Rock and A Hard Place (Cascade Brides Series) (16 page)

No, that wasn't fair. He wasn't that thoughtless. Just Type A and
relentlessly cheerful. Then there were the times when he opened up
about his own struggles and encouraged her in her pursuits. So he
wasn't all bad. In fact, he'd probably love this climb. Maybe she
should've asked him. Faith swallowed.
Too late now
.

She shoved thoughts of Shane aside to concentrate on her hiking. As
the ascent increased, Faith's muscles began to complain. The thin
air left her lungs burning for oxygen. She realized she was falling
further behind the group and had to push herself harder. Dizziness
assailed her as she pressed onward. If she stopped to rest, she'd
only lose that much more time, becoming further separated from the
group.

Squinting into the chill wind sweeping down from the peak, she
wondered if her vision was failing her or if the sun had gone behind
a cloud. And yet there wasn't a cloud in the sky. How strange.

Suddenly the sky swirled above her and the darkness became complete.
When she tried to get her bearings, Faith realized with a gasp she
was on her back and sliding downward.

Instinct and adrenaline kicked in at the same time. She began
flailing for her pick ax. Her backpack made smooth movement
difficult, as did her screaming muscles, but as rock became glacier,
she spun wildly to one side.

Faith gripped the ax in her bulkily-gloved hand then swung with all
her remaining strength, praying the claw would penetrate the
glacier.

Her body came to a shuddering stop.

As she gulped air and scanned her surroundings, she knew the ax
would not bear her weight for long.

And this time, Shane wasn't there to rescue her. Even the others
were beyond her field of vision.

Gritting her teeth, Faith maneuvered her body onto one side, then
slipping and sliding, worked her knees beneath her. How long it
took, she had no idea. All that mattered was getting her spiked
boots anchored into the glacier. Sweating from exertion, she finally
gained traction, and with trembling movements, rose to her feet.
Faith wavered in the thin air, using every muscle to stay upright.

Inhaling deep, once she gained her composure, she peeked at her
watch. An hour had passed since she last checked. She closed her
eyes. The only explanation meant she must've fainted. The
realization she could've sailed down the mountain
unconscious—further than she had—brought heat to her eyes.
Instead of some redemptive challenge, this climb now seemed foolish.
Foolish in that she'd gone on her own. The group of strangers ahead
didn't count.

Thank you God, for Your mercy in stopping my descent. Please
strengthen my limbs for the rest of the climb
.

Faith bit her lip. She knew the smart thing to do would be to head
back down the mountain and attempt the climb when she was better
trained and had a hiking buddy. She pulled more cold air deep into
her starving lungs and considered her options. Peering up at the
mountain, she realized the summit wasn't that far off. Surely she
could get to the top if she was careful. Besides, Bascombe's needed
the images.

Mentally girding herself for the journey to come, she took a step
closer to her destination.

The first steps were the hardest, but soon she had a comfortable
stride going. Slowing down and breathing deeper should help her stay
oxygenated. As she hiked, she shielded her eyes and scanned the
area, looking for any hint of the other climbers. That's when she
noted another trail, far off to one side and not covered in ice.

No doubt the others had used that trail instead of the one she'd
taken. Frustration at her ignorance made her steps leaden, but she
pressed on, knowing she'd be even more upset if she quit now. Some
time later, her efforts brought her within sight of the others. They
must've taken a break at some point or she doubted she would've
caught up with them.

A couple of women furthest behind the group seemed to be struggling.
One of them fell and began to slide. But the other caught her arm
and arrested her fall. Laughing, she helped her friend to her feet
and they resumed the climb.

Faith stared at them, knowing their wisdom made her all the more
foolish.
Okay, God I get it. Had I not been such a loner, I would
have seen the easier path, and if I had a friend along—let's say
Shane—I would have had someone to help me up from my fall. My bad
.

