For All Time

By C. L. Montgomery

Born in the eighteenth century, Trenton has the perfect life; Elizabeth, his beautiful fiancee, Robert, his best friend; life couldn't be better, until Robert kills him to be with Elizabeth. Trenton is trapped between the living and the dead, alone and unseen, until Brianna stumbles across his decaying plantation. Shocked when she speaks to him;

• Language: English
• Publisher: Entertainment Enterprise
• Release date: Jul 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781947040991

Book preview

Prologue

The early morning sunshine struggled through the

moss-covered trees. A warm fragrant breeze stirred the leaves into a wild dance beside a dried out, ornate fountain.

The sunlight glanced off a rundown antebellum

plantation sitting deep in the Louisiana bayou framed by a

circular shell drive barely visible beneath an invasion of

weeds.

The house was hidden beneath a canopy of trees dripping with moss. The left side of the plantation has nearly collapsed beneath the weight of time and erosion, while the main section stood tall and erect.

Two young women barely out of childhood stumbled across the decaying mansion. They carefully made their way across fallen beams and bits of slate roof and entered the remains of the once elegant foyer.

A curved marble staircase filled the entrance

beckoning them to the second floor.

Sandy and Diane slowly strolled through the first

floor, stirring up the dirt on the forgotten wood floors.

Diane opened a small door off the former dining

room and disappeared inside.

Sandy, come here. You’re not going to believe what I’ve found.

Sandy hesitated briefly before entering the dark musty room bumping into Diane bent over an open crate holding a delicate crystal champagne flute in her hand.

She bent down next to Diane. These must be worth a fortune, Diane exclaimed looking at Sandy’s startled expression.

Her eyes followed Sandy’s gaze and watched in surprise as a white shirt with ruffled sleeves appeared out of thin air before her, followed quickly by a pair of fitted black pants; then suddenly a handsome dark-haired man was wearing them.

In seconds, the man crossed the room and grabbed

Diane’s arm.

Diane screamed and struggled to get away as he gently took the champagne flute from her startled grasp, then released her.

Diane ran stumbling and screaming from the house;

followed closely by a terrified Sandy.

He ignored their screams and flight of terror and calmly repacked his belongings and closed the closet door behind him.

Chapter One

Two weeks later, blond haired green-eyed Brianna stumbled across the plantation while searching for her roommate’s dog, Misty. Misty, come on girl, she called out irritated.

Brianna stepped over a rotten log, tripping in frustration. Regaining her balance, she looked up and saw an unusually dressed man standing in the middle of a

patch of weeds in front of an extraordinary, preserved

plantation.

The beauty of it nearly took her breath away. Her gaze raked briefly over the house before she looked more closely at the man.

Excuse me. Have you seen a small white dog? Trenton looked across the yard at the attractive young woman in surprise. He looked around to see who she was talking to. Seeing no one he ignored her and continued to clear away the weeds in the garden.

Brianna put her hands on her hips in annoyance. How rude, she thought to herself. Refusing to be ignored she called out, I’m sorry to disturb you, but have you seen my dog?

Trenton looked at Brianna in confusion. It took everything he had to materialize in order to keep intruders

away from his home. This woman couldn’t possibly see

him.

Brianna stared at Trenton. He had to have heard her. Nervously approaching her he felt like a fool. She couldn’t possibly see him. I haven’t seen your dog, he replied.

Brianna’s face fell. I know she came through here. He was amazed when she responded. He eagerly approached her. I will be glad to help you look for her. What does she look like?

Misty is a white ball of fur, she replied smiling. Misty, he echoed returning her smile. He had been alone far too long and would do anything to spend time with her.

Together they search for the runaway pet. Trenton finally located the frightened animal tangled in some vines. She whimpered in fright when he approached her.

Brianna reached down and comforted her while Trenton freed her. She scooped Misty up in her arms cuddling her.

Trenton backed away from the panting dog. You can give her a drink of water back at the house.

Brianna smiled. I think she’d like that. She was dying to get a look at the inside of the house. She followed Trenton back to the mansion. He held the solid oak door open for her and followed her inside.

She looked around in awe. "I bet this place was

amazing."

