My concerns started to mount. “You were nominated forGold Rush!, but you didn’t win.”
His frown deepened as he stepped closer. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
“I’m feeling fine.” Except—I wasn’t. Why could Spencer not remember a movie he had played in, and why hadn’t my mother remembered the fire that was supposed to kill Bess? When I had brought it up at the awards ceremony the other night, she had seemed very aware of the first San Francisco fire, but today she had seemed confused.
Unless.
Had history changed last night? Had the fire not happened? And if so, why not? Had I unknowingly changed something? Mama had always said that if Iknowinglychanged history I would forfeit the path I changed, but I hadn’t done anything on purpose.
“We should probably get you to wardrobe and makeup.” I opened the door and stepped out, needing to speak to my parents.
I showed Spencer to the wardrobe and makeup building and found Mama patching a hole on a pair of trousers.
Pulling her aside, I whispered, “Have you ever heard of a movie calledGold Rush!?”
She shook her head as she stuck the needle into the fabric. “No.”
My pulse picked up speed. “Do you know anything about the first fire in San Francisco in August 1849 or a man named Cole Goodman?”
Frowning, she said, “I know there were several fires in San Francisco over the years, but nothing stands out to me about the first one. And, no, I’ve never heard of a man named Cole Goodman.”
“He didn’t write a book about his time in San Francisco?”
“If he did, I’ve never heard of it.” She stopped sewing and gaveme her full attention. “What’s this about, Ally? I have a lot to get done today.”
I swallowed the trepidation in my throat. “I think history changed last night, but I don’t know how. I remember the original history, but no one else does.”
She was quiet for a moment and then said, “My mother in the 1600s told me a little about this. She said that if history changes, only the time-crosser who was in the changed timeline remembers the real history. Since I’m not currently in that timeline, I don’t have any knowledge of it. I’m sorry.”
“What does it mean?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but you’ll probably find out tomorrow.”
“Will I go back there?”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
“What if I did something to change it?”
“Did you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then you should be fine.”
I hoped she was right, because I wasn’t ready to leave Father or Hazel alone in Sydney Town.
5
August 31, 1849
San Francisco, California
“Ally.” Hazel shook my shoulder. “Wake up. Something’s wrong.”
I opened my eyes and found Hazel on her knees next to me. My pulse jumped as I sat up. “What is it? Fire?”
“No.” Her blue eyes were large and frightened. “Something’s wrong with Johnnie.”
