Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Adam
I’m not used to bustling airport crowds. I stand near a wall, people-watching, out of the flow and with a clear view of the escalator where arriving passengers head to baggage claim.
Keri’s long blonde hair and fresh face make her easy to spot. I inhale deeply and move toward the end of the escalator, eager to fold her into my arms. She sees me, her enchanting smile splitting her face. It’s contagious, and my mouth lifts into a dorky grin.
My heart thrums and my fingers tremble. As she steps off the last stair, she rushes into my embrace. I sigh, her familiar scent of vanilla and sweet berries calming me.
“You made it,” I whisper into her ear. I pull back from her and cup her face between my hands.
I can see tears shimmering in her bright blue eyes.
She doesn’t say anything, but her smile says it all.
She’s happy to see me. I lean forward and press my mouth against hers, all of my worries and angst disappearing in an instant.
“Get a room!” A disheveled businessman growls, navigating his large body around us. Keri and I pull back from our lip lock and stare at each other in shock before bursting out laughing.
Looping my arm through hers, I say, “He’s just jealous. Come on. Let’s get your bags.”
“Okay,” she giggles.
“How was your flight?”
“It was great. I watched two movies and had way too many chips and diet soda. I was hoping to see the Golden Gate Bridge, but the lady next to me said we were coming in on the wrong side.”
“Yeah, you came in from the south, from San Jose towards the peninsula, so you wouldn’t have seen the bridge.”
“Well, I did see some other bridges from across the bay, plus those salt ponds and their amazing colors.”
“Pretty cool, right?”
“Very cool.”
Little does she know, I’m entranced by her youthful wonder. Her gratitude for the scenery stirs me. I can’t get enough of her presence.
“I missed you,” I say, kissing her golden head as we nearly run to the luggage carousel.
She looks up at me with rosy cheeks, her smile rivaling the California sunshine. “I missed you more.”
My laugh is jovial. “I find that hard to believe. I haven’t slept much lately because I’ve missed you so much. You were always on my mind.”
“Mine too.”
I’m impressed by Keri’s luggage. When we spoke last night, I hadn’t realized she was in Atlanta visiting her girlfriends and hadn’t had time to return to Heartsboro and pack.
Luckily, her friend Candace and her husband, both avid hikers and skiers, pitched in.
Early that morning, Keri and Candace pulled clothes and footwear from closets and drawers.
They packed as many essentials as possible.
Whatever Candy couldn’t supply, I assured Keri we could buy along the way.
I expected several huge bags. Instead, they fit everything into two small roller bags and a backpack.
“I hope you have room in the van for all my stuff. Candace and I tried really hard to pack conservatively.”
“I expected a lot more. You did great. There’s plenty of room, Angel Face.” She walks taller, clearly pleased.
“I emailed Madison before my flight took off this morning to let her know I was going to be on the road for at least two weeks and asked if she could keep an eye on things. When I landed, I saw her response, and she told me not to worry about anything. If something comes up, I’ll forward the information to her.
We need to find a fun gift to bring home to her as a thank you. ”
“Of course we will. What a great friend.”
“Totally great.”
We arrive at my van, where Molly sticks her nose out of the cracked driver’s side window. I say, “Hey, girl. Look who I’ve got.” I open the door. Molly jumps out, circles Keri, then stops, as if waiting for her to scratch her furry neck.
“Hey, Molly. How are you?” She digs into her fur with happiness.
We walk around to the other side, and I slide the panel door open and place the luggage inside. “Looks like someone else missed you.”
Keri kneels and wraps her arms around Molly, the perpetual smile on her face, adorable. “I missed her too.”
I slide the door shut and open the passenger door. Molly immediately hops up into the seat.
“Oh, no,” Keri moans. “That’s Molly’s seat. I can’t take it away from her.”
“Of course you can. She can sit in the middle.”
“But doesn’t she like to stick her head out the window?”
I scratch my chin. “Well, yeah, she does. She might get on your lap a bit to do that, but for the most part, she likes to sleep on long drives. She’ll be fine between us.”
“We can share,” Keri says.
