“I can do better than that.”
Mrs. Johnson walked over to an antique bookcase. Her house was an eclectic mix of old and modern. It worked well, and suited her to a tee. Maya took out a chain that hung around her neck with a key dangling from it. She used the key to open the bottom shelves, swung open the doors and there was a set of old books that Katie recognized.
“Oh!” Katie put her hand over her mouth. “You mean there’s more than one?”
“Yes. As you see, I have a set. Mr. Johnson bought them at an antique store on one of our trips.”
“One of those books will take me to the Grand Canyon on September 3, 1927?” Katie couldn’t believe she was saying that. “So, this is real?”
Carl and Mrs. Johnson looked at each other. “Let’s just say it’s a realistic dream,” Mrs. Johnson answered.
“Do you use the books too, MiMi? Do you go and visit Mr. Johnson before he...” she couldn’t finish. She thought it was too cruel to say the word ‘died’.
She looked at Mrs. Johnson again. “Wait a minute, you look an awfully lot like a Mrs. Johansson I know in my dreams. Only Mrs. Johansson is younger than you.”
“This is all I will tell you, Katie. Yes, I do use the books. When I miss Mr. Johnson and that Swedish accent of his, I go back in time in my dreams and there he is. He’s working at the boardinghouse and tending his horses. His dream was to have a stable of horses and teach people to ride.”
Katie was confused. “So how did you end up in the exact place in 1927 that I do?”
“Too many questions, child. I told you I would help you and I will this one time only. Do not ask again. I don’t want to go up against your mother and father.”
“They know about this, too?” Katie was still trying to make sense out of all the new information. “Did you give my mom that book? Is that how she came to have it?”
“Slow down, Katie. I will try to answer what I can. Yes, your parents know that the books cause realistic dreams. I gave your mother a book to read once when your father was out of town. I thought it would occupy her thoughts and help her pass the time. Just like I thought it would for you this summer.”
Katie was taken aback. “You’re the one that told my mom to give me the book to read this summer?”
“You did say you were bored, didn’t you?” Mrs. Johnson chuckled.
“Yes, I did. I knew you could tell when you came over for dinner, right after you got home from California.” Katie smiled at Carl. She forgot he was still in the room.
“Mom, why don’t you call Joanna and tell her that Katie can stay here for the weekend. She’s too upset to go camping and won’t have fun. She’ll just make her parents miserable.” Carl winked at Katie. “Besides she has a big project due next week, don’t you?”
Carl was a good listener. He heard everything she told him up to the little white lie she wanted to tell her parents.
“Fine, if that’s what she wants. Your parents may feel I’m spoiling you, but do you want to stay here for the weekend?”
“Yes, I do!” Katie began to feel better.
Mrs. Johnson disappeared, and didn’t return for quite awhile. When she did, she said, “Everything is set. I don’t like lying to your mother. This is the only time I will ever do this. You do understand that?” She looked hard at Katie.
“Yes, ma’am. Now may I have the book?”
She put out her hand giving Maya one of her best little girl looks. Katie already knew which bedroom to use because Maya had decorated it just for her. Mrs. Johnson liked decorating and really enjoyed doing a girl’s room since she only had Carl. The room was done in pinks and sea green with a quilt of those same colors on the bed. The antique dresser was painted in distressed white. The walls were a cool, calming sea green. Katie loved going to her room. She was ready for her dream to start.
“You have to wait for dusk.”
Katie was confused. “Wait for dusk to do what?”
Carl stood up. “What my mother means is that the book doesn’t work until dusk. You have to wait till the sun starts setting. Reading the book doesn’t work during the day.”
Katie thought back to the day she tried to go back to sleep because she didn’t want the dream to end. It was late morning and the sun was shining. Nothing happened. It was starting to make sense.
“There is one more thing. I want to stay there for three days in a row without coming back. How do I do that?”
