Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love)

by Wolfe, Lisa M.

  Stopping at a door in the hall, he used his key to let himself into the small room that he and Don were allowed to use to change and freshen up. The tiny loveseat looked inviting, and he took a moment to sit and gather his thoughts.

  Lindsey had captured his attention from the moment he stepped on the bus. At times during the trip it had appeared to him that she was mouthing the words he was saying verbatim. He knew she hadn’t been on his bus before, but couldn’t figure out how she knew what he was going to say.

  He was thankful they would have more time this week to get to know one another. Very thankful. As he continued to think of Lindsey, he settled into the loveseat and fell asleep.

  Lindsey’s room was all that she had anticipated and more. The room had a small kitchen and a couch in front of a fireplace.

  She carefully set down her suitcase on the small off-white couch, and then heard her mother’s reminder in her head, so instead she carried her suitcase to the closet in search of the luggage rack. She placed her bag on it so it would be off the floor – as if those bugs couldn’t jump to it anyway – and walked into the bathroom.

  There in front of her was a large Jacuzzi tub. She couldn’t wait to get in for a long soak tonight.

  For now, she was content to change her clothes into a comfortable pink and green peasant skirt, pink tank top, and light, white sweater and stretch out on the bed.

  Again, her thoughts returned to her mother. Ann would have used tissues to pull the comforter back and onto the floor for fear of touching any stray germs. Ann warned her that the comforters weren’t changed after each guest, and one could never know what was lingering there.

  Almost in defiance Lindsey lay down on top of the multicolored, striped comforter and fidgeted into a comfortable position. Her muscles had cramped up during the trip and needed to be lengthened, so she spent a few minutes doing the simple stretches she had learned in an exercise class. She found the remote, and again in defiance, didn’t spray it with Lysol before she turned on the television. Whenever she went to a new town, she liked to see what the locals found entertaining.

  A Friends repeat was playing, and The Price is Right. She watched Bob Barker for a minute before realizing she was very hungry. She called down to the front desk and was told that only one restaurant was open for lunch. Quickly, she grabbed her purse, but as she picked it up, she heard the small ‘ping’ from her cell phone.

  She had missed four calls. “Shoot,” she said. In all the excitement she had forgotten to call her mother. Her rumbling stomach would have to wait a few more minutes.

  “Hi Mom,” she said once her mother picked up the phone.

  “Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried when you didn’t call. How was your flight?”

  Lindsey was surprised that her mother’s concerns weren’t more insistent. “The flight was good. Quick. I arrived on time, and the tour company has been great too.”

  “Did you check the hotel room over for bugs?”

  Lindsey laughed. “I’ll do that before I go to sleep tonight.”

  “Leave a light on when you go out, in case you get back late.”

  “I will, Mom. Listen, I’m really hungry and have only an hour before we head out for our afternoon tour, so I’m going to go, and I’ll call you tomorrow.” Lindsey crossed her fingers in hope to get out of this conversation quickly.

  “All right, honey.”

  Lindsey couldn’t believe she agreed.

  “Just one more thing.”

  She sighed. Here it comes … .

  “Helen called me this morning. She’s really uncomfortable with you on this trip.”

  “I know. I got that feeling from her too when I asked her about Nana’s.”

  “She started talking about your Nana and got herself so worked up that we couldn’t finish the conversation. I don’t know what she could be worried about, but be extra careful, ok?”

  “I will, Mom. I’ll be fine,” Lindsey wasn’t sure if she was attempting to reassure herself or her mother. She began to leave her room, but didn’t get too far.

  “What’s the direct number to your room, Lin?”

  Shoot, she thought, I almost made it. She turned back around and walked over to the desk with the telephone. She read off the number to her mother, told her once again that she was fine, and that she would talk to her in two days.

  She checked her watch and realized she now only had forty-five minutes to eat, so she headed down to the restaurant.

