Waiting for Dusk

by Nancy Pennick

  “We can come up, honey, and watch TV in our room so if you need us we’ll be close by,” her mom got up. “Come on, Jackson. Let’s go.”

  “I’ll be there in just a minute. I want to get a soda,” Katie hoped that would work and they’d go without her.

  Her dad walked through the kitchen and said, “See you upstairs.”

  Katie tiptoed to the front door. She opened it quietly. Lindsey was already standing there, again wearing her black hoodie. It was hard not to laugh at the sight of her. She slipped in and the two went up the stairs trying not to make a sound.

  Katie hid Lindsey in her bathroom. She handed her the soda and closed the door, then put on pajamas and walked to her parents’ bedroom. She climbed in bed with them and hugged and kissed them goodnight hoping it would be enough.

  “I’ll be fine tonight, don’t worry about me,” she hugged them one more time and headed back to her room. Lindsey was in her bed when she got back.

  “You have to stay in the bathroom until I’m gone. What if you end up going with me?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. This is kind of scary!” Lindsey shivered.

  “You don’t have to do this, I’ll understand,” Katie rubbed Lindsey’s shivering arms.

  “No, let’s do it. I’ll be fine,” Lindsey walked back to the bathroom and closed the door.

  Katie went to the bag and got out her book. Then she walked over to her desk, found all the letters she wrote Drew and tucked them in the book. Climbing into bed, she opened the book to start reading. After a few minutes, Katie felt tired and a little dizzy so she put the book down to rest for a minute.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Katie looked around at the familiar surroundings. It was so good to be back. She quickly searched around in the bed for the book, sighing with relief when she found it. The letters were inside. They made the trip with her. Katie slipped out of bed and into the hallway searching through the little closet that contained her clothes. The smell of Swedish coffee filled the air. Mr. Johansson must be in the kitchen. Katie grabbed an outfit and ran back to her room. After she was ready she entered the kitchen.

  “God morgon, Mr. Johansson,” Katie remembered to use the Swedish he taught her.

  “Flicka! I did not expect to see you already,” Mr. Johansson came over and gave her a big hug.

  “Could I ask a favor?” Katie’s heart was pounding. She just wanted to get to the canyon.

  “Of course you can! Anything for my wife’s favorite girl,” Carl smiled like a proud papa.

  Favorite girl? Maya must have talked to Carl about me. Katie liked that. “Would you be able to drive me over to El Tovar?”

  “Let me have my coffee and we will head over,” Carl headed over to the stove. “Ruthie and Molly have to work today but not until the dinner shift. They’re sleeping late.”

  “What about Anna?” Katie was unsure if she wanted to see her or not.

  “She’s not working today. I believe she’s going riding with Daniel later,” Carl sipped his coffee.

  Anna was probably sleeping, too. That was a good thing. Katie needed to stay focused. She sat at the table with Mr. Johansson while he had his coffee with a cinnamon roll. It looked good but Katie’s stomach was not in the mood for eating. She just made small talk and hoped he would hurry and finish.

  Finally Carl stood up and said,” I’ll find my hat and we’ll get going.”

  Katie ran outside, and jumped in the Buick. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and the air was cool. She hoped Drew was already here, and they could enjoy this day together.

  Mr. Johansson dropped Katie off at the back of the building as usual. She waved good- bye, and told him not to worry about her. Katie didn’t know if she should go inside or not. She would love to see all her friends, but seeing Drew was more important. Just then, Thomas came out the backdoor.

  “Well, if it isn’t Miss Kate,” Thomas said with one of his wonderful grins.

  “Thomas, I’m so glad to see you. Do you know if Andrew is here yet?”

  “Yes, he is. I guess you want to know where he is.” Thomas teased. “I believe he’s over at the Studio. He’s helping out there today, preparing for the big lecture.”

  “Thanks so much, you are the best.” Katie started running.

  “Come back and I’ll have lunch ready for the two of you.” He called after her.

