Kiss Me, Lynn (Kiss Me Series)

by Linda George

  One of the men stepped down from the stage and took Lynn’s hand, leading her back on stage where one of the women attached her “tail.” Alex immediately followed her and accepted a lighted candle from one of the other men. At first, they had different partners. By the time they were paired, Lynn was laughing and doing her best not to let her “tail” be burned. Alex tried to hold the candle under the end of the cloth, but Lynn always managed to maneuver it away. When the song ended, all the women stood still and allowed their “tails” to be burned, including Lynn. Hugs followed, along with shouting and laughter and happy tears.

  Alex helped Lynn down from the stage, then picked her up and twirled her around. Cheers erupted all over the restaurant. Almost everyone in their group had another Pisco Sour, which Lynn loved, since it gave her a light feeling that helped to banish any thoughts other than enjoying the evening.

  By the time they left the restaurant, Lynn’s ears were ringing. Lively conversation on the way back to the hotel was the perfect end to the day. By the time they got off the bus, Lynn was about to collapse. She begged off sitting in the lobby to talk and went straight to their room. She had to get some sleep! They had to be up early in the morning, again, for another day of touring, beginning with the pyramids of Caral, where Alex promised there was sunshine to lift her spirits and make the day truly special. So far, her mental image of Peru hadn’t matched what they’d seen in Lima, and she was ready for that image to come to life.

  Sharon stayed in the lobby with the others, still full of energy and thrilled to have time to ask Alex all the questions she wanted to ask. Have you always lived in Cusco? How old are you? And the biggie. Are you married? Surely you have a girlfriend? If not, then why not? Would you like to have a girlfriend?

  Lynn would undoubtedly hear all the answers in the morning. She planned on being in bed before Sharon returned to the room and had made her promise to come in quietly.

  She hardly had time to recount the day before she fell asleep.

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  Alex patiently answered all of Sharon’s questions, which he’d answered many times before on previous tours. Then, he excused himself. “It’s been a long day. I have to have my beauty rest so I’ll be able to regale you with fun and interesting facts tomorrow about Caral, where you will see pyramids older than the ones on the Giza Plateau in Egypt. Good night to all of you. It’s been a pleasure. I promise you will enjoy our trip to Caral in the morning. There will be sunshine!”

  The ladies wished him a good night’s sleep. When he got to the elevator, he wondered if Lynn might still be awake. He’d have to make sure they sat together tomorrow at lunch in Barranca.

  Peru’s national day of celebration was approaching. In one more day, he and his group would be in Cusco, where they would enjoy fireworks and dancing at the festivities honoring the Peruvian Day of Independence from Spanish rule. That day, they’d have lunch at the Incanto Restaurant, overlooking the Plaza de Armas where the festivities would be centered. He definitely looked forward to that time.

  When Alex got back to his room that night, he realized he was more tired than he thought. He looked forward to tomorrow morning, when they’d drive out of the fog of Lima, into the sunshine of Caral. More than anything, he hoped sunshine would lift Lynn’s spirits. Whatever she’d heard on the phone had not been good news. He could tell by her expression. He couldn’t wait to see her smile again.

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  Lynn woke up the next morning feeling better than the previous morning, but still not completely rested, thanks to lying awake for an hour after she’d turned out her light last night, leaving the bathroom light on for Sharon. Barb had planned their itinerary to include some time off in Cusco, so they could wander through the plazas and the market on their own. She couldn’t wait to get there.

  This morning’s destination excited her, too. If anything could distract her from what was going on at home, it was Caral. She’d taught her students about the wonders of Caral with its eight ancient pyramids and three sunken plazas. Alex was correct. They were older than the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure on the Giza Plateau. Only, the pyramids at Caral weren’t built of limestone. They were built from mud, grass, and stones. Some of the pyramids, according to what she’d read and the photographs she’d seen, had almost worn away, but the Great Pyramid—El Pyrámide Mayor—was still standing. Seeing the place she’d taught students to marvel about would truly be a treat—and the perfect distraction.

