Elize

By Bradley Atchison

Ethan Anderson, is a young man trying to find his way, but things just haven't seemed to work out for him. His girlfriend left him, and his job isn't what it should be. Everything just isn't working out the way he has planned.

Off to the mountains to discover who he is, an accident brings him into contact with Elizabeth O'Connell, or Elize for short. A woman who causes him to look inside himself and discover the person he really is, and what he can achieve.

In a journey of self discovery and love, he realizes soul mates really do exist, and Ethan has found his.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bradley Atchison
• Release date: Oct 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301904396

Bradley Atchison

Brad, grew up in a small town east of Edmonton, and now lives in Wetaskiwin with his wife and kids. Brad spends his time between working, running the girls to their activities, and home life. Occasionally he finds the time to kayak, get out on his bike, and maybe even write a little bit.

Book preview

Prologue

I'm sorry if, today, I'm not myself. How could I be, today? Today is the anniversary of her death.

Who am I talking about? That's right, you never knew her, no one did, I never told anyone. I knew her for only a very short period of time, only weeks in fact! You were in Texas visiting your sister, for 5 months, that's when it happened, that's when I had found my soul mate, and then lost her.

I'm always a bit down every year, on this day, but today for some reason, it's more than usual. It might be because I think I have been seeing her recently! Well just a flash of her red hair, a blur in the corner of my eye, but when I turn, she is gone. I might be going crazy, but I swear I have seen her. How is it possible to be seeing a woman that died 6 years ago?

How if I don't see her, can I possibly think it is her? It's the smell! The smell tells me it was her watching me, overseeing me. How can I explain it? Have you ever woke up really early when you have been camping in the mountains? I mean really early, early enough that the sun hasn't burned the mist away yet. Early enough that when you stand up, you can almost feel the mist tangle in your hair, it's fingers caress your face? It's that smell, that time of day, that I smell. The clear, crisp, energizing smell that is only there in that early hour, after the sun has risen, but before it has burned the mist away. That's what I smell as I see the flash, or when I feel as if someone is watching me. It could only be her!

I know you are confused, how could I, your friend and business partner, not tell you about my soul mate dying? I guess, because it happened so fast, that sometimes I don't believe it happened at all, that maybe it was just a dream I had one evening, which has just stayed with me.

I would like to say that's what it is, but though I have only been seeing her recently, I could always feel her. I can still, even now talking to you. She brings a calm to my body when I focus. That's how I know it is real, she was real.

I think I finally need to tell the story, someone in my life should know. When I finish, maybe then, you could tell me why I am seeing her?

What was her name? Her name was Elize, and this is our story...

Chapter 1

It was June of 1993, having just finished college the year before and unsuccessfully trying to find a job in my field the past year. Then going back to work at that place. You do know when I was a summer student working there I said I would never go back full time, but there I was. Jobs I applied for, my other classmates receiving them and me, going back to a laborer’s job. Not how I had pictured things.

Catherine leaving me a month before, telling me, you’re not driven. You let things pass you by, instead of grabbing them. I can’t believe I wasted eight months on you. I thought for sure you would succeed.

She didn’t even look back to say goodbye, just left her key on the table and walked out. No, not a good time at all.

I still went every other day to my martial art class and still rode my bike all the time. I just couldn’t burn away the feeling of disappointment and failure. It didn’t matter how hard I pushed the trail, as the ground passed swiftly below me, it was never fast enough. It didn’t matter how many throws or kicks I did, they were never enough. At the time I would forget everything, live in the moment, and actually relish it. Afterwards though, sometimes an hour or two would pass, then the rest of my life would creep up and pull me back down.

I know this isn’t what you want, you want the story. This is the story. This is how it began, and you have to know who I was when it started. Yes I know we’ve been friends a long time and you think you know who I am, but think about it. Did you know me then? Even you must have felt that I was slowly removing myself from everyone and everything. I may not have realized it, but it was happening. I was angry at the world, angry with everyone, even you. I was angry you would leave and go visit your sister. My parents doting on my brothers, calling me by their names. I felt alone, like I was in a room full of strangers.

Mostly though I was angry with myself. Angry at how I let things go. I could have done better in my interviews, could have done better with Catherine. I just could have done better. Instead I let the world deal me a shitty hand, and instead of getting out of the game and changing things, I stayed in and wallowed in the misery instead. I look back at it all and I wonder how I let it get so bad?