Carl and Mrs. Johnson looked at each other again. Mrs. Johnson seemed to be struggling with an answer.
“You may as well tell her, Mom,” Carl said softly.
“After you read the book, do not put it next to your bed on a table or nightstand. Leave it in the bed with you. The book will be in the bed when you wake up at the boardinghouse. Don’t put it on a nightstand or next to you while you’re there. Hide it in a drawer with some personal effects. On the last day, take it out and put it next to you in the bed before you go to sleep.” Maya fidgeted. “That’s enough. Now you can enjoy Lucinda’s wedding. I’m sure it will be the finest wedding the state has ever seen.”
That sounded so familiar. “Then you’ll be there, Mrs. Johansson?” Katie was sure now that Mrs. Johnson was Mrs. Johansson. She just quoted Lucinda’s words about her wedding.
“Mrs. Johansson will be there, I’m sure,” Maya got up and walked into the kitchen. “I guess it’s dinner for three tonight, isn’t it?”
Katie was outgoing and bubbly for the rest of the day. She helped Maya in the kitchen and bantered with Carl. She loved being with her second family. She knew they would help her and they did.
While they were eating dinner outside, Katie’s parents came over. They walked up on the deck.
“We just wanted to say good-bye and to tell Katie to behave for Mrs. Johnson,” her mother told them and then turned to Katie, “You stay here at her house and no long nights at Lindsey’s.”
They bought the lie, Katie thought. Mrs. Johnson must have been very convincing.
Joanna patted Carl on the shoulder. “I heard you’d be here for the long weekend. Good to see you!”
Katie’s dad didn’t look as calm as her mom did. “I hope we’re doing the right thing, letting you stay here.” He gave her a quick hug. He shook Carl’s hand and then saluted Maya. “It’s all in your hands now.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll be here when you get back all safe and sound,” Mrs. Johnson said.
* * * *
After dinner, Katie ran back to her house and got some things to have at Maya’s for the weekend. She decided to sit on the Johnson deck and wait for the sun to set. Waiting for dusk, she thought.
Excitement pumped through her. Katie planned over and over in her head how to get to the train station. It just had to work. How could she explain any of this to Drew if he caught her lying? Katie closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them, the sun was finally starting to set. When it reached the horizon, she held her breath. Only a minute to dusk. Katie forgot how beautiful and peaceful that time of day was. It was not quite dark and everything seemed to have a natural glow about it. When it was finally dark, and the first star appeared in the sky, Katie went inside. Maya sat on the sofa knitting while classical music played softly in the background. Carl was reading the newspaper in a corner chair.
“Good night, everyone,” she said quietly.
“Such an early bedtime. I couldn’t get you to bed this early when you were little,” Maya teased. “Good night, Katie. Book is on the nightstand.”
Katie leaned over, and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks, MiMi. I love you.”
Maya patted Katie’s hand as if almost to say ‘enjoy the weekend’.
Carl looked over the top of the newspaper and said, “Hey, sis, be careful out there.”
“I will. Love you too, Carl.” Katie thought that was an odd thing for him to say.
She didn’t really care or give it much more thought as she ran up the stairs, two at a time, and into h
er bedroom. She grabbed her bag of clothes, went into the bathroom and got ready for bed.
Katie came out and carefully folded the comforter placing it on its stand. Then she fluffed up the pillows, slid under the cool, crisp pink sheets and reached for the book. The cover looked the same as the book her mother gave her. She wondered what the story would be about and laughed. There would be no way to compare the stories because she didn’t know what the first book was about. She opened to the first chapter hoping and praying this would work.
Chapter Seventeen
Her heart pounded as she slowly opened her eyes. Relief flowed through her as she gazed around her boardinghouse room. Katie got up, put the book in the drawer and hurried to get ready. She tiptoed into the kitchen and grabbed a piece of banana bread from the table, not wanting anyone to know she was there.
