Creighton Manor (9 page)

He strolled up beside her and whispered in her ear. “Well good looking, did you miss me?”

She turned toward him with a radiant smile. Amazingly, she actually appeared happy to see him. “Where have you been?”

“So, you did miss me,” he teased. He pulled out his pocket watch and opened it. "I'm right on time."

"Hmm, is that so? Let me see.” She glanced at his watch. “My what a beautiful time piece.” Gillian reached for his hand to see the watch better. He tilted it toward her. He liked how her skin felt warm and soft against his.

The gold watch was engraved with a fancy scroll and there were rose diamonds inlaid around the front of it and down the chain. The face of the watch told the time and there was a date hand and second hand too. Zachary was proud of his watch and wanted to show it off. He purposely pushed one of the buttons and a lovely tune played.

"I've never seen anything like it."

"There were only a handful of them made. This was my grandfather's. Luckily, Lotti didn’t give it to my father or he would have surely lost it in a game." Zachary closed the watch and put it back in his coat pocket. "That reminds me. I have something for you. It's something that I have been safekeeping for some time
.”
He fished through his other pocket. Finding what he searched for, he took her left hand in his, and carefully slipped a small gold band on her third finger. “It was my mother’s. She was petite like
you are. I thought that it might
fit.”

Gillian brought her hand closer to look at the exquisite ring etched with delicate roses. The ring was an heirloom or at least would be one day. It was something she was sure Zachary must cherish. She couldn’t accept it since their marriage was only temporary. She was going home to her century. “This is beautiful but I can’t
…
” Zachary gently put his finger on her lips, not allowing her to say the words.

“I want you to have it. We have a marriage reception to attend. We can’t very well show up there without wedding bands
.”

“I hadn’t really thought about having a ring. What about you?”

He lifted his hand and wiggled his fingers. The gold band shone bright on his ring finger. “See we’re all official.” He took her arm in his. “Well Mrs. Creighton, are you ready to meet my nephew?”

She didn’t answer at first. She was thinking how right Mrs. Creighton sounded to her, but how could it? She shook the thought from her mind. “I would love to meet, Tyler. Lead the way.”

They headed down the walk and toward where Zachary had left the carriage. “You look lovely by the way,” Zachary told her. “Do you like your new outfit?”

She looked down at herself and then to him. “Yes, thank you, but I’m burning the corset as soon as I can.”

His brows shot up and he chuckled. “You will have no complaint from me. I never understood why women wore the contraptions anyway. I take it there weren’t any kid shoes available at Miss Sophia’s?” He pointed to her feet.

She glanced down, seeing her tennis shoes peeking out from below her dress every time she took a step. “The shoes are going to be sent to the house along with the other dresses. My feet are still a little sore and I didn’t want to break in a new pair.”

“Odd-looking shoes, if you don’t mind me saying so. Where did you purchase them? I have never seen anything of the sort.”

“Oh…
well they were... specially made.” How did she explain tennis shoes when they hadn’t been invented yet? She glanced at Zachary. His brows drew together and she had the feeling her explanation didn’t sit well with him. She needed to distract him. The less he knew of her world the better. “So, does Tyler know about me?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes, I am sure Lotti has brought him up to date.”

Gillian nodded.

“Mr. Creighton?” a man called to Zachary. He waved as he jogged toward them.

“Who’s that?” Gillian shaded her eyes to have a better look.

“Mr. Gurney’s assistant.”

“Who?” 

“The local photographer,” he whispered to her before he shouted his greeting, “Hello, Mr. Norman.”

The man reached them and inhaled deeply to catch his breath. “Hello Mr. Creighton
...
uh Miss
…” He looked a Gillian.

“This is Mrs. Creighton,” Zachary made the introductions.

Mr. Norman’s face beamed. “Why Mr. Creighton that is fabulous. It is nice to meet you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat before he looked at Zachary again. “I would sure appreciate it if you and Mrs. Creighton would pose for me. The lighting is just perfect
.”
He didn’t exactly wait for an agreement, but ran back to where he had left his tripod.

Zachary leaned near. “Mr. Norman’s an eccentric. He is always photographing the town for one reason or other.”

“Norman,” she said the name thoughtfully. “Does his first name happen to be Henry?”

Zachary looked at her just as Mr. Norman snapped the picture. “You know him?”

“No, I’ve heard of him
.”

“You have? What have you heard?”

She smiled. “All good.”

“That’s not what—”

“Did we do all right, Henry?” She waved to catch his attention.

“Henry? You’re on a first name basis with him?”

She ignored Zachary and stepped down from the walkway.

Henry ran over to them again. “Yes, it was perfect. Thank you kindly for your assistance Mr. Creighton, Mrs. Creighton.”

“It is an honor to meet you.” Gillian took his hand and shook it. Henry’s eyebrows rose and he tugged on his collar. Gillian didn’t notice. She was in awe. She couldn’t believe she met Henry Norman of all people. She admired his work. The man captured details that might otherwise have been lost. He would one day photograph the Omnibus that ran hourly from the river landing, the gorgeous interiors of the J.M. White and other steamboats. He had photos of wagons piled high with cotton, and the devastation caused by flooding. Henry Norman was there for all of it and he knew how to capture the moment. “Your work will one day be the most extensive collection of the
nineteenth
century.” She finally realized she was still shaking his hand and let go. “Look at me go on
.”
She laughed.

Henry smiled with a nervous chuckle. “Thank you.” He looked at Zachary and the grin slid off his face.

Gillian followed his gaze and frowned. Zachary stood there with a murderous scowl penetrating his feature.

“Well thank you again,” Henry said before he turned and hurried away.

