Back in her time by Patricia Corbett Bowman Page B

the escape instead of you?”
    â€œBecause I can run faster than you, and have a better chance.”
    â€œOh you can, can you?”
    â€œWell, sir, I am younger by a few years, and I’ve had to run away from a few situations back in my … city. So I know I’m the better choice. Besides, I can swim across a river to get away, and you never learned how.”
    â€œWho told you that I can’t swim?” Sarge abruptly turned and left the group.
    â€œNow you’ve done it, Junior. You’re on the bad side of Sarge, for sure. Sorry I brought it up.” Mac, too, left the circle.
    The others busied themselves cleaning their mess tins, eyes averted, and repacked their kits. Taylor wandered off by herself. This had better work, Pops, or you’ll never believe another story I tell you. Or I’ll never believe another story you tell me, if I ever get that chance again.

Chapter Thirteen

    Taylor avoided the others for the next two days as they marched forward. I might as well be back in my time, for all the friends I have here. At home I was a freak. Here, I’m that crazy nut case. I’m not sure which one is worse.
    â€œJunior, Sarge is looking for you. He’s over talking to some Highlanders who caught up to us in the rear,” said Whitey. “Maybe they’re some of your unit?”
    My unit? They’ll know I’m not one of them as soon as they see me. I can’t go talk to them.
    â€œCome on, Junior. They’re waiting for you down the road.”
    Think, think! How do I get out of this? “Shit, Whitey. They’ll want me to go with them. I like it here with you guys. Can’t you go back and say you couldn’t find me?”
    â€œOrders are orders, Junior. Come on. Maybe they’ll let you stay.”
    After the court martial, sure. I’ll be staying around for a long time — in jail. I can’t let these guys see me. They’ll know I’m not this T. Reid guy as soon as they see my face.
    â€œGee, you look like you’ve seen a ghost or something, Junior. Come on.” Whitey took Taylor’s arm in a firm grip and pulled her down the wagon track they were using as a road.
    Eyes downcast, Taylor let herself be led to the Highlanders.
    â€œHere he is now, gents. Recognize him?” Sarge stood back on his heels as if presenting a new prize bull.
    â€œWell, I’ll be. Reid, you trickster! You are alive. We thought you bought it back at Ortono after the mortars started flying,” said a burly man with corporal chevrons.
    â€œMore like we thought you went AWOL,” said the other soldier, a private. “Captain nearly wrote your mother that you were missing in action. Where the heck did you get to?”
    Taylor stood, mouth hanging open. “You know me? You really know me?”
    â€œHe does have it bad. You’re right, sergeant. He doesn’t have a clue who we are. Are you all right, son?”
    â€œHe’s fine. He’s done some damn good soldiering since he joined my platoon. This boy is a natural leader. Tells some tall tales, though.”
    â€œThat’s our Reid. Always joking around, half-lying but never hurting anybody. Glad to hear he’s toughened up, though. Knew this army would make a man out of you yet,” said the corporal as he pounded Taylor on the arm.
    They really know me. I’m here in the past in someone else’s body. Strange that I look like this guy. I saw myself in the mirror when I was shaving and it’s me, all right. Wait. How can that be? Unless I think I just see me. No. Could I be in the body of one of my ancestors? Like my own grandfather or even great-grandfather? Reid. Maybe that’s it. I’ve come back to the past and found the name of my biological family. Mom would never show me the papers. She just always said I was adopted and could see them when I turned eighteen. That was going to be next month back in my