Timewarp: The West Rides Again

By Lance Meier

These kids are now history!

In 2019, two new stepsiblings, history-minded Jenny Newton and inventor-in-the-making Brian Hawke, move together into their new home, which once belonged to Brian’s grandfather, a man who had loved to study history and make incredible, new inventions. One day, while searching their new home, Jenny and Brian stumble upon Brian’s grandfather’s greatest invention: a watch.

However, it is no ordinary watch. After Brian puts it on, he and Jenny are inadvertently zapped back to the year 1881 in the Wild West town of Sunset Gulch. Not long after they arrive, the watch, their only way home, is broken, leaving them stranded.

Fortunately, a kindly couple known as the Finers offer to take them in. As the two kids attempt to repair the watch, they become involved in the town’s affairs and witness the rampage of a notorious gang of bandits and a terrifying assassin, but above all, they find themselves becoming part of a new family. It would seem they are destined for a fantastic adventure in history, and to grow stronger, smarter, tougher, and closer as they work to find their way home!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662457920

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Timewarp

The West Rides Again

Lance Meier

Copyright © 2021 Lance Meier

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2021

ISBN 978-1-6624-5791-3 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-5792-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Genesis of the West

Pains for the Future

Projects

A Mystery of History

Desert March

Past Tense

New Era

Taylor

Sunday Service

Schooled

On the Town

Rattling the Herd

The Tribe

The Ring

A Western Adventure?

Future Lessons

Making Friends

Hope

Family Tension

Festivities

Gold Fever

Gold Rush

Back to the Present

Out of Time

Brian Missing

Back to the Past

Harold Hawke

Mine Your Own Business

Time’s Almost Up

Set in Stone

All’s Well That Ends Well

Home’s Where the Heart Is

Looking Forward

Act 1

Lost

Genesis of the West

Tuesday, April 20, 1875

Unknown region, Arizona Territory

4:03:14 p.m.

The tall sandy-haired young man viewed the horizon in the distance. The landscape ahead was painted a dull brown, with a darker shade having been sprinkled on top. The horizon boasted large landmasses rising from the earth, rock-like structures drawing all attention. The sky appeared to be blue, yet gray clouds were dropping in, and the rest of the sky became an eerie red.

As the young man galloped forward on his trusty white steed, he peered behind him to view his small posse following. They all charged forward, their horses’ hooves kicking up dust and small rocks. Finally, they all made it over a large ridge and viewed the desert out in front of them.

Well, Jebediah? one of the other men asked. Ready to give up? We’ve been going in circles for quite a while now.

Now, I don’t get it, said the sandy-haired man, apparently named Jebediah. I thought for sure we would have discovered something by now.

Who would have thought the great Jebediah Fairchild’s inner compass could have failed? one of the men sneered.

We’re wasting our time, said another man. Night’s gonna fall here pretty soon. Maybe we should head back.

As his men got poised to leave, Jebediah put a finger to his face. He had every reason to believe that this place was perfect. He knew that this was where his people’s new prospects were to begin. However, he thought of something else. He thought back to Lone Bull, the chief of the Native American tribe they had negotiated with earlier. They had seemed like friendly people; at worst, they were stern about protecting their territory. Jebediah and his group had been running low on food the other day, but fortunately, Lone Bull had found them, and Jebediah had negotiated with them to allow them some of their food. As they left, Lone Bull had told them that they could come to his tribe for more help if needed.

Hold up, boys! He lifted a hand to call out to his men. I have an idea.

Tuesday, April 20, 1875

Lone Bull’s Territory, Arizona Territory

4:36:02 p.m.

We already gave you a third of our food supply, my friend. Now, we must return to our work to make up for it. Already, settlers just like you have done little more than steal from us, Lone Bull explained to Jebediah in his native tongue.

Lone Bull was a tall aging man, his silver hair going down to his shoulder, braided up. He wore a red-and-yellow-colored vest with beads linked to the strings.

