A Tumble Through Time Read Online Free Page A

as if invoking the heavens.
    Slug scratched his head, then picked up her pouch. “Miss, I’ll just move this to the side, so’s I can be on my way.”
    She winced as she tugged the pouch from him, hugging it to her chest. “Be careful with this, mister. It’s a Coach.”
    Again Wes and Slug stared at each other.
    “Um, no, miss. What you just came out of is the coach.” Wes wiped the sweat from his forehead, and cast her a glance. This was by far the strangest conversation he’d ever had, and he needed to get his libido under control and away from her disturbing presence. If she was indeed intended for Miss Ethel’s Bordello, he would be tempted to break his cardinal rule and make a visit. Real soon.
    “Whatever. I’m going to see if I can find a phone, since last week I smashed my cell in a fit.”
    Wes clutched her arm as she moved to walk around him. “No, wait a minute there, Miss Devlin.”
    Anna raised her eyebrows, and looked down her nose at him. A remarkable feat, since he had a good foot on her.
    “I’m sorry, but you can’t walk around town dressed like that.” Wes’s face flushed, and he coughed, looking toward Slug.
     
     
    Anna stood dumbfounded, staring at the man. First the Indian store disappeared, then this old codger scared the hell out of her when he’d almost run her over with what looked like a stagecoach from an old John Wayne movie. The smelly weird woman in the coach had tsked all the way to town, mumbling about harlots. Now this hunk of a marshal talked to her like he’d never heard of political correctness.
    “Why not? What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?”
    He waved his hand toward her. “You’re wearing men’s pants. And you’re missing most of your shirt.”
    “My shirt isn’t missing anything.” She glanced down. Men’s pants? “I don’t get it. Is this a movie set or something?”
    The marshal rubbed the back of his neck and peered at her, frowning. “Movie?”
    “Okay, maybe a tourist town? And you’re the big, bad marshal?”
    “Big bad marshal?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Could you say something else besides repeating my questions?”
    The annoying yet exceedingly handsome man, with the ‘Marshal’ badge pinned to his muscled chest, glanced over her head. Anna turned in time to see the old driver making circles with his index finger along the side of his head. The marshal nodded. They thought she was crazy?
    “All right. I’m done with this game. Where’s the Indian store? And where the heck is Route 83?”
    Wes pushed back the brim of his hat. “Miss Devlin, are you here to work with Miss Ethel?”
    “Nope. No idea who Miss Ethel is, but if she’s waiting for someone to arrive, it’s not me.”
    His shoulders slumped as if disappointed in her answer. “Why don’t you let me take you to the doctor’s house? It’s a short walk from here, and you can lie down. I think you may have been in the sun too long.” The hunk grabbed her elbow and attempted to move her forward.
    She yanked her arm from his hand, rubbing the spot where heat sizzled her skin. Her thoughts clouded for a moment, but then she snapped, “Now wait a minute. I don’t need a doctor. I’m fine. Y’all are crazy. Dressed up like a movie set, trying to make me think this is for real.” She pointed her finger at him. “Believe me, I’ve had my problems lately, but I sure as hell haven’t lost my mind.”
    Both men sucked in air. “Miss, we don’t allow cussing in public. Especially from ladies,” the marshal said.
    Anna shifted her purse strap up on her shoulder and tried to calm her racing heart. “Look. marshal. I have no idea where I am. I left the Indian store, found the damn peace chair, sat there for a while and fell asleep. When I woke up it was all gone. And your buddy here,” she nodded with her chin toward the driver, “gave me a lift to the nearest town in the strangest mode of transportation I’ve ever ridden in.” She turned slowly, her gaze taking in