Call of the Canyon (10 page)

Chapter Seven

They enjoyed
the summer weather and talked late into the evening. During that
time, her mother never brought up the subject of Albert. As the two
headed into the kitchen for more lemonade, Kate decided to find out
what she was waiting for.

“I’m biding my time. Your father had a long
day.”

“Mom, I’m not being pushy or anything but I
want to invite grandma to my wedding so you better tell him.”

“You’re going to have to plan a fall wedding
then, Kate. We always go back the beginning of October and Lilly
might not know who you are before then.”

“Fine! I don’t want her there if she doesn’t
know who I am. Let’s just go tell Dad.” Kate slid the door open to
the backyard deck.

“You two are up to something, I can tell.”
Her dad smiled at them when they returned.

“Dad, I know all about your family crisis
and I want grandma to come to my wedding.” Kate blurted out.

He raised his eyebrows and leaned back in
his chair. Then he folded his hands together and started tapping
his thumbs together. “Why am I always the last to know everything
around here?”

“Because you’re never here!” Kate’s mom said
it with her, laughing at their old joke.

“Please don’t be mad. I was doing some
research and Mom filled in the blanks. I hate Uncle Albert!”

“You don’t even know him, Kate.” Her father
said quietly.

“I don’t care, I still hate him!” She got up
and went over to hug her father. “Right now we’re going to plan my
wedding. I know Drew filled you in during the trip. I think he
asked you to be his best man.” She looked over at Drew. “We may
have to postpone a few weeks, if that’s alright. I really want my
Grandma Lilly to come.”

Drew nodded in agreement. “It will give my
parents time to come out for the wedding. I plan on telling them
when I go back to see them after Lucinda’s wedding.”

“Lucinda! I forgot all about her! I have to
be in that wedding first. I don’t think I can start my senior year
at school, I’ll be so busy.”

Her father appeared to not like the sound of
that. “You will definitely be going to school, Kate.”

“I’m just kidding.” She sat on Drew’s lap.
“I’m tired. I’m going in.” She whispered in his ear. “And you have
to come with me.”

“Guest room, Drew.” Her dad said over his
shoulder as they went in the house.

“Yes, sir.” Drew gave him a salute and huge
grin.

They ran upstairs and into the guest room.
Drew had a drawer full of clothes in the room plus the book. It was
more his room than a guest room.

“Drew, do you feel up to going to the canyon
tonight? I’m so wound up about everything. It might help to get
back there.”

“Sure, let me shower first and then we can
go.” Drew pulled her into his arms and kissed her quickly. “Now go,
or I’ll never get ready.”

Kate walked down the hall to her room.
Grabbing her phone, she decided to give Carl a call. It might as
well be the night he traveled to 1927 with them.

“Kate? Is everything okay?” Carl’s voice
sounded concerned.

“Yes, I’m fine. I know it’s late but I
wanted to let you know that if you’re ready, Drew and I are heading
to the canyon tonight.”

“This is great timing. My mom left today on
a two week cruise with some of her friends from the college. I was
going to tell you earlier, but you were so upset over the dream, I
thought it could wait. She’ll never know I went. Perfect!”

“Remember to stay where you are in the
morning until Drew or I find you.” Kate hung up her phone and
waited for Drew to finish his shower.

Before long, he came into her room, wearing
just pajama shorts and toweling his hair dry. It was too much for
Kate to resist. She jumped out of bed and into his arms.

“Drew! How can you stand this! I want you
right now!”

Drew kissed her and said, “I can wait
because I love you. Quit teasing me, though!” He sat on the edge of
her bed. “Let’s change the subject. I’m guessing you called Carl
while I was in the shower. I have a feeling he’ll be in one of the
rooms upstairs when we wake up. That’s where I end up. I’ll check
on him so you don’t have to worry.”

“That would be great. I’ll meet you two
outside and we’ll bring Carl into the boardinghouse saying we just
met.”

Kate sat down next to him. “Goodnight,
love,” and she kissed him sweetly.

“Too much, I need to get over to my room. I
love you!” Drew ran out the door.

Kate giggled to herself. Maybe she wouldn’t
have to wait to get married after all.

