Stealing Time

by Nancy Pennick

  “Dad, what’s up?” Kate plopped on the floor, and Drew dropped down next to her.

  “Now don’t get mad, Pumpkin, but yesterday when you and Lindsey were sequestered we all had time to talk and...”

  “For gosh sake’s, Jackson, spit it out,” Anna interrupted.

  Drew took Kate’s chin in his hand and turned her face gently toward him. “For the good of the family, we’re not going to school in Arizona. We’ll live at home and go to Oberlin. Your mother’s already on-line, downloading the paperwork for us to fill out on the plane. She’ll help us get accepted and registered for fall semester.”

  Silence filled the room as everyone waited for Kate’s response. Every nerve in her body tingled like she was on fire. Her head pounded. She wanted to scream out in a primal yell, yet she felt no tears, only anger. “Are you that controlling, Dad?” she asked in a chilled voice.

  “No, honey, it’s not about that at all.” He rubbed his face like he always did when he was upset. “It’s more about protection, keeping the family safe.”

  Kate could feel her chin quivering but refused to cry. “And you agree with this, Drew?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why? Why do our plans have to change? We planned for a year to come to Arizona and go to school. I’d be closer to Anna and could visit anytime I wanted to.”

  “Baby, listen to me. I want to go to school here, too, but it makes sense. Jack said I could move in. I’m practically living with you guys already. The guest room’s officially called Drew’s room now.” He smiled at her. “The Campbells deserve a break from me, don’t you agree?”

  Having Drew move in would soften the blow, but Kate was still confused. She looked at Anna, hoping to have an ally. She sat calmly, not making a fuss or defending Kate’s rights. “Anna?”

  “Andrew and Jackson agreed we can meet at the boardinghouse, any time we want, if the first visit goes well. I can live with that.” Anna nodded at Kate as if she should agree, too.

  “Those two things help a lot. But again, no one answered why?”

  “Haven’t you figured it out?” Drew looked at her as if she already knew.

  Kate dropped her head, staring at her hands. “Tyson.” She said his name so softly she wondered if anyone heard.

  “Exactly, we can’t do this long distance with your dad and Carl. We may need to strategize and be available at a moment’s notice. We’re not giving up on getting the book back.”

  “It makes sense, I suppose.” Kate looked around. “Where’s Carl? I thought he was part of these meetings.”

  “I already talked to him after he explained about the breakfast he was hosting today,” her father answered.

  “Well, I guess that’s more important. I better go break the news to Lindsey. She’s the one who loses the most in this deal.” Kate left the room quickly, not looking at anyone and ran up the stairs.

  “Lindsey!” she called out as she flew into the bedroom they were sharing.

  Lindsey stepped out of the bathroom, straightener in hand. “What are you screaming about?”

  “Come here. I need to tell you something.” Kate sat on the edge of the bed. “I’ll get straight to the point. Drew and I aren’t going to school out here. We’re staying home and going to Oberlin.”

  Lindsey sank into the bed and covered her face as if she was about to cry. “Why?”

  “I asked the same thing. I think you know why...just like I do.”

  “Dammit! It’s Tyson, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Once again, he ruins things. We were supposed to be stupid college freshmen together, doing all those things stupid freshmen do!” Lindsey threw her body back on the mattress.

  “I know.” Kate felt badly but was glad she and Lindsey decided not to room together. They wanted to make friends and knew they needed to split up. “At least you have Charlie and this place. Arizona’s so you. You want to steal that plot of land from your mom and build on it. One day you, Abby and maybe Charlie will live there. I want you to have your dream, so don’t give it up.” Kate crawled up on the bed next to her, and the two girls began to sob.

  “You’re my best friend,” Lindsey said through her tears.

  “And you’re mine...next to Anna.” Kate sobbed and laughed at the same time.

  The girls clung to each other as if this was the last time they’d ever see each other. Kate knew things would be different from now on. “We’ll always have high school...”

  “That sounds like a line from some old movie,” Lindsey sniffed.

