Read Online Stealing Time by Nancy Pennick - Free Book Online

vases on each
table. Dan stopped the car at the bottom of the stairs, and the
crowd parted. Drew and Charlie stepped through the makeshift aisle
down to the waiting girls.
    Kate let out a small gasp. They both looked
like gangsters of another era—especially Drew—as both wore black
fedoras. That could have been his fate if he had stayed in the
past.
    No, his father had clientele that were in
the mob. Nicolas wasn’t in it himself. Kate reminded herself of
that fact.
    Drew reached the door first and gave Kate his
hand. She stepped out of the car to chants of “Happy Birthday” and
other greetings. Everything became one big blur.
    Focus , she thought. Remember how
you missed out on your wedding because you were overwhelmed. Enjoy
the moment.
    Kate blinked, and everything became clear
again. She saw her two cousins, Retta and Lucy, so darling in their
vintage flapper dresses. They waved from a corner of the deck
unaware Kate knew and loved their mother in another time.
    Thomas and his family were all smiles. Kate
was happy to see them, especially for Drew’s sake. Thomas III
resembled his grandfather, Drew’s best friend at the canyon, so
much that Drew had a hard time separating the two. Kate hoped he
wouldn’t spill any secrets in a weak moment.
    Brandon brought a date, and a group of young
people she never saw before crowded around Lindsey. She seemed very
friendly with them.
    Great, she has new best friends she never
told me about. Kate was jealous. She shook her head as if to
scold herself. She’s allowed to have other friends. She
admonished herself for having those feelings.
    Kate searched for her parents in the crowd
and saw them standing next to Lindsey’s parents, Beth and David.
All of them looked very proud. Beth’s brothers, Steve and Scott,
were busy putting the final touches on the deck with Anna giving
the orders. Part of the large deck floor was covered over for a
dance area.
    “Anna!” Kate waved to her. “This is
unbelievable, so gorgeous. I haven’t even seen the house yet.” Anna
wore a simple red chiffon dress that fell loosely around her. “You
look lovely.” Kate kissed her cheek when she reached her.
    “And you are stunning, child.” Anna patted
Kate’s face. “And look at this one! If it isn’t the spittin’ image
of me!” Anna pulled Lindsey toward her. “How do you like your boys?
Needed some gangsters here. You notice I left out the machine
guns.” Anna chuckled at her own joke.
    Kate was able to finally get a good look at
Charlie and Drew and even Brandon. They were all wearing black
suits with black shirts, white ties and pinstripe vests. Each one
wore a black felt fedora, not the summer straw hat Megan had
mentioned.
    “Very gangster, Anna,” Kate said almost to
herself. The image of Drew standing in his father’s house, dressed
in that outfit, flashed before her. Something very familiar came to
mind, but she couldn’t quite place it. She blinked and shook her
head as if to make it vanish from her thoughts.
    “Kate! Kate, did you hear me? Carl’s here.
You’re in for a big surprise.” Drew motioned for her to follow
him.
    She stepped into the kitchen, and Carl headed
straight for her. He wore a custom-made charcoal pinstripe suit,
white shirt, charcoal tie with a white fedora.
    “Lil’ sis.” Carl walked toward her with open
arms. As they hugged, Kate could see what appeared to be an
entourage behind him. “Kate, I’m pleased to introduce you to
Josie.”
    Kate stuck out her hand and shook the old
woman’s hand. Her pure white hair was beautifully curled. Her honey
brown skin was still relatively smooth for someone her age. She
wore a designer black chiffon beaded dress and one black feather in
her hair. Standing next to her was another man, who appeared to be
in his fifties. From the similarities between the two men, Kate
guessed he was Carl’s grandson, the other Carl.
    “And Kate, this is Josie’s son, Carl.” Carl’s
eyes twinkled as he introduced