Edge of Time (Langston Brothers Series) by Melissa Lynne Blue

taking Marissa to the hospital.”
    “The hospital?”
    “Yes, she’s going to work there.”
    “Oh. ” T he young woman turned a curious expression to her “cousin” but didn’t question further.
    Piling onto the narrow splintered seat of the cart Marissa found herself sandwiched between Genie and the unforgiving corner of a rail. So much for the leather interior of my brand new Chevy.
    Staring at the crush of the city around her she felt totally lost. It was like drowning on dry land or suffocating with lungs full of air. She wanted to scream for rescue but who would hear? Still, she continued to gaze, enthralled at the passing store fronts, wondering if she looked as out of place as she felt. What she knew of this era was severely limited to high school history class and watching westerns on TV — probably most of that knowledge could be credited to television — and in spite of her earlier comparison, this was anything but Gone With the Wind .
    “What do you say, Marissa?”
    Carolyn’s voice pulled h er from the dredges of her mind. “I’m sorry. What?”
    “The Confederate officers are having a ball in a few weeks and now that you’re in town you simply must come with us. I already ma de a new dress for the occasion. Today I had planned to buy a bit of ribbon and lace. ”
    “That sounds wonderful,” Marissa replied with a miserable attempt at enthusiasm. She did not want to consider still being here in a few weeks. “Although I don’t have anything to wear.”
    Carolyn’s eyes glowed at the prospect. “Don’t you worry, dear cousin. I have more clothes than I could wear in three lifetimes. I’ll make you the most ravishing belle at the ball.”
    “In that case, I feel compelled to warn you that I’m not much of a dancer.”
    “Again, not to worry.” Carolyn grinned. “I can fix that as well.”
    It was bizarre but on more than one occasion Marissa caught sight of a short balding man staring at her through the crowd. At first she didn’t think much of it, but after the third time his black beady eyes locked on hers she grew a little unsettled. But when she turned to ask Genie or Carolyn about him the man melted into the crowd. As if life couldn’t get any worse the last thing she needed was to attract a stalker.
    Eventually the cart rattled to a stop before a massive three story brick bu ilding—the hospital— and nerves assailed Marissa. Getting a job was without doubt a disaster waiting to happen. She had less than no idea what to expect of medicine in this era, and it would only take time and effort away from getting home.
    Together the three women exited the old cart and entered the arched doors of the hospital, Marissa lagging a step behind.
    “Good day, Dr. Langston,” Genie drawled sweetly .
    Marissa’s gaze instantly honed in on Craig’s towering form. He turned toward Genie ’s voice, as did the young dark-haired woman he’d been speaking with.
    Marissa stared. Oh, fate was a cruel, bitter entity indeed. The woman clinging so lovingly to Craig Langston’s arm was Marne . Or at least her double. Maybe a multiple-great grandmother? Marissa stood frozen as the whole of her world began to tilt.
    With curls as deep as the night and dimples that made her smile dazzling, this woman could have been Marne’s mirror image. The only difference was the eyes. While Marne’s had been blue-green this girls eyes appeared violet, almost purple in the bright light of the entry. Taking in the willowy figure Marissa experienced an all too familiar ripping at the seams of her soul.
    *               *               *
    Grateful for the interruption, Craig greeted the newcomers politely. “Good morning, Mrs. Harr is, Mrs. Reed, Miss McClafferty. ” H e deftly extricated his arm from the claw-like grip the ever-determined Kirsten had on it. “I’ve been expecting you.” Amazing he thought. He’d felt Marissa’s presence, known she was there without looking. The