Stealing Time

by Nancy Pennick

  “She was protecting all of us. You, her son, her granddaughter, even me.” Drew took a breath. “You probably wouldn’t have believed her if she told you the truth.”

  Freddie laughed loudly. “No, I don’t think I would have. I had enough to deal with back then. Now let’s get down to business, Kate. While you were visiting with Miranda, Andrew and I went over the contract details. Even though you’re not married in the here and now, I assume I had permission to discuss it with him.”

  “Absolutely. One day we will be married.”

  “Hopefully, this summer and we want you there.” Drew still didn’t seem to understand what Kate told him.

  “That’s a little soon.” She gave Drew a “don’t get your hopes up” look. “But eventually.”

  “God willing, I’ll be there.” Freddie called the waiter over and motioned he was ready for dinner and another bottle of wine. “So let me summarize what I know. My family thought Andrew passed away after Thanksgiving, and his bride, Kathryn, disappeared into thin air.” He took a breath, placing his hand on his chest. “Still gets to me...sorry.”

  “That’s alright, take your time.” Kate squeezed his arm in support.

  Freddie began again after a few sips of wine. “In reality, Andrew came to the present, which was really the future to him, to live with Jack Woods and his family. Jack is now Jackson Roberts who also came to the future to live after marrying Joanna. They had a child. That’s you, Kate. And you were given the book to read that took you back to the past.” Freddie started to chuckle. “If I told anyone that, they’d think I was quite mad and lock me away. Charlotte would be in charge. We wouldn’t want that now, would we?”

  Drew laughed with him. “I’ve got to meet Charlotte. She sounds quite interesting.”

  “Oh, you will one day, I assure you.” Freddie patted his brother on the arm. “I like the fact you changed your last name to Kelly, mother’s maiden name. The women in our lives have had a big impact on us. Don’t you agree?” He nodded toward Kate.

  “Yes, they have.” Drew tilted his glass in her direction.

  “Now...where was I?” Freddie rubbed his forehead. “So much to comprehend. I have to let it all sink in. Let’s see...Kate was to enjoy the summer at the canyon but met Andrew. You two fell in love. Kate, your love saved him from traveling down the river on schedule, and Jack was able to rescue him. The part I still don’t understand is how come it’s always 1927 when you go back? Does that mean Andrew dies over and over again before you saved him?”

  “In our universe, it does,” Kate answered. “My father went back every year to stop him and never could reach him in time. We don’t understand it either, Freddie, but it’s a special place. We’re very protective of that world. We have to be careful what we do in the past so we don’t change history.”

  “That’s a bit of a quagmire, isn’t it? How do you know what you changed and what you didn’t? Seems like each time you go back, something new happens. For example...your second trip to New York. Andrew told me you stayed longer. Things went badly from what I remember. I was kept in the dark back then but knew how to sneak around the house without getting caught. I listened to a lot of conversations I wasn’t supposed to.” He paused and wrinkled his brow. “As a matter of fact, those memories are so fresh. It’s as if they just happened.”

  Kate and Drew locked eyes, knowing he was right.

  “They did, Freddie.” Drew explained. “We found out when we change history, people have new memories. It’s happened before.”

  “Whoa! Give me a minute. You mean a month ago I didn’t know this?”

  “That’s what I’m saying. We just changed history a few weeks ago.”

  Freddie shook his head. “Thank goodness you got away. After your escape, I was in Father’s offices when I heard him give the order to find that wretched girl no matter what it takes.” He abruptly stopped and turned to Kate. “Sorry about that. Should have kept that to myself.”

  Kate patted his hand. “No problem.”

  She had memories of hiding in those offices, too. Overhearing Nicolas rant against her father. The words rang in her head, “He’s getting too close, asking too many questions. If he doesn’t stop he’s...” Morto. Morto. It felt as if Nicolas was whispering those words in her ear right at that moment.

  “Kate...Kate, are you alright?” Drew had her by the arm. “I swear you just said morto.”

