by Louise, Kara
As the first rays of sun came up over the horizon and birds began eagerly announcing the start of a new day, Elyssa awoke with less enthusiasm. The storm outside had kept her awake for a good portion of the night and once it had moved on, the storm within lingered.
She numbly made her way into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. She knew that would alleviate a good deal of her grogginess. Once she started the pot, she readied herself for the trip to Lake Atitlan, packing some comfortable clothes, enough for a few days.
When she finished, the coffee was ready and she sat down to enjoy it.
With each sip, she found herself revitalized and more alert. She savored each sip until she set her cup down abruptly and shook her head.
“Even when he is not with me, he has influence over me!” she exclaimed as she looked down into the dark swirling liquid of Pemberleo coffee. Picking up her mug and defiantly downing the remainder, she said, “This is absurd. I can’t allow him to affect me so! I will go to Lake Atitlan, go through Janet’s things, and come back. Nothing more!”
Elyssa opened the front door of the townhouse, feeling a little more inclined to accept the cool breeze that brought in the delightful fragrance of the flowers and the cheerful song of the birds. She then returned to the kitchen to clean it up before Will arrived.
At precisely ten o’clock, there was a knock at the door. Walking over to it and looking out through the screen door, she barely recognized Will, who was dressed in jeans and a crisp, muted blue T-shirt. His dark curly hair, rather than being exactingly slicked down in place from gel, danced freely in the breeze.
She dared not speak as her heart fluttered at the sight of him. He looked nothing like a wealthy, powerful executive, but instead a handsome young man that she might…
No! She hastily arrested that thought. Looking down quickly, she muttered a soft, “Come in,” and opened the door. She turned away from him to look for her purse so he would not detect the surge of sudden feelings flooding through her.
“Good morning, Elyssa. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you, I did,” she lied and continued to search the room with her eyes for her purse. She took in a breath to steady her nerves at the feel of his hand brushing against hers as he was suddenly at her side handing her purse to her.
“The storm didn’t awaken you, then?”
“Yes, I heard it, but it didn’t keep me awake for very long.”
Keeping her head averted from his gaze, she made the excuse to go into the kitchen to make sure everything was turned off.
He walked over to her suitcase which was sitting by the door. “I’ll take this to the car, then.”
Elyssa walked into the kitchen and then turned back. She watched as Will took her bag out and she took in another deep breath. “This is ludicrous!” she said softly. “I loathe the man!” Standing in the center of the kitchen, her fists clenched tightly as she reminded herself, “He is everything I don’t want in a man! Just remember, Elyssa! Remember what he did! Remember who he is!”
She slipped her feet into her sandals and tightened her grip on her purse. Stuffing in a few last minute items, she walked out, closing and locking the door behind her. As she set out for the car, she wasn’t surprised to see that they had the limousine again. It would certainly make the trip comfortable. Will was leaning against it, his arms folded across his chest, when she walked up.
A wayward thought crossed her mind affirming his good looks and she suddenly realized it was due to his uncommonly casual attire today. It almost seemed that just by wearing jeans and a T-shirt had somehow transformed him, making him look more down to earth -- more laid-back. But it’s not a permanent transformation, she reminded herself.
She mused that perhaps it would be beneficial for her to sit up front with Manuel so she wouldn’t have to be in such close proximity to Will and have these preposterous thoughts about him. She was beginning to feel far too vulnerable around him. As she contemplated this, she noticed a young boy standing next to the car.
Manuel was putting her suitcase in the trunk and as she walked over to greet him, the young boy walked over also.
“Elyssa, I would like you to meet my eldest son, Luis. Luis, this is Elyssa.”
The young boy nodded and extended his hand.
“He doesn’t speak much English, but I’m helping him with it.
Elyssa took his hand and smiled. “Hello. Hola.” Turning to Manuel she asked, “Is he… is he going with us?”
“Yes,” Manuel answered as he opened the wide back seat door. “We have family in a small village close to where you will be going and I thought it would be good for him to come along.”
That settles that, Elyssa thought as she realized she would have no choice but to sit in the back with Will.
“It’s a rather long ride, so you two will be very comfortable.”
Elyssa offered a meek thank you to Manuel and muttered a soft, “I doubt it,” to herself as she stepped in, sitting down on the seat facing towards the front. Will slid in after her, and again took the seat across from her.
She felt his eyes upon her as she looked out her side of the window waiting for Manuel to start the car. Finally meeting his gaze, she said, “Will we drive this car all the way to the village?”
Will shook his head. “We will take the car only as far as Panajachel, a very popular tourist resort on the lake. From there we will board a boat for the village. It’s quicker and more efficient to go across the lake. Driving to the village would take us who knows how long on extremely poor roads that may or may not even be passable. Manuel will find a secure garage in Panajachel to keep the car parked in while we are gone.”
“Is that what Chad and Janet had to do to get to the village? Take a boat?”
