Read Online Wandering Soul by Cassandra Chandler - Free Book Online

too much in the meantime. With a sinking feeling, she realized she could get used to feeling his arms around her all too quickly.
    Dante glanced at his feet while walking to the stairs, as if checking to make sure Leonardo wasn’t trying to run between them. That was probably a good idea.
    â€œYou brought the cat from another time?” he asked.
    â€œYes. It was an accident, though.”
    â€œHow so?”
    They’d reached the bottom of the stairs, which meant Winston was much too close for them to be talking about time travel.
    Lowering her voice, she said, “Could I tell you about it later? I’d rather not discuss this around Winston.”
    â€œOf course.”
    Dante carried her down the hallway to the kitchen. A plate of sandwiches was already on the table, and Winston was standing near the stove, the kettle just beginning to whistle.
    â€œIs that an electric range?” Dante asked, an edge of excitement to his voice.
    â€œYes, it is.” Elsa hadn’t thought this through. Dante was going to have questions. Strange questions that she’d have trouble answering in front of Winston.
    As if on cue, Winston chuckled and said, “You don’t have stoves in your hometown, either?”
    Dante must have faced this sort of thing during the days that Elsa was sleeping. She wondered how he had managed.
    â€œI have never seen a stove of this variety,” he said, glancing down at her. She smiled, hoping that his other conversations had gone as well.
    â€œI think I’m strong enough to sit up.” She nodded toward the table. Dante crossed the room and gingerly set her in a chair. “Thanks.”
    Within moments of Elsa having a lap, Leonardo ran into the room and jumped onto it. He purred loudly, hitting her in the face with his tail as he pranced around on her legs. Winston turned toward them, carrying a tray with the teapot and three cups.
    â€œAllow me,” Dante said, taking the tray and setting it on the table. He poured the tea and added milk and sugar to each of the cups, then handed one to Elsa and one to Winston before sitting down himself.
    The moment was completely surreal. She was having tea with Winston and a man who, three days ago, had been in the late 1800s.
    â€œI called Garrett to let him know you’re awake,” Winston said. “He left strict orders that you’re not to overdo and to keep getting plenty of rest.”
    â€œI think I can manage that.” She took a bite of her sandwich and found that she was absolutely starving. She tried to pace herself in front of Dante, but wondered if the stack of food in front of her would be enough.
    â€œCan you now?” Winston snorted, then turned to Dante. “This is on you, Dante. Turn your back on her for a minute, and she’ll be doing all kinds of things she oughtn’t. Laundry and dishes.”
    â€œI assure you, Elsa’s well-being is the very highest of my priorities,” Dante said. His words sent a thrill through Elsa, and she felt herself blushing.
    Winston made a “hmph” sound, but he was smiling. “Garrett will be by this evening. I’ll make a special dinner.”
    â€œI would be happy to assist,” Dante said.
    â€œYour job is to look after Elsa.” Winston laughed and said, “Trust me, I have the easier task.”
    Elsa was too tired to be offended. Plus, she was enjoying the conversation too much, watching Dante and Winston smile as they talked to one another.
    They finished eating and, exhausted though she was, she couldn’t stand the thought of going back to bed. There was so much she wanted to show Dante, so much to tell him.
    â€œLet me show you around the house,” she said.
    â€œI would like that a great deal.” Dante pushed his chair back from the table and stood. He began gathering up dishes, but Winston reached out and swatted at his hands, landing a few pretty good thwacks.
    â€œYou’re as