So there I was, a 23 year old man, going to work in a place I couldn’t stand, doing a job I felt was beneath my skills and talents, hating everyone and everything around me.

Of course he’s happy. He’s uneducated and making a good living, this job fits him. It doesn’t fit me though, that’s how I thought, that’s how it was. How does one bring himself out of that misery? One I was so intent on making for myself?

Now, you know how my schedule goes with my shift work. Well, I went into work for my last day of the week; it was Thursday and also payday for me. I swear, from the moment I got up till the time I left work, it had to be the worst day I’ve had at work up until that point. There was a problem with the product being run, so of course the supervisor came down on us, saying how we are always screwing up, how we never watch our mistakes. Anyway after all was said and done it was a problem with the equipment and not a worker mistake at all. But after the tongue lashing we all received everyone was ready to snap.

When the supervisor came around with everyone’s cheques, he gave me mine and said, At least we found the problem. Just like that. No apology, nothing for his outburst. Like I said, everyone was ready to snap, and I guess I did. When the smoke cleared I was suspended for three days, without pay of course, but that meant I didn’t have to work again until the next Saturday shift, seven days off.

So, I said screw it. I went home, threw the bike on the car and the camping gear in the trunk and headed out. I figured with money in my pocket and no one to go home to, I might as well be somewhere else. The four hour trip to the mountains must have gone by uneventfully, because I don’t remember any of it. Getting there on a Thursday night meant pretty much picking my own stall in the campground and I paid for the site until Sunday morning. I found a small stall in the very back, sort of removed from the rest.

I thought, At least I won’t see anyone. Then went about setting up camp.

The next morning I was up early, making some breakfast breathing in the cool air, almost tasting the mist.

Ah, today will be a good day. I will make it so. I decided to do the JUMPING POUND trail. Yeah, you know it; we’ve probably only ridden it a good 20 or 30 times in the past few years. It was what I needed, I figured. A hard work out, great scenery and if I start early enough I won’t see anyone on the trail until I start back.

Driving out to the trailhead I thought, I shouldn’t be riding alone. If something happens no one will know where I am. I put the thought from my head.

Yeah, I know I never told anyone that I was going to the mountains, but this is a trail we’ve done lots of times. I know every rut on the climb and every twist of a corner, I’d be all right. Besides if something happened, would anyone care anyway?

When I got to the trailhead I pulled the bike from the car and looked at the scenery around me. It was just beautiful; the leaves of the trees around me were heavy with dew, the mist slowly being burned away to show the deep blue of the sky. The shadows under the trees not as dark, the smell from the wild flowers filling the air, their petals reaching towards the sun. The deep mountains filling in the rest of the view, looking so massive, imposing, daring me to test my grit against them.

I thought to myself, Today I will win; yes, today will be a good day.

I stretched to loosen up my limbs. Looking forward to the trials ahead I got on my bike and slowly pushed my way forward, hearing the reassuring click as my shoes slid into place on the pedals. I felt my body slowly get into rhythm with the bike. There’s nothing like it. My adrenaline slowly built as I looked forward to the first climb. I pedaled into the trees and suddenly the mountains and sky were swallowed as the trees rose and enveloped me. I felt the ground roll beneath me, I slowly increased my pedal stroke and let the bike carry me faster and all thoughts of life and work slipped away. That was the only thing at the time, my bike, the trail, and the long ascent I could see approaching. This is how life should be: exhilarating, breath taking, not full of disappointment nor anger.

I started the climb, not speeding ahead but taking it slowly and surely, knowing that I would be on the climb for a good half-hour or so. My muscles worked hard. I felt a slight layer of sweat start to wash across my body. That was good; that was what I needed. The steady rhythm of my body matching the motion of the bike, almost like they were one. I continued to slowly pump my legs, and looking up the climb I could see the blue sky slowly emerge as I made my way out of the trees and on to the small meadow. The ground leveling out surrounded by trees on three sides and a cliff on the fourth. I stopped and laid my bike to the ground and walked over to the cliff.

You know what I saw; we’ve been here before. The valley spreading out showing the distance you have climbed. It was breath-taking. The other mountains in the distance surrounding the treed valley, a small stream spilling into the pristine bluish green lake.

I slowly stretched my legs and back, preparing myself for the next part of the ride. Across the meadow I could see the trail again disappear into the trees. Following it with my eyes the trail emerged from the trees occasionally, showing the distance yet to climb.

