“Pacing doesn’t help anything, Millie,” I say as she takes three steps forward across the living room—which, by the way, puts her into the kitchen—and three steps back.
“Well, it helps me. I’ve already organized everything I can in this place.” Three steps, turn, three steps. Millie runs her fingers through her hair. “I don’t know how Lydia stands it here. The walls are so close, things are falling apart, if one thing is left out, the whole place looks a mess—”
I walk over and put my arm around Millie. She pulls her hands to her face. “What are we going to do, Dee? What will we do without Lydia?”
“Wait a minute. No one said we had to do anything without Lydia. They are going to find her, Millie, do you hear me? They’re going to find her.”
“It’s been three hours, Dee!”
“I know. God knows where she is, Millie.”
“So what? That doesn’t mean she’s safe. He knew where her husband was too, but he still died.”
“Let’s sit down, Millie.” She wipes her face and reluctantly allows me to walk her over to the sofa.
“We don’t know how this will all turn out, but no matter what, we know that Lydia is in God’s hands. He loves her even more than we do. And we know that Lydia loves Him too. That’s all that matters.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because this life isn’t what it’s all about. We’re just passing through.”
“I think I’ve heard that somewhere before. Like here a thousand years ago, remember?”
“I remember.” I could use a little help here, Lord; she’s just not listening. “Why don’t we pray for her together?”
“You go ahead. I’ll listen.”
I lead us in a prayer for Lydia’s safety, but most of all that she will know she is not alone, that God walks with her this very minute. Millie and I cry together, and before we can wipe our faces, someone knocks at the door.
Millie jumps up and answers it. I’m right behind her.
“Hi, girls.” Lydia’s face is dirty, her pants and top are scuffed up, but she’s never looked more beautiful.
She steps inside, and soon we’re all a tangle of hugs and tears.
“I’m sorry I worried everyone. It seemed like a good idea to go out and pick some more wildflowers. Unfortunately, I forgot to mark my trail as I went along, and soon I was lost. I told you I’m forgetful. I should have dropped bread crumbs.” She laughs.
“Right. Then you would have had a bear following you,” Millie says dryly.
Lydia stops laughing.
“Well, we’re just glad you’re back and you’re safe,” I say.
“That makes two of us.” Lydia falls onto the sofa and stretches out her legs in front of her. “But you know, I learned something while I was out there.”
“What’s that?” Millie asks.
“It doesn’t do a bit of good to worry about things. Every fear I’ve ever had followed me out to that trail, and I almost folded beneath the weight. Then I prayed, and God helped me to get a grip. I let Him know then and there, my future belonged to Him, and come what may, I would trust Him with it.”
“That’s awesome, Lydia,” I say.
“I learned something else too.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t wear sneakers when you’re hiking in the mountains.” Lydia pulls off her sneakers and winces when she sees how red her feet are, no doubt from walking over jagged rocks.
Later that evening, we’re a grateful lot when we settle around the campfire. The logs crackle and spark, shooting puffs of pine scent through the air. We talk awhile about Lydia’s trip into the woods, and we tease her a bit, though there’s no denying the relief we all feel that she’s safe and with us tonight.
“I need to talk to you all,” Beverly says once the group gets quiet. “This has been quite a day. In fact, we’ve had a struggle from the moment we started this project.”
I shift my weight on the hay to get comfortable. Firelight and shadows dance upon the faces of my friends, and with one glance around the group, I realize my life has changed because of these people. This place.
Beverly clears her throat. The expression on her face tells us something’s wrong. A weak smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “First off, I want to thank you for coming here. It’s been wonderful to reconnect with all my old friends.” Smiles return to her. “I never could have accomplished all this by myself. And because we have put up the effort, I believe none of us will leave here the same as when we came.”
“That’s sure true for me.” The words come out before I can stop them. Everyone looks at me, and I share with them my recommitment to the Lord. Some smile knowingly, and others look at the ground. They might be searching too.
