Stealing Time

by Nancy Pennick

  “Do a thorough search and then come down. Act like nothing’s happened.” Kate’s dad turned and left the room.

  They stayed a few minutes longer, feeling under the bed, crawling on the floor, searching corners of the room.

  “Drew, it’s pointless. He has the book. I know he does. I’ll just wait till he leaves tomorrow and run over to his house. I’ll make some excuse to his mom and find the book.”

  “I’ll feel better when I see the book for myself.” Drew stood up. “Let’s get back.”

  Time seemed to drag. Kate felt like the party she looked forward to would now never end. Tyson returned with Erin, and it was hard to be civil. Kate knew she needed to be nicer than ever and managed to get him alone in the house before he left. He was more than happy to come with her, telling Erin he’d meet her at the car.

  “Ty, I’m working on Drew. I think he’s close to making his decision.”

  Tyson grabbed Kate and swung her in the air, lightly kissing her. In the past, she would have protested, but now she had to go along with it. She cringed when she saw the look of surprise on his face. He saw it as a sign to come in for another, longer kiss.

  “Don’t push it.” Kate put her hands up and gave him a slight shove. Tyson laughed like he did in her dream.

  “You’re still a challenge. There’s nobody like you.” Tyson threw his head back and let out a loud whoop that no one seemed to hear. “One day...one day...” He nodded his head. “We’ll be together. Have a good trip...Arizona, right? See...I pay attention. I won’t be here to say good-bye or hello when you get back, but I’ll see you in my dreams.”

  Tyson tried to get one more kiss, but Kate was able to dodge him. He headed for the front door, turned and saluted her before finally leaving.

  Oh, you’ll be seeing me alright but not in your dreams and not in 1927 if I can help it. Kate slammed the door behind him.

  * * * *

  Kate waited a few days before she visited the Gray’s home. Tyson said he was leaving the day after her party, so it was safe. As she crossed the street, the sun was setting, filling the sky with the colors of warm peach and cotton candy pink.

  Waiting for dusk. It had such a different meaning now. It was the sign the book would work and take her back to 1927. It always filled her with a warm glow, but now made her a little nervous. Tyson could be heading to the canyon. He needed to be stopped.

  Mrs. Gray greeted her at the door. “Katie, so good to see you. We really enjoyed your party.”

  “Thanks.” Kate gave her a quick hug. “I have a favor to ask. Tyson borrowed my music player at the party. I can’t find it anywhere. Maybe it’s here by mistake. Is it alright if I go up to his room and take a look?”

  “Sure, just like old times, you running up to Tyson’s room and the two of you causing some kind of chaos around here.” Mrs. Gray laughed at the memory. “He’ll be glad...”

  Kate darted up the stairs before she finished. She knew which bedroom was his, quickly nudging open the door.

  “Ty!” Kate almost gagged on the word. “You scared me!”

  “Never expected to see you in my bedroom again.” Ty got off his bed and put down the controller he was holding. He was shirtless and wearing only boxers.

  Kate tried not to look at him, staring at the wall over his shoulder.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I...I...” Kate stammered, trying to give herself time to think. “I saw your car was still here and wanted to say good-bye again. I’m leaving tomorrow. You’re not going to New York?”

  “I called the school to tell them I accepted the offer. They said they wanted to overnight some papers for me to sign so I had to delay my trip. I’m leaving tomorrow, too. So what about Drew? Is he signed, sealed and delivered?” Tyson smiled, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. It was more like a smirk, the way he always looked when he talked about Drew.

  Kate noticed he was coming closer as they talked. “Did you ever return my iPod?” She tried to distract him as she spotted the book on his desk. It was so close yet unattainable.

  “Yeah, I left it on the table in your family room.” He was now just steps away.

  “Okay, I’ll have another look. Have a great trip!” Kate nearly tripped getting out of the room and down the stairs. “Bye, Mrs. Gray!” She hurried out the door and ran across the street, bursting through the door to her house, nearly out of breath.

  Three sets of questioning eyes waited for her as she walked into the kitchen. Her dad, Mom and Drew were at the counter with all their attention focused in her direction.

