Adventure in Time

By Vivienne Gardner Edwards

Jess Lawton has what she views as a dubious gift; she can often see the future or the past. She wants no part of this, but when a friend asks for help in locating her sister who has vanished, she reluctantly agrees. When she exhausts all other options, she learns that she must harness the power of her gift, in order to help her friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vivienne Gardner Edwards
• Release date: Nov 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301513970

Vivienne Gardner Edwards

Vivienne was born in England and was educated in Oxford. After her marriage, she moved to the United States with her husband and two daughters. After living in both Michigan and Minnesota, she currently lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon. While in Minnesota, she began homeschooling her daughters and started the Minnesota Homeschoolers Alliance, a statewide homeschooling network that has grown into a large non-profit organization. She wrote a number of articles and booklets on home education, coached parents and has been invited to speak at numerous state and national conferences. After moving to Oregon, she became a speaker on domestic violence for a local women's shelter. After her divorce, she shared a house with a woman who she ultimately discovered was a heavy drug user. During those years she dealt with the daily effects of a drug user in the house. After finally realizing that she was part of the problem and not part of the solution, she made immediate changes to ensure her own personal safety. Afterwards, she started a local drug education network, working with local law enforcement and schools to educate others about drugs and their effects on both the user and the family. After two years, she wanted to expand the reach of this work so she created an educational website dedicated to the support of families of drug users. During this time, she also became a caregiver for a woman friend who was a disabled Veteran. She gained much experience dealing with the VA and learned a great deal about our Vets who also have drug addiction problems. In her spare time, when not writing, she cares for her dogs, two of which are disabled, and her group of rescued cats. Several new books will be available soon, including a comprehensive workbook dedicated to helping those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome or PTSD, especially targeted to military personnel, and in lighter tone, a series of adventure novels.

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Adventure in Time

Vivienne Gardner Edwards

Published by Angels on Wheels LLC

At Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Vivienne Gardner Edwards

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is dedicated to Bo,

With warmest thanks for all your support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1.

Chapter 2.

Chapter 3.

Chapter 4.

Chapter 5.

Chapter 6.

Chapter 7.

Chapter 8

Chapter 9.

Chapter 10.

Chapter 11.

Chapter 12.

Chapter 13.

Chapter 14.

Finale

About the Author.

Adventure in Sand.

Chapter 1.

I took one last look around the house. Everything looked clean but a bit sparse. The bookshelves were empty as all my beloved books were packed in storage. I had polished all the furniture, cleaned out the fridge and even stocked the cupboards so Anna would not have to shop immediately she and Owen arrived.

Amber, my precious orange kitty, was sleeping on top of the entertainment center, her whiskers twitching as she probably dreamed of chasing mice or catching one of the hummingbirds who came to the feeder each day. I was going to miss her dreadfully, but I knew Anna would take great care of her. I had arranged for Molly next door, to come in tomorrow and feed Amber and also be available when Anna and Owen arrived. They were due sometime in the afternoon. Although I would have loved to wait and see Anna, I knew she would be stressed with getting Owen settled and would not have time to visit with me.

I hauled my last bag out to my car, checked for the twentieth time that I had turned everything off and closed the front door. It felt funny to think that I would not be back for a year, or if I did return then it would be as a guest in my own house. I was off on an adventure; well anyway I thought it was going to be an adventure.

I gently backed the car out of the driveway, making sure that the neighboring children had not left a bike on the side walk behind my car. Nasty memories of the sounds of scraping metal were still with me and so were the red paint marks on the back of my white SUV. Tom, the kid’s dad, had offered to pay for the paint to be repaired but I figured another few marks didn’t really matter. My car was already dinged up in a few places, and anyway Tom had just got laid off from the auto plant. I knew they were struggling with finances. I checked the gas gauge and settled back in the seat for my long drive.

My name is Jess Lawton; I am 29 years old, unmarried and a freelance. Most people wait to see what kind of freelance work I do, well the answer is almost anything that will pay a legal wage. I love to write but that so far has not paid enough to keep me, so I have done other things from being a cab drive to teaching swimming at a summer school. The cab driving job did not last long as I was driving in Detroit. Even though I have lived in Royal Oak for the past 6 years, daily driving on the Detroit freeways needs better nerves than I have. I quit after six days!

Now I am embarking on another kind of work and I am a bit apprehensive, no make that scared. You see I have this blessing - or maybe it is a curse, I am still not sure. I can see or know things that other people cannot. Sometimes it is precognition I guess you would call it. I know something will happen before it does. Sometimes it is in the way of remote viewing. I never knew what that was called until I was in my teens and I learned about that in school. It seems the military were interested in remote viewing and did a lot or research on it. Anyway it appears that this is what my new job involves.

