Stealing Time (4 page)

“You better stop, or you’re taking me to the
canyon right now!” Kate giggled, then gave him a quick kiss. “I
have to get ready. I haven’t talked to Anna yet.”

“Well, you better get going. I know once you
two get started you’ll never get off the phone.”

“She’s my best friend, Drew.”

“Don’t let Lindsey hear you say that.”

“She knows! Plus she can’t be jealous of her
great-grandmother, can she?”

“Anna was your first friend at the canyon.
You found her again, right here in the present, so Lindsey would
never deny you that friendship. And like you said, it’s her Grandma
J.”

“I’m so lucky to have found her. Just wish
she was up for traveling.”

“At 101-years-old, she’s doing pretty well.
I’m glad we both have her.”

Kate kissed Drew again. “I am, too.” She felt
happy and lucky at this moment and wished that feeling could last
forever as she headed for her room.

Kate threw on a sundress, grabbed a pair of
sandals and did a final touch up of lip gloss in the bathroom
mirror before heading down to the party. She wanted to make sure
she was early and available to greet guests. Her phone rang, and
she skipped over to where it lay on the bed, quickly answering
it.

“Anna, glad you called back. I was surprised
I got your voice mail earlier.” Kate worried when Anna didn’t
answer because she always picked up when she saw Kate’s number,
even if she was on another call.

“Oh, you know us old folks, always forgetting
where we put things,” Anna joked. “Couldn’t find the darn thing
till now and saw you called. I know you have a party to attend but
had to call and say congratulations, Kathryn. You graduated high
school—finally! It’s been over eighty years since I did, and it’s
about time you did, too.”

They both laughed together. Kate didn’t know
what she’d do without Anna in her life. She was one of the few who
understood what it was like to live both lives, here in the present
and back in 1927.

“Anna, I have so much to tell you, but you’re
right, the party’s about to start. Wish you were here.”

“Me, too, but soon you’ll be here with
Lindsey to celebrate your eighteenth birthdays and
then...college.”

“I know. I can’t wait. Drew and I plan on
visiting every weekend once we’re at school.”

“You shouldn’t waste your time visiting an
old lady. It’s a couple hours drive. That’s too much. Don’t you
kids have better things to do? Like head to that cabin in the woods
for the weekend?”

The cabin was Drew’s home at the canyon,
built for him by his grandfather. When Drew and Kate went back to
1927, they always ended up there so they could be alone. “Anna,
stop it. You know you’re important to us. Everything will work
out.”

“Well, just think about it, okay? And tell
Drew I said it’s about time he graduated, the old man,” Anna
snickered. “What is he now? Nineteen?”

“Yeah, his birthday was in January.”

“Well, he finally aged a year. He should be
as old as me!” Again the two friends laughed and said their
good-byes.

Drew stopped by Kate’s room on his way down
so she was able to tell him about the conversation.

“Wow, it’s hard to believe I could be over
one hundred years old, too...if I was still alive, that is.” Drew
winked at her.

“You would be, and I’d still love you.” Kate
hugged his arm as they headed down the steps.

“Even if I was old and wrinkled?”

“Even then.” Kate spotted Maya and Carl in
the family room. “Ooh, I wanted to be down here before anyone
came.”

“It’s just us.” Maya hugged Kate tightly.
“Guess what? I’m coming to Arizona for your birthday.”

Kate was shocked. Maya had avoided Arizona
for years, fearing Anna would recognize her from the past. Now that
Anna knew the truth, there was no reason to stay away.

Maya and her husband Carl Sr. ran the
boardinghouse at the Grand Canyon. They were known as the
Johanssons back then. Carl was from the past and had discovered the
books when he renovated the home. He was the pioneer, the first to
travel to the future using the book, meeting Maya in the process.
Together they figured out how the book worked and how to use it.
They married in the present and had one son, Carl Jr.

Anna, Lucinda—who was Kate’s great-great
aunt—and Ruthie were young girls who came to work as Harvey girls
at El Tovar restaurant. They lived at the boardinghouse with the
Johanssons. Kate met them on her first day at the canyon after
waking in a strange bedroom.