“I’ve done the same thing, DeDe,” Eric says. “My life has been, well, quite frankly, a mess. I’d forgotten the things I learned here. When we arrived at camp, the memories slowly returned.”
“It’s easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget what’s important. God, family”—Steve looks at me—“and friends.” Heat climbs my face.
One by one, the others share what the camp has meant to them over the years and how it has helped them.
Millie keeps silent, and I whisper a prayer for her.
Our conversation dies down. We each stare into the flames in the fire pit, lost in thought.
“Well, I want you to know how much I appreciate all you have done to fix up the camp. The place looks so much better than it did before you came, and I was very hopeful. But I’m afraid I have some bad news—well, maybe not bad, but just not what I was expecting.”
We all look to Beverly. Tears pool in her eyes, and my heart squeezes. Lydia puts her hand on Beverly’s arm. “What is it, Bev?”
She swallows hard. “I got a call this evening that the denomination has decided to change its district boundaries. As you know, the Red River Church Camp is not all that far away, and since our camp is the smaller of the two, they’ve decided to close Aspen Creek and put money into their Red River Church Camp.”
A collective gasp comes from the women.
“After all we’ve done? That’s just not fair,” Millie says in a huff.
Beverly looks at her. “Unfortunately, life isn’t always fair.”
“When is this going to take place?” Lydia wants to know.
“I believe immediately. They’re going to send a Realtor out here sometime next week.” A brave smile shines from her lips and eyes. “Though I wish things were different, I know the Lord is in control, so I just have to trust Him.”
A twig in the fire snaps while we keep silent. A soft breeze catches a tuft of Beverly’s hair, lifts it, and drops it back into place.
“Not enough money from the alumni to buy it, is there?” Millie asks.
“Not even close.” Beverly rubs her neck. “Even if we had enough for a down payment, what then? It just won’t work.”
“So do we pack up and leave tomorrow?” Eric asks.
“Not much point in working any further. It might bring a better price for the camp, but I know you all have families and jobs to get back to.”
“It’s a real shame. This camp has so much potential,” says the man we call Elmer Fudd.
“Well, I think we should stay one more day together,” Steve says. “Only let’s spend it having some fun. Make one last memory as a group.”
“What do you have in mind?” Beverly asks, her perk back in place.
“Walking trails, sightseeing, you know, the normal tourist things.”
“I’d be glad to take someone along on my bike,” Eric says, eyes fixed on Lydia. She blushes and looks away.
The other bikers nod their willingness to do the same—well, all except Porky Pig, who sprained his arm.
“People are welcome to ride with me in my rental car,” Steve says, smiling at the others, his gaze stopping at me.
Beverly claps. “Sounds great. No reason to sit around and mope. Might as well make the best of it.”
After talking awhile longer, we head back to our places for the night. As sad as the idea of closing the camp is, we all seem to feel better knowing we have one more day together before we say good-bye.
Just before we turn to leave, I remember Lydia’s cell phone. “Did you call Drew back?” I ask her.
Lydia’s hand flies to her mouth. “In all the excitement, I forgot and left my cell phone in the cafeteria.”
“I’ll go with you to get it,” I say.
Once Lydia finds her phone, she immediately calls Drew’s number. I motion for her to go ahead, and I lag behind so she can have some privacy while they talk. This seems the perfect opportunity to pray for Lydia, Derrick, and Drew.
Now that I’ve experienced my first hot flash, I’m thinking I need to remind Lydia to get Waldo’s air-conditioning fixed before we hit the road again. Funny how perspectives change.
“Good morning,” Lydia says from her bed, trying her best to stifle a yawn.
“Hi.” I stretch. “Did you have a nice talk with Drew last night?”
“Yeah, it was really good. My little adventure in the woods really scared him. He’s rethinking some things.”
“That’s wonderful, Lydia.”
“He also told me that Derrick and his girlfriend are having some pretty deep discussions these days about what they really believe. They have even been studying the Scriptures in search of answers. I know God will give them the answers they’re searching for.”
