I appreciated the simplicity of being in the past, but it was strange not having a cell phone. There was no checking my emails or Facebook to see what was going on with my friends. However, being lost in a dream world was the break from reality I didn’t know I needed. It was peaceful.

Since William and I were going to walk around town at some point today, I settled for a simple day dress out of my closet. It was hunter green with flowers along the hem. There was even a green bonnet with white lace to match. I’d also figured out a way to get into my corset by myself. As much as I loved Helen, I didn’t need a servant or a maid. I was more than capable of doing everything on my own.

Once dressed, with my hair pulled up, and a bag of extra clothes, I walked downstairs to the kitchen, thinking I’d see Helen in there. However, she wasn’t the one who greeted me.

“Good morning, Adeline. You look beautiful this morning,” Margaret said, still dressed like one of the servants. She smiled at me before pulling cornbread out of the stove.

Setting my bag down, I ran a hand down my dress. “Thanks. I’m getting the hang of putting all of this on myself. It’s definitely easier back home, with my yoga pants and T-shirts.”

Margaret chuckled. “I bet.”

Clearing my throat, I closed the distance between us, watching her as she cut the cornbread. “Why are you a maid in my dream? I promise that’s not how I see you.”

She burst out laughing, but her voice was so soft, she almost sounded like an angel. “I know that, Adeline.”

“Why are you in my dream and no one else I know?”

“Maybe it’s because you saw me right before you went home from the rehearsal,” she replied with a shrug.

I leaned against the kitchen table and grabbed an orange out of the fruit bowl. “Maybe. I could really use Jessica right about now, though. William’s on his way to pick me up.” After peeling the orange, I tossed a couple of wedges into my mouth.

Her lips pulled back in a knowing smile. “I know. I saw you two last night on the porch. Looks like the mistletoe came in handy.”

My cheeks burned as I ate another bite of my orange. “It did.”

Margaret giggled. “And he’s coming to see you again today?”

I nodded. “Yep. He wants to go into town, so everyone will know we’re together.”

“Sounds like fun.” She pointed over at the large bowl on top of the stove. It smelled like vegetable soup. “Why don’t you take some lunch with you? Your grandmother made enough to feed an army.” She walked over to the big pot on the stove and poured some into a bowl.

Finishing off my orange, I walked over to her and breathed in the soup. “It smells delicious.”

“It will be. Your grandmother spent all morning on it. Helen helped her cut up the vegetables.”

That brought a smile to my face. Even though I didn’t know my great-grandmother, I could tell from her smile in the pictures I had that she had a good soul. I just wished that the great-grandmother in my dream was real. At least, she was amazing in my imagination.

Margaret fetched a picnic basket out of the pantry and loaded it up with the soup and some of the cornbread. She handed it to me slowly. “Be careful not to spill.”

“Adeline,” my great-grandmother called out. The door to the kitchen opened and my grandmother smiled. “There you are. William’s here for you.” She held the door for me and I turned to say goodbye to Margaret. She was gone. “Going on a picnic? How romantic.”

I snickered and faced her. “That’s the point. I hope you don’t mind, but I stole a bowl of your vegetable soup and some of the cornbread.”

“Of course, I don’t mind. You can take as much as you want.”

---

Opening the front door, I found William standing outside by the carriage, talking to his coachman, Frederick. I stopped and turned to my grandmother. “I think I’m falling in love with him. Is it too soon?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. Only you know what’s in your heart. If you love him and he loves you, don’t let anything hold you back.”

“Thank you. I’ll be sure to remember that.”

I made my way down the stairs and my heart stopped when I got a good look at William. His hair was soft, and tousled all over his head, as if he just ran a hand through it. It was more of a chocolate brown color, now that it wasn’t slicked back with oil.

He marched up to me and took the basket, his smile sexier than ever. “Good morning. Did you fix us lunch?”

“Not exactly,” I answered sheepishly. “As much as I’d like to take credit, my grandmother was the one who made it.”

His eyes lit up. “I’m sure it’ll be just as delicious. I actually have the perfect place for us to have a picnic.” Holding his arm out, I linked it with mine.

“Can’t wait.” We walked over to the carriage and I smiled at Frederick. “Good morning, Frederick.”

“Good morning, Miss Adeline,” he replied, bowing his head.

Taking my hand, William helped me into the carriage, then climbed in after me.

As soon as we were off, he grabbed my face and kissed me. “I’ve been dying to do that all morning,” he said, grinning mischievously. “Is it bad I don’t want to share you with the townsfolk today?”

“Then don’t. Take me to wherever it is you wanted me to see. All that matters is I’m with you.”

His gaze landed on my bag. “Did you bring warm clothes and pants?”

I patted my bag. “All in here.”

He called out to Frederick with the change of plans, and the carriage circled around to go the other way.

“How long does it take to get where we’re going?” I asked.

William grinned. “Not long. I’m kind of excited to see it myself. I rode by there the other day, but didn’t have the chance to explore.”

“Explore, huh? I’m intrigued.”

“I thought you would be.”

Glancing out the window, there was nothing but snow and trees. It was kind of sad to see it all untouched, knowing what it was going to look like in the future.

“I know we talked briefly about your teaching the other day. Have you given any thought to helping out at the local school?” William asked, drawing my attention back to him. “I overheard a woman at the social saying how they needed a teacher after the Christmas break.”

It felt like it’d been an eternity since I’d thought about teaching. I sat back and turned my body to face him. The idea excited me. It wouldn’t be like my high schoolers, but it’d be a different adventure. Not that my dream would last that long. “I’ll ask my grandmother who I should contact.”

His grin widened. “From what I can tell, you seem like you’d be good with kids.”

I returned a smile. “I try to be.”