  Eight

  PEPPER’S RESTAURANT WAS full during the lunch hour rush. Steve and Don were in line standing a few people ahead of Lindsey. The line wasn’t long, but she didn’t notice anyone other than Steve.

  She sneaked a peek at his profile and then looked away for fear of being caught. She peeked again and lingered a little too long: Steve turned to look right at her.

  In that instant, she decided that she could look away or smile, so she chose to smile.

  Her innocent smile was all the encouragement he needed, so he walked right over to her.

  “Hi … Lindsey.” He almost giggled as he said her name.

  She smiled at him. “Hello Steve.”

  She looked beautiful with her brown hair pulled up into a pony tail, the small curls left against her neck making her look playful and sensual at the same time. The pink top she was wearing left her cross exposed, and he stared at it for a minute before returning his gaze to her blue eyes.

  Lindsey watched his gaze. She knew he was a gentleman right then and there because his eyes hadn’t traveled any lower than the cross at her neck. They looked at each other with approval.

  “Would you please join Don and me for lunch?”

  “I would like that. Thank you.”

  Steve guided her to a round table in the corner of the room. Don had already settled into the seat near the wall. Again, she was impressed with Steve’s manners as he pulled the chair out for her.

  “Hi Don,” Lindsey said as she sat down. “I hope you don’t mind if I join you for lunch?”

  Don looked at his partner with a question in his eyes. Steve had never invited one of the guests to dine with them. He and Steve had been best friends since they were kids, but for the first time, Don saw a look in Steve’s eyes that he hadn’t seen before. A look that brought a smile to his face.

  “Sure, Lindsey. We’d love to have you join us.”

  The men both ordered the salmon with rice and salad. Lindsey thought that was a lot of food for lunch, but then realized they probably wouldn’t get a chance to eat again until much later. She chose the Veggie Quesadilla.

  “Are you a vegetarian?” Steve asked her.

  She nodded. “I have been for a few years now. I feel better when I eat more fruits and vegetables. The meat seemed to weigh me down a bit.”

  Steve couldn’t imagine anything weighing her down. He thought she was perfect. He didn’t like women who were rail thin. Lindsey was thin, but in proportion for her body.

  Don saw Steve disappearing into his own thoughts. “We used to fish almost every day when we were boys,” he said in an attempt to change the conversation.

  “Oh? How long have you two known each other?” Lindsey had assumed they were co-workers and nothing more.

  “Our grandfathers worked together for Sun Dog, so our fathers grew up together. They were inseparable, until my dad passed away last year,” Don said.

  Lindsey knew that kind of pain. “I am sorry to hear of your loss.”

  Don saw the compassion and understanding in her eyes, and for a moment, forgot that Steve was at the table.

  Steve couldn’t help feel a little jealous that Don had Lindsey’s full attention. He was about to say something to break them up, when the food arrived and changed the mood.

  For most of the meal, they talked about the men’s boyhood days of hiking, fishing, and camping. The two men knew their way around the mountains here, and Lindsey felt all the more comfortable with them leading her trip.

  Steve
wanted to know more about her. “I noticed your cross. It’s beautiful. Are you a believer?”

  “I am.”

  “Tell us how it happened.”

  Lindsey smiled as she looked into Steve’s eyes. “I was 12. My parents were really struggling. They weren’t sure they wanted to remain married. At the time, we did not have a home church, but we did attend a community church.”

  Steve nodded to encourage her to continue. Plus, he was mesmerized by the sound of her voice.

  “A group from the church visited our home one night, and my parents and I stood holding hands with the members in a circle. We each dedicated our lives to the Lord that night.”

  “And?”

  “And,” she chuckled, “I never looked back. My faith took root in me so deep I began listening to Christian music, witnessing to my friends, and going to church youth groups. It’s been a way of life ever since.”

  Steve did not doubt it. He could see the light in Lindsey’s eyes and how she interacted with others.

  “What about you?” she asked both men.

