Call of the Canyon (27 page)

“You’re doing fine, Anna. Take your time.”
Kate’s dad looked at all of them seated at the table. “We’re all
listening.”

“I think Joseph fell from the boat and hit
his head on a large rock. Somehow he was brought to the
boardinghouse and Carl and Maya nursed him back to health. From
what I heard about that day, the girl managed to boss those men
around and get Carl to safety. Was that you, Kathryn? That was the
last time I saw you, it was a Saturday, I believe. I went to your
room to see if you were alright. You were so upset over Joseph. I
had no idea at the time why were so distraught over someone you
hardly knew. Now it all makes sense. Funny, I never thought about
this before...wait a minute, did this just happen?”

“Yes, Anna, it did.” Kate waited a moment to
let her process everything.

“Carl! What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t, Anna. I was distraught over
losing Rachel. I thought I could give myself to the river in place
of Drew.” Kate knew he was telling a little white lie. She thought
he had it well planned out.

“That’s nonsense. I’m glad you’re
alright.”

“Looking back on it, I am, too.”

“Now I have one more question.” Kate
couldn’t wait any longer to ask. “Did you see Drew on
Saturday?”

“No, I can’t recall. He had left for his
trip already, didn’t he?”

“Historically, yes, but he really was with
me.”

“Oh, so you want to know if anyone saw him
after he supposedly left...no, they didn’t.”

“That’s a relief! Thanks for all your help.”
Kate felt like she could breathe easier now.

“Wait, there’s more. The men felt guilty
because they lost track of Andrew and never knew when he left. They
think it was some time after Joseph was rescued because Andrew was
there during that time. They realized he left when they saw his
boat was missing.”

“Thank goodness, I remembered to untie my
boat before we left. I thought it had to be part of the new
memories.” Drew interrupted. “Sorry, Anna, continue.”

“Later that evening Rachel came to the
boardinghouse, wanting to see Joseph. I had no idea how she got
word of his injuries. There was something strange about the way she
acted, but she begged me to trust her and tell no one she was
there. I let her go upstairs. She was gone for quite a while. The
sun just started to set and it was dark by the time she came back
down. I asked her if she was able to speak with Joseph. She said he
slept the whole time, but she wanted to stay until the sun set and
the moon rose in the sky. At the time, I thought it was crazy talk
but I know now what she meant. She stayed with him until he
returned to the present. She knew all about you, didn’t she,
Carl?”

“Yes, Anna, she did.” He could hardly get
the words out. Tears were streaming down his face. “She was with me
right up until I returned to the present and I have no
recollection.” Pounding the table, he let out a sorrowful wail that
penetrated the soul. His head sunk into his arms and he wept.

“Anna, I’ll talk to you later. I think we
need to hang up.” Kate got up and walked over to Carl, resting her
head on his back. She could feel the pain radiating from him as his
shoulders shook with each anguished sob. The room was silent except
for those cries.

Drew’s voice cut through the silence. “Carl,
remember what you told us the week after the wedding? You said you
were supposed to be a part of the canyon history. I scoffed at it
then, but now I’m in complete agreement. You didn’t mess up
history. You were the part that was missing. I’ve been arrogant in
my thinking and I beg your forgiveness. Kate and I did our share of
changing history, too. I justified it by saying it was supposed to
happen. Now I have to give you the same benefit.” He stood up,
patted Carl on the shoulder and left the room. Everyone slowly left
until Kate and Carl were the only ones in the dining room.

“Carl, did you hear what Drew said? You know
what this means. You have the choice to go back every summer just
like I do. You will see Rachel again. It may not be the way you
want it but she can still be a part of your life.”

He lifted his head and wiped his eyes on his
shirt sleeve. “I wanted a life with her, not a few short months. I
told you I accepted everything and how it has to be. I will never
go back there. It’s too painful.”

“Don’t say that. You told me you felt like
you belonged there, Carl.”

“I belong here now...in the present. I have
Josie.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Doing
homework felt normal. Kate was back to a routine after all the
drama she’d been through the past month. Carl recovered from his
injuries and was making plans to take Maya to Texas for Christmas.
The Johnsons usually spent Christmas with Kate and her family but
everyone understood he needed to go.

