THE GROUP PULLED up in front of the townhouse and Victoria smiled in relief to find Hannah waiting for them at the front door. Sam carried Rayne over the threshold.
“I have a room prepared for her.” Hannah gasped when she glanced at Rayne. “Is that Rayne Green?”
Victoria nodded.
“You know her?” Sam asked.
Victoria frowned at Hannah, tilting her head toward Sam.
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Holy shit.”
Victoria giggled. “I know, right?”
“Who is she?” Sam asked.
“Never mind.” Hannah stepped aside so he could enter. “Follow me.”
Sam followed Hannah up the stairs. He gently laid Rayne out on the bed and then Hannah and Victoria shooed him out of the room.
“We’ll take it from here, Sam,” Victoria said. “Go downstairs.”
Sam stepped into the hallway but shook his head. “I’ll stay here, thank you.”
Victoria narrowed her eyes at him, but he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. She closed the door with a determined click and made her way back to the bed.
Hannah rolled Rayne over. “Let’s get her out of these clothes.”
“This is the most awesome outfit, don’t you think?” Victoria whispered.
“I know. Especially these boots.”
Victoria chuckled. “Hooker boots.”
“Totally!” Hannah grinned as she unzipped one of them.
They heard Rayne groan.
“She’s been feeling sick.” Victoria reached her hand out. “Can you grab that bowl, please?”
Hannah took the bowl from the bureau and set it on the bed.
“Rayne? Wake up. You’re safe now.” Victoria grasped her hand.
* * *
Rayne swam through the fog and forced her eyes open. “Where am I?”
“Let’s save that for when you’re feeling better,” Victoria’s southern voice crooned.
Victoria’s lavender gown looked like something out of Gone with the Wind, and Rayne’s heart beat rapidly as she tried to bring her confusion and fear under control. “I feel like sh—,” she grumbled. “Sorry.”
“We’ve heard worse.” A tiny brunette with a strange accent leaned toward her.
“You’ve said worse,” Victoria retorted.
Rayne narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”
Victoria’s deep-violet eyes crinkled with mischief. “Well, I’m your long-lost friend and this is Hannah Butler.”
Rayne rubbed her eyes. “You’re sisters?”
Victoria smiled. “In-law.”
“Can you remember what happened?” Hannah stood at the bureau and rinsed a washcloth with water.
Rayne took the washcloth from her and placed it on her lip. “I’m pretty sure I was drugged.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “What were you drinking?”
“Just water.” Rayne grimaced as she dabbed at her lip. “But after a few sips, I started to feel kind of dizzy.”
Hannah frowned. “Do you know who gave you the water?”
“Yes. This old friend from high school, at least I thought he was a friend. Jared. I think he tried...oh, God—” Rayne covered her mouth with her hand in an attempt to control the bile threatening to fill her throat. “He tried to rape me.”
Victoria wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Did he succeed? Should we get you a doctor?”
Rayne shook her head. “No, I kicked him… uh… really hard before he could.”
Victoria stroked her back. “What do you remember?”
“I was doing a show at the Allstate. Jared showed up and wanted to show me this old abandoned building. He said it was haunted and that two women had disappeared from it.”
Victoria and Hannah glanced at each other.
“I got locked in the stairwell and then walked into this really old room.” Rayne pinched the bridge of her nose. “That’s all I remember… until I woke up in a jail cell.”
“Where was this old building?” Victoria made her way to the bureau and pulled out a nightgown and robe.
“Downtown Chicago.” Rayne rubbed her temples. “First Street, I think. It was an old brick building.”
Victoria slammed the drawer shut and turned, her mouth a thin line.
“What?”
Victoria shook her head. “Never mind. We’ll talk in the morning. You need to rest. Here’s a nightgown you can wear for now.”
“No, we’ll talk now.” Rayne tried to slide off the bed, but Victoria laid a hand on her arm. Rayne scowled. “Who are you and what do you want with me?”
“We’re no one, Rayne. I promise. No one here wants to hurt you. If you just lie down, you’ll feel better and then we can fill you in on the rest.”
“I don’t want to lie down. I want some answers.” Rayne pulled her arm away. “After I use the restroom.”
“Umm…” Victoria stammered.
“What?” Rayne snapped.
“We don’t actually have a toilet,” Hannah said.
“What do you mean you don’t have a toilet?”