  Katie couldn’t run fast enough. She waited too long for this moment. The Studio came into view. She hoped Drew was there. Katie didn’t take time to look around or gaze into the canyon. Her mind was focused on only one thing. Drew. As she got closer, she saw a familiar figure. The dark hair caught her attention first. Then those eyes met hers. Katie continued to run, feeling like she was in a movie. Her feet just kept moving as if someone else was controlling them. The young man began to run, too, and she heard her name being called out.

  The next thing Katie knew, she was in Drew’s arms again, and he was swinging her around in the air.

  “Drew, Drew, put me down.” She was a little light-headed and did not want to discuss the concussion with him.

  “I didn’t think I’d see you until later.”

  They sat down right where they were to catch their breath. Their eyes locked, soaking in the essence of each other. For Katie, all was right with the world for now. She reached out her hand and placed it on Drew’s cheek.

  “It is so good to see you,” she leaned forward and kissed him.

  Drew stood up and pulled Katie to her feet. “Let me go tell them that I’m taking a long break and I’ll be back.”

  Katie decided to walk back to El Tovar knowing Drew would catch up with her. Before long, they were both sitting on the porch of the hotel, talking about their time apart.

  Drew told her about his studies and playing sports. He was the football team’s quarterback last year but gave that up after planning on being at the canyon for a longer time this year. “I couldn’t let my teammates down so I stepped aside. They asked me to still be on the team and play when I could, not as quarterback though. Since I missed summer practice and some games I thought it wasn’t fair but they insisted. It kept me busy so I wasn’t always thinking of you.

  Also I’m planning a trip down the Colorado soon. I’ve been practicing this summer with the men at base camp. Thomas and I may go off on Friday for one more short practice run. Now, what about you? What did you do that you were too busy to write?”

  “Drew, stop teasing. I did write to you, almost every day. I brought all the letters with me.”

  Drew looked lovingly at her, “I can’t wait to read them.”

  “I pretty much did the same as you. I went to school and did my homework.”

  “That can’t be all, come on, I want to hear more.”

  Katie told him about trying out for the cheerleading squad and how she thought Erin didn’t want her on the team. She told him all about Jordyn and Lindsey, her best friends. She explained how she grew up with Tyson and how he was now the star of the basketball team. “Ty asked me to Homecoming...”

  “Homecoming?” Drew said it as if he didn’t quite understand.

  “Yes, it’s a weekend when alumni come back for a football game and ...”

  “I know what Homecoming is. I’m just surprised you could go out with another man.”

  “He’s not a m-man,” Katie stuttered. “He’s a teenage boy and a friend.”

  “He must like you if he asked you to Homecoming,” Drew seemed agitated.

  “But I don’t like him; I only care about him as a friend. He got a little carried away. He thinks he’s in love with me. Tyson is immature and very emotional; he will get over it.”

  “Did he try to kiss you?” Andrew took a deep breath.

  “Yes, he did, he did kiss me,” Katie knew that sounded bad.

  Andrew put his head in his hands. “I thought you loved me, Kate. I thought we had something special.”

  “I do...we do,” Katie pulled at his hands. “Lo
ok at me. I’m here. I came all this way for you. I don’t care about Ty. I thought it was just a casual date to the dance. Please believe me!”

  Drew took Katie into his arms. “I don’t want to be jealous or have a jealous relationship. I want us to be a couple forever.”

  Katie wanted that too. She was so choked up she couldn’t answer him. She only could hold on tightly.

  “Come on,” Drew took her by the hand and they went around to the back of the hotel to the kitchen door. “I’m starving and I’m sure my good friend has lunch ready.”

  Thomas came to the door and handed Drew a pail with a cloth napkin over it. “Enjoy, you two.”

  They strolled for awhile talking about nothing important. Relieved to have her Andrew back, Katie hoped he understood. She didn’t explain things very well and would like to start over from the beginning but there wasn’t time. Instead, Katie told Drew about visiting the ranch in October with her friend, Lindsey. She wanted to tell him about Anna but didn’t think he would believe her.

