Stealing Time

by Nancy Pennick

  Finally she could hold back no more. “Anna, I have to tell you something I’ll never tell another soul, not even Drew.” She continued her story, and as it grew darker in nature, Anna grabbed Kate’s hand. “Nicolas gave the order to kill...Jack Woods. I heard it.” Kate almost said her father but caught herself.

  Anna gasped. “I thought Nicolas might be in the mob but never the boss! Oh, Kathryn, what if he had caught you in his office?” Tears filled her eyes.

  Kate was relieved...like the weight of the world was off her shoulders now that she told someone. That someone had to be Anna. “He didn’t catch me, but if he could get his hands on me now...” Kate paused. “I was literally a prisoner. It seemed like someone was watching my every move. I felt like we had to escape. With Jack’s help, we did. I don’t think I can go back there ever again. Isn’t that terrible? That’s Drew’s home, his family.”

  “Don’t ever feel that way. That wasn’t just a family squabble. It’s life and death. Are you going to warn Jack?”

  “No! And you mustn’t either. If Jack knew it’d make him more curious, and he’d start upping his investigation. I fear for his life. He’d probably brush it all aside while trying to save his brother. Now that we’re back I hope everything will quiet down. Promise me you won’t say anything.”

  “I’m so glad you confided in me. You can trust me. I won’t say a word.” Anna’s face still showed concern. “Now, you need to find your husband and enjoy this week. Make up for that horrible one you had in New York.”

  Kate had wanted to talk to Anna for weeks, thinking she’d never get to again. She was given a special gift. She was able to tell her best friend about one of the most horrific weeks of her life. “Thank you, Anna. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Now go.”

  Kate ran out to the barn to find Drew saddling up Canyon. “I’m ready!” She hadn’t felt this good in weeks. They’d have the next few days to themselves with no interference from anyone. One gift after another, this day was continually improving. The next few days would be filled with love and happiness. What more could a girl ask for?

  * * * *

  By Wednesday, Kate decided it was time for a break from the cabin. She and Drew spent all their time riding, going for walks, cooking together and just being with each other. She could tell he was anxious to go to Kolb Studio, do a little work and talk with the tourists. She encouraged him to go and decided to visit the boardinghouse while he was gone. Maya was still there, and a chat over coffee and cinnamon bread sounded good. Carl Sr. had let Kate have Flicka for a few days, so she headed to the barn, saddling up the horse for the trip.

  As Kate neared the boardinghouse, she could see Carl Jr. on the porch. It appeared he was having an argument with someone. As she grew closer, Kate realized it was Rachel. She didn’t really know Rachel, only meeting her a few times. What she did know, she learned from Carl. He still really loved her. Kate knew this time period at the canyon was the most difficult for him.

  Surprised he was at the boardinghouse because of his promise to stay away, Kate was unsure if she should approach or not. She wasn’t a part of their story last year and determined she shouldn’t be now. Turning Flicka toward the barn, she hoped they’d be gone when she came out.

  Carl spotted her and waved. “Kathryn, wait up!”

  Kate slid off the horse as he approached, leaving Rachel on the steps of the house. “I thought you were coming tomorrow. You know, in and out, just for Thanksgiving. I think those were your words.”

  “I was getting bored at home. You and Mom were here. Renae’s not coming until tomorrow.”

  “So you blame boredom. I get here and see you fighting with Rachel. Good way to pass the time.”

  “No, I knew I’d see her. Last year we had this fight, and after we calmed down, I took her in the barn...”

  Kate held up her hand. “You can stop right there. Too much information.”

  “Let me finish. I was going to say I told her as much as I could about myself. I didn’t give anything away like she was four or five weeks pregnant, although I knew. But now, I want to tell her. I want to let her know I found Josie in the present, and we’re a family.”

  “Carl, no! You can’t do that! Are you also going to tell her you’re dating her great-granddaughter?”

  “No, I don’t want to hurt her. I want her to be happy and have the knowledge our story continues.”

  “I won’t allow it. You can do too much damage with that information.”