“I feel like I’m abandoning you.” Carl had
said during one of their phone calls.

“You’re not. I totally understand your need
to see Josie and your grandson. Maya needs to meet them.” Kate
loved that she had her brother back.

“Who’s going to protect you when I’m
gone?”

“My husband, that’s who.” Kate laughed with
him.

She leaned back in her chair and thought
about that conversation now. It was good to hear Carl laugh and
sound like his old self again. Her daydreaming was interrupted by a
loud a bang in the kitchen. It startled her because she thought no
one was home. Drew was at a football meeting, her mother at work
and her father went to the store. Maybe Drew’s meeting finished
early.

“Drew, I’m up here.”

“It’s not Drew.” Kate recognized the
voice.

“Ty! You scared me! How did you get in?” Her
heart began to beat a little faster.

“Backdoor was open.”

“You came around back?”

“Well, sometimes you sit on the deck when
it’s nice, even if it’s cold. I thought I’d catch you.”

That made sense. Kate did like to sit out on
a sunny day and think. Still, he had no right to break in. “So
what’s up?” She asked as he took a step into her room.

“I think I want to break up with Erin and
need someone to talk to.” Ty gave her a sad face.

He looked sincere. Kate got up from her
desk. She didn’t want him in her room and was nervous he let
himself into the house. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.” She
fidgeted with her 1927 wedding ring.

“I notice you have a promise ring from
Drew-ski. You would never wear the one I gave you.” Ty changed the
subject.

“Ty, I love Drew. We’re a couple.”

“We were a couple first.” Ty took her by the
shoulders. He pulled her closer and Kate’s heart began beating
faster. She was alone in the house so she couldn’t call out to
anyone. How did Tyson manage to know that?

“Ty...”

“Shhh, don’t talk. I know you want me and
wish we were back together.” Ty tried to kiss her.

She slapped him in the face, amazed she
found the strength. “You need to leave.”

He took her by both arms. She struggled to
get away, but Tyson was too strong. She felt his lips press on
hers, hungrily searching for her to kiss him back. Finally Kate was
able to slip her hands onto his chest and push him away.

“Ty, enough! We can’t be friends because of
the way you behave. You have Erin for that kind of thing!”

“Erin’s too easy, you’re a challenge. You
were always a challenge, Katie. Ever since we were kids, you tried
to beat me at everything. You never gave in. You loved it when you
won. I like that. You and I were a team...us against the world.
Don’t you remember? You belong to
me
. If you just give in
this once, I think you’ll like it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Tyson took her by the shoulders again and
gently lowered her onto the bed. “Just kiss me, that’s all.”

Kate wanted to scream but nothing came out.
She felt Ty’s hands all over her body, groping her while he tried
to kiss her. His one hand found the buttons on her blouse, expertly
undoing one at a time. She tried to fight him, but all his body
weight was on top of her. Tyson’s breathing seemed to grow faster
and shorter as he clutched her closer and closer. Suddenly out of
nowhere his body was lifted off of her. Kate heard a voice say,
“Get off my wife.” She opened her eyes to see Drew holding Tyson
around the neck and chest.

“Wife? Do you hear that, Katie? He thinks he
owns you.” Ty struggled to get free from the chokehold he was in.
“Is that what you want?”

Then Kate’s mother appeared in the doorway,
her eyes opened wide. “What’s going on in here?”

“A misunderstanding, Mrs. Roberts, that’s
all.” Tyson flew across the room as Drew let go and pushed him in
the back toward the open door.

“Tyson, I think you’d better leave.” Her mom
said stonily as she stepped aside. She turned to Kate. “Are you
alright, did he hurt you?”

“Mom, I’m fine. Tyson, you’re not welcome
here...ever again! Get out of my house.” Kate held back the tears.
She quickly buttoned the two buttons he managed to undo.

Everyone went downstairs and Drew slammed
the door behind Tyson. “Joanna, if I hadn’t come over here, he
would have...”

