Page 28 of Love Me Sweet

CHAPTEREIGHT

In the parking lot of the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center Sylvie helped Andrew unload the bikes. Hers was a beat-up Trek destined for the trash heap when it had been donated to the local Goodwill store.

The employees at Goodwill had done basic servicing of the bike and gotten it roadworthy. She hadn’t needed a brand new shiny one, this one would do just fine. The bike had been an impulsive purchase, bought on a day when no one was putting in orders and thoughts of Andrew had been bringing tears to her eyes.

She hadn’t really needed a bike, yet she’d bought it anyway. Just because her childhood hadn’t been filled with bike rides and picnics, didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy those activities now.

From his position in the van Andrew wheeled his bike to the back edge and she maneuvered it down to the asphalt. Like hers, his was a Trek, but this shiny black beauty was brand-new, purchased from a local bike shop the second they opened.

They’d walked in. Andrew had scanned the inventory, pointed to the top-of-the line model and announced, “I’ll take that one.”

The sales clerk, a young man in his early twenties, had been eager to comply.

And now, Sylvie thought, they stood with the beauty of the Tetons surrounding.

“You could have rented a bike,” she reminded them.

He shrugged, adjusted his helmet. “I’ll donate it to one of the youth programs before I return to Boston.”

She nodded, then reached for her own helmet. His comment was a good reminder that their time together was limited.

“Tell me again why you recommended this route?”

“It’ll give us a good workout and we’ll see a lot of beautiful scenery on the way.” She gave her scarred and battered bike an encouraging pat then settled on the seat. Though the day was in the sixties, she wore biker shorts and a tank under the windbreaker she planned to take off once they got started. “This trail, it’s got a big fancy name but most around here just call it the Pathway—ends at Jenny Lake. I thought we could eat our sandwiches at the lake, take a little walk and then head back.”

“Why don’t we just bike in Yellowstone?”

“Not a good idea. We’d have to share the roadway with cars and tourists more interested in watching out for bears than bicycles.”

Andrew swung a leg over his bike, looking sexy as sin in all black.

Sylvie could tell her physical stamina had improved in the last few months when she had no difficulty keeping up with Andrew.

“I’m glad you recommended this trail,” Andrew said when they paused at the bridge that passed over the scenic Gros Venture River. “Amazing views.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” she assured him as they continued on through Grand Teton National Park.

They encountered other cyclists. But for such a beautiful day, the trail was surprisingly light in traffic. They’d nearly reached Jenny Lake when they saw a man sprawled on the side of the trail, his wife bent over him, crying.

Bikes were on the ground nearby.

Andrew, Sylvie noticed, increased his speed, just as she did to reach the couple more quickly. He hopped off his bike, reaching the couple in several long strides.

Sylvie was only several steps behind him.

“I’m a physician. What seems to be the problem?” Andrew crouched down beside the woman, who appeared to be in her late fifties.

“George was complaining that his chest hurt.” The middle-aged woman looked up, her lined cheeks streaked with tears. “Are you better now, honey?” Sylvie saw horror blanket the woman’s face as her fingers curved into his shirt front. “George. George.” Her head jerked up. “He’s not breathing.”

Andrew gently pushed her aside, checking for a pulse. Hi gaze met Sylvie’s. “Call 9-1-1.”

He began CPR. “I tried when he said his chest hurt.” The woman bent over Andrew’s shoulder, “but I couldn’t get a signal.”

“She’s right,” Sylvie told Andrew. “No signal. I can ride to the visitors center and—”

Another cyclist rode up just then, a young athletic man. “Problem?”

“Heart problems. CPR started” Sylvie told the guy. “We need the rescue squad but can’t get a signal. The visitor center--”

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