Call of the Canyon

by Nancy Pennick

  She ran down the stairs, looked out the front door window and saw Tyson standing on the porch. She hadn’t seen him in a long while. He probably noticed her dad and Drew were gone and decided it was the time to visit. Slowly opening the door, Kate gave him a slight smile.

  “Hi, Katie, can I come in?” Tyson smiled sheepishly.

  “Yeah, sure, come in.”

  “I want to let you know I was heading to New York City for the summer. My agent wants me to live there because I can get more work.”

  “Aren’t you underage?”

  “I’ll live with her for the summer. She’s the mother of one of my basketball friends, remember? I met them when I was chosen to play in the Eastern Conference game over Christmas break. So it all works out. I won’t go, if you don’t want me to.”

  What? Kate could not believe her ears. She’s been with Drew since last November and now it’s July. Didn’t he get the hint? “Ty, of course you should go.”

  “Oh, just checking.” He shrugged and looked away. “I’m going to make a lot of money this summer. I could keep doing this and end up being famous or something.”

  “I’m sure Erin will love that.” Kate couldn’t help mentioning his girlfriend.

  “Would you?” Ty raised his eyebrows and gave her a hopeful look.

  “If it makes you happy, then yes.” Kate held her ground. Tyson was not going to manipulate her again.

  “Let’s keep in touch, even though I’ll be gone.” Ty put out his arms as if he wanted a hug.

  One hug, Kate thought. That’s harmless enough. She reached out and when she looked up to say good-bye, Tyson kissed her.

  Kate pushed back and yelled, “When do you ever stop?”

  “Never, it was only a good-bye kiss, something for you to remember me by.” He winked, opened the door and let himself out.

  He was so frustrating. What was she doing wrong? She thought he was finally convinced he had no chance with her. Was he acting like that because Drew wasn’t around?

  Kate stormed out into the backyard. She went all the way to the farthest corner of the yard where Drew and her father had done some landscaping this spring. She needed to be by something that reminded her of Drew. His mother loved lilacs so her dad took him to a garden center to choose some plants. They created a lilac garden in her honor. Jackson even dug up some of his rock garden for the new display. Drew chose dark purple and pale lavender flower bushes. They were beautiful a few weeks ago but the flowers were starting to wilt.

  She looked at the pale lavender flowers and had a brilliant idea. Those would be the flowers for her wedding. Lilacs! The bridesmaids could wear pastel lavender dresses and carry dark purple flowers. It would be beautiful. Feeling better, Kate headed for the deck to sit awhile. Carl was nowhere to be seen, although they spent the last few days together. Kate wondered if he forgot about their planned trip to the past because he never mentioned it again.

  “Kate! Are you alright?” Carl came running over from his house on the Katie path, the one Kate and Maya built when she was small.

  “Yes, why?” She squinted in the sun.

  “I saw Tyson leave your house a few minutes ago. I debated and then decided to come over to see if everything was okay.” Carl was being the protector, always the brother.

  “I’m fine, see?” Kate pointed to herself. “Come and sit with me.”

  Carl sat next to her in a lounge chair. He played with his sunglasses, taking them off, rubbing them on his shirt and then putting them back on.

  “Trying to see something more clearly?”

  “No, I’m starting to see everything more clearly. I’m glad I quit my job and came home. I’m ready for a new adventure in my life. Let’s leave tonight for the canyon.”

  “Well, first I need to go back myself and make sure everything’s the same. I’m a day late as it is. I really should have gone back already. How about tomorrow?” Kate was a little nervous about their plan. “I have a little exploring to do. My dad and Drew always wake up in second floor bedrooms of the boardinghouse, the family living quarters. I hope that’s where you’ll wake up, but you have to promise to stay put until I find you.”

  “Deal,” Carl said. “Do what you need to do and get back to me. I’ll be waiting.”

  “As always, I need to wait until dusk for the book to work and take me there. I’ll go as soon as the sun sets.”

