Call of the Canyon (13 page)

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.