in my direction.
    I sent up a quick prayer