Another man in Jebediah’s group, more fluent in Lone Bull’s language, translated this for Jebediah. Jebediah asked his translator to tell Lone Bull, My friend, we mean you no harm. We ourselves are merely trying to rebuild what we lost. I have led my own people all this way to find a new place to prosper.

Lone Bull said in his own language, A new place to prosper for you only means less hunting grounds and places to sleep for us. You cannot fool us. The land of our ancestors has been exploited and pillaged enough. What remains is already causing us to struggle for survival. We have little food, water, practically waiting for our final hours, as it is.

After this was translated, Jebediah explained, We merely seek to build a new town. It doesn’t have to be within your territory. Our people seek to build a new, thriving economy, but I assure you, I will see to it that your lands are left untouched.

Lone Bull said, Is that not what all others have promised us? And each has yet to make good on his word.

Jebediah stood silent for a while but then said, Surely, there is a way we can help each other. I only need to find an area with a close water source, and a way to make a living for my folks. But what if we offered to provide for your people as well?

And how would you do that? Lone Bull said.

We can provide food. We will share. In fact, what if we offered your people protection? Education? Services?

We need nothing from you.

I am offering you a mutual benefit. I want to build this town for my people to help them survive in this new world. At the same time, I do sympathize with you, my friend. After all, you did provide us with dinner. Please, allow me to be as generous to you as you were to me.

We want to keep and conserve the land of our ancestors, my friend. Our world is fading.

So allow me to prevent that. I want to provide for you. Your land will still be yours. All that you have ever had, I will leave to you. And when my people settle in, we will be able to protect your land from other settlers who want to pillage it. They will be expected to leave the land to us, which we will actually be leaving to you.

Why do you want to help us, anyway?

Because your people are dwindling, are they not? You are viewed as savages, yet I see only innocent young men and women struggling to stay alive. Please, allow me to aid you.

Lone Bull remained silent for the longest time before, finally, he said, If you want water, there is a river to the north of here. It is of no use to us. We have our own sources. We believe there is even a deposit of precious metals hidden beneath the land there. You will settle in just fine.

Once this was translated to Jebediah, he nodded and gave Lone Bull his thanks. Afterward, he whistled to his men, and they all rode off into the distance.

Tuesday, April 20, 1875

Unknown region, Arizona Territory

5:00:00 p.m.

Afterward, Jebediah’s group stood over a ridge, viewing the flat dusty land, the flowing blue water cutting straight through.

So this is the place, huh, Fairchild? one of the men asked.

Indeed, Jebediah confirmed. He looked upward to see that the sun was setting. The result was a golden-red light bathing over the landscape, giving it an almost-ethereal glow.

Jebediah said aloud, I think we shall name this town…

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Pasadena, California

3:12:03 p.m.

Fairfield!

No, Laurie, for the thousandth time, Fairfield, Arizona, was named Sunset Gulch when it was first founded, Mrs. Shepard explained. The fifty-year-old teacher pulled down a map of the United States before pointing a ruler at Arizona. They only changed the name because they thought the old one was outdated for the modern world in 1979.

Mrs. Shepard had her gray hair done up into a bun, wore thick prescription glasses, and a long dress to cover up her legs. As she paced in front of the room, she continued her explanation. So as I was saying, Jebediah Fairchild founded the town in order to drum up a better economy for the people who had worn out their welcome in the Old World and had fled to America. And a good thing, too, because from out of that town several important people came into the world.

Oh, please, came a female voice from the room. I hope you’re not trying to glorify the guy. Everyone looked toward the corner of the room and saw a fifteen-year-old girl in a pink T-shirt and short jeans, with long blond hair and green eyes. She wasn’t even looking up front but actually doodling in her notebook. She was carefully drawing the scene that was being described to her by her teacher, Jebediah and his group overlooking the western landscape, and their meeting with Lone Bull and his tribe.

What is it now, Ms. Newton? asked Mrs. Shepard. Did you have an issue with the way I teach my class? Again?

