Hearts Through Time

SIX

Nick enjoyed seeing the blush highlighting Abby's cheeks and hearing the catch in her throat as she sighed. She was so beautiful, even in the old-fashioned getup she wore. But lately when he looked at her, he didn't see her clothes anymore. He saw a bright, sensitive, and caring woman. Since she'd been dead all these years, he expected her to be gloomy, so her upbeat sense of humor surprised him.

Now he noticed a different expression cross her face. Narrowed eyes studied the picture on the web page, tight lines creasing her forehead and pulling at her lips. He glanced at the monitor to see what had caught her attention. Another article in an old newspaper was displayed, this time of a young woman standing in front of Abby's father's building.

"That is her!" She pointed at the woman.

"Her who?"

"Your lady friend, Vanessa. I told you I had seen her before. That is the woman in my mind. I remember seeing her in this building back then."

Nick clicked on the picture and zoomed in. The young woman's face came into view, and the likeness to Vanessa was remarkable. "What's the year on this article?" he muttered as he scanned the page.

"It says 1917."

"Five years after your death."

"Yes."

He leaned closer to read. In the article, Cassandra Brown announced the opening of her jewelry store, Cassie's Gems.

"How do you know Cassandra Brown?" he asked.

"I don't know her, but I have seen her before—in my time. The article says she owned a jewelry store, and this building was once a jewelry store." Abby glanced at him. "She does resemble your lady friend, don't you think?"

The likeness was uncanny. It was as if Vanessa had stepped back in time. The woman in the article looked about Vanessa's age of twenty-four, or perhaps a little younger. If Vanessa squeezed into one of those high-neck, long-sleeved, puffy-shoulder gowns, wrapped her hair in a bun, and wore a wide, feathered hat, she would look just like the woman in the picture.

"She's a spitting image of Vanessa."

"Do you think they are related?" Abby looked back over her shoulder at Nick. "I mean, Vanessa's father owns the building now, and it appears from this article that Cassandra Brown owned it in 1917."

Nick nodded. "It's very possible. There's only one way to find out." He breathed an irritated sigh. "But that would mean taking Vanessa out to dinner so I could ask her questions."

Abby frowned. "I suppose you have to do it, even as horrible as the idea sounds."

Chuckling, he shook his head. "You don't know the half of it. She doesn't listen to me when I tell her I only want to be friends. She's nothing but lint stuck on static clothes. That's what it feels like when she clings to me." Nick looked down. "I hope that doesn't sound too rude."

Abby laughed and shook her head.

"Too bad you can't come with me." He grinned. "I enjoyed what you did to her the other evening when she wouldn't leave me alone."

Abby stared at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Whatever are you talking about?"

"Don't play coy with me, Miss Carlisle. I know Vanessa isn't that clumsy. You were the one who spilled the sauce on her dress, made her trip, and splashed water on her face."

"You knew it was me?"

"How could I not? Vanessa isn't like that at all. She prides herself on being very graceful."