About two months ago I got a strange letter in the mail. Usually my mail is pretty boring consisting mainly of bills or invitations for credit cards or cable TV service, but this one was from Wisconsin. It read;

Dear Jess,

I hope you don’t mind me writing to you but Mavie gave me your name. I am hoping you might be able to help me. Mavie told me about the things you did when you were growing up and what you did for her and Sweet Pea. If you are willing I would like you to come here to Wisconsin and see if you can work on a problem for me. If you are interested, please call me

Warm regards

Olivia Collins

I was mystified. Mavie was my dad’s cousin who lived in the street behind us when I was growing up. Sweet Pea was Mavie’s prize Persian cat who managed to escape through a broken screen and was missing for two days. Mavie was hysterical and the whole family turned out en masse to look for the cat. I kept getting this picture in my mind of a metal grating and I finally told my dad. Dad always took me seriously as he knew what had happened when I was about six, so he thought for a bit and then realized that the only metal grating near Mavie's house was in the big ditch at the end of her street. He climbed down into the water and sure enough there was Sweet Pea, cold and shivering but very much alive. Dad crawled through the water from the far end of the culvert and rescued her. Mavie cried all over Dad, Sweet Pea and me and I got a year of college money from her as a reward.

I have never so far used my gift, if that is what it is, for any financial gain. It is not something I can control, it just comes and goes. I hardly ever even tell anyone about it. When I was in high school I had a boy friend and I confided in him. I really thought he cared about me, he bought me presents and drove me out and I went to the prom with him, but he kept pressuring me to tell him stuff. He wanted me to try and see lottery numbers or winners at the races. I tried to tell him that it didn’t work that way. He got mad one night and took a swing at me. My dad was watching out of the window and came out and pinned him to the ground. Told him if he ever came on our property again he was calling the police. Since then I tell very few people.

Now it seems that Mavie has told this friend of hers about me. After thinking it over for a few days, I did call Olivia and found she sounded a warm and caring person. She explained that she was an invalid, living in a house overlooking Lake Michigan just outside Kenosha. She was the widow of a Chicago businessman and obviously wealthy. She would not tell me on the phone what the problem was but said she would like me to go for a visit and see if I could help her. If I was willing she would pay me well.

Now I was on my way to see her. Actually this had come at a good time. I was ready for a change from my house and as luck would have it, Anna, who was a close friend from college, was looking for a place where she could bring her injured husband. Owen was or had been in the military and suffered severe chemical burns through an accident. He needed a place where there was easy access to a VA hospital and I offered them my house. Anna wanted it for at least a year as that was the timeframe they gave Owen for treatment. I agreed as I knew that I could find work somewhere and it would not be the first time I had lived out of a suitcase.

I left Detroit on I94 heading west into the sun. I was not in any huge hurry and determined to enjoy the drive. It had been quite a while since I had taken a long trip anywhere and I was relaxed and content. All my personal possessions were in storage and all I had in my car were my clothes and my laptop and various other electrical gadgets that I find indispensible, my iPod my Kindle, my tape recorder and of course my cell phone

Later that night I pulled into a motel near Benton Harbor. I got a reasonable room in one of those bland roadside motels where the rooms all look alike, but it was clean and overlooking the back parking lot, was fairly quiet. I hauled all my stuff into the room as I never trust that my car will not be broken in to while I am sleeping. I decided to take a shower as I felt hot and sticky after so many hours in the car. I towel dried my hair, regretting that I had not packed my hairdryer. I fastened my hair back into a loose ponytail. My friends tell me that I look about 16 when I do that but it is simple and keeps it off my face. I have the same black hair and bright blue eyes as my dad. Black Irish ancestors are to blame, so I am told. Dad is a mix of Irish and Italian and I bet that made for some interesting fights! My mother is English but grew up in Denver although she still uses English expressions, some of which I learned at an early age. Along with expressions, I learned to drink tea English style with milk and sugar. Oh yes, and the water has to be boiling!

I wandered over to a nearby restaurant and ordered a salad and coffee. I was getting tired and also a little apprehensive. I had agreed to go and stay with Olivia but I had really no idea who she was nor yet what she wanted of me. When I finally got back to my room and into bed, I had trouble getting to sleep. I thought about my childhood and the strange thing that began my odd gift.

When I was about 6 years old, I woke up one night screaming in terror. I knew our house was on fire. I could see smoke pouring along the hallway and hear the crackle of the flames. Hysterical, I ran to my parent's bedroom and flung myself on their bed. My dad got up and searched all over the house. Meanwhile, my mother and I stood shivering in the back yard. Dad came out and tried to reassure me. There was nothing, he said, the house was just fine. I must have been a bad dream. I was still crying hysterically and finally he went back into the house to check again. That was when he saw wisps of smoke coming from a lamp in the lounge. He grabbed the lamp and threw it outside. He came and gathered up both me and my mother in his arms and we all stood, shaking out in the darkness.

