Call of the Canyon (5 page)

Kate noticed something caught his eye as he
went over to a shelf full of pictures. He reached for one of Daniel
as a young man, standing with his horse, reins in hand. She watched
him move on to Anna and Daniel’s wedding and then a baby picture of
Daniel Jr. The next was Dan Jr. and Amy’s wedding. They were a
timeline of Anna’s life.

“I don’t have to catch you up on much now,
do I? Pictures say it all.” Anna grinned. “I’m so glad you’re
alive, Andrew. When Daniel and I heard the news about your accident
we were beside ourselves. It took a long time to get over your
death. We tried to talk Thomas into coming here and work on the
ranch, but he said he made you a promise. He wouldn’t give up
trying to become a ranger. You helped him get over his fear of
heights. Did you know that? He gave you so much credit for what he
learned at the canyon. He blamed himself for a very long time for
your passing.”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t blame himself,
don’t you worry.” Drew seemed to be drifting off to another
place.

Kate got up and put her arms around him.
“Are you alright? Is this too much, too soon? We can go slowly, a
little at a time.”

“No, I’m fine. Being here with you, Anna and
Jack helps immensely.” Drew came over and sat on the floor at
Anna’s feet. “I’m thrilled you and Daniel had a wonderful
life.”

“And I’m thrilled I’m here to see this.”
Anna pointed at the young couple. “I feel as young as
you
look.”

There was a tap at the door and Kate’s
parents came into the room. “Is it okay to intrude?” Her dad was
beaming. “Anna, so good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see someone has aged out of
all of you,” Anna quipped.

“Yes, I aged twenty years in the
future.”

“So it’s the future to you. Interesting.
You’ll be seeing the big five-o pretty soon.” Anna bantered
back.

“Don’t remind me!” Jackson laughed. “Anna,
I’d like you to meet my much younger wife, Joanna.”

“Joanna, come over here and sit down. Let me
take a good look at you.” Anna patted the sofa. “You’re the only
normal one in the bunch, aren’t you?”

They all began to laugh. Kate realized Anna
and her dad were just acquaintances from the past. They may have
met a few times but didn’t really know each other. Now they would
get to share their experiences. She thought it was a little strange
her father referred to their present life, as the future. Drew did
that, too, but it was still new to him. Kate assumed that her
father had adjusted, but maybe he wasn’t. That helped her
understand him a little better.

Two more people appeared at the door,
Lindsey and her mom, Beth. Beth ran over to Anna. “Grandma! It’s so
good to see you. My daughter sees you more than I do!”

“You can always move back here, Beth. Your
land is waiting.”

“No, Grandma J, that’s my land now!” Lindsey
did her best pout. “I want to build on it someday.”

“Well, so be it! And everyone, it’s getting
a little crowded so let’s head out to the deck.”

They slowly funneled out of the room talking
and laughing, leaving Kate and Anna alone.

“I’ll help you, Anna.” Kate took her
arm.

“And I’ll help you. Give me time to think
about our last conversation on the phone.”

Kate looked at her, puzzled. “You know...the
sex talk.”

“Oh, that....!” Kate giggled as the two
women headed out to join the others.

Time went by quickly at the ranch. The end
of the week loomed ahead. The birthdays would be celebrated and her
family and Drew would be on a plane heading back to Ohio very
soon.

Kate, her dad and Drew went riding every
morning. Sometimes, her mom joined them, but didn’t ride as well,
and didn’t want to hold them back. When she did ride, Kate’s dad
always stayed alongside her to make sure she felt secure and safe.
Today it was just the three of them, riding out on the open range
with the baby blue sky endless in front of them.

Kate was out front enjoying the lead. She
felt free, like she was on her own adventure, until her father
trotted up next to her. “Your mother told me about you and Andrew.
What you’d like to have happen.”

“Dad! I’m not discussing that with you.”
Kate felt the color rise in her cheeks. Too many people knew she
wanted to have sex with Drew.

“Well, yes you are. You know Andrew’s a good
man. He wants to marry you, Kate. He knows I disapprove for the
time being. When the time is right, I’ll give my blessing
wholeheartedly.”