"It was a showplace at one time. I’d like to restore it to its former grandeur. I can show you around if you’d like.

Her eyes lit up like a child at Christmas. I’d love to see the house if you’re sure you don’t mind.

He smiled. He’d like nothing more. I’d love to show you, my home.

You live here? She asked in surprise.

Realizing his mistake he added, "I hope too soon. Trenton disappeared briefly and returned with a chipped blue bowl filled with water.

Misty looked up at Trenton with suspicious eyes and

sniffed the bowl before drinking greedily.

Trenton showed Brianna around the exterior of the

mansion. He described how the mighty trees dripping

with moss shaded the house keeping the occupants cool in

the summer.

He pointed out where the carriage house and stables once stood. Nothing remained in the overgrown grass to prove their existence.

Brianna’s eyes widened in delight; she could clearly see the once magnificent house through Trenton’s description.

He turned his back on the crumbling slave quarters. He was aware of how people remembered the horrors of slavery.

Brianna put her hand on Trenton’s arm in effort to

comfort him.

Trenton sucked in his breath at the first human contact he’d had in over one hundred years. Her touch was warm and firm. His mind got lost in the sensation.

She tightened her grip. His attention is pulled away

from the warmth of her touch.

Slavery is a part of our history. We can’t turn away from it and pretend it didn’t exist, she said staring sadly at the ruins.

It was a different world then, he added sadly. Brianna stared at him in wonder. She could get lost in his faraway gaze. How do you describe the house like you’ve seen it in all its grandeur instead of the broken-down ruin it is now?

Focusing on her lovely face he replied, I have paintings and my imagination to help me restore it.

Brianna’s gaze drifted across the crumbling left wing. You’re really going to restore the plantation?

He looked wistfully at his beloved home. To restore it was one of his many wishes. I want to.

She shook her head in amazement. You certainly have your work cut out for you. Are you planning to do all the work yourself?

I’d planned to, he said regretfully, wishing he could really restore his home.

It will take a very long time for one person to restore a place this size, she said, her mind clicking a mile a minute on all the work a job of this magnitude would entail.

Smiling sadly, he replied, I’ve plenty of time. Brianna looked back at the crumbling house and for an instant she saw it through Trenton’s eyes. I can help you if you’d like, she said surprising herself.

Trenton smiled nervously, not knowing how long his present state would last. I appreciate your offer, but there is so much work to be done.

I realize that, but I’d really like to help. I’ll come back in the morning.

Trenton knew that times had changed, but he couldn’t picture her helping him clean up his home.

He didn’t know how, but he would make this work. For the first time since his death, he was able to speak to someone and he desperately wanted it to last.

Brianna scooped up Misty and smiled. Great. I’ll see you tomorrow and I’ll bring breakfast.

He walked her down the drive toward the footbridge and then turned walking back up to the house.

She stopped at the fountain and turned around and

waved.

Trenton waved back and softly shut the door behind him. He quickly ran up the stairs into his former bedroom and wiped the dust from the ornate mirror centered over a

weathered cherry wood dresser. To his amazement he

could see his reflection.

Something wonderfully strange was happening to him. He studied his reflection in the warped glass and prayed that whatever happened today would continue.

Before the sunlight drifted across the tops of the trees Trenton had cleaned most of the debris out of the house and was outside working on the fountain.

He looked up and saw Brianna crossing the footbridge with a picnic basket swinging on one arm and a small bucket on the other.

Her soft blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing worn overalls with a tool belt around her slender waist.

Good morning, she called out cheerfully.

Trenton breathed a heavy sigh of relief. She could

still see him. Good morning, he responded.

Brianna set the basket and bucket down on the ground next to him and sat down on the edge of the fountain.

I hope you’re hungry.

Trenton didn’t know how to respond. He hadn’t eaten since his death. He didn’t know what would happen if he did eat. He smiled uncertainly at Brianna.

She opened the picnic basket and pulled out two steaming cups of coffee, followed by two Styrofoam plates filled with scrambled eggs and sausage.

To Trenton’s surprise the food smelled good. It smells great. You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.