  The altitude at Caral was about 1,100 feet. For the first time since they’d left Virginia, Lynn felt excited and eager for the day’s tour!

  Sharon was still asleep, so their order in the bathroom was reversed this morning. By the time Lynn emerged, Sharon was sitting on the side of the bed making groaning noises, rubbing her face and tousling her hair.

  “I never should’ve had that third Pisco Sour.” She made her way into the bathroom.

  “Don’t take too long!” Lynn told her. “I’ll be downstairs having breakfast.”

  “Stick a bagel in your purse for me.”

  Lynn headed for the elevator and was pleasantly surprised to see Alex there, waiting for the next car.

  “Buenos días, Señorita. I hope you slept well.”

  “Buenos días, Señor. I did, thank you. I’m excited about going to Caral this morning.”

  “Sunshine!”

  “Yes. I can’t wait!”

  The elevator doors opened, and he motioned for her to precede him into the car. It moved slowly, compared with elevators she was used to using in Virginia.

  “I hope all is well at your home in Virginia.”

  “That was my father on the phone last night. He and Mom live in New Mexico—a very long way from Virginia. But yes. Everything is fine.”

  He went on to the highlight of the day’s tour. “Are you familiar with Caral?”

  “Yes. I teach World History. I’ve taught my students about Caral and shown them photos, but actually being there and taking photos of my own will make that study even more meaningful when I get home. It’s hard to imagine pyramids in Peru being older than those at Giza.”

  “Have you been to Egypt?”

  “No, but I’ve read about them and I’ve seen television programs about them that bring them to life. I hope to see them in person someday. But I’m not going inside the Great Pyramid.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m sometimes claustrophobic. It’s hot in the narrow tunnels leading to Khufu’s burial chamber, and people go in and out through that same tunnel. A friend of mine told me I’d never make it. He isn’t claustrophobic at all, but by the time he emerged from that tunnel, he was gasping for breath and vowed he’d never do it again. I’m content to watch others make that expedition on television!”

  “We won’t be going inside the pyramids at Caral.”

  “That’s a relief! I’d have to wait outside!”

  The car opened on the ground floor. The restaurant was just to the left. They found the others at two tables pulled together. Alex suggested sitting at a third table so there would be a chair for Sharon when she came down. Lynn started to protest, knowing Sharon wouldn’t be down until the last possible minute, but with her new goal of learning everything she could from this guide, she agreed with a smile and was pleased when Alex pulled out a chair for her.

  “They have a nice buffet, with omelets made the way you prefer, or you can order from the menu.”

  “The buffet will be fine.”

  “For me, as well.”

  When the waiter came to take their drink orders, Lynn ordered hot tea. He told her there were tea bags on the buffet next to the hot water.

  “You’ll want to try Coca tea once we get to Cusco. It will give you energy at the much higher altitude,” Alex suggested.

  “I read that Cusco sits at 11,000 feet. Should we be having Coca tea now, before we leave the coastal area?”

  “It isn’t necessary. Coca tea helps those who stay in Cusco for seve
ral days. The altitude usually affects them at night. Lying flat makes it harder to breathe and to get blood to the brain.”

  “I’ll have to remember to use several pillows!”

  They went to the buffet. Lynn was surprised to find vegetables as well as fruits there, plus sweet breads, and a chef waiting to take orders for omelets. That’s what she wanted. She asked him for ham, cheese, peppers, and tomatoes. While the omelet was cooking, she remembered a warning in her guide book about not eating fresh fruit and vegetables in Peru unless they were peeled and properly cleaned. This was a really nice hotel, so she didn’t worry about her omelet being anything but safe to eat.

  While the omelet cooked, she selected a cup, filled it with hot water, then added a tea bag. In Cusco, she’d definitely try the Coca tea.

  Her omelet was ready. Alex had filled his plate with vegetables and fruits and added a sweet roll. They went back to their table. While they exchanged information and thoughts about Caral and what they’d see there this morning, he glanced at his cell phone several times.

