Call of the Canyon

by Nancy Pennick

  “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 dr
eam. 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.”

  “I kept trying to have you meet him and you keep avoiding it. Jackson Roberts is Jack Woods, still hard to believe.”

  “I knew he saw me that day!” Then Kate became more serious. “Thank goodness he didn’t stop me from coming back to you. You wouldn’t be here today.”

  The couple sat silently, holding hands, looking out at the canyon, their magical, wondrous canyon. This was the most relaxed Drew looked all day.

  * * * *

  The birthday party was scheduled the day before the return to Ohio. Anna filled Kate in on the details. She invited the Cooks who were friends of the family, and the Hastings for the big day. Henrietta and Lucy Hasting were Lucinda’s daughters. Amy, Anna’s daughter-in-law, was their younger sister. It made them aunts to Anna’s grandchildren. Besides that, they were Joanna and Kate’s cousins. Anna wanted to make it a big family gathering for Kathryn because she loved them all so much. She included Charlie on the guest list for Lindsey. Nothing ever got by Anna.

  Anna ordered two separate cakes for the party and they were delivered that morning. Because the girls loved horses, it became the theme for the party. Anna told Kate she had so much fun planning the party she almost forgot she turned one hundred last October. When Kathryn was around, she felt like she was eighteen again.

  Upstairs, Lindsey and Kate were trying on different cowgirl shirts. They couldn’t make up their minds if they wanted to be cute or sexy cowgirls. Aunt Sue took the girls shopping for hats and boots as their gift. Boxes were scattered on the floor, filled with what they bought.

  “I can’t believe I have to go home and won’t see you all summer, Linds!” Kate stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “You’ve done this for so many summers we never get to hang out.”

  “But look what happened last summer because you were bored. Your mother gave you the book to read and your whole life changed. You had an adventure of a lifetime. Come to think of it, you still are.” Lindsey put her arm around Kate. “I like my hat better!” She grabbed it out of the box and placed it on her head.

  Lindsey’s hat was basic black with a twist. A thin leatherette band shaped like a belt with tiny clear rhinestones, traveled around the crown. Her white shirt, skinny jeans and black boots completed the outfit. She twirled around in front of Kate.

  “Wow, I hope I look that good when I’m ready!” Kate fumbled with her shirt trying to tuck it into her tight blue jeans. She wanted to get a pink cowgirl hat but Drew told her to not come back with pink, any color but that. As soon as she got to the store, Kate knew which one she wanted. She picked a turquoise hat, the color of the Arizona sky. Drew agreed it was perfect. Her tan boots completed her look. Both Lindsey and she agreed on white shirts although they picked different styles. Kate’s was silk twill with a western front and back yokes. She felt it was simple, yet elegant.

  “Ooh, we’re two of the baddest cowgirls on Circle J ranch!” Lindsey grabbed Kate and they ran down the stairs.

  Everyon
e at the party was wearing cowboy hats and boots, some were brand new—like Kate’s mom and dad—and others were worn with age. Kate loved that Anna was decked out for the occasion, hat and all. She ran to her and gave her a giant hug.

  “I love it, Anna. It’s so unbelievable you did all this. Thank you.”

  She spotted Thomas Cook coming in the door with his family and ran to greet them. “Hi, I’m Kate. We met last October at Anna’s birthday.” Kate put out her hand and tried to be a little more formal than when they first met.

  “Of course, we remember you, Kate. I don’t get a big ol’ hug this time?” Thomas teased. She hugged him and then his wife and even Dante, who stayed really stiff during the hug. “Come on, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Drew Kelly.”

  She was ready to run interference if Drew came on too strong. She saw his eyes light up at the sight of his old friend, really his old friend’s grandson. Kate motioned to Drew to come over.

  “Drew, this is Thomas Cook. I told you I met him last year.”

  Drew shook hands a little too long, but Kate didn’t think anyone noticed. Dante went off to find Brandon. Thomas’ wife talked with Aunt Sue. Kate slipped away letting Drew have Thomas to himself. She reminded him to take lots of pictures and hoped he’d get one of Thomas. Then she had a brilliant idea, she would take one of the two of them as a surprise. It was the closest thing he had to getting his old friend back.

  Retta and Lucy Hasting came in without Kate noticing so she rushed up to greet them when she spotted them. “I’m so happy to see you. I know Mom and Dad came over to see you earlier in the week. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.” She pointed to her outfit. “I was shopping.”

  The two older women admired her outfit and asked the appropriate questions. Kate made small talk but was dying to drag them over to Drew. It would just have to wait until later. They were Lucinda and Henry’s daughters. It would be a special surprise.

  Anna pulled Kate aside. “I have a special birthday present I want to give you.”

  “The party’s enough, Anna.”