Ginny's Time

Rene Len

Description

Ginny thought she was going to Central Texas to find her friend, Allie, who was way overdue from her vacation. Allie was one of those people who always lived up to her commitments. However, it had been days since her planned return, and yet she was still not home. Not only that, but for someone who called or texted every day, she had been suspiciously silent for well over a week. Determined to follow Allie's trip itinerary, Ginny set off on a road-trip of her own, determined to track down what had happened to her friend. What she expected to find at the old museum was evidence that Allie had been there so she could determine her next steps. What she didn't expect to find was an old photo of a farmhouse with a woman who looked very much like Allie. That had to be a strange coincidence as the photo was data 1894, and today was 2014. Not only that, but the old Indian shaman who came up to talk to her in the museum did a lot of mumbling about being able to tell Ginny where Allie went. Agreeing to follow the shaman might have been the worst decision Ginny ever made - but it could be the best part of the rest of her life. Ginny's time had indeed just begun.

Sujets

• Fantastique
• Romance fantastique
• Romance
• Romance paranormale
• Romance historique
• Romance contemporaine
• Fiction
• Time Travel

Informations

• Publié par: Outskirts Press
• Date de parution: 05 octobre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781977258939
• Langue: English

Extrait

Ginny’s Time Book 2 Mystic Stand Series All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2022 Rene Len v5.0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com
ISBN: 978-1-9772-5893-9
Cover Photo © 2022 www.gettyimages.com . All rights reserved - used with permission.
Outskirts Press and the "OP" logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56

NOTE TO READERS
Acknowledgments


As always, thanks to the universe for helping me use my creative energies.

