Stealing Time (29 page)

“We never get to see much of Jordyn at this
game, do we?” Kate laughed. Jordyn attended the dance when she was
cheering for the team while Kate ended up with Tyson in
uncomfortable situations.

“This year’s going to be different. Right?”
Lindsey’s squeezed her cousin’s hand. “We’re not leaving your
side.”

Kate, Drew and Lindsey left the parents at
the dinner table to get a head start to the game. Jake, Lindsey’s
little brother, tagged along, too, reminding the trio he sat with
them last year.

“It’s a tradition now until I’m on the team,”
he stated.

“And we’ll be cheering for you in the stands.
I’ll scream out, that’s my little bro!” Lindsey teased.

“Argh!” Jake playfully air punched at his
sister.

“Hey, Jake, watch those swings.” Drew stepped
in to control the situation. “We’re the only two who can air
fight.”

“You don’t think I can defend myself?”
Lindsey bantered back, giving Jake a few air punches.

The playful chatter lasted all the way to the
game and into the gym. Erin and Jordyn were with the new
cheerleaders on the sidelines, showing them some moves. Tyson broke
away from his basketball buddies when he saw them.

“Hey, guys, good to see you.” Tyson’s
friendly smile didn’t help ease the tension. “Thought we’d all go
out for a reunion after the game. Jordyn and Brian are on board. I
hope you three will join us at the diner.”

“We’ll try to meet up with you after the
game.” Kate reminded herself she had to play nice. “I’m sure we can
go out for awhile...for old time’s sake.” She felt the pressure of
Drew’s hand in hers. “We’re gonna grab some seats. Good luck.”

They climbed the steps of the bleachers and
picked a spot in the middle for the best view. People began to file
in, and the gymnasium quickly filled up. The basketball coaches
from both teams came out to the center of the floor and announced
their players. Then they invited returning players from past
seasons to join them on the floor. From each group, the coaches
revealed the honorary captain for the game. Tyson already knew he
was to be captain and held his arms over his head when it was
broadcast.

“Ugh, what a showoff.” Lindsey made a
disgusted face which made Kate giggle. “Acts like he’s the only one
out there. What about Brian? He was a good player.”

“You’ll always have a soft spot for him.”
Kate nudged her. She thought back to how Lindsey dated him two
years ago. They were still friends. She wished it could be that
simple with Tyson.

The game got underway. Kate was distracted
most of the time, thinking of other things, just like the past two
years.

“You know if we win it’s going to be
pandemonium in here.” Drew leaned in close to be heard over the
crowd.

“Why? What’s the big deal?” Kate was confused
and decided she better pay attention.

“Well, for the past ten years, each team has
won five games. This is a tie breaker of sorts.”

“Oh.” Kate looked at the scoreboard, seeing
there were just thirty seconds left to play, and the score was
tied.

Everyone rose to their feet, clapping and
cheering for their team. The two teams traded baskets, keeping the
score evenly matched. The scoreboard clock ticked down to the final
two seconds of the game. The home team ended up with the ball, and
the player seemed to freeze in place.

Tyson stood up and screamed something at him,
and the boy released the ball. The crowd watched in silence as the
ball headed toward the basket as if it was in slow motion. It hit
the rim, swirled around a few times and dropped in. Kate’s side of
the gym broke into wild cheers as the team huddled together on the
floor in celebration.

Lindsey had Jake head up the stairs to join
their parents and took Kate’s hand. “Let’s get out of here before
we can’t move.”

Kate grabbed Drew with her other hand, and
they started down the steps. At that moment, a large crush of
people came with them. The gym floor started to fill up. It seemed
like everyone wanted to join the festivities on the court.

Kate was surrounded by fans as she reached
the bottom step and felt Lindsey’s hand slip away. Luckily, she
still was holding on tightly to Drew. She turned back to look at
him and knew she shouldn’t be frightened, but suddenly she was.
Drew nodded as if to say keep going, and that’s when she felt their
hands separate.

“Drew!” Kate screamed as loudly as she
could.

“I’ve got you!”

