Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [109]
"Oh, it has? Are you going to enlighten me as to what those things are?"
"You're searching for eternity. For meaning. For hope. You're entertaining the possibility that you can let Jessie go and move on with your life." Taylor glanced at Ann. "None of these quests would have started if you hadn't come to Three Peaks and completed your search for the book."
"But I have no answers to any of those questions."
"I don't think your journey is over yet." Taylor touched the blank pages of the book.
Nice try. How would he know? "When the path ends at a stone wall, the journey is over."
"I'm sorry. I know how much you wanted it to be real. And I believe there is a real book with pages we will open, full of words where everyone's story is written down and recorded by God's own hand for all of eternity, but it's not on this earth and it's not for the eyes of mortal man to see. Someday I believe I will see it, but not in this age, not in this life. And I believe your memories of Jessie and your dad are hidden and safe in that book."
Cameron glanced at Ann. "Let's get out of here."
He walked past Taylor without looking at him.
Cameron and Ann sat in his car, neither of them speaking. What was there to say? It was time to go back to Seattle, but he didn't want to. Go back to what? If his condition continued to worsen, he wouldn't have much of a mind to work with back home anyway. He wanted to stay in Three Peaks. But do what? Search out the Native American legend that would only lead him back to Taylor Stone's basement?
What should I do, Dad . . . Jessie? What should I do, God?
"I'm sorry." Ann touched his hand. "Truly sorry."
He rubbed his upper lip and stared at The Sail & Compass logo on the outside of the restaurant, at the needle on the compass pointing to the North Star. If only he could find a north star for his life.
Jessie would say the only North Star was Jesus. As would his dad. And Ann.
"What are you going to do now?" Cameron asked.
"I'll spend a few more days down here, then head back. I want to hang out with Tricia and Taylor for a bit. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that he's my uncle." Ann turned toward him in her seat. "And you?"
"I don't know. I should probably head back in the morning and try to get on with my life. Start working on that bid with Brandon."
"May I make a suggestion?"
"Sure."
"Tell Brandon everything that's happened. If he's any kind of friend, he'll understand why you need two more days. Then do something for yourself tomorrow. And keep your fly-fishing lesson with Taylor the day after tomorrow. You're blind if you can't see he cares about you."
Cameron fired up his MINI Cooper and pulled into the street.
She was right. His life was ending anyway. It wouldn't end any faster or slower if he returned to Seattle two days from now.
A moment later he knew exactly what he needed to do the next day.
CHAPTER 39
Two Years, Two Weeks Earlier
Cameron made himself a raspberry-and-banana smoothie and plopped down in front of the television Sunday afternoon.
Jessie clumped down from upstairs. "I'm headed out to spend a little time in the sky, but I want to show you something first. Do you have a minute?"
"Sure, always," Cameron said, but kept watching General Maximus Decimus Meridius lead the Roman legion against the German barbarians. "We haven't watched Gladiator together in a long time."
"I'm not big on the violent parts."
"Neither am I, but it's such an epic flick."
"I need to show you this."
"Uh-huh."
"This is important, Cam-Ram."
He paused the DVD and turned toward her, the light from the big screen casting a warm glow on her face.
"Sorry."
"I need you to take a good look at this." She reached into her coat pocket and held out what looked like a highly polished stone about the size of a large grape. It was slightly oval and russet colored with a small hole bored through the top, a thin leather cord threaded through