Six

 

When Leona lifted the visor on her helmet, a gust of frigid air flashed in. She craned to see all of the mountain landscape. The aspens and Douglas fir dotted the trail in contrasting evergreen and white. She loved the "eyes" of the Aspen bark. Although, it was hard to see zipping along as fast as they did, the speed added to the fun. Thankfully, she'd bundled well, and the cold air couldn't seep into her suit.

When they climbed the crest and circled to a stop, the view of the valley took her breath away. She and Bryan dismounted the snowmobile, removed their helmets, and waded through the thick snow closer to the edge for a better view. She inhaled deeply and allowed the clean air to cool her lungs.

Wow. She was at a loss for words to describe the unparalleled beauty. The valley lay sprawled below with the partially frozen river winding through. The lodge nestled in one of the river's bends appeared as a miniature in the vast landscape. She'd never seen anything as majestic and awe-inspiring. How could anyone take in this kind of beauty and not believe in God?

"Isn't it beautiful?" Bryan asked.

"Yes, like nothing I've seen before. God's handiwork at its absolute best." She exhaled a cloud of mist.

He shook his head. "God? Haven't heard that in a while. My mom believed."

"You don't?" She sat on a large rock protruding from the snow and slid over to give him room to sit.

He joined her. "Not really."

"So who do you think created all this amazing beauty?" She inhaled his woodsy, manly cologne.

"No one. It's just here." He smiled at her with a twinkle in his stunning green eyes.

"Just here, huh?" She nudged his arm. "You'll have to do better than that, Golby. This…" She spread her arms out. "…doesn't just happen. What would your mom have thought?"

"She would have agreed with you. God's handiwork." He looked out toward the valley. "She would have loved this spot."

"Sounds like a special lady. I would have liked her."

He turned to her. "You would have. She loved to cook and make people feel at home. A lot like you."

Warmth spread through her neck and face. She didn't know how to respond.

"The fire is ready." Cameron walked over to where Bryan and Leona sat. "Also, Julian added a few thermos bottles of hot chocolate and coffee."

"That sounds great." Leona rose and retrieved hers and Bryan's lunches from the back of their snowmobile.

They walked to the fire ring where CG had installed benches in a circle. She sat in the open spot by Marissa and warmed her hands next to the roaring fire.

"That feels good." She took the offered thermos of hot chocolate and cups from Marissa.

"This chocolate is really good. Did you make this?" Marissa asked.

"No, this is Chef's recipe."

"Why do you call him Chef?"

"It's a habit now. I did it when I first started working for him years ago. It's a way to show that I respect him and his position." Leona poured a cup and then passed the thermos and cups to Bryan.

Cameron leaned forward from next to Marissa. "So, Leona what did you think about snowmobiling?"

"I loved it. This place is fantastic. I'll remember this trip for quite a while." She sipped her chocolate.

On the opposite side of her, Bryan leaned forward and placed his elbow on his thigh. "Aren't you glad you came?"

"I am. I really am." She smiled at him, and he returned hers with a brilliant one of his own.

"Bryan, I'm impressed you can drive one of those things." Marissa pointed back toward the snowmobiles. She smiled sweetly at Bryan.

Marissa's attitude with men seemed to be like the kid in the room full of toys. She only wanted the one another kid was interested in.

Now that Leona understood that, she could more easily deal with the actress. "Have you ever driven one of those?" Leona asked Marissa.

"Who me? Never. And you wouldn't catch me trying either. I’m content to sit on the back and enjoy the scenery."

"What about you, Leona? Would you try it?" Cameron asked while warming his hands near the fire.

"In a heartbeat! They're similar to the Jet Skis we ride on the lake."

"Does that mean I'm riding on the back on our return trip?" Bryan smiled.

She nodded. "I don't know. Does it?"

"Looks like it does."

They laughed, including Marissa. The other guests joined the conversation with stories of past snowmobile adventures at the lodge. CG had been providing Christmas memories for several years. They also enjoyed the muffuletta sandwiches she and Chef had prepared that morning.

Henry Chambers swallowed his last bite. "I usually don't like olives, but the olive dressing on this sandwich is amazing. With the salami and cheese it's great. Especially out here. What type of cheese is this?"

"It's provolone and mozzarella." Leona shared the history of the muffuletta and how the Sicilian workers had come to the now famous Central Grocery and ordered each of the items separately until the owner of the store had suggested putting everything on the bread to make it easier to eat. They piled the items on the softer to chew muffuletta bread. Soon the workers simply asked for a muffuletta and the sandwich was born.

CG, Coco, and the Chambers decided to take a walk along the perimeter of the clearing.

The four younger guests remained around the fire. As Bryan paid more attention to Leona, Marissa paid more attention to Bryan. Soon Marissa sat next to Bryan and Leona next to Cameron.

Cameron being so close sent Leona's heartbeat racing. She tried to ignore him, but his presence unsettled her in the best way.

CG approached the campfire. "Ready to head back? It's time."

Cameron and CG extinguished the fire while everyone else gathered at the snowmobiles.

Once the drivers and passengers were settled and ready to go, each machine started except for the one Bryan and Leona rode.

Cameron checked the engine and made a few adjustments, but to no avail. The snowmobile refused to start.

CG came over and attempted to fix it as well. He placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. "It's not starting. Cameron, why don't you and Leona head back and get another machine. I'd suggest you and Bryan, but you and Leona can make better time. She weighs a lot less than Bryan, no offense Bryan. Besides she'll get her wish to drive a snowmobile." He smiled and winked toward Leona.

Marissa said nothing, but stared at them for long seconds. Then she started laughing with Bryan. "Looks like we're stranded together."

Cameron went to the couple and spoke to Bryan about the problem. Marissa smiled and then waved to him as he walked away.

When Leona climbed onto the back of the snowmobile and wrapped her arms around Cameron's waist, she'd only thought she'd been unsettled earlier.

 

****

 

Cameron started the snowmobile and headed down the trail. Having Leona's arms wrapped around him made him feel as though he could fly down the mountain without the snowmobile. He wanted to get to know her and hated that they had to hurry back to the lodge and back up again.

Marissa had changed her focus to Bryan and away from him. Maybe he could spend time with Leona without feeling guilty. He'd told Marissa twice that they weren't together, but she'd ignored him, only acknowledging what she wanted to see and hear.

The view down the mountain took his breath away, and knowing Leona would be enjoying it also made him love it even more.

The cool air and the bright sunshine made for a perfect day. Maybe it was time he started thanking God for what he'd been given. Especially this time.

Once they returned to the lodge, Cameron retrieved another machine from the barn. He added the necessary fluids and then started it up and took it for a test run around the lodge.

He removed his helmet. "Works great. I'll take this one, and you can take mine." Her enthusiastic smile encouraged him. He gave her lessons on how to ride, and when she returned from her own test run around the lodge, Cameron knew she'd be fine. She'd performed well. It was as though she'd been riding snowmobiles all her life.