Waiting for Dusk by Nancy Pennick Page A

them. She watched him walk, so sure-footed and
athletic.
    “I’m sure you’re ready to sit down and
relax.” Drew passed the canteen to Katie so she could have a drink.
They walked along the rim trail until they reached the Studio.
    Drew went inside first, and Katie followed.
There were many people already there. She strolled around looking
at photos and books for sale. Then she searched the room to locate
Drew, and found him talking to a group of people. One man came up,
slapped Drew on the back and shook his hand. The man looked oddly
familiar. In fact he looked like... her father! No, that couldn’t
be right. He looked younger but it was her father. Thankfully, he
couldn’t see her. What would she say to him? What would he say to
her? She decided to leave, and quickly went out the door.
    “Kate! Kate!” She heard Drew calling. “Where
are you going?” He caught up to her.
    “It was just a little stuffy in there. Would
you mind taking me home? I hope you can get back in time for the
lecture.”
    “Of course, I will.” Drew was a perfect
gentleman. Katie wouldn’t mind if he was less of a gentleman.
    Drew’s horse was waiting for them at the barn
behind El Tovar. Katie was surprised. “How did that happen?”
    “I have friends...” he said mysteriously and
then laughed.
    The ride to the boardinghouse was too short.
Katie wanted to stay with Drew but knew she didn’t want to see her
father even though it was a dream. Why couldn’t she control the
dream a little better?
    Drew stopped at the far side of the barn. He
slipped off the horse, and Kate jumped into his arms. He pulled her
close and kissed her. Not like the first time when it was a short,
gentle kiss. Right then he kissed her like he would never see her
again, very unlike the kiss in the fairytales she knew as a
child.
    “I will see you for lunch tomorrow, my sweet
Kate.” He whispered.
    “Yes, yes you will.” Katie barely could
stand.
    Drew rode off, and Katie hurried into the
house.
    “Hello, you must be Kathryn,” a lovely young
woman greeted her at the door.
    “Yes, yes I am.” Katie held out her hand.
    “I’m Loretta, Lucinda’s sister.” The woman
turned and walked with Katie inside. “I came out early to help
Lucinda and to get fitted for my dress.”
    Katie looked at Loretta and thought there was
something familiar about her. She looked like Lucinda but was a
softer, prettier version. Her hair was more of a light golden
brown.
    That must be it , she thought. She
seems familiar because she’s Lucinda’s sister. Katie felt
comfortable in her company.
    “Have you heard they set a date?” Loretta
asked.
    “No, no I haven’t. When is the big day?”
    “The first Saturday of September.”
    “Really?” Katie knew school would have
started. Plus she told Drew she would be gone. Now she had to
figure out how to come back.
    Dreams! Who knew they could be so much
work!
     

Chapter Eleven
     
    Katie heard loud,
muffled sounds. It almost sounded like a fight. The door to her
bedroom was closed, so she tiptoed over to open it.
    “I can’t believe you let her do that, Joanna!
She’s too young, too irresponsible. She could get hurt!” It was her
father’s voice.
    “She was bored, Jackson. I was trying to
think of something she could do, something that would occupy her
time,” her mother answered.
    “Bored? Now you’re starting to sound just
like Katie!” He still sounded angry. Katie thought she better get
downstairs and help her mother out.
    “She was only trying to make me feel better,
Dad! I only drove the Mustang around a parking lot! Geesh!” Katie
defended her mother as she bounded into the kitchen.
    Jackson swung around. His expression changed
when he saw his daughter. “Pumpkin, come and give your old dad a
kiss.”
    Katie ran and hugged him. It was good to see
him. On the other hand, she never heard her parents fight like
that. She was a little disturbed. “So you guys aren’t getting a
divorce or anything like