  “I can’t stand it.” Her mom stood up. “Tell us something!”

  “It was a bust. Tyson was there. He’s still home!” Kate covered her face with her hands and let out a muffled scream of frustration. “He has the book! I saw it.”

  “Did he try anything?” Drew was on his feet.

  “No, he didn’t.” Kate withheld the information on how Tyson was dressed. She thought back to the conversation in the kitchen with Ty’s mom and should’ve realized he was home. Mrs. Gray started to say “He’ll be glad to see you”, and Kate interpreted it as “He’ll be glad to return your music player.” How stupid could she be?

  “Well, at least he hasn’t read the book.” Kate looked from Drew to her parents. “You do know Drew went back every day since Ty took the book just to make sure.”

  Her dad nodded. “I went a few times myself. We need a plan in place when he does get there because you know he’ll show up eventually.”

  “Dad, I think Carl needs to be in on the strategy session. I’m giving him a call.” Kate reached for her cell and made the call. “He’ll be here in a few,” she said as she placed her phone back in her pocket.

  “Count me out.” Joanna, Kate’s mom, called over her shoulder. “I don’t need to go back until fall—and Kate’s wedding.”

  “Mom, you’re included.” Kate started after her.

  “Let her go.” Her dad took her by the shoulders. “You know your mother. She wants no part of the past after what almost happened to you.”

  Kate shivered as she always did when she thought of the day she was fading away, afraid she’d never see her family again or even exist in their minds. “You’re right. The less she knows the better. If she has to help us, she will.”

  Carl appeared on the back deck, peeking through the screen door. Kate motioned for him to come in.

  “I have a few ideas that I’ve been mulling over.” Carl came in, sliding the screen door shut behind him. “Glad you called because I’m leaving for Texas tomorrow to visit the family. We’ll head for Arizona, just in time for your birthday, li’l sis.” Carl sat down in the family room across from Kate and Drew, staring intently at them. “The one thing we all have to agree on is that whoever sees Tyson first has to make him think he’s dreaming.”

  “Agreed.” Kate’s dad seemed too serious. “My concern is that he comes across Kate when she’s alone.”

  “I can handle it, Dad. I know him pretty well.”

  Now it was Drew’s turn to look worried. “Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. You’ll be at the boardinghouse with Maya and then in the car with Carl Sr. and the girls. Once you get to El Tovar I’ll be close by. And I’m going to tell Thomas to keep an eye on you.”

  “You can’t bring Thomas into this.” Kate’s fear of too many people knowing the secret seemed to be coming true. “I know he’s your best friend, but he needs to believe we’re all living in the past with him.”

  “I’m not planning on telling him any secrets. I’ll tell him I have reason to believe something might happen to you.”

  “We’ll have to think on our feet if we spot Tyson...or should I say when we see him. It’s just a matter of time. You may be taken completely by surprise. He could pop up anywhere.” Carl got up to leave. “We’re a team. We can do this. See you all in Arizona.”

  “Hope my birthday party turns out a little better than graduation.” Kate hugged Carl tigh
tly. “Have a safe trip. See you in a week.”

  After Carl left, Kate turned to her dad and Drew. “Does he seem a little upbeat these days? I thought he was in such a depression over Rachel, he’d never come out of it.”

  “That’s what a new sports car will do for you.” Kate’s dad also got up to leave. “I’ll go help your mother pack and leave you two alone.”

  Kate sat next to Drew. “Are you alright with this? There’s nothing we can do now except go on defense.” Kate thought she’d use some football terms he could relate to.

  “We’d never be in this position if I wasn’t so careless. This is my fault. I should have put that book away before the party. I’m so stupid. Now I put your life in jeopardy...again.” Tears filled Drew’s eyes. “I’ll never forgive myself if he does something to you.”

  Kate reached over and lightly touched his face. “I love you, Drew Kelly. I won’t let you talk like that.”

  Drew pulled her closer and kissed her, holding on like he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. “I love you, too,” he whispered in her ear, then picked her up and whisked her up the stairs, closing her bedroom door behind them.