* * * *

Waking at the boardinghouse was the best
part of the day. Its wonderful aromas always greeted her, something
was always baking and fresh coffee was brewing. On most days, the
sun streamed in her window through the thin cotton curtains. Kate
always liked that moment, when she woke up not having a thought in
her head. The cares of the day hadn’t crept into her mind and she
could just lie there contemplating the new day.

“Carl!” Kate knew the peacefulness would not
last long. Jumping out of bed, she ran to her closet in the hall to
grab some clothes. As she was going back to her room, she spotted
Drew and Carl going out the front door. She quickly dressed and
followed them outside.

When she reached them, Carl had the biggest
grin on his face she’d ever seen. He looked so happy and put out
his arms as if to hug her. She held up her hand.

“No, Carl! We don’t know each other,
remember?”

“Sorry, you’re right. You two better start
calling me Joseph, then.”

“Joseph, may I take you inside and introduce
you?” Kate pointed the way. She turned to Drew. “See you
later.”

They walked down the hall to the kitchen.
Kate called out. “Mr. Johansson? Are you in there?”

“Yes,
flicka
, in here.” A voice came
out of the kitchen.
Flicka
meant girl in Swedish and she
loved when Carl Sr. called her that name. The first time he did,
she was insulted thinking he was calling her the same name as his
horse. She smiled at the memory.

Carl Jr. stopped short in the hall and
leaned against a wall. His hand covered his face and Kate could see
he was deeply moved. “I haven’t heard that voice in over ten
years.”

She gave him a minute to compose himself and
then continued into the kitchen. “Carl, this is Joseph. I just met
him outside. He said he’s looking for Maya.”

Carl Sr. turned from the stove and looked at
Carl Jr. His eyes flashed for a moment in recognition, but then it
was gone. He put out his hand. “Carl Johansson, nice to meet you.
Sorry, Maya’s not here today. She goes on long visits sometimes and
isn’t here for days.”

“That’s fine, I’m sure I’ll catch up with
her. I was passing through on my way to California and thought I’d
stop for a visit. I’m her cousin, Joseph.”

“Welcome, Joseph. I know Maya would want me
to make you feel at home. Please feel free to take a room
upstairs.”

“Oh, I couldn’t do that, really.”

Kate could tell he was flustered from lying
to his father.

“Then I have a small bunkhouse out behind
the barn. I insist you stay there.” Carl Sr. was persistent.

“Thank you, sir. I may do that.” Carl Jr.
smiled. “I hope you don’t mind if I look around? I may even take a
visit to the canyon.”

“Not at all, my home is your home. Maya
would want me to make you feel welcomed here. You can drive in with
me later, when I take the girls to work. You’ll need to conserve
your energy for walking the canyon.”

Since everything was going so well, Kate
slipped out of the room and back to hers. She knew to follow her
routine from last year, work at El Tovar and come back to the
boardinghouse each night. While at work, she would see Drew and her
friends. It was a simple life. And maybe she needed things to be
simple for a while. It would give her time to think after learning
so much the past week about her family. Besides, there could
possibly be some answers right there at the canyon.

Kate heard the Buick’s horn and knew it was
time to go. Carl Jr. was already in place, up front with his dad
and Kate hopped in back with the girls. She could see the two men
having an easy conversation while they waited. Kate was thrilled
Carl got to see his dad again and was sure he felt the same.

When they arrived at El Tovar, Carl Jr.
jumped out with the girls. “Kathryn, may I talk to you for a
minute?”

“Sure.” Kate waved to Carl Sr. and the other
girls. “Be in soon, give me a minute.”

“Kate, how do I look? Am I younger, stayed
the same? Do I look as old as my father? Boy, he looks good,
doesn’t he? He uses more Swedish than back in the eighties and
nineties with us.”

“Carl, calm down! I think you look the same
as back in Ohio. You and your father look about the same age and
there’s an eerie resemblance between the two of you. I hope no one
notices.”

“I think everyone will just notice a black
man wandering around the Grand Canyon. I don’t think they will say,
‘Hey, he looks just like Carl Johansson!’”