To Tristan, Jessica, Thomas and Garland – my best blessings.
PROLOGUE
It was supposed to be a simple driving vacation in Central Texas and a trip to a small country museum outside of Austin – but as it turned out, there was nothing simple about it. Allie sat stiffly as the wagon bumped and swayed over the field, ruminating on where she was, and how she got there. One moment she was in a small country museum admiring a photo of an old Victorian farmhouse, and the next, she was catapulted straight to 1894. When she left her house the last time, little did she know it really was going to be, the last time.
Through all the challenges, and indeed the exciting things that Allie faced in 1894, the hardest part had been to leave behind her home, her cat and her best friend. And certainly, shifting gears from the lifestyle of Houston in 2014 to pre-1900s country living was indeed an interesting and educational experience. At first Allie thought she would never get used to being without all the gadgets and so-called innovations from her time, but after a while she found her new lifestyle at the ranch actually suited her better. Especially the part of her life that now included Chase McIntyre – the handsome rancher who, much to her delight, she had married just a few hours before.
So here she was, approaching the mystical clearing in the woods and her world could once again be turned totally upside down. Only this time, the change to her world could mean she would be forced to return to her time and leave Chase behind.
According to the sneaky old Indian shaman, who manipulated the big trip, Allie and Chase only had a certain amount of time and had to complete some kind of special ceremony to ensure they could remain together. Apparently even a legal wedding wasn’t enough to convince the old guy she was willing to stay, and that Chase really wanted her there with him.
When the wagon stopped, it jarred Allie from her reverie. Chase jumped from the wagon and walked around to Allie’s side to offer his hand so she could disembark.
Chase’s best friend and partner, Kenneth Howard, had traveled with them to the clearing, because he was very unsure what this trip would mean for Chase and what would happen when they met with Bird, the Tonkawa wise man. Kenneth had made it very clear he didn’t trust Bird, and that his own experiences with the shaman had taught him just how manipulative he could be.
The three walked slowly to the middle of the grassy clearing. Chase couldn’t help but notice that within moments, all forest sounds were silenced and the disquieting stillness was the same as the last time he’d been here.
"Bird! We’re here. Let’s get this over with," Chase called out to the emptiness, his stomach roiling with anticipation.
The three stood closely together, warily watching the boundaries of the clearing, waiting for him to make his appearance. Soundlessly, the old man emerged from the trees on the side closest to Kenneth, who tried to step between him and Chase.
"What do you want with them, Bird?" Kenneth demanded.
"They must complete the ceremony," Bird announced calmly.
"What ceremony?" Chase asked angrily. "We’re already married."
"You are married by your law, but not by the spirits," Bird said as he walked closer, spreading his arms to indicate the open area.
Allie gripped Chase’s arm, fearing any minute she could be pulled away from him. What in the world would she do then? How could she ever recover from this if the old man sent her back?
"I’m not leaving. You told me I was to decide before the next full moon and I did. I am staying here with Chase." Although Allie tried to muster all her confidence and indignation, her voice quavered more than she liked. After all, she didn’t want the old coot to see how scared she really was.
Bird smiled at Allie. "So, you have found your heart’s desire?"
"Yes," she assured him, "that is Chase and the life I will have with him. That’s what you promised me. You told me I would, and I did." She put her chin up haughtily, feigning a bravery she didn’t really feel.
"Bird, just tell us what you want," Chase said impatiently.
"And you, my son," Bird asked stepping closer. "Is she what you wanted when you asked the moon to bring you someone? Does she fill your heart with gladness, enough to replace the loss you have had?"
Chase looked over at Allie, the love shining in his eyes. "She does, Bird. She is more than a man like me deserves. However she got here, I want her to stay."
Bird walked up to Allie and took her hand in his. A strange sense of Deja vu swept over her as Bird joined her hand with Chase’s. He turned his gaze skyward and made some kind of sing-song pronouncement which must have been in his native language, as the three spectators looked on in guarded fascination.
Kenneth stepped closer to Chase and Allie, his body tense and ready for action. He sent up a quick prayer of his own, that they would leave this clearing together. "Please let the love found in this clearing continue and grow strong." He said quietly, looking at the moon.
His chanting completed, Bird glanced over at Kenneth, and smiled slowly. There was something in Bird’s smirk that concerned Kenneth and he returned the Indian’s look with suspicion.
"My son," he raised his hand to Kenneth and chuckled softly, "your prayers have been heard, and answered."
This exchange was met by curious glances from Allie and Chase. But Bird soon turned his attention back to them.
"You must both pledge to the spirits gathered here in this sacred place, that your travels across time and distance will be gratefully cherished and you will remember to honor the spirits each year that passes, and you remain together. Will you vow to do so, now, in the light of our glorious moon and our ancestors, who are here with us now?" Bird asked Chase and Allie in a loud and booming voice.
"Yes," Chase and Allie said in unison, still holding each other’s hand.
Bird again looked up at the moon, made wide circular arm gestures and sang out his final declarations. For a moment, all was still.
Then Bird looked between Chase and Allie, his eyes a steely gray. Slowly, his serious demeanor shifted and a slight grin turned into a brilliant toothy smile. "My children. It is done!" He waved his arms in the air and laughed aloud. "Now, you are bound by the spirits and will live long and happy lives together."
He stepped closer to the couple and reached out to softly touch Allie’s cheek. "My daughter, he is a good man and has been through much in his life to finally find you." He began to shake his head at her. "I could never have separated you from him. It was never meant to be that way. But it was important for you both to find your hearts, and trust your life’s path."
"So…so, this is over? We’re ok? For real?" she asked, not quite yet absorbing it all.
"Well," Bird said sneakily, "it is done for you and Chase. As I said, you will have long and happy lives together." He cast a sidelong glance at Kenneth and laughed. "But for Kenneth, it is just beginning."
"What?" they all said, knowing full well the canny old guy was up to something. Everyone jolted when a screeching tore through the quiet meadow.
The rustling in the bushes made Kenneth and Chase draw their guns, not sure what was about to burst through the foliage. They expected a wildcat or some other demented animal. That would have been a shock, but it wasn’t anything compared to what they saw coming through the bramble – or rather, who they saw.
"Allie! Oh my God! I found you!" The blonde woman ran full tilt to Allie and threw her arms around her friend.
"Ginny?" Allie asked incredulously. "Ginny?"
"What? What’d I miss?" the newcomer asked, looking around at the group.
CHAPTER 1
Twenty-four hours earlier…Houston 2014

"Hello, my name is Ginny Hawthorn," she announced professionally into the phone. "I am looking for a Nat