  Chapter Four

  Kate rushed down the stairs, grabbing a cup of morning coffee on her way outside. Her parents were already on the deck having breakfast.

  “Good morning, sweetie.” Her mom placed her fork on her plate. “All packed?”

  “Uh-huh,” Kate mumbled as she pretended to sip from her mug. She couldn’t believe what happened last night and wanted to tell the world. Drew made love to her for the very first time—in the present, that is.

  When he carried her upstairs last night they had no idea that would happen. He gently placed her on her bed and kissed her good-night. Kate grabbed Drew’s hand as he began to walk out of the room, saying, “Don’t leave.”

  Kate smiled, remembering what he said. “If I don’t leave now, you won’t get rid of me.” He was still sleeping in her bed.

  “I better go wake Drew. He never oversleeps!” Kate put her cup on the table and slipped back in the house. She ran upstairs and into her room, but he was gone. Rushing into his room, she found him sitting on the edge of his bed.

  “What have I done, Kate?” He looked like a lost puppy. “I broke my promise to you...and your family.”

  “Drew, it’s not a big deal. It was bound to happen sooner or later.” She sat down next to him.

  “We’re not married, not like back at the canyon.”

  “I think I have a say in this, Andrew Martin-Kelly. Stop being a martyr. This is the twenty-first century.” Kate got up, kissed the top of his head and left.

  “Do your parents know?” Drew called after her.

  “Maybe...” she yelled back. Kate laughed and danced around her room. She felt freer than she had in awhile. Then she remembered something and stopped in her tracks. Anna asked her to bring the book to Arizona. It was an odd request, but Kate would never deny her anything. There might be a curiosity on Anna’s part. Maybe she wanted to see the magical book for herself. She really didn’t say.

  Kate took the book from her nightstand and stroked the cover. Turning the book over and over in her hands, she saw nothing special about it. The outside was black leather with no other markings.

  “Here’s hoping you think this looks like a very boring book, Tyson.” Kate wrapped the book in one of her shirts and placed it in her carry-on luggage. No way was the book going to be out of her sight.

  * * * *

  Boarding the plane, Kate grabbed Lindsey’s hand and squeezed it. “I have something to tell you,” she whispered, hoping Drew wouldn’t hear. “You’re sitting by me, right?”

  Lindsey held up her ticket. “Aisle seat, you in the middle and Drew by the window, just like we planned. What’s up? I can’t wait. Tell me now.”

  They were walking through the business class of the plane when Kate whispered to the back of Lindsey’s head the news about her and Drew.

  “What!” Lindsey’s blonde hair flew around, hitting Kate in the face. A few passengers looked up as she spun around.

  “Shhh, we can’t talk about it.” She cocked her head back toward Drew. Kate walked past her row, waiting for him to slide in. He gave her a quizzical look as he slipped into his seat. “Buckle up!” Kate told him as she sat down next to him. Giving him her best smile, he quickly kissed her cheek.

  “If you think that’s ever happening again until we’re married, you’re mistaken.” Drew opened a magazine and began to flip the pages.

  “Unfair! Not the best place or time to start this argument.” Kate poked him.

  “Oh, it’s the best place to tell you so it doesn’t turn into an argument.” Drew smiled slightly as he continued to turn the pages.

  “Hasn’t it always been...an argument?” Kate was miffed.

  “I love you.”

  “And I love you.” Kate knew she’d get nowhere with the conversation and decided to let it drop. She turned her attention to Lindsey. “Anna wanted me to bring the book. Has she said anything about it?”

  “No, she hasn’t. That’s a strange request. Maybe she just wants to see it.”

  “I thought that, too. But I think there’s more to it. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Does she know Tyson stole a book?” Lindsey made a face when she said his name, and the two friends cracked up. “It’s not that funny!” Lindsey snorted which made them laugh harder.

  “Yes, it is.” Kate could hardly breathe. “Anna knows, and she thinks it could turn into a huge problem if we don’t do something.”

  “I won’t be home this summer to help break into his house,” Lindsey mood changed as she stuck out her lower lip.