  “I think it is...” Kate nodded solemnly.

  “Except it’s ‘we’ll always have Paris’...not high school.” Lindsey’s voice was wistful. “Now do I have to go to the airport and send you on your way, too?”

  “If she doesn’t get dressed, we’re not going to make it.” Drew stuck his head in the door. “You two look like you just watched six sad movies in a row.”

  “Only one.” Lindsey held up her finger. “This one is the saddest of all.” She pointed to herself and then to Kate.

  Kate reluctantly got up and began packing. She dashed into the bathroom to throw on some clothes. “Ready,” she said more to herself than anyone else in the room.

  Drew took her luggage and disappeared down the stairs. Kate and Lindsey were alone again.

  “Good-bye, roomie. Wish us luck.” Kate didn’t want to cry anymore. There was nothing she could do about the situation except live it the best she could. “I’ll miss you.”

  Lindsey stood stoically, watching her friend go out the door. “I wish I could be two places at once. Can I steal a book and meet you at the canyon? We could spend some time there because when we start school, there won’t be enough time left for us at the end of the day. Better yet, let’s have that old book take us back a few weeks so we can catch Tyson in the act.”

  “Wouldn’t it be great if we could steal time?” Kate asked as she walked out to the waiting car and back to her life in Ohio.

  Chapter Six

  Kate settled into a routine after the return home. She helped Drew pack his things at the Campbell house and stack the boxes in the Roberts’ garage. She found it hard to believe he accumulated so much in the short time he had lived in the present.

  While Drew and her dad were on their annual summer trip to New York City, Kate brought a box a day into the house and rummaged through it, sorting Drew’s things into piles. She didn’t put anything away. He needed to do that himself. She just wanted to stay busy and keep him close to her.

  After they returned, Kate waited in anticipation for the day she could return to the canyon. She had promised Anna they could meet on Kate’s second day there.

  “I’m so nervous and excited, Kathryn.” Anna told her over the phone. “We need a code word so you know it’s me.”

  “Good idea. You pick. Make it something only a few of us will know.”

  “How about if we use my great-granddaughter’s name? Lindsey Campbell.”

  “That’s good. I’ll let the others know. And Anna? I hope this works out. I really need you in my life right now.”

  “I’m only a phone call away, love.” Anna sounded like a caring grandmother, but Kate would never tell her that.

  Her mother wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Kate returning to the canyon this summer. Last December was particularly stressful for her. She thought she was losing her whole family and might forget they ever existed.

  “Mom?” Kate found her in the kitchen. “Anna and I have a password. You need to know it, too.”

  “Are you still intent on going back?” Her mom stared at her with concern in her eyes. “I’m starting to hate that place. I feel like we’ve opened a can of worms.”

  “How can you say that? If you hadn’t met Dad, you wouldn’t have me.” Kate was a little insulted.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I need an adjustment period. I’ll be ready to go in time for your wedding.”

  Getting married again made Kate t
ingle with excitement. Last year she was filled with nerves, but this ceremony would be like renewing their vows on their first anniversary. She knew what to expect and could enjoy the day, tucking away more memories. She had met Drew’s parents at the first wedding plus her Grandmother Lilly, her dad’s mother. Kate would see them all again and planned to keep everything the same. They found out the hard way what could happen when Carl went off script—history could change. Kate liked to believe if it did occur, it was supposed to happen.

  She also discovered people living at the canyon had memories from the very first time she was there. Last year she didn’t arrive until the second day, but everyone knew her.

  Maya, Carl, her father—all of them—still didn’t know the power of the books or all its secrets. That’s why it was so important to get the book back from Tyson. No telling what he could do to their canyon history.

  “I take it you’re leaving tonight, Kate?” Her dad overheard their conversation as he entered the kitchen. “I’ll be at the canyon if you need me.”

  “I didn’t need you the first time I was there.” She didn’t mean to be short with her father but felt like he was still controlling her life.

