Waiting for Dusk

by Nancy Pennick

  Anna brushed a piece of hair away from Katie’s face. “Is that what’s been bothering you? Kathryn, you were only thinking of your aunt and her happiness. You couldn’t see into the future. What a loving and kind thing you tried to do. You cared so much about Lucinda that you wanted her to be happy, as happy as you and Drew are. There is nothing wrong with wishing someone happiness.”

  Katie looked at Anna. “How can you say that? How can you forgive me so easily?”

  “There is nothing to forgive.” Anna patted Katie’s hand. “Now go and have fun with your young friends. Stop living in the past.”

  “There’s a part of the past I never want to stop living.”

  “I know. I know, but you need to live your life in the here and...” Anna faded off to sleep, resting her head back on the loveseat. Katie sat with the sleeping woman for awhile. Sleeping Beauty, Katie thought. She’s waiting for her Prince to come.

  Anna did get her prince, Daniel. Her fairytale did come true, and so would Katie’s. She was determined and felt better than she had all weekend. Katie was ready to join the family and see what could happen next in Arizona.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  It was a gorgeous Sunday morning. Aunt Sue drove Katie and Lindsey to the Hasting ranch. Katie looked up at the sky through the SUV’s sunroof. The sun shone brightly and it was the kind of day Lucinda wanted for her wedding—bright blue skies and white puffy clouds. It was the perfect day to head for the ranch.

  When they arrived, Katie noticed a circle with an ‘H’ in it. The ‘H’ almost looked like a Roman numeral. Lindsey’s family ranch also had a circle with a ‘J’ inside. The font for the ‘J’ was a beautiful script. She wondered if there was some meaning behind the naming of the ranches.

  The description of the house from Katie’s dream was so exact that Lindsey gave Katie a ‘how did you know’ look when they arrived. Katie shrugged and jumped out of the car. There, on the ‘be right down’ balcony, were two older women, possibly in their late seventies. They were smiling and waving.

  “Be right down,” one of them said. Katie couldn’t help but smile.

  The door opened and Katie entered the familiar house. The Persian rugs were gone but in their place were beautiful rugs with modern designs, again matching perfectly with each of the rooms. As they entered the foyer there was a hallway to the right and one to the left of it which Katie knew connected to other living quarters. She wanted to run down the long center hallway and exit the backdoor to the garden, but knew better.

  “Oh, Katie, we’ve only seen you in school pictures that your mom puts in the yearly Christmas card. It’s so good to finally see you in person. You look so much like family, especially Aunt Rett.” one of the women said as she hugged her. “I’m your cousin, Lucy, and this is Henrietta or Retta.” She pointed to the other woman standing next to her. Katie hugged her too.

  After everyone said their hellos and were introduced, the two women escorted them to the back porch which now was partially enclosed and turned into a sunroom. There was a tea service on the table and some scones.

  “Please sit and let’s have some tea,” Retta said kindly.

  Katie’s heart pounded as she walked through the back door. The garden was still there and so was the gazebo. To the right of the garden was a pathway to a large deck and in ground pool. That was definitely new. It was all still so beautiful, making it hard for Katie to stay in the here and now. She wanted to daydream about the wedding and the night Drew spent in her bedroom.

  “So, Katie? What do you think?” Lucy poured her some tea.

  “Beautiful, just beautiful. I can see why you never want to leave.”

  “We like to leave, trust me!” Lucy laughed. “That was my mother who didn’t like to leave the ranch. It became part of her.”

  “Could you tell me about the circle with the H in it?” Katie thought she should be polite and ask some questions about the ranch.

  “That stands for the Circle H ranch, just like the Circle J ranch.” Retta told the story. Pointing to Sue she continued. “Our grandfathers, Noah Jenkins and Henry Hasting Sr., came out to Arizona together. Well, Sue, I guess they both were your great-grandfathers,” Henrietta laughed. “It’s hard to keep it all straight. Well, anyway, their dream was to buy land, build ranches and get rich. They did pretty well. They came up with the idea together how to name their ranches. They both chose circles with their initials in them, forever connecting them.”

