Stealing Time (32 page)

“Good. He’s gone.” Kate peeked into the room
and saw an empty bed. “Once again you caused a major problem for
me, Tyson. Thanks.”

She ran to Maya’s room and collapsed on the
floor by her chair like she did when she was a child. Maya would
stroke her hair until all the worries of the day seemed to be
magically smoothed away. Kate wished for that now more than ever
but knew it was just a little girl’s dream. “Maya, why does
everything have to be so complicated?”

A low chuckle came from Maya as she stroked
Kate’s hair. Kate really didn’t want an answer and knew Maya was
aware of that fact.

“I’m going home now. Will I see you there?
You’re coming for Thanksgiving. Right?” Kate gazed up at her.

Maya nodded, still not speaking. She wiped a
tear from Kate’s cheek and finally said, “I love you like you were
my own, child. I told you many a time, what will be, will be.
That’s my advice to you now. You can try to turn everything inside
out and back again but if...”

“If it’s not meant to be, I can’t make it
happen.” Kate finished for her. “I love you, too. I’m so glad I
have you in my life. If it all ends here at the canyon today, I
have no regrets.”

Kate got up and quietly padded out of the
room and down the stairs to her room. Glancing around her little
boardinghouse bedroom she took it in for one last time. “I’m not
coming back.” She told the room. “If Drew has that little faith in
me, it ends here today.” And with that, she grabbed her magical
book, crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter
Twenty-Three

“What a nightmare!” Kate said as she slowly
woke up, not quite ready to face the new day. Something inside said
she wanted the dreamy quality of sleep, not the reality of the new
morning. Memories flashed through her head. Tyson standing on the
edge of the canyon. Carl Jr. knocking him out. Drew’s face when she
found him in the barn.

“Not a dream. Drew! Where is he?” She bolted
upright in bed. He had to be waking up next door.

Kate slid out of bed and ran to his room. She
threw open the door without knocking. Her plan was to playfully
jump on the bed and laugh about the whole fight. Drew definitely
had forgiven her by now. He knew she had to help Tyson.

“Andrew Kelly, are you awake?” Kate called
out to the empty room. The bed was neatly made as if he’d never
been there. She double-checked the bathroom and ran through the
upstairs looking for him.

“You’re up early, Pumpkin.” Kate’s dad came
out of his room and kissed her cheek. “Happy Thanksgiving. I hear
we’re all staying home this year with no sudden trips to the
canyon. A peaceful, family holiday...we deserve that.”

“Dad, Drew’s not here.”

“He’s probably at the Campbells.”

“No, I mean he didn’t come back with me last
night.”

“After all you went through in New York? I’m
surprised. I thought he wouldn’t leave your side.” Kate was silent,
staring down at the floor. “What’s wrong?”

“Tyson, Dad, as always. He showed up at the
canyon and was going to try to fly across it. I had to save him. He
told me if I said I loved him he wouldn’t do it.”

“And Drew heard it.”

“And saw me kiss Tyson.”

Now it was her dad’s turn to be quiet.
Rubbing his face, he eventually said, “Andrew has a jealous streak
when it comes to you and Tyson. But I thought we all agreed to
protect him and make him believe he was dreaming, no matter
what.”

“I think Drew forgot the ‘no matter what’
part. I’m getting dressed and getting the book back. It’s the least
I can do.”

Kate hurried back to her room and got ready
for the day. Family would be coming soon. She’d have to make up an
excuse as to why Drew wasn’t there. She could already hear her
voice explaining over and over to cousins, aunts and uncles,
grandparents where he was.

Jeans, t-shirt and a ponytail were the best
she could muster for her holiday outfit. Her mother wouldn’t be
pleased but should be happy Kate was even attending the
festivities.

Bounding down the stairs, Kate didn’t check
to see if her mother was around. She’d offer to help later. The
turkey was in the oven, and bowls of food were everywhere in the
kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water, steadying herself at the
counter as she drank. If Tyson wanted a showdown, that’s what he
would get. Kate was in no mood to be civil or polite. She was on a
mission.