I watch her climb into the van. “Scootch over, Molly.” My big dog hangs off one side of the captain’s chair, resting her snout on Keri’s lap. “Good girl.”
Once I’m in the driver’s seat, I start the van and roll down the windows. I can’t believe Keri is here, ready to take on the greatest adventure of our lives.
“Time to get this party started.”
After I booked Keri’s plane ticket, I got to work and mapped out our itinerary.
I planned detours into parks, scenic areas, and beautiful towns along the way.
Since we’re starting in California, I figured the perfect highlight would be Yosemite National Park.
The towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and dozens of iconic hikes make this the ideal first stop on the eastbound route.
It’s four hours from San Francisco, and we have a great time buzzing through the lovely Gold Rush town of Mariposa, where we stop for a quick bite to eat.
We continue through the Merced River Canyon and watch tourists float on the lazy river before I give her a quick overview of the Valley Floor.
This is the most famous seven square miles in the park, known for its incredible views.
“We’ll have to come back in the late winter or early spring so you can see some of the colorful wildflowers this region is famous for. I’ve captured thousands of photographs of them over the years.”
Molly is asleep on the floor between us. The open window blows strands of Keri’s long hair around her face. “I would love that.”
We arrive at our destination, and I opt for the shortest hike around Mirror Lake so I won’t wear her out on our first day, especially after her long flight. With Molly on a leash, we hold hands and take in the natural beauty.
“Why is it called Mirror Lake?” Keri asks.
“It’s the reflection on the water, like a mirror, see?” I point to the stunning lake. “The surrounding granite cliffs of Half Dome and Mount Watkins reflect in the water. It’s also a seasonal lake because it changes so much throughout the year.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, in the spring, when the mountain snow melts, the lake is full and deep. During the summer, like right now, the water level drops.”
“It hardly looks real. It’s like a beautiful postcard. This area is stunning.”
I think to myself, she’s the one who’s stunning.
The natural wonders of the park, with deep valleys, grand meadows, and ancient giant sequoias, keep us busy all afternoon.
Because of the park’s popularity, I knew going into this how hard it would be to get a camping reservation.
This area is already booked out months in advance, especially during the peak summer season.
Luckily, I’m able to find a campsite not too far outside of the park.
I back my camper van into our spot, which includes a fire ring, picnic table, and a food locker. The campground also has bathrooms with drinking water and flushing toilets, something I made sure of. Keri needs to be eased into this lifestyle, not greeted by a compost toilet on our first night.
“How can I help?” she asks.
“See those storage compartments under the van?”
She follows my pointed finger and nods. “Yeah.”
“Go ahead and open those up. You can pull out supplies and a couple of camp chairs and set them up around the fire ring.”
“Are we going to have a campfire tonight?” She’s grinning at me, her excitement contagious.
“Of course. And before you ask, I already loaded the van with provisions, including s’mores ingredients. I remembered they’re your favorite.”
She squeals and catapults her body against mine, peppering my scruffy face with kisses. “I’m so happy right now.”
“Me too.”
Later, we sit side by side in front of the campfire, Keri’s head resting on my shoulder.
Her quiet snuffles are adorable, and I know she’s exhausted from the long travel day, hiking, and the time change.
We ate cold sandwiches for dinner, roasted marshmallows for s’mores over the shifting orange embers of the fire, and talked about our childhoods.
The sound of wood crackling and popping among our chatter was a natural, calming experience.
Being with Keri in my element is even better than I could have ever imagined.
She’s up for anything. A hike. Carrying firewood.
Walking my dog. Tidying up the van and finding spots for her feminine touches, including a plastic cup filled with dandelions I picked for her near the campground restrooms.
Her hair smells of wood smoke and vanilla, and I have the right mind to gather her into my arms and take her to bed.
But I’m not ready to wake her or disrupt my meditative mood.
With each pop from the fire, sparks float up into the sky, mixing with the stars overhead.
I feel… connected, in a way I haven’t felt in years.
The embers pulse like a heartbeat, and I watch the flames fall into coals.
I always sleep like a rock after sitting around a campfire, and I know Keri will do the same.
It’s almost like the flames are a lullaby for my busy mind.
But tonight, they’re a love song, full of deep affection and longing.