He stood and took her hands into his. “It was my pleasure, madam.” He returned to his character and bowed in front of her. “I bid you adieu until morning, then?”
Lindsey’s laughter was heard echoing through the lobby once again. She waved to him and began her ascent on the stairs.
Neither one saw Don peeking around the corner at them.
Lindsey felt as if she were floating back to her room. The peace from the mountains had continued with Steve near her, and she wasn’t worried where this would go. She heard her Nana’s voice in her head telling her to do what she needed to do, and to do what made her soul happy.
“I feel happy, Nana,” she said to her empty room. And it was true. She hadn’t felt anything in months. She was relieved to know that she could feel something.
She climbed into bed with her and Nana’s journals and left the comforter on, just to spite her mother. She opened both journals to compare the day’s events and added some words to her own.
What surprised her were the brief spots in Nana’s journal, as if she left a lot unsaid.
Lindsey knew the effect the day had on her and couldn’t believe that her Nana hadn’t felt the same. She didn’t spend much time analyzing it, as she knew the faster she went to sleep, the sooner she’d be with Steve again.
She turned out the lights, said her prayers, and slept soundly until her wakeup call at six o’clock in the morning.
Twelve
LINDSEY ORDERED BREAKFAST from room service and then stepped into the shower. She looked at the Jacuzzi tub, but knew she didn’t have time this morning for a bath. She was awake, mostly with anticipation, but needed the hot shower to catch up her body with her mind.
After her shower, she enjoyed blueberry pancakes and orange juice in the quiet of her room. This quiet of the morning was the time for her thoughts to be fully present and she was reminded that she was in the right place and doing the right thing. She looked out at the mountains while she ate and was once again humbled in their presence.
She finished eating, and knowing that she wanted to be one of the first on the bus again, she grabbed her bag with the journals, camera, water, sweater, and snacks and headed downstairs.
Don was seated in the driver’s seat and opened the door for her when he saw her cross the parking lot.
“Good morning, Lindsey,” he said as she stepped onto the bus. “This is for you.” He handed her a brown paper bag with a blueberry muffin and orange juice.
She looked in the bag as she sat down into the seat behind him. “Yum. Thank you. Do you have these for everyone? I didn’t think breakfast was included?”
“It’s not. This treat is just for you,” he smiled.
“Oh … well … thank you, again.” She thought he looked like a cherry and orange Starburst candy this morning with his red shirt and orange pants. The way he was staring at her through his John Lennon glasses made her sit up a little straighter, and she brought her hand to her chest to make sure that her red v-neck shirt hadn’t slid too far down. He was making her very uncomfortable, but she knew that other women would enjoy his stares.
“Are you enjoying the ride so far?” he asked, with apparently no intention of covering the innuendo.
“I’m fine, thanks.” Lindsey stood up and looking out the front window. “Where’s Steve this morning?” She could feel Don’s stare on the back of her jeans, so she quickly turned to look at him.
“I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.” He paused. “We were up a little late last night at a party for a friend, so he may be sleeping something off.”
That didn’t sound right to Lindsey. It did make her realize that she didn’t really know Steve yet.
“Too bad you weren’t there.” Don lowered his glasses and winked at her.
This wasn’t the same guy from yesterday, was it? Lindsey tried to ignore Don’s comments, and returned to her seat to get out her journal. She began to write the date on the top of the page and added “Lake Minnewanka” underneath. She felt Don’s eyes staring at her, so she looked up to see him peering over the back of his seat.
“Today should be fun,” he said to her. “The lake is beautiful, so you’ll fit right in.”
He really was trying too hard this morning. Lindsey decided it was too early for her to deal with this, so she began to put her things away to get off the bus and wait in the lobby. But as she stood up, Martha climbed on. “Thank you,” Lindsey whispered toward the heavens.
“Good morning, honey!” Martha sat down in the seat behind her.
With one more glance in her direction, Don stood up and left the bus to greet the others.
“Hey Martha,” Lindsey said. “Are you excited about today?”
“Oh yes. The lake is serene and energizing at the same time. You’ll love it,” she assured.
“Where’s Joyce?”
“She’s still in the room. Her husband wants her to check in at the beginning and ending of every day. My silly brother can’t go a day without her.”
“That’s sweet,” Lindsey said. “I want my husband to feel the same way about me.”
“You’re married?” Martha asked with surprised.
“No, no. I just meant that my husband of one day … I hope he’s out there and will feel that way about me.”
“Speaking of potential husbands, honey, here’s Steve. He’s not looking very happy this morning though, is he?”
Martha was right, Lindsey thought. Steve looked angry, and apparently, his anger was directed at his partner. Steve walked right up to Don and stood toe to toe with him, and Lindsey could tell the conversation was heated. Don’s body language suggested he was pretending innocence, and after a few minutes, Steve turned away and entered the bus.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said with the same sweet smile he always had.
Lindsey noticed that he had exchanged his previous day’s red pants for bright orange ones. He looked like a carrot in orange pants and the orange shirt. She wondered who chose those ridiculous outfits.
