Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Anna yawned, not bothering to cover her mouth. She was much too busy trying to find a comfortable spot on the horse. Talk about an aching backside. A spin class had nothing on riding for hours on end.

“Is it safe to stop? Won’t these people turn you in?”

“You haven’t eaten and we must change horses.” He tied a mask over his face, making her blink.

“Is this a robbery?”

“Nay, lady. I am known.” He bowed. “The bandit of the wood, at your service.”

Skeptical, she bit her lip. “If you say so.”

And he was right. One of the women blushed and welcomed him to their home. John purchased bread and ale. The bread had little pebbles in it, and she couldn’t stand the taste of beer, but at least the cherries were delicious. Not her normal breakfast of cereal, but it would do. The lack of sleep was a bigger issue. Anna was an eight-hour girl, and only sleeping for three hours wasn’t working. At least riding with him, if she fell asleep he wouldn’t let her fall off .

The morning eased into afternoon before they stopped by a rushing brook.

“Easy. I’ve got you. You are unused to riding?”

She would have fallen off the horse if he hadn’t helped her dismount. They were so close, his hair brushed her face.

Stretching, she said, “No one rides where I come from. Except for pleasure or sport. It’s expensive to keep a horse.”

He blinked at her, a speculative look on his face. “Truly? ’Tis a curious place, your home.”

Fudge. Oh well, it wasn’t like she could take it back. Her ideas and words had to sound strange to him. She needed to blend in. And for the hundredth time Anna wished she’d paid more attention during history class instead of drooling over Reed Worth. History was boring and Reed was a blonde, tanned surfer. He never noticed she existed, but she spent hours doodling their names in her notebook.

Why had she landed in 1331? Why not the 1700s or some other time period? All she could remember about this time was from movies. Fat lot of good that would do. All she remembered was William Wallace had been executed at the beginning of the 1300s, and the big, nasty plague was coming in the next fifteen years or so. She had no clue what was happening now.

That was the thing about living in America. Most of her friends didn’t pay much attention to what was happening on the world stage. They were all too busy scrabbling to make ends meet. And given the size of America, most people only spoke English. Whereas in many European countries, given their proximity to other countries, people spoke multiple languages. She never thought about being born and raised in Florida. Spending her whole life in one place. But now? Given the circumstances, Anna wished she could have traveled more. Seen the world. And paid attention in history class. Mr. Adams would be laughing his head off if he could see her now.

This was the first time she’d ever seen a horse up close and personal. The animal finished drinking, and she handed him a carrot they’d purchased from the village.

“I like carrots too. If we keep having to eat bread with rocks in it, you and I will be fighting over them.”

The horse twitched an ear, ignoring her while he contentedly chewed his veggies.

“Where you come from there are no horses? How do you travel about the countryside?”

Why did he have to be Mr. McNosy? “We have…carriages.”

“Are they not drawn by horses?”

When would she learn to keep her mouth shut? Usually she was as silent as a whore in church, but with him…he made her more talkative than LouAnne Hedgepath. They worked together at the diner, and that girl could talk until your ears bled.

“No.”

He was stuck with her. And he’d already called her crazy, so what did she have to lose? It wasn’t like he could take her to the local police and have her arrested for witchcraft, given the fact he was an escaped convict.

“No? How do these carriages move?”

She put her hands on her hips. “Look, Mr. McNosy. I didn’t get enough sleep and I’m cranky. So back off and let me get a drink.” Anna surprised herself. What was it about him? He brought out the worst in her. And yet…it felt good to be bossy. She knelt down and scooped up the water with her hands. It was cold and clear and tasted delicious.

John was watching her with a half-smile on his face. He held out a ceramic bottle and she wrinkled her nose.

“No offense, but I hate ale.”

Without a word, he rummaged in the knapsack and held out another of the ceramic bottles to her.

“You can fill this one with water. Though you must take care not to drink water in the villages unless you know ’tis not tainted.”

“I’ll remember, thanks. ”

She filled the bottle and drained it. Much easier than trying to cup the water in her palm. The cool water cleared the dust from her throat. It was warm out, and she wished she had a pair of shorts. When she started to stand, he reached out and helped her up. It was a strange sensation having a man so close. At the diner she was invisible. Nothing more than a way for people to get food and drink. They didn’t actually see her as a person. Treated her as if she had no feelings. Almost as if she were a robot. To feel the weight of his gaze on her, looking into the heart of her, made Anna uncomfortable. She’d grown used to being invisible.