  “What if I told you I was from the future?” Katie baited him.

  “I would think you are half crazy but the other half was quite beautiful.”

  “No, really, would you believe me?”

  “Yes, I would believe you. Didn’t Jules Verne write Journey to the Center of the Earth and H.G. Wells, The Time Machine? Those books are thought provoking.”

  “Then you are a student of science fiction?” Katie hoped that would help him understand.

  “Is that what you call it? Well, yes, I am. Who knows what can happen in life?” Drew sat down on a grassy spot in the sun. “Are you ready to eat lunch?”

  It was a perfect day for Katie. She could not have imagined it any better. She was so happy to see Drew and so in love. Schoolgirl crushes came and went and this was not one of those.

  When they were done, the couple walked back to the barn where Drew kept his horse. The sun was lower in the sky and he wanted to get Katie back to the boardinghouse.

  The ride was wonderful. Katie’s arms were around Drew’s waist, and she rested her head on his back. The word perfect kept popping into her head.

  They arrived too soon; the ride went so quickly. Drew jumped off his horse, and Katie slid into his arms. They kissed for a long time, and Katie did not want him to stop.

  “I have something for you,” Drew went to his saddle bag and pulled out a long, blue velvet box.

  “Here, put these in your bag.” Katie pulled her letters out from her jacket pocket.

  Drew put the letters in the bag, and turned to Katie. “Since you said you never would take the necklace off, I got you something different.”

  Katie slowly opened the box and inside was a charm bracelet. Two charms were on it, a crescent shaped moon and a star. “Oh, Drew, it’s beautiful,” Katie loved the charms he had chosen.

  “The moon is to remind you I’m always here for you. I added the star because you are my shining star. I would give you the moon and the stars, if I could. I hope to add more charms in the future. This is just the beginning,” he kissed her softly.

  “Would you put it on for me?” Katie couldn’t wait to wear the bracelet. She held out her left arm. Drew clipped it on, and slid his hand into hers. “What’s this?”

  She felt him tap something on her ring finger. She looked down at her hand and gasped. There on her left ring finger was the tiny diamond promise ring that Tyson gave her the night of Homecoming. “I don’t know what that is. I don’t know how it got there! Drew, you have to believe me!” Tears began to fill her eyes.

  “Believe you? I don’t know what to believe! You don’t know how that got there? Did that Tyson fellow buy this for you?”

  “Yes, yes, he did.”

  “So if he bought you a ring like this and you’re wearing it on your left hand, it must be pretty serious,” Andrew yelled.

  “No, it’s not like that at all,” Katie was panicking. She felt like Drew was not listening to her.

  “All this time I loved you and you were playing me for a fool. Was I just a summer fling?” Drew had tears in his eyes.

  “No! I did not play you for a fool. It’s hard to explain,” Katie stumbled over her words.

  “It’s not that hard to explain. You have a boyfriend back home and one here. Well, this one is leaving. Good-bye, Kate.” Drew started walking away from her and then turned back. “I’m setting you free. Do what you need to do. Maybe if I let you go now, maybe someday...someday you will come back to me.” He got on his horse and rode away.

  “Drew, wait a minute, don’t go!” Katie sobbed. She fell to the ground wailing.

  It was all so confusing, and then she remembered Tyson was in her room on Tuesday afternoon when she woke up and was standing by her desk. She had put the ring box in the top drawer of the desk when he wouldn’t take it back after Homecoming. He must have found it, and slipped the ring on her finger when she was asleep.

  Finally Katie sat up. She ran to the barn and saddled up Flicka. She would find Drew and explain. She could fix this.

  Katie stopped at El Tovar, and Thomas said he hadn’t seen Drew although she knew he had. He was just being a good friend. She went to all the spots Drew loved and couldn’t find him anywhere.

  As she rode around looking for him, Katie began to feel a little angry. Drew hadn’t let her explain or finish what she was saying. Why were men like that? She would let him cool off for a day or two and then come looking for him again.