  “You’re absolutely right,” He held his hands up in the air. “Just saying...”

  “Sorry, I’m a little nervous about Anna. You do need to be available the day she arrives. Stick around the boardinghouse. I’ll invite you for breakfast.”

  “Okay, it’s a deal. Maya’s prepared, too. I don’t know if I can keep Carl away, but I’m working on it. One problem at a time. Don’t tell him I said that.”

  Drew came in from the garage carrying another box. “Well, I’m ready for tonight. Let’s keep it simple. Kate does her first day routine. We all meet back here tomorrow and phone conference with Anna.”

  “I’m going to be on my best behavior.” Kate wanted everyone to feel confident, hoping that reassured them. The canyon was her favorite place on earth, and no one could stop her from going back.

  * * * *

  All went well the first day at the canyon. Maya woke Kate and told her to get ready for work. The only difference was Kate knew she was Maya, not Mrs. Johansson. Maya smiled and reminded her to call her Mrs. Johansson like always. Kate met the girls—Lucinda, Anna and Ruthie. They drove in Mr. Johansson’s 1925 Buick to work. The girls barely talked to her. Everything took place just like it should.

  When Kate got to work she appeared helpless although she knew what to do. Anna was assigned to train her which was the beginning of their friendship. Kate couldn’t wait until she was told to gather some eggs because that was the moment she met Drew. She wondered if he’d be leaning on the back of El Tovar like the first time she came out of the henhouse.

  When the time came, she dashed out the kitchen door, running to the fence. She had become adept at climbing over it but took her time, just in case first day jitters set in. As she entered the henhouse, she eyed all the hens sitting on their nests. She knew which one would give her trouble. Right on cue, Darth Vader, as Kate had come to call her, started to peck at her hand. Kate just laughed and avoided the blow. “Oh, Darth, if only you knew this wasn’t the first time we’ve met!”

  She walked toward the door, and as she opened it, Drew was standing there. He took the egg basket from her hands. “Drew! This isn’t how it was supposed to be.”

  “I didn’t want to watch you fall over the fence like before.” Drew kissed her quickly as they walked toward the fence where he gallantly helped her over. Kate was a little disappointed but knew it wouldn’t alter history in any way.

  * * * *

  Once Kate was back home in Ohio, the family gathered around the dining room table with Drew and Carl for the phone conference with Anna. After hearing all the updates from the ranch they started discussing the plan.

  “Anna.” Kate’s dad took the lead. “If you wake up in the same room with your younger self, we could have a problem. Hopefully, you’ll be upstairs with Andrew and me. We never did this before so we’ll take it one step at a time. Kate plans on going to young Anna’s room after she wakes.

  “Remember, leave your book on a table or nightstand next to your bed and wait for dusk, or it won’t work. Then start reading the book and when you grow tired, place the book back on the table. You’ll return the next day, and no one will know you were gone.”

  “Except if anyone checks on you in the night. Do they, Anna?” Kate remembered when she had her concussion her parents kept checking her.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Great, then I’ll see you later...actually tomorrow morning.” Kate looked around the table at everyone. “So we all know our assignments. If there’s an old Anna and a young one, our job is to make sure old Anna gets to see everything she wants, keep her hidden throughout the day and then get her safely back to Arizona. Agreed?” These were the people Kate trusted most in her life. They nodded in agreement. “And Carl, you promise to stay away tonight? You can come back tomorrow.”

  “Yes, I promise. I’m going to have a long video chat with Renae. She enjoyed seeing Drew and your dad in New York by the way. I heard they went to dinner.”

  “We certainly did. It was an enjoyable time,” Kate’s dad answered. “That girl’s a keeper.”

  “Well, it’s getting late, and I have things to do.” Kate rose from her chair. “Good night, everyone. Coming, Drew?”

  “In a minute, I want to talk to your dad.” Drew held up one finger.