  “How?”

  “Well, let’s say she starts crying and insists on marrying you instead of Thomas when she finds out she’s pregnant with your child.”

  “I’ll tell her two other children need to be born.”

  “So you’d fill her in on her life history before she lives it?”

  “Kate, you’re making this so complicated. It doesn’t have to be. Rachel’s a very smart, level-headed girl. She’ll be able to handle it.”

  “If I found out I was pregnant and the man I loved lived in another century, I think I’d stop thinking rationally. It’s too much to absorb in one day. I gradually learned about all of this and still get overwhelmed.”

  “Fine! Then I’ll do what I originally planned. Bring her to the present to live with me.”

  “Carl, you’re messing with everyone’s lives again. You can’t do that.” Kate was close to hysteria although she hoped she was presenting a coherent argument. “We solved all the problems last year. You can’t go back and open up all those old wounds again. You have a wonderful girl waiting for you back home. You want to throw that away?”

  “Is that true, Joseph?” The name Carl used at the canyon rang through the barn.

  Carl shot Kate a look of fear and anger. “No, baby. There’s no one but you.”

  “Rachel...I’m sorry for taking up all this time with Joseph. It looked like you were in the middle of an important conversation.” Kate started for the door.

  “To me maybe...obviously not to Joseph.”

  “Kathryn, time to leave.” Carl placed his hand on her back and led her toward the door. “I need to talk to Renae.”

  Kate balked when he said Renae’s name without realizing it. Things were going from bad to worse, and he didn’t know it. He needed to talk to Rachel, say his good-byes and not change the script...but they already had.

  Rachel turned and faced Kate. “No, Kathryn, you stay. I’m leaving!” She slammed the barn door behind her as she left.

  “Look what you’ve done!” Carl put both hands on top of his head, grimacing.

  “Me? What about you? You called Rachel another name!” Kate thought they sounded like two siblings arguing over a broken vase in their mother’s living room when a piercing scream changed her focus. “What was that?”

  “Rachel! Stay here, and don’t come out until I tell you it’s safe.” Carl slipped out of the barn while Kate watched through a small window. She couldn’t believe what she saw. Rachel was being dragged to a waiting car by two men...in suits. Kate’s heart began to pound as recognized one of them.

  “Sal,” Kate said aloud. “The second time around he was sent to find us. He knows what I look like and would be able to identify me much easier than some random mobster.”

  Suddenly she heard Carl’s voice, but couldn’t see him. “I don’t think Mrs. Martin is here in Arizona, sir. I believe my cousin Maya told me she’s spending time with her family back in Ohio.” His voice sounded louder than usual. Kate realized he was trying to warn her. She dove into a pile of hay and crawled into the very corner of a stall. “Look around all you want, but just leave us folks alone. Rachel’s here for a visit. She don’t even know Miss Kathryn.”

  Why is Carl talking like that? He could outsmart those mobsters at their own game. Wait, that’s what he’s doing. Acting like he doesn’t know much. Good job, Carl. Kate scooted as far back as she could in the pile of hay.

  “Isn’t she that restaurant cook’s girlfriend?” Kate recognized Sa
l’s voice. They were inside the barn now.

  “Don’t really know. I’m just visiting.”

  “Well, that cook is friends with Andrew Martin. His girlfriend could know something. Like where they are.”

  “If I understand correctly, you’ve been told where they are.”

  No, Carl, you’re sounding too much like my brother and protector!

  “So you know something?”

  “No, just passing through on my way to California. Stopped to say hey to my cousin Maya.”

  The barn was being ravaged by the sound of it. The men continued to talk while things were tossed aside, bouncing off the walls. Kate flinched at every sound.

  “Give me that pitchfork.” Kate heard Sal’s demand and cringed. The sound the fork made as it hit the hay grew closer and closer. Holding her breath, she waited for the final blow. Feeling the edge of the pitchfork hit the side of her hand, she bit her lip trying not to scream out in pain. Most of the hay was now spread out in front of her, almost giving away her hiding spot. Kate could see out into the room and knew it was just a matter of time before she was found.

