Page 50 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
Again, they climbed. Trees were further apart. The trail more level. They began to circle another bank of shale then Andy stopped but he did not release her hand, nor did she attempt to free it.
“Right around the corner is one of the best views in my opinion.”
She sensed his uncertainty as if he was concerned she might not appreciate it. “Lead on.”
Two more steps and he stopped, holding her at his side.
Her mouth fell open and refused to close again. Her eyes widened and refused to blink. She had to let him know her reaction but all she could do was stare. Finally, her body again listened to her.
“Andy, it’s unbelievable. I feel like I can see forever.” On one side the ground dropped away. Boulders and shale cliffs gave way to rolling hills. In the distance, she made out a lake shifting from turquoise at the edges to deep blue in the center.
“It’s Alice Lake.” Andy pointed. “Pa named it in honor of Ma.”
“It’s an amazing color.”
“Ma was an amazing woman.”
Della continued to study the scene. “I love the smoky green of the distant evergreen trees and the golden and yellow fall leaves.” She turned to consider the other side. The rocks and spruce climbed toward the rugged peaks of the mountains. “Have you ever climbed further?”
He nodded.
“Can we?”
His gaze went to the rocks and slowly returned to her. He looked down to where her feet peeked out from under her skirt.
“We can go a short distance but it’s not the kind of climb you do in a dress and without proper boots.”
At that moment, Della vowed she’d get the necessary apparel. Never mind that she would only be in the area for a few days.
Andy picked his way over rocks, pausing at each step to assist her. He steadied her when she slipped. They reached a narrow ledge.
“This is as far as we go today.”
Did she hear a promise for another time? She stood beside him admiring the view but after a moment, her gaze went up the embankment. “I feel like it’s there for us to climb.”
He grinned. “If it’s there it must be conquered and explored?”
At that moment, something fused between them. An understanding of their mutual need for adventure. Or was it exploration?
“My pa would have liked you.” Her words burst forth.
“Why?”
“He believed life was best enjoyed if one embraced challenges.” Like her traveling to Europe to explore castles and history. She again looked at the rocks leading upward. Could old castles compare to the thrill of exploring mountains? Immediately she shook away the disloyal thought. She’d promised her pa and she meant to keep that promise.
They lingered on the mountainside, leaning against the rock embankment at their back. Andy pointed out distant peaks, giving the names of some.
“You see that spot over there that is void of trees?”
She nodded.
“An avalanche scraped it clean a couple of years ago. I watched it with my pa.”
An avalanche seemed to have gone through her insides and taken with it everything that obscured her thoughts. All that remained was a desire to stand there in anticipation of seeing another avalanche, a longing to climb to the peaks, a wish to follow every inviting trail.
She caught Andy’s hand and squeezed. “What did it sound like? Was it frightening?”
He pressed his shoulder to hers. Perhaps to reassure her. Perhaps—she allowed herself to think—simply to enjoy her company.