  “Another time,” Don told her as he stood. “We have to get the bus ready.”

  Steve looked at Don out of the corner of his eye, and then looked at Lindsey. “My parents didn’t give me much of a choice,” he chuckled. “I was born, raised, and continue to believe.” He wanted to tell her so much more about the power of God in his life, but now wasn’t the time.

  The bill arrived at that moment, and Lindsey was surprised to see the charge was only for her meal. “It’s one of our perks,” Steve said. “The hotel doesn’t have to provide separate transportation from the airport for its guests, so we get our meals free.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I think it works out for all of us that way,” he said with a laugh.

  Lindsey charged her meal to her room and stood up. “I’m going to go freshen up before we leave. I’ll see you in ten minutes?”

  Don started to move, but Steve’s look told him to remain where he was.

  “I’ll walk you out,” Steve said to Lindsey.

  Lindsey caught the look between the two, but didn’t know what to think of it.

  “Oh. Ok,” she mumbled. Her fingers unconsciously went to her cross. “I’ll see you later, Don.”

  He grinned, and just nodded in her direction.

  Steve placed his hand on her elbow and led her through the maze of tables. Lindsey was surprised not to see others from their group, but then concluded that they must have eaten first and were now resting.

  Once they were in the lobby, Steve let go of her elbow. She was quiet for a moment, looking at the sunlight shining through the large window that ran from the ceiling to floor. The light had cast their shadows onto the gray tiled floor, and her mind took a small snapshot of the two of them together. She tried to shake the feeling that he wasn’t an illusion like his shadow.

  “Can I walk you up?” he asked, as if to remind himself she really was alive and standing next to her.

  Lindsey hesitated as she pursed her lips together. “I think I’ll be fine from here.”

  He was surprised to hear this, but recovered quickly. He did a quick bow in front of her. “Thank you, madam, for the presence of your company at lunch. It was a great honor to be seen with such a beautiful woman.”

  Lindsey couldn’t help but laugh.

  He thought it was the greatest sound he’d heard in a long time.

  She quickly pulled him upright by the shoulders. “Stop. You’re embarrassing me,” she whispered.

  It was at that moment that Don walked out. “Oh, Sir Steve,” he said and turned to Lindsey. “Did we forget to mention that we also took many, many classes in theatrical art?” He paused for dramatic effect. “It helps when we’re working, but Steve also has been known to bring it off the stage.”

  Lindsey didn’t have anything to say, but her cheeks were beginning to hurt from her large smile.

  “I shall take it from here, madam,” Don said, “and remove this silly distraction for you. A thousand pardons, please.” He went into a bow as well.

  By this point, Lindsey’s laughter filled the entire lobby. So much for embarrassing myself, she thought. Her giggles brought more attention to the three of them than anything else.

  Don reached out and grabbed Steve’s arm.

  “Unhand me, you servant!” Steve raised his voice.

  “Sir, please. Come with me quietly and no one shall be harmed,” Don responded.

  “I shall not. If I have to defend her honor and my own, I will. Now draw your sword, my good man.”

  The two continued on in their battle, and Lindsey was relieved to sneak away without having to hurt Steve’s feelings. She didn’t know him well enough to let him know what room she was in. She might be old-fashioned, but she didn’t want to put herself into any compromising situations. She was certainly attracted to him more and more every minute, though …

  Nine

  LINDSEY WAS ONE of the first on the bus, so for this trip, she chose a seat up front. Don was already in the driver’s seat, and his quiet manner was quite a change from the exuberant, energetic man who held her place card at the airport. They sat in silence for a minute, until Don turned around to look at her.

  “I think Steve’s developing a little crush on you,” he offered.

  Lindsey raised her eyebrows in response to his frankness, and she wondered where this conversation was going. “I don’t know about that. I think he’s just being nice.”

  “No.” Don shook his head. “I haven’t seen that look about him before.” He paused, seeming uncertain. “I don’t know you at all, Lindsey, but please be careful with him. I’m worried what will happen when you’re finished with this trip.”