  Chapter Five

  Kate woke with a start and gazed around the room, heart pounding. “I’m back. I’m in my boardinghouse room.”

  It seemed so strange to be there because it was months since her last visit. Would she need to start over and meet everyone again or would they know her? She never really asked her father what the protocol was and how she should conduct herself. Too late now. She’d just find out on her own. There was no way Maya knew she was coming so she had no reason to be here unless she missed Carl Sr. She only showed up every day last summer because Kate was here and wanted to watch over her.

  Quietly, she tiptoed out to the hallway and looked around. Everything appeared the same. She looked to the right and saw the front door. Glancing to the left, she noticed three doors closed on her side and the kitchen still across the hall. Her heart beat fast for some reason and she was startled when Anna’s door opened. Her blonde head popped out of the door. “Kathryn, there you are. Are you headed outside?”

  She shook her head no. Anna could use the outhouse first. It wasn’t her favorite place at the boardinghouse. Kate was surprised Anna knew her but decided she didn’t have time to question anything. Grabbing clothes from the hall closet, Kate quickly dressed and stepped back out in the hall. The smell of coffee wafted from the kitchen so she knew Carl Sr. was already in there.

  It was a perfect time to take advantage of no one being around. Kate snuck down the hall toward the front door. She noticed stairs last year, realizing there was an upstairs, but never was given an invitation to visit. Now, uninvited, she crept up those stairs. The second floor of the house wasn’t as large as the first but still spacious. There was a long hallway, with three bedrooms–one huge room on one side of the house and two smaller ones on the other. The large bedroom had a small sitting room at one end. That must be the master...Maya and Carl’s room. Not wanting to get caught, Kate hurried back down and went right out the front door.

  As Kate stood in the yard, something caught her eye. Attached to the back of the barn was a small housing unit. She ran over to the building and looked in the window. It was a small bunkhouse with two bunks, a table and a stove. Carl Sr. was planning for the time when he finally owned the ranch. Little did he know that wasn’t his future.

  The walk back to the boardinghouse was slow. Kate wanted to take her time, breathe it all in. She loved the place and the people so much. Some things didn’t make sense but she decided not to question how it happened. Kate had made the decision long ago to just go along for the incredible ride. When she got back to her room, Anna was sitting on her bed.

  “Kathryn, are you ready for your second day of work? I saw how Andrew Martin looked at you yesterday. Girls have tried to get that look, but no one has succeeded.” Anna jumped up and went out the door. “You’d better get your uniform on. We’re going to be late.”

  Her Harvey girl uniform lay on the bed next to where Anna sat. Kate picked it up and pulled on the long-sleeved black top, skirt and stockings. Everything smelled freshly laundered just as she remembered. The next step was to tie the long, white crisp apron around her waist to finish the outfit. Ready for work, she ran out the door and hopped into the Buick with Lucinda, Ruthie and Anna.

  Oh, it’s so good to be back, she thought. “Hi! Good to see you all again!” Kate had a hard time holding back her excitement.

  “We saw you yesterday, Kathryn.” Ruthie patted her arm. “It’s good to see you, too.”

  “Yes, how was your first day?” Lucinda smiled at her.

  “Wonderful!” Kate knew they must think she was a little crazy. The three st
ared at her all the way to work. She knew Drew wouldn’t be there to take her to lunch like last year. He was still in present day New York City with her father. She wondered how his absence would be explained.

  “Hi, Thomas, is Drew coming in today?” Kate asked innocently as she strolled over to the stove.

  “He should be stopping by for lunch like usual,” Thomas answered. “He wouldn’t miss one of my lunches.” He gave her a large, friendly smile and went back to work.

  Oh, no, was Drew here and didn’t tell me? Why should he? He has a life here, too...but we agreed to come together on my first day. Kate paced the floor. Besides, how would he get here? He didn’t pack the book for the trip and if he did, he would’ve told me. We’d meet and everything would be the same.

