Call of the Canyon by Nancy Pennick

whose Carl’s date
was.”
    “It will be a little hard to guess because I
don’t know any of the maids at the hotels.”
    “Yes, you do.”
    “Drew, stop it! Just tell me. Who is
it?”
    “Rachel.”
    Kate couldn’t believe what she heard. “You
mean Thomas’ Rachel?”
    “Yes, that’s who I mean.”
    Carl walked toward them, looking pleased
with himself. “Kate, I met the most wonderful girl. I think it’s
love at first sight. She’s smart, beautiful...brilliant in fact. In
our time, there’s no way she would be a maid. It’s not fair. I plan
to do something about it.”
    “Carl, no! You can’t. Rachel’s taken.”
    “Not according to her. She has some date
tonight with the cook at El Tovar but that’s just a casual thing.
They aren’t exclusive.”
    “That cook is my best friend.” Drew looked
like he wanted to punch Carl.
    “Guys, let’s sit down and talk this out.”
Kate took both of them by the arm. A group of trees away from the
boardinghouse looked like the perfect spot. She pulled them both
down to the ground, facing each other, when they arrived. “Carl, we
said you’d come one time. You can’t change Rachel’s life by coming
back.”
    “No, Kate, you said I should come one
time. I never agreed to that. I like it here. I’m planning on
coming back no matter what you say.”
    Drew stood up. “I’ve had enough of this.
Carl, you can’t come back. I won’t let you ruin Thomas’ life.”
    Carl stood, too. “I won’t. If Rachel is
meant to marry Thomas, she will.” He stormed off toward the
house.
    “This isn’t the practical Carl I know. Give
him some time to cool down. He’ll come to his senses.” Kate reached
up to Drew and he pulled her to her feet.
    “If you say so, I’ll try to believe it. But
those were the eyes of a determined man.” Drew walked slowly with
Kate back to the boardinghouse. “Carl decided to sleep in the
bunkhouse tonight and I will, too. The bunkhouse is part of the
ranch, so it should bring us back to the present. Hopefully, I’ll
see you tomorrow back home.”
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Relieved to
be home, Kate was happy everything had worked out as planned. Drew
and Carl woke up in their bedrooms right where they’d left their
books—Drew in the guest bedroom and Carl at Maya’s house. Although
she was back, Kate still had an eerie feeling. She reached for her
phone to call Anna. There was so much to talk about. They used to
talk daily. Now that Drew was there, so much of Kate’s time was
spent with him. Anna understood, but sometimes Kate felt guilty
neglecting her.
    “Hi, Anna, I knew you’d be awake already.”
She tried to sound upbeat.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, I just haven’t talked to you in
awhile.”
    “You never call this early so I know it has
to be something. Start talking.”
    And talk she did. Kate told Anna all about
her dad’s family and evil Uncle Albert. Because of that, she
informed Anna, she wouldn’t get married in September as previously
planned. Kate wanted her grandmother to attend the wedding and
didn’t want to miss out on Anna’s one hundred-and-first birthday.
Kate decided to pick a date after those events.
    “You don’t have to put off your plans for
me. I think a summer wedding would be so beautiful.”
    “It’s already decided.” Kate laughed and
then grew somber. “Now I have something else to tell you.” She went
on to tell her about Carl’s visit to 1927 and that he fell in love
with Rachel.
    “Rachel marries Thomas. He can’t interfere
with that.” Kate could tell Anna was upset. “Wait a minute...now
that you mention Joseph, I seem to remember him. He was looking for
Maya, if I remember correctly. I thought he resembled Mr. Johansson
instead. Oh, now I know why.”
    “Anna, is this the first time you had a
memory of Carl, er, Joseph?”
    “Why yes, it is. I can’t say I ever thought
of him till now. That’s strange.” Anna grew quiet. “No, it’s not,
is it? That’s