Kate was relieved to hear his voice which was
barely audible above the chanting. She allowed herself to be guided
to the edge of the commotion and through a small side door of the
gym that led outside. She buried herself into his body, feeling
protected. Safely outside, Kate was able to focus again. “That was
crazy!”

“It sure was!”

Stunned, Kate looked up into Tyson’s face. He
smiled at her so lovingly, so longingly, it scared her. His lips
were on hers before she realized what was happening.

“I love you.” He breathed into her ear and
pulled her close. “We could have it all, Katie. If only...”

“If only what, Ty? I do what you say? Feel
how you want me to feel?”

“No, I was going to say if only things were
different. I love you like a friend, that’s all. Come on, I’ll
drive you to the diner.”

This time Kate stood her ground. She had
given in to his demands twice before on game day, and look how that
turned out. She was done appeasing him, stroking his ego, reasoning
with him. Suddenly, she knew Anna was with her.

“
No, I’m not going with you. Go find
your girlfriend, and take her to the diner. We’ll meet you there.”
Kate walked around the building to the main door where she was
positive she’d find Drew.

“Kate, over here!” Drew’s arm rose up from
the crowd. “What happened to you? It’s as if something...or
someone...took you away.” Then he paused, knowing he had answered
his own question. “Tyson.”

“Yep, but here I am. I didn’t need rescuing.
I told him nicely I didn’t need a ride. We’d meet him there.”

“You still want to go?” Lindsey shoved
through the crowd to join them.

“Of course, we have a book to think
about.”

The drive to the diner was awkward, but Kate
was determined to keep everyone positive. “Guys, we have to act
like fun college freshmen. Not like we have an agenda. Tyson’s
smart and can see right through us. I don’t want him to feel like
he’s cornered or that he’s won. Let’s show him how the
Campbell/Roberts/Kelly clan parties.”

Jordyn and Brian were already in the
restaurant reserving a large table for the group. After all the
hugs and handshakes, they sat down to wait for the guest of honor.
When Tyson and Erin arrived, everyone clapped and gave a few shout
outs. Drew offered to pick up the tab, and they cheered for that.
College stories were told, the game discussed and old high school
teachers were dissected.

“Wonder if the gym cleared out yet? Good
thing I rescued you, right, Katie?” Tyson held up his glass of soda
like he was toasting her.

“I was managing fine on my own.” Kate held up
her own glass.

“You’re a feisty one,” Ty nodded back.

“Yes, she is,” Drew added.

“You should know, Drew-ski.” Tyson slapped
him on the back.

Kate knew those two comments could set Drew
off. He hated when Tyson called him Drew-ski and the other,
alluding to sex, was a topic Drew didn’t want to discuss. She held
her breath, waiting for his reaction.

“Maybe I do.” Drew had a slight smile on his
face that Kate knew was really a grimace.

Good job, Drew. Hang in there. We’ll leave
soon.
Kate held her glass higher and said, “To the honorary
captain of the game.” She moved the attention back to Tyson and
felt Drew relax. “What did you say to that kid with the ball?”

“I said, shoot! Shoot the ball, dammit!”

Everyone laughed and credited Tyson for
winning the game.

Kate felt it was a perfect time to end the
evening. “We’ll have to meet again before everyone goes back to
school. Right now, I’m ready to go. Good seeing you all.”

Drew and Lindsey hopped up while Kate was
still giving her good-bye speech. To Kate, they appeared overly
anxious to leave. Trying to keep up the act, they talked and
laughed until they spilled out into the cold night air.

“Drew, you held up well. I’m proud of you.”
Kate quickly kissed him on the cheek.

“We all did!” Lindsey called out. “Group
hug!”

The three friends held fast to each other. At
that moment Kate realized what Anna’s letter was trying to say.
Kate could be strong, but not on her own. She’d always need her
friends and her family to support her.

Chapter
Twenty-One

Sunday night couldn’t come soon enough. Drew
promised Kate she could go to the canyon Monday and return after
their private Thanksgiving on Thursday. They’d be back in time to
celebrate with family in Ohio. That’s how the book worked. You woke
up at the canyon, and it was a new day. When you woke up at home,
it was still that same day. The book was good at fooling a person
into believing it was all a dream.

