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I ended up staying at Jim's later than I should have. If I'm being honest, I knew that was likely to happen when I agreed to the have dinner with him, but I enjoy Jim's company and wanted to soak up as much pleasantness as I could before having only Chance for company for a week.
When Jim left me at the door of my apartment, I made him promise to call out Search and Rescue if I wasn't home on Saturday. He left me with a passionate kiss, that made it clear he wanted more. The trouble was, I wasn't sure I did. My gear for morning was already stacked on the sofa, so I fell into bed and slept until my alarm sounded at 3:30 AM.
I started the coffee pot and the tea kettle before I stepped into the shower. I pulled my wet hair into a high pony tail, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, threw on a long-sleeved button front flannel shirt, thick socks and my sneakers. I could change into the hiking boots when we left the truck. I planned to be in the parking lot with all my stuff waiting for Chance by 4:00 AM, but making the tea and coffee took longer than I expected. I was just pouring the last pot of coffee into the thermos, when there was a knock on the door.
I opened the door and turned back to the kitchen. "Sorry, Chance. I'm just pouring in the last of the coffee, Then I'm ready." I saw him glance at the pile of gear on the sofa. He didn't say anything but picked up my backpack and some other things off the sofa and headed down the stairs. I was pleasantly surprised that he'd help me, but then I realized it was probably only to speed things up.
I gathered up the rest of the gear and met him at his truck. It was a large pickup truck. Nothing fancy. When I checked out the webpage for his guide business, I was surprised by how professional it was. The photos on the site showed a large black SUV with his company logo on the side. Apparently, that was used for paying customers.
"I've got breakfast sandwiches and the coffee you ask for," I said, handing him a small tote that had the two thermoses, my go-cup, and the sandwiches. He took the bag and set it in the passenger side floor.
He let his eyes roam from my head down to my shoes and back again. "Didn't you get hiking boots?"
"I did, and I wore them for a couple of days to break them in. I know it's probably not enough, but it's all the time I had. I figured I could change into them wherever we're leaving the truck today."
"Suit yourself," he said. He opened the passenger door and waved me into the truck. It was lifted, so getting in was a bit of a challenge for my 5'2" frame.
He stood behind me the whole time. "Want help, City Girl?" he asked as I tried to figure out the best way to get myself in the truck.
I wasn't thrilled with the nickname, but I was surprised that he'd offer to help. I wasn't one to refuse help. "Sure," I said then gasped when he put his hands around my waist and lifted me into the truck and sat me on the seat. "Thanks," I said, turning my legs to the front and reaching for my seatbelt.
"That your car?" he asked as he backed out of the parking space next to Snickety.
"Yeah."
"You won't be able to drive it from October to March. Maybe longer."
"So, I've been told. I hate to get rid of her, but I'm not sure I can afford to keep her if I need another vehicle."
I guess that was the end of our discussion. I've never really been a morning person. The Magnolia Tea room didn't open until 10:00 AM, so I never had to be there before 9:00. It was still dark as we drove through Wilkins’ Gap. When I was preparing for this trip, I'd thought I'd write down all the turns he made in the truck and then when we were hiking, just in case I had to find my way back on my own. After we'd eaten the breakfast sandwiches, I was already too sleepy to pay much attention to our route.
"How long will we be driving?" I asked.
"Four hours."
"OK if I sleep?"
"Sure, but could you pour me a cup of coffee first?" He handed me a go-cup, and I filled it with black coffee from the thermos before handing it back. "Thanks."
I wiggled out of my jacket, noticing him watching me out of the corner of his eye. I turned toward the window with my back to Chance and covered myself with the jacket. I was warm and quickly fell asleep.