Chapter Twenty-Four

 

Kate woke up with an awful headache. She’d had such a terrible dream! Sitting up in bed, she was startled to see the boardinghouse’s pine walls. Nausea swept over her. It wasn’t a dream after all. She was back at the canyon and they had three days to find her father or Kate would be gone. She could disappear into nothingness, but decided she wouldn’t give up without a fight. Telling herself she wouldn’t cry, she knew she had to be strong for Drew and her mother.

Back home, the conversation with Lindsey had gone well but Kate didn’t tell her the whole truth. She said they were coming to the canyon to look for her father and to wish them luck. Kate did tell Anna the truth and they cried and talked for a very long time. Anna assured her she would always remember her. Kate was not quite as sure.

It was very early in the morning. The sun was just beginning to rise. Drew poked his head in her room and motioned for her to come to him. Kate slid out of bed and ran to the door. “Meet us out front in five minutes.” He whispered and then disappeared.

She was ready in less than five and out the front door to find her mother sitting in the Buick. “We’re stealing the Buick?” Kate found it almost funny.

“Get in.” Her mother coaxed her. “We have no time to waste. I’ll find someone and pay them to drive the car back. Hopefully, no one will know it’s gone.”

Drew came around the side of the house, started the car and headed for the cabin. They drove silently along. Kate had much to say, deciding to wait until they reached the cabin. It was still very early and there was plenty of time to have a discussion.

Drew parked the car behind El Tovar. Her mom went inside while Kate and Drew started for the cabin. Kate was glad to have some alone time with Drew. “I’m not letting you out of my sight the whole time we’re here so don’t get any ideas.” She told him.

“Yes, ma’am!” Drew saluted. It did sound like a command and they both had to laugh.

“Drew, do you think you’ll remember me? Anna and I had a long discussion about it. She’s so sure, but I’m not. Anna said she will leave herself notes because she’s determined not to forget.”

Drew didn’t answer as they approached the cabin. He felt for the key on the top of the doorframe and unlocked the door. “It’s chilly and I want to get the fires started and turn on the heat.”

“You’re avoiding my question.”

“How can I tell my beautiful wife I don’t know if I’ll remember her or not? With all my heart and soul, I will try to remember you. Let’s not go there yet. I will try to make these the best days of your life. We’ll do anything you want. Just name it.” Drew lit the fire and turned to see Kate snuggled under a blanket.

“Find my father,” was all she could say.

Her mom came through the cabin door after what seemed like hours. “I think I have news!” This was the happiest she’d looked in days. “A train is scheduled to arrive today. The flooding and accident caused a lot of problems for trains traveling from the east but one’s finally coming. I’ll be there to greet it.”

“Great news! Right, Kate?”

“Yes, then what I have to say to both of you, won’t sound so depressing. I want to talk about something...in theory only.”

Her mom sat down. “Okay, go ahead.”

“I’ve been thinking. If Dad doesn’t make it back, you two should just stay here. Drew, you can go on with your life. You can go home and surprise your family. They will be thrilled you’re alive. Mom, you can go with him and find Dad in New York City. If he remembers you, that will be wonderful. If not, I’m sure he’ll fall in love with you all over again. Isn’t that a great plan?”

“Well thought out as usual.” Drew smiled at her. “But what about you?”

“I’ll be born eventually. I think it would be around 1930, wouldn’t you say, Mom?” Kate was so matter-of-fact she noticed her mom just nodded in agreement. “Then, Drew, you would have to wait sixteen years or so for me to grow up so we could be together.”

“I would be about thirty-seven years old by then, Kate. I don’t think your parents would approve.”

“That’s why you both have to promise me you will try and remember all of this. Anna is going to write herself a note. I want you two to do the same thing.”

Her mom shook her head. “I don’t know, Katie...”

“What, Mom? If this would work out?” She noticed her mom had reverted back to calling her Katie.

“No, I don’t know if I would stay here. My family’s back in the present. What if Jackson doesn’t remember me or want to marry me? I’d be all alone here.”

“Mom, are you planning on going back New Year’s Eve day, no matter what?” Kate was shocked.

“I haven’t thought it through. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Her mother began to cry. “I’m so confused. I’m losing everything!” She jumped up and went into the back hallway.

“Drew!” Kate panicked. “Don’t you think it’s a good idea?”

“In theory, yes, in reality, I don’t know. We don’t know what the future holds, Kate. That’s why it’s called the future.” Drew got up and went down the hallway to talk to her mom.

Moments later, Kate’s mom walked back out to the great room. “I’m going to meet the train now. Please forgive me. Give me time to process everything.” She went out the door and Kate ran to the window to watch her mother walk down the trail until she disappeared.

The morning went by slowly. Drew made breakfast and they took a walk in the woods. They even went to the barn to visit Canyon. The horse was happy to see them.

“Canyon misses you Drew. I swear his eyes lit up when he saw you.” Kate loved that horse. He was so much a part of their history. “Sweet Canyon.” She kissed the horse on the side of its head.

“Let’s get back. Your mom may have some news by now.” Drew took her hand and they headed back to the cabin.

Kate’s mom was inside when they got there. She was staring straight ahead, almost in a trance. That didn’t look like good news to Kate. Her mom just shook her head no and continued staring. The couple left her alone because they knew she needed time to herself. They went outside and sat on the front porch.

“Will we be sitting here when we’re old and gray?” Kate looked out at the blue sky she loved and the white puffy clouds. She wanted to drink it into her soul so she’d never forget.

“Yes.” Drew slowly breathed the word out although Kate wondered if he believed it.

The door opened and her mom stood leaning against the frame. “Tomorrow there’s two trains scheduled to arrive, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I’ll be there to meet them both. Then we have one more day. I’ve decided to take Katie back to the present with me. We’ll take our chances back in Ohio. Drew, you can decide what you want to do. I recommend you stay here, where you belong. That’s what we all should have done right from the beginning, stayed where we belonged.” She closed the door and went back in the house.

Drew and Kate looked closely at each other. “She’s wrong, Drew. She’ll come to her senses.”

Drew nodded in agreement although Kate realized he wasn’t committing to anything.

* * * *

It was hard to think about a schedule, but making dinner seemed normal. When the cooking was done, they ate in silence. Kate didn’t like the silence. There’d been too much of it.

“Mom, Drew has bottles of wine and sparkling cider stocked here. We’re going to open one of each and sit and talk by the fire until we’re tired. We need to talk and it doesn’t have to be about the present situation. It can be about anything because I can’t stand the silence anymore.”

“Whatever Kate wants, right, Joanna?” Drew got up and went to his wine cellar. He brought up a good Italian wine, a sparkling cider for Kate and grabbed three glasses.

Her mom curled up next to Kate. “This was a good idea.” She took a sip of wine. After she finished, she filled the glass again. “I’m going to bed and get rested for tomorrow. Taking this with me.” She held up the glass. “I promise to be more positive tomorrow. Good night.”

“Good night, Mom, I’ll see you in the morning.” Kate blew her a kiss. Then she turned and kissed Drew. He picked her up and carried her to their bedroom, gently placing her on the bed. Sliding in next to her, Kate felt his warm body next to her. He pulled her closer, clinging to her. She hoped it wouldn’t be one of their last nights together.