“Where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” a loud whisper came from behind her. Katie jumped, and whirled around to see Anna. “You’ve been gone for two weeks, Kathryn. It’s seemed like forever. Why didn’t you say good-bye before you left?” Anna’s shoulders drooped.
“No time to get into details now. I am very sorry about that. Two weeks was a lifetime for me. I want to get started walking to the train station. So please forgive me.”
Anna handed her a small bag. “Tell Drew you left most of your things here since you knew you were coming back. I packed a few things for you.” She gave Katie a hug.
“Wish me luck!” Katie was out the door.
She ran along the road toward the park and train station being careful to stay hidden. As she walked along, Katie hoped Anna got a message to Drew and he would be meeting with her when the train came. Knowing Drew, he would come early to meet the train so it had to work. Her head hurt trying to sort all the details.
Katie arrived at the station. She looked at the large clock and saw she still had an hour to wait. It would be best to stay undercover while waiting for the train. At last she heard a whistle. The train was coming. Katie ran into the station. The clock said one-fifteen so it was early. She couldn’t believe her good fortune. If only Drew would be late, things would work out for her.
She sat on a bench in the station as Drew walked in right on time. “I am so sorry I’m late! I planned on being here early but got a message from Anna to meet her in the kitchen of the restaurant. Let me take your bags.” Drew looked around.
“I only have this one. I left most of my things here. Please don’t be sorry about being late. I was early.” Katie looked longingly at him. Two weeks was a long time, and she realized how much she had missed him.
As the two left the station, Drew picked Katie up and swung her around. “I was worried you might not come back with the way you left!” He set her down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
“Not my fault. Blame my parents!”
Before she knew it she was on the horse holding onto Drew, and heading back to the boardinghouse. Drew slowed to a stop before they reached the house. Gently lowering her to the ground, he continued on to the barn and then came back to join her.
“I know this will be a busy weekend for you. I wish I could have you all to myself. So if you don’t mind, I would like that time now.” He took her hand. They strolled awhile, not really going anywhere in particular, and finally sat down under a tree. Drew reached into his pocket. “I have something for you, my darling Kate.” He handed her a little velvet box.
Katie took the box carefully, not knowing what to expect. She opened it slowly and let out a light gasp. “Drew, how did you know the bridesmaids’ dresses were blue?” She was staring down at a gold chain with a blue sapphire enclosed in a tear drop setting. “I already have something to wear on the wedding day. It’s beautiful though.”
“I didn’t know about the dresses. This isn’t for the wedding. It’s for you. The gemstone reminded me of the color of your eyes when I saw it. The tear drop symbolizes how I feel when I am away from you.” Drew pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.
Katie never heard anything so romantic. Kids her age just didn’t talk that way. Even in the lyrics of most of the songs she liked, she never heard anything like it.
“Put it on for me.” Katie pulled her hair back and up. She felt the necklace slid down her neck and she touched it with her fingers. Then Drew’s lips were on the back of her neck and she shivered. She leaned back into his lap and stared up at his handsome face. He pulled her up toward him and kissed her for a very long time. She ran her hands up into his hair and around the back of his neck. That was the passion Lucinda was talking about. She didn’t want it to ever end.
Finally, Katie was able to take a breath and said, “This is too much, really.” She touched the necklace.
“It’s only one of many that I would love to give you.”
“Oh, this is plenty. I don’t need any more,” Kate laughed. “I probably won’t ever take this off.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He kissed her again.
Katie had no idea how much time passed. She knew she needed to get to the boardinghouse because they all planned to drive out to the ranch for the wedding rehearsal later that afternoon. “I have to get back,” she said sadly.
They walked slowly to the house. “Drew, thank you, I...I...lo...” Katie was interrupted by Anna.
“Finally! I was getting a little worried. We have to get ready to go. See you tomorrow, Andrew!” Anna pulled Katie into the house.
“Anna, you’re hurting my arm.” Katie struggled to get away.
