Call of the Canyon

by Nancy Pennick

  “Yep, we have a wedding to get to.” Carl chuckled as he went to his room to get ready for the trip back to Ohio.

  A wedding. Kate hugged herself. Drew and I will be man and wife in 1927. She couldn’t wait.

  Chapter Ten

  Was it possible to have wedding day jitters? Kate’s hands shook as she fumbled around her boardinghouse room, trying to get a clear head.

  There was a knock at her door. “Kate, it’s mom, I mean Joanna; may I come in?”

  She ran to the door and pulled it open. “Am I glad to see you. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Have you seen Lindsey? We have to find Maya and let her know Lindsey’s around here somewhere. I’m suddenly overwhelmed!”

  “Calm down, sweetie. You’re rambling.” She took Kate by the shoulders.

  Kate looked at her mother again. “Mom, I still can’t get over how young you look!”

  Her mom first arrived to the canyon as a young, twenty-two year old and always reverted to that age when she came. Kate still didn’t have a handle on how the time travel worked but realized she would always be sixteen when she was there. Her mother was the age of her first visit to the canyon so it might not have anything to do with what age her dad was at the time. It was all so confusing.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “Mom, you’re a beautiful woman, but today you look like a young girl. That’s what I mean.” Kate felt flustered.

  “I know what you mean. I’m just kidding around with you. You need to calm down, enjoy the moment.”

  Just then Lindsey burst in the room. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m here!” She spun around the room. “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done!”

  Kate laughed at her excitement. “I’m a bundle of nerves and you’re just flapping around my room like a bird freed from its cage.”

  “It is freeing, Kate. It’s a whole new world, I love it.” Lindsey turned to Kate’s mom. “Look at you! This is unbelievable.”

  “Kate, I’ll handle all the details and you just take care of yourself.” Her mom looked at her over Lindsey’s shoulder as she gave the girl a quick hug. “Maya’s here and I’m sure Drew, Dad, and Carl are upstairs. I’m going to check now. Lindsey, you stay with Kate.”

  As her mom opened the door, they heard men’s voices. She peeked out and motioned for Kate to come and take a look. Kate saw her father, Carl and Drew heading out the door. As soon as she saw Drew, her nerves vanished. “Mom, go ahead. I’ll be fine.” She kissed her mother and closed the door.

  Lindsey sat on Kate’s bed. “Kind of sparse but I like it.” She glanced around the room. “I hope there’s indoor plumbing at the ranch.” She made a face.

  “I guess I’m used to the outdoor plumbing.” Kate giggled at her friend. “And yes, there is indoor at the ranch, don’t worry. Now, let’s see...” Kate tapped the side of her face with a finger. “What are you going to wear?” She walked out to her hallway closet and came back holding a beautiful plum color dress.

  “You got me a dress?” Lindsey jumped up and embraced the dress and Kate.

  “Yes, you are my secret maid of honor. This is a darker shade of the dresses we had made in New York. Only you and I know.” This called for the ‘sisters till the end’ handshake which left the girls in tears. “Love you, Linds. Without your help, I’d never made it through the year. I wouldn’t have Drew.”

  “Knowing you and how determined you were, I think you would have found a way, with or without me.” Lindsey tried on her dress and spun around. “How do I look?”

  “Like a beautiful angel.” Kate wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I’m going out to the kitchen to find Maya and tell her you’re ready. She and Carl Sr. will drive you over to the ranch and come back for the rest of us. When you get there, look for my mom or Carl Jr. Good luck!”

  Kate went out to the kitchen. “Mrs. Johansson, are you in here?” She found her at the stove.

  “Katie, is your friend ready to go? I don’t like that Lindsey and Carl are here. I never wanted Carl to come in the first place, but how could I let him miss your wedding?” Maya started pacing around the kitchen, wiping her hands over and over on a kitchen towel. Kate never saw her like that. “I’ll find Mr. Carl and we’ll be on our way. You girls best be ready when we get back.”

