Birdie spotted the location where she believed her house stood in the future. Homesickness engulfed her. A large lump formed in her stomach, and she closed her eyes until the sensation passed. What was she going to do? She couldn’t throw herself in the Brazos every time she crossed it. They’d lock her up in one of those sanatoriums for sure.
Mrs. Lockhart patted her leg. “After a hot bath and a good meal, things will look better.”
Birdie could only nod. Would she? Only time would tell.
Chapter Four
Birdie woke to the sound of robins and cardinals chirping outside her window. Dawn sunlight cast a ray across the bedroom wallpaper with flowers creeping up a trellis. Her sleep had been fitful. The feather mattress wrapped itself around her, making it difficult to roll over. She had to literally lift her body to turn, which resulted in tangling the long nightgown about her. The breeze through the open window wasn’t enough to cool her until after midnight. She supposed her body was too accustomed to air conditioning. Then she’d fallen into a restless sleep. But, the wakeful time lying in the dark allowed her to think, to plan. She had to accept her fate and make the best of it. Somehow, she’d traveled back in time to 1890 and it appeared she was stuck here forever. There was no way the Texas Rangers would allow her to be a part of their regiment in this time, but she’d find a way to use her skills and build a life for herself.
With her decision made, she felt better—could even smile. Heck, she might even dance a jig if she could get out of this bed. She swung her legs toward the side and managed to push herself up into a sitting position.
Finally on her feet, she peeked out the door to make sure the hall was empty before rushing down to the bathroom. She was not about to use the chamber pot beneath the bed. The big claw foot tub was similar to the one at the hospital and soaking last night had been heavenly. She quickly washed her teeth using the brush and tooth powder they’d picked up yesterday. While brushing she held the can up and scanned the label. It read, “Dr. Lyon’s Perfect Tooth Powder, An Elegant Toilet Luxury.” Though not her favorite way of cleaning her teeth, it was better than a frayed twig, and worked quite well.
Dressed in a riding skirt and one of her new blouses, she stared at herself in the mirror. What could she do with her hair, and what did the people in this time period think about her up lights and low lights? Her beautician had talked her into adding the red, something new to Birdie and she had to admit, she liked them. With the brush Olivia had purchased for her yesterday, she brushed the long tresses, creating as much order as possible. She could pin it back with the hairpins lying on the glass vanity tray, but it would take practice to create something suitable. They weren't like the bobby pins she was used to. With a shrug, she left her room to head downstairs.
She entered the kitchen to find Olivia and the woman she’d called Maybelle last night, bustling around cooking breakfast. “Can I help?”
Olivia smiled. “My goodness, Birdie, after your exhausting day, I didn’t think you’d be up this early.” Last night they’d gotten around to dispensing with formal names. Possibly because Bethany refused to call her Miss Braxton, plus it wasn’t a moniker Birdie was that familiar with. Now, if someone said Sergeant Braxton, she’d tune in instantly. But that wasn’t going to happen, here anyway.
“I’m always up this early, unless I’m sick and Aunt Patty makes me stay in bed.” Her heart twisted, but she shook the emotion away. She had to move on.
Olivia patted her arm in sympathy. “I’m sorry, dear. Somehow we’ll find your family.” She handed Birdie a stack of plates. “You can set the table.”
A large family table graced the kitchen. Birdie did as asked, adding the cloth napkins and silverware Olivia lay on the table.
“Maybelle, will you go
Mrs. Lockhart patted her leg. “After a hot bath and a good meal, things will look better.”
Birdie could only nod. Would she? Only time would tell.
Chapter Four
Birdie woke to the sound of robins and cardinals chirping outside her window. Dawn sunlight cast a ray across the bedroom wallpaper with flowers creeping up a trellis. Her sleep had been fitful. The feather mattress wrapped itself around her, making it difficult to roll over. She had to literally lift her body to turn, which resulted in tangling the long nightgown about her. The breeze through the open window wasn’t enough to cool her until after midnight. She supposed her body was too accustomed to air conditioning. Then she’d fallen into a restless sleep. But, the wakeful time lying in the dark allowed her to think, to plan. She had to accept her fate and make the best of it. Somehow, she’d traveled back in time to 1890 and it appeared she was stuck here forever. There was no way the Texas Rangers would allow her to be a part of their regiment in this time, but she’d find a way to use her skills and build a life for herself.
With her decision made, she felt better—could even smile. Heck, she might even dance a jig if she could get out of this bed. She swung her legs toward the side and managed to push herself up into a sitting position.
Finally on her feet, she peeked out the door to make sure the hall was empty before rushing down to the bathroom. She was not about to use the chamber pot beneath the bed. The big claw foot tub was similar to the one at the hospital and soaking last night had been heavenly. She quickly washed her teeth using the brush and tooth powder they’d picked up yesterday. While brushing she held the can up and scanned the label. It read, “Dr. Lyon’s Perfect Tooth Powder, An Elegant Toilet Luxury.” Though not her favorite way of cleaning her teeth, it was better than a frayed twig, and worked quite well.
Dressed in a riding skirt and one of her new blouses, she stared at herself in the mirror. What could she do with her hair, and what did the people in this time period think about her up lights and low lights? Her beautician had talked her into adding the red, something new to Birdie and she had to admit, she liked them. With the brush Olivia had purchased for her yesterday, she brushed the long tresses, creating as much order as possible. She could pin it back with the hairpins lying on the glass vanity tray, but it would take practice to create something suitable. They weren't like the bobby pins she was used to. With a shrug, she left her room to head downstairs.
She entered the kitchen to find Olivia and the woman she’d called Maybelle last night, bustling around cooking breakfast. “Can I help?”
Olivia smiled. “My goodness, Birdie, after your exhausting day, I didn’t think you’d be up this early.” Last night they’d gotten around to dispensing with formal names. Possibly because Bethany refused to call her Miss Braxton, plus it wasn’t a moniker Birdie was that familiar with. Now, if someone said Sergeant Braxton, she’d tune in instantly. But that wasn’t going to happen, here anyway.
“I’m always up this early, unless I’m sick and Aunt Patty makes me stay in bed.” Her heart twisted, but she shook the emotion away. She had to move on.
Olivia patted her arm in sympathy. “I’m sorry, dear. Somehow we’ll find your family.” She handed Birdie a stack of plates. “You can set the table.”
A large family table graced the kitchen. Birdie did as asked, adding the cloth napkins and silverware Olivia lay on the table.
“Maybelle, will you go
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