He nodded as he adjusted his body in the seat to get comfortable. “Yes. Manuel told me that when the Blakelys first moved to Guatemala, they went to Panajachel on a little vacation. Manuel drove them that first time to help them get around and suggested they visit some of the villages around the lake. They went with him and met his family. While out there, Manuel told them about the coffee that was grown on the surrounding hillsides. Those coffee beans made some of the best coffee Chad ever tasted and he contracted many of the farmers to grow the beans for us.”
“The bigger coffee companies didn’t already own them?”
“No, the bigger coffee companies aren’t interested in the little farmer.”
“And you are?”
“We’re interested in getting the best coffee beans. If that means paying one farmer who farms only one acre, we’ll do it. You must remember, Elyssa, Pemberleo is not one of the major coffee companies, but many people say our coffee is one of the best.”
The car started and they set off. Manuel informed them that it would be a couple hours’ drive and if they needed anything to let him know.
Will thanked Manuel and turned back to Elyssa with a faint smile. “I can’t help but think Manuel planned all along to take Chad and Janet to this village, hoping Chad would see for himself the flavorful coffee beans that are grown there. Growing them in the volcanic soil gives the coffee a rich, full flavor, but hillside farming really can’t be done on a large scale. We were the perfect buyers.”
The look on Elyssa’s face and the curious tilt of her head openly displayed her surprise.
“This surprises you?” Will asked.
“I confess it does.” Her voice sounded softer than it had previously in all their conversations.
Will rested his elbows on his knees and leaned over, looking down at his hands which were clasped together. “I’d thought I’d stop in and visit a couple of the farmers while we are there since Chad…” He paused and glanced up at Elyssa, compassion flooding his eyes. “Well, no one has done it in a while.”
Elyssa’s brows furrowed unwittingly and she looked quickly away.
Will straightened up and turned to look out the other window, wondering if he would ever be able to mention Chad or Janet’s name
without Elyssa turning away.
They rode in silence for a while as Elyssa contemplated why he, the wealthy president of Pemberleo Coffee, would be willing to interact with the small farmers who grew only a portion of his coffee beans.
Elyssa entertained herself for a while by watching the countryside. They passed corn and wheat fields and an occasional small town as they made their way to the lake. She thought it odd that Will seemed perfectly content in the silence, making only an occasional comment on one thing or another. Silence was something she was not used to.
She turned her eyes discreetly upon him. He’s probably wondering how he ever got himself mixed up with me and he’s regretting every minute of it. But the more she thought about it, she had to admit to herself that he did not at all seem perturbed by it.
Shrugging her shoulders lightly, Elyssa finally pulled out a book she had brought along and Will reached for a briefcase which housed a laptop computer. Opening it up, he began typing away.
Well, at least he’s not talking on his phone as much, she mused. In fact, she actually found that quite surprising and wondered whether he had even brought it along or perhaps had actually turned it off. A sudden ringing about a half hour later confirmed that he had it with him and it was turned on, but he carried on only a very brief conversation.
After a couple hours of driving, they made their way along a winding road ascending a mountain. Even though the road was in excellent condition, Elyssa actually found herself grateful for the sturdy and reliable car in which they were riding.
When they reached the summit of the mountain, Manuel turned and said, “It looks like we should have a nice view of the lake from the turnout. Would you like me to stop?”
“That would be great, Manuel. Thanks.”
At the next turn the lake came into view on Will’s side of the car. “Slide over here and give a look, Elyssa.” He pointed out the window and drew his stretched out legs in. “It’s a beautiful sight.”
Elyssa slid over, eager to have a better view. As she brought her legs over and looked out, she felt her knees brush up against Will’s. Her subtle attempts to move her knees out of his way soon became futile and then forgotten as a grander view of the lake came into view. Two of the three volcanoes which surrounded the lake could be seen. The third was obscured by clouds. Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her and she watched as Manuel pulled into a turnout occupied by several other cars.
The car came to a stop and both Manuel and Luis hopped out. As Luis was on the side of the car where both Will and Elyssa were sitting, he promptly opened the door for them. Will stretched out his legs toward the other side of the car, allowing Elyssa freedom to step out.
Manuel came around and held out his hand to assist her. Will stepped out after her.
They were greeted by a warm breeze as they stood at the summit of a mountain. The lake was below them and Elyssa took in the beautiful sight before her.
“Those two volcanoes are Toliman and Atitlan,” offered Manuel, extending his hand out toward them. “Unfortunately, San Pedro volcano is a little shy right now, not wanting to peek out from the clouds.”
Elyssa laughed and then asked Manuel what the city was beneath them with all the large hotels.
“That is Panajachel, the largest city on the lake and a world class tourist resort.” Looking at his watch he said, “If you would like to see a little bit of Panajachel, we probably have a few hours to spare for you to walk around. Or, if you like, you can have a leisurely visit and spend the night in a hotel there and we’ll secure a boat to the village first thing in the morning.”
“I do want to visit the Saturday market that Janet wrote to me about,” Elyssa commented.
“You’d have time to do that even if we don’t leave until tomorrow morning,” Manuel told her. “It’s only a forty-five minute boat ride to the village and you can catch a ride up to the market place every twenty minutes or so.”