Ooh, Jenny Newton showing the teacher what a know-it-all she is! said another student in the classroom.

I mean you left out the part about Jebediah Fairchild completely cheating those Native Americans, Jenny explained, still not lifting her face from her notebook. As more and more people came to live in Sunset Gulch, Lone Bull’s tribe continued to lose more and more territory. He cheated them, just like all those other settlers did.

You do recall that Jebediah Fairchild passed away from MacReady’s disease only six years after founding the town? said Mrs. Shepard. Maybe his fellow townsfolk cheated the Native Americans, but that does not mean Fairchild himself was guilty.

Good to know he found a neat excuse, said Jenny, continuing to doodle.

Jennifer Newton, you will look me in the eye when we speak! Mrs. Shepard scolded. At this, Jenny finally looked up to face her teacher, who continued, I hope you don’t intend to attack Jebediah in your history report, Ms. Newton. Because in my classroom, we look to our textbooks. I don’t want you to try to argue with anything I’ve taught you, okay?

Fine! Jenny sighed before looking back at her notes.

Why does any of this matter, anyway? asked another student in the room.

I am demonstrating to you the importance of our history, Mrs. Shepard explained. Like I said, the founding of this town was very important, as it led to many important people performing many important things. Like, for instance, the cure for MacReady’s disease. It was all because of the work and practice of a young man from that town that a cure was ever eventually perfected. As you can see, it was the actions of our ancestors that made our world today.

Suddenly, the bell rang. All right, class, you have your assignments. Now, work hard, because this history report is due next month.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Pasadena, California

3:20:07 p.m.

Jenny walked out of the school building, and eventually, she spied her mother. She was waving cheerily from the window of her green minivan. Her mother looked like an adult Jenny, but with hair in a ponytail, and she preferred to wear a skirt. Jenny made her way over and opened the door to the passenger’s side and climbed inside.

So how was school today, honey? her mother asked as she pulled out of the school parking lot.

I don’t know. Same old, same old, I guess, Jenny said. Mrs. Shepard gave us a history report to do.

Ooh, that sounds like fun! her mother said, trying to perk up her daughter. Do you know what you want to do it on?

Maybe, said Jenny. Maybe on that old Western town of Sunset Gulch. I’m sure Mrs. Shepard will love it if I uncover the truth about that town.

She’s not mad at you for trying to teach her class for her again, is she? asked her mother.

Probably, said Jenny. I keep telling her I’ve been studying history for as long as I could ride a tricycle. There’s nothing she could teach me. She peered out the window to see a group of kids playing hopscotch on the sidewalk.

Erm, sweetie? her mother addressed her, now sounding a bit uneasy. When we get home, I want you to start packing, okay?

Already? Jenny said. But you and Richard aren’t getting married until tomorrow!

I know, but I think we should be ready to go, said her mother. Richard and I want you kids to get settled into the new place.

I haven’t even got a chance to say goodbye to the old place yet, Jenny replied, moping.

It’ll be all right. We aren’t moving that far, her mother reassured her. We aren’t bailing on all of Pasadena or anything. In fact, it’ll be great to move into Richard’s father’s old house. He says there’s lots of room.

Just make sure Brian’s room is on the other side of the house from mine, said Jenny.

I don’t get it. Why do you hate Richard’s son so much?

He’s a know-it-all. He thinks he’s so cool just for being an inventing prodigy. He’s always telling people what he knows and pointing out their mistakes.

Why does that sound familiar? Her mother grinned.

Isn’t it too soon for you to marry Richard? Jenny said solemnly.

Her mother looked over at her sympathetically. Jenny, I understand what you feel. I miss your father too. I still remember that night. She closed her eyes as she thought back to the fire. The flames had burst through the roof of the building, and she could only hear a faint scream.