  She went up to Maya and took her by the hands. “Maya, I love you. Everything will be fine. You know I couldn’t get married without my best friend and Carl. They plan on going home tonight after the ceremony. You and Mr. Johansson will drive them back here and you can even throw the book at them.” Kate tried to make a joke about their magical book but saw Maya was in no mood. She had a right to be worried but not about the wedding or the guests. Maya was clueless about Carl’s previous visits to the canyon. Kate felt a twinge of guilt about the secret and hoped it would all work out in the end. In that moment, Kate had other things to worry about. The girls would get dressed at the Circle J Ranch so she needed to get ready to go.

  Kate walked down to Anna’s room and tapped lightly on the door. “Anna, are you awake?”

  “Come in, Kathryn.”

  Kate slowly opened the door. It was always good to see her young friend Anna. They quickly embraced each other.

  “I can’t believe you will be married before I am.” Anna didn’t really seem upset.

  “You told me you wanted to wait until Lucinda was settled in over at Circle H. I think you should do what’s best for you, not Lucinda.”

  “It’s the least I can do, you know that.” Anna looked at her with sad eyes. “I lost a friend but I still care about her.”

  “I know you care and that’s why I love you. Now, let’s get Ruthie and Molly and head out to the ranch.”

  “Daniel heard the Johanssons have to make two trips and he didn’t want them to. He’s on his way to take us all back to the ranch.”

  “Really? That’s quite nice.” Kate was glad she’d get to the ranch sooner than expected.

  “I’m going out to see if he’s here yet.” Anna left the room and Kate went to round up the other girls. She knocked on the sisters’ door. “Molly? Ruthie?”

  The door flew open and a flurry of red hair was at the doorway. “We’re coming!” Molly called out.

  “How are things going at El Tovar?” Kate asked her. Molly had taken Lucinda’s place at the restaurant after she had announced she was leaving to get married.

  “Great! I love being a Harvey girl, already working in the main dining room.” She shouted over her shoulder. “Come on, Ruthie. Kathryn’s ready to leave.”

  They hurried down the hallway and saw Daniel already parked in front of the boardinghouse. Anna was seated beside him.

  “There’s the blushing bride.” Daniel called out.

  Kate smiled and put her head down when she heard the comment. She did feel like a blushing bride. What better way to share this moment than with all her friends and family from both her lives?

  * * * *

  When they arrived at the ranch, the girls were escorted to a room in the back of the house. It was a very large bedroom where they could get ready together. Kate’s mom was already there, dressed in her bridesmaid gown, standing by to help the others.

  “You know I never saw Lucinda on all my travels here.” She whispered into Kate’s ear as she brushed her hair. “I’m excited to see my great-aunt, especially as a young girl, but I’m a little nervous about meeting her. I do look a lot like my grandmother Loretta, her sister.”

  “Mom, I know who Loretta is. Just change the subject or something. Don’t forget that I was compared to her, too. Right now, that’s the least of my worries. You look beautiful, by the way.”

  Her mom twirled around, showing Kate the full look. The dress hung straight with a soft pleated column of lavender lace over the same color lining with both pieces stopping at the knee. The design was flapper-style, straight, no waist, with a round scoop neck and floaty short sleeves of a double layer of lace. There was a ribbon sash of the same color
tied around the hip to finish the look. Lindsey’s dress was very similar except it was made of silk chiffon in a solid plum color.

  The bridesmaids would wear headbands with tiny silken white and purple lilacs attached to one side. They would carry bouquets in the same colors. Kate’s bouquet would have white lilacs plus white roses. Lucinda’s father-in-law was a very rich man and helped find whatever was needed for the wedding, including the champagne. Even though it was Prohibition, he knew where to get the best vintage.

  Lucinda burst through the door. She looked especially radiant and Kate knew why. She was pregnant with her first daughter, Henrietta. Kate wondered if Lucinda was aware of the baby yet.

  She ran over to Kate and they grasped hands. “Kathryn, you need to get dressed. The guests are arriving.” She turned and looked at Kate’s mom studying her carefully. “So this is the famous Joanna I’ve heard so much about. Jack’s a lucky man.” Lucinda studied her carefully. “Why do you look so familiar? Have I met you before?”