Hurrying across the street, Kate kept taking
deep breaths. She needed to remain calm as she dealt with Tyson and
reminded herself that he was just waking up from a great dream.
Hers was more of a nightmare —saying good-bye to her room and life
at the canyon for the final time. It was one of the hardest things
she ever had to do. Now, with Drew not returning, reality was
setting in. This would be her life. She had to make the best of it.
But she was strong now, stronger than she ever felt in her life.
She could do this.

Kate rang the doorbell and stood impatiently
waiting for someone to answer. Luckily, it was Tyson.

“Katie, what are you doing here? Sorry, where
are my manners? Come in.” He motioned for her to enter, and they
both sat down in the living room. “I had another one of those
dreams last night. I was at the Grand Canyon, and I thought I could
fly. But you stopped me. You said you loved me. It was so real. I
remember it so clearly. Damn, I wish it was real.”

Kate stared at the wall above his head as he
retold the story of their day at the canyon. He went on and on
about the kiss and the ride back to the boardinghouse and feeling
her in his arms.

At that moment, Kate felt a sharp stab in her
heart. He sounded so sweet as he recounted the tale she wanted to
wrap her arms around him and tell him how sorry she was. She just
couldn’t love him like he wanted. But she had to be tough. “It was
just a dream.” Kate said coldly. “You know that, right?”

“Right.”

“I want Drew’s book back. The one you took
from his room.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. It’s an old book. It belonged
to his grandfather, and he kept it next to his bed. I want it
back.” Glaring at him, Kate was determined to not back down.

Tyson slowly got up. “Come with me.”

Kate hoped it wasn’t a trick or a way to get
her into his room, but she followed him anyway. The house was so
familiar. She was always surprised at how comfortable she felt
there.

As they ambled up the stairs, she looked at
the photos adorning the wall along the side of the steps. She was
in some of the pictures like she was family. “Tyson, can we go back
to being friends like before? These pictures bring back a lot of
memories.”

“Our moms always thought we’d get married,
you know.” Tyson half-laughed.

“Would they settle on us being friends
forever?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, it’s up to you.” Kate spotted the book
on his desk. She wanted to lunge for it but held herself back.
She’d only use force if she had to.

“Here. Sorry about that. Just wanted to see
what was so great about it. I can’t even remember what I read.”
Again the sad laugh.

“I hear it’s really boring stuff.” Kate
wanted to grab and hug the book to her chest but gently took it
from his hands. The lie worked. She wanted to run out the door but
remained calm. She would tell him anything he wanted to hear as
long as the book stayed safe.

Tyson leaned in and kissed Kate on the cheek.
“I’m going to try hard to be a good friend from now on.”

“Thanks, Ty, and happy Thanksgiving.” Kate
bounded down the steps and out of the house into the cool morning
air. She wanted to dance across the street, screaming she had the
book but kept up the act of it not being a big deal until she
stepped inside her house.

“Mom, Dad, I got it!” Kate called out.

“Got what?” Drew came out of the family room
and walked toward her.

“The book.” Kate’s voice dropped off to
barely a whisper. “I thought you didn’t come back.”

“That would be really stupid of me. I’d miss
a great Thanksgiving with the family. I’d miss seeing your
beautiful, smiling face...although, it doesn’t seem to be smiling
right now.”

“Drew Kelly, how could you ever think I’d
love another man? It’s you and always been you!” Kate wanted to cry
and scream and pound his chest, but stood motionless.

“I reacted badly. I’m sorry. I was just so
shocked and jealous and not thinking straight. When I saw you
kissing someone else, it killed me inside. After you left, Carl
found me and told me I was acting crazy and reminded me of the
agreement. Tyson might be dead if it wasn’t for you. You saved his
life. I guess I wanted mine to be the only life you ever
saved.”

“Aww...” Kate couldn’t help but smile. “I
saved your life for us. That’s much different than what happened
with Tyson.”

“I see it now. Can you forgive me?”

Kate rushed into his arms. “There’s nothing
to forgive. I love you across the miles, across time. I love you
forever.”

“And I love you beyond forever,
Fiore
raro
.”