Thinking it was only a dream, she went along
with everything that happened. Maya was the only person she
recognized, but insisted she was Mrs. Johansson. Kate was always
suspicious, but Maya never let on until Kate figured out the
truth.

“Maya, I’m so happy you’re coming. I heard
Carl’s bringing his family, too.” She turned to Carl Jr., hugging
him next. “Can’t have a birthday without my big brother.” Kate
always called Carl her brother, even though he was her friend and
neighbor. It just felt right.

He laughed. “It won’t be like last year. I
had no idea what you and Drew were up to, but I’m glad we’re in
this together. It will be great seeing Thomas the Third again. He
may be surprised to see his Aunt Josie and cousin Carl with me.
Might be a lot of explaining to do.”

“We’ll think of something, I’m sure.” Kate
grew nervous when she thought about all the ins and outs of their
double life. It was like they were in a private club, and everyone
was sworn to secrecy. She didn’t want a lot of people finding out.
Things could go terribly wrong

Carl’s story from the canyon was a
complicated tale. Although his father was the first time traveler,
Carl Jr. never visited the canyon. His parents kept him away,
thinking it best. Kate encouraged him to visit last summer so he
could see his dad. Little did she know he’d meet someone and fall
in love.

“Are you really okay, Carl?”

“Hey, I come from a great gene pool. Remember
I’m the one and only Swedish-African-American who...”

“Left California?”

“Better not be another one out there.”

Kate laughed at their old joke. When she was
a little girl Carl moved to California. She cried and asked why he
had to go. Carl told her there had to be a Swedish-African-American
in every state, and they needed one. That was the beginning of the
private joke.

“Your father would be proud.” She patted his
face. “And so would Rachel.”

Rachel worked as a maid at the canyon. Carl
fell instantly in love when he met her. As soon as Drew found out
who she was, he insisted Carl stop seeing her. She was meant to
marry Thomas Cook, his best friend. The Cooks would have three
children, Josie, Dorothy and Thomas Jr.

After learning the Cook history from Thomas
the Third last year, Carl Jr. figured out that Josie, the oldest of
Thomas and Rachel Cook’s three children, was really his daughter.
Kate almost wanted to laugh at how ridiculous that sounded. It was
odd to think a woman in her eighties could be Carl’s daughter. He
was in his early thirties, young enough to be Josie’s grandchild.
But it happened. Everyone agreed it was fate. Josie was supposed to
be his daughter.

More guests began to arrive, and the party
began. Drew hung out with his football friends, while Kate talked
with Lindsey and Jordyn.

“I wish you could come to Arizona for our
birthdays, Jordyn.” Kate felt like they were drifting apart now
school had ended.

“I do, too, but my moms want me to visit the
college one more time. Then we’re going on vacation. They want me
all to themselves this summer because I’m leaving. I told them it’s
time to revisit China and get another baby!” Jordyn said lightly
with humor. She was back to her fun-loving self after last summer’s
miscarriage and break up with Matt Parker. Kate was happy for her,
and that was the best gift someone could give a friend. Jordyn
found a fresh start with Brian, and the two would be together at
college.

Kate wanted some time to herself so she
wandered off from the crowd. She stood in a corner of the deck,
soaking up the beginning of summer and daydreaming of starting her
canyon life. She could return in July—just like the past two years.
The excitement was building because she could see all her friends
again and live the life she loved, sometimes more than this
one.

That thought was interrupted when Tyson and
his parents arrived. Kate hugged Mrs. Gray, and even let Tyson give
her a quick peck on the cheek.

“Your turn to celebrate, Katie,” Tyson
whispered in her ear. Aloud he said, “So have you chosen your
college yet?”

“Just about.” Kate hated lying, but she and
Drew made a pact not to tell him where they were going until the
last possible moment. “What about you? Ohio State?”

Kate knew Tyson gave the school a verbal
commitment but had other offers. She didn’t think there were any
schools in Arizona that talked to him, but they weren’t taking any
chances.

“Yeah, I think I’ll go there. Didn’t Drew get
an offer from OSU? He should take it, and we’ll be at the same
school. Erin’s in the process of transferring there. It’d be like
old times.” He gave her a sly smile.

Kate was aware of what old times could be
like so she kept up her wall of privacy. “You never know. It might
happen.” She hoped this would throw him off the trail.