I still remember the first time we read about this trail in the trail book. You telling me, You’re crazy! We have to do a steady climb for almost 12 kilometers

That first time, we were so tired when we got to this meadow, the first part of the climb taking us just over an hour to do. Remember how we lay on the ground letting the sun beat down on us, our breathing slowly coming back into range? I still think about that day. It took us three hours to reach the summit, and on the second part we rode and pushed our bikes to the top. We were exhausted. Do you remember?

I was in better shape when I went by myself this time. It took me only about 45 minutes to reach the meadow. My body felt good.

Today will be the first time I don’t push my bike anywhere up the trail, I told myself.

Looking across the meadow, I got on my bike and slowly made my way across, preparing myself for the next ordeal. As you know, there is no level ground for the next five kilometers until the summit. I was ready to do it. I never felt more ready.

I told myself, I will make it today.

I rode into the trees, and started the last ascent; working my body harder now, for the climb was steeper and tougher than the first section. I didn’t look at the scenery then, just concentrated on the climb, on my bike, feeling the muscles in my legs slowly tightening as I progressed further up. This part of the trail was narrow, maybe four feet across. I came out of the trees on those occasions where the trail peeked through. I couldn’t see the base of the trees on my left but their tops were visible, showing me how steep the cliff that I was riding along was. Then I would be in the trees again, the valley yet again disappearing from my sight.

I stopped on the trail, leaned against a tree and took a drink of water from my water bottle. My legs were starting to burn at that point and the stop eased the burn a little. I looked up to see the final leg of the climb. I could see the trail switch back and forth through the trees above.

Well its now or never, I told myself as I started the bike moving on its slow ascent.

My lungs were pounding, my breath ragged as I moved up the slope, taking corner after corner of the climb. Then suddenly I was above the trees. You know the spot where the trees stop and you can see the final steep climb to the top. I made it there without getting off to push. I was ecstatic that I had made it that far.

I didn’t pause for very long, didn’t want to, the final half kilometer or so to go and I would be at the top. I ignored my legs and lungs screaming at me, and worked my way up. I mashed the pedals; no longer was it s smooth, even rhythm but a tired uneven pumping of the legs. Slowly the top came into view; so very slow, but I did it. I had made the top; I had climbed the whole way.

I laid my bike down to the ground then collapsed beside it. My lungs burning, my legs burning, my hands aching from gripping the handle bars so tight, but I was there, at the top. After a while I got up and slowly walked along the top. I could see for miles and miles, the valley stretching from mountain to mountain. I took it all in and I reveled in it. I had succeeded. My first in months, no years. What a feeling; no disappointment, no anger, just joy. I stayed up there almost an hour just looking at the view, stretching my legs, getting my wind back.

Almost an hour. That’s when everything came back my suspension at work, work I didn’t even care about. The view was gone from my vision then. The accomplishment lost to my mind. Everything gone, just failure again. I stayed there in my thoughts for about another half-hour before I decided to go. I wasn’t even looking forward to the descent, the hard work done. I should have been excited about the down hilling. No pedaling, just pure exhilaration as your bike rolls down the trail.

Yes, the trip down is not as hard as up, but your mind still has to be into it. You still have to be focused on the ride. My mind wasn’t there. I started the trip back letting the bike make its own way, my body no longer in sync. I could feel every bump, my hands gripping the bars tightly and slight pressure on the brake handles as I went down. Work swirling through my head, my schooling in my head. I wasn’t on the ride anymore.

I don’t even remember the top part of the ride. Before I knew it I was quite a way down. I turned a corner and out of nowhere there was a bike in front of me! The rider watching the trail, not seeing me at all. I jerked my handlebars to the right and suddenly the world dropped out from beneath me. I felt the impact of the bike being driven upwards into my body and my chest crashing down onto the handlebars. The last thing I remembered was going over the handlebars, my feet still clipped in and thinking, This is going to hurt. Then I hit the ground.

I must have blacked out for a couple minutes. When I came to my body was aching all over. I mentally went over my body, making sure everything worked and moved. It did. Don’t get me wrong, there was pain and discomfort and abrasions on my knees and elbows but nothing long lasting nothing broken. My jersey and shorts were torn, as well. I lay there a few more minutes, just trying to relax my body.

That’s when I noticed the noise, the sound of rocks sliding as someone scrambled down the hill. Are you all right, asked a soft voice. Are you all right?

Chapter 2

The soft voice spoke again, Are you all right? Hello.

