Chapter Twenty-Three

 

When Kate woke, it was daylight. She’d slept on the couch in the family room all night. A soft blanket covered her that she didn’t remember having before. Sitting up, she looked right into the eyes of her parents. They were both across from her, watching her sleep and drinking their morning coffee.

“Dad, what happened? And my ballerina stopped spinning! You have to fix it.” Kate sounded like a whiny little girl. “Sorry...what happened at the canyon? Did you hear from Grandma Lilly?”

He walked over to the tree and looked at the ornament. “I’ll take a look at this when I can. Sorry to hear she stopped spinning.”

“Dad...”

“I got a telegram. Albert’s coming for Christmas. I’m sorry I’ll miss Christmas here with the family and Drew. I’ll only have to do this one year. Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. This is important. It’s your family.” Kate rubbed her eyes, trying to focus. “When will you leave for New York?”

“Tomorrow night. I’m going back tonight to arrange everything, but will come back for one more day. I’d like to see everyone before I leave.”

“You have to be back by New Year’s Eve Day.”

“I’m sure I’ll make it in plenty of time. Right now, I just want to enjoy being with my girls. What if we invite the Campbells over for dinner tonight? I can explain to them I’ll be missing Christmas so we’ll change our get-together to New Year’s Eve.”

“What excuse are you going to use for missing Christmas with the family? It had better be good.” Kate couldn’t think of one to help her father.

“I considered using Andrew’s fictitious parents as an excuse. You know the ones that are somewhere in the unknown doing good works. Then I realized it was not a good idea because he should be coming with me. I might have to say I have a sick aunt or something.” Her father chuckled.

“Dad, it’s not funny. Don’t joke about it.” Kate didn’t like that her father had to leave. She wasn’t seeing the humor in anything.

“Actually, Kate, I was thinking the more bizarre the story, the more likely they’ll accept it, no questions asked.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “How about this? My Uncle Rodney is dying and requested to see me. He lives in London, England so I’ll be gone for a while. I regret missing the holidays with everyone, but how can I turn down a dying man’s request?”

“That’s a little far-fetched.”

“Not really, I do have an Uncle Rodney. He was my father’s brother, Robert and Rodney Woods. He did move to London, England. We crossed the Atlantic on the SS Leviathan once for a visit.”

“Okay, I guess that’s better than nothing.” Kate jumped up. “I’ll go call the fam and invite them for dinner.”

Her mom and dad spent the day cooking and getting ready for company. Kate used the time to wrap presents, do homework, and write in her journal. She finally took her newest journal out of the drawer and began to write again. Kate always liked writing and decided it was something she’d like to do in the future, hoping she inherited her father’s writing gene. When the doorbell rang, she quickly cleaned up and ran downstairs.

It was a great evening. Beth and David seemed surprised Kate’s dad wouldn’t be with the family for Christmas. Lindsey was able to manipulate the conversation because she knew what was really going on. “Uncle Jackson, you go and do what you need to do. We’ll have the best New Year’s Eve party ever. Maybe you’ll inherit some money or be given some family heirloom or secrets.”

That opened the conversation to all the possibilities of why Uncle Rodney wanted to see him. Kate sent a ‘thank you’ look to Lindsey. The two families meshed so well you’d never know they just found out they were family last year. Kate felt better about the trip. Her father would come home with answers and could finally enjoy living his life in the present.

“Then you must spend the holidays with us.” Beth told Kate’s mom. “I don’t want you two sitting here alone on Christmas Day.”

“We’ll be fine, Beth, really.” Kate knew her mom preferred to stay home. She was in no mood to celebrate. “We usually go to my mom’s, but I don’t think I can go without Jackson. I might just tell her a little white lie and say I’m taking Kate to New York City while he’s away.”

“Okay, I understand but if you change your mind, I can keep a secret.”

The house took on an eerie silence once everyone left. Kate’s dad went up to bed. She sat with her mom in the darkened house. The only light came from flickering candles. Mother and daughter couldn’t speak to each other. There was a possibility his trip could be a disaster, but neither said a word. So much could go wrong. The biggest fear was that her dad wouldn’t make it back to the canyon in time to come home. He could be stuck in the past forever. Kate looked at her mother and saw not just her mom, but a woman who was afraid she could lose her partner in life, the man she loved. Kate reached over and took her mother’s hand, pulling her from the sofa. They both silently went upstairs to their empty bedrooms.

The days before Christmas dragged and Drew tried to distract Kate by making her guess her Christmas gift. He prayed for snow each day as a joke to keep her smiling because he said he wanted to build her an igloo. They wrapped presents together and went shopping.

Kate had other plans for the week, but she seemed to have forgotten them all. She felt like she was just going through the motions.

“You know your dad instructed me to make the best possible decisions in his absence. He wouldn’t want his girls moping around. We’re going to have a wonderful holiday together.” Drew took Kate’s chin in his hand. He lifted her face up and brought his lips to hers. “Trust me?”

“I’ll try. It’s hard when my mom’s so upset.”

“Then, let’s do something to change that. Find all the things she likes about Christmas and make sure they’re ready for our celebration.”

Christmas Eve was almost somber although there was cheerful music, lots of festive lights and candles glowing just like Drew requested. Nothing they did cheered Kate’s mom up. She left them alone toward the end of the night so they could exchange gifts. Kate bought a new lens for Drew’s camera and she received a delicate open star diamond pendant. They sat staring at the lights on the tree for the rest of the night. Her mom never came back to join them.