Over the next few days my parents talked about what had happened but then they let the matter drop. I don’t think they really know what to do with me and they certainly didn’t want to take me to any doctor to be questioned. Looking back I think I always thought that everyone could see or know the things I could see and know. In school I often knew ahead of time what questions would be asked or what work assigned. I don’t think I did any better than anyone else. I just accepted it as normal. It was not until I got older and began tentatively describing what I knew to others, that I began to understand that I was odd.

I finally fell into an uneasy sleep and woke, late and heavy eyed. I rolled out of bed, showered and dressed in record time and after grabbing a bit of the free breakfast provided in the motel lobby, I was on the road again.

I managed to shake off my depression as I drove. The morning was bright and sunny but chilly with a touch of the cool breath of fall. The trees were starting to turn incredible shades that would defy any artist to reproduce. Fall has always felt a sad time of year but driving west I imagined leaving my sadness behind me.

Late in the day I arrived in Kenosha and following Olivia’s directions I easily found her house. Although I had an idea that she was wealthy and her home was probably one of the mansions which line the shoreline, I was still not prepared for the huge gates and long driveway which led up to the front door. It reminded me of pictures I had seen of an English country estate.

I pulled my rather dusty car up close to the door on a circle of smooth gravel. Before I had even got out of my seatbelt, the door opened and a young woman came down the steps

You must be Jess, she said, holding out her hand. She looked to be about my age, possibly a little older. She was wearing a pale yellow sweater and dark green pants and her blond hair was tied back with a yellow chiffon scarf. As I took her hand, I caught a smell of her light scent, almost lemony, which tied in with her yellow clothing.

She must have seen my look of bewilderment as she added,

Oh Sorry I should have said, I am Connie. I am Olivia’s – well I guess companion and housekeeper and actually a bit of everything. Do come in? Did you have any trouble finding us? I know Olivia will be so pleased you are here.

I grabbed my purse and my overnight bag.

Don’t worry about your bags right now. I’ll get Jeff to bring your things in for you. Come on in as I know Olivia is dying to see you

She turned and led the way up the steps and into a hallway. I nearly gasped out loud. Rarely had I ever seen such furnishings outside of a museum. The house itself was probably not more than 50 or 60 years old but built to look as though it had grown out of the land on which it stood. There was a huge stone fireplace opposite the front entrance and several large pieces of heavy carved furniture round the walls along with pictures in heavy frames. If these were not actual antiques, they were fantastic copies. The thing that stuck me most was the exquisite glasswork and lamps that filled the whole hall with colored light. It was a little like walking into a European church with stained glass windows.

Connie immediately led me towards the far side of the hall and though an arch into a smaller hallway which in turn led into one of the most beautiful rooms I had ever seen. The floor was polished wood and it was only later I realized that this was so that Olivia could move around easily in her electric chair. One long wall was glass with sliding doors opening into what looked like a conservatory. I could see more colored glass and plants, orchids and other trailing and exotic flowers for which I had no name. The room was furnished in soft and muted shades of blues and greens, with the furniture widely spaced, again to accommodate an electric chair.

My first impression of Olivia was one of tremendous elegance. She was slim and very young looking in spite of her hair which was gray and curled gently round her face. She had very dark eyebrows and deep set eyes and was wearing a pant suit in a soft blue grey with a light blanket thrown over her knees. She held out a hand to me;

Come in my dear, she said. You have no idea how grateful I am to you for agreeing to come and see me

I took her hand and was surprised at the strength of her grip. In spite of the need for the electric chair, she looked to be in good health and I wondered what was wrong with her.

I am pleased to meet you too I said rather primly. I was still stunned at the size of the house and the apparent wealth and luxury. Why on earth had she contacted me for help? This woman could obviously hire anyone she wanted.

Olivia smiled. I know you must be wondering why I need your help. Mavie told me so much about you. Mavie and I are old friends, we go way way back. It is a long story but right now I think you should let Connie show you to your room and get unpacked. We will have dinner in about 45 minutes, she gave a questioning glance at Connie who nodded almost imperceptibly, will that give you enough time to unpack and freshen up after your drive?

I nodded, Yes, that will be fine, thank you. I am really pleased to meet you and I am glad to be here, I added rather belatedly.

Good, then go with Connie and I will see you shortly.

