Chapter Twenty

 

Kate woke to find herself in Drew’s arms and sat up slowly. Everything came back to her in waves of sadness and terror. She began to weep. Drew stirred and pulled her back down to him. “They’ll find him. They’re the best.”

“I’m going out to watch for them. You rest.” Kate got up and ran out of the bunkhouse. It was turning out to be the longest day of her life. She swept her hair back into a ponytail and smoothed her pants the best she could, not caring how she looked. All she cared about was seeing a boat come back to camp. Swearing she heard voices, Kate rushed inside to tell Drew. He bolted up and the couple ran out to the edge of the river, waiting impatiently for the boat to round the bend.

“There it is!” She couldn’t believe it. One of the men signaled Drew. “What is it?” Kate looked into his eyes and knew it wasn’t good.

“Why don’t you go inside? I’ll come for you when they’re here.”

“No, something’s wrong and I want to know.”

“Carl’s in the boat. I’m not sure if he made it.” He took her by the arms expecting another fainting spell.

“No, that can’t be right. This isn’t right.” Kate walked along the water. Standing stoically as the boat came ashore, she saw Carl’s body covered with a heavy tarp as Drew went over to talk to the men. Kate saw him nod and she screamed.

“I’m sorry, Kate, I don’t know if he’s going to make it or not. Carl’s unconscious. They said he hit his head pretty hard on a rock when he fell out of the boat. One man was lost trying to rescue him. We need to get him to the top of the canyon as soon as possible.”

Drew turned to the men again, directing them to find the sling to attach to the back of one of the mules.

“Kate.” Drew said softly to her. “This isn’t how it was supposed to be, but you’re going to get your first mule ride to the top of the canyon. Do you think you can do that?” She nodded her head.

“Come with me.” He gently took her hand and guided her over to the stables where the mules were kept. Kate followed Drew’s instructions feeling as if she was in a fog. She barely remembered the ride to the top or how long it took. All she heard was the clopping of the mules’ feet and the sound of a bird overhead. Everything looked gray to her. The day was colorless and cold. It was one of the worst days of her life and the sad part was it wasn’t over. She still had to tell Maya that her son, her only child, might die or was already dead.

* * * *

Kate didn’t recall arriving at the boardinghouse or how she ended up in her room. She didn’t know if she slept or was in a daze. She looked down at her hands and saw she was still holding Carl’s letter for Maya. Slowly she opened it and read:

 

Dear Mom,

If you’re reading this then you know I’m no longer here and have passed on to a better life. Please do not grieve because I will see my Rachel in heaven and that’s a glorious thing. You have a granddaughter, Josie, and a great-grandson named after me. Kate promised me she will help you find them or hopefully they will find you. Most of all, I ask you to not blame her. She’s my li’l sis and I am her big bro. She’s not supposed to protect me. I am her protector and I failed her.

Mom, she couldn’t have stopped me from coming to the canyon. I was unhappy with my life and needed a change. I would have ended up here one day looking for both you and Dad, anyway. It was so great to see the boardinghouse and meet everyone. It was a joyful time for me. So please know I got my happily ever after just like in the fairytales Katie so loved as a child. In time, I know you and she will accept this was my wish, my choice and no one could have stopped me. Drew is now safe. The river is satisfied. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I love you, Mom, forever. Please love my daughter as I would have done.

Your son,

Carl

 

Kate let out a loud wail and the door flew open. Anna came running in and over to her. “It’s going to be alright, Kathryn. Joseph’s awake. He wants to see you.”

She couldn’t believe what she just heard. “He isn’t dead?”

“No, he isn’t. I just talked to Mr. Johansson. He was in the kitchen getting more water. It’s a miracle Joseph’s alive.” Anna took Kate’s hand and pulled her up from the bed.

They both walked out into the hallway and parted at the stairs leading to the family living quarters. Drew was leaning on the wall in the upstairs hall. When he saw Kate he quickly came to help her up the stairs. She wiped the tears from her eyes as her heart pounded. Her mind felt like a scrambled mess, trying to sort everything out.

She walked into Maya and Carl’s bedroom. Carl Sr. sat in a chair next to the bed. He had a pan of water on the dresser and was squeezing out a washcloth over it. He then put the cloth on Carl Jr.’s head, like he knew he was caring for his son. Kate gasped when she looked at him lying in the bed. There was a large bump and cut on his forehead plus bruising and scratches on other parts of his body. Carl Jr. slowly turned his head when he heard her.

“Hey, sis, I’m not supposed to be here. The river will be mad.” He sounded like he was trying to make a joke.

“The river’s not a living breathing soul, Carl. It did not want you. Thank goodness you’re alive!” Kate ran over and carefully placed his hand in hers. She brought it to her lips and lightly kissed it. “I never would have made it through life without you. Don’t ever do anything stupid like that again.”

“I’ll wait until next year. Tell Drew he only has to have his dream another year.” Carl sounded half-serious.

“Carl, the river did take someone today. One of the men who went looking for you fell in and was swept away. They’re still searching for him. I don’t want the river to take anyone but if it’s fate, then maybe the right person was taken today. I hope I don’t sound like a horrible person, but I’m glad it wasn’t you or Drew.”

“Fate. That’s quite a heavy word. People use it so casually, don’t they? They don’t realize what fate really means. It was fate I met Rachel and it was fate I was to lose her to another man. Fate, fate, fate. Tired of that word.”