  Tears filled her eyes as she walked over to the kitchen sink to start on the stack of dishes. She noticed a pile of vegetables waiting to be prepared and knew she had to tackle those next.

  This was not how it was supposed to be. Everything was messed up. Kate didn’t make it back for her first day because she wanted to wait for Drew. After mulling it over many times back in Ohio, Kate came to the conclusion that Drew decided to go to New York instead of coming to the canyon. Why shouldn’t she make the decision to come back on her own?

  Kate scrubbed the dishes harder and chopped the vegetables vigorously, getting all her frustrations out on the poor china and carrots. She heard the backdoor open and turned her head in that direction.

  A gorgeous, dark-haired young man stepped into the kitchen, greeting people as he walked along. He seemed to know everyone and stopped to chat before finally reaching Thomas who stood at the stove, stirring the soup of the day. They had a long conversation and Kate was shocked he had not acknowledged her. Not able to take her eyes off him, she held the chopping knife in the air and studied him carefully.

  So handsome, his emerald green eyes shined as he talked with his friend. Kate was overcome with love for him. On the other hand, she was really mad at him for how he was acting. He took the book to New York and didn’t even tell her, making her fume all the more. Just then Drew looked her way, pointed toward the canyon, just as he did on the original second day, and left.

  Kate seethed for the rest of the morning. He never told me he took a book to New York and could’ve called or sent a text that we should meet at the canyon. What was he thinking?

  Before she knew it, Anna was telling her it was lunchtime and gave her the choice to go outside or the employees’ room. She put a bottle of cold, sweet tea in Kate’s hand just like she remembered. Thomas handed her a lunch bucket and she headed out the door. Kate couldn’t run fast enough around El Tovar to find Drew sitting on the porch of the hotel.

  “Drew! You’re so sneaky! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about, Kate. Didn’t we make a date for lunch today?”

  Kate stopped in her tracks. Drew didn’t seem to remember her. She didn’t expect that to happen. Her father said he retained his memories so she never thought that could be a problem. Everything she felt inside disappeared...the anger, the confusion. She crumbled to the first step and cried. “I can’t start over again!”

  “Kate! I’m just kidding! Yes, I know it’s you and I figured you’d come here with or without me so I thought I better get myself here for our date.”

  “Drew! Don’t ever do that again! I thought you didn’t know me, love me...” Kate was crying now.

  “I’ve always loved you, Kate. You can count on that.” Drew ran down the steps and pulled her to her feet. He took her pail and bottle and set the table for their lunch.

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Drew responded.

  “Okay, we’re even, but let’s always make sure we know what the other is doing.” Kate put out her hand and Drew kissed it.

  “Drew, people could be watching.”

  “So let them. I want to scream to the world this woman is going to be Mrs. Andrew Martin.”

  They talked and laughed during their short lunch break. It was over before they knew it.

  “I have to get back to work now.” Kate said sadly.

  “If you remember, I took you to the canyon’s edge before you went back.” Drew slipped his hand into hers. “You know I even came back yesterday in case you were here.” He squeezed her hand. “It was lonely without you.”

  They walked to the closest edge and stood gazing out at the beautiful colors of the canyon and the deep blue sky. It was so perfect Kate wanted to keep everything that happened back in Ohio to herself, but knew she had to tell him.

  “Drew, we don’t have secrets, right?” She gazed up at him and he nodded. “Tyson came over while you were gone to tell me he was going to New York City for the summer...”

  “Good riddance to him!” Drew seemed to enjoy the thought of Tyson in another state.

  “Let me finish. He tried to kiss me.” She knew she was setting off a small explosion and was ready.

  Oddly, Drew was quite calm. “He did, did he? He never gives up, does he?”

  Kate decided he saw humor in the situation and went with it. “Nope, he never does. Don’t worry. I pushed him away and yelled at him.”

  “Good to hear.” Drew’s voice trailed off as if he was in deep thought.

  “And Jordyn’s pregnant.”

  “What?” Drew took a step back. “Wow, what’s she going to do?”

