Counting Stars (A Donnelley Brother's Novel) (3 page)

From:
Reese James

Good
Morning Gracie,

I’ve
spent an exorbitant amount of time thinking about a tour with you
over the last three days. I am convinced that this is exactly what
I need.

Here
is my proposal. I am up for debate on anything you find you can’t
do or aren’t comfortable with.

I
would like to tour the land with you for one month. It is my
understanding that you are established right outside of Banff,
Alberta. Are you deep into the mountains? If so, I’d really enjoy
trekking up the mountain.

My
hopes . . .

I
would like to spend one month with you—preferably the month of
August. Throughout that month, I would like to learn the layout of
the mountainous land. Currently, I live in the city (in the
suburbs) and I do not have much experience in country living. I
understand that what I am asking for is very different than what I
am used to, but I am confident that this is what I need.

I will
need to know the cost for this trip and your tour services and then
we can proceed with the next steps.

Thank
you,

Reese

Standing from the
computer, I dumped my mug in the sink before trekking upstairs for
a shower.

“You’re what?” Kat’s
eyes bugged from her head as she tore open a red freezie wrapper
with her teeth. Her three year old, Macie, was waiting anxiously
with large blue eyes trained on the flavored ice melting in the
sun. She handed Macie the freezie before shooing her away. I
watched as Macie waddled down the back deck steps, trying to keep
the freezie from finding its way into their bulldogs slobbery
chops. “Have you thought about this? The woman could be insane!
Hell, she might not even be a woman.” Her eyes were wide. “You
really don’t know—this whole thing could be a ruse for an axe
murderer in disguise.”

I rolled my eyes,
leaning back in the sun. “Gracie’s not insane, Kat. I’ve done a lot
of research on the Donnelley’s. They’re not crazy and they’re
definitely not axe murderers. They’re legit. You can look them up
for your own piece of mind, but I think this is what I really
need.”

“You need to get lost in
the boonies, Reese? Really? Do you know how that sounds?”

I shrugged. “It doesn’t
matter how it sounds. Obviously, what I’m doing isn’t working. I’m
not happy here anymore so I need to change something.” I lowered my
voice. “I can’t keep going on like this.”

“Have you ever even gone
camping?” Desperation fringed the edges of her tone and I felt a
little piece of my heart ache for her. She had worried about me so
much more than any friend should ever have to worry. I wish I were
stronger. Not just for myself, but for Kat.

I hardened my resolve,
narrowing my eyes at her. “Uh, we’ve gone camping together.”

“We’ve gone camping to
places that have showers, love.” Kat gave a little wiggle in her
chair, reaching for the glass of lemonade on the table. “I don’t
think I’ve ever seen you go a day without showering. What are you
going to do in the middle of nowhere? I mean, they don’t have
plumbing on the mountain!”

“I’ll live.” My reply
was dry.

“Seriously,” she sipped
her juice. “I think you should videotape the entire thing. I would
watch that over and over again. It’d be better than the freaking
comedy channel!” She snorted at her own joke while I leaned my head
back and closed my eyes. “Ohmigawd! You could make a reality show
out of it.”

I kept my eyes closed
and silence fell over us.

For a while, the only
thing I could hear was Macie playing with her dog. The childlike
innocence in her laughter put me at ease. I had wanted kids. Derek
and I had been talking about it before—before he died. Now, I
didn’t know if I would ever find the desire to become a parent
again. He was the only man I could imagine fathering a child of
mine. He was the only man who would be good enough.

Taking in a deep, sharp
breath, I sat up in the chair, clutching my chest. Every now and
again, this happened. A sharp pain stabbed at my heart until I felt
short of breath, robbed of life.

Kat stiffened, reaching
out to place a hand against my shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not you.” I
gasped.

“I should have been more
supportive.” She continued, rubbing my shoulder. “I just don’t want
to lose you, Reese.”

A tear dripped from my
lashes to streak down my face and I quickly swatted it away. I
thanked small mercies that I was wearing sunglasses. Macie was
watching us with a look of confusion on her face. She knew her
Aunty was sad—she just didn’t understand why. Every now and again,
she would ask me where uncle was and I always replied that he was
in Heaven. She took that as he was away at work—like Daddy. Her
father, Mason, worked up North and was often gone for weeks at a
time. In Macie’s mind, her Uncle Derek was going to come home soon.
No matter how many times I told her he wouldn’t, she held hope.

That innocent hope
crushed me.

Steeling myself, I spoke. “You have nothing to
apologize for, Kat. I know I’m not making much sense to you right
now. But please try to understand—I can’t stay here anymore. All I
can feel is
him.
”

Sadness crossed through
her eyes as she nodded, chewing the corner of her bottom lip. “I
know, honey. Again, I just don’t want to lose you. You’re my best
friend.”

My heart hurt all over
again. “You’re my best friend. I promise, you won’t lose me.”

“What if you decide you
prefer living like a mountain woman and move up there?” She pouted
and I knew she was done with her protests against my leaving for a
month’s time. Finally, she had accepted that this was something I
needed to do to heal my shattered heart.