  So the Hasting and Jenkins families always had a tie to each other. That made sense to Katie. “And,” she pointed to the gazebo. “That’s where your parents got married.”

  “How did you know that?” Retta seemed surprised. Lindsey shot Katie another look.

  “I found a picture in our attic of your mother’s wedding, and my mom told me all about it.” Katie was quick with a white lie.

  “Yes, she was right. Don’t think it strange of us but we found our mother’s wedding dress and decided to put it on display in their bedroom. We can’t really bring ourselves to use their room. So I guess we turned it into some sort of museum, not a shrine as Kirsten calls it!”

  “Kirsten?” Katie was thrown by a new name with so many to remember.

  “She’s our cousin. Our Uncle Clifford married a Swedish girl, Frieda, who used to work on this very ranch. She missed her homeland so much that they moved back there. They had a daughter, Kirsten, who lives in Sweden but comes to visit quite often. We love to go there, too.”

  “In the picture, there was another man that my mom said was Gilbert. What happened with him and Arlene?” Oops, I did it again. Katie would act like her mom told her about them if they questioned it.

  “Uncle Gilbert and Arlene never had children. During the Depression a young boy, Trevor, of about nine or ten came looking for work here. Gil gave him a job but mostly let us all play together. One night, he found Trevor sleeping in the barn and questioned him about why he hadn’t gone home. That’s when we found out he didn’t have a home. He was an orphan. So Gil and Arlene adopted him and he moved into the ranch. He learned all sides of the business and became our ranch manager.

  Sadly Arlene passed away at a young age. Gil was devastated and never married again. We were so thankful he had Trevor. When Trevor married, my parents had him move into their old wing of the house because by then they were living in the main house. Trevor and Mary still live here. Their son is now the ranch manager and he lives in Gil’s side of the house which he swears is haunted, in a good way, by Gil.

  It has been great for Lucy and me. We could never run this ranch without them. My mom could have done it alone, but not us. We’re grateful for the help.”

  So finally Katie knew what happened to all of her friends. Some good, some bad but in the end their lives went well. Katie learned that life continued on in a fluid motion that she never thought about before. There was always a new story to replace the old. The thing was to remember everything so that there would always be that flow of life. Katie stopped. She was getting a little too philosophical, even for herself. She still wanted to ask one more question.

  “Is it alright if I see the dress? Your mother’s wedding dress?” “You want to see the dress? Yes, of course. We would be thrilled for you to see it!” Lucy’s eyes lit up. “We don’t want to keep you too long because we know you have to get back for Anna’s party. We’ll be over soon, too.” She stood up and took Katie’s hand and studied her face. “You seem so familiar.” Lucy touched Katie’s cheek.

  They followed Lucy into the house, heading for the curved staircase. Katie stopped on the step where Lucinda crumbled many years before. She remembered how she got up and brushed herself off, determined to become Mrs. Henry Hasting. That determination struck her the most from that day.

  The master bedroom was at the end of the hall. They passed the guest room where Katie stayed, and she couldn’t resist stopping to look at it. She couldn’t help herself, she had to go in. It was all redone of course, but still decorate
d in beautiful shades of purple, lavender and pale green.

  “This is a beautiful room!” Katie spun around as she spoke.

  Again, Lindsey gave her a ‘what are you doing’ look.

  “Glad you like it. It’s a special guest room. We hope you’ll stay there one day.” Retta put her arm around Katie. “Now on to the shrine!”

  A huge glass, display case rested against the farthest wall. It was centered in the middle with pictures on either side. Katie knew what the dress looked like before she even reached the case. She had the picture, and saw it in person. The two sisters had done a good job with the display. The dress was on a pink velvet headless mannequin. The veil hung from the top of the glass case and draped over the dress. There were lovely floral framed pictures of the wedding mounted on the backside of the case. A tiny white wrought iron table with a tea set and flowers was also in the case. A garland of white silk roses trailed across the top and down the front sides of the cabinet. It was quite beautiful.