Connie smiled and led the way back through the arch and along the side of the hall to an adjoining hall where a wide sweep of staircase followed the curve of the wall. Set high above the stairs were a set of windows, with stained glass. It was now dark outside so I could not see if they were pictures or just designs, but it added to the feeling of being in a church.

Connie led the way up the stairs, pausing to make sure I was following. I was still bemused and also tired and really wanted nothing more than to find a bed and crawl into it. It must have shown on my face because as we got to the top of the stairs, Connie turned and said,

I don’t think Olivia will want to talk about anything – well – very serious tonight. She does get tired and I know you must be tired too. I did suggest that she left any explanations until tomorrow if that is alright with you

I smiled, Actually that would really be a relief because – Oh! I gasped and stopped in the doorway of the room that Connie had led me into. The room was done in shades of cream with a deep cream carpet and creamy white walls. Opposite the door was a four poster bed. Not a heavy four poster but one with delicate posts draped with cream filmy fabric dotted with small rosebuds. Matching curtains covered the windows at the far end and a long dressing table had a stool with matching fabric also. To the left was a wall of sliding mirrored doors and Connie slid one along to reveal a pale pink bathroom. Thick pink towels hung on the rails and a cream jar of fresh roses decorated the vanity. Glancing round I saw that there were more roses in two vases on the dresser and on a small writing desk near the window.

This used to be Olivia’s room but now she has a suite downstairs. She loved this room and asked me especially to give this room to you. I hope you have everything you need but if there is anything else, please ask. I know she wants you to be comfortable said Connie.

I just need to get my suit case I said but then realized that my cases were already here, set down behind the door.

Jeff brought them up for you, said Connie. If you let me have you car key, I can have Jeff move your car into one of the garages

I pulled my keys out of my jacket pocket, Thank you, that would be grand. Shall I come down when I have changed?

Yes, just come down to Olivia’s sitting room when you are ready and Connie went out and closed the door behind her. I sank down onto the end of the bed. I felt like I needed to pinch myself to be sure I was awake and not in the middle of some Arabian Night’s dream. I suddenly gave some thought as to what I had to change into. My clothing tends to be of the rough and ready outdoorsy sort of stuff. LL Bean not Nordstrom’s. I was not sure I had anything elegant enough for dinner in this house. I wondered what in the heck I had let myself in for.

Well I have not agreed to anything so far, I thought. I have no idea what she wants me to do but I can always say no.

I opened my suitcase and pulled out a long maroon skirt and a black top with fake jet beads round the neck. After a quick wash, using the delicate rose scented soap and burying my face in thick towels, I scrambled into my clothes. I gave my hair a quick brush and decided to leave it loose. For one thing I had nothing elegant with which to tie it back and I looked a bit older and hopefully, more mature with it down. I added a silver and amethyst chain round my neck and a pair of more or less matching earrings and started down stairs. Even though I was rabid to know what I was here for, I decided that I was going to enjoy the fleshpots for the evening and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Dinner was served in a small almost circular room. It had pale paneling and a few good pictures on the walls. The round table was laid simply, with dishes and cutlery on the dark wood. Connie had seen me wandering down the staircase and shepherded me into this room. Olivia arrived a few moments later.

How are you my dear? Do you like you room? she smiled as she skillfully maneuvered her chair up to the table.

It is beautiful I replied. Thank you so much. Connie said it was your room..? I left the question hanging.

Yes, I have had that room ever since I was a young girl. She must have noticed my look of surprise. My father built this house you see. I will tell you about it while we eat."

Connie came in pushing a serving cart. I was a little surprised that there did not appear to be any other servants. She must have seen my look because as she placed dishes in the center of the table she explained,

Martha, our cook is away for a few days. Her mother died so Olivia sent her off to attend to things. In any case, I do a lot of the food prep and shopping when I can. Olivia is fussy about what she has and she turned to Olivia, laughing and putting dishes close to her.

The food was beyond excellent. There was a clear soup, followed by an omelet filled with all kinds of exciting veggies and mushrooms, which I adore. I had been a little concerned as I have always been vegetarian, which can cause a bit of a problem when eating at someone else house. It is hard to say, Well I would love to come to dinner but please do not serve meat. In the past I have been offered ham, being told that ham was not meat, or offered chicken or fish, none of which I eat. I finally gave up trying to explain and now merely say; nothing that had fur, fins or feathers.

I know you are anxious to know why I asked you to come began Olivia, but I promised Connie that tonight I would leave it alone. I would like to give you some background though and I expect you are wondering how I found you?

Well I am rather I said. I mean I have not seen Mavie for years. I know she stays in touch with Dad but since she went to live in Seattle, I just hear about her from Dad

Yes, it is hard to stay in close touch with everyone Olivia suddenly looked sad, but she brightened up as she added. "I do know your parents and I expect they