“Then you’ll come visit
me and we’ll all go hiking.”

Kat scoffed. “You think
Mason will hike? Are you nuts? The man is terrified of encountering
wildlife. A freaking bunny would make the man scream.”

“Mason can learn to
deal!” I said firmly.

“Yeah,” Kat nodded. “He
can.”

It was late by the time
I walked through my front door. The sky was dark and the house was
quiet. I had spent the entire day with Kat and Macie. We’d made
chicken tacos and Mexican salad to eat on the back deck. We stayed
outside until the sun went down, just enjoying each other’s
company.

That was the good thing
about Kat—there didn’t need to be words between us for there to be
comfort. We were good with silence. I think that was why we were
such good friends. She understood me and I understood her. We were
so completely different—like the sun and the moon—but we were a
great team. Actually, we were a remarkable team. Provided Gracie
accepted my proposal of living on the mountain for a month, I was
really going to miss Kat.

Flicking on the kitchen
light, I plugged in my kettle and moved to sit at my laptop.
Touching my finger to the mouse-pad, the screen lit up and I saw I
had a new email—from Gracie.

To:
[email protected]

Subject:
Proposal Accepted

From:
Gracie Donnelley

I’m so
happy to hear from you, Reese!

I was
almost worried you weren’t going to contact me again, but I’m
thrilled that you have. I accept your proposal of spending the
month of August living on the mountain. This is a very exciting
tour for me, as I don’t typically do the long ones like this. I
usually leave those to my son, Logan. He’s more the solitary type.
I’m a chatty Kathy! But I will try my very hardest to respect your
need for silence. I understand, that sometimes, people just need a
little peace and quiet. (I am a mother of four).

As for
pricing, the entire month will cost $5000.00. I understand that is
a steep price, but as you are requesting this be a solitary tour,
it is more expensive than the usual tour we offer. If this is an
issue, please let me know and we’ll consider a revision that works
for the both of us. If you require, I can send a pricing
sheet.

That
being said, I have one thing I require of you from this. I do hope
I am not stepping out of bounds, but as I have never done a
solitary trip before, I’d like to get to know you a little better
before we take off into the wilderness. If you would be alright
with continuing to email me at least once or twice a week, I would
really appreciate that!

Sincerely,

Gracie

I read through her email
two more times before I hit reply.

To:
[email protected]

Subject:
Proposal Accepted

From:
Reese James

Thank
you for getting back to me so quickly, Gracie!

I am
fine with the $5000.00. I understand that I am asking for one month
of your time, and that is very valuable to me, so thank you. Is
there a deposit I should send you before the tour?

I
would also prefer to get to know you a little better as well,
before we set out into the wilderness for a month. So, continuing
with our emailing is a good plan! Ask anything you want to know—and
if I can, I’ll try to answer. However, you were correct in first
assuming that I am a very private person. Please, if I tell you at
any point that I am unable to answer a question of yours, don’t
take offense.

Sincerely,

Reese

I hit send. By the time
I was finished writing my email to Gracie, my kettle had switched
off and the water was ready for a tea bag. I dropped a bag of
chamomile tea into my mug before dunking my spoon of honey into the
hot water. I stirred it until the honey was dissolved before
bringing the tea to my lips and taking a small sip. It was just
right.

As I was walking back to
my computer, the email chimed. Glancing in surprise at the clock,
it read 11:42 p.m.

Sitting myself back down
at the counter, I opened the email.

To:
[email protected]

Subject:
Proposal Accepted

From:
Gracie Donnelley

Good
evening, Reese!

You
must be a night owl? Normally I’m tucked in bed decently early, but
I have been waiting anxiously for your reply. I myself am more of a
morning person!

I’m
happy the price works for you. I will require a deposit of $1500.00
one month before the tour. You can wire the money, send a cheque in
the mail, or give me a visa number over the phone.

My
husband, John, has a few questions he would like me to ask you.
They are all basic questions. (I think he’s just surprised I’ve
agreed to a tour with only one other person—for a month). But I
have a good feeling about you.

How
old are you? What do you do for a living? Are you married? Do you
have children? Are you a city girl (born and raised) and do you see
yourself remaining in the city? Do you have a criminal record? Any
animals? Do you own your own home?

Sorry
for bombarding you . . . John just wants to be sure you’re
safe.

Gracie

I laughed. I actually
laughed. The sound was so abrupt and foreign I clapped my hand over
my mouth in horror and confusion. Why had I laughed? Why didn’t I
feel guilty? The fact that I felt good about my laughter bothered
me, but I couldn’t seem to sum up the actual guilt I tended to feel
when I experienced a fleeting moment of happiness. Since Derek
died, the guilt made me feel almost better, because I truly felt
that I deserved it. I wished so badly that I hadn’t kissed him
again that morning. I should have told him to go to work. I should
have told him I would see him later—but I hadn’t. I’d kissed him.
Again, and again, and again. And now he was gone.