Read Tumbling in Time for Free Online

twitching and jerking all over the place.” The nurse recorded the result in her chart and mused, “You heart rate is up. Maybe you were doing some running or something a bit more fun?” The nurse shot her a mischievous glance.
    Tasha’s mouth was bone-dry, but she managed a weak, “Maybe. Where am I now?”
    “Topeka, at University General. You were brought in by ambulance. From what some witnesses report, you went running right into the storm. We may need to get your head examined while you’re here.” The nurse’s eyes shone with disapproval as she explained, “The twister plowed its way through town earlier this evening. It missed the populated areas and cut a swath through some poor farmer’s field. You’ve got a nasty cut to your arm and some burns on your face and neck. Nothing that will delay your discharge.”
    A loud warning siren sounded from outside the hospital, stealing the nurse’s attention from her patient. “Guess we aren’t going to catch a break tonight,” she lamented.
    Tasha looked longingly toward the window, a smile gracing her face. Her eyes glowed with anticipation. As she drifted off to sleep, her final thought was how can I hijack a ride on this twister to get back to Arikk?
    A gentle female voice filled Tasha’s head. I’ve been waiting a long time for this, my child.
    “Who are you?” This was the first conversation Tasha had experienced solely in her head. Different.
    I think you already know.
    Tasha looked into the woman’s eyes. Deep pools of oceans stared back at her, while the woman’s blonde tresses tossed about in the wind like the long branches of a willow tree. Her face held a look of secret promise and deep knowing as her ruby lips parted in a smile that felt like the gentle caress of a lazy summer day. The woman was unlike anyone Tasha had ever seen and yet, she seemed so familiar, the cut of her nose, the twinkle in her eye. Tasha had seen them before in her beloved wizard.
    That’s right, my love. You no longer need storms to see my son. The red garnet ring Rafe placed on your hand gives you the ability to return to him as you wish.
    No. Way. Tasha had difficulty believing the voice in her head. It wasn’t that long ago that she learned Mother Nature and Father Time were real entities. She had never before received such a special gift; it had to be imbued with powerful magic. This was going to take some getting used to. So many more things were possible in Arikk’s realm that were not in backwoods Kansas. Huh. What would humans do if they knew?
    Yes, my dear. We are more advanced and have the benefits of magic at our disposal. As for my stubborn son, he may not have professed his feelings for you as yet. The voice paused to chuckle, sounding like a brook trickling over rounded pebbles. Despite being an immortal wizard, he is still a man. But, please trust me when I say that you complete him. Good luck, my love.
    Wow. Things were happening too fast for Tasha to absorb. She had always hated waiting to be sucked up by a twister to see her hottie. Now, she was free to travel between worlds and develop their relationship whenever the desire hit. The implications were endless. Tasha wondered if it would someday be possible to live with Arikk and not have to worry about leaving his world.
    Tasha waited nearly a week before she followed Mother Nature’s instructions. She rubbed the ring and murmured the strange words as instructed. It only took a moment for the mist to clear and Arikk to come into view after pressing her lips to the ring. He occupied a corner booth in a smoky underground pub. He appeared to be lost in thought – his eyes were unfocused, staring off into space. A glass of whiskey sat on the table before him. Scanning the rest of the pub, Tasha was relieved to see that it was mostly empty. A couple of demon-types sat at the bar carrying on a low conversation with the bartender. Otherwise, no one else was around.
    Despite the specific instructions