“Thanks, now can we change the subject?”

“Yes, there’s something he needs to tell
you. Something’s been happening and you have the right to
know.”

“Well, just tell me!”

“He’s asked me not to. That’s all I’ll say.”
He galloped away.

Kate turned to see Drew not far behind.
“Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Yes, my love, it is.” He came up alongside
her.

“You seem a little down today. Are you
alright?”

“If you stop this nonsense about me not
loving you enough to make love to you, I will be.” He tipped his
cowboy hat at her. “Don’t you know being with you is enough? Plus
love is about getting to know one another and... romance.”

Kate admitted Drew was good at romance. She
randomly found flowers in her room and books of poetry with certain
selections marked just for her. He treated her like she was the
only girl in the room and only had eyes for her. Being so handsome,
the girls at school tried to get his attention but it never worked.
He was always polite and friendly but that was all. Besides
romance, Drew was macho and ready to fight for her honor. The first
time Drew met Tyson he wanted to take him down. Kate laughed at the
image. She would love Ty put in his place, but Drew was the better
man and he had stopped himself. The boys now had an uneasy truce
between them.

“What’s so funny?” Drew looked
perplexed.

“I was just thinking about you and Ty.” Kate
knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as it came out of her
mouth.

“What? Can’t we ever get away from that
guy?”

“Yes, it was nothing. I was just thinking
how you wanted to punch his lights out the first time you met,
that’s all.”

“Then that’s okay.” Drew gave her an easy
smile.

“You know, being on the ranch reminds me why
I give him a break. My great-great Aunt Lucinda fell in love with
Daniel here. He couldn’t love her back. I saw my aunt crumple on
the steps the day of her wedding to Henry when Daniel walked in the
house with Anna. She was so hurt. I’m trying to lessen the hurt for
Ty.”

“It’s not the same.” Drew pulled up his
horse to keep in stride with her. “He’s practically a stalker,
Kate. He won’t leave you alone. I don’t like it.”

“A stalker? He lives across the street. I
can’t help it if we see each other all the time.”

“It seems he always knows the right time to
come over when you’re alone.”

“I have to agree, but I can handle him.”

“You see the world through rose-colored
glasses, Kate. I just want you to be careful.”

“Now, let’s get back to what’s bothering
you.” She wanted to know his secret.

“I don’t want to scare you...plus it’s just
a dream.” Drew looked away as he said it.

“Dream? We never say it was just a dream
anymore. What was it about?”

“Me. I was in a boat by myself with no rope,
pole or paddle. It was just me and a boat floating down the river.
I heard rapids up ahead and tried the best I could to ready myself.
I held on tight to each side of the boat. Then I hit the rapids and
it was full speed ahead. I was tossed and turned around the rapids.
All I could do was hold on as water filled the boat. I lost the
battle and the boat overturned. I was in the water, struggling to
stay above the surface but something kept pulling me under. I kept
coming up for air until I finally went under for good...and then
the dream ended.”

“Drew, that’s terrible. I change my mind, it
was just a dream.” Kate shook her head. “Did you have the dream
last night?”

“Yeah, I’ve had it many times since I’ve
come to the future. I think the river’s reminding me I was supposed
to die.”

“No, no...that’s not it at all.” Kate didn’t
want to believe that. “It’s just your mind trying to make sense of
everything. I know what will help. We’ll go to the Grand Canyon.
I’ll ask Brandon to take us. We’ll get Lindsey and Charlie and make
a day of it.”

“Your father will be jealous.” Drew looked a
little better now.

“He can find his own ride!” Kate laughed,
turned her horse and headed back to the ranch.

After returning from the morning ride, Kate
searched the house for Lindsey. When she found her, Kate told her
about the dream and confided she was scared for Drew. “I’m afraid
something is going to happen to him! I know he does, too.”

“Right now, it’s just a dream. Many people
dream the same thing over and over again. It’s not unusual.” Kate
knew she was trying to reassure her. “Let me find Brandon and we’ll
get going. I think a trip to the canyon is just what Drew
needs.”

Everyone piled into the largest SUV on the
ranch. Charlie showed up with a girl who turned out to be Brandon’s
friend.