  The third time, he said, “Will you excuse me, please? I have to make sure the hotel has everyone checked out.”

  “I’ll be finished in a minute.”

  Lynn watched him leave the restaurant. He was dressed simply, in jeans and a black sweatshirt. His white hat lay on his back, the cord around his neck, revealing black, curly hair. He was quite handsome. When she turned back, she saw the others smiling at her.

  “Did you have coffee or tea?” she asked them.

  “Tea!”

  “Coffee!”

  They held up their cups. Sharon lifted hers as a salute, which made Lynn blush again. She had to stop blushing! There was absolutely nothing to blush about!

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  Lynn insisted on getting on the bus without help when they boarded for Caral. Alex’s smile included some amusement this time. He was obviously pleased that she was feeling more rested and eager to explore the Caral ruins. In sunshine!

  They went miles and miles within Lima. Lynn was used to driving in big cities, but she’d never driven in one this big—and never would! More than eight million people lived in the Lima Province.

  They were still under cloud cover and engulfed in fog, with the temperature in the low 60s, just as it had been yesterday. They passed hundreds of small, poorly constructed houses on the hillsides that looked as if a strong wind would send them sliding down to the road. Most had sheets of cloth covering the windows. Crumbling roofs and walls often went unrepaired. On some roofs, clotheslines had been strung with clothes hanging there to dry, collecting the dirt and exhaust that covered everything in the city. Stray dogs wandered everywhere, but very few people were evident. Lynn assumed most of the people were at work, and the children in school. How crowded would all these houses be after work hours? She could see from remnants of paint that the buildings had once been painted bright colors, but it was obvious the paint had worn really thin in the foggy winter climate.

  After an hour and a half, the bus stopped for a restroom break. The restrooms weren’t in a business, though. They were in a low, worn building of their own, with a man standing guard over the entrances. Alex paid the man so they could use the facilities. Lynn had read that tourists should bring tissue with them because the bathrooms might not have any.

  Back on the bus, Lynn whispered to Sharon, “That’s the first time I’ve seen toilets without seats!”

  “Me, too. Remind me to re-stock my purse with tissue!”

  As they got closer to Caral, they began to see patches of green that looked like moss. Lynn took a deep breath and realized what a relief it was to see something other than brown. Vegetation increased the farther they traveled from the city. Eventually, they were driving past cultivated fields in valleys, surrounded by desert-like terrain. A river ran down the center of the valley, providing water for crops, but only for a short distance into the dry land beyond. They also passed chicken farms with adobe fences, then barreled up a road that was so rough they bounced in their seats! It was impossible to take pictures through the windows because of the speed of the bus and the bouncing they did over the ruts in the dirt roads. But a miracle had occurred! They’d climbed out of the fog. Sunshine at last!

  Chapter 7

  Closer to Caral, Lynn saw a man walking in a field that seemed to be planted with two different crops. There were cows on one side of the dividing line, but not on the other side. The man had a long stick in his hand, which he waved at any of the cows that turned as though intending to cross the line. She wondered if he walked back and forth all day long, keeping the cows out of the other crop? They passed so quickly, she didn’t have time to ask Alex, who was talking about something else on the other side of the bus.

  Lynn realized she’d “woken up” from her slump and actually felt like smiling again, without having to encourage herself to do it. The bus parked near some buildings that looked like a long, curved market, but there were almost no vendors. Only a few people had opened their shops for tourists today, and they got the full attention of the group.

  Sharon bought a canvas vest with a Caral logo patch on one side. Vicki, Sheila, and the others looked at tshirts, jewelry, and other souvenirs. Lynn wasn’t interested in buying anything here. She wanted to save her money for Cusco and Machu Picchu. Right now, she just wanted to see the pyramids.

  Within ten minutes, Alex was waving to everyone to gather so the tour could begin.