  Just then the door flew open. Carl Sr. stood in the doorway with a shotgun pointed at Sal. “I think you’re done here. Tell your friend in the car to release the girl, and get away from my boy. There’s no one in here but my horses. Get back to where you came from, or you’ll get more than a barrel of a shotgun aimed in your direction.”

  Sal threw the fork down and raised his hands to shoulder level. “I’m leaving. I think I’ve seen all there is to see here.”

  “Be on that train tonight.” Carl Sr. told him as he followed him out the door. The shotgun remained level on his shoulder.

  Kate was holding her breath the whole time, fearing she’d give herself away. The pain in her hand throbbed, but she was afraid to move. Waiting a few minutes she burst through the hay and out of the stall.

  “Carl!” She was surprised to see him still in the barn.

  “Your hand! Are you alright?” Carl looked around the barn for something to wrap it in. Finally he torn a piece of his shirt and used it to bind her hand. “My mom will fix this up much better, I’m sure. How does it feel?”

  Kate threw her arms around him and cried. “Thank you for saving my life!” Carl squeezed her tightly. “Don’t worry about my hand. I’m sure it’s fine. What about you? You’re fighting with Rachel one minute, and suddenly mobsters are dragging her away the next...thanks to me and Drew.”

  “How can you say that? No one expected them to show up here.”

  “They were here once already and beat up my father. Didn’t Maya tell you?” Kate hung her head. “Don’t you see? Drew and I changed history when we stayed in New York too long. We made this happen.”

  “Kate.” Carl sat on a box by the stall that had been her hiding place. “Don’t you think Drew’s dad eventually would come looking for you? No matter what? He wanted Drew in New York to learn the business...couldn’t do it long distance.”

  “You’re lucky to have a father like Carl Sr. Drew’s father is the complete opposite.”

  “Makes me all the more grateful. Did you hear my dad?” Carl looked up from box he sat on, tears streaming down his face. “He said ‘my boy’.”

  “Yeah, I did. I think in his heart he knows you’re his son.” Kate sat down next to him, hoping he finally got some closure.

  Carl first came to the canyon to see his father, changing his name so Carl Sr. wouldn’t be suspicious. He was desperate to come, and Kate encouraged it. “Did I do the right thing when I had you come here last year? You’ve been in so much pain because of it.”

  “The right thing? It was the most unselfish thing someone’s ever done for me. You put up with all my antics and always defended me. Now because of you, I got to hear my father call me his boy one more time. You gave me time with my father I never thought I’d have...extra time.”

  “I think Anna called it stealing time.” Kate rested her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for saying what you did. I feel better now.”

  “I never had a sister, but if I did, it would have to be you.” Carl leaned his head against Kate’s and let out a sigh. “Well, I better get back into character and see this thing through.”

  “That’s my boy.” Kate patted his shoulder, and they both laughed. “You know that sounded a little strange coming out of your dad’s mouth because you two are the same age here.” Kate turned serious again and pushed Carl up into a standing position. “Get out there, and rescue Rachel. Be her hero.”

  When Kate and Carl came out of the barn they got to see the final show-down between Carl Sr. and Nicolas’ men. Carl Jr. didn’t need to be a hero because his father already was. Rachel cowered behind Carl as he aimed his rifle at the men sitting in the car. The driver started up the engine and slowly drove down the drive. Carl fired the gun into the air to show he meant business, and the car seemed to pick up speed.

  “Rachel!” Carl Jr. called out her name, and she came running into his arms. He held her for a moment, then let go. Walking over to the man who just saved all their lives, he wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly. Carl Sr. appeared somewhat surprised, but then a slow smile crept over his face. He raised the arm without the gun and gently placed in on Carl Jr.’s back, returning the hug.

  Kate had a huge lump in her throat as she watched father and son together one last time. No words were spoken. Carl Jr. returned to the spot where Rachel waited. He took her hand and guided her back into the barn for their final conversation.

