Captured by Time by Carolyn Faulkner, Alta Hensley Page A

as she could in her bag, most of which directly related to needing to doctor him—some suture needles and sutures, antibiotics, and prescription pain killers were all added to the things that were already in her kit.
    She also found a pawn shop and bought some money of the correct era—both bills and coins—and it wasn't cheap. Unfortunately, that wasn't a keepsake of the era she had bothered to collect over the years, but then, she'd never expected to actually need any of the things she'd accumulated.
    She tried to get a bulletproof vest; to hell with the prime directive of time travel and the butterfly effect and all of that crap, as far as she was concerned. She wanted him to be safe. But Settler's Bluff was too small a town to have anyone who sold them, unfortunately.
    The one thing she was careful not do, that she thought someone else in her position might have, was to Google, 'Jude Buchanan 1880'. She was terrified of what she might find out about him if she did, and ignorance in this case, as far as she was concerned, was bliss.
    And just like that, Cimmy entered her hotel room again—possibly for the last time. She sat down at the small desk and took out a piece of paper and pen to write a letter to her cousin, Eva.
     
    Dear Eva,
    If you get this letter, then I am gone, and not sure of my return… if ever. This isn't an easy letter to write to you, and the decision I'm making isn't one I'm taking lightly. But something in the depths of my soul tells me it is a decision I need to make, regardless.
    All my life I have felt as if I don't belong. Like I never really fit in. Life passes me by at such a fast speed, I seem to struggle constantly to keep up. Love never found me, or at least I never allowed it to. Even the new career I'm about to begin doesn't excite me. I've been lost, and I believe I've found a way to find who I'm meant to be. I have the chance for the adventure of a lifetime, and I want to take it.
    Your graduation gift to me was more of a gift then you will ever know. It has allowed me the opportunity to find where I belong. I know you want me in Chicago, but that just isn't me. It's not who I am or where I belong. I believe that I truly know where that place is now. A twist in time, an open door of sorts, has presented itself to me, and I'd be a fool not to follow my heart. You are the only family I have and the only ties keeping me here, and although I will miss you dearly, this is my chance for a change. Please understand that I have to do this. I need to explore this new opportunity. If anyone would understand, it would be you.
    Unfortunately, where I am going is somewhere from which I may not be able to reach you, but I want you to know that I love you and wish you well. Just know that I am happy, I am safe, and I am following my heart. Do not worry about me, please. The day may come that we meet again. But until then, take care of yourself.
    Love,
    Cimmy
     
    Cimmy wiped at the tears falling down her face, dripping onto the desk, barely missing the letter. She folded the paper neatly, putting it in an envelope with Eva's name and address. Saying goodbye wasn't easy, but she knew that her cousin would want this for her. Eva would want Cimmy to allow destiny to take control. Eva would want Cimmy to follow her heart. Going back in time a second time might not even work, and if it did, it may mean never returning. It was a risk. It was dangerous. Hell, it was insane to even be considering this. But Cimmy wanted to return to 1880. Jude needed her, and she needed… well, she needed Jude.
    So, how to travel back in time? Again? She wasn't sure if she needed to wait until the same hour as when it had happened before, but she did, just in case that helped. So, when she went to bed that night, she wore all of the clothes she wanted to have access to—including a new nightgown that wasn't quite period but was close enough—over multiple layers of other clothing, some of which would be for him, and piled