“I guess you could say…” Victoria squeezed her eyes shut briefly, “… it’s broken?”
“Broken?” Rayne repeated, unbelieving.
Victoria knelt down and pulled an ornate bowl from under the bed. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to use this.”
Rayne jumped off the bed, regretting the sudden movement. “You want me to pee in a fucking bowl?” Her nerves got the better of her and her voice shook. “Who the hell are you people?”
Victoria grimaced. “I know this all seems really weird right now, but you’re safe here.”
Rayne tried to put distance between her and the women. “Because you say I am?”
“We should tell her,” Hannah said.
“Tell me what?”
Victoria sighed. “Something has happened to you and it’ll be really difficult to believe or understand.”
Rayne inched toward the door. “Okay.”
“Did Jared tell you anything else about the building he took you to?” Victoria asked.
“Just that people said it was haunted because two women disappeared from it.”
Hannah nodded. “A dancer and a photographer, right?”
“Yes.” Rayne looked up. “How did you know that?”
Victoria took a deep breath. “We are the women who disappeared from that building.”
“What?” Rayne squeaked out.
Victoria sighed. “I’m the photographer. Hannah’s the dancer.”
“How the hell does that happen?” she asked, grabbing a brush. She wasn’t sure if she’d need it for protection.
“What do you mean?” Victoria asked.
“How does the guy that just drugged me coincidentally know everything about your story?”
“I don’t know,” Victoria said.
“I’m sure this is all confusing, but if you just trust us, we’ll do everything we can to fill you in,” Hannah said.
Rayne set the brush on the bureau, then reached behind her and felt for the doorknob. “I think I’d like to go.”
Victoria held her hand out. “You can’t, Rayne.”
“Who’s going to stop me?” Rayne ripped open the door and fled.
She didn’t get far.
Two steel arms wrapped around her and held fast. “Shhh. I’ve got you,” the low deep voice crooned.
Rayne pounded her fists against the chest that felt like a brick wall. “Let me go!”
“Sam, she’s frightened.” Victoria laid a hand on Rayne’s back. “Don’t hurt her.”
“I’m not going to hurt her, Mrs. Butler.” He sounded offended, and Rayne couldn’t stop herself from glancing up at him.
She tried to break his hold. “You’re like a freakin’ cage. Let go of me!”
His face softened and he smiled gently. “What’s happened?”
Rayne shuddered and she shook her head. “Nothing. I need to leave. Let me go.”
He shook his head. “You can’t go out in weather like this, dressed so inappropriately.”
Rayne shoved at his chest. “Hadn’t realized you were my father.”
“Sam, let her go.” Victoria pried Sam’s arms from Rayne’s waist. “Rayne, you need to come back into the room. We’ll explain everything. But I really need you to come with me. Please. Trust me.”
The earnestness in Victoria’s voice made Rayne pause. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew Sam was right about the fact she couldn’t go out without shoes and warm clothing, so she reluctantly followed Victoria back into the bedroom.
Rayne sighed. “Tell me what the hell is going on.”
Victoria closed the door and leaned against it. “You’ve been transported back in time.”
“Like as in, time travel?” Rayne let out a nervous laugh.
Hannah nodded. “Yes, time travel. You’ve been sent back in time.”
“Funny… I didn’t see a Delorian parked outside.”
Hannah giggled. “Think Kate and Leopold, rather than Back to the Future.”
“Riiight.” Rayne crossed her arms. “What’s the date?”
“October 1864,” Victoria said.
“What?” Rayne shook her head. “This is a weird practical joke, right?”
“I know it’s a lot to take in, right now, but it’s the truth,” Hannah said gently.
“You people are insane.” Rayne moved toward the door again. “Let me out of here.”
Victoria shook her head. “We can’t. I’m sorry, Rayne. You really need to trust us.”
“You tell me I’m in the middle of the eighteenth century and you want me to trust you?”
“Nineteenth century,” Hannah corrected. “Civil War.”
“Seriously? A history lesson? Now?” Rayne let out a litany of curses.
“I’m so sorry.” Victoria rubbed her forehead. “I wish there was a way to ease you into this information, but if you don’t stay here, you could get hurt. If you could just give us until tomorrow, you’ll have had a chance to rest and then we can talk about it with a little more rationality.”
“Rationali—” Rayne cut off her words with another curse. “You expect me to be rational about this?”
