Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) (13 page)

They arrived at the park and once again Lindsey was flanked on both sides by Steve and Don. “Would the lady like an escort today?” Don asked, trying to be funny, but the look in his eyes sent a shiver up Lindsey’s spine.

The three walked through the visitor’s center and took a small hike down one of the nature trails. She was thankful this hike to the falls was a short one. She was trying to find a polite way to excuse Don, but all of her thoughts on that disappeared when the falls came into view.

The falls were almost overpowering. When she heard the sound of the water and realized the strength that existed, she was humbled yet again. She sat down on an old tree stump next to the trail.

Nature had a way of reminding her that humans weren’t the end all-be all. Michigan had its share of wonders including the Great Lakes, but she was in a perpetual state of awe on this trip. The land spoke to her soul. She was startled to realize that she truly felt at home here.

She looked around for Steve.

Steve and Don had left to help some of the other passengers up the small trail. When Steve saw her motion toward him, he excused himself and rushed over to her. “You okay?” he asked with concern.

“You know what? I’m more than okay,” she smiled. “I love it here.”

“Many people have said that. These falls are a wonder.”

“No. Not just that. Here, in Canada. I feel so welcome and at home . . . ” her voice trailed off. She didn’t know how to explain it to him.

“I’m happy to hear that,” Steve admitted. “There’s something I’ve wanted to talk with you about.”

Don saw the shift in their conversation from a few yards away. “Hey, partner!” he yelled.

Steve turned around to look at him.

“We should round everyone up and get on our way. It looks like we might get a storm today,” Don said, pointing toward the sky.

Steve turned back around toward Lindsey. “He doesn’t have the best timing lately. I apologize for that. Can we finish this later?”

“Of course.”

She watched as Steve ran off to gather the other passengers. She hoped he was going to ask her to stay, but knew in her mind that it was way too soon for that. Her heart had a different hope however.

For all of Don’s faults, he apparently could tell the weather with great accuracy. They took the rest of the tour in the comfort of the dry bus, but the wonders of the bridge and the lakes weren’t lost on Lindsey. Nature had a way of carving out just what she needed. And, what impressed Lindsey was that Nature didn’t care how long it took to get something perfect. Years and years were put into forming these wonders. It took time, effort and patience.

Much like anything worthwhile
, Lindsey thought, looking at Steve. Any relationship would take time and effort too. It was a matter of wanting it badly enough.

“Here we are at the Lake House for lunch,” Steve told them. “You have about an hour and a half to eat and then we’ll be on our way to Lake Louise and The Spring’s Hotel.”

As usual, Lindsey waited for the other passengers to get off the bus.

“Are you hungry?” Steve asked her.

“Starving, but I’d like to walk around for a little first. If that’s okay with you?”

That was more than okay with Steve. He was anxious to spend as much time with her as he could.

Fortunately for both of them, Martha and Joyce had cornered Don and convinced him to dine with them, flattering him into thinking that he was doing them a favor by joining them. Martha waved and winked at Lindsey before she turned around to enter the restaurant. Relief washed over Lindsey’s face.

Steve took her hand and they set out for a stroll. “I still wanted to talk with you about something,” he said.

“I know you do, but there’s something I need to tell you first.” Lindsey turned to him. “I still haven’t told you the reason why I came on this trip, and I feel it’s time.”

Steve swallowed. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know, especially if it were going to change things between the two of them.

“After my Nana passed away, I went through her attic to clean up things. I found her old travel journal inside one of her purses buried deep in a box.” She looked up to see if Steve had caught on yet.

He appeared to have the idea that what she was about to say would have tremendous impact. He hesitated to say anything for fear that she would stop talking.

“My Nana took a trip here fourteen years ago, and this journal,” she showed it to him, “is her record of all that occurred here.” Or at least all that she thought had occurred here. It seemed to Lindsey that the unwritten information was more important than what was written down.

“I had been missing her so much, I decided in the moment that recreating her trip would bring me closer to her. I had no idea that what I would find would be so great and perhaps . . . change the course of my life.”

Steve began slowly. “So, the only reason you came here was to recreate the travels that your Nana took?”

“Yes.” Lindsey was worried that Steve wouldn’t accept the idea as readily as she had.

He grabbed her into a bear hug and lifted her feet up off the ground. “That is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time!” he exclaimed. “You are so brave and creative to come all the way here to do this.” He set her down and returned to his famous bow. “I am humbled in your presence, my lady, and ever bewildered by your genius.”

And I’m relieved that your reason didn’t involve getting over an ex-boyfriend
, he thought to himself.

Lindsey laughed, “I certainly don’t think of it that way. I really just wanted to re-connect with Nana.”

“I know, but still. I am impressed. I think that you will never cease to amaze me, Lin.” Steve used the nickname that only those closest to her used. He took her hand in his. “Is that all that you wanted to tell me?” he asked, relieved now that he knew the source of her mouthing his every word during the bus tour.

“For now,” she said. “What about you? You wanted to talk with me?”

Steve took a deep breath and exhaled. “I wanted to ask you if we could continue to get to know each other after you leave. These three days don’t allow us enough time, yet I feel closer to you than to anyone I’ve ever known.” It scared him, but he knew if he wasn’t honest with her, or himself, that he’d risk losing her altogether.

She looked down at her feet, then up at him through half open eyes. “I’d like that,” she said flirtatiously. Then she opened her eyes wide. “But first, will you feed me? Please?”

He laughed when he heard her stomach rumble in response. “Of course. Let’s go.” He took her hand and started running her back to the restaurant.