Brianna frowned. How much trouble was it to pick up fast food? Smiling, she handed him a plate and a cup. Don’t you dare hurt my feelings by telling me you’re not hungry, she teased.

Trenton nervously took the cup and plate, placing the

plate across his lap.

Brianna handed him a fork and asked, Do you want cream or sugar?

He looked at her in confusion. What? For your coffee.

No thank you. There was so much about this time he didn’t know. As he recalled, only women put cream or sugar in their coffee. He would have to read more of the newspapers that had littered his yard.

He put a bite of the scrambled eggs in his mouth and was overcome by the sudden assault on his long dormant senses.

The warmth on his tongue was the most amazing

sensation. He closed his eyes to savor the experience.

Brianna watched him while sipping her coffee. He was an enigma. His odd clothes and peculiar behavior coupled with the saddest eyes she had ever seen.

Trenton opened his eyes and took another bite.

Brianna smiled at him and took a bite of her sausage. She wondered when he ate last.

Trenton ate slowly savoring every bite. Did you spend the night here?

Smiling weakly, Trenton wondered if he’d done something wrong. Yes.

That somewhat explained his strange behavior. You’ve gotten a lot accomplished in a short time. What are you going to tackle after you’ve cleared away the debris?

Trenton exhaled sharply. He didn’t know how to answer. He smiled weakly at Brianna.

Brianna returned his smile. She couldn’t quite figure him out. Haven’t thought that far yet? I guess I’m not very well prepared. With a task this daunting, taking it one day at a time is probably the best approach. Do you have plans for the place once you’re finished?

Trenton wished she would stop asking him so many questions that he didn’t have answers for. I’m not sure. I’d just like to make it livable again. It would make a beautiful B&B.

B&B? He frowned. Bed and Breakfast.

He stared at Brianna puzzled, then realized she was talking about an Inn. He looked across the yard at his former home and tried to picture it filled with strangers. The image wasn’t all together unpleasant. That’s an interesting idea, but I’m a long way from opening an Inn.

"Do you plan on staying here while you make

repairs?"

Yes. I can accomplish more if I stay. Brianna drained her coffee cup and wadded it up in a ball and stuffed it in a paper sack. She picked up her empty breakfast plate resting on the cool bricks next to Trenton and added it to her trash. Trenton was the most enigmatic and handsome man she had ever met.

She reached over and took the empty dishes off Trenton’s lap and said, Let’s get busy.

Trenton was still struggling with the idea that Brianna could see him, and he didn’t want to waste what time he had working. He wanted to sit and talk until his miracle disappeared as suddenly as it appeared. He smiled up at Brianna towering over him with her hands resting on her hips waiting for him to get up.

Why do you want to help me?

Brianna smiled brightly at his confusion. Her smile made his heart flutter.

She waved her hands toward the plantation. This place is amazing. I’d like to see it restored. I’m an architect and this place is an architectural marvel. I’m thrilled you’re letting me help you. I’d pay you to let me help.

Trenton found her confusing and reluctantly rose to his feet. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being here. He wished he could relay to her how much her presence really meant to him, but he didn’t have the words to express how he felt.

They spent the remainder of the morning cleaning out the fountain and clearing all the weeds and trash out of the yard bringing a breath of fresh air to the plantation.

Trenton found the ancient pump that fed the fountain and clear water flowed into the fountain for the first time in a century.

Brianna stared at him in amazement, watching the fountain fill with water. How did you know that was there?

Startled, Trenton racked his brain for an appropriate response. I read about it somewhere and ran across the pump this morning while clearing out the weeds.

Brianna smiled, wondering why she suddenly felt a cold chill. Shaking off the unexplained feeling she looked around and was impressed by all they had accomplished in such a short time. The task didn’t look quite so daunting.

She wiped her hands on her smudged overalls and studied Trenton’s face. He seemed so innocent, like a child. She suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to protect him. Why don’t I go into town and pick up some hamburgers? Then I’ll help you clean out the house.

Trenton forced himself to smile. That would be nice. He wondered what a hamburger was and why they needed one all of a sudden.

Confused by his expression she asked, Would you rather have something else?

