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Chance motioned Tom to where he wanted him to park the snowmobile. Tom gave me a quick kiss, and Jim hugged me as we started unloading the gear from their snowmobile. For the next hour or so we were all busy setting up the other tent, stowing supplies, and testing the radios.
We found seats around the fire and settled in to discuss the plan. Since the guys arrived earlier than expected, we decided to do some exploring after lunch. I could see how hard it was for Chance to be left behind at base camp, but I think he was happy just to be outdoors.
Tom headed off on his own to scout the trail we'd be taking in the morning, while Jim and I hiked up the mountains above camp to see if we could get to a place where there was a cell signal.
I was happy to be paired up with Jim. It delayed my breakup with Tom and gave me a chance to question him about Laurie. "I hear you've been seeing Laurie," I said.
"We've been out a couple of times."
"You know she and I are friends, so I've heard all about it." He looked a little uncomfortable.
"No need for you to look so squirrelly. I think you two will be good together. I want you both to be happy."
"Thanks, Em. How are things going with you and Tom?"
"OK."
"Just OK?"
"I hoped maybe it would work out, but I don't think that's in the cards for us."
"Have you told him yet?"
"No. I just figured it out. We'll have plenty of time to talk when we're on the trail tomorrow."
"Remember you'll want to stay quiet when you get close to the location. If you want to have a serious discussion, do it early."
"Good advice. Thanks."
"Does the breakup have anything to do with Chance?"
"Yeah."
"I've heard most women find him irresistible. You shouldn't feel bad about following your heart."
"I just hope it doesn't lead me astray."
When we left base camp, everyone agreed that we'd hike out two hours before turning around and heading back. It was good for me to get the exercise as tomorrow's hike would be much longer. I have to admit with broken-in boots and warmer gear, I was doing OK. We never reached a cell signal, but I was glad Jim and I had a chance to talk. It was good.
Tom and Chance were sitting around the fire when we walked back into camp. "No cell service that direction," I said. "How's the trail, Tom?"
"Good. We should be able to make good time tomorrow, at least on the part I hiked today."
"Did you get bored here on your own," I asked Chance as I sat down beside him after shedding my pack.
"I would have liked to be out there with you, but I'm just glad to be here. In a few more weeks, my life will get back to normal." He leaned in and whispered, "As normal as it can be now that you're in it."
The rest of the day was spent going over the plan. We set up a plan for regular check-ins with base camp. We decided we'd stay at the observation site three days or until we saw bigfoot. The only point of this trip was to determine whether or not the bigfoot were still in the area. Common theory was that during the winter, bigfoot went into a period of low activity. They might stay inside the caves except for occasional forays outside when it warmed up enough to hunt for food.
"Before we call it a night," Tom said. "I brought some peppermint schnapps. Let's toast the success of this expedition." He took a swig from the bottle and passed it to Jim.
"No cups?"
"Don't want more trash," Chance said, taking a drink and passing the bottle on to me.
I took a drink and raised the bottle. "To a safe and fruitful expedition."
We shifted the sleeping bags so Tom and I were sharing a tent. We'd be packing up and taking it with us in the morning, leaving Jim and Chance with one tent plus the small one we used to store gear and supplies.
Alone in the tent, Tom asked, "Are you excited about tomorrow?"
"Not really."
He looked at me in surprise.
"Sorry. Tomorrow we'll be hiking all day. We won't reach the observation point, so I don't expect it to be an exciting day." There might be some excitement when I told Tom I was breaking up with him, but I didn't think that was the type of excitement he was talking about.