“You’re lucky I’m the only one who saw the two of you out there. Loretta, Ruthie and Molly already went to the ranch with Lucinda. She will be staying at the ranch for good, and never come back here,” Anna sighed. She looked a little sad at the thought. “Mr. and Mrs. Johansson are packing the Buick with things for the wedding. Now we have to get ready, and out to the car.”
The ride to the ranch took awhile, maybe an hour or so by Katie’s guess. When they arrived there were many cars already parked by the house—which was more like a mansion than a house. Katie was surprised the house was so big, with everything painted white making it look even more majestic. Plus there was a new section being added onto the house. She couldn’t believe they would need any more room.
They walked up to a large staircase leading to a beautiful front porch that swept across the front of the house. There were six large, white columns two stories high around the front door. The pillars went straight up and connected to a large piece of roof that jutted out over the front porch. Below that overhang were ornate French doors that led out to a beautiful second floor balcony. Those doors flew open and Lucinda rushed out. “Oh, good, you are all here. I’ll be right down.”
So that’s what those balconies are used for. To announce you’ll be right down. So useful! Katie thought sarcastically. She giggled, amused by her own humor.
The door was opened by a maid from the way she was dressed. Her outfit was very close to Katie’s Harvey girl uniform–black dress, white apron, and black stockings. Lucinda was still coming down the stairs and what a staircase it was! It curved around from the second floor down to the first. The banister was polished gleaming redwood with white painted spindles.
“Thank you, Frieda. I’ll take my friends to the dining hall.” Lucinda spoke sweetly to her.
Then Katie saw Mr. Carl kiss Frieda on the cheek. Katie gave Lucinda a questioning look.
“That’s his younger sister. Carl asked the Hastings if Frieda could work for them. She didn’t speak much English at the time. She came from Sweden last year. She traveled all the way from New York City—after landing at Ellis Island—to Arizona to be with him. It’s been quite a change for her. We all try to help her as much as we can. Mother Hasting helps her by giving her English lessons.”
As Katie walked through the house, she couldn’t believe the size of it. The floors were hardwood with a glimmering reddish tone. Beautiful Persian rugs were in each room and the colors matched each room perfectly. The
y walked down the hallway on Persian rug runners. Katie couldn’t stop looking around, trying to peek in all the rooms. As they entered the dining room, Mr. Hasting, Henry’s father, poured champagne into tall crystal flutes. A huge buffet was being set up on a long table by more servants.
Henry went up to Lucinda. “I’m glad everyone is here now and we can get underway.” He looked around. “Well...it seems everyone is here except for Gilbert and his wife.” He raised his eyebrows. He turned to Katie and said, “Arlene is notorious for being late.”
“I’ll go get them, Henry. You keep everyone entertained.” Lucinda grabbed Katie’s hand and took her along.
They walked back to the front of the house and then turned right, continuing through a short hallway with floor to ceiling glass windows. It led to another whole living area. “Gil, Arlene, are you two ready? We’re all waiting,” Lucinda called out in the empty room.
That part of the house was decorated much differently from the rest being more modern and sleek in design. Lucinda took Katie’s hand and had her sit down on the sofa with her.
“This is Gilbert and Arlene’s house. They have their own separate living quarters, even though this wing is attached right to the main house. Did you see the builders when you came in? They’re adding on to the other side of the house for Henry and me. I can decorate any way I want. Isn’t that wonderful?” Lucinda looked off into the distance, as if she envisioned the new place.
Katie thought Lucinda looked especially beautiful that night. She was wearing a fashionable soft, flowing floral blouse and skirt with gold jewelry. Her fine hair seemed to have bleached out to almost blonde. Katie touched Lucinda’s hair lightly.
“Oh, this, can you believe it? The Arizona sun has given me a new look. I’ve been riding and learning all I can about the ranch. I intend to help with it, Kathryn. I’m not just going to sit in this big house and sip lemonade and sew. Not me.”
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