I finally croaked back that I was okay and I heard a sigh of relief.

I never even saw you until you plunged into the trees, she said.

I was still lying on the ground when she finally came into view. The first thing I saw was a small woman, clad in orange and blue Lycra, and a black bike helmet on her head. She leaned over me and her dark red hair, tied back in one braid, fell over her shoulder. She had dark glasses on, which she reached up and removed. She had greyish, green eyes. All I could think of was her eyes are the same colour as the rock around me.

Are you sure you’re alright, can you move? She reached down and touched my shoulder lightly; a shiver went through my body. Do you want me to help you up? She reached and took hold of my hand, and pulled me up. When I was standing on my own she went down to my bike. Your front wheel is terribly bent, I don’t know if you’ll be able to straighten it.

I didn’t really hear what she said to me. I was lost in the vision of her picking up my bike. Her arm muscles flexing as she lifted it from the scrub it was in. Her legs were hard from her climbing and showed every curve of her muscles as she moved. Her face was flushed a soft red, and a bead of sweat rolled down her forehead and then along her nose, she wiped the sweat away without a thought, her motion fluid.

It was like I was in a fog. Next to telling her I was all right, I hadn’t spoke another word. I could still feel her hand from moments earlier when she helped me up.

Hello… hey, do you know what happened to you, do you remember?

My eyes dropped from hers to look at her lips as she spoke. They were a soft pale pink, and as I watched, she moistened them with her tongue. I finally shook my head and cleared away the fog.

I’m fine, thank you. Here let me get that from you, I finally said and I took my bike from her.

She handed me the bike and started up the hill to the trail. I followed, carrying my bike. Getting a chance to see where I came off the trail, I was surprised that I was okay. I had passed between the branches of two spruce trees and then crashed to the shale before stopping a good 30 feet below the trail.

She reached the trail first and gave me hand as I climbed up. I laid my bike to the ground and looked at the damage. The front wheel was badly bent. I took off my small pack and laid it on the ground next to the bike, and then went about removing the front wheel.

That’s bad. Do you think you’ll be able to fix it enough to continue down? Or will you be carrying your bike down? She asked.

I don’t know, I responded. Let’s see how much of the bend I can bring back.

The wheel lay on the ground, the one side bent up a good six inches.

Well, I don’t think this wheel will be good again, I sighed.

I then stood on the wheel with both legs, bouncing strongly on the upturned side trying to make it even. Slowly, after much working the wheel was straight enough to go back into the forks and rotate. I removed my spoke wrench from my pack and alternately tightened and loosened the spokes, slowly bringing the wheel a little straighter yet. Spinning the wheel, I saw that the brake pads wore on one side stopping the wheel completely. After releasing the brakes a little more the wheel was almost able to spin a complete revolution before slowing down on the brake pad.

That’s as good as I’m going to get, I told her. Thank you again for helping me.

You’re welcome. What a change though, the damsel came to the knight’s aid this time, she said with a smile. Do you want me to ride down with you, make sure you get back?

That’s kind of you, but I wouldn’t want to keep you from your ride. You’re not far from the top now, and depending how long you stay up there, you’ll probably catch me on the way down anyway. With the way my wheel was I figured I would be stopping frequently to re straighten it anyway.

You’re sure? I don’t mind.

Yeah, finish your ride, maybe I will see you at the bottom.

She smiled at me, If you’re sure. She got on her bike and with a wave started up the trail.

She stopped after a moment smiled then said, My name is Elize, what’s yours?

Ethan

She smiled again, Nice to have met you Ethan. Then with another wave she started off again. I watched her until I couldn’t see her anymore then got on my bike and started the long ride down.

I continued down the trail and after about half an hour I reached the meadow. As I forecasted I had to again get my wrench out and tighten and loosen spokes to bring the wheel back. While doing this I heard a quiet Hi from behind me.

I was surprised to see her standing there watching me work on the wheel.

I rode about another 10 minutes and then decided to join you instead, she said, I hope you don’t mind.

I was shocked. Next to Catherine, I have never been in any kind of relationship. Then to have this pretty woman come along and ask to ride with me. Well, that just floored me. She just wants to make sure I get back safely, I told myself. Besides, my time with Catherine showed me what women think of me.

I smiled politely and told her, Yeah, that’s fine if that’s what you want.

That’s what I want she responded quietly. I see you have to fix your wheel again.

