Read Online Lightning Only Strikes Twice by Stanalei Fletcher - Free Book Online Page B

time—when this whole mess began. He could get used to seeing it more often.
    “Hello, Willie.” She looked at the older boy and his sister. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember your names.”
    The oldest boy stepped forward, puffing out his little chest. “I’m Kevin Beacher and this is our sister, Susie.”
    “Well, Kevin, Susie, and Willie, I’m glad I got a chance to thank you before I go home.”
    “Where do you live?” Susie asked.
    “In Boise,” Annie answered. “As a matter of fact, I’m leaving now to make it home before midnight. It’ll be a long drive.”
    Uh oh. Luke moved in to intervene.
    “Midnight? Tonight?” Willie asked.
    Annie nodded. “Yes.”
    Willie frowned and turned to his brother. “I thought Pa said it took two days to get to Boise.”
    “Pa’s right. It does,” Kevin said.
    Three pair of curious eyes gazed up at her as if they expected her to explain.
    Annie stared back, speechless at their innocent observation.
    “Miss Annie is a still little confused.” Luke told the kids. He touched her elbow. “I’m going to take her to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Crawford until she feels better.” He tipped his hat. “If you’ll excuse us.”
    Susie giggled.
    Kevin tugged on Willie’s shirt. “Come on. Ma’s waitin’ for us.” The kids ran passed them and down the street.
    Annie stared after the children. “They really believe this stuff, don’t they?” She turned wide-eyed to look at Luke. “How’d you get them to play along?”
    He answered as gently as he could. “I didn’t do anything, Annie. It’s not a game.”
    He saw the moment the truth of his words sank in.
    She started to sway and latched onto his forearm to keep upright. “You honestly believe this is real.”
    “I swear, Annie, I wish it wasn’t.”
    “But how? Why?”
    “I don’t know.” He swallowed hard. “I’ve told you about my theory. That’s all I have right now.”
    “No,” she whispered.
    “I’m sorry, Annie, but unless we can figure out how to return, we’re trapped here for the rest of our lives.”
    A muffled sound of distress bubbled past her lips. She teetered on her feet.
    Luke caught her just as she collapsed.

Chapter Five
    An annoying chirping sound penetrated Annie’s dream. She rolled over and pressed a lumpy pillow over her head to muffle the birdsong. She could still hear it. The bumpy mattress wasn’t comfortable either. So much for a few minutes of extra sleep. With a silent oath to do bodily harm to the bird if it didn’t shut up, she flung back the covers to get ready for work.
    She stood, tripped on her long nightdress and landed hard on rough-hewn planks. Pushing to her feet, she looked around the dimly lit room.
    A sense of foreboding stole over her. This sparsely furnished bedroom wasn’t hers.
    Pale morning light filtered through the linen curtains that covered the small window next to the single bed.
    In her bedroom, the dresser was next to the window with venetian blinds. Whose house was this?
    She examined the nightdress. Not hers, either.
    A single step brought her to the window. She drew back the curtain and looked out. A dirt-filled yard lay several feet below. Like her room in Boise, this one was on the second floor.
    As she raised her gaze, she noticed the pre-dawn landscape was surrounded by a close mountain range. Beyond the mountains, the sky had lightened to a washed-out blue.
    She couldn’t see the bird that woke her but knew it was out there somewhere. The obnoxious morning song hadn’t stopped.
    Events from the previous day rushed through her mind in a sequence of flashes. The kids. The doctor. Luke. His kiss.
    Annie shivered as she pressed her fingers to her lips. Last night hadn’t been a dream. She was in another place. Yet, she refused to believe she’d been thrust back into the past.
    She still couldn’t remember the details between Luke’s presentation and returning to White Rock for the Founders’ Day celebration. How could she have