Chapter
Twenty-Four

Everyone held their glasses high, toasting
another New Year. Kate stood surrounded by family and friends for
their third annual party. She smiled as she noticed her mother
resting her head on her father’s shoulder, gazing into his eyes.
She glowed with happiness. Her dad looked calm and relaxed, not the
frazzled mess he was last year. What a difference a year made.

Last year, Carl and his mother, Maya, were in
Texas where he introduced her to Josie for the first time. This
year they were right where they were supposed to be. It didn’t feel
right if Kate didn’t have them close by.

A few new guests were added to the
festivities. Renae flew in from New York with Freddie on his
private jet. She couldn’t seem to stay away from Ohio when she
wasn’t working and practically lived at Maya’s house. Carl deserved
to be happy, and Kate felt he found it with Renae.

Freddie was the life of the party. Everyone
fell in love with him, just like Kate did so long ago. He kept
everyone in stitches as he told how he secretly loathed playing the
violin. He was introduced to Lindsey’s parents as an old family
friend, which in some instance was true. All the time travelers
plus one knew who he really was. Lindsey filled Charlie in on a few
details of Drew’s life last year. He was cool with it and a little
in awe. Kate hoped those two would always be a couple. One day,
hopefully, the four of them could travel back in time together.

Freddie had left his New York family behind
to join his brother for tonight’s party. He didn’t seem the least
bit upset that his wife and sons weren’t with him.

“
They all have parties to attend and
won’t even know I’m gone,” he informed the group. “I’m not a big
party man. Charlotte’s the one who loves to dress up and go out. I
take her to whatever party she wants, stay an hour and then go
home. Watching the ball drop with a good bottle of bourbon is my
celebration.”

Freddie and Drew were able to steal away and
have a family visit during the party. Kate was dying to introduce
Lindsey and had to interrupt the brotherly moment.

“Kathryn, my dear, you and your friend are
pictures of loveliness!” Freddie toasted them with his bourbon as
they entered the dining room.

“Freddie, it’s alright. She knows.” She
explained the family connection to him.

“If I ever figure it all out, I’ll be an old
man!” Freddie chuckled at his own joke.

“Drew, did you know Freddie helped me with
your Christmas present?” Kate placed her arm around Freddie’s
shoulders.

“I wondered where you got that picture of
Mother.” Drew shook his head. “I should’ve known.”

Kate took the letter from Ilene and the
picture Freddie emailed her and framed them in a beautiful, golden
double frame. Drew could have it next to his bed as a reminder of
how much his mother loved him. Every time Kate read those words,
Thank you for saving my son
, she’d tear up.

And that’s how the evening continued right up
to the moment when everyone stood in a circle, arms in the air,
ready to toast.

“...three, two, one, Happy New Year!” They
all shouted at once. Kate and Drew shared a kiss then she made the
rounds to Freddie, Carl and Renae, her father and mother, Charlie,
Lindsey, Jake and Lindsey’s mom and dad, hugging and kissing
everyone along the way. She finally ended with Maya.

“Maya, did you ever think those books would
bring all of us together?”

“No, sweetheart, I didn’t. This magic didn’t
happen until you came along. You know that, don’t you?”

Kate shivered a little but had to smile. “I’m
starting to accept it. Maybe I was really supposed to be born after
all.”

“Oh, Katie, don’t ever say that!” Maya held
her hand to her mouth.

Kate never said it aloud but ever since last
New Year’s Eve day at the cabin she felt that she had been a
mistake, one that could easily be erased. When she sensed herself
fading away, she had doubts about her existence. She could be wiped
off the face of the earth with no one remembering her or her
life.

Maya pulled her close. “What’s with that look
on your pretty face?” she whispered in Kate’s ear. “You are the
next keeper of the books. You’ll always have something to live for
and protect. Look at all these people. Their lives will be in your
hands.”

“Is that how you feel, Maya?”

“Most certainly, yes. It’s a huge
responsibility watching over the books. I know you can handle it.
One day, like me, you’ll realize who the next keeper should be.
I’ve fretted and worried over it for years...until you came along.
You were just three years old when I met you. You ran into my arms
like you had always known me...and you probably did. But there’s
only one Kathryn, and that’s you. You were definitely meant to
be.”