Zachary’s nostrils flared as he turned his attention on her.

“What?” Gillian shrugged.

“What indeed. If I didn’t know better, I would think that you were infatuated with Mr. Norman.”

She chuckled. “Don’t be absurd. I admire his work, is all.”

“He’s only the assistant.”

“Not forever he won’t be. Come on, we don’t want to keep Lotti waiting.”

“What work does
Henry
have on display?”  

“Geeze, you’re like a dog with a bone. Really Zachary. If you keep up this up, I might think you’re jealous.”

He harrumphed, but he stopped interrogating.

They reached the carriage and Zachary took hold of Gillian’s arm to help her into her seat.

“Zachary Creighton!” a woman shouted his name.

“Now what?” he mumbled under his breath.

Gillian turned. A woman stomped toward them, her arms swinging at her sides. Her fists were balled as if she’d like to punch someone. She would have been beautiful with reddish colored curls that bounced with each step, but her lips were pinched together in a thin line and her blue eyes flashed with unbridled anger. “Zachary Creighton!” she screamed, again drawing the attention of everyone who stood near enough to hear her, which was quite a distance. She glared at Gillian with pure hatred in her eyes. Then she turned her attention back to Zachary. “You
…
” She fought for the right words she wanted to lash out at him. She must have decided there weren’t any. She lifted her hand and brought it down squarely against Zachary’s cheek. The woman then turned on her heels and stomped off in the other direction.

“I take it that was Violet?” Gillian stared after the woman.

“Uh huh.” He inhaled deeply.

“You have a way of bringing out the best in women, don’t you?”

He rolled his eyes and s
he grinned.

Without another word, he walked around to the other side of the carriage.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lotti
had
brought Tyler home, and Gillian and Zachary found him playing in back of the house. Tyler screamed in delight and ran to greet his uncle, plowing into him as if he were a linebacker. Zachary laughed and picked him up, twirling him around before he placed him firmly back down on the ground again.

“I’d swear you have grown an inch if not more since last week.” Zachary ruffled Tyler’s hair.

“Really? Do you think so?” He grinned from ear to ear.

“I’m sure of it.”

Tyler looked at Gillian in awed fascination. “Is that the lady you married? Is she to be my aunt now? She’s much prettier than Violet, if I do say
.”

Gillian immediately liked the freckled face Tyler.

Zachary turned his gaze to her and answered, “I hadn’t thought about it, but I do believe you’re right.”

“Aah Uncle Zachary, you’re teasing me. You know she’s pretty. Why else would you have married her?”

Zachary avoided the question. “So what have you and Lotti been up to?”

Tyler’s face lit up as he talked. It wasn’t difficult for Gillian to see how much Tyler adored his uncle. Zachary could tease Tyler into laughter.

Tyler reminded Gillian of someone. It was his expressions, the quick smile, the tilt of his head and the way his eyebrows lifted right before he chuckled. Tyler didn’t resemble Zachary in coloring. Zachary’s hair was dark and his eyes were blue. Tyler had sandy color hair, and his eyes were a deep brown.

She didn’t have the chance to dwell on it. A dog’s sharp bark drew her attention. She turned her head and shaded her eyes. “Oh no.” She felt the blood drain from her face. She took a step back. It was the dog, not any dog, but
the dog
. She knew there had to be a connection with this animal and the reason she ended up in Zachary’s cabin. What it was, she hadn’t the foggiest idea. Was she to go back now? She felt a wave of panic course through her. She wasn’t ready to go. Before she could decipher the meaning behind that crazy thought, she grabbed a hold of Zachary’s arm in a deathlike grip as if he could stop her from being whirled back to her time.

“Hey, don’t be scared. That’s just Molly. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Gillian looked at him in surprise. She didn’t understand. “This is your dog?” 

He chuckled. “More like she adopted us. She showed up one day and decided to stay.” Molly slid to a stop in front of them and rolled over, begging to have her tummy rubbed.

“She’s always doing that,” Tyler said as he plopped down on the ground. “You silly dog.” He scratched Molly’s stomach. “There girl, is that the spot?”

Gillian released her grip on Zachary’s arm and knelt down. Molly sat up and tilted her head to the side as if she were waiting for Gillian to say something. “Why did you bring me here?” Gillian whispered as she nuzzled her neck. She leaned back and Molly licked her face.

“She likes you.” Tyler’s freckled face lit up.

Tyler’s smile was so familiar. A dim ripple flittered across her mind, making her think she should know why
.

“Do I call you, Aunt Gillian?” Tyler asked breaking through her thoughts.

Zachary answered for her. “You do indeed.” He sat down beside Gillian and gave his attention to Molly.

Gillian wondered if it was really a good idea for Tyler to call her aunt. She wasn’t going to be his aunt for long, but Zachary seemed to want to carry the charade to the fullest.

“Lotti says she’s going to throw a party for the both of you. Can I go?” Tyler pleaded.

“For a little while, then you will have to go upstairs with Dora. The party will probably last long into the night and growing boys need their sleep.”

Tyler petted Molly while he scrutinized the two sitting beside him. Being a little boy, he thought nothing of asking what was on his mind. “Where did you two meet?”

Zachary cleared his throat as he stalled for time.

Gillian didn’t want Tyler to know how they really met. Some secrets were best not told. “We met aboard the Ida Belle. You’re uncle being the charmer that he is, swept me off my feet.” So she embellished little. A little white lie wouldn’t hurt.

“No,” Zachary interrupted, “I believe it was you, my dear, who swept me off my feet
.”

Gillian chuckled. “So I did.”

“Is that why I have never seen you before?”

“That’s why,” Gillian replied.