Their mood was so lighthearted when they entered the dining room that the other tourists would have to be frigid not to notice. Don noticed right away.

“Why are your cheeks red, Don?” Martha asked him. “Do you have a food allergy, or something?”

“No. I’m fine. Just feeling a little flush. I think I’ll get some fresh air,” he said as he stood. “Please excuse me.”

Martha and Joyce knew exactly what was bothering him. They snickered and smiled and waved over to Lindsey. Lindsey wasn’t paying any attention however, all her focus on Steve.

Lindsey and Steve ate lunch together alone at a small table in the corner. They whispered and laughed just like young lovers. Neither of the two ever wanted this feeling to end.

“So, what were you like as a young boy?” Lindsey asked him.

“Very rough and tumble. Not so much into team sports. I liked to do my own thing. Anything outdoors was much more appealing to me, and I spent a lot of time at Don’s family’s farm.”

Lindsey smiled. “I can see that. I can picture you riding horses and climbing trees. Always dirty and scraped up,” she laughed.

“What were you like?” he asked. He took a bite of his turkey sandwich.

“I was a tomboy. I climbed trees, played baseball, and rode bikes with all the boys. I don’t think they saw me as a girl until way into high school,” she added with a laugh.

“I wouldn’t have thought that,” Steve admitted. “You seem so womanly now.”
What a lame choice of words
, he thought to himself. He decided to stay quiet in case anything else he said might offend her.

She saw his hesitation. “It’s OK, Steve. That was many years ago. The good thing is, I still have a little bit of it left in me, and I’m not afraid to get dirty or to do adventurous things.”

He nodded his head. He thought that was a good quality in a woman. He’d never been able to see himself with a woman who was only concerned with fashion and makeup. He knew that he needed a best friend as well as a life partner.

“So, what about college?” she asked him, enjoying this moment to learn about him.

“College was a little tough for me. It was difficult to be in a classroom for hours at a time when all I wanted was to be outside riding, or practicing my passion of roping steer. I did the best I could and finished my business degree, but it took a lot to get me to attend classes.”

Lindsey admired his ability to know himself so well, even back then at a young age.

“Roping steer?” she asked.

“I couldn’t get enough of it. It was the challenge and then the power I felt once I caught one. It wasn’t about controlling the calf, but about controlling my performance and making it faster and better every time.”

Lindsey raised her eyebrows in response. She hadn’t known anyone into roping, not that it was a popular pastime in Michigan.

“The best time of year for me then was the Calgary Stampede. I’d enter each contest of bareback riding, saddle-bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, and steer wrestling. It had been my dream to win big money and buy a ranch of my own one day, but I could never do it in the time needed. The closest I came was third place.”

She saw the disappointment in his face. “Did you ever try again?”

“It’s been a few years, but I’ve started practicing when I get some free time. I have a ways to go, but one day . . . ” he paused. “I don’t know. I guess it sounds crazy when I say it out loud, but I just know that I’m going to win.”

“I believe in you.”

He lowered his eyes and wanted a distraction. “How was college for you?”

“It was quick. I worked and went to school all while living at home. I wasn’t into the whole dorm life, so I just did what needed to be done. It gave me the opportunity for this great job that I have now, so I’m thankful.”

He nodded.

“I’m also thankful that God protected me from all the drama that can result during those college years. I attended a Christian college, but let me tell you there were some who didn’t belong there.”

“I know what you mean,” Steve agreed. “What about your parents? What are they like?”

Lindsey smiled. “My mother is full of energy. She’s one of the busiest retired ladies that I know. Always running to this club or that club, or trying to keep my dad out of trouble. My dad just wants to relax and enjoy this phase of their life, but she keeps him to their posted calendar.”

“I’d like to meet them someday,” he admitted.

Lindsey’s hand stopped half way to her mouth with her drink. “Really?”

He swallowed the last of his sandwich before responding. “Really. They sound very entertaining.”

Lindsey thought for a minute. “That is a good word for them,” she agreed. “My mother would entertain you with her germ phobia too. Be prepared to be disinfected the moment you walk in her house,” she laughed.

“That’s quite a change from my mother. I think she gave up having us boys around all the time. She had no choice but to live with bugs and dirt and the occasional reptile for a pet.” He paused. “She made an effort to keep things neat and tidy, but germ free? No, I don’t see that happening.”

“It’d be quite a sight to see the two women together,” Lindsey mused. Then she was afraid she’d spoken too soon as Steve’s eyes widened.

He comforted her though by laughing the loudest belly laugh. “Can you imagine?” he began, “My mother and yours together at a dinner? My mom would be thankful someone else was cooking.”

“My mother would be checking the silverware for spots,” Lindsey finished.

Steve felt so comfortable with Lindsey. He wanted to wrap himself inside all of her memories and secrets. He also knew that he wanted to be a part of her future memories. He couldn’t wait for this trip to be over, so he would be free to spend time with her without worrying about repercussions from his job.

“Hey partner, it’s time to head out,” Don said as he placed his hands on the back of Steve’s shoulders. “Are you finished?”

“Oh yeah. We’re ready to go,” Steve replied.

Lindsey looked up at Don. He winked at her as if to say, gotcha again. She quickly looked away.

They paid for lunch and returned to the bus for the trip to Lake Louise.

L
AKE
L
OUISE IS
Canada’s diamond in the wilderness,” Steve began. “If you enjoy skiing, this is the place to be in the winter. The area has many glaciers and waterfalls. And the hiking trails provide hours of adventure.”

He turned to whisper to Lindsey. “It’s also the romance capital of Canada.” He winked.