“Shhh, you’re talking too much. You need to rest.” Kate placed his hand back on the bed. She looked at Carl Sr. “Thank you. You’ll never know how much this means to Maya.”

“Oh, Maya knows alright.” Kate heard a familiar voice at the doorway and turned to see her standing there. Kate ran and hugged her tightly, but didn’t feel any hug in return. She stepped back.

“Oh, Maya, please don’t be mad at us, at me!” Kate looked at her with tears in her eyes.

“Give her my letter, Kate.” Carl Jr.’s voice floated across the room.

Kate still clutched the letter in her hand. She slowly unfolded her fingers from around the paper and handed it to Maya. “I’m sorry, but I read it. I thought Carl was gone.”

She walked out into the hall to wait with Drew. It seemed like hours before Maya emerged from the room. She looked at Kate sternly at first and then her face crumbled as if she was going to cry. Raising her arms up, she motioned to her. Kate ran into her arms and they hugged for a very long time.

“I’m sorry, Maya, can you ever forgive me?” Kate looked at her with tears in her eyes.

“Of course, I do. I was never mad at you. I was angry with myself. I handled this all wrong. He had the right to come here and I kept it from him. He’s a grown man and can make his own decisions. I still think of him as the baby I need to protect; every mother does.” Maya’s voice trailed off. “I’m just so grateful he’s alive.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about him coming back here again.” Kate told her truthfully. “You read about Rachel.”

“Yes, I did. She’s a very sweet girl and I’m happy that my Carl met her and even fell in love with her.”

“Maya, you have a granddaughter that’s older than you.” Kate couldn’t help herself.

“Now, that one is a shock.” Maya shook her head. “When Carl is better, we’ll work this all out. When dusk comes, I’m putting a book in his bed and take him home...with his permission, of course.”

“We’ll all go home, right, Drew?” Kate turned to him and put out her hand. She thought about the beginning of the trip and how it started. It was supposed to become a beautiful memory for her to cherish in the years to come. Drew was so wonderful, sneaking off to decorate the cabin for their first Thanksgiving. Then there was their romantic night together. How did it turn into this scary nightmare?

Maya went back into her room and placed her hand on Carl Sr.’s shoulder. He got up and left the room, stopping first to hug Kate. Kate was so touched by the gesture, she could hardly stand. Her knees began to wobble. Drew grabbed her shoulders and she leaned against him. They walked into the room and sat down next to Carl with Maya on one side and Kate and Drew on the other. They were bound together with a secret not many people knew existed and were aware they would always be a family.

“Carl,” Kate said softly. “Today you spoke a lot about fate. You seem to dislike the word. I think fate has been kind to you. You may not agree with me now, but once you’re home and recovered, I’m sure you’ll agree. At home, you have family waiting for you. You won’t be alone. You can start your life again with a new perspective. I’ll do anything I can to help you.”

Carl seemed a little groggy, but was able to reach out his hand to Kate. “Li’l sis,” was all he said and then he fell asleep.

* * * *

“You realize we just messed up history, don’t you?” Drew paced back and forth in the kitchen at the boardinghouse. “I was supposed to die on Friday and here I am alive and kicking on Saturday night.”

Maya and Kate were seated at the kitchen table contemplating what Drew just said. It never crossed their minds during the weekend that history was suddenly changed. They were just concerned about Carl.

Maya sat with her head in her hands for awhile and then looked at the couple. “You already died, Drew, when you were seventeen. You left this world at that age and now you’re a year older. It’s possible everyone remembers your death and now Carl’s story will be added to that day–the day you were lost to the river and Joseph was saved.”

“What about the rescuer who really died on Friday?” Kate tried to process all the new information. “We swore we wouldn’t change history, but we have.” She began to sob. She so loved this life and didn’t want to disrupt anything. Things were supposed to be a certain way. They were not there to change them, just live them.

“Kate.” Drew sat down next to her. “Remember when Carl told us he wasn’t changing history, but was supposed to be part of this history? Maybe that’s what’s happening now. If I really died when I was seventeen, people won’t remember seeing me today. Plus I can’t recall who saw me and who hasn’t. There’s only one way to find out. We need to get back to the present and call Anna to find out what her memories are about this whole weekend. If she thinks I’m still alive I’ll come back and go down to the river...”

“Stop, Drew! You’re not going to put your life in jeopardy again. I can’t take much more.”

“Sweetie, Drew has a point.” Maya took her hand from across the table. “We need to find out as soon as possible what the story is and decide how to fix it. Drew, I think it’s best if as few people see you as possible. Go on up to one of the guest rooms and I’ll get Katie settled in. See you all back home.” Maya got up and headed for Kate’s room down the hall.

“She’s right, you know.” Drew walked her to the bedroom and then disappeared around the corner.

Katie wrapped her arms around Maya. It felt safe to be in her motherly arms. “Maya, what about Carl Sr.? He’s upstairs and I think he’s the only one who saw Drew since we got back.”

“Don’t you worry about him. He never asks too many questions. He figured out long ago something wasn’t right with all the comings and goings but he trusts me.” Maya got tears in her eyes. “He knows some, but not everything. How I wish I could tell him Carl Jr. is lying in that bed.”

“I think he knows.” Kate whispered and that’s the last thing she remembered until she woke in the present.