Call of the Canyon (4 page)

“How did Andrew take it? Finding out about
the other wars?” Anna was solemn.

“He was a little shocked at first but he’s a
student of history and wasn’t surprised. You still haven’t seen him
in person. I need to get the family to Arizona.”

“I have a good idea, Kathryn. Let’s
celebrate your birthday here!” Anna sounded so excited.

It could work. Kate turned seventeen the
beginning of June, right after school was out. Her family,
especially her father, wanted to return to Arizona and the Grand
Canyon.

“I love it!” Kate then hesitated. “It’s not
fair to Lindsey. She’s your great-granddaughter and you should plan
her birthday, not mine.”

“I already thought about that. Lindsey’s
birthday is in March but every summer we have a small party for
her. This time we’ll include you and do it up bigger.”

“Then I’ll be happy to celebrate with you
and Lindsey and our families this summer.” Kate felt like she had
something to keep her busy until Drew and her father returned
home.

As the conversation ended, Kate heard a
knock on her door. “Katie, is it alright if I come in?”

“Sure, Mom, I was just talking with Anna and
she wants us to come out for my birthday in June. We have to start
making plans.”

“Sounds fun. I’m sure your father will be
thrilled with the news. We can go shopping for what we need while
the boys are gone. That should keep you busy.” It was like her
mother was a mind reader. She smiled and sat cross-legged on the
bed across from her daughter. “While I have you alone...there’s
something I want to talk about.”

“Wow, this sounds serious.” Kate sat forward
in her chair.

“Drew’s been here for almost five months now
and it’s none of my business but...” Joanna searched for the right
words. “We need to have the safe sex talk...again.” She blurted it
out, getting right to the point.

“Oh. My. Gosh. Mom. You didn’t just say
that, did you?” Kate giggled. “We talked long ago.”

“I know but I want to talk again. We could
make a doctor appointment and start you on the pill if you’d
like.”

“Let me stop you right there. We don’t need
to do that. Drew and I aren’t having sex.”

“That’s what your father said.” Her mother
seemed relieved.

“Not that I wouldn’t like to...” Kate hid
her face.

“What?”

“It’s just that Drew’s so old-fashioned. He
grew up in a strict household even though it was the Roaring
Twenties. His parents instilled all these straight-laced values in
him. We’ve had this argument already. I don’t want to talk about
it.” Kate crossed her arms in front of her.

“Seems like you want to talk about it.” Her
mom gave her a knowing look.

“You asked for it.” Kate waved her finger at
her. “Here goes. Drew told me he planned to ask me to marry him
back at the canyon. He was turning eighteen in January, graduating
and would be out on his own. He knew I was too young, even back
then, but still wanted to get engaged and wait until I graduated.
Well, that never happened because he ended up here. So, no matter
the decade, he decided he was still going to propose...and he did
after his birthday. He realized it was too soon to ask someone to
commit themselves to marriage but wanted to keep his promise. He’s
shocked people wait so long to get married these days.”

Her mom laughed. “Things have changed since
his time. Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt, go on.”

“I’ve been trying to explain people sleep
together, even though they have no plans of getting married and
tried to convince him we would get married one day, so what’s the
harm? He won’t hear of it and refuses to discuss it. ‘We can wait
until we’re married’ is his answer. That’s a long time, Mom!”

“Yes, it is, but if that’s how he feels, you
have to respect it.” Joanna smiled at Kate. “I kinda like it...very
romantic.”

“Yeah, that’s what’s frustrating about him!”
Kate hit her forehead. “I’m willing to get married after college,
but not before. I love him, but refuse to be a teenage bride. So I
reluctantly agreed to his terms.”

“Well, sweetie, there isn’t much left to
say. You two seemed to have worked it out.” Her mom got up and
stretched. “I’ll leave you alone now. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

* * * *

On the last morning of spring break, Kate
heard a familiar voice.

“Kate! We’re back!”

She flew out of bed, opened her door and ran
into Drew’s arms. She pulled him into her bedroom and pushed him on
the bed, then bounced next to him. “Ooh, you smell so good. I
missed you.” She rolled over on her side and Drew grabbed her,
brushing his lips against hers.