But, sweetie, I really like Richard. I think now’s our time to be a family again. We can all be a family again. Just trust me. I mean, Brian still misses his mother too. But right now, he just wants his dad to be happy. What about you, Jenny? Don’t you want me to be happy?

Jenny continued to stare out the window before mustering the courage to look at her mother and say, Of course I do.

Then everything will be just fine.

Pains for the Future

Friday, September 6, 2019

Pasadena, California

2:01:18 p.m.

Welcome home, Jenny! Jenny’s mother pulled the car into their new driveway, and Jenny got a good look at the house for the first time. It was pretty tall, as big as three elephants standing on one another. It was made from clay-colored bricks and had a flat, brown-shingle roof. It looked old, a few holes here and there, but still looked long and fancy. It was big enough to fit at least eight people, Jenny figured.

She and her mother slowly exited their car and spied the moving van coming up behind them. Walking up to it, Jenny was greeted by one of the movers, a smiling brown-haired man in his twenties, who handed her a box. Jenny then turned toward the house and walked up the cement steps to the door. Her mother was in front of her, and she found a silver key underneath the doormat that read, Welcome. She unlocked the door and opened it up for Jenny to walk inside.

As Jenny came into the house, she saw a big empty space all covered by wooden floors and walls. She saw a place for a fireplace, and she assumed that it was where the living room was supposed to be. She looked into a doorway and saw a built-in oven and countertop and decided that it must be the kitchen. She then spied a long staircase leading all the way up to the top of the home.

Her mother walked inside along with a couple of movers, carrying in more heavy boxes. After setting them down inside the room, she asked Jenny, C’mon, sweetie. There’s a lot more to go.

The two girls and the movers managed to carry each of the boxes inside, and Jenny opened one to find her favorite collection of history books.

Oh, yeah! her mother said, peeking over her shoulder. Why don’t you try taking your stuff upstairs? Find yourself a new room?

All right, said Jenny, picking up the box and carrying it upstairs. Looking around the hallway up there, she found a small room that still seemed to be in good repair compared to the rest of the house. The wallpaper was still up, and the bed was still present. She saw that the room wasn’t very dusty, as if someone had still been taking care of it. Setting her box down on the bed, she decided that this room would be hers.

She began walking downstairs and bringing the remainder of her stuff to her new room, and eventually, she reached a small picture frame. Looking upon it, she recognized herself as a little girl smiling and sitting on the couch in between both of her parents. She looked at her father, a tall man with shaggy brown hair, passionate green eyes, and a bright smile, putting an arm around his little girl.

Jenny quietly smiled upon seeing this. People had always said that she had her dad’s eyes. Still, she missed having him around so much.

Well, here it is, Dad, she said aloud, looking around the room. Our new home. Wish me luck, okay?

Suddenly, she heard the sound of an engine coming from outside. Looking out the window, she saw a second moving van coming in and saw a grass-green truck emerging from behind it.

Well, Pop, she told the picture, guess I’d better go say hi to the Hawkes. She gently set the picture down on her bed before walking out the doorway and making her way down the stairs. She saw her mother already going out the door and followed right behind her.

From the green truck emerged her new stepfather, a tall half-gray-, half-black-haired, blue-eyed man named Richard. He quickly walked up to Jenny’s mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

There’s my loving wife! he said. So, Mary-Jane, you and Jen settling in okay?

Sure! said Jenny’s mother, Mary-Jane. Your father had quite an eye for real estate, didn’t he?

He made a good life for himself, said Richard, walking closer to the house with an arm around Mary-Jane. I remember growing up in this home. I always thought we had too much room. In fact, when I was young, I thought Dad was hiding something.

He then spied Jenny standing a few feet away, and putting on a friendly smile, he walked up to her. Hey, there, Jen! You find a good room in there yet?

Yeah, I guess so, Jenny said. It’s big. Suits my needs.

Good, and I know we’re just gonna get along fine, aren’t we?

No promises, said Jenny. So where’s Brian? Under her breath, she added, Hopefully stranded on a deserted island somewhere.

