Page 31 of Meet Me on Greenwood

Ineeded to find a way home, but I wasn’t sure how to make that happen without access to the ORI. I also needed to find a way to revive the tether so that I could bring myself back in my time. Martin, or one of my other assistants wouldn't be able to come after me because they didn't know where to look, and the 1920s would certainly not be on their radar.

I was no engineer, but if I could find the right components, to recreate the exact kind of surge that broke the tether between my time and this one. With the right kind of power, I just might be able to home. Of course, I had to go into town to look for parts, so I made Houston promise to take me. I told him I was going stir crazy and needed to be around other people, especially after my scare the other night. He’d sympathized but said he wouldn’t drive me downtown until my arm had healed, which prompted me to stretch the muscles and use it as much as I could.

Finally after a week, I felt well enough to remove the sling. It felt great to have it free of the bandages, and I couldn’t wait to show Houston.

From my spot on the porch, I could see two white swans swimming in the pond with three tiny cygnets in tow. The house was on a hill surrounded by redbuds and dogwoods that continued to bloom despite the cool evenings.

My eyes widened as I walked back inside, the smell of bacon there to greet me. The cracked marble floors flowed into a staircase that was so aged it looked dangerous to walk. Even the stone fireplace seemed to be collapsing in on itself, and yet Houston’s manor was the most beautiful structure I’d ever seen.

I quickly washed before joining Lettie in the kitchen. She had a plate set aside for me.

"I need you to eat up now."

"It isn’t hard with your cooking," I said through a mouthful of biscuit.

I noted the other plate with a napkin over it. "Who is that for?" I asked.

Lettie looked at the plate. "Dr. Whitaker will be getting hungry."

Outside the window, his sleek black car was parked in the driveway. I stood abruptly, realizing this was my chance to go into town and collect the supplies I needed for the ORI. "Why didn’t you tell me he’s here?" I said throwing on my shoes. "I’ll take him his plate so we can get going."

Lettie shook her head. "That is not necessary."

"I insist," I said, snatching the plate. "Where is he?"

Lettie looked like she was ready to argue, but she gave up as I leapt out of the doorway, the napkin nearly sliding off the plate.

Following the sounds of new bricks being laid, I moved toward the back of the property, past the old barn, to the spot where an abandoned mill stood. The workers were building a new structure, though I couldn’t fathom why it was being prioritized over remodeling for the main house. It was still surprising to me that in this time period, Houston would choose to hire Black workers, but I was glad to see it. From all accounts, this was a scandalous action, especially since according to Edmund he wasn’t charging Houston any less than his white competitors.

The heat of the day was upon us and most of the men had their shirts unbuttoned, or they’d stripped them off completely. As I scanned the workers, my gaze finally landed on Houston. I stopped in my tracks as I caught the sight. His usually crisp white shirt was unbuttoned showing off his muscular torso underneath. He was pushing a cart of bricks and I noted how his muscles strained and bulged, and how a trail of sweat ran down his neck into his trousers.

"Can I help you, Miss?"

I jumped at the question as Edmund walked towards me. He was fully clothed, thank goodness, tilting his straw hat in greeting.

"You can call me Gema," I said.

He held up his hands. "I’m told there is some memory loss. I didn’t want to assume."

"It doesn’t work that way. Wait, is that what Houston said?"

He paused. "Word travels fast on Greenwood. Everyone is talking. It’s all in good spirits. Asking after your folk is all."

"Oh, well then I’m grateful," I said carefully.

He looked at the plate in my hands. "Are those Lettie’s biscuits?"

"For Houston. Would you want one?" I asked.

"I think I would," he said with a wink.

Just then, Houston turned toward us with a look of surprise. "What are you doing out here?"

"I came to bring you your breakfast."

That brought another wave of confusion as he watched Edmund eat his biscuit. "Lettie sent you here?"

"Yes," I said, shoving in the plate into his hands. "I insisted, and I thought you could bring me into town today—to help with my memory?"