Free Lightning Only Strikes Twice by Stanalei Fletcher Page B

The man was full of surprises.
    She recalled his kiss. Heat warmed her cheeks. He’d only kissed her to prevent her from screaming. The shock of contact probably hadn’t fazed him.
    She, on the other hand, had melted like snow in June. He must have thought she’d never been kissed before. “I’m sure Mr. Maxwell wouldn’t attend church just to see me.”
    “Well, of course not. He attends every Sunday.”
    The gentle rebuke shamed her. Jumping to conclusions wasn’t something she typically did. This whole situation had affected her normal good manners.
    “He goes every Sunday?” That seemed out of character for Luke, but then she didn’t really know him.
    “Well, almost every Sunday,” Elizabeth amended. “I think he missed a few right after he moved to town.”
    “Mr. Maxwell lives in White Rock? I thought he lived in Boise.”
    “Oh, no. He moved here a couple of months ago. It seems like Paul and I have known him for years. He’s building a new schoolhouse for the youngsters.” Elizabeth walked to the door.
    “A schoolhouse?” The Maxwell Development Annie knew didn’t build schools. The elite development company only built premier, high-priced homes.
    “Isn’t it great?” Elizabeth smiled. Her eyes twinkled as she talked about the schoolhouse. “The kids have had to meet in the church but the pastor doesn’t like them playing on the grounds. Luke fronted the money for all the building materials. He’s supervising the construction.”
    “That’s very generous of Mr. Maxwell.” It was the least he could do with some of his wealth. Since he rebuilt the entire town, a schoolhouse should be part of the deal.
    Elizabeth took a robe off a wall hook and handed it to Annie. “Here, this will keep you decent until you can change.”
    Annie looked around the room. “Change into what?”
    “Oh, Luke bought you something to wear,” Elizabeth said over her shoulder as she headed out of the bedroom.
    Luke Maxwell bought her clothes? He went to church on Sundays? Something was definitely out of kilter. She hoped she’d get to the bottom of it soon, otherwise she might have no choice but to believe she’d actually traveled back in time.
    Annie took off the blanket and folded it. As she laid it on the bed, she marveled at how everything felt so real. From the little room and this bed, to the way Elizabeth spoke. What would the rest of the day bring?
    She slipped on the robe and headed down the narrow staircase.
    The kitchen was a cozy setting with a wood-burning stove in a corner. A window over the sink looked out onto the backyard. No modern appliances like a microwave or dishwasher in sight.
    The authenticity of the entire house amazed her. “This is incredible.”
    Elizabeth beamed as she lit a lantern secured to the wall. “Thank you. I’ve tried to make a good home for me and Paul.” She lifted a parcel wrapped in brown paper off a table in the center of the room and handed it to Annie. “This is for you.”
    Reluctantly, Annie took the package. It was heavier than it looked. “What’s in it?”
    “Luke wouldn’t say, and I’m dying to see.”
    “Luke brought this?”
    “Yes, of course.” Elizabeth laughed again. “He said you lost your trunk with all your clothes. I told him you could borrow a couple of my dresses, but he insisted you have something of your own.”
    Annie hesitated to untie the strings on the package. “I’m not sure if I should accept this.” Receiving a gift from the man who wanted her to believe they’d traveled through time seemed awkward. Besides, if everyone was pretending this was the nineteenth century, wasn’t there a code or rule about a woman accepting gifts from a man?
    “Luke said you’d probably feel that way,” Elizabeth replied. “He thought it was the least he could do, until you got back on your feet.”
    Annie wondered why Luke had gone to so much trouble. She fingered the nightdress peeking beneath the robe. “Is this yours?”
    “Yes,