Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) (12 page)

She was thankful that her Nana had paved the way for her. It still saddened Lindsey when she thought of all that Nana had missed out on. She hoped and prayed she wouldn’t make the same mistakes.

As she opened the bathroom door, she ran directly into someone. “Oh, I’m sorry!” she apologized and looked up.

It was Don.

“Oh. You startled me,” she said.

He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her down the hallway toward the payphone. “I don’t know what else to do,” he growled. “I’ve already warned you about getting close to Steve and you’re not listening. What is it going to take to get you to leave him alone?”

“Don, you’re hurting my arm.”

He released her with a shove. “Don’t tempt me, little lady. I have Steve’s interests at heart and I will not see you messing up the rest of his life, and mine.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re just having dinner together.” She tried to think of anything to get her out of this situation. “You said so yourself. I live in Michigan. What type of relationship could we possibly have?”

“Just remember that!” he exclaimed, and nudged her into the wall as he walked out.

She massaged her arm, and waited for the adrenaline in her system to calm down. Something was definitely wrong about that guy . . . Lindsey had to admit he had frightened her.

“What’s the matter?” Steve asked when she returned to the table.

“Nothing. I’m fine. I think I’m just a little hungrier than I thought I was.”

“I ordered for us and the service here is quick, so you shouldn’t have to wait too much longer.” He paused for a drink of his iced tea. “Thank you again for coming with me today. My grandpa really seemed to enjoy your company.”

Lindsey wasn’t ready to tell him about their grandparents just yet. She wanted to keep the secret to herself until it settled within her. “I enjoyed talking with him too. He seems to have done a lot in his lifetime.”

“I know. He’s been able to adapt at each stage of his life. When he got too old to do the tours, he started working part time at my uncle’s video store. He helps out with the grandkids, and he makes some amazing wood carvings.”

“Is the whole family here?”

“None of us want to leave. We all feel very connected to the earth and to God when we’re here. We’ve also been able to create professions for ourselves, the school systems are great for the kids, and we can have the best of the small town and big city life.”

“Do you have a large family?” Lindsey was doing her best to shake off Don’s words still lingering in her mind.

“I’m one of five brothers. My father has three sisters and they have a total of fifteen children between them. One of my cousins just had a baby, so she made Grandpa a great-grandpa last month. He was pretty excited about it and carries that baby’s picture everywhere with him. I’m surprised he didn’t show it to you.” He laughed.

“Wow. That is a big family.” She paused. “You’re lucky to have many people around to care about you and take an interest in your life.”

“Oh sure. It’s nice now, but as a young teenage boy, it was terrible. I couldn’t walk from one street to the next without the family knowing where I was, or who I was with. All in all, it was probably a good thing since it kept me out of trouble.”

Steve had taken Lindsey’s mind off Don and she began to relax and enjoy the dinner. She reached for a breadstick.

“These are delicious,” Steve said. “Sometimes I just get a bag of bread for dinner.”

Lindsey loved her breads. She would never do well on a low-carb diet. Other than vegetables, her pastas and cereals were mainstays. Steve was correct about the breadsticks. The garlic flavor was wonderful.

When the rest of their food arrived, Steve continued the conversation. “What about you? Do you have a big family?”

She finished chewing her mouthful of food. “No. There’s only a few of us cousins and I’m an only child.”

“Really?” Steve asked, surprised. “I wouldn’t have thought that of you. Did you ever wish for brothers and sisters?”

“Only all the time,” she admitted. “Although, it was nice to have all of my parents’ attention and time. It did get lonely sometimes, but it helped me to make friends easier.”

Their conversation continued as they talked about their friends and the few people they had dated. After dinner, Steve excused himself to call his grandfather. Lindsey watched Steve walk outside where he could use his cell phone. She was impressed with his thoughtfulness concerning his grandfather and also with his consideration for the other diners.

The restaurant wasn’t too crowded, which she hadn’t realized until now. All of her concentration had been on Steve. The older couple sitting next to her smiled when she looked their way. She smiled back when the gentleman reached across the table to hold his wife’s hand.

That simple gesture of affection filled her heart with the hope that love could and did last for a lifetime of memories. She knew that she couldn’t settle for a long-distance love as her Nana had done. She wanted the “in your face” day-to- day ups and downs relationship. She yearned for the small gestures of affection, such as a kiss on the cheek or holding hands across a restaurant table.

Steve returned and brought her thoughts back to the present. “He’s doing fine,” he said. “My dad’s there and they think he’ll be able to go home in the morning. Are you ready to head back?” He didn’t want the night to end, but knew they both had an early morning tomorrow.

“Sure.” She placed her hand on his. “Thank you for tonight,” she smiled. “I really had a great time with you.”

“Me too.” This time it was he who leaned in to kiss Lindsey on the cheek.

The walk up the mountain was the perfect end to the evening for the two of them. It was cool weather, so it was easy to keep a good pace. The moon gave them a little light to follow the road. Since they were the only two out walking, they held hands and walked close as if they had been friends for years.

When they returned to the resort, Steve asked to walk her to her room. She no longer had the hesitation that she did yesterday, and happily agreed. He pulled her into a giant hug when they arrived at her door.

She knew that he wanted to kiss her and could have pulled back slightly to let it happen, but she wanted to wait until tomorrow when they’d be at the Banff Springs resort. Everything else was following the journal, and after her talk with Steve senior today, she knew that would be the best place to pursue this relationship. She also had decided to tell Steve about their connected past, and she still needed to find a way to celebrate his birthday.

“Thank you for everything today, Lindsey,” he said as he held her at arm’s length. “It was nice to have you there with me.”