“No, Drew, I don’t think he would have.”
Kate interrupted. She didn’t want to believe Tyson was capable of
forcing himself on her. He would have eventually realized what he
was doing. She couldn’t bring herself to think of the other
possibility. The old Tyson would have never done that to her. He
would have been the hero pulling the attacker off her. Her heart
ached as she thought of the little boy, her friend. He wasn’t that
boy anymore. She had to admit it...Tyson was a stalker. Nausea
overwhelmed her.

“I don’t know.” Her mother was shaking now.
“I’m sorry I defended that boy for as long as I did. I’m going to
call his mother and tell her he’s not welcome here anymore.”

“Mom, don’t. I think Tyson will stay away.
Everyone knows now. This is the first time anyone came home while
he was here.” Kate put her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Can I
help you with dinner?”

“Kate, stop being so naïve! I still don’t
trust him!” Drew paced the family room.

“I’m not, really,” Kate assured him. “I
agree with everyone, but I also don’t control him. I didn’t invite
him over. He let himself in.” She felt like her world was spinning
out of control and there was nothing she could do to stop it. “Come
on and help us. Let’s get this family back to normal.”

The three headed into the kitchen and Kate
saw her mother trembling. She wanted it to be over and if she could
get everyone back to normal maybe she would feel that way too.
“Please, Mom, I want us to just get back to a routine. We all need
that after Carl and now this. Can you at least try?”

Her mom nodded and wrapped her arms around
both Kate and Drew. She began to cry. “Thank you, Drew, thank you
for loving my Katie. I’m proud to call you son.”

“No need to thank me. I would protect Kate
with my life.”

Kate’s dad walked into the house at that
moment and was taken aback by what he heard. “What’s going on?”

“Jackson!” Kate’s mom ran to him and fell
into his arms. “Tyson was here when Kate was alone and tried to
force himself on her...on our daughter. I’m still in shock...trying
to calm down for her sake.”

“Dad, I’m alright, really. I’m fine. It’s
been handled. He’s not allowed over here again. Please, let’s make
dinner and be together.” She looked at her father with pleading
eyes. For some reason, she knew that wasn’t the end of the chaos
but just the beginning.

“If Kate says she’s okay, then it’s over but
that boy better not show his face on this street for a long while.”
He wanted to do as Kate asked but it was difficult.

“Amen to that.” Drew pounded his fist on the
counter.

“Drew!” Kate took his hand. “I love you all,
thank you. As you can see, I’m fine.” Kate turned to the
refrigerator, wiped the tear that trickled down her cheek and said,
“Now, what’s for dinner?”

* * * *

Kate finally got what she wanted...peace and
quiet, a normal routine. The weeks leading up to Christmas were
filled with decorating the house and shopping for presents. She
wanted this to be the best Christmas yet for Drew. Last year
everything was new and exciting and that helped get him through the
holidays. This year Kate knew he felt bad about missing Christmas
with his own family.

There’s no way he could ever go back for
a visit this time of year because his family thinks he’s dead. Oh,
that’s a morbid thought for the holidays,
Kate sighed. She
mentally filled the days of Winter Break with plans to keep Drew
busy.

Kate hummed Christmas carols as she
straightened the house and turned on the tree lights. She sat on
the floor in front of the tree and adjusted ornaments. After
finishing up, Kate planned on calling Lindsey to confirm their
schedule for the holidays. Charlie was coming for a visit. They
could double date like two normal teenage couples which seemed
almost surreal to her. Doing something normal sounded so foreign,
her life was that mixed up.

“Hey, baby girl!” Her dad came into the
house in a festive mood. “Looks good in here. You’ve done a great
job making this house feel warm and welcoming for Andrew. He
appreciates it, I know. I can’t believe in about a week it will be
Christmas and you know what that means. I need to get back to the
canyon and wait for a telegram from my mother. I’ll leave tonight
and hopefully will be back in the next day or so.”

“I hope it all works out, Dad. Your
brother’s so different from you. You would never do this to the
family.”

“No, I wouldn’t and thank you for saying
that.” He kissed her on the top of her head. “I’ll probably come
back with the same news I get every year. ‘Albert will not be
coming for Christmas. Enjoy your holiday and tell everyone that I
love them. Mother’.”