He sat down next to Lindsey. “How are you this early morning?” he asked.
“Maybe I should ask you the same thing. You look a little rough.”
“Oh. I’m fine. Don never reset the alarm for me, so I overslept a little, but I made it in time.”
“You two are roommates too?”
“Oh yeah. Our lives are so intertwined, it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between us,” he laughed. “Of course, I am the more handsome one!”
Lindsey rolled her eyes and laughed at his pretend arrogance. At least she hoped it was pretend.
The rest of the group climbed in the bus, and they were on their way to Lake Minnewanka.
“Once again, we have your tickets, so please see me before you leave the parking lot,” Steve announced over the microphone. “The boat tour is one and a half hours. After that, we will meet back here, and then on to the Hoo Doo’s for a picnic lunch, which we will provide.”
Lindsey waited for the other travelers to get off the bus and then she and Steve walked out together. He playfully put his arm around her shoulders. He was so happy to be here with her that he couldn’t resist touching her somehow. He felt Lindsey stiffen slightly, but she didn’t pull away. Steve was about to remove his arm from her shoulders when Don walked up behind them and put his arm around her from the other side. “We’re off to see the Wizard!” he belted out, teasingly. The three of them laughed as they walked toward the boat, but Lindsey couldn’t shake the uncomfortable and intruding feeling that crept up whenever Don was around.
Steve directed Lindsey to the place with the best view, the upper deck, and the three of them found seats together. A young, female voice boomed out over the speaker system.
“Welcome to Lake Minnewanka, which translates as ‘Water of the Spirits.’ The lake has been through many changes, including glaciers taking on most of the water, to a complete ice over which stilled the water’s life, and then melted into a rebirth. On our left is a sm
all marsh that’s home to ducks, geese and coyote, elk and deer. The meadow on the right is much more beautiful since it’s been cleaned in an effort to eliminate the garbage-seeking bears that used to gather there.”
Lindsey wished she could have Nana’s journal out in front of her, but knew that the words she heard were what were written down.
“We begin near Bankhead, which was an old coal mining town. The lake is 466 feet deep and contains many trout and white fish. As we travel along, look for the bears and big horned sheep that will be out in search of food.
“The glacier in the lake reflects green instead of the usual blue. I’m sure you noticed the different color. The beaches you see are actually what we call false beaches. The water level is low, but it rises when the mountain snow melts.”
Lindsey heard the guide reciting facts about possible avalanches and how far above sea level they were, but she couldn’t concentrate on what was said. Steve sat on one side of her and Don on the other, and she was beginning to feel like a third wheel. Don seemed so threatened by her presence.
Steve pointed out the incredible forest along the banks of the lake. “There was a controlled fire here in 1987. The seeds expelled at the high heat, which resulted in this beautiful growth.”
Don jumped right in, not wanting to be topped. “It’s almost eighty-six percent pollution free here, and the air is completely replenished every seven years. The mountains and the trees are able to maintain this high quality for us.”
The woman’s voice broke in over the loudspeaker. “Eagles mate for life. They have two eggs every two years. Unfortunately, they only feed one of the babies.”
“That’s terrible,” Lindsey said. “I never knew that about eagles. No wonder they’re in danger of extinction. They’re bringing it on themselves.” She shuddered at the thought of not taking care of one of the babies.
Steve leaned in toward her. “That’s not the worst part. What the guide failed to mention is that the father eats the other baby,” he finished with disgust.
Lindsey didn’t have a chance to respond, as Don took that moment to place his hand on her knee. She jerked her knee away in response and bumped shoulders with Steve, the surprise nearly knocking him out of his seat.
“Oh … I’m sorry, Steve.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you Lindsey,” Don said. “I only wanted to point out the climbers on Devil’s Gap.”
“I don’t see anything.” Lindsey tried to pretend she wasn’t shaken.
Steve took her hand into his and pointed towards the crag. “Do you see those small dots of color?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“Those are the climber’s helmets,” he told her.
“They look so small!” She was surprised.
The female voice broke in again. “Devil’s Gap is coming up. It is a path carved through the Rockies by a glacier. It is a known gathering for climbers in both the summer and the winter.”
At that moment, Lindsey heard a wolf howling. The sound carried over the water and she couldn’t tell from which direction it was coming.
“I think it’s up ahead at the dam,” Don said in response to her unasked question. “We’ll be turning around in a moment to head back.” He stood up to stretch. “I’m going below for a drink. Would you all like me to bring you something?”
“No. I’m fine for now. Thanks,” Lindsey responded.
“I’m good too, partner. Thanks.”
Steve was grateful to be getting time alone with Lindsey, and turned to her after Don walked away. “I’ve been thinking about you since last night,” he admitted.
Lindsey was still a little bristly at the thought that Steve had been out partying all night. She didn’t think he was that type of guy. “I didn’t think you’d have much time with all the partying you were doing.”
“What are you talking about?” He pulled back and looked at her.
“Don told me you were out all night at a party for a friend, and that’s why you were late this morning.”
