Call of the Canyon (32 page)

“Yes, she did. Please don’t blame her. I
called her and could tell something was wrong. I pried it out of
her because I was worried about my grandma. Remember, to you she is
this strong, eighteen year old girl, but to me she’s just my sweet
little great-grandma.”

“I’m not mad. I’m glad she confided in you.
You probably wouldn’t remember anything after today, anyway.”

“Oh, don’t say that. I wrote your name on my
arm so I wouldn’t forget. The whole story was just too terrible to
be true, but you’re here now and that’s what matters.”

“By the skin of our teeth!” Kate laughed.
She could laugh now but shivered when she thought of the sheer
terror she’d felt. “Did you really write my name on your arm?
You’re too funny, Linds. We’ll talk more later. Will you and
Charlie come over tonight? The family’s not up for much.”

“Definitely, we’ll be there around eight.
You better call Grandma J now. I don’t think she can stand the
suspense much longer.”

Kate leaned back in her favorite yellow
chair. She gazed around the room, trying to compose herself as she
dialed. As soon as she heard Anna’s voice, Kate began to sob. All
of the emotion of the last few days came pouring out. Anna never
said a word, she just let Kate talk. Finally, Kate realized Anna
had been silent the whole time.

“Anna? You didn’t fall asleep, did you?”

“How could I fall asleep hearing all of
that? Kathryn, you’ve been to hell and back. Welcome home.” She
sounded like the Anna Kate knew from long ago.

“Thanks, but now I’m a little worried about
you.”

“Now that you’re here, I’m fine. I played
out so many scenes in my head of what was going on at the canyon,
I’m exhausted. Just glad we never had to find out what would happen
if Jackson didn’t return.”

“I’m prepared to live a very normal life
from now on. There’s been enough drama this past year to last me a
lifetime.”

“Knowing you, I don’t think life will ever
be normal and I mean that in a good way,” Anna chuckled. “I love
you, Kathryn Martin Roberts, and don’t ever forget that.

“I could never forget. Your words helped me
through this ordeal, Anna. You said you would never forget me and
would write our story down so you’d always remember. I knew if one
person remembered me, then I existed in this world. So thank
you.”

“Now you’re getting me all weepy again.”
Anna’s voice grew softer.

“That’s what best friends do, I guess. They
laugh and cry together and always have each other’s backs.” Kate
began to tear up, too. “Happy New Year, Anna.”

“Happy New Year, Kathryn.”

There was a knock at Kate’s door. “Mrs.
Martin, are you alright in there?”

“Drew, come in. I was just on the phone.”
Kate jumped up and let him in. She couldn’t believe Drew was there,
standing on the other side of the door.

“You look tired.”

“Oh, I don’t know why I should be.” She had
to tease him.

“Let’s take a nap.” Drew picked her up and
carried her over to the bed.

“No, I just want to be with you.”

“I’ll stay with you. You want to be rested
up for tonight, don’t you? You have hours before Lindsey and
Charlie get here. Stop fighting me and do as you’re told.”

For once Kate had to agree with him although
she felt he was treating her like a child. She was tired. A short
nap would do her good. Hadn’t she almost died? She felt the energy
drain from her at the canyon as if a vacuum was sucking the life
out of her. A nap would recharge her. Kate curled up in Drew’s arms
and before she knew it she was asleep.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kate sat
brushing her long golden brown hair, looking into an oval mirror
with an ornate gold leaf pattern frame. Her hair was almost down to
her waist. She had to swing it over one shoulder to brush it.
Excitement grew inside her because today was her tenth birthday.
Looking in the mirror again, she longed to see a more grown-up
looking person. One that Mr. Martin would notice, maybe even fall
in love with, although she knew it would never happen. He was
already twenty-eight years old and his family was pushing him to
marry a girl named Gia. If only he could wait, wait just six or
seven more years she’d be old enough.

“Kathryn, are you almost ready? Guests will
be arriving soon.” Her mother swooped into her room.

“Mother, do you think Andrew...um, Mr.
Martin will notice me?” Kate swung around in her vanity chair.

