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Setting: The Old West (Cowboys) "Miss Corday. It's time to leave." Sarah's eyes opened a slit. She saw D.K. crouched beside her, the tin star glistening on his chest. Shades of the old west. Well, at least she was someplace familiar. "What time is it?" she asked groggily. "Late. Half past seven. We should have been on our way an hour ago, but I thought you could use the rest. How do you feel?" She sat up. "All right. I guess." She scratched her neck and frowned when she felt the necklace there--her reminder that D.K. didn't really know her in this time. He stood and stretched out his hand to her. She grabbed it, and he pulled her up. When she staggered, his free hand locked around her waist to steady her. Their eyes met briefly. He cleared his throat and released her. What had he been thinking? Thankfully, she didn't crumple to the ground when he released her. Her head felt much better today. But she felt so antsy--like she could run a marathon. She must be getting too much sleep. D.K. led his horse over to her. "Mount up. It's a ways to town. Too far to walk, especially since I still don't think you're completely recovered." Sarah glanced at the horse, glanced at D.K., glanced at the horse. "Uh ... I don't know if I can. I've never ridden before." "Excuse me?" "I've never ridden a horse." At his incredulous look, her temper flared. "So sue me! I'm not from around here." She heard him mumble something about Eastern-born ladies, before he wiped the impatient look from his face. He gripped her arm, and pulled her closer to his mount. "Grab a hold of the saddlehorn, put your foot in the stirrup, and pull yourself up." "All right." Sarah did as instructed--well, almost. She managed to pull herself halfway up, but wasn't getting any further. A hand on her bottom pushed her the rest of the way. "Hey!" She settled into the saddle. "Watch where you put your hands." "Sorry." D.K. mounted behind her. "I didn't figure you'd make it up any other way." His arms encircled her as he urged the horse forward. Sarah felt strangely uncomfortable by his nearness, but shook off the feeling. It was probably just because she knew he didn't remember her from the other time periods. She wasn't sure what to expect from him or how much she could really trust him. "What town are we headed for?" D.K. didn't answer immediately. When he finally did answer, his voice was filled with concern. "You really are lost, aren't you?" "Worse than that. I don't even know what State I'm in." She felt D.K. stiffened. He probably thought she was lying now. Her statement sounded odd even to her own ears. "You're in Missouri," he told her, his tone wary. "You mentioned something earlier about having trouble with your horse. But now you say you've never ridden. Care to explain that?" "I never said anything about having a horse." "Your pinto?" "My--" Her car. Actually, her dink-of-a-date's car. "It's hard to explain." How was she supposed to describe a car crash to someone who didn't even know what a car was? Maybe he'd just let the subject drop. "Explain." Sarah scowled. I guess not. And he wasn't asking any longer. From the deep rumbling sound of his voice, she recognized his statement as not a mere statement, but a demand. A rattling sound broke the tension that had built between them. Momentarily ... A snake slithered out in front of them. The horse reared up in panic. Sarah screeched. D.K. swore. And they both tumbled to the ground. |