“I’m being pressured to commit by my parents.
They’re all for me staying in Ohio so they can come to my
games.”

“Well, there’s a deadline for all of us.
When’s yours?”

“I have to make up my mind before I
leave.”

That was news to Kate. “Leave? Are you still
modeling?”

“Yeah, just for the summer. Thought I’d make
some cash for spending money this year. Heading to New York City
tomorrow for about a month.”

Kate did a back flip in her mind. Tyson would
be gone for most of the summer. Her family left for Arizona next
week and when they returned, her dad and Drew would make their
semi-annual trip to New York City. The main reason for the visit
was to go to their bank to withdraw money, jewelry, stocks and
bonds deposited in 1927. They began to share the wealth with Carl
after the tragic year he had.

Scenes began to whirl through Kate’s head
from that time. Carl revealing how he figured out Josie was his
daughter and not Thomas’. How he let Rachel go...insisting she
marry Thomas so history stayed the same. Carl and Kate hiking down
the Kaibab Trail at the canyon to find Drew. Carl taking Drew’s
place in the boat because he said someone needed to die that day.
Carl being brought back unconscious. Kate sitting by his bedside,
praying he’d live. Standing by him as he grieved for a life and
love he’d never have.

Kate knew it would never make up for what
happened or ease anyone’s conscience, but felt he was entitled to
the money. Maya encouraged him to save and invest, like any good
mother, but Carl bought a sports car. No one faulted him.

“
Katie, are you listening to me?” Tyson
put his hand on her arm and gave a little shake.

“Oh, yeah, you were saying?” Kate felt bad
she missed what he said. She needed to know his plan and stay on
top of things.

“I said it will probably be OSU. I’ll make
the call tomorrow. Tell Drew to do the same.”

“Sure, sure...” Kate’s eyes met Drew’s as he
came up the deck stairs.

“Hey, is it alright if I run upstairs to the
bathroom? Seems this one has a line.” Tyson pointed over his
shoulder.

“No problem.” Kate was distracted by the look
on Drew’s face and wanted to assure him everything was fine.

“What’s he up to now?” Drew took her in his
arms.

“Committing to Ohio State...tomorrow.” Kate
kept her voice low. “He thinks you’re going there, too.”

“Well done, wife.” Drew kissed her on the
forehead. “You’re getting better and better at this spy thing.”

“Plus he leaves for New York City tomorrow
for a month or so.”

“Even better.” Drew shook his head. “You know
I don’t like the fact he’s around when I’m gone. He seems to have a
sixth sense about coming over when you’re alone.”

All of a sudden, it struck Kate that Tyson
was upstairs alone. “Did you put your book away before you came
downstairs?”

“I think so. Why?”

“Tyson’s up there.” With that, Kate slipped
out of Drew’s hold and headed for the stairs.

“Thanks, Katie.” Tyson waved his hand as he
came down the stairs. “Just got a text from Erin. I’m picking her
up and will be right back.” He headed for the front door and was
gone before she could say a word.

Running up the stairs, taking two at a time,
Kate rushed into her room. Everything looked in place as she opened
the drawer in her nightstand. Her book stared up at her. Breathing
a sigh of relief she ran to Drew’s room. She glanced at the table
next to the bed and not seeing the book, started opening all of the
drawers, searching through socks, sweatpants, and t-shirts.

“Hey, you’re making a mess.” Drew stepped in
the room. “If the book isn’t on the table then I put it in the
bottom drawer. Here, let me.” Drew gently moved Kate to the side.
He pulled out the bottom drawer and felt under a pile of jeans. He
glanced up at her with a frightened look in his eyes. “It’s not
here.”

“Oh my gosh, Drew. Tyson’s got the book!”
Kate began to cry hysterically. What she feared most just
transpired. The book got into the wrong hands.

Drew sat her down on the bed, putting his arm
around her to calm her. “No one can see you like this. Try and pull
yourself together. We have to let your dad know right away. We’ll
figure out a way to get it back.”

“I’ll tell Carl. He’s good at figuring out
what to do.” Kate got up and wiped her eyes with a tissue. “How do
I look?” She turned to Drew.