A knock at the door elicited a grunt from Victoria.
“Mrs. Butler?” Sam called through the door. “Is everything all right?”
Victoria grimaced. “He’s like a freakin’ bodyguard!”
“Victoria?” Sam called again.
“Sam, go downstairs. Everything’s fine,” she called back.
Rayne was suddenly feeling a little cloudy again, so she sat in one of the chairs next to the fireplace and dropped her face in her hands.
“Rayne? Will you try to give us the benefit of the doubt?” Hannah asked. “I know you don’t know us, but I promise we’ll do everything we can to help you figure this out.”
Rayne frowned. “Where’s my bag?”
Victoria retrieved it from the freestanding wardrobe and handed it to her. Rayne pulled out her cell phone and scrolled down to Shaye’s number.
“It won’t work, Rayne,” Victoria said.
Rayne concentrated on the screen. “Sure it won’t.” She pressed the call button, but nothing happened―the phone simply reverted back to the main screen. Rayne tried again and then shoved the phone back in the bag with a frustrated growl.
“I’m sorry, Rayne,” Victoria said.
“You apologize a lot… is that a southern thing?”
“Sor–” Victoria bit her lip.
Rayne squeezed her eyes shut. “How did you know to come to the jail?”
“The man who came to get Sam said shiny black breeches.” Victoria smiled. “I figured all was not as it seemed.”
Rayne forced back tears of frustration. “How do I get home?”
Hannah took a deep breath. “You can’t… from here.”
“What?” Rayne snapped. “You said you’d help me.”
“We will,” Victoria said. “We’re just not sure how to get you back.”
“You mean, I’m stuck here?”
Hannah shook her head. “No. It just might take a few days to sort out.”
“No, no, no. I can’t be here. I can’t stay here. I have to go home.” Rayne rose to her feet. “I’m in the middle of a sold-out tour!”
“We’ll figure it out. I promise,” Victoria said.
“Can I ask a question?” Hannah asked quietly.
Rayne shrugged. “Knock yourself out.”
“Did you hire a dancer named Mark Battaglia?”
Rayne nodded. “Yes. He’s my best dancer. He’s the one I partner with in my shows.”
Hannah clapped her hands. “I knew he’d make it. We used to dance together on occasion.”
Rayne refrained from voicing her opinion about the woman’s ill-placed excitement.
“Sorry.” Hannah set Rayne’s boots in the wardrobe and then closed it.
Victoria handed her a glass of water. Rayne took it and peered at it.
“It’s not drugged, I promise.” Victoria smiled again. “Are you hungry at all?”
“No.” Rayne sighed and took a sip of the water. “I do need to use the restroom though.”
Victoria nodded toward the chamber pot back sitting on the bed.
“You were serious?” Rayne gagged. “That means the bowl at the prison was…”
Victoria frowned. “Yes.”
“Disgusting!” Rayne hissed.
“I’m really sorry, Rayne.”
Rayne chewed the inside of her cheek. “I’m going to be sick.”
Hannah handed her the clean bowl.
When Rayne’s stomach calmed, she looked at the women. “What do I do now?”
“For now, try to relax,” Hannah said.
“Riiiight.”
Victoria squeezed her shoulder. “We know it’s a lot to take in, but you’re going to be fine. Hannah and I will do everything we can to help you through this. You’re welcome to stay here, or at my place when it’s finished, for as long as you like.”
Rayne glanced up at her. “This isn’t your home?”
“No, it’s mine. Although, Victoria’s southern charm has taken over.” Hannah snorted. “She can’t help herself.”
“Quincy and I are renovating our home a few blocks from here,” Victoria explained. “It should be done in a week or so. With indoor plumbing, I might add.”
“Lovely,” Rayne droned.
Victoria smiled. “Why don’t we leave you alone, so you can change? You really need to rest. If Jared put GHB in your water, you’ll probably be groggy for several hours.”
“I didn’t think he’d do something like that. I’ve known him for years.” Rayne dropped her head onto the back of the chair.
Victoria leaned against the mattress. “Would you like to take a bath?”
“Showers haven’t been invented yet, right?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Victoria sighed. “But, you’ll get used to baths. They’re kind of nice.”
Rayne sighed. “I would like to get this make-up off my face.”
Victoria chuckled. “I think it looks great.”