  “Lucy, Retta, you two did a wonderful job!”

  The two women seemed pleased. Then Katie noticed they kept staring at her and then at the wedding photos.

  “Katie, you look amazingly like my mother’s friend, Kathryn. Here, look at the picture closely.” Lucy pointed to the group wedding photo.

  Katie didn’t have to look because she remembered posing for the picture. She didn’t understand exactly how it happened but she was in that wedding that took place in 1927 and came to accept it. In fact, she loved the idea.

  “Everyone says that,” Katie responded.

  “Yes, I even said it,” Lindsey piped in. “I first saw the picture at Katie’s house. I couldn’t believe it!”

  Aunt Sue looked at her watch. “We really need to get back, girls. Thanks for having us, my favorite aunts. We’ll see you later.”

  She put her arms around Lindsey and Katie walking them to the bedroom door.

  Katie wanted to look around more. Her cousins were certainly correct about the bedroom being a museum or shrine. She noticed they had mounted baby clothes in a frame and there were so many more pictures to see. She hoped to come back some day to spend more time with Lucy and Retta. And stay in her room...that wonderful room.

  Back at Circle J, everyone got ready for the big 100th birthday party. Katie knew that it was just a weekend trip, but was sorry to see it end so soon. The next day she would be boarding a plane back to Ohio. Maybe she’d ask the cousins if she could live with them.

  Who am I kidding? I need to get back to my life, somehow break into Maya’s house and get a book before Thanksgiving. Whoa! That didn’t sound good. Now she was resorting to breaking the law. She laughed at herself and hung up another balloon.

  People started arriving mid-afternoon. It would be an early party for Anna because she rarely stayed up past nine. Katie was overwhelmed by all the people, but suddenly noticed someone in the crowd that looked vaguely familiar. Could it be? Another face from the past? She had to find out.

  “Thomas? Thomas Cook?”

  Chapter Thirty

  Thomas looked at Katie with teasing eyes. “Yes, I’m Thomas. And you are?”

  “I...I’m Katie, Kathryn., Do you know me?” she stuttered.

  “No, but I do now! Nice to meet you, Katie, Kathryn,” Thomas stuck out his hand.

  Katie shook it, and kept staring at him. “You look so familiar...” She couldn’t let go of his hand.

  “Everyone says that about me. My father, grandfather and I all look very much alike.” He kept shaking her hand with a slight smile.

  “And your name is Thomas like your...?” Katie didn’t finish.

  “My grandfather and father, that’s right. I’m Thomas the third but since they’re both gone I guess I’m the only Thomas.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear.” Katie pictured her Thomas cooking and singing in the kitchen. He was one of Drew’s best friends. Now he was gone.

  “Please don’t be. They had full and rich lives. Plus that is the circle of life.”

  “I’d love to hear more about your family later. If you’d excuse me I have to help with the party.” Katie couldn’t wait to hear what happened to Thomas Sr.

  It was the typical birthday party. There was eating, opening presents and the cutting of the cake. Katie kept herself busy by serving the guests and helping Anna with her presents. She passed out the cake or wrapped it for people to take home. The day passed quickly and before she realized it, the party was ending. People began leaving in the early evening.

  “Katie?” Anna called to her. “Would you mind helping me to my room?”

  “Of course, Grandma J.” Katie rushed over to help her.

  Then Katie whispered to her, “I know, knock off the Grandma J crap.”

  “I saw you talking to Thomas Cook earlier. Quite eerie, isn’t it?” Anna looked at Katie and saw she was puzzled. “The resemblance! He looks just like our Thomas! Thomas was a good man. Daniel wanted him to come and work here at the ranch full-time. We just couldn’t steal him away from the Park system.”

  When they got to Anna’s apartment, Katie discovered that the sitting room continued on into a bedroom and bathroom; it was like a little apartment. Anna picked up a Vera Bradley quilted-flowered bag and handed it to Katie. “Something for you from me,” she said.