By early afternoon, Faith heard shouts of celebration as those in
front made it to the top of the mountain. She forced her legs to
speed up, anxious to get some shots while the light was still good.
One by one, the climbers ahead celebrated in turn, their happy
voices floating down to where she was. An hour later, she finally
crested the peak, her muscles rubbery, her lungs heaving and pushing
out clouds of condensed air in the thin atmosphere.

Lowering her head and gripping her thighs, she concentrated on her
respiration, determined not to pass out again. Once was bad enough.
Twice would be downright ridiculous. When the dizziness dissipated,
Faith slowly straightened.

Her eyes widened at the panorama before her. Aside from the south
and little Sister slopes, the clear conditions afforded her views of
Mt. Adams, Three-Fingered Jack, and Mt. Hood peeking out from the
fragile mist, their peaks glowing like white neon. The sight was
absolutely exhilarating. Why had she never attempted this climb
before?

Releasing a weary, Faith
knew
why. And once again, she'd cut
off her nose to spite her face. But thanks to Shane and her own
obstinance, she stood here now. She swallowed, knowing the moment
was far from complete. It would've been fitting—and admittedly
more fun—to have him along for the journey.

Fumbling with exhausted movements and even more exhausted thoughts,
she set up her camera equipment and took shots from every vantage
point available to her. In the background, she heard the others
taking snapshots of each other amidst their congratulations. Their
pictures focused on people, friends, significant others. She focused
on the peaks. As the other climbers slowly made their way past to
head down the mountain, she moved her camera to new areas, trying to
maximize the opportunity.

As the last voices trailed away, Faith realized she'd been
completely deserted. She powered down the camera, sure she had
plenty of spectacular photos to work with.

Straightening, she gazed out at the vista, a sudden lump in her
throat. She'd made it. The North sister was the roughest peak, and
she'd scaled it. The other two would be much easier. Despite the
solo effort, this moment
was
something to celebrate. And next
time Shane mentioned the peaks, she could say she climbed them.
Climbed her namesake first.

That meant something, she was sure.

It had been a tough climb, but still considered more of a hike by
the most experienced climbers. Mt. Hood was the biggest challenge in
the state. And next door in Washington, Mt. Ranier was even higher.
A world away stood Everest. But she didn't plan on scaling it
because it was there. This peak was enough for her. She'd made her
point.

Which was?

Contrasting thoughts chased each other through her weary mind. The
chill air blew past her face, tugging tears from the corners of her
eyes. Faith swallowed hard, thinking of the times she'd gone on
hikes with Shane. Even though she didn't want to compare the
differences, her heart had other ideas.

And she could admit those times were more than good. It was better
than this. Better than being on her own. Experiencing such beauty
was even more meaningful when shared. And yet here she was, alone,
after ignoring Shane for the past week. Why
hadn't
she asked
him along? Why did she always feel she had something to prove when
he was around?

Instead of the exultation and bragging rights she'd expected to
experience, she felt desolate that he wasn't here next to her,
taking in the spectacular view alongside her. No doubt he'd have
some deep, spiritual insight or climbing metaphor to share or
challenge her with.

The words from song she'd heard on Sunday rose in her mind.
Lead
me to the rock that is higher than I
.

Faith closed her eyes for a moment, her heart swelling in prayer.
Lord, thank you for allowing me to experience Your beauty. Help
me remember that You're higher than any challenge I face.
She
swallowed.
And thank You for reminding me Your presence is
always near, even when I'm on my own.

Faith clamped her lips against a rising sob, blaming her fatigue for
her wayward emotions.

“Are you coming?”

Twisting to one side and sniffing back tears, she looked for the
speaker. The surfer-looking guy stood about ten feet away.

Faith forced a smile, hoping he didn't notice her tears. “Yes, I'm
just about done.”

He stared at her, a quizzical expression on his face. “Do you want
me to, uh, get a summit shot of you?” His smiled crookedly. “I
mean, you're at the
top
.”

Then why do I feel so low?
The unanswered question hovered in
her mind. Faith nodded and held out her camera.

After a few shots, he returned the camera and Faith began packing up
her gear.

“Thanks,” she said. “I guess I wasn't thinking about that
part.”