“Thanks. It’s theater grade, though, and really heavy.” Rayne scraped her eyelid gently. “Plus, these eyelashes are driving me nuts.”
“I’ll organize some food,” Hannah offered. “And have a bath sent up.”
“Thanks,” Victoria said.
Hannah left the room and Rayne smoothed her hand over her pants. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
Victoria’s eyebrows puckered. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Just forget I said anything.”
“Tell me,” Victoria prodded gently. “You can be honest.”
“In my line of work, people aren’t nice to me for no reason.” Rayne pinched the bridge of her nose. “There’s usually a catch.”
Victoria cocked her head to the side. “I know a little about people stealing pieces of you, but you’re safe here. There aren’t any expectations.”
“For now, perhaps.”
Victoria smiled. “Take advantage of the fact that no one here knows who you are. You can reinvent yourself.”
“I don’t want to reinvent myself, Victoria. I want to go home.” Rayne stood and began to pace. “I love my life. I love singing. I don’t know how to do anything else. I just want to go home.”
“Well, perhaps we can find a way for you to go back.”
A knock at the door brought the housekeeper with a tray of food. Victoria took it from her. “Thanks, Mrs. Putnam.”
“Mrs. Butler wanted the bath set up in here, is now convenient?” the housekeeper asked.
“Has Mr. Powell joined my husband downstairs?” Victoria asked.
Mrs. Putnam nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
“Good. Yes, please bring the tub now.”
Mrs. Putnam nodded again, and with a glance of guarded confusion Rayne’s way, left the room.
“I must look like an alien to her.” Rayne groaned. “Among other things much, much worse.”
“I have an idea.” Victoria pulled a robe from the wardrobe. “Put this on. I should have had you do that earlier.”
“Thanks.” Rayne slipped into the warm cotton. “I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.”
“Try not to think about it.” Victoria made her way to the door. “It’ll get better.”
Rayne shrugged. “I suppose it can’t get any worse.”
“Way to look on the bright side.” Victoria smiled. “I’ll check on the bath.”
Victoria left the room and Rayne took care of her personal needs with disgust. She washed her hands and picked up a sandwich. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she bit into the soft bread. Grimacing, Rayne thought of how much she’d been doing to get her body ripped down to less than thirteen percent body fat. She worked out several hours a day, especially on tour and never, ever cheated.
She looked at the soft bread she had just taken a bite out of, remembering her vow to eat nothing white or processed, and absolutely no sugar. She sighed deeply as she took another bite. This was heaven.
Victoria returned with fresh towels and soap. “How’s the food?”
“Amazing,” Rayne said.
“Good.” Victoria laid her burdens on the bed. “The bath’s on its way.”
Rayne nodded.
Victoria pursed her lips. “I have a question to ask you.”
“Of course you can have an autograph.”
Victoria giggled. “Funny. Um, Sam has asked if you’d like a tour of the city tomorrow.”
“Sam? The tall hottie with the killer blue eyes?” Rayne grimaced. “I just said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.” Victoria smiled. “But all of it’s true. He is tall, he is a hottie, and he most definitely has killer blue eyes.”
Rayne sighed. “I don’t know that I’m interested in a date, Victoria.”
“Don’t look at it as a date.”
Rayne snorted. “What am I supposed to look at it as?”
“Something really unique and surprising.”
“Oh, really? How come?”
Victoria leaned against the bureau. “Because Samuel Powell does not date. He’s only ever courted one woman that I’m aware of, and even she wasn’t someone he was particularly into.”
“Courted is dating, I’m assuming?”
Victoria nodded. “Yes...more intense than what we deem dating, but similar.”
Rayne sighed. “I don’t want to date anyone, Victoria. I just want to go home.”
“And we’ll figure that out. I promise. In the meantime, would it hurt to spend the day with a gorgeous man and explore a city you’ll never see again?”
Rayne raised an eyebrow at Victoria, but before she could comment, a servant knocked on the door and brought in a copper tub. A few of the male staff worked to fill the tub and then left the girls alone.
“I wasn’t expecting such a large tub.” Rayne peered inside.
“I figured you might want to relax a bit. I have some orange essence if you like and a great make-up remover. It’s from the future, so I have to keep it hidden, but I’ll get some for you.”
Rayne smiled. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
Victoria left the room and Rayne undressed and climbed into the tub. She sunk down in the warm water with a sigh and let her muscles relax from the stress of the night.