Yeah, I’m going to have to buy a new rim when I get back. This one will never become true again. Are you ready then, I asked as I got back onto my bike. We have only about another 20 minutes of riding to the trailhead.

Twenty minutes, huh, she smiled enough time for you to let me know a little bit about you. She jumped onto her bike and started to pedal in one fluid motion. Are you just going to stay there, or are you coming. She laughed.

I shook my head then pedaled up beside her.

I have to tell you, that 20 minutes went by way too fast. I found out her name was Elizabeth O’Connell but everyone called her Elize. She was here with her brother Samuel, his friend David and her friend Erin. When I asked where they were, she told me laughing, We got in late last night, and they had a little to much drink. When I woke up in the morning I left a note on the camp table, took the jeep, and came riding on my own.

I found out she was from Calgary and they come up here frequently. She was in University to become a lawyer but she was taking the next year off. She never explained why, then, but I would get the reason from her later.

She asked about me, my family, what I did for a living. I filled her in vaguely, not going into too much detail about my life. She was a stranger and I wasn’t yet willing to talk to anyone about my problems, let alone someone I just met. She thought it strange that I would come up alone, but I never explained the situation and she dropped it.

Before I knew it we were at the trailhead, our cars in view. Hers was one of those new Jeep Grand Cherokee’s, lots of money, and I told her so. She just shrugged, We have money. I helped her get her bike on top of the vehicle and then went about putting mine on my car.

She was taking off her shoes when she asked, So where are you going to get a new wheel?

Oh, after I shower back at camp, I will probably go into Canmore later on today.

Where are you staying?

I’m at the Bow Valley camp site.

Really, so are we. What a coincidence, huh? You’re going to have to come meet everyone.

You know how well I am when it comes to meeting people. I’m quiet usually polite, but never really knowing what to say. I don’t think people dislike me, but because I’m not very talkative they sort of forget I’m there. So I responded with a non committal, Ah yeah, that would be great.

After saying goodbye we got into our respective vehicles and started out. That’s the last I will see of her, I thought, now I can get back to my self-loathing.

Pulling into the campground I looked in my mirror to see her give me a wave through her window as she turned off onto one of the site roads. I continued on to my site and, after pulling in, I made sure the bike was locked on the car then went and pulled out some clean clothes and shower bag from my tent. I then proceeded to the camp showers.

Chapter 3

I let the water splash down on me washing the blood from my knees and elbows, stinging the new wounds. The warm water stung my chin as well; I must have scraped it when I wiped out. There was nothing I could do about it, so I bared the sting and washed the sweat and dirt from my body. The ache in my shoulders and back would be there for a few days, as well. That teaches you for not paying attention I thought. I finished up showering and toweled off, then trimmed my goatee and brushed my teeth and hair. The best I can do with what I have, I sighed. I was ready to go to town.

I got back to camp, put my shower gear away, and got into the car and started to drive through the campground. I hoped to see Elize but at the same time hoped I didn’t. It was one thing to make sure I made it down safely, another to actually be interested. With the way my luck was with women I would be very surprised if there was actually any interest there. I made it through the campground without seeing her. My heart fell, but my head said it was for the best.

The trip to town took about 45 minutes and the whole way all I could think about was, what a way to meet someone; on your back, bruising on your chest, bleeding on both arms and legs, and scraping on your chin. I was never good at making a lasting impression on anyone, and if I did it was always bad, as that day showed.

I arrived in town and, well, you know how the town is; very little parking and always busy. Not quite like Banff, but bad enough. After I drove around for a good 15 minutes I finally found a stall I could pull into. I pulled the bent bicycle wheel from my car and walked main street, looking for the store I wanted. I finally found the one I wanted; they sold bikes and gear, as well as rented them out. Walking in, I put my bent rim on the counter.

That must have been a bad one, said a tall man with a shaved head. Where did it happen?

Jumping Pound.

Good ride, it’ll bite you if you’re not careful, though.

I just nodded, I would like to salvage the hub, but I need a new rim and spokes. Can you help me? I asked, looking around the bike shop.

Yeah, do you want it already built, or do you want us to build the wheel for you using your existing hub? He asked. If you want it built, it would probably be ready tomorrow afternoon, sometime, if you can wait that long. The cost will be about the same though. The money you save on the hub, you pay for in the building.

Build it, I told him.

I gave him my information and a deposit on the new rim and told him I would see him the next day. I thought about looking at a new jersey and shorts, but decided to put it off until the next day as well. I thanked him and walked out of the store thinking, What to do for the next few days?