“Your bed is so warm. It feels good. It
feels like you,” he whispered. Then he sat up. “I got you
something.”

“You did? I didn’t expect anything.” Kate
was a little surprised but that was Drew, ever thoughtful.

“Here, see if you like this.” Drew handed
her a tiny box.

Kate’s heart pounded and her throat closed
up.
Oh no, he’s bought me an engagement ring. I can’t accept it,
not yet. Maybe he’ll let me put it away for awhile, at least until
college.

Her hand shook as she lifted the top of the
box. Inside was a shiny gold charm. “Oh,” she gasped. “This is
beautiful! You’re adding to my bracelet.”

She grabbed the bracelet Drew gave her off
the nightstand. The first two charms on it were a moon and a star
because he was her moon and he wanted to give her the stars. She
took the tiny charm out of the slot. It was a golden horse.

“Flicka.” Kate could barely breathe. Andrew
heard all the times she mentioned missing the horse.

“Yes, it’s Flicka. Do you like it?” He
looked unsure.

“Like it? I love it!” Kate flung her arms
around him. “Now I need another one, for your horse.” Kate grew
quiet. “Drew, you never told me the name of your horse.”

He laughed as if embarrassed. “Well, I named
him when I was fourteen and it’s kind of corny.”

“Tell me!” Kate jumped on his lap.

“Canyon.” Drew covered his face with his
hand.

“I could see a fourteen-year-old boy naming
his horse after a place he loved.” Kate uncovered his face. “I need
Canyon for my bracelet.” Then she kissed him, for a very long
time.

Chapter Three

Kate waited
impatiently for everyone to come downstairs. Their flight to
Arizona left in three hours and she didn’t want to miss it. Drew
was coming to the airport with Lindsey’s family. She wanted to be
there to greet him. Her parents came into the kitchen, dragging the
luggage.

“Finally! I want to get to the airport and
see Drew’s reaction to everything! This is his first plane ride.”
Kate was so excited. She could tell her father was just as excited
to get going.

“We’re ready, let’s go!” He grabbed the car
keys.

Kate kept in touch with Drew by phone. “I
wish you’d let us pick you up. I want to be the one to introduce
you to everything,” She knew it sounded childish but couldn’t help
it.

“I can’t disappoint Jake. He really wanted
me to go with them. He reminds me of my brother, Kate, you know
that.”

Jake was ten and Drew’s brother would soon
be turning twelve. Kate knew it was hard for him to be separated
from his brother even though he loved Jake and Lindsey like
siblings.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little, but I think I’m more excited. I
can’t wait to see Anna and hear all about Daniel. Also, didn’t you
say something about a Thomas the third?”

“Yes, there’s another Thomas.” Kate met him
at Anna’s 100
^th
birthday party last year. He told Kate
his grandfather’s story.

Thomas Cook Sr. had been Drew’s best friend
at the canyon. His job was the head cook at El Tovar restaurant,
the place where Kate worked when she was at the canyon. Kate met
Cook the first day and felt an immediate connection to him. Now,
she knew why. He was Drew’s best friend.

Thomas was African-American and had to fight
a little harder for what he wanted to do in life. Drew was in his
corner and offered to help him any way he could, but Thomas
insisted on doing it on his own. His goal was to be a park ranger,
which finally happened after he served in World War Two. Drew was
happy to hear Thomas had become a ranger and was proud of his
friend

“I’m sure we can arrange to meet with
Thomas, but try to hold back. Don’t grab and hug him like I did!”
Kate teased. “He looks so much like your Thomas you’ll think it’s
him. Remember Thomas has a great-grandson, too. His name is
Dante.”

“Right. Thomas decided to break tradition
and named the next generation Dante,” Drew laughed. “Hey, we’re
almost at the airport! Pulling in now.”

“Meet in the long term parking lot. Don’t go
in without me,” Kate reminded him. “Tell me what floor you’re on
and where you’re parking.”

The families met up and walked into the
airport together. After checking their bags, they stood in line for
the security check, reminding Drew of all the do’s and don’ts. He
still didn’t quite grasp the concept of why he had to take off his
shoes. When they finally made it through the line, Kate could tell
Drew was able to calm down and look around. He went directly to the
large windows where planes could be spotted taking off and coming
in. Jake was right next to him. Drew was like a little kid with his
nose pressed up to the glass. Kate let him have his moment.

