Free Lightning Only Strikes Twice by Stanalei Fletcher Page A

be rules about the space-time continuum she shouldn’t break. Of course, her only reference was what she’d seen in movies.
    Then she realized if she had traveled back in time, she’d probably broken every law that existed. What if she changed her own future by interacting with her relatives?
    She closed her eyes. Why was she thinking like this? None of this was real.
    “Well, don’t worry your head about it,” Elizabeth said. “We’ll make sure you get some rest. You’ll feel better in no time.”
    Annie doubted that. She felt disadvantaged by the circumstances and wanted nothing more than to go home. She pulled the blanket tighter around her. “I don’t want to impose on you.”
    Elizabeth waved a hand at the objection. “You’re no trouble. Besides, where else would you go?” She crossed to the bed, smoothed the covers, and fluffed the pillow as she made the bed. “It must have been hard to lose your only family.”
    “How’d you know about my grandfather?”
    “Paul told me.” Elizabeth turned, distress written across her face. “Oh dear, I hope I didn’t bring up hurtful memories.”
    “He’s only been gone a few months, but I’m getting along.” Annie didn’t quite understand her desire to assure the other woman.
    “Did your grandfather raise you?”
    “Yes,” Annie replied. “My parents died when I was very young.” A car accident that also killed her grandmother, leaving Annie and her grandfather with only each other.
    “You poor thing,” Elizabeth said. “I’m so sorry.”
    “It was a long time ago.” Annie was unwilling to discuss it further.
    The people she’d met so far had been nice, but this wasn’t her life. She wondered what would happen if she simply walked away? Found her car and drove home?
    “Do you mind if I sit?” Elizabeth asked as she gestured to the bed. “I’m not able to stand as long as I used to.”
    Annie cringed with guilt. “Of course. It’s your home.” It was obvious Elizabeth was pregnant. Just because she was playing a role, Annie didn’t need to be rude to her.
    Elizabeth sank to the mattress with a sigh and fanned herself with an open hand. “I swear, this child has plumb worn me out.”
    “Can I get you something?”
    Elizabeth shook her head. “I just need to sit a spell before I start breakfast.”
    “Let me help you.” Annie had no idea where the impulse to volunteer came from. Maybe because she’d been raised with better manners and here she was being selfish in her own misery. “It’s the least I can do for putting me up for the night.”
    Besides, if the people in this town were play-acting she was curious to see how far they’d go. It might be fun to pretend she lived in the past, to be more than a faceless person in a busy city. Once the playacting was over, though, she had to leave. Missing overtime on a Sunday was one thing, she couldn’t miss work Monday.
    “That’s not necessary,” Elizabeth said. “You should rest, especially with that bump on your head.”
    “I’m feeling much better.”
    Elizabeth looked doubtful.
    “I promise to take it easy,” Annie said. As soon as breakfast was over, she’d find a way out of this place.
    “If you’re feeling it up to it, then we’d better get started.” Elizabeth stood. “I could use the help. Paul is out milking and feeding the cow before church.” She glanced shyly at Annie. “Will you be joining us for services?”
    Annie stood as well. “I…I don’t know.” She hadn’t been to church since she was child. Even in a reenactment, she suspected worship services were taken seriously. Hours sitting on a wooden pew. Annie wasn’t planning to hang around that long. Would it be impolite to refuse? Would the Crawfords be offended?
    What she thinking? So what if they were offended. This was all make-believe.
    Elizabeth slanted a glance in Annie’s direction. “Luke Maxwell will be there. I’m sure he’d like to see you.”
    That startled Annie. Luke? At church?