Over here! called out a voice. From the back of the truck came a black-haired boy a year younger than Jenny, carrying a red-and-black backpack. He had blue eyes and a soft face, and he walked up to join his new extended family.

Hello, Jenny, he said civilly. What do you think of Grandpa Harold’s old house?

It’ll do, said Jenny. Just as long as we’re on opposite sides of the hall.

Well, what’s that supposed to mean? Brian demanded. What are you so afraid of me for?

I don’t know, said Jenny. Maybe I’d rather not listen to your tinkering all night.

I’m an inventor, Jen! Brian shot back. I’m trying to build stuff to make people’s lives better.

Good, you can start by creating a bubble around my room to drown out the noise I’ll hear around here.

Why is that? So you can stay buried in your history books all day?

At least I’m learning something useful. I’m gonna be the greatest historian there’s ever been!

Well, you look to the past and I’ll look to the future, said Brian. Sound like a plan?

Jenny decided to ignore him and walk back inside the house. As she did, she was followed by some of the movers carrying in some more boxes, followed by Mary-Jane.

C’mon, Jenny, you can at least help them with their stuff.

Fine, Jenny said, walking out to grab some small boxes from the back of the moving van.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Pasadena, California

2:41:44 p.m.

Eventually, all boxes were moved inside the house, but now the inside just looked like a big museum of boxes and family memorabilia. Jenny sat down on a large rectangular box and pulled some hair out of her face, feeling she no longer had any room to breathe or stretch her arms anymore.

So I see you got a lot of stuff, came Brian’s voice, and Jenny turned her head to see him sitting down on the box beside her.

Only the stuff we absolutely couldn’t live without, explained Jenny.

So…uhm, what was your old home like? said Brian, trying to start an awkward conversation.

I don’t know. Like any other house, I guess, said Jenny.

Did you have any neighbors? Did you have one of those elderly, ‘You kids get off my lawn!’ type of old men across the street?

Jenny almost chuckled at that but quickly hid it. No, but there was this one old lady who kept forgetting to turn her hearing aids on. I remember one day she almost walked across the street and there was this big semi coming, so someone had to push her out of the way. The lady still didn’t see the semi, so she swatted the guy with her umbrella. Yeah, the court had to move her into a nursing home after that.

Well, good thing that guy was there, then, said Brian. There was a silent pause between the two of them, until Brian said, So what else don’t I know about you?

I don’t know. I’m fifteen, I’ve never seen snow, I like mystery novels, my middle name is Gertrude—

Gertrude? Brian said. Try as he might, he simply could not hold in his laughter, and he began chuckling at the name. Jenny slapped her forehead, wondering how that had slipped out. She never told anyone her middle name, especially not this kid.

Brian continued to giggle, so Jenny eventually got fed up and pushed him off the box. In the process, Brian landed on top of a smaller box, which burst open and scattered its contents everywhere.

Oh, Brian, I’m sorry! Jenny quickly apologized. I… I didn’t mean to—

Suddenly, she fell silent when she spotted one picture on the ground. She picked it up and saw a small boy on the swing set, who she assumed was a younger Brian. He was being pushed along on it by a smiling short blond woman, and the two looked at the camera with joy in their eyes.

Oh, is this your mother? Jenny asked. Suddenly, the picture was swiped out of her hands, and she looked up to see a fuming Brian.

Do not. Mess. With this picture. Understand? Brian said, wagging a finger in Jenny’s face.

Hey, hey, what’s going on here? Richard came into the room and quickly stood in between them. There’s no need to fight now, okay?

She was messing with Mom’s picture, Brian said with his arms crossed.

Richard suddenly fell silent upon hearing that and quickly pulled his son aside to talk with him.

Mary-Jane then suddenly walked up to Jenny and made her daughter look at her. Jenny, what happened?

I don’t know. He got touchy over a picture of his mom, said Jenny.