Will looked at Manuel. “Up to the market place?”
“Yes, Sir! It’s at the top of that mountain!” He stretched out his hand toward a distant mountain.
Will cast his eyes down at Elyssa. “What’s so great about this market place that you would want to go all the way up that mountain?”
“It’s a market place for the locals, so you don’t have all the touristy items. Besides, Janet did and she loved it!”
Looking at Elyssa with arms firmly braced on her hips and a most determined glare in her eyes, Will dared not argue; at least at the moment.
“It’s quite a big deal,” Manuel affirmed. “You won’t want to miss it.”
Will turned to Manuel. “Let’s take things as they come. We’ll decide whether we want to stay in Panajachel when we get down there.”
This was another surprise, at least to Elyssa. She had determined that Will was most likely one who lived with a highly detailed agenda and wanted everything scheduled out. Ten minutes for this; an hour for that; then on to the next thing.
They stayed at the lookout for awhile, hoping the clouds would part and give them a picture perfect view of the lake and the third volcano. It was not to be, however, and from there they set out down the hill.
When they arrived in Panajachel, Elyssa felt as though she had been transported to a whole new land. Majestic modern hotels mingled with historic buildings; people in jeans and T-shirts walked amidst the locals in their brightly woven clothes. Beautiful flowers were growing everywhere and there seemed to be a liveliness permeating the air.
Manuel drove around and finally pulled into a parking space close to the shore of the lake. Shops and restaurants abounded around them.
They all got out of the car and Will looked at his watch. “Let’s plan to meet back at the car in two hours.” He looked at Elyssa. “Do you think that’s enough time to take a look around?”
Elyssa nodded. “I think so.”
Manuel and Luis left and Elyssa looked about her, deciding where she wanted to go first.
“Which way would you like to go?”
Elyssa’s eyes widened at Will’s question. “You don’t have to accompany me. I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t doubt it. But I would like some company. Besides, I’m hungry and I don’t like eating alone.”
Elyssa had to admit she was hungry too and they began walking in step with each other toward the shops and restaurants across the street.
“Do you see anything that looks appealing?”
Elyssa nodded. “Everything looks good.”
They came to a corner and looked up and down the street. Will spied what looked like a nice sit-down restaurant about a block away.
“Come,” he said, taking her elbow in his hand. “Let’s try this place.”
As they walked to the restaurant, Elyssa decided she had best make a pact with herself now. She would enjoy her time here -- even if it meant being with Will. She would try to get to know the man who had proven to be most puzzling to her. She reminded herself, though, who she was and who he was. Once she returned home, she would return to her simple country life and he would resume his corporate world lifestyle.
They entered the restaurant and saw that a large window on one side looked down over the lake. Although they were several blocks from the shore, the view was breathtaking. The restaurant was quite crowded with many people waiting and there didn’t appear to be any tables available along the window. Will walked over to the host and spoke to him in Spanish. They were soon walking back to a small table in the corner, right next to the window. Elyssa was quite certain a little bribing -- or perhaps a great deal of bribing -- helped.
The atmosphere was more festive than romantic, for which she was grateful. They took their seats at the table and were handed menus which were written in both English and Spanish.
When they both had ordered, Will looked across at her. “So tell me about yourself, Miss Elyssa Barnett.”
She raised her eyes and tilted her head. “What do you want to know?”
“For starters, why do you live way up in the middle of nowhere?
Elyssa leaned in, her eyes flashing. “The Santa Ynez Valley is not the middle of nowhere! It’s beautiful country!”
“I know. I’ve been through there.”
“You have?” Again, she was taken by surprise.
He nodded. “A few years ago. But your whole family is in the LA area. Why did you move up there?”
The thought, Because of people like you, crossed her mind, but she chose to be more civil.
“The lifestyle was too crazy for me down there. I like being able to get out and walk and breathe in fresh air. I like knowing my neighbors and feeling as though they are watching out for me and care for me and I do the same for them.”
“And you didn’t find that in LA?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Can you find that in any large, metropolitan city?”
“There are other benefits to the big city.”
Elyssa only shrugged. She went on to talk about her work at the library, her meager attempts at interior design, and her friends. She laughed as she told him how Charlene, who was very successful doing set designs in the movie industry, faithfully handed out Elyssa’s business card to people she met anywhere. Elyssa had never picked up any business that way, but she appreciated her friend’s efforts to help her business. When the meal had come, she realized she had been doing all the talking.
He had barely spoken a word and she wondered whether it was because he really didn’t want her knowing about him or because he merely felt obliged to listen to her.
They ate their meal with an occasional comment about the lake, or the clouds that were accumulating, or the sound of thunder off in the distance.
As the thunder grew louder, Will suggested they finish eating as soon as they could and get back to the car.
The sudden downpour of rain outside proved Will’s suggestion to be a little late. They watched as people grabbed whatever they could - plastic bags, purses, and coats, to cover their heads as they ran for cover. Elyssa had never seen such a sudden onslaught of rain before.
He relaxed in his chair and looked out. “Or… we can stay here and wait out the storm.”