“Of course he notices you, silly child. He’s
coming for your birthday, isn’t he?” Her mother took the brush from
Kate’s hand and continued to fix her hair.

“I don’t mean like that.” She pouted and
crossed her arms.

“Then what do you mean?” Her mother had a
strange look on her face.

“Like love me, want to marry me.” Kate was
now defiant.

“Kathryn, you’re too young to have such
notions in your head!” She kissed the top of her daughter’s head.
“I have to go and check to see if Grandma Lilly has arrived. Your
father went to get her hours ago.”

“And Uncle Albert and the boys?”

“Yes, they’ll be here soon.” Her mother left
the room and Kate was again feeling anxious.

“Andrew, Andrew Martin, I could say your
name a hundred times.” She twirled around her room, spinning round
and round until she fell dizzily to the floor. Kate laughed at
herself but then heard two laughs, one so familiar it reminded her
of another time in her life, another lifetime ago. She picked her
head up and Andrew was leaning on her bedroom doorframe.

“I’ve been asked to escort you to your
birthday party.” He gave her his hand and helped her up. Kate was
still a little dizzy and fell against him.

“Oops, sorry.” She giggled.

“I can wait,” he said softly.

“I can hardly wait,” she answered back.

* * * *

Kate sat up with a gasp and looked blindly
around the room not knowing where she was at. “Drew!” she
screamed.

“I’m here, Kate.” He sat up beside her.

“Where am I? What century is this?”

“The 21
^st
century.”

“How old am I?”

“Seventeen. Why are you asking all these
questions?”

Kate was so disoriented she didn’t know what
life she was living. Was she in the past in a different era? Was
she really here in the present? Why did that dream seem so real
instead of just a dream?

“Drew, it would have worked out.” Kate felt
a light bulb go on.

“Now, I’m confused.”

“In my dream, I was ten years old. It was my
birthday. You were invited, but were much older–like in your
twenties. I knew I was in love with you already and when you came
up to my bedroom...”

“Kate, stop! I’d never go into someone’s
bedroom.”

“No, it was fine. You were escorting me to
my party. You said you could wait for me...although I was dizzy.”
Kate laughed. “Don’t you see, Drew? If we stayed in the past it
would have worked out. Mom would have found Dad and you three would
have stayed friends. I would have been born just like I said and
you would have waited for me to grow-up!”

“That’s a nice dream.” Drew looked
doubtful.

“No, it was a message. No matter what, we’d
end up together.” Kate kissed him lightly on the lips.

“Point taken, I can buy that,” Drew said
between more kisses. “Let’s get ready for the party in the here and
now.”

“I’d like that very much.” Kate started to
get out of bed, but Drew took her arm.

“First things first.” He reached into his
pocket and pulled out her bracelet, the charm bracelet she gave him
to remember her by. He placed it on her arm and closed the clasp.
“Now you can get ready.”

* * * *

Kate pulled on some shoes and was heading
down the stairs as the doorbell rang. Her dad rushed to open the
door, greeting all the Campbells plus Charlie. “Welcome and happy
New Year.” He said as he swung back the door. Her father seemed
truly happy. Kate was glad some of the burdens were lifted from his
shoulders.

“Kate!” She could tell Lindsey was so
excited she could hardly contain herself. “Come and see my
Christmas present.”

They ran into the family room where Drew was
already waiting.

“Charlie, show them.” Lindsey clapped her
hands, jumping up and down.

He removed his phone from his back pocket
and started a video. A golden retriever puppy was romping on the
grass and in the background was the Jenkins ranch.

“Charlie got you your dog! It’s still at the
ranch? When will the puppy arrive?”

“Aunt Sue said she’ll keep her at the ranch
for me. Isn’t she great? Then when I visit, my pup will be there.
Plus the puppy will have the company of the other dogs at the
ranch. I’ll be able to visit so much more when I’m at college.”

“College?”

“Yep, I’m going to UA, University of
Arizona, I got accepted.” Lindsey took Charlie’s hand. “We wish you
two would join us there.”

Kate looked at Drew. “We haven’t really
picked a school yet, have we, Drew?”