  “No, this is the first time. Nice to meet you, Lucinda.” Kate’s mom stuck out her hand and offered an awkward handshake.

  “Kathryn, I’m feeling a little queasy so I’ll get some fresh air and be back in a bit. This is an exciting day.” She left the room in a hurry.

  “Anna, are you two getting along?” Kate called over to her friend getting dressed in the corner of the room.

  “She’s being very tolerant. I think she’s doing this more for you than me.” Anna’s voice was wistful. “I’m going to find Molly and Ruthie. They’re helping with the food and cake and we need to go over some last minute things. I’ll be back soon.”

  Kate and her mom were now alone in the room. “I guess we better get you dressed.” Her mother pulled on the zipper of the garment bag containing the wedding dress. She slipped it out of the bag. Kate gasped. She loved that it was so simple yet elegant, just a sleeveless slip dress made of white satin with a low rounded neck.

  Kate held her arms up like she was a little girl. Her mother placed the dress over her head. It skimmed down her body and then billowed out to the floor. A small two foot rounded train flowed from the back of the dress. The final and favorite piece was a lavender sash that went around her waist and tied in the back. The veil was attached to a thin headband adorned with tiny white silken lilacs. There were three short layers of netting attached to the band, one which would be used to cover Kate’s face on the walk down the aisle.

  “Oh, my baby.” Her mom had tears in her eyes. “I know this isn’t a real wedding but I can’t help thinking I’m losing you.”

  “Mom, how could you ever lose me? I’m not going anywhere.” Kate smiled at her mother’s sentiment.

  “Promise?”

  “Yes, I promise.”

  “I envy you.” Her mom stood behind her and tied the sash of the dress into a beautiful bow.

  “Why?”

  “You seem to fit in so well with these people. I always feel out of place, like I don’t belong. It freaks me out a bit to say this, but I wonder if you did live here at one time.”

  “I would have loved that!”

  “See what I mean? I would never choose to live here. I can’t wait to get back to the present.”

  At that moment, they heard her father’s voice at the door. “Are you two alone?”

  Her mom hurried over to the door and opened it. He stood there with a lovely older woman that Kate never saw before. She continued getting ready not knowing the visitor was there to see her. In the mirror, Kate saw the woman put her hand to her mouth looking very emotional.

  “Kate.” Her dad walked over to her. “This is your grandmother, Grandma Lilly.”

  She couldn’t believe her ears. Her grandmother had come all the way from New York City for the wedding.

  She slowly got up and walked over to the woman. “It’s so nice to meet you.” And put out her hand. She was unsure of what else to do.

  Lilly continued to stand there until Kate’s dad intervened. “Mother, say something.”

  “I never thought I’d get to see you in person. I watched you grow each year through pictures, accepting that’s the way it had to be.” Again, Lilly placed her hand over her mouth, tears running down her face.

  Kate decided she would take the initiative and gave her grandmother a giant hug. She felt Lilly’s arms wrap around her. “My granddaughter, my beautiful granddaughter,” Lilly whispered.

  “Grandmother, I’m so glad you’re here.” Kate took her hands. “Please enjoy the day.”

  “I will, I plan on savoring every moment. It’s so nice to have some happiness in my life.” Lilly walked over to Kate’s dad. “Jack takes good care of me. I heard he may finally have a breakthrough on the case thanks to your beau.” She nodded at Kate and then turned to pat her son’s face. “Now take me to my seat.”

  After the pair left, Kate sank into the chair where she was doing her make-up. “Mom, this is so surreal. I just met my grandmother.”

  “Well, you better get ready to meet your groom. I just saw him pacing in the hallway.”

  “Tell everyone, we’re ready.” Kate pulled the veil over her face and stood up. She was ready to marry the man of her dreams.

  Chapter Eleven

  The Circle J ranch house had a large, open feel. The living and dining area were one big giant space. The area had been cleared so chairs could be set up for the wedding. Lucinda had the decorators cover the chairs in white cloth and tie lavender bows around them. There were lilacs everywhere, dark purple, lavender and white. A little canopy was erected in front of the rows of chairs where the bride and groom would stand with the minister. The wedding party would form a semi-circle around it.