“That’s not funny!” She wanted him to have a
good experience. “Go and explore and have fun. See you back here
for lunch. Head over to Kolb Studio, I’m sure Drew’s there. He’ll
give you some tips on exploring the canyon.”

“Great! See you later.”

Kate stepped into the kitchen to the sound
of familiar chatter and clanking of dishes. Thomas was at the
stove, as usual, humming to himself. He turned and winked at her as
she walked past. Kate decided she would get to know him a little
better this time around. She went back to the stove area and
started a casual conversation.

“What has you so happy today, Thomas?”

“I have a date with a girl tonight, Kate.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to say she’s my girl soon.”

She knew he was talking about Rachel, but
acted like she didn’t. “Do I know her?”

“Well, let me see...” Thomas had a
delightful grin on his face. “Since you only have been here a few
days...no.”

Kate laughed at his teasing. “What’s her
name? Will I meet her?”

“Her name is Rachel and I hope you’ll meet
her soon. Now get to work before we both get in trouble.” Thomas
motioned to Miss Betsy who just appeared in the kitchen.

“Miss Betsy is harmless.” Kate laughed but
got back to work.

She loved working with Anna and Ruthie
because they always had fun together. Her great-great Aunt Lucinda
was already promoted to the dining room so she didn’t see as much
of her. She might be meeting her future husband, Henry Hasting, in
there right now. Kate enjoyed knowing what was going to happen this
year. Last year she lived it, this year she knew what to expect.
She reminded herself to let things play out and not
interfere...which was a little hard to do.

Lunchtime came quickly and Kate hurried
around to the front of El Tovar to meet Drew. Carl also sat on the
porch with him. Kate waved to both of them.

“Carl, um, I mean, Joseph, how has your day
been so far?”

“Before we left the boardinghouse this
morning, I did a little exploring. I went in the barn, found the
bunkhouse and walked the grounds. I can see why you love it so
much, Kate. I may take Dad up on his offer to live in the
bunkhouse.”

“Carl! We said one day only.”

“Well, I’m a grown man who can make his own
decisions, right? I think I may come back. I met someone and I’d
like to get to know her better.”

Kate was shocked. “You were here half a day
and you met someone?”

“Yep, she was taking a break from her job,
enjoying the canyon. She’s a maid at one of the hotels, even looks
cute in a uniform.”

“Not a good idea.”

“You
did it, Kate! And look how that
turned out.” Carl reached over and patted Drew on the shoulder.

“I’m supposed to be dead, Carl. So Kate
didn’t interfere with my history here, you know, I have no future
wife, children...” Drew tried to defend her.

“But she did change history, Drew. You have
to admit that. You’re alive and living in a different century.”

Kate decided to stop the debate. “So who is
she, Carl? Does she like you?”

“I don’t know her name yet, but we’re
meeting after she’s done with her shift later today. If she agreed
to meet, then I think she must like me.”

“Okay, meet up with her one time. Find out
her name and we’ll try to research her history when we go back
home.”

Carl nodded his head in agreement. “Maybe
I’ll be bringing someone to the future, too. I’ll meet you back at
the boardinghouse tonight, should know more then.” He bounded off
the stairs and out toward the canyon. He turned and gave the couple
a quick salute. “Wish me well.”

Kate looked at Drew and saw he was as
worried as she was. “What have I done? I’ve created a monster!”

He took her hand. “He’s in charge of his own
destiny. If it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be.”

“Where have I heard that before?” Kate
placed her other hand on the side of her temple. “Maya would be so
upset if she knew we were doing this without her knowledge.” Maya
was Kate’s grandmother figure and always on her side. Now Kate felt
guilty doing this behind her back.

“Don’t you think Carl Sr. will be telling
her soon?” Drew squeezed her hand.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Carl said his mom
is on a two week cruise. He has time to come back as much as he
wants. She’ll never know.”

“Again, Kate, I’m going to say you’re not at
fault. I think Carl would have made it back here...with or without
your help. Now I have to get back to work and so do you. I’m
planning on coming out to the ranch tonight. See you then.”

“I’ll talk some sense into Joseph...make
that Carl...when we get back to the present.” She called over her
shoulder as she headed back to work.