“I was happy to be there. Don’t worry. Your grandfather is going to be fine.”

He pulled her back in for one more hug. She didn’t have to reach up too high to wrap her arms around his neck. “Goodnight, Lin. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned to walk away.

“Sleep well, Steve. And pleasant dreams,” she said, and blew him a kiss.

Lindsey set herself up a hot Jacuzzi bath, soaking, and letting all her thoughts settle into her mind. A lot had happened in one day.

She had the beginnings of love. A love that seemed destined to continue through the generations. She had seen beautiful sights of the lake and the Hoo Doos, she’d been threatened, seen an old man faint, and been to the hospital.

She started to write these events in her journal and then stopped.

She knew she wouldn’t forget them. Now she understood why her Nana’s journal seemed to be missing some entries. It was. Nana had met a man and fallen in love, but didn’t want to tell anyone about it. Lindsey also wondered if this was what had Helen so worked up. She couldn’t wait to ask her about it.

The warm water started to cool and Lindsey realized just how tired she was. She slipped into the resort’s complimentary robe and slippers—Her mom would be proud that she covered her feet—and climbed into bed. Once again, after saying her prayers, she was fast asleep and dreaming of Steve within minutes.

D
REAMS OF CONVERSATIONS
with Steve, combined with the comfortable resort bed, passed the night quickly. Morning arrived way too early for Lindsey. Still, she felt well rested and was looking forward to the day.

She happily jumped out of bed when she heard the knock on the door for room service and then quickly got dressed while she ate.

Steve’s morning started out quite the same. His dreams had been full of visions of Lindsey. He had already memorized every bit of her face, including the small brown mole next to her right ear. He lay in bed an extra minute to enjoy the anticipation he felt toward seeing her today, until Don charged into his room and bellowed at him to get up.

“Come on. We’ve barely got enough time to get there before the tourists will be ready to leave!” Don yelled.

“I’m up. Calm down. It’ll just take me a minute to get dressed.” Steve was used to skipping breakfast. It didn’t always make him happy, but it was part of the job sometimes.

They quickly ran down the stairs and settled themselves into the bus.

“What’s going on with you lately?”

“What do you mean?” Don grumbled back.

“I don’t know. You seem angry about something.” The two had been friends their whole lives and had always talked their troubles out. Don could easily clam up though, and Steve knew it was best not to push him. He figured when Don was ready, he’d talk about what was on his mind.

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it,” Don said.

The rest of the five minute ride was in silence. Both men settled their thoughts around the fact that as they got older, their relationship would be different. It couldn’t remain the fun and games that it used to be. Steve’s feelings for Lindsey had progressed so quickly in such a short time that he even began to envision a wife and a family.

“Oh, by the way. Happy birthday,” Don said as he threw a small package over his shoulder at Steve. It was a CD of a collection from the sixties. Don knew Steve had been listening to songs from that era lately.

“This is great. Thanks partner,” Steve said, perusing the song selections on the back of the disc.

Don drove the bus into the lot of the resort. Both men saw Lindsey waiting outside the doors at the same time, looking ready for a day of activity in her khakis and white sweater. Steve smiled as soon as he saw her.

Don observed Steve’s reaction in his rearview.

As soon as Don parked and opened the door, Steve was down the steps and at Lindsey’s side. “Good morning,” he said.

“Happy birthday!” Lindsey said as she opened up her arms for a hug. “How is your morning?”

“It’s early, but we’re ready for a great day. You’re going to love Yoho National Park and Takakkaw Falls. I can’t wait to show them to you.”

“I know. I checked out the brochures you gave us and everything looks so beautiful.” Her eyes showed her excitement.

“Is my lady ready then?” Steve bowed and held out his arm for her.

“Yes, let’s proceed,” she teased. She laughed silently to herself at Steve’s attire for the day. His colors today had him looking like a red crayon.

The other travelers filed on the bus behind Lindsey. Once everyone was seated, Steve began his tour guide bit.

“Yoho National Park is located on the western slope of the Rockies. It contains towering rock walls and the magnificent Takakkaw waterfalls. In fact, the word ‘takakkaw’ means ‘magnificent’ in Cree. ‘Yoho’ is an expression of awe and wonder. I’ve often wondered if that’s where the drink Yoo-hoo got its name.” His attempt at humor didn’t illicit more than a smile from the tired group.

“We will be crossing the continental divide on our way. The continental divide separates the rivers that flow east into the Atlantic Ocean and west into the Pacific Ocean.” Still no response from the travelers.

“Anyway, our first stop will be the visitor’s center. They have an incredible fossil collection that is worth a look. Then, we’ll pass by the old railway tunnels on our way to Takakkaw Falls. At 1200 feet, it is one of the highest Canadian waterfalls. We’ll be taking a small hike to the falls and then returning to the bus so we can show you the Natural Bridge.”

The passengers were staring out the windows.

“This bridge was created by nature and the impressive rock structure arches over the Kicking Horse River. Many of you might know of the Kicking Horse for its white water rafting.”

Lindsey was following along in Nana’s journal. Nana had made various notes about the wildlife in the area which seemed to be of great importance to her. The note referred to the numerous bison in the area and the goats that she saw.

“We’ll finish up our tour with Emerald Lake and Lake O’Hara. The Lake House will be our stop for lunch.” Steve seemed to be on a roll this morning and had a lot of information to tell them. “Are there any questions?”

Once again the overweight gentleman, dressed in a bright Hawaiian patterned shirt, asked about the food. “Do you have a menu for the restaurant?”

Steve laughed. “I’m sorry sir, I don’t. But I assure you the seafood is delicious and the restaurant has other common staples to choose from.” Steve winked at Lindsey.