Stealing Time (31 page)

“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.

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.

So many thoughts filled her head at once. She
needed to go along with him since it was his dream. On the other
hand, she had to stop him no matter what. Say whatever he wanted to
hear. And finally, what would the man off in the distance, the
dark-haired, emerald green-eyed man she loved with all her heart,
think when he heard her profess her love for someone else?

With every step, Tyson grew closer to the
edge. Kate knew she had to avoid confrontation between the two
rivals. Tyson might try to fly just to show Drew he could. She took
a deep breath, almost gagging on the words and whispered, “I love
you.”

She was certain Drew wasn’t close enough to
hear. Tyson didn’t see him coming along the walkway.

Tyson cupped his ear leaning forward. “I
didn’t quite hear you.”

“I love you,” she called out, wincing as she
said it, because she knew Drew heard that time.

Tyson ran to her and grabbed her by the arms.
“I knew it. Some day you’d come to your senses and say you loved
me.” He pulled her toward him into a deep kiss.

From the corner of her eye, Kate saw Drew
stop in his tracks. When she was able to break free he was nowhere
to be seen. Torn between finding Drew and keeping Tyson safe, Kate
chose the latter. She grabbed Tyson’s hand and said, “Come with
me.”

He tagged along willingly as she dragged him
to the barn, hoping to find Drew and saddle up Flicka at the same
time. Drew had to figure it out by now and was probably planning
the next step of getting Tyson back to Ohio in one piece.

“Hey, great choice. We can be alone.” Tyson
grabbed her around the waist from behind. He spun her around,
lifting her off the ground, kissing her neck.

She felt light-headed, almost nauseated, but
knew she had to keep up the charade. “Put me down.” She kicked her
legs playfully. As he set her down, she turned and gave him a quick
kiss.

“
Help me saddle up the horse.” She
patted Flicka’s side.

Once the horse was ready, Kate swung into the
saddle, helping Tyson up behind her.

“I like this. Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise.”

On the way to the boardinghouse, Kate tried
to formulate a plan. Carl should still be there. He was having
Thanksgiving dinner with his mother and father. No drama like last
year, he promised. Wednesday’s showdown had been enough
excitement.

Kate shivered as she remembered last year.
Carl took Drew’s place in the boat on that Friday after
Thanksgiving and headed down the river. His grief over losing
Rachel caused him to make a bad choice. He felt someone needed to
die that day and would make the sacrifice. Luckily he was saved,
although one of the men died in the rescue attempt. Carl promised
to go back to the present tonight and not return for that fateful
day. Everyone made that promise. Thanksgiving would be the last day
at the canyon. Now Tyson was here and could drastically change that
plan.

As they arrived at the boardinghouse, Tyson
let out a yell. “Hey, I know this place.”

“Shhh,” Kate held her finger to her mouth.
“You don’t want anyone to know we’re in the barn, do you?”

“No, no I don’t.” Tyson slid off the horse
and helped her down.

“Would you mind taking the horse and putting
her in a stall? I’ll be right in.” Kate used the sweetest voice she
could muster. She slammed the door behind him, sliding the board
into its latch, locking him in, and started for the house as Maya
came out the door.

“What’s all that yelling going on out here?”
She wiped her hands on her apron, glancing around. “Haven’t we had
enough excitement to last us awhile?

“Maya!” Kate ran toward her. “Tyson’s here. I
have him locked in the barn. Tell Carl Jr. I need his help.”

Maya quickly disappeared into the house, and
within moments, he was on the porch.

“Can you bring yourself to knock him out?
Without him seeing you?”

“Sis, I’d be happy to. I’ve been waiting to
punch his lights out for a long time.”

Kate giggled. “You’re terrible. I’ll go in
first and distract him so you can come up from behind.”

She unlocked the door and slipped inside,
finding Tyson in a pile of hay. “Come here.” She wiggled her finger
at him. He popped up, and as he came toward her, crumbled to the
ground.

“Wow, you waste no time.” Kate felt a little
sorry for the young man who was now in a collapsed pile at her
feet. “Let’s get him upstairs.”

Carl was shorter than Tyson but able to sling
him over his shoulders and carry him into the house. “The sun will
be setting soon. He’ll never know what hit him, pardon the pun,” he
called over his shoulder as he climbed the stairs.

“Will you do me a big favor? Stay with him
until he’s gone? I need to find Drew. We had a
misunderstanding.”

“Sure. Go. I got this.”

Kate ran from the room and back out to the
barn where Flicka was still saddled up and waiting. She hopped
quickly into the saddle and raced back to the canyon. All of this
would be straightened out as soon as she found him. Her heart raced
as she tried the barn first. Canyon was in his stall, and she
thought she saw someone with the horse.

“Go away, Kate,” Drew’s voice called out.

“Let me explain.” Kate stepped into the stall
and saw he was crying.

“Nothing to explain. Just like the first
time. Don’t you remember? We made plans to meet here for the
holiday weekend. You ruined it by telling me about the boyfriend
back home. Seems like you still have mixed feelings. I told you I’d
set you free back then. The same goes for now. Maybe you’re just
not ready as I am to settle down.”

Kate couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Do you really think I love Tyson? After all this time you should
know me better than that. Didn’t you see him perched on the edge of
the canyon ready to take flight?”

She could feel the anger rising inside her
but tried to push those feelings deep inside to reason with him.
“We said we’d do anything to keep Tyson safe at the canyon and make
him believe he was dreaming.”

No response from Drew. He just continued
brushing down his horse. Then suddenly, new emotions overtook her.
Her body ached as it filled with hurt and pain. “What about our
wedding, Drew? Our New York trips? The times at the cabin? Anna’s
faith in us? How could you even think for a moment...?” She
hesitated and made a choice. “Say good-bye to Freddie for me. Tell
him I love him.” She started to turn and hesitated. “And since
you’re already mad at me you might as well know. Tyson kissed me at
senior prom.” She spun away in a huff and walked away. She needed
to see Tyson made it safely back to Ohio.

Pushing Flicka to her limits, Kate wanted to
return home as soon as she got to the boardinghouse. All of this
felt too familiar. As tears streamed down her face, she recalled
the day two years ago when she and Drew fought over Tyson.
Eventually Drew came to understand Tyson was the aggressor, and
Kate did her best to keep him at arm’s length. Why was it so
different now? Was it the kiss? Drew saw her kissing another man.
It was more than he could take.

Carl Sr. was waiting for Kate as she came
into the drive. He waved her off and took the reins from her hands.
Although he only lived in this world now, Kate had a suspicion he
knew more than he was letting on, but was grateful for his silent
assistance. Dashing into the house and up the stairs, Kate wanted
to be sure Tyson was gone before she left. Maya was in her sitting
room and nodded to her as she walked down the hallway to the room
Carl deposited him in.