Stowaway in Time

Anne?”
“Come along and help you.”
Diamond dropped her napkin on her lap and fiddled with it. “That’s kind of you, but I can manage.”
“I’m sure you can, but I have nothing better to do.”
“Fine. Come with me, but I need to speak to Bryce and Anne alone.”
She made it sound like she was doing him a big favor. Jesse stifled a smile. The waitress returned, filled their dainty china cups with coffee and took their orders. Diamond did not seem out of place in the elegant setting, but also didn’t appear as much at ease as he would have expected, given his theory she came from a privileged background. “Then it’s settled. We will visit Poole’s shop once we’ve finished eating.”
The waitress brought their eggs, toast, and bacon. The tantalizing aroma drifted up from the plates and Jesse dug in. Diamond began buttering her toast as if it were a work of art. She took a bite, pushed the eggs around on her plate and finished her coffee in one gulp.
“Is the food not to your liking?”
“What?” She looked up, her gaze unfocused. “On, no, it’s fine.” She took a bite of her perfectly buttered toast. “I guess I’m a little nervous. We’ve worked so hard to get here.”
He was curious. No doubt about it. The unusual closure on her pack, the “bungee” cords and the many bladed knife she tried to keep hidden, were strange, as was her canteen, which she referred to as a “water bottle.” He wanted to know what business she had with Poole and why they had left her alone in the middle of nowhere. If Poole had deliberately abandoned her in an area contested by both the Union and Confederate armies, he had a bone to pick with the man, rich and powerful or not. “You can trust me. Whatever this about, you can depend on me.”
Her wary brown eyes softened. “I do trust you, Jesse. But some things you’re better off not knowing.” She fidgeted with her napkin again, balling it up and smoothing it out. “Bryce might demand my silence as payment for helping me. If not, I’ll share a few useful tidbits with you before I go home.”
Before she goes home. A hollow ache filled his stomach despite the food he had just eaten. The thought of never seeing her again filled him with dismay even though he had no claim on her and was in no position to stake a claim. The Confederate Army owned him for another year. As soon as he got Diamond safely settled, he would return to the battlefield. He had little to offer any woman save a one-third share in his father’s farm and the imminent risk of widowhood.
“My brother fights for the Union. I don’t care if you are a spy.”
“I’ve told you a million times, I’m not a spy.”
“You wouldn’t tell me if you were.”
“Guess not.” She chewed on a piece of bacon. “Your brother’s a Yankee? Didn’t see that coming.”
“It was my father’s idea to have one son on each side. No matter which side wins, we’re covered.”
“Sounds cold-hearted. What about patriotism, honor, and duty?”
“Dad hasn’t a lot of patience with intangible things. He wants the South to prevail, but is more concerned with holding on to our property. The house and land are now in enemy territory since New Madrid fell. I only hope it has escaped damage.”
“I’m sorry to keep you from your home and family.”
“You’re not. It’s my duty to return to my regiment once I get you settled.”
“On that note, let’s get a refill on our coffee and go beard the dragon,” Diamond said, gesturing towards the waitress as boldly as a man.
Jesse hid his grin behind his cup. Bryce didn’t know what he was in for.
* * *
Diamond waited while Jesse asked the front desk for directions to Poole Mercantile. They took a streetcar, pulled by a horse, but running on tracks, to reach the business. Diamond stood across the street, nerves strung tight. What if Bryce and Anne weren’t there? They might have already returned to the future. It had taken her nearly two weeks to get here. They had to get here, too, but she supposed they still had their ATV.
“Shall I go in with you?” Jesse asked.
She shook her head. “No, I need to do this alone.” Taking a deep breath, she approached the store. It had two large plate-glass windows displaying a selection of shoes and boots. A border of glass tiles topped the windows and door. When Diamond pulled the door open, a bell rang and a young woman stepped out from behind the counter.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“I’m looking for Mr. Poole.”
“Which Mr. Poole would that be?”
“Bryce Poole.”
“My grandfather isn’t in at the moment. He’s mostly retired these days.”
Her grandfather? Must be the Bryce Jesse knew about. “The man I’m looking for is a young man. Perhaps from a different branch of the family?”
The woman shook her head. “My grandfather is the only St. Louis Poole with the name Bryce. I don’t know all our kin in Virginia, though.”
“What about Bob Rivers or Anne Rush? Do you know where I could find them?”
The woman eyed her with suspicion. Diamond brushed her fingers against the full skirts of her gown. The shop displayed delicate leather boots, silk slippers, and elegant shoes. The items looked expensive, as did the plush sofas and crystal chandeliers. Although used, her dress was of good quality, but plain, unlike those of the other shoppers in the store. She didn’t look as if she belonged here.
“My grandfather went by the nom de plume Bob Rivers when he worked on the river. My grandmother’s name is Arianne, but she goes by Ari, not Anne.”
Sweat broke out on Diamond’s brow and her stomach rolled. She would have thought she’d found the right people if not for the difference in ages. But families often re-used names. Perhaps this young woman didn’t know all her relatives. Maybe the older Pooles could help.