  She sat up straight in her seat. “Don’t know what that means. Was I talking to myself? I’m fine. Just daydreaming, I guess.”

  Dinner arrived, and plates were put in front of them. Kate looked down at the steak, and although it smelled wonderful and was probably one of the best she’d ever eat, she lost her appetite.

  Chapter Twenty

  “We’re home!” Kate called out to an empty house. Drew arranged for transportation because they didn’t know which flight they’d catch. Now they were walking into an empty house. “Funny, I thought they’d be here to greet and grill us.”

  Drew ran the luggage upstairs as her mom came in from the garage. “Sorry! I wanted to beat you home. Got hung up at the college. I may take on more classes next semester.”

  “That’s great, Mom.” Kate hugged her. “Something you wanted to do for a long time. I’m so glad you made the decision to go for it. Where’s Dad?”

  “Said he had some business to take care of at the canyon. He’s been there while you were gone. He should be back tomorrow morning.”

  “What? Why would he do that? We all agreed not to go back.”

  “To New York, sweetie, not the canyon. He’s fine. He does it all the time. I think he’s working on a new book.”

  Oh, I bet he’s working on a new book. One titled ‘The Mob and New York City’ or ‘Nicolas takes over New York’. “Not good, Mom. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  Kate ran up to her room. Drew was opening her suitcase and placing it on the bed. “Drew, I have to tell you something.” Kate decided she’d leave the “killing her father” part out of the story but had to tell the rest. “Your father threatened mine. He said Dad was getting too close to the truth.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I left it out when I told you about Albert. I was afraid you’d tell my dad. There’s no telling what he would’ve done while we were still in New York.” Kate sat down in her desk chair, leaning over the back of it. She took a few breaths to give herself time to think. How could she word it without causing alarm? “After Albert was taken away, your father called Sal back into his office. He told him to watch out for my father. Said he could be trouble. I don’t like this. Dad’s at the canyon right now.”

  “What you did was dangerous, especially if you were discovered in those offices.” Drew reached for her hand and pulled her to him. “Don’t worry. Your father knows what he’s doing.”

  “My mom told me he’s working on a new book. I think it’s about your father or the mob or Prohibition or something. I don’t know, but Nicolas said...”

  “Father said a lot of things. He’d never do anything to hurt your dad.”

  “He doesn’t know he’s my dad. That’s the point! Although it could be worse if he did know. I don’t like it. I just want my dad back home!” Kate crossed her arms like when she was little and wanted her way.

  “We’re going to have to wait until tomorrow.” Drew guided her down the stairs. “For now, let’s visit with your mom and tell her about the trip.”

  “I’d love to hear about it,” she called from the family room. “Why was Lillian so insistent you go to New York when you got home?”

  “Mom, you’ll never believe this. Freddie, Drew’s brother, is still alive and the head of Woods and Associates.” Kate went on to fill in the details of what happened during their stay.

  “You own the royalties to your father’s work? I’m still processing that, let alone everything else you just told me.” Her mom grabbed the sides of her head as if she had a major headache.

&nb
sp; “How do you think Dad will take the news?”

  “Either very well...or badly,” she laughed.

  “That really helps, Mom.” Kate laughed with her. “I thought I could just sign the rights over to him. I’d still have the money. Or he can have that, too.”

  “That’s sweet, but you should wait and see what your father wants to do. He’d definitely want you to keep the money, I’m sure.”

  “Okay, I can accept that, but I think he’s not going to like the fact I’m in control.” Kate popped up from the couch and headed for the kitchen. “Now, what can I do to help with dinner?”

  Her mom and Drew exchanged surprised glances at the mention of Kate making dinner and got up to join her. They made small talk as they prepared the meal. To the rest of the world they appeared to be a normal family. No one would guess they were waiting for their husband, their father and friend to return to the present from the past. No one would be able to figure out their secrets from the scene in the kitchen. That’s how Kate wanted to keep things and would work out a way to makes sure that happen, no matter the cost.