Christmas Day still had the same feel although Kate and her mom tried to act cheery and in the holiday spirit. They exchanged presents in the morning and made a holiday brunch like always. Dressing in festive colors, they headed for the Campbells for the rest of the day.

Kate hung out in Lindsey’s bedroom, trying to make small talk with her and Drew. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore and broke into tears. “Sorry, guys, I’m not the best company. I should just get Mom and go home.”

“No, you should stay here with friends.” Lindsey put her arm around her.

Drew and Lindsey did the best they could to distract her for the rest of the evening but Kate longed to go home, go to bed and chalk up another day waiting for her dad to come home.

* * * *

A few days after the holiday, Kate and her mom started looking for her dad to reappear. Each day he didn’t, they became a little more anxious. Drew couldn’t go back and use his influence because everyone thought he was dead. Kate’s disappearance from the canyon was never explained and it was assumed she was back in Ohio. The only person who could safely go back was her mom. She agreed to go for one night so she would not miss time with them.

Kate hardly slept the night her mother left. Drew was in the guest room and she finally went over after he was asleep and slipped in the bed. Every time she dozed off, she’d shiver and wake herself again. It was a horrible way to spend the holidays. Kate ended up staring at the ceiling for the rest of the night until there was a little light creeping through the blinds.

“Drew, are you awake?”

“Yes, I was just napping all night.”

“Then why didn’t you say something?”

“I was hoping you’d fall sleep once you crawled in here.” Drew pulled her close. He put his chin on top of her head and held her tightly.

“Drew, I can’t breathe,” Kate choked out.

“Oh, sorry.” He pushed back and looked at her closely. “We’ll figure this out. Let’s go see if your mom’s back.”

They padded down the hall to her parents’ bedroom. Kate slowly opened the door. “She’s here!” Kate ran into the room and bounced on the bed knowing it had to be good news. “Mom, are you awake?”

She rolled over and her face was not what Kate expected. It looked like she’d been crying for a very long time.

“I didn’t find him. No one knew anything about him or heard from him. There was no telegram. The only thing I did find out was there was some flooding in Pennsylvania. A train derailed...the tracks are blocked. It’s a giant mess. That’s all I know.” Her mom moaned and rolled back over.

“Drew, how long should we wait before we go looking for him?” Kate grabbed his hand. “I don’t care if everyone sees you’re alive, do you? We have to do this.”

“I don’t care either, but I do have an idea. You need to call Anna and find out where Thomas went for his honeymoon and how long he’ll be gone. If we can get to the cabin without being seen, we may be able to keep my identity a secret and still find out about your dad.”

“I’m on it.” Kate ran to her room to get her phone.

After talking to Anna, Kate hurried back to her mother’s room. “I have the information we need.” Looking at Drew, she could tell something was wrong.

“Kate, sit down. Your mom needs to tell you something. You won’t be going with us.”

“Oh, no, I’m not staying behind. I’m definitely going on this trip.”

“Katie.” Her mom took her hand. “I’m more worried about you than your father.”

“Mom, I’ll be fine. Anna said Thomas and Rachel go back east to visit Thomas’ family and return two weeks later. No one will be at the cabin to see me or Drew. Don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. Your father and I discussed certain scenarios over and over. This exact one is the one we didn’t want to come true. If your father doesn’t return on time, you may cease to exist.”

“What? That’s crazy! Look at me, here I am. I’m not going anywhere.” Kate’s head began to hurt. The look in Drew’s eyes made her almost believe what her mother said.

“We never planned on it coming down to this. We didn’t want to tell you. If your father doesn’t come back by the end of the year and has to live his life out in the past, there will be no you. I will be here in the present and your father will live his life in the past.”

“Mom, you’re scaring me.” Kate moved closer to Drew.

“That’s the last thing I want, sweetie. That’s why we want you to stay here in the present. It’s the best possible chance I can think of to keep you alive.”

Alive? That was so drastic. Kate still did not understand. “Mom, you need to explain this better. It’s too confusing.”

Drew took over. “Kate, your mom and dad met and married the first year Jack time traveled. You weren’t born until three years later. So if Jack doesn’t make it back, his life will continue on in the past and this one may be totally erased. Once he steps into 1928, we have no idea what will happen. We just don’t know. Your mother may have no memories of meeting Jack and you won’t be conceived. It would be like you never existed.” He paused. Kate felt he wanted to let the news sink in and also gain his composure. “Joanna and I hope if you stay here, somehow you’ll survive.”

“But you’re not one hundred per cent sure, are you? If I’m not going to be alive in a few days, why should I stay behind? I want to spend every last minute with you!” Kate threw herself in Drew’s arms.

“Please, do this for me.” Drew whispered in her ear. “I’ll come back to you. I’ll find a way, I promise.”

“No! That’s my final answer. I’m going with you. We have to believe we’ll find Dad or the reason why he’s not back yet. We’ll rescue him, whatever it takes. We still have a few days. Let’s get going.”

Her mom sat up. “Look at my brave daughter. Call Anna and Lindsey. You can tell them whatever you wish plus you may want to say your final...” She didn’t finish. “Never mind. I can be strong for you...and your dad. Jackson put all his faith in me to do what’s right. I can’t lose you both in a matter of days. So let’s get going. We’ll solve this together. I don’t want regrets. I don’t want to forget anything...especially you.”