Chapter 1

"I'll see you later, Gene."

Jolting from a sound sleep, Lucas sprang up in bed, his bleary eyes trying to find something to focus on in the darkness. Even though he was now awake, his brain was fuzzy, and the words repeated in time to the pounding of his heartbeat, his skin covered in a cold sweat. Soon, his heartbeat slowed to a normal rate, the swing of the clock pendulum resounding in the quiet room.

Running his hand through his chocolate locks, Lucas shook his head to try and bring some clarity to what had occurred.

The five words he heard before opening his eyes were embedded in his memory now as if they had come from somewhere in his past, and not a dream that had awakened him. The sound of the voice echoed as he sat there attempting to still his chaotic thoughts.

Throwing off the covers that suddenly seemed too close and binding, Lucas propelled his legs over the side of the bed, sitting still for a minute before trying to stand. When he finally had his feet under him, he walked over to his desk and poured some water into a highball glass from his carafe, carefully taking a sip before swallowing a larger gulp, and replacing the glass where it belonged.

Has the clock always sounded so loud? he wondered as he glanced over at it, surprised to see that it was only midnight; he had been asleep for less than an hour. Walking to the lavatory, he splashed cool water onto his face and wiped it with a hand towel. Returning to his bed, he sat on the edge and tried to place the disembodied voice.

What had he been dreaming?

Who was speaking?

And most importantly- was it only an arbitrary person in a random sleep fantasy? Or someone he had known in his past?

Straining his mind to bring the dream back proved futile; Lucas remembered nothing more- only those faceless words that seemed to haunt his waking moments. With a heavy sigh, he pulled his legs up onto the mattress and lay down, drawing the top sheet and blanket up to his shoulders. He adjusted his pillow once, then twice before settling into place.

Perhaps the morning light would bring comprehension to the puzzle, he supposed, before falling once more into a deep sleep.

###

"Maybe a little higher on that neckline, Rosemary," Elizabeth said as she sipped her tea and watched her friend sketch.

It was a cloudy morning, and with rain expected Elizabeth knew it was a good day to sit inside and get the drawings for her wedding gown finished. My wedding, she thought, her smile bright as she gazed at her hand, the engagement ring sparkling in the low light. To my Lucas.

"What about the sleeves?" Rosemary asked, her hand pausing over the paper.

"I was thinking almost three-quarter length, a bit wider at the opening," Elizabeth proposed as she studied the picture.

The suggestion bewildered Rosemary as she looked at Elizabeth and then down at her illustration. "Really? That's a different look for you," she said as she began outlining the new idea. "I think you are right. And maybe you missed your calling as a designer."

The idea brought a laugh. "I prefer being a designer's friend." Reaching over, she touched Rosemary's arm, noticing the small bump in her belly that was beginning to grow. "How's our little guy? Or girl?"

Looking down, Rosemary placed her palm gently on her stomach. "I'm starting to feel more movement and it surprises me every time. Lee and I are so blessed."

"Yes, you are. And I can't wait to meet him- or her. Now let's get back to my dress, I have places to go and people to see this morning."

Rosemary's wide smile preceded her words. "And I know exactly who those people are," she replied cheerfully before going back to her drawing.

###

Inventory. Probably not the best task to do when your mind keeps wandering, Lucas thought as he counted the bottles of his finest bourbon for the third time. Setting his pad and pen down, Lucas rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. Although he had slept deeply the rest of the night, he got up feeling unsettled when it was time to wake. And he had a dull headache.

"I'll see you later, Gene."

The words reverberated through his thoughts as he attempted to tally his supply. Lucas had always been one to have lively dreams, but something about this one nagged at him. Mainly because he didn't recall anything in it other than that statement. And the genderless voice was one he believed he should recognize as if on the edge of his memory waiting for him to recollect it.

Shaking his head to try and dispel the repeating sentence, Lucas gathered his supplies and went back to his counting, only this time another five words came to him and brought a smile.

"Yes, to all of it."

His heart had never been as full as it was when he heard her answer to his proposal. Elizabeth loved him and wanted to be his wife. All the waiting, and his patience, had paid off in the biggest way possible when she agreed to walk through life with him by her side. Lucas felt as if his heart would burst as the thrill of their relationship grew and deepened. Elizabeth was coming by shortly and he couldn't wait to see her.

"I won't get any work done this way," he said to himself, once again trying to count his stockpile.

###

Elizabeth kept her eyes on the sky as she walked down the street toward the Queen of Hearts. Swinging the doors open, she paused and looked around, seeing the object of her affection behind the bar, studying something intently. A quiet stroll later and she was behind him. Before she had the chance to surprise him, she heard the words, "hello, my love," as Lucas turned toward her with a smile.

Not able to stop herself, Elizabeth leaned into his chest. "Perhaps one day I will find a way to sneak up on you, but apparently not today."

Their eyes met and held, Lucas reading all the love that his lady had to give in that one gaze before he touched her chin and drew her to him. The soft kiss was sweet, but brief, as the saloon was full of patrons. "Did you get your dress designed?" he asked thoughtfully, kissing her once again, on her forehead this time.

"We certainly did," Elizabeth said with a giggle. "And it will take your breath away."

Leaning close, Lucas murmured, "You do that every time you walk into the room."

When his lips touched her ear, chills ran down her spine and she knew it would always be that way with Lucas.

"I hate to do it, but I need to cancel lunch. Jack is a little out of sorts today, he may be coming down with a slight cold. Robert is with him now, but I think I should get home and stay with him. Maybe tomorrow?"

Lucas tried out the pouty face that he had been working on which caused his desired reaction as Elizabeth reached up and touched his mouth. "You've been hanging out with Jack too much. Goodbye kiss?"

Taking her hand, Lucas led her to his office and quickly shut the door behind them. "I think I can arrange that," he breathed out as his arm wrapped around her waist and drew her to him. Softly touching her face with his other hand, he searched her eyes before claiming her lips with his own. When he moved back, her eyelids remained closed in rapture.

"I'll never tire of that, my darling. See you soon," Elizabeth uttered as her eyes slowly opened and she turned to leave the room, Lucas stopping her with his voice. "I'll bring some dinner by later and some soup for Jack."

"I'll look forward to seeing you then," she replied playfully, winking before she spun once again to go. Lucas observed her exit and then went to his desk.

Sitting in his chair, he began to rub his temples, his dull headache becoming more intense as time passed. Throwing back two aspirin with water, he sat with his eyes closed, suddenly seeing a flash of something in his mind. Before he had time to figure out what it was, another flash occurred, only this time he saw a shadow of a person and heard those troubling words again.

If only he could identify the speaker.

Whoever it was, something was going on in his head and he needed to figure out what it was quickly.