  Katie looked in the bag and saw three books. “The bag is lovely. Are these your Jack Woods books?” Katie couldn’t believe it. “I can’t take them.”

  “I want you to have them. You will appreciate them, especially if you think Jack Woods could be related to you somehow.” Anna sat down on her loveseat. “I think you know more about Jack Woods than you’re letting on. “Do you have something to tell me?”

  Katie sank down beside her. Anna didn’t miss much. “I don’t want to leave you. You know me so well! Too well.”

  “You always have Lindsey. Never forget that. You’ll always have me, too, no matter where I am. I may not be long for this world, Kathryn, but I will be with you.”

  “Stop it; you’re not...going anywhere. I need you. I plan on calling you all the time.”

  “Then you better give me your phone, and let me put my number in.” Anna held out her hand.

  Katie stared at her with her mouth open. “You are awesome!” She gave Anna her phone, and they sat quietly for a moment.

  Anna handed the phone back to Katie. “Now, go ahead. You want to tell me something.”

  Katie couldn’t believe how the words came rushing out. She told Anna everything—the dreams, the book, Carl telling her the dreams were real, seeing Jack Woods who looked like her father and that Maya lived next door to her in the 21st century.

  “Mrs. Johansson lives next door to you? She is something. I always knew she was special,” Anna slapped her leg. “So that’s how you came to 1927. Well, I’m glad you did. I don’t understand it all either, but it is fascinating. When are you planning on going back?”

  “The Wednesday before Thanksgiving...if I can get my hands on a book.”

  “Lindsey will help you. You can trust in that.” Anna sighed. “I’d love to hear more and talk all night but this old lady needs her sleep. Remember, those books belong to you now. My legacy to you.” Anna lightly kissed Katie on the top of her head as she stood up to go into her bedroom. “Good night, my sweet Kathryn.”

  “Good night, my sweet Anna.” Katie let out a laugh. “Will I see you before I leave tomorrow?”

  “Of course. You know I’m an early riser.”

  Katie went back out into the main house. There were only a few guests left. She was glad to see that Thomas and his wife were among them. Thomas’ wife was helping Aunt Sue while Thomas watched the boys play video games. Katie sat down next to him on the family room sofa.

  “Good to see you again! I was just watching the boys play a little football. That’s my son, Dante.” Thomas smiled at Katie as he pointed to a boy playing the football video game with Brandon and Charlie.

  “I wasn’t going
to let you leave without telling me some family history.” Katie then realized that was a strange request so she quickly made something up. “I’m doing a history of our families and I was told your grandfather was friends with Daniel.”

  “Oh, yes. Yes, he was.” Thomas seemed to be deep in thought. He shook his head and said, “Daniel, Andrew and Thomas...just like these three boys. Good friends.

  He mentioned Andrew! Katie tried to get Thomas back on track. “Would you mind sharing a bit?”

  “My grandfather always wanted to be a cowboy. Back east he knew he had no chance of becoming one. He came out here to see if he could get a job on a ranch. No one would hire him, so he got a job cooking at El Tovar. He was a skilled chef, actually, and got to know many of the ranchers that way. When one of the ranchers sent back their compliments for a good meal, Grandpa always made sure to go out and meet him. Grandpa Tom was very personable that way. Then Andrew Martin showed up at the Grand Canyon and they became fast friends. Andrew got to know Daniel and the rest is history.”

  “History?” Katie wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that.

  “They became friends, great friends until the end.” Thomas was quiet for a moment. “When the Great Depression came, the restaurant cut back hours on Grandpa Tom and the rest of the staff. Daniel offered him some part-time work here on the ranch. He jumped at the chance. He learned to rope and herd cattle. Grandpa already knew how to ride and had been helping out at the canyon stables when he could. He even helped out a Mr. Johansson at his stables back in the day. Daniel’s father, Noah, offered my Grandfather a full-time job here. By then Grandpa had married my Grandmother Rachel and knew that wasn’t the life he wanted for her. He didn’t want to be gone on cattle drives. Plus when the restaurant heard he might leave, they offered him his job back with a chance for advancement.