“It will be out west, that’s one thing I
know for sure.” Drew nodded his head. “Hey, Linds, have you named
her?”

“Not yet, I’m hoping you guys will help me
tonight.”

“Canyon is a good name.” Kate smiled.

“Isn’t that name already taken?” Charlie
smiled a knowing smile.

Kate couldn’t resist. She gave him a big
hug. “I’m so glad you know!”

The families talked and laughed throughout
the night, bringing in the new year with champagne and sparkling
juice.

Kate’s dad handed her a flute of sparkling
cider saying, “I think you deserve this night. Without your
determination and love for this family, we may not all be standing
here tonight.”

“Maybe not here, Dad, but somewhere. We’d
definitely be standing somewhere together.” Kate took the glass and
kissed his cheek. Her father looked quizzically at her. “I’ll
explain, but not tonight. Trust me.”

“Always, pumpkin, always.” He touched his
glass against hers and headed over to her mom, kissing her for a
very long time.

“Their love survived a lot.” Drew whispered
in Kate’s ear.

She faced him and said. “Just like ours.
Like father, like daughter.”

“You saved me again, you know.”

“How?”

“I couldn’t leave you. I stayed till the
last possible moment. If not, your dad would have never found me.”
He swept her into his arms and whispered. “I love
you...pumpkin.”

“Hey...” Kate playfully gave him a push. “No
stealing names.”

After everyone left, Kate and her mom told
the men they’d clean up the mess and to relax. It was good to hear
their voices coming from the family room as the two women worked in
the kitchen.

“Quite a day.” Kate said to her mom.

“Want to make that days?” she said with a
laugh.

“Mom, did you brush my hair when I was
little?”

“Gosh, where did that come from? Yes, of
course, I did. I brushed it until you wouldn’t let me anymore. You
said you were grown-up and didn’t need me to do it.”

“How old was I?”

“Ten, I believe you were ten, sweetie.
That’s a strange thing to be remembering tonight.”

“Not really, Mom. Goodnight.” She kissed her
on the cheek, noticing the family room was now dark. “Looks like
they beat us upstairs.”

Kate entered her bedroom and found Drew
sitting at the desk, looking at his laptop. “Drew, there you are. I
was hoping you didn’t go to bed yet.”

“Without say goodnight to you? I wouldn’t do
that.” Drew chuckled almost to himself.

“I was thinking about something while I was
helping Mom in the kitchen. I thought about all we’ve been through,
plus the dream I just had. When we finally get married and have
kids, what in the world are we going to tell them when they ask how
we met?”

Drew turned around in the chair and looked
thoughtfully at Kate. He rose up and came to where she stood. He
wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. “In a
fairytale, Kate. We’ll tell them we met in a fairytale.”

Acknowledgements

To Sue,
who’s always the first to read my book drafts...and like them.
Thanks for wanting more of Kate and Drew and being their first
fan.

To Kevin, for asking all the science fiction
and time travel questions. Hopefully Jackson has answered some of
those for you in the book.

To Nancy Schumacher, who read Waiting for
Dusk, saw something she liked and took a chance on the series. Also
for having the vision to create Melange books and Fire and Ice YA.
She’s always there for her writers.

To Denise, my F&I editor. Thanks for all
your support.

To Lynsee, my cover artist, who again
created a wonderful design for my book.

And last but not certainly least, to the two
men in my life who stand by me through thick and thin and listen to
all my concerns. Matt, I call you my tech wizard, but you are
really my number one, most awesome son. Ron, I couldn’t do any of
this without you. Your support is unwavering and I’m a very lucky
girl.

About the Author

After a great career in teaching, Nancy found
a second calling as a writer. Her debut novel, Waiting for Dusk,
was a surprise to her as much as it was to her family. Watching a
PBS series on National Parks, her mind wandered to another place
and that is where the characters of Katie and Andrew were born.

Nancy's called Ohio her home for all her
life but loves to travel the U.S. She enjoys reading and writing
young adult novels with a good cup of tea nearby.

Find Nancy Online

facebook.com/nancypennickauthor

nancypennick.wordpress.com

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