Back in Time: Doorways to the Past, #3

By Maggie West

Ali’s found romance, but when she and Matt visit her family farm, she once again finds a note, this time in an old jar and she knows what that means. 

But as she stands on the brink of time, she must decide: Should she answer the plea written by her grandmother as a child? What will happen if she takes Matt with her on a trip back in time? Or can she risk taking Matt at all? 

The doorway to the past stands before them in a derelict greenhouse. Ali is torn between new love standing beside her and the call to rescue the life of a child eighty years ago. What would you do? 

The three books in the Doorways to the Past Time Travel series are clean reads. These short stories are suitable for most ages so come along on the adventure! 

Back in Time is Book 3 in the time travel series, Doorways to the Past. This short story is a clean read, suitable for all ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie West
• Release date: Aug 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781536586336

Book preview

Chapter 1

Was grandfather talking about an accident when he said little Robert was killed? It couldn’t have been murder, could it? After visiting her grandparents the previous day and hearing that cryptic comment, Ali Cummings needed to know more. That must be what Grandma Alice was referring to when she called the old farmhouse a house of pain.

Ali Cummings, 29, pulled her tee shirt over her head and glanced at her reflection in the dresser mirror. The antique bedroom set had been hers growing up, and she’d brought it along to her apartment when she moved out of her parents’ house after college. She nodded her head, tucking her long brown hair behind her ears, and said, What the heck, I’ll call Matt. He said to call any time.

Ali reached for her phone, found Matt’s number, and selected it. She set the phone to speaker and, while it dialed, pulled on a pair of jeans.

Ali was named for her grandmother Alice, who had been born Alice Reynolds in 1926. A trip to the family farm might give her a peek into Grandma Alice’s life even before the 1940s. When Ali had first traveled through time, she’d seen her grandmother as a young woman. If she traveled again, who knows where and when she’d end up. And with Matt along Ali was sure it would be anything but boring.

Hey, Ali, what’s up? Matt’s deep voice gave her a thrill.

Matt, how are you today? Ali knew she’d made the right decision to call him when she heard his voice.

Doing good. You?

Yep, fine. I’m doing fine. Get on with it, girl! Ali looked at her reflection again and smoothed her shirt as she tucked it into her jeans. Listening to his voice felt dangerous. Ask him already. So, I’m going for a drive today. To an old family farm. I was just wondering if you wanted to tag along. Ali felt her chest tighten. Breathe, Ali, breathe. 

Today?

Oh no, I should have asked sooner. He’s busy, of course. Stupid stupid stupid.

When Ali didn’t answer, Matt repeated himself. Today? Well, maybe. When?

Oh, well, yes. Today. Can you be ready in an hour or so? I can swing by and pick you up. If that works. Relief surged through Ali’s muscles that she realized were tense in anticipation.

Uh, sure, sounds good, I guess. Matt hesitated slightly as he spoke. He added, Can I bring anything?

Just your charming self, Ali said and rolled her eyes. Just your charming self? Ready to escape the awkward conversation, she signed off with a quick See you soon! Bye.

Shaking her head and chastising herself for her stupid remark, Ali didn’t wait to hear Matt’s good-bye, if he even uttered one, but simply disconnected the call. She sat on the edge of her bed and decided she’d pack a picnic lunch, nothing too fancy or too much, but it would be noon in an hour when she said she’d pick up Matt. Just a few things. I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.

A few months earlier, Matt had tagged along with Jeff, Ali’s friend, to one of their group bowling nights. Ali and Matt had carried on a friendly flirtation since day one and she thought now was the perfect chance for them to take their flirtation a step further. Or at least she hoped it would be. Ali grabbed a pen and paper and began making a list of things to pick up at the store. After packing a cooler with bottles of water, a couple of bottles of beer, a wedge of cheese, and half a container of strawberries she’d somehow managed to not eat the night before, Ali checked her list. ‘Italian bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, dessert???’ Ali reached for a paring knife and wrapped it in four paper napkins and stuck it in the cooler along with a bottle opener. She crossed off ‘cucumber’ and wrote