I walked the town until I found a bookstore and went in to buy a new book. I know you’ve never understood how I would rather buy a book instead of trying to interact with people. I just always found, with a book there is expectation and none on the reader. I like that the author describes everything for you. I found the Clive Barker book Imajica; that would kill a bunch of days for me I thought, so I bought it. Giving the cashier a nod, I walked out.

I found my car and started back to camp. By the time I arrived back at camp half the day was gone. Like it mattered, I was by myself anyway.

I actually thought of you then, wondering where you were, if you were in Texas yet or still driving there. I thought how you would have liked the ride today, nudging and winking at me, getting me to talk to Elize. I laughed. You would have been telling me, go for it, what do you have to lose? What would I have to lose? Only my pride, and that I was in short supply of. No, I wouldn’t do anything. That’s the advantage of not being able to talk to someone; after a while they stop trying to talk to you as well.

You know how early night comes in the mountains, especially in the trees. By 7:00 p.m. the shadows are starting to get long, by 9:00 p.m. it’s dark. Well, I started a fire about 6 o’clock and I decided to let it burn to embers. I would cook my steak on the fire and let my potato bake in the embers, as well. Do you remember the first time we threw our potatoes in the embers? How we cut them up and mixed onions and a little butter before wrapping them in tinfoil? That’s how I did it that night, as well. It would be at least another hour before I ate, so I decided to start the book I bought.

No sooner had I started my book than I heard steps behind me, then a musical voice, So this is where you’re hiding.

I turned to look, and there was Elize and another woman standing beside my car. Elize was wearing a pair of beige khakis, a soft blue polar fleece jacket and a pair of brown hikers on her feet. Her glasses were pushed up on top of her head and her hair was no longer in a ponytail, but fell down along her neck, spilling across her back. The woman with her had blond, short-cropped hair and a small stud in her left nostril. She was wearing jeans and a heavy Mondetta sweatshirt.

This is Erin. Elize motioned to her friend, Erin Fraser. She then motioned to me but talked to the woman beside her. This is Ethan, Ethan Anderson. He’s the guy I saved this morning. It was amazing, even in the fading light I could still see the twinkle in her eye as she said it. Or was it laughter? It didn’t matter; they wouldn’t be here long anyway.

Hi, I smiled. I was always lost on what to say to people, and that day was no different.

So she saved you today, huh? But then she’s always saving things. Do you remember that mangy old cat you tried to save when we were young, she asked Elize, grinning. It scratched the hell out of your arms. Then you got infected and you were in the hospital for two days. Do you remember? I hope this isn’t the same. She said it jokingly, but her eyes were hard, as if saying, You hurt this girl, I hurt you.

I was at a loss for words. She was talking to Elize, but her words were meant for me. Where was the anger coming from? I had no intention of trying to pursue Elize. I’m not what women want. But yet, here was this other stranger telling me to watch myself. I was lost.

So what are you doing here alone, anyway?

I had just met this Erin and I already had her figured out. She hated not knowing what was going on, and she would be very direct on finding things out. I figured, what’s the point, why lie.

I’m trying to figure things out, figure out what I’m going to do with my life. What better place than alone in the mountains? Usually, no one would bother me! I let my anger show in my answer to her question.

Okay you two, enough joking around, Elize finally spoke up. I was just curious where you were camped, thought I would come find out. No harm there, was there? Her eyes questioned as she looked at me. I was still seething a bit from her friend and was going to respond in kind, but something told me not to.

No, that’s fine, I’m still sore, and having just dropped $250.00 on getting a new wheel built has sort of put a damper on things.

Well, we are going to Banff, maybe go to one of the clubs there. I thought maybe you would like to come? She asked. Looking at Erin I saw the question was a surprise to her and I watched a frown crease her forehead. I remember you’re telling me your up here alone, thought you would enjoy my…. Uh, our company. She looked at Erin and either didn’t see the frown she was given or chose to ignore it.

Should I go? I thought to myself. Someone’s asking me out. If the other two at her camp were like this Erin, I would probably regret it.

I’m sorry, thank you for the offer, though, but think I’m going to stay here, I responded quietly. I’m just about to cook my supper. I pointed towards the steak and tinfoil-wrapped potato on the table. Their eyes followed and I could swear I saw Erin smile to herself. I also just bought this book, motioning to the book on