  “You’re never home any summer, Linds.” Kate started to laugh again. “Anyway, you’ll be busy with your summer fling, Charlie, and your puppy. I can’t wait to see how much Abby’s grown.”

  “Charlie sends me daily updates and let’s me talk to her on the phone. I know I’m strange.” Lindsey put her head on Kate’s shoulder. “I could stay there and never come home, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know the feeling.”

  The plane began to descend, ready to land in Phoenix where the families would change planes and continue on to Flagstaff. The whole Jenkins clan would be there to meet them. They’d drive in the usual caravan of trucks and SUVs back to the ranch, giving Kate an old comfortable feeling.

  As the families maneuvered their way to baggage claim, she slipped her hand in Drew’s. “Excited?”

  “You know I love coming here. We have a whole week to do what we want. Horseback riding when we get there?”

  “After we see Anna.”

  “Of course, that’s a given.” Drew smiled and pulled Kate closer. “Are all the secrets out now? No one’s keeping any, right?”

  Did he sense something? Did he know she had the book? “Well, there’s just a little one. Anna wanted to see the book.”

  “You brought it?”

  “Yep, can’t deny my girlfriend.”

  “Well, let’s keep track of it. I’m a little nervous about books falling into the wrong hands after what just happened. Could you see Megan ending up at the canyon?”

  Kate giggled. Megan was her eleven-year-old cousin and interested in everything. She always had a million questions for Kate when she arrived at the ranch. “Megan would love it. She lives out here. But if for some reason it happened, we could convince her it was a dream...for now.”

  She heard shouting and knew they arrived at the right baggage terminal. Aunt Sue was waving and jumping up and down. Charlie ran straight for Lindsey.

  “Abby’s in the car,” Charlie told her, and the two ran off to the parking garage ahead of everyone else.

  “Katie!” Megan squealed as she skipped up to her. “Mommy, I’m riding with Katie...oh, and you, too, Drew.” She gave him a quick hug.

  There were hugs all around. Uncle Steve and his wife, Uncle Scott and family plus Aunt Sue and Grand
pa Dan were all part of the entourage. Sue, Scott and Steve were Lindsey’s aunt and uncles—brothers and sister to her mom, Beth. They were cousins to Kate because her third cousin, Amy, married Grandpa Dan. Confusing to explain, but they understood the family bond quite well.

  “Grandma J said to put the pedal to the metal on the drive home. She’s anxious to see you.” Aunt Sue put her arm around Kate. “I can’t believe you and Lindsey are eighteen! Anna insisted on being in charge of your birthday again so I have no idea what’s going on. I’m just following orders. Last year, it was a cowboy party. I can’t get her to tell this year’s theme for the life of me!”

  Kate jumped in the back of Aunt Sue’s SUV with Drew and Megan. Brandon slid in front with his mother. No one ever talked about Aunt Sue’s husband or what happened to him. Kate didn’t know if they were divorced or if he passed away. She always thought it was best not to ask.

  “So what do you want for your birthday?” Megan asked Kate. “What kind of cake? I’m helping Grandma J this year. I’m supposed to write down all the details.”

  “I want all my family to be at the party, and I like marble cake.” Kate touched the tip of Megan’s nose with her finger. “How’s that?”

  “That’s not a present.” Megan shook her head. “The family already plans on being there.”

  “Okay, I’ll think about it. Do you know the theme by any chance?” Kate thought she’d help Aunt Sue solve the mystery.

  “Yes, it’s going to be a Roaring Twenties birthday party. Personally, I don’t get it.” Megan slowly shook her head and shrugged.

  Kate turned to Drew, and they smiled knowingly. “Where’s she getting the clothes for us to wear?”

  “Don’t worry. She’s been ordering on-line for weeks.” Megan put her hand to her cheek, giving them an exasperated look. Kate had to suppress a giggle.

  “I did get a text to bring a suit.” Drew leaned over to join the conversation.

  “She ordered a bunch of straw hats for the men to wear. That’s what they wore in the summer.” Kate could tell Megan was enjoying the attention. “I already have my flapper dress.”