We look up to see Millie standing in the bedroom doorway. “Steve’s already stopped by this morning.”
I rub my eyes. “Really? What did he want?”
Millie’s right eyebrow spikes upward. “You.” She grins.
“Oh, that sounds exciting,” Lydia joins in, her elbow resting on the bed, head leaning in her hand.
“You can’t talk. Eric’s checked in for you too.”
Lydia’s eyes grow wide.
“Looks to me like you’re in for another motorcycle ride today,” I say.
Lydia shrugs. “Might be fun.” She shoots a look at us. “But don’t get any ideas. Eric is a friend, nothing more. Nor will he ever be. But I have to admit I enjoy his bike.” An ornery grin lights her face.
“Friendship is good.” I pull my covers off.
“Is that what you have with Steve?” Millie asks.
“Am I on Sixty Minutes ?”
“Inquiring minds want to know.”
“The answer is yes. Steve is my friend.”
“Anything more?” Lydia asks.
“Barbara Walters, right?”
Lydia smiles.
“At this point, we’re just friends.”
“Any chance of that changing?” Millie darts back.
“Good grief, are you guys reporters for People magazine or what?”
“Something like that,” Millie teases. “We have an interest in you, you know?”
“Let’s put it this way. I care about Steve as a friend. As for the future, all that is in the Lord’s hands.”
“But you think he’s cute?” Millie presses.
“I’d have to be blind not to think that, Millie.”
Lydia and Millie agree.
“Okay, okay. No more pressure.” Millie walks away. “At least for now,” she calls back.
I laugh and head for the shower, wondering what my day will hold, let alone my future.
Eric’s motorcycle vrooms just outside the window of our place. Wait. Did I say “our” place? Please don’t tell me that I’m truly bonding with Waldo.
“My ride is here; guess I’ll see you at lunch,” Lydia says, referring to our group plans to meet for lunch at a restaurant in Estes Park.
“Okay, have a good time,” I call out.
“I’m leaving too,” Millie says. “Elmer’s taking me.”
I’m surprised.
“Hey, it’s better than calling the cab. Besides, I’m shedding my stuffy image. Who knows? I may be the next Evel Knievel.”
“Change is good, Millie, but maybe you should start with a skateboard.” I wave good-bye just as my cell phone rings. It’s Shelley.
“They accepted our offer to purchase,” she blubbers before I barely get out my hello.
“Oh my goodness, Shelley, we’re really going to do this!”
“Just call us businesswomen extraordinaire.”
We talk awhile about our ideas and the next step in this purchase process. By the time we hang up, I can hardly wait to tell Steve.
Once my shoes are tied, I look over at Cobbler, who is staring out the window, most likely looking for her friend. “You’re gonna have a hard time saying good-bye to your friend too, aren’t you?” I’m hoping Cobbler doesn’t pluck her feathers if she gets upset this time. She could be naked by the time we get back to Lydia’s house.
Cobbler looks to me and scampers back and forth on her bar. I feel a little sappy toward my new feathered friend. It won’t be easy for her to leave this place. She hasn’t even squawked for her Barney fix since we’ve arrived here. Come to think of it, it will be hard for all of us to leave.
Okay, now I’m scaring myself. First I bond with Waldo, now Cobbler?
A car pulls up just outside. Peeking through the blinds, I see that it’s Steve in his rental car. My heart blips—again. That’s something I don’t want to analyze just now, but I know my feelings for Steve are growing. And Rob what’s-his-name? Well, I can’t even remember what he looks like!
I am so changing.
Steve and I have fun shopping in Estes Park and visiting with our friends at lunch. We stop by a Starbucks on the main drag in town and carry our coffee outside, where the Big Thompson River bubbles over boulders and rocks, offering a restful ambience to those strolling along the Riverwalk. Customers sitting outside Starbucks and other nearby restaurants settle in intimate groups around patio tables or on isolated benches in hope of snatching a moment of peace in the middle of a busy day. We sip our drinks and talk. Steve’s eyes sparkle as he talks about his son and their relationship.