All these people say they’re just
friends
, Kate thought.
Can’t anyone commit?

Brandon and Charlie talked about going to
the University of Arizona on the drive to the canyon. Kate felt bad
because Drew should be heading off to college, too. Her dad
enrolled him as a junior so he could be in the same grade with her.
She felt a little sorry for him because he had to do an extra year
of high school, although he didn’t seem to mind.

“You should come out and visit us when
school starts, Drew.” Brandon told him. “We hear you’re a pretty
good quarterback. Colleges are always looking for good ones.”

“Sounds great, I’d love to check out the
college. I’m told you’re on the baseball team.”

“Yep, got a scholarship and everything. Hey,
I heard you’re from New York. Are you a Yankee or Mets fan?”

Kate’s stomach flipped when she heard the
question. She thought she better help him out because the Mets
weren’t a team in 1927. She didn’t know if he even knew who they
were.

“Yankees, of course,” Drew answered. Kate
was relieved and decided he didn’t need help after all.

“Favorite players?” Brandon continued.

“Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.” He quickly
answered.

“Well, they are some of the all-time
baseball greats,” Brandon said, “anyone else?”

“Probably Earl Combs, he’s a great center
fielder.”

“Is? You mean was. You must be a baseball
buff of the past. Everyone you mentioned played in the 1920s. Do
you like any of the current players?”

“Hard to pick. I’ll have to wait until their
careers are over to finally have a favorite from this team.” Drew
managed to avoid the question. He began watching baseball when the
season started but had little time to become an expert on teams and
players as of yet.

The guys talked baseball stats which Drew
used to get Brandon talking about his own career. Kate was proud of
him. He passed a very big test and didn’t give himself away.

After arriving at the canyon, the couples
split up and went their separate ways. They agreed to meet back at
the car. Drew was anxious to see what changed and what stayed the
same at the canyon. He wanted to head to Grand Canyon Village
first, needing to see that his favorite place, Kolb Studio, was
still there.

“Kate, I can’t believe Emery lived to the
age of ninety-five.” Drew read from an information guide. “He still
gave lectures and showed his movie until the end. Lookout Studio is
still here, too.”

“Drew, did you notice something else? Your
favorite trail is now free. The park finally acquired Angel
Bright.”

Drew ran for the path to see for himself. He
was in his element and Kate couldn’t stop thinking he was like a
kid in a candy store. He jogged all the way to the arch on the path
as she watched from above and turned around and climbed back.

“Remember telling me it was fifteen minutes
down and a half hour back?” Kate teased him on his return.

“That was just a short five minute trip, but
yes, I remember.” He took her in his arms as they gazed out at the
canyon. “It’s stayed the same. Time hasn’t changed this place.
Thank goodness for that.” Drew lightly kissed her forehead and
pulled her closer. “We fell in love here, Kate. This is where we
should get married.”

She pulled back. “I thought you dropped that
months ago. I don’t want to argue about marriage when we’re
standing here enjoying our favorite place.”

“You’re right, sorry.” Drew took her hand
and walked along the rim path back toward the village.

“There’s something else I want you to see.”
Kate remembered Yavapai Point didn’t have the observation building
in 1927 and she wanted Drew to see it. They strolled along the
path, stopping to stare out at the canyon every once in a while,
and the day went lazily by.

They finally ended up on the porch of El
Tovar, the Grand Canyon’s premier hotel and restaurant. It was like
they had never left 1927.

“Remember our first lunch on this porch?”
Drew pulled Kate close to him and pressed his mouth against hers.
“You were so afraid of getting into trouble.” He said between
kisses.

Kate leaned against him, not wanting the
moment to end. She kissed him back, not caring who saw. “I love
you, Drew Kelly.” She stared into his eyes. His sparkle was back.
“And little did I know you had the run of the place because your
dad donated money to the park.”

Drew threw back his head and let out a
glorious laugh. “I didn’t want you to think I was a spoiled rich
kid.”

“I didn’t, never thought you were.” She
patted his face and took him to a bench at the side of the porch.
“I was scared I’d run into my dad more than anything. The first
time I saw him at Kolb Studio, I knew it was him.”