  She decided to stay home and not come back for Thanksgiving although she’d love to share it with Molly, Ruthie, Anna and Mr. and Mrs. Johansson. It was probably better this way; she’d just want to find Drew the whole time she was here. It was better to stay away.

  The sun started to set and Katie knew she needed to get back to the boardinghouse but first there was something important she had to do. She slid off Flicka, tied her up and ran to the canyon’s rim. She took the ring off her finger, and threw it as hard as she could into the air. Good-bye, Tyson, good-bye for good.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Katie woke up with a start. She flung the blankets back and jumped out of bed. She looked over at the bed and saw a large lump. Lindsey! Oh my gosh, I completely forgot about her!

  She knew she had to wake her up and get her out of her bedroom. “Linds, Lindsey, wake up!” Katie shook her.

  “Katie, you’re back. Oh, what a night! You really leave you know. That was weird. I’m still trying to process it all. Your parents are still on patrol, too. I had to sleep the whole night under the blankets with my head covered.”

  “I’ll make this up to you, I will. You’re the best friend anyone could have,” Katie sat back down on the bed. “Now you have to get out.”

  Seeing the humor in that statement after all she went through, Katie picked up her pillow and lightly hit Lindsey with it. They both started laughing. Lindsey put a call into Jordyn and made arrangements to be picked up. While Lindsey got ready, Katie filled her in on what happened.

  “So Drew is mad at you. You can take care of it when you go back,” Lindsey was supportive. “I think giving him a few days to cool off is a good idea. And what’s up with Tyson? I knew something was going on when I found him in your room while you were sleeping. He’s turning into an obsessed stalker!”

  Katie may have agreed with her before the time travel, but didn’t now. She just felt sorry for him. She remembered how Lucinda felt about Daniel, and this helped her understand his situation.

  Katie slowly opened her door and looked around. “I think my parents are gone. That’s strange.”

  Lindsey threw on her black hood, ran down the stairs and out the door. Katie saw a note on the kitchen counter. It said they were out Thanksgiving shopping and would be back in an hour.

  Katie planned to sleep the day away. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk with her parents. They would let her sleep because of the accident. She would come down for dinner, then back to bed. Somehow she would get through the nex
t day with the family, too. Katie intended on leaving Thanksgiving night and wasn’t going to try to cover it up. Lindsey did not need to sleep in her bed again. Her plan was to talk to her father on Thursday night to finish the conversation they started in the hospital, then leave for the canyon.

  * * * *

  Katie got through Wednesday with no problem as planned. Her parents reacted exactly as she thought they would and left her alone.

  Now Thanksgiving was here and became another task for her to complete before dusk. She heard voices downstairs that sounded like Grandma Sandra and Grandpa Mitch. They always came over early to help with the dinner. Her uncles and families were coming this year and the house would be filled with people. That might be a good distraction.

  Katie got ready and went downstairs. “Hi, Grandma, Grandpa.”

  “How’s our little angel?” Grandpa Mitch sounded a little worried.

  “I’m fine, Grandpa, really.” Katie liked his big bear hugs, feeling safe and loved.

  The doorbell rang and Katie walked to the door and opened it. It was Tyson.

  “Hi, you got a minute?”

  Katie stepped out on the front porch. “I don’t know if I do. That was pretty sneaky slipping that ring on my finger.”

  “So did it work?”

  “Work? You mean have Drew see it and get angry? Yes, it worked.”

  “Good, then he’s out of our lives.”

  “No, he isn’t, I’m going to fix this. This doesn’t change anything.”

  “Katie, I love you!” Ty didn’t seem to be hearing her.

  “I know you do and I understand that. You have to realize I just don’t love you that way. I hope one day we can be friends again.”

  “I hope we can, too,” Tyson rubbed her arms. “You’re cold. You better get inside. Thanks for putting up with me.”

  Katie went back in the house. Everyone looked at her, but Katie didn’t say a word. Grandma Sandra walked over and guided her to the sofa. “You just rest on the couch and we’ll do all the work this year. Can I get you anything?”