“You know, there’s still plenty of time. I spotted a movie theater back a little ways—how about we go watch a movie?” Steve asks.
Feeling as giddy as a teenager, I quickly answer, “Sure, why not?”
When we arrive at the concession area of the theater, Steve turns to me. “I know we just had lunch, but how about we grab some popcorn and drinks?”
I’m full, but can I turn down his offer? No.
So with a bag of buttery popcorn in one hand and a bulging drink in the other, we head to the appropriate theater and take our seats.
“I’m having a great time, Steve. Thank you.” I stick a kernel of popcorn in my mouth.
“That makes two of us.” He throws a couple of kernels into his own mouth. “I had to make up for the short sheets,” he says with a laugh.
“It was you!” I slug him, then laugh.
He grabs his arm and holds it as if he’s really in pain, but we both know those biceps didn’t feel a thing. “The others made me do it.”
“Yeah, right.” I take a drink of pop. “Oh well, I deserved it for all the trouble I’ve caused over the years.”
He grins. “Am I forgiven?” Those eyes penetrate my heart.
“Forgiven.”
The set of his jaw, his muscular frame, the hearty laugh remind me nothing of the lanky boy I knew at camp so long ago. Could I actually consider another relationship? I want to say no, but my heart’s telling me yes.
Our eyes stay locked for the span of a heartbeat. I think he might kiss me, but just then previews start playing on the screen and the moment is lost.
After the movie, we head back for Steve’s car and pass a jewelry store along the way. “Hey, let’s go in here for a minute,” Steve says, grabbing my arm.
My spirits dip. What if he has a lady friend back home for whom he wants to buy jewelry? After all, those kinds of gifts are reserved for the special people in our lives.
“May I help you?” A tall woman approaches us. Her hair is pulled back in an elegant but simple style with a pearl-studded comb. Dressed in a silky black shift, she is wearing a thin necklace of pearls and looking very much as though she’s about to attend a banquet rather than work in a sales job.
Steve steps up to her. “Yes, I saw a necklace in the window that I’d like to see, please.”
Not wanting to intrude on his purchase—and not necessarily wanting to spoil my day—I meander around the room, enjoying the glimmer of diamonds, rubies, and other precious jewels along the way.
Rob took me to a jeweler once. Built my hopes on what could be, all the while knowing it was impossible.
“DeDe, could you come here, please?”
Steve’s voice shakes me free from the painful memories. Hopefully we’re not adding another one here. As if in slow motion, he lifts a delicate silver chain off the counter. From the center of it dangles a silver butterfly with ruby red wings, the color of my birthstone. A tiny diamond glistens from its body. My breath catches in my throat. The saleswoman smiles and slips into a back room.
“This is for you,” he says in a throaty whisper. Before I can comment, he lifts the chain to my neck and clasps it in the back. His fingers brush through the back of my hair, lifting it from the necklace and sending sparks clear through me. “New beginnings.” His whispered words brush against my ear, causing my knees to wobble. I turn to him.
“Steve, this is too much, I shouldn’t—”
His fingers press against my lips as his eyes lock with mine. “Me thinks thou doth protest too much.” He smiles and leans closer to me. “New beginnings, remember?”
“I remember.” Tears swell in my eyes, but I dare not drop them for fear they will break the spell. “Thank you,” I manage in a whisper.
My heart pounds hard against my chest as Steve’s gaze moves to my lips and he dips his head toward me. Tenderly his lips claim my own in a sweet moment of surrender that I’m sure has set angels’ wings to fluttering.
Afterward my cell phone rings. I reach into my pocket and glance at the screen.
Steve smiles. “Important call?”
“Not important at all,” I say, stuffing the phone back into my pocket and knowing that all ties to Rob are gone forever.
“The best is yet to come, DeDe Veihl.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes never leaving mine. “The best is yet to come.” Right now, looking into his eyes, I believe him with my whole heart.