Carl and Maya promised to come to the
Roberts’ for dinner. Renae was flying in from New York. Everything
was on track as Kate got ready for bed.

“Mom!” Kate called out from her bedroom.

She came rushing in. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to say good-bye. We’ll
see you on Thursday.”

“I don’t like this, Kate.”

“I know you don’t, but everything will be
fine.”

“Promise? Last year it was Carl’s turn to
scare us at the canyon, and the year before was your concussion
here at home. I can’t take anymore Thanksgiving holidays like
that.”

“Mom, don’t worry. Think of it as we’re on
vacation.” Mother and daughter clasped hands as if making a promise
to each other. “Love you.”

Kate suddenly remembered she hadn't talked to
her father yet. She couldn’t leave without letting him know what
happened in New York. “Mom, I never told Dad about his books. Did
you?”

“Of course not. It’s your place to tell him.
I think you should do it soon.”

“Yeah, like right now. Would you mind finding
him and asking him to come to my room?”

“Sure.” Her mom left and in a few minutes
returned with him.

“Had to say good-bye to your dear ol’ dad,
didn’t you?” Her father put his arms out for a hug. His face was
healing but still showed signs of the beating he took.

“Yep, but there’s something else, too. I need
to tell you why we went to New York so suddenly.”

“You already did. My mother wanted you to go
to the law firm, hoping you’d find Freddie or some of Andrew’s
family. It’s wonderful news that Freddie’s alive. I’m still amazed
at her forward thinking. It was just a dream in her mind, but she
had the tenacity to pull it off. I’m so grateful she had Freddie.
It’s like he took my place.”

“It does seem that way. He knows everything,
too, so it’s safe to meet him. He’ll keep our secrets.”

“Is that what you wanted to tell me? I trust
Andrew’s brother completely.”

“No, there’s more.” She hesitated. “Your
mother left me the rights to your books. All royalties were put
into an account after her passing. Freddie managed the
account.”

Silence filled the room. Kate couldn’t tell
if her father was thinking or angry. “Dad, did you hear me? I own
your books, but I’m more than willing to give them back to you plus
the royalties.”

“How much? How much money’s in the
account?”

“A little over two million.”

Her dad clasped his hands, folding and
unfolding his fingers over and over again. “You’re a millionaire,”
he finally said. Then he stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.”

“You want to shake hands?” Kate was confused.
It was hard to read him. She still couldn’t tell what he was
thinking. “Are you mad?”

“Oh my gosh, no! It was a brilliant move on
my mother’s part. Don’t know how she pulled it off, but she did.
She leaves everything to someone who isn’t born yet. No wonder she
wanted Freddie running the firm. She only trusted him.”

“And the books?”

“You keep the rights. I would leave them to
you anyway. You’ll respect my wishes about them, I’m sure.”

Kate took her father’s hand, and they shook
on the deal. She could tell he was very happy and just needed time
to sort everything out. “I’ll take good care of them.”

“I know you will.” He kissed her forehead.
“Sweet dreams.”

Kate crawled into bed, and her mother tucked
her in like when she was little. The last thing her mom did was
place the book in the bed next to her. The book had to travel with
her so she could stay at the canyon longer. Looking up at her
parents, Kate felt the love in the room. She closed her eyes,
listening to them talk softly to each other, and knew they’d stay
until she was gone.

* * * *

When Kate woke the first thing she wanted to
do was visit Anna. She knew things would never be the same but was
grateful for this time warp in her life. Running down the
boardinghouse hall, she tapped on Anna’s door. “Are you awake?”

“Kathryn, you’re back early!” Anna threw the
door open, embracing her.

“Yes, I have some time before Drew and I head
to the cabin. I want to spend it with you.”

“Let me get dressed. I’ll join you for
breakfast.”

Kate wandered into the kitchen to find Maya
at the stove. “Good morning, Mrs. Johansson.”

“I heard you were coming for a few days and
thought I’d keep an eye on things.” Maya untied her apron and sat
at the large wooden table. “Coffee?”

“Thanks.” Kate reached for the steaming cup,
taking in the aroma.

“I suppose Drew’s upstairs and will be down
soon.”