  She didn’t have a chance to respond or alleviate Don’s worries, as Steve climbed into the bus. His smile covered the uneasiness in the air.

  “What’s going on in here?” Steve questioned with a laugh. “Are you making a move on this lovely woman?”

  Don and Lindsey locked eyes for half a second, and Lindsey read the warning in them. “You know how I am, Steve,” Don smiled. “It’s rare we have a single young woman on our bus, and I have to move quickly.” He laughed.

  Steve felt his jealousy stirring once again. He leaned over to whisper in Don’s ear, but wanted to be loud enough for Lindsey to hear him. “This one’s mine.” He winked at her.

  Lindsey blushed and quickly looked down at the journal.

  The other members of the tour group began to enter the bus. Don and Steve went into their meet and greet personalities, and Lindsey was left to deal with the feelings of confusion that had swept over her.

  She admitted to herself that an attraction existed between her and Steve, but she had just met him. She wondered if he was one of those guys who came on to all the single girls on the tour.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by Steve’s voice, so she turned her attention to him. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” Steve said over the microphone. “I trust that you enjoyed your lunch and that you are now ready to visit Banff National Park. Banff is Canada’s first national park and began as a small twenty-six square kilometer hot spring reserve. Today we have over 6,000 kilometers for you to visit and enjoy.”

  He paused to look out the window.

  “The park is home to grizzly bears, caribou, big horn sheep, marmots, and wolves. I don’t think any of you will venture into the mountains alone, but it’s always a good idea to stay together. Make a lot of noise when you’re walking. Some hikers use a small bell on their packs to warn the bears, but they don’t realize that a bear’s hearing is similar to our own. A small bell will not be heard in time. It’s best to talk loudly, step hard, and make your presence known. Banging a walking stick on the ground can also help to give animals a warning that you’re coming down the path.”

  Steve turned to look at Lindsey. Once again she was mouthing what he had said and had an open journal in her lap. He leaned towards her to take a peek, but she slowly clos
ed the book and looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.

  “We’re heading out to the Sulphur Mountain for a gondola ride and dinner at the top. From that viewpoint you’ll be able to see six mountain ranges and we will be 2,281 meters, or 7,486 feet for you Americans, above sea level. The gondola ride is eight minutes of breathtaking beauty and at the top, you’ll have time to take one of the guided, or self-guided hiking trips before dinner. If hiking is not of interest to you, a boardwalk ends at an historical weather site, or there is an interactive compass that will tell you exactly how far from home you are.

  “If there aren’t any questions, please enjoy the view on the way and we’ll be there shortly.” He turned off the microphone and sat down next to Lindsey.

  Steve had on a red baseball cap with the Sun Dog Tour Company’s logo. Lindsey found it difficult to see his eyes underneath the cap, but had no trouble seeing Don’s eyes staring at her in the large rearview mirror of the bus. The look he directed at her was one she couldn’t interpret. She thought it was a mixture of anger and fear, and she didn’t know what she could have done to illicit such a response from him.

  The journal was still on her lap, and she slipped it into her purse next to her. Steve was talking to a passenger seated across the aisle, and she didn’t want any questions about the journal when he turned back around.

  The smile was still on his face when he finally turned to her.

  “So … Are you enjoying yourself so far?” he asked.

  She smiled back at him. “Oh yes. Very much,” she answered and hesitated before continuing. “I never imagined how beautiful it was here. I’ve only seen mountains like this in the movies.”

  “You’re from Michigan, right?” he asked. After lunch he had reviewed her personal information and convinced himself that Michigan wasn’t too far away.

  “I’ve lived there all my life,” she said. “Born, raised, attended college, and now I work for a pharmaceutical company there.”

  “Do you like that job?” Steve couldn’t picture her in the business world. She seemed too free and non-conventional for a typical nine to five career.