  “Right now she’s really confused, but I know she’ll work through it. Jordyn’s always been the planner of the group. She’ll have her life mapped out before we get back.” Kate smiled at Drew, as if to make herself believe it, too.

  “I can see you’re worried about her. We’ll be there for her, support her, the best we can.”

  “Can we sit down before I go back?” Kate took Drew’s hand which felt so familiar and walked over to a grassy spot. Last year, everything was new between them and now they had an unspoken bond that was indescribable. “The girls, Lucinda, Ruthie and Anna, knew me although I didn’t come back yesterday. They all knew it was my second day. How do you explain that?”

  Drew shook his head. “I don’t know. Remember this is my first year back, too. Let’s discuss it with Jack after we get home from New York.”

  “When will that be?”

  “We leave tomorrow and should be home before dinner.”

  “Are you ever going to tell me my father’s deep dark secret?” Kate suspected there was something everyone was keeping from her.

  “No, it’s your father’s story to tell. I’m sorry, Kate.” Drew looked as if he wanted to tell her.

  “That’s exactly what my mother said. I will find out, you know.”

  Drew let out a long laugh. “I’m sure you will. You never give up on anything that’s important to you.” Then he got serious and put his arm around her. “And I’m glad you don’t.”

  The couple stood and hugged each other tightly. “There’s one more thing. Carl’s decided to come to the boardinghouse tomorrow night. I want you be here, too.”

  Drew wrinkled his brow for a second. Kate could tell he saw no way to prevent it from happening. “You’ve been a busy girl since I left. I guess there’s no stopping Carl. I can see why he would be curious. Maya kept him away his whole life. It could be a good thing. I’ll definitely be here.”

  Kate was surprised he was in agreement. “Carl will only come back once to see the ranch, his father and visit the canyon. That’s what we agreed on. I know he will stick to his promise.” A large cloud covered the sun and Kate shivered. “I better get back inside. They’ll be looking for me. See you at home. Tell Dad I said to drive safely. Precious cargo!”

  She ran back to the restaurant to finish her work shift and head back to the boardinghouse with the other girls. She was ready for her summer adventure to begin.

  Chapter Six

  The morning sun streamed through her windows as Kate woke up in her sky blue bedroom
in Ohio. She sleepily gazed around the room, studying the walls adorned with her beautiful butterflies. The book worked just as she remembered. She went back in time to the canyon and now she was home in the present. Resting in bed was not an option, there was too much to do. She wanted to keep herself occupied until Drew and her father returned from New York.

  To pass the time, Kate decided to do a little investigating on her own. She grabbed her laptop and propped herself up in bed, ready to do some research. Typing her grandfather’s name, Robert Woods, into the search engine, she knew it was a common name and added ‘1920’ and ‘New York City’. She held her breath and hit ‘enter’.

  An article popped up on her very first search. It contained a brief history of the family. Robert had two sons, Albert and Jack, and was married to Lillian for twenty-six years. The story stated that Robert was a successful criminal defense attorney in the city. It sounded as if he was a prominent man of his time. Jack was in college and Albert had just received his law degree and worked for his father. There didn’t seem to be anything scandalous in the story, just a run of the mill society piece about a rich man, his family and some charity event. Kate was confused as to why she hadn’t heard about any of the family. She had an uncle, too. Uncle Albert. Her father never mentioned having a brother.

  Kate was determined to learn more. She continued reading articles on many websites, scanning for mention of the law firm and finally found one linking her to an interesting article. It said Robert Woods was no longer part of the law firm he founded due to a huge scandal. It appeared Albert had something to do with his father’s removal and took his place as head of the firm. Kate now understood why her father never talked about his brother. What a betrayal to the family. As soon as her father and Drew got home, she was going to tell them what she discovered. Couldn’t her father have stopped his brother? He was still living in New York at the time.

  There was a light tap at the door and her mom peeked in. “Oh, you are awake. I just heard from your father and they’re about three hours away, thought you’d like to know.”