---

Ten minutes later, the carriage slowed down and William looked out the window. “We’re here.” When I looked at our surroundings, there was nothing but trees and a small dirt road that wound its way up the side of the mountain. It looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it. William opened the carriage door and grabbed my bag.

“Do I need my extra clothes now?” I asked.

He hopped out of the carriage and nodded. “Yes. Once we’re out of sight, you’ll want to change.”

Eyes wide, I looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Out here in the snow?”

“Don’t worry,” he said, winking, “I’ll turn my back.”

Frederick stayed with the carriage, while we hiked up the small, dirt road. Once we were safely away, William handed me my bag and cleared his throat.

“You’re safe to change now. No one can see.” His raw, primal stare made me shiver. Crossing his arms over his chest, he turned around and leaned against a tree.

Opening my bag, I pulled out a heavy, wool coat and a pair of pants. They were my great-grandfather’s. Since he was still out of town, he wasn’t going to miss them. Heart racing, I slowly walked over to William and turned my back to him. “I need your help. Could you possibly unbutton my dress for me?”

He sucked in a breath and blew it out, the warmth of it brushing across my neck. Then tentatively, his fingers grazed my skin and he unlatched the first button, followed by the rest, exposing the bare skin of my back.

I met his gaze over my shoulder. His eyes flashed and he turned suddenly, walking away to lean on a nearby tree. “You’re torturing me, sunshine,” he said, his voice low and full of heat.

Chuckling, I decided not to push the poor man any further, as I’m sure I’d crossed about ten rules of etiquette in the past ten seconds. Sliding on my clothes, I couldn’t stop from shivering, even when I put on my jacket. The cold, crisp air whipped through the trees, the snow swirling up like small, glittery tornadoes in the sun. I wished I had a camera to capture it. It was the most magical thing I’d ever seen.

“Done. You can turn around.”

William picked up my bag, grabbed my hand, and we continued up the trail.

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked.

Smirking, he glanced at me over his shoulder. “The Blair’s own this land, but not for much longer. There’s a spot up here that has an amazing view of the Appalachians. I want to see it one last time.”

Up ahead, the trees cleared to reveal an open meadow. He was right. It was the most beautiful view of the mountains I’d ever seen. In my day, when you visited the mountains, there were houses and hotels everywhere. Seeing it untouched was surreal, but I had a feeling of déjà vu once again. It all looked so familiar.

“Asheville’s going to be one of the top places to visit in North Carolina one day.” We walked to the edge of the large meadow. “In a few years, this is all going to change.”

Gaze narrowed, I studied the layout of the mountains. I knew everything about Asheville’s geography. That was when it hit me . . . I was standing in the exact place the Biltmore House would be built. Mouth gaping, I circled around and envisioned it all. I could see the house and the gardens in my mind. I’d been to the Biltmore House over a dozen times.

“Asheville is going to change,” I murmured. “It’s kind of sad. I like the way it is now.”

William slid his arm around my shoulders. “I do too.” We walked around the meadow and I was amazed at how detailed my dream was. Maybe it was the love for my city that helped me to think it all up.

“William, why aren’t you married? Have you never been in love?”

We stopped at the edge of the cliff and climbed up on one of the large boulders. William sat down and pulled me next to him, holding me in the nook of his arm. “No, I haven’t,” he replied, his warm breath fanning out against my ear. “Believe me, I’ve had a lot of chances. I guess I was just waiting on someone like you. A woman who’s independent, smart, kind, and is genuinely a good person.”

“Do you honestly think that, or are you trying to sweet talk me?”

His arms tightened around me. “I don’t lie, Adeline. I’ll admit, I’m usually never this forward with women. Disclosing my feelings isn’t something I do.”

“Why now?”

“I don’t know,” he answered, his shoulders lifting with a shrug. “I guess I don’t have anything to lose . . . or maybe I have everything to lose and I don’t know it yet.” He sighed. “That really didn’t make any sense, did it?”

I snickered. “Not really, but it’s okay. Honestly, I’m in the same boat. I’ve never cared about someone enough to tell them how I feel. With you, I don’t want to hold back.” I didn’t know how much time I had with him. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slow. “Do you think we’re moving too fast?”

“Do you think we are?”

I turned to face him. “My heart says no,” I said, looking right into his gray stare. “But it scares me.” Because none of it is real. “I’m afraid to fall for you, just to have you taken away.” Of course, he had no clue what I was talking about. He was just a figment of my imagination.

He cupped my cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. Right here, with you, is where I want to be.”

Was it possible to fall in love with a dream man? Yes, it was, and I was falling fast. Closing my eyes, I snuggled into him, breathing in the scent of sandalwood and cedar. He smelled like the perfect Christmas candle.

Frederick drove us back into town and we ate our picnic lunch right in town square in the gazebo. People watched us as they walked by, the old women gossiping under their breath. William’s uncle and the Ferguson’s weren’t going to like it, but I didn’t care about them. It was my dream and I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin it.

When we arrived back at my house, William grabbed the picnic basket and walked me to the door. He set the basket down and reached for my hands. “I want to see you again tonight.”

“You’re not tired of me yet?” I asked teasingly.

He kissed me, and I closed my eyes, losing all train of thought. “Not in the least,” he murmured.

I opened my eyes. “What’d you have in mind? Did you want to come here?”

“No, no.” He appeared nervous, like he might pass out. “I want us to be alone.” My breath hitched and I trembled, wishing I could read his mind. His brows furrowed. “I’m not implying what you might think. That came out wrong.” He shook his head and tried again. “I just want to spend time with you, without the whole world watching us.”

Placing my hands on his chest, I nodded in understanding. “I want that too, William. Meet me here at nightfall. I’ll be ready.” Nightfall was only a couple hours away, there was much to do.