Steve was shocked. He wondered why Don would lie. “Lindsey, I don’t know what he’s talking about. After I left you, I drove to my apartment in town, had a snack, and went straight to bed. I knew we had a long day today and wanted to be ready for it.”
Lindsey believed he was telling the truth.
“Why would Don tell me that then?” she asked.
Steve’s eyebrows lifted, which gave him a wild look. “I don’t know. He was the one who didn’t get home until after two in the morning. Maybe he forgot I wasn’t with him?” He tried to make a joke of it.
She turned toward him. “I know you’ve been friends for a long time, but he’s making me feel a little—”
Don’s voice interrupted them. “Here we go!” He set a tray of lemonade out in front of them. They both looked up, surprised he was back so soon. “What did I miss?”
Steve’s patience was wearing thin, but he didn’t want to discuss things in front of Lindsey. “Don? Can I talk to you for a minute?” He stood up and pulled Don away.
“Sure, partner. What’s going on?”
Lindsey couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation, but when Steve returned, Don wasn’t with him.
“Is everything all right?” she asked.
“Oh, yeah, I just explained to him that I wanted to spend time alone with you.” He shook his head. “I can’t understand what’s gotten into him lately. He’s never lied before and his behavior has been just plain rude.” He shook his head again.
He knew they didn’t have too much alone time, and he didn’t want to waste it discussing Don.
“Can I ask you the usual questions?” he asked and looked into her eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“You know. Like, when’s your birthday? What’s your favorite color? Do you like movies, music, books? Those types of things.”
Lindsey laughed. “My birthday is October twenty-first. My favorite color is blue. I like comedy movies, all kinds of music, and mystery books. What about you?”
“Ok. My birthday is June fifth. My favorite color is green. I too like comedies, but also a good western. My taste in music has been a little odd lately, I’ve been enjoying classic rock and reggae, and I rarely have a chance to read anything other than my Bible,” he told her.
“Your birthday is tomorrow?” she exclaimed.
“I know. I almost forgot the date until just now.”
“Won’t your family be celebrating with you?”
“Not when we’re in the middle of a tour. We’ll get together next weekend for cake and ice cream. You know, the older we get the less we need to celebrate.”
Lindsey pursed her lips. “Maybe we could do something special tomorrow. We always make a big deal of birthdays in my family, and I’d enjoy making you happy.”
She was shocked at her forwardness, but Steve didn’t answer, so Lindsey put the thought away for later. She knew she’d find something she could do just for him.
“I used to come fishing here with my dad when I was younger,” Steve told her. “In the future, I hope to bring my son out here with me too.”
Lindsey suddenly looked at him in a different light. She could certainly see him as a father and knew he’d be a good one. He was patient and kind and had been very respectful with her. He would make a good husband too.
They sat in a comfortable silence for the remaining ten minutes as the boat traveled through Ghost Lake and returned them to the dock.
“Let me help you.” Steve reached for Lindsey’s arm to help her off the boat. She took his hand, but had to let go when she got down, as the other passengers expected him to do the same for them.
Don was waiting for her near the end of the dock. “Did you enjoy the trip?” he asked, and began walking beside her.
“I did, it was lovely. Thank you,” she responded curtly.
“I wanted to tell you that Steve just got out of a long term relationship. He’s a little jaded and probably isn’t ready for anythi
ng serious.”
Lindsey stopped walking. Serious? She thought. I’ve just met him. “Why are you doing this?” She couldn’t help feeling angry now. “Have I offended you in some way?”
“Whoa. Calm down, girly. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“What did you call me?” She couldn’t believe how offensive this man was being. “I am a passenger on your bus. I have paid for your time, your knowledge, and your consideration. If you continue to mistreat me, I will call your boss and complain.”
Don laughed. “I don’t think so. Because when he calls me, I will have to explain to him that Steve has crossed the line with a passenger. That is most definitely grounds for being fired.”
Lindsey was shocked. She hadn’t thought of that before. She didn’t know how to respond, so she just walked away.
Martha and Joyce were making their way across the parking lot and saw that Lindsey was upset. Martha pulled Lindsey to the side.
“What’s the matter honey?”
“Don is being rude and insensitive. I don’t know what his problem is with me.”
“We noticed he’s not leaving you and Steve alone. Honey, he’s just jealous that you’re taking his best friend away.”
“But it really seems to be more than that. I can understand being threatened and jealous, but he’s being downright nasty.” She paused and then growled in frustration. “Grrrr, I just don’t need this right now! This trip was my chance to find something I’d lost, and I’m being distracted on all sides.”
Martha and Joyce told her they would be on the lookout for anything inappropriate and would try and protect her as best they could, but Lindsey told them she could handle things. She didn’t want to ruin their vacation with worries about her.
When they returned to the bus, Lindsey remained quiet and didn’t dare look in Don’s direction.
“We hope you enjoyed the lake today. We are now on our way to the Hoo Doos,” Steve began. “The Hoo Doos are rock formations that were formed by thousands of years of erosion. The Blackfoot Indians believed the Hoo Doos were sacred, and home to spirits.” He finished and took his seat next to Lindsey.
Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) Page 6