Mary-Jane suddenly froze at that but calmly explained to Jenny, Jenny, it’s just that… Richard told me that his mother was a touchy subject for him, so that’s why we try to avoid bringing her up. Just don’t touch that picture again, okay?

Whatever, groaned Jenny. I swear I don’t get that kid.

Well, that might just be because you never tried to get to know him, said Mary-Jane. I mean, I know you may think of him as just this random kid who suddenly moved in with you, but he’s got a beating heart too. A mind, hopes, dreams. Maybe it’s time you finally open up to him. Maybe then you two will finally understand each other.

Jenny suddenly looked at the floor. I don’t… I don’t know if I can.

Sure you can, honey. Look, you’ll be stuck with him for at least three more years, so you might as well make the most of it. So promise me, Jen, that you’ll at least try to get along with him, okay?

Jenny was still looking at the floor, but then she peered up and met her mother’s completely genuine face. Her eyes were pleading with her. It made sense too. Jenny knew that her mother was one of the sweetest, most loving people in the world. Being hostile just wasn’t in her nature. She always looked for the best in everyone, so she expected Jenny to as well.

Okay, I promise, Jenny said reluctantly.

Her mother smiled warmly. There you go. See? That’s the first step. I know Brian, okay? He really isn’t a bad kid. You just need to get to know him.

Jenny turned around and saw Brian now making his way back over to her. Sorry for going off on you like that, he said, but refusing to meet her eyes. I just…really don’t want anything bad to happen to that picture.

That’s all right, said Jenny, looking this boy up and down. To be honest, she really didn’t hate him necessarily; she just didn’t know how to relate to him. They were frankly two very different people. Jenny’s favorite things in life were learning about the past, going outdoors to enjoy the view, and just keeping to herself. But Brian was the exact opposite; he stayed cooped up in a lab yet was very extroverted, and he was always looking to the future. In fact, she didn’t know much about Brian’s history, since he never spoke up about it. Jenny began to wonder just what the story with Brian’s mother was, anyway.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Pasadena, California

7:30:20 p.m.

The new family sat around their newly set kitchen table, attempting to enjoy their first ever meal together.

So, Brian, how was school today? asked Richard.

Oh, it was great! My group and I are finally on the verge of perfecting that motion machine! If this works out, our invention will blow the socks off our teacher!

Oh, uh, motion machine, huh? Jenny spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. What’s that all about?

Oh, well, it’s a device that is meant to create energy through perpetual motion. I mean, the energy is mostly weak, but it could be used as a template for future generations looking to create more efficient energy! You see, what we did was take some blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…

And that was about all Jenny heard before Brian started rambling off a bunch of science words that she had no idea about the meaning of. She slowly looked back down at the half-eaten hash browns beneath her and picked at them with her fork, now only pretending to listen, until some words got her attention.

I based some of the designs on some of my grandpa’s.

Your grandpa’s? You mean the guy who owned this house? Jenny said, looking up again.

Oh, yeah, I mean, Grandpa was an inventor too. In fact, he mentored me in this business. I owe a lot of my knowledge of technology and robotics to him.

Hey, it was a natural talent for you, Richard said. Grandpa only gave you the right push you needed to realize it.

Yeah, well, I always looked up to him. He seemed to know everything there was to know.

Sounds like a heck of a guy, Jenny said quietly.

He was, said Richard wistfully. It’s a shame you couldn’t have met him, though. I’m afraid he passed away from dementia just a few years ago.

Oh, said Jenny, falling short of words for a second. I’m… I’m so sorry.

It’s okay, said Richard. He lived a good life. He had me, my mother, Brian. He was such a joyful man. It was just his time. I know he would have loved you, Jenny.

How so?

Well, he really loved history too. He was always so fascinated about the older world. How it shaped the world we live in now. Learning from our mistakes yet, at the same time, learning from things done right. Heck, he knew quite a bit about history too.

How much did he know? Jenny asked.

Tons, said Brian. "In fact, it was