Not at all. I’ll start on the house while you’re gone. Great. I’ll be back soon, she replied puzzled, wondering why he didn’t offer her any money. He was definitely an enigma.

He watched Brianna walk away before turning

toward the house.

Brianna resisted the urge to turn around and wave. She was getting too interested in Trenton too fast. She needed to slow things down, but how do you slow down your heart?

Damn! Trenton cursed aloud to himself. He sprinted across the lawn and inside the mansion. He quickly sorted through his stack of torn weathered newspapers. He came across a Burger King ad and

realized that a hamburger was food. How could he be so stupid? He carefully restacked his precious papers and put them in the back of the closet.

Frustrated with himself, Trenton worked at an inhuman pace to clear the remaining trash and litter from inside the house. He was proud of how much he had accomplished in such a short amount of time.

Upstairs, he couldn’t stop looking out the window across the newly cleared lawn to the footbridge. He was worried that Brianna wouldn’t return. In his ignorance he had frightened her away.

For the first time in more years than he could remember he looked through some of his belongings, assailed by many painful and happy memories.

He heard an unfamiliar noise and rushed downstairs

and out the front door, worried that he might encounter

more intruders, smiling like a lovesick teenager when he saw Brianna waving at him from the other side of the footbridge.

Come help me, she yelled.

Trenton’s smile faded. He hesitated; not knowing what would happen if he crossed the bridge.

Brianna disappeared from view behind some bushes. Trenton slowly put one foot on the footbridge. If he had a beating heart it would be pounding in his chest. He carefully made his way to the other side of the bridge. He looked back at the house, closed his eyes, and stepped off the bridge.

To his astonishment nothing happened, so he hurried to find Brianna. He could see the top of her blond head behind what he knew was an automobile. He was intrigued. He never expected to see one up close.

He approached the back of the vehicle and Brianna quickly loaded his arms with boxes and wrapped a green roll of plastic around his neck. I can get the rest. She said closing the trunk with a bang.

"Are you certain? I can come back and get another

load."

I’ve got it. Let’s go. I’m starved. More confident than he felt, Trenton crossed the bridge and deposited the boxes in the newly cleared foyer.

Brianna sat a mop, two brooms and assorted cleaners

next to the boxes, balancing their lunch beneath her arm.

Trenton turned to her questioningly, "What is all

this?"

"Cleaning supplies. I noticed that you didn’t bring

any."

He lowered his eyes in embarrassment. I don’t have the funds to pay for all of this, he stated, touched by her generosity.

Brianna is speechless. What had she gotten herself into? If he didn’t have the money for simple cleaning supplies how in the world could he afford to restore the plantation?"

Realizing her confusion he added, I have to sell some of my family’s belongings so I can pay for the restorations.

Brianna put her hands on her hips and studied Trenton closely. Is he for real she asked herself? He seemed too intelligent to be so ill prepared, but then again, she did bulldoze him into letting her help. He just hadn’t been ready to get started.

I know a man who buys and sells antiques. I can bring him out here to see if he’s interested in what you’ve got.

Trenton smiled, relieved that she wasn’t upset with him. That would be great. Thank you.

She realized that she was being pushy again and smiled shyly. Let’s eat outside by the fountain, she suggested.

Picking up the two drinks in paper cups, Trenton followed her outside. The afternoon was warm. A gentle breeze carried the scent of wisteria with it as it ruffled their hair.

After wiping off the ornate brick around the fountain, Trenton sat down. Brianna sat down next to him, her leg brushing against his.

Startled to feel the touch of another human being after a century of solitude he stared into Brianna’s warm green eyes. He was more terrified than he’d ever been in his life. He prayed for more time to spend with her. He didn’t think he could bear to be alone again.

Smiling, Brianna drank in his deep blue eyes and dark wavy hair. The loneliness in his eyes was heartbreaking. Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze and removed a hamburger wrapped in yellow paper from the sack next to her and handed it to him.

Trenton took it between his hands and studied it with

interest.

Handing him his french fries she took her drink from his outstretched hand. His fingers brushed against hers and their warmth filled his senses with memories long

forgotten of a time when the touch from someone wasn’t

so