Free Stealing Time by Nancy Pennick

serve all you young’uns
the real thing now, did you?” Anna winked back.
    Kate threw her head back in laughter. “I know
someone who’s very disappointed.” She thought of Lindsey’s Arizona
friend who was thrilled when she saw the fountains.
    “Real thing’s being served to the adults.”
Anna held her glass up as if she was making a toast.
    “Oh, Anna, I love you!” Kate winked again,
then turned to Carl’s daughter. “Josie, you must still be adjusting
to all the information you learned this year.”
    “Oh, my, yes, I am. I feel like Carl’s my
child instead of my father.” Josie chuckled. “So much to get used
to.”
    “Renae reminds me of your mother.”
    “Doesn’t she? She’s one of the few girls in
our family. My Carl has a daughter, but we rarely see her now.”
    “I know. I’m sorry. Carl told me about the
divorce.”
    “Well, let’s not talk about that on such a
festive day. I’m so happy to see Anna. I haven’t seen her since I
married and moved to Texas. I remember coming out here with Mom and
Dad, well...I mean Thomas, I guess...to ride horses and play with
Dan.”
    “He was your father, Josie. He raised you and
loved you,” Anna quickly said. “This time travel has woven an
intricate web that Thomas will always have a place in. We all loved
him very much.”
    Josie wiped a tear from her eye. “I do get
confused at times.”
    Kate took Josie’s hand. “Of course, you do.
Did you know I was in Lucinda’s wedding and was born in the
present? Think how confused I am when people look at the wedding
picture and say ‘that’s Kathryn’ and I know it’s me.”
    “That’s a lot to comprehend, child, but
you’re young, resilient.”
    “So are you.” Kate kissed her on the cheek.
“You know Carl’s like my brother, so that would make you...”
    “Your niece!” Josie smiled. “You’re darling,
Kate. I’m so glad you’re taking good care of Carl.”
    Drew was silent during the conversation but
now spoke up. “Josie, it’s a pleasure to meet you and welcome to
the club.” He took her hand and kissed it.
    Anna rolled her eyes. “He’s from the
twenties. What can I say?” Everyone laughed with her.
    As they left the room, Kate turned to Drew
and said, “One down, one to go. Josie was easy because she knows
everything, but let’s see what Renae knows.” She was still worried
about Carl sharing too much information. He was so friendly and
outgoing, quick to think others were as trustworthy as he was.
    Kate found them dancing on the deck, looking
very much in love as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. Kate
hated to break up their moment, but needed to learn more about
their relationship.
    “There you are.” Kate acted as if she was
searching the house for them. “Carl, we’ve barely talked. I want to
get to know Renae.”
    The two couples sat down at a round table in
a quiet corner. A server passed by with a tray of champagne and one
of sparkling juice. Drew deftly grabbed four glasses from him.
    “Not much to tell.” Carl raised his glass in
the air. “Happy birthday.”
    “Thanks.” Kate smiled at the avoidance
tactic. “As for not having much to tell, I’m sure Renae wouldn’t
agree.”
    “We met at my grandmother’s house this
spring.” Renae sat forward. “Carl’s related to Josie somehow but
not the rest of us. We’ll do a family tree someday and figure it
all out.” She let out a beautiful laugh that made Kate want to join
in.
    “So it’s a long distance relationship. That’s
hard.” Kate kept pushing.
    “Not really,” Carl responded. “I have time to
join her when she goes on shoots. New York City’s closer to Ohio
than Texas.”
    “So you live in New York.” Drew appeared
interested in that fact. “One of my favorite cities.”
    “You’ve been there,” Renae nodded.
    “Many times.” Kate liked how Drew maneuvered
the conversation so he didn’t give anything away. He could’ve
easily said he grew up there and was quite