  The girls in the bedroom could hear the beginning bars of the Wedding March. Kate grabbed her mother’s hand as the door flew open. Her dad came in and took his place next to her. Anna left the room first, followed by Lucinda and then her mom, leaving just father and daughter alone in the room.

  He turned to Kate. “Andrew’s a good man. When you marry him for real, I’ll be as happy as I am today. Thank you for doing this, Kate. My mother is beside herself with joy and I get to share this with all my friends. I want to scream from the rooftops that you’re my daughter, but this is enough for me.” He patted her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.

  They walked out into the hall, down the long corridor and entered the room where everyone sat, waiting to see the bride. Kate spotted Lindsey way in the back with Carl. She was so glad they were there. As she looked down the aisle, she spotted Daniel and Thomas standing next to Drew, all looking so handsome. Her bridesmaids made it to the front and now it was her turn. Stepping slowly, afraid to trip on her dress, Kate had no idea how she made it down the aisle. Her father placed her hand in Drew’s and took his spot next to Thomas as best man.

  Kate thought she could hear her heart beating through the whole ceremony, but somehow remembered saying, “I do.” Suddenly Drew kissed her and the minister introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Martin. They walked back down the aisle. It was over in an instant and Kate could hardly recall what just happened.

  The guests stood and began filing toward the back of the room, some stopping to chat with each other or members of the wedding party. Drew took Kate’s hand and guided her through the well-wishers.

  “Kate, my wife, I want you to meet my parents.” Drew stood in front of a very handsome couple. The woman had auburn hair with the greenest eyes Kate had ever seen since Drew’s. Of course, that made sense, she was his mother. His father was strikingly handsome with wavy dark hair and brown, almost black, piercing eyes.

  “So nice to finally meet you, Kate.” Drew’s mom took her hands. She had a slight Irish accent which Kate found to be delightful. She had no idea his mother was first generation.

  “Nice to meet you, too, um, Mrs. Martin.” Kate didn’t know what to call her 1927 mother-in-law.

  “You can call me Ilene if you are comfortable with that. I’m not to
o fond of Mother Martin.” Ilene had a very sincere smile. “Nicolas, say hello, to your daughter-in-law.”

  “Humph, hello.” He cleared his throat and barely looked at her.

  Kate was in shock. Drew’s father did not like her. He didn’t even know her and he didn’t like her. Drew never mentioned anything. She glanced at him and saw he wasn’t happy.

  “Father, Kate’s my wife and I expect you to treat her with a little more respect.”

  “Yes, yes, of course, welcome to the family, Kate. Or is it Kathryn?” Nicolas took her hand, but didn’t seem any more sincere.

  “Whatever you prefer.” She shook his hand and felt the tension.

  More people came up to the couple and Kate was lost in a sea of people. She wanted to enjoy every moment, but her thoughts kept going back to Nicolas. He wasn’t going to ruin the day. She needed to get it out of her mind.

  Kate was finally able to slip away and find Lindsey. She stood with Maya and Carl Sr. close to the kitchen. When Lindsey saw Kate, she motioned they should go outside. They slipped through the back kitchen door together.

  “Kate, I think Carl went off with Rachel. He was with me until the end of the ceremony. Then a beautiful, young girl came up and started a conversation with him. Next thing I know, he’s gone!”

  “Oh my gosh, I hope they come back soon. Carl was supposed to stay here and leave after the reception. Did Maya notice?”

  “I’m not sure. A lot of people were talking to her and asking who I was so that’s kept her busy. It’s going on an hour since he left.”

  “When he comes back, stick to him like glue and tell him I gave the order.” Kate was concerned because Carl heard the Cook history and knew he shouldn’t interfere with any of the events. “I have to get back, but needed to see you. I hope you’re having fun.”

  “Absolutely! I love seeing the old house. It’s just one big rambling place, isn’t it?”

  Kate walked back into the kitchen and slipped through the sea of guests. The chairs were being cleared away, so tables could be set up for dinner. After that, those would come down and the room would be ready for dancing. She felt the love and kindness from all her friends as she slipped back into the reception.