  Alex escorted them through the ruins, pointing out each of the eight pyramids and describing what archaeologists had determined was most likely their function in the city. There were three round, sunken plazas where Lynn pictured vendors and buyers gathered. Three thousand years ago, the city of Caral had been home to thousands of people. Being there was a heady experience.

  Lynn basked in the strong sunshine, turning slowly, trying to imagine what it had been like to live in Caral when the pyramids were being built. The majestic peaks of the Andes gave the city a majesty she could feel

  The pyramids of Caral had been dated to 3000 BCE. Some of the Caral pyramids had crumbled while others still remained fairly intact. According to Alex, the largest pyramid covered an area the size of four American football fields! It stood today as a sentinel for the great city. Surrounded by mountains, Lynn realized it must have felt like living in heaven.

  She closed her eyes, picturing people among the pyramids, laughing, talking, loving their home. When she opened her eyes, Alex stood nearby, watching her.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  “How wonderful it must have been to live here.”

  He nodded. “I have thought the same thing, many times. These pyramids had special meaning for the people who lived here. They were built as part of their religion. What better place to honor the Great Spirit than on a wide mesa surrounded by mountains?”

  She had to agree.

  After completing the tour, they headed for the bus. Lynn had chosen a blue knit top with a scooped neckline this morning. The back of her neck felt hot.

  Sharon came up behind her. “Don’t scratch! You got your wish today! You’ve gotten some sun and it’s glowing bright red on your pale skin!”

  Lynn hadn’t scratched—just rubbed her neck—but the stinging pain of sunburn was unmistakable.

  “Who would’ve thought, after all that fog, that I’d end up with a sunburn today?” She thought about it a few seconds. “I love it!”

  Back on the bus, Lynn settled into the seat with a sigh of contentment. She couldn’t wait to describe to her students what it had meant to her to be at Caral. She realized, looking between the seats, that Alex was smiling at her again. This time, his smile conveyed contentment as well as happiness. He’d succeeded by taking her to a place she loved—exactly what an excellent guide was hired to do. She’d have to tell him at lunch how much she appreciated his knowledge of Peru’s special places, and his willingness to devote his life to sharing that knowledge with others.

&
nbsp; Alex had an announcement that seemed to make him really happy. “We have reservations at a special restaurant on the coast for lunch today. They won a contest for the best ceviche!”

  Lynn saw how excited Alex was about getting to have “the best ceviche.” He really loved this national dish!

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  They arrived at the restaurant at 2:00. The sign out front displayed the boast along with the name of the owner—Fernando Davila. Jota Resobar Barranca was right on the beach of the Pacific Ocean, and socked in with 100% cloud cover, like Lima.

  Inside, they sat at a long wooden table with wooden chairs. A television mounted in the corner of the room hung out from the wall, almost over one end of the table. A television spot featuring the restaurant and its designation of “best ceviche” played over and over in an endless loop. Lynn wished the volume could be turned down, but Fernando Davila came out to greet them—and turned up the volume. To make sure they watched the part where he was featured, he pointed at the screen, nodding and mumbling something about what an honor it had been to win the contest.

  Lynn sat near the far end of the table on the side next to the wall so she could see the ocean through the front windows. The menu, as before at the Larco Restaurant, listed foods that had been approved for the tour. Ceviche was first in the list, of course, and it was no surprise when Alex ordered it. Lynn chose the fried seafood. They also had Coca Cola, Sprite, beer, and, of course, Pisco Sours. Lynn ordered a Coke with ice. That was another thing she’d learned from the guide book. Soft drinks were served cold, but not with ice unless the customer requested it. Several others asked for Coke or Sprite—with ice.

  The food was delicious—and plentiful! Alex’s plate was piled high with ceviche, just as Lynn’s plate was filled with seafood—shrimp, fish, and oysters—and fried sweet potatoes. Incredible! Once again, Alex had chosen the chair adjacent to Lynn’s. They tried to talk about Caral while they ate, but the television drowned all attempts at conversation. When Fernando went back into the kitchen, Alex turned the volume down so they wouldn’t have to talk over it.