  * * * *

  Kate found her father up bright and early the next morning. He was in the kitchen, whistling while he made breakfast. “Wow, you’re in a good mood.” Kate gasped as he turned to face her. He had a black eye and a large purple bruise on his cheek. “What happened?”

  “Made friends with a tree, Pumpkin. Like my shiner?” He continued whistling as he put bacon on the microwave plate.

  “No, I don’t. Has anyone else seen you?”

  “Nope, just you. Your mother left a note saying she needed to get to work early today. Something about adding more classes to her schedule for next semester. Isn’t that great?”

  “Quit changing the subject, Dad. So how did it really happen?”

  “I was riding, came too close to a tree and a low branch caught the side of my face.”

  That made sense, but for some reason, Kate didn’t believe him. “Have you iced it yet?”

  “I will, after breakfast. Coffee?” Her dad was trying too hard to be upbeat and avoid the real story.

  “Dad, I just don’t believe you. After what happened in New York, you come home looking like someone beat you up.”

  “Keep that one to yourself. You’ll scare your mom.”

  “So start telling the truth.”

  “I’d like to hear it, too, Jack.” Drew now stood next to Kate, still wearing flannel sleep pants and a t-shirt. “I smelled coffee and came down to get some and hear this.” He sat down at the counter, and Kate’s dad turned to pour some coffee. “Whoa, Jack, did you walk into the barn door?”

  “Something like that.”

  “We were discussing the true story before you interrupted us.” Kate crossed her arms and stared at her dad.

  “Thanks for the save.” He slapped hands with Drew.

  “You’re acting a bit weird. What exactly did happen?” Drew studied Jackson’s face carefully.

  “It’s best you kids don’t know. Stop asking questions. Everything’s taken care of.” He took a sip of coffee, wincing as he did.

  “I’m getting some ice, and you’re sitting down.” Kate walked her dad over to the dinette table and sat him in a chair.

  Drew joined them. “Jack, you’ve got to tell us. There can’t be any secrets.”

  “Alright, as long as you promise it stays between the three of us.”

  Kate put a bag of ice in her father’s hand and sat down across from him. “We’re listening.”

  “Three of Nicolas’ men came looking for you at the canyon. They were questioning people at the restaurant and the studio. I heard they were asking about me--where I lived, where I did my work. They caught up with me outside of El Tovar. I had been talking to Thomas in the kitchen. Thank goodness I had just left him.”

  “Thomas would’ve helped.” Kate nodded at Drew and saw he was already angry.

  “It was best I dealt with it myself. They dragged me into the barn behind Tovar where you keep your horse, Drew. They threw me in one of the stalls and started asking questions which I proceeded not to answer.”

  “And that’s how you got this.” Kate pointed to her father’s face. “Why didn’t you just tell them what they wanted to know?”

  “That would’ve been too easy. I wanted to make it seem like I didn’t know much plus I needed time to think of a plan. One of them struck me across the face. I got a few blows to the stomach from another. Then a few punches to the face. I finally told them all I knew was Andrew went back to boarding school, and Kathryn was at her high school in Ohio. Andrew planned on joining his family for Thanksgiving, and Kate would take the train from Cleveland to New York on Friday after the holiday. I planted the seed for the future to back up your story. Hopefully they won’t come back. My biggest fear was they’d lay in wait for you two on Thanksgiving. Now they think Andrew’s still coming to New York.”

  Drew pounded the table with both fists. “Dammit! I should’ve been there to deal with them, not you, Jack. Look at you! It’s my fault you were beaten.”

  “I’d gladly do it all over again, son.” He patted Drew’s arm. “Don’t take it so hard. It’s not your fault.”

  “Not my fault? I find out my brother was beaten by my father, and now you’re beaten by his men. I felt guilty in New York for not protecting Kate. And now it’s double the pain.” Drew slumped over onto the table, head in arms.