“Are you like a professional photographer?”

“I work for a company that puts out travel brochures.”

“Rad. I bet what you got today was
money
.”

She nodded, stifling a smile. “Money.”

His comment reminded her that while her trip had not been in vain,
it wasn't as profitable as she'd hoped it would be.

She followed the man down from the summit and began the long trek
back to the trail head, wondering if Shane would like her pictures.

Chapter Fourteen

By the time Faith returned home Sunday afternoon, she wondered if
she'd ever be able to hike again. Or for that matter,
walk
.
Her muscles screamed with every step as she lugged her gear over the
threshold then collapsed onto the couch. She knew she should be
running water for the bath, but her body wasn't listening.

Leaning her heavy head onto the back of the couch, she stared up at
the ceiling. Just as she'd thought, the two other peaks had been
easier to climb, despite sore muscles from the previous day. But
only slightly. She'd had a long time to think—to think of issues
she'd rather avoid.

In the midst of her introspection, she heard everyone talking about
the differences between the peaks, which made her think about her
sisters. The middle peak, Hope, was also the middle, age-wise.
According to the discussion she'd overheard, Hope was the least
understood mountain of the three. The youngest, Charity, was the
easiest to climb, and held the state's highest crater lake, known as
Teardrop Pool.

The similarities and differences between the peaks and her sisters
intrigued her. Hope had been the quiet one, the sister most likely
to keep her peace, or make peace between others. Charity, with her
chronic illnesses, had been small and weak. And she'd cried a lot.
Sticking to mountain terms, Faith figured that made her the oldest
and most difficult. How inspiring.

When she was younger she'd thought they should all have the goal of
climbing the mountains they were named after, but her sisters never
bought into the vision. What were they doing now? What vistas were
they viewing at this moment? Did they keep in touch with each other?

Faith sunk deeper into the cushions. It was shameful she didn't know
the answers to those questions. Maybe...maybe she'd try to contact
them.

If she passed her GED test.

Then again, making a call and mentioning that she'd finally
graduated high school seven years too late might not be the best
springboard of conversation. Faith closed her eyes. Why could she
scale a mountain but not call her own sisters?

Why had she shut out Shane?

As possible answers burgeoned in her brain, she hoisted herself off
the couch and headed for the bathroom. Maybe a long soak would bring
clarity when a hard trek could not.

***

Shane was exhausted from the effort of
not
calling Faith. He
knew from a discreet phone call to Merle that she had made it home
late Sunday night. Knowing she might be tired, he'd decided to give
her the weekend in addition to the week. Added to that, he tested
the limits of his endurance by holding out a couple more days. By
Wednesday, he threw in the towel.

He checked the time. Ten thirty in the morning. She'd had time to
settle in at work for the day. He'd just pop in to say hi. That was
all. No 'oh, here's how to take better pictures' or 'so tell me
about your deep, inner spiritual life' comments. He grimaced at the
direction of his thoughts, and as he pulled next to her Nissan at
Bascombe's, reminded himself to be pleasant. Not confrontational.

Shane exited the Jeep and took a deep breath before heading into the
office.
Dear Lord, help me guard my tongue...and maybe my heart.
But most of all, help me to be a friend to Faith
.

He sought out Faith's form as he entered the lobby. She turned at
his entrance, putting down her cell phone. Her luminous eyes met
his.

Shane's smile couldn't be contained. “Good morning, Faith.”

She seemed a little dazed, smiling slightly. “Hey.”

Merle came out of his office. “Hello, Shane. Did Faith tell you
she did the Sisters Marathon over the weekend? All three peaks!”

Shane felt his smile slip as he looked at her. “I thought you were
just getting some basic shots in the area.”

She blinked as if coming out of a trance. “It, uh, turned out to
be a little more involved.”

Tamping down a sting of disappointment that she'd gone without him
on such an endeavor, he nodded. “Impressive. Congrats!” But the
disappointment grew despite knowing Faith could do whatever she
wanted on the weekends.