Lindsey and Kate sat down at the gate to
catch up.

“Your Grandma J is the best, Lindsey.”

“She’d be screaming right now if she heard
you call her Grandma J.” Lindsey chuckled. “She considers you a
peer, even though she’s like a gazillion years older!”

Lindsey was the only friend who knew the
whole truth. She’d been in the loop from the beginning. They’d
analyzed Kate’s dreams together and then, eerily at first, began to
believe it was real. When Kate found out the truth, she shared with
Lindsey and only Lindsey. Then, with their visit to Circle J ranch
last fall, Kate found out their families were related through
marriage. Kate’s great-great aunt was Lucinda Hasting. Her daughter
Amy married Anna’s son, Dan. That made them all cousins. They’d
made a family tree to help understand it, but in the end, agreed to
say they were all just related. Lindsey and Kate were already best
friends and learning they were cousins made it better.

“Excited to see Charlie?” Kate looked at
Lindsey.

“I told you we’re just friends, Kates. He’s
going away to college this fall with our cousin, Brandon,
remember?” Lindsey pretended to be disgusted, but Kate could tell
she really wasn’t.

“You have the whole summer ahead of you. You
can decide if you’re going to be friends or more than that. You
know what I think.”

“That we’re soul mates. I have found my
destiny, blah, blah, blah.” Lindsey rolled her eyes. “Not
everyone’s like you, believing in dreams and fairytales.” Now it
was Kate’s turn to pout. “Aww, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
You know I’m more realistic than you are.”

“Realistic, my...” Kate stopped. Jake and
Drew were coming toward them. “Well, you know what I mean. I needed
you and wouldn’t have made it without you.”

Lindsey and Kate did their ‘sisters till the
end’ handshake while the two boys shook their heads.

The flights and changing planes went well
and the families arrived in Flagstaff to a large delegation of the
Jenkins family. They were shouting and waving like usual.

“Get used to it.” Kate told Drew as she
squeezed his hand.

After all the introductions, hugs and
high-fives, everyone settled into the caravan of jeeps, trucks, and
SUVs, driving off to the ranch.

“Drew, I know you’ve been at the ranch many
times, but the house is different now. They tore it down and
rebuilt sometime in the sixties. Anna said they needed more room if
her son Dan and his wife Amy were going to have more kids. Sadly,
they moved away shortly after the new home was completed.” Kate
wasn’t sure if she had told him.

“Yeah, that’s a little sad. I’ll still
recognize the lay of the land, I’m sure. I’m glad Anna has her
family with her now.”

“All the grandchildren are back, except Aunt
Beth. Aunt Sue and her children live in the main house with Dan and
Anna. Dan’s twin boys, Steve and Scott, built homes on adjacent
property. Beth has a piece of land.”

“From the way Lindsey tells it, it’s hers.”
Drew threw his head back and laughed. “She wants to steal the land
right out from under her mom.”

“Her mom won’t mind. She likes Ohio
better...for some reason.” Kate shrugged. “Hey, look. We’re here
already.”

The first thing Kate longed to do when they
got to the house was run back to see Anna. She wanted to see her
alone with Drew and hoped the others didn’t mind. Maybe Anna had
already expressed her wishes, because when they parked, Aunt Sue
jumped out of the car, opened the door and said to Kate, “You know
the way!”

“Anna!” Kate turned to the right when she
got to the kitchen and headed down the small hallway.

“Kathryn? Is that you?” Anna came to the
door of her little studio apartment. She used her cane to move more
quickly. Her tiny hand shook as she raised it to her face. “Andrew,
Lord have mercy, it’s you.” She stretched out her arms and embraced
him.

Tears rolled down both Drew and Anna’s
faces. They looked at each other for a long time.

“You haven’t changed a bit.” He told
her.

“And you’re full of bullshit, but I love
it.” Anna patted Drew’s chest. “Come on in and sit down. I’m so
glad you’re finally here.”

Anna and Kate sat on the loveseat and Drew
sat in a chair next to them.

“I’ll let you two catch up. If you don’t
mind, Anna?” He pointed to her photos on a shelf.