  Her dad looked quizzically at Kate. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”

  “We just found out his brother’s alive and runs Woods and Associates...not your family. Sorry.” Kate looked at her father apologetically. “I guess we never searched the firm on-line to see who was in charge...we just assumed. Well, anyway, we told Freddie the truth. Who we really were...and then Drew received some terrible news.”

  Her father slowly slumped back in his chair. “More bad news?”

  “In a way, yes. Nicolas beat Freddie...after Drew died. He took out his grief and frustration on his other son.”

  Now it was her dad’s turn to pound the table. “What’s with that man? Freddie was just a young boy...” he paused. “We have to tell Mother. She’ll do something to help him.”

  “No!” Drew sat up. “As much as it pains me to say it, we’ll leave things as they are. We can’t interfere anymore than we already have.”

  “But maybe we could warn Ilene...” Kate nodded at Drew.

  “We’re not going back there, remember?” Drew looked defeated.

  Kate didn’t want to add to his burden so she decided to table the rest of her ideas. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry this happened, but Freddie got his own kind of revenge, didn’t he, Drew?” She smiled at him and then looked at her father. “Freddie has lived a long life, has three sons and would not help his father with any dealings at Woods.”

  “I guess that’s the best kind of revenge.” Her dad slapped Drew on the back. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You didn’t know.”

  Kate tried to hold back tears as she gazed at the men in her life. Every time she pictured her life getting back to normal, a twist was added. “Guys, we need some normalcy in our lives. Let’s put this all behind us and focus on the month of November. The big preseason basketball game’s in a few weeks and then Thanksgiving. Our friends will start coming home from college. I’m sure everyone will want to go to the game. Just like old times.”

  “If I remember correctly, that game doesn’t hold good memories for us either. So much for getting back to normal,” Drew reminded her.

  “Well, this could be the start of good ones.” Kate tried to push those thoughts from her mind, although they popped up this time of year.

  She recalled Tyson taking her out to eat after the game, falling out of his car, hitting her head on the pavement. She ended up in the hospital with a concussion, almost keeping her from the canyon. Two years had gone by since that occurred, but seemed like it happened yesterday.

  Last year Kate had D
rew by her side for the game, but Tyson managed to literally pick her up and sneak her out to the parking lot. Drew rescued her, but it felt like Tyson was stalking them for the rest of the night, showing up wherever they went. Things had to be better this year. “Tyson sent me a text that he’s been asked to be honorary captain for the game.” Kate continued on. “Erin will be coming home with him so he should be on his best behavior.”

  Drew choked on his coffee, almost spitting it out of his mouth. “When did that ever stop him?”

  Her father rose from his seat and went back into the kitchen. “I have to agree.”

  “Positive attitudes, boys. We’re all maturing and making better decisions. Let’s hope Tyson has, too. We need to be really nice because he still has the book. I haven’t forgotten about that.” There was something else she hadn’t forgotten, the kiss at Senior Prom. Another secret from Drew.

  “Neither have I.” Drew slapped his hands together. “I’ll get it back if I have to...”

  “...I’ll get it back. Leave it to me.” Kate stopped him. “Right now let’s finish breakfast and do some studying. Then I’ll make plans with Lindsey and Jordyn. You’ll see. Everything will be fine.”

  * * * *

  Kate dug through her closet looking for her high school hoodie. It was white with red lettering. How hard could it be to find? She sat back on her heels, hands on hips, staring at the floor of the closet. So many thoughts were in her head, she had a hard time prioritizing them.

  She reached for her phone numerous times over the past weeks to call Anna but then realized it was impossible. She wiped a stray tear from her eye, trying to stay strong as Anna requested. Talking to her special star at night wasn’t really helping. Kate felt so abandoned.

  “Anna, I need you now more than ever. Little did I realize so much would happen in such a short time. You probably knew Nicolas was a gangster and hid the fact from me. That’s how you were...protective. Always in my corner. Anna, how can I continue this journey without your guidance and advice?” Kate slumped into a ball, wanting to tuck herself away in the closet.