  “Sure.” Kate ran up the stairs and into her room without a moment to spare. An idea just came to her. She rummaged through her desk, looking for Lindsey’s senior picture. For some reason, Kate felt like she should take it with her. Her heart pounded with excitement, and she prayed this would work out well for Anna. Forgetting about Drew, Kate popped into bed and grabbed her book. Embracing the book to her body, she was overwhelmed by its awesomeness. Slowly, Kate turned to the first page and began to read.

  “Starting without me?” Drew bounced on her bed.

  “Secrets with Dad?”

  “No, I just wanted to go over the details one more time.”

  “In other words, secrets from Kate.”

  Drew threw his head back and laughed. “If you must believe that, then okay.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Good night, my princess. See you in my dreams.”

  Kate had a hard time staying mad after that. She kissed him again and smiled. “My wish is for the other princess in our life to be granted all of hers tonight.” She snuggled down in her bed. “Good night, my prince.”

  “Are we getting too corny?” Drew cocked his head to one side and gave her a cute smirk.

  “Never.” Kate slipped off to sleep, her last thought being of the canyon.

  * * * *

  Her eyes popped open. Kate felt like she dozed for just a minute. I don’t remember falling asleep. I want to be at the canyon and am afraid to look around. Something inside her urged her to do so quickly because there was a job to do.

  Gazing straight up, Kate recognized the pine ceiling of her boardinghouse room and finally found the courage to sit up. She never tired of the sun shining through the cotton curtains at her window, making patterns on the floor. The dresser stood stoically against the wall with its wash basin and pitcher, always a comforting sight. Although she was here yesterday, Kate shivered like it was the very first time. The sensation tingled through her body like it was aware something new was about to happen.

  “Anna!” Kate flew out of bed and down the hall to the end room. She didn’t even knock, just threw open the door. “Anna, are you alright?”

  She was still asleep and lazily sat up. “Kathryn, whatever are you doing?” Anna rubbed her eyes as if she was trying to focus.

  “I’m looking for someone.”

  “In my room? May I ask who you’re looking for?”

  Kate was a little worried. Maybe she should run upstairs to check to see if the other Anna arrived. Too late for that. She was supposed t
o keep an eye on young Anna this morning, not burst into her room. Now she’s asking questions, and Kate had to answer. “Lindsey, Lindsey Campbell.”

  “Why are you looking for my great-granddaughter? That girl sleeps in until late morning.”

  “Oh my gosh, Anna, it’s you!”

  “Of course, it’s me! What are you doing at the ranch?”

  “Don’t you remember? You wanted to come back to the boardinghouse. This isn’t the ranch. It’s 1927.” She hesitated and quickly scanned the room. A hand-held mirror caught her eye. “I know it’s you, but it’s you from the present inside...this body.” She handed her the mirror. “Look.”

  Anna’s hand flew to her face. “Kathryn! It’s eighteen-year-old me. I’m young. I’m at the canyon!” She jumped out of bed and danced around the room.

  While Anna spun around the room, Kate decided to be sure she was the one and only Anna at the canyon. She pulled Lindsey’s picture from the sleeve of her nightgown. “Can you look at this picture, and tell me who it is?”

  “It’s Lindsey, of course. Stop being so silly. Let’s go riding together. I’ve always wanted to do that with you at the Circle J but was too old. Oh, I have all the memories, from now and the present.” Anna stopped twirling and hugged Kate tightly. “I don’t want to waste a minute. I feel like a thief in the night, robbing someone else’s life. I need to get started.”

  “Let’s sit down for a moment, shall we?” Kate became business-like. “This is a first for the book. We know my dad’s always the age he was in 1927, and it makes sense that you are, too, I guess. Why do you have memories of your present day life?”

  “Because I time traveled.” Anna hopped from one foot to the other. “I’m not the 1927 Anna. I’m present day Anna inside this body. And besides, your father has all his memories. But I know what you mean.” She stopped her little dance and settled in next to Kate. “He left here and went to the present to live. I’m the opposite so it’s different circumstances. Confusing, but I don’t care. Let’s go find Andrew and Jack and tell them the good news.”