  Maya appeared on the porch with her hands on her hips. “Carl, why are you shooting that gun off? You never fired that thing before in your life! What were you thinking? Someone could get hurt.”

  Kate looked from Maya to Carl Sr. “Really? That’s the first time you ever fired a gun?”

  “‘Fraid so, flicka. Just kept old Bessie around for emergencies. Guess this was an emergency.”

  “Yes, it was. Thank you, Mr. Carl.” Kate slipped her arm around the tall man’s waist, giving him a quick squeeze. “You saved us all.” She felt his hand awkwardly pat her back.

  “Don’t know who those men were, but I hope we never see them again. I’ll be driving to the station with Bessie later to make sure they’re on that train.”

  Kate knew she didn’t need to worry any longer because after what happened today she was positive no New York gangsters would set foot on boardinghouse property or anywhere near here again.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Drew was shocked to hear what happened at the boardinghouse. He insisted Kate stay at the cabin for the remainder of the time left. He snuck off Wednesday night to check that Sal and his companion got on the train. Drew had to see with his own eyes the threat was over. They wouldn’t enjoy Thanksgiving without that knowledge.

  Kate paced the floor, talking to the cabin walls, until his return. “Why can’t we be left in peace to celebrate the holiday? If it isn’t Tyson, then it’s Nicolas. Problems in both lives. Just what we need.” She didn’t know which threat was worse. All she knew was she was tired. Tired of it all. She just wanted people to be happy for them. “I may not be able to fix Nicolas, but I can do something about Tyson. When I get back home, watch out, Tyson, here I come.”

  Relief flowed through her when Drew returned from his mission. He went down to the wine cellar and brought up a bottle of his best red wine to celebrate. The celebration lasted well into the night, and Kate didn’t remember being carried to bed. She last recalled being in Drew’s arms on the large sofa in front of the fireplace where she must have dozed off.

  Kate woke to the smell of turkey cooking the next day, again not knowing how Drew managed to get that done. The table was set when she strolled into the great room. Flowers and pumpkins were everywhere. “I swear you have a fairy godmother or father, Drew. How do you always manage to surprise me?”

  “A good delivery service?” He smiled at her with those twinkling green eyes, and she melted.

&nb
sp; After dinner, Kate helped Drew clean up, and they prepared the cabin for their departure. There was no need to stay and live out the events of the past two years. Drew wouldn’t die in the Colorado River tomorrow. Even though Carl tried to go in his place last year, everyone’s memories were of Drew being lost to the river. They could safely go home and not return until after the New Year.

  Kate agreed to meet Drew in front of El Tovar after he finished up at the Studio. From there, they’d head to the boardinghouse and home to the present.

  The call of the canyon was strong, and she couldn’t wait to get there. She made her way easily along the path from the cabin, planning to sit and watch the birds soar over the canyon and maybe feed a squirrel or two to help pass the time.

  Waiting for dusk, a beautiful sunset and the quiet solitude of the canyon was just what she needed. It was the perfect place to give thanks. Thanksgiving with Drew, alone in the cabin, had been wonderful. Kate sighed with a twinge of sadness that it was over.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by an odd scene as she came around the back of El Tovar. It looked like a boy was perched too close to the canyon’s rim. His arms were outstretched like he was about to fly. Kate began to run. As she grew closer she could tell it wasn’t a boy but a young man, one that looked very familiar even from behind. She recognized his sandy-colored blonde hair, slim but muscular build and the way he held his body.

  “Tyson!” Kate screamed out, alarmed he would jump.

  He spun around at the sound of her voice. “Look at me, Katie! I’m going to fly, fly across the Grand Canyon.”

  Kate peered down into the mile deep gorge and shivered. She knew his real fate if he attempted the stunt. He believed this was a dream. She had to stop him at all costs. “That’s great. I’d love to see you do it, but first let’s talk.”

  “Nothing to talk about...”

  “Then how can I stop you from doing something so foolish?”

  “The only way is to tell me you love me.” He spread his arms out further and began flapping as he inched back toward the edge.