Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [72]
When they arrived, Cameron parked the car in front of a sign that pointed them toward the route they'd decided to climb. Within five minutes she had her pack and gear slung over her shoulder ready to rock 'n' roll.
The narrow trail would take them to the base of a climb rated 5.9, which was perfect. Challenging enough to be fun but with little chance of trouble since there were two of them and they'd be double belayed.
She watched Cameron's black hair silhouetted against the seven o'clock sun that streaked into her eyes. She half jogged a few steps to put the shadow of his head between her and the rays and pulled in a lungful of the thick air full of morning and pine.
What was she doing here with him?
Yes, she'd resolved the matter of their relationship. She wouldn't get involved, but why tempt her feelings by being around him when she didn't have to?
On the other hand, what was wrong with enjoying herself for the moment?
She loved him, yes, but so what? It didn't mean she had to act on it. She wouldn't act on it. Ever.
Even if he did start following God, what about Jessie? Would he ever be able to push past that? How could she know how long it took to get over the death of a spouse?
Ann turned her focus to the wild white orchids lining the trail. A meadowlark flew overhead and she tried to send her thoughts of a future with Cameron away with the bird. Stay in the moment.
"There's our spot." Cameron pointed to a sheer rock face looming in front of them.
Gray nimbus clouds moved in as they took out their climbing gear and carried it the final hundred yards to the base of the climb.
"Ready?"
"More than." She smiled. "Let's have some fun."
Their first move was twenty feet up to a wide ledge, which they did without ropes. Their guide book said the first step was moderate. It turned out to be simple and Ann raised her eyebrows when they'd both caught their breath. "Pretty easy so far."
"It was practically stairs. But it's time to get on rope."
"I would agree."
"Do you want to take the lead?"
For the next fifty feet Ann didn't speak except to communicate her holds and check to make sure Cameron was ready before moving higher. They moved into a smooth rhythm.
"How are you doing, Cam? Can you talk and climb?"
"Yes, but don't try to throw me a piece of gum."
Ann smiled. "Do you have any updates on the book we should talk about?"
"I'm headed to Arnold Peasley's tomorrow to see if he has any newspapers from the early sixties."
"Who is Arnold Peasley?"
"Didn't I tell you about him?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Ann looked down in time to catch a pained look pass over Cameron's face. "Are you okay?"
"It's the memory thing." Cameron shook his head, as if shaking water out of his hair. "I met him when I first got to town. He considers himself Three Peak's unofficial historian. And his home is stacked beyond the rafters with old newspapers. I bet they go back to the early sixties."
"He'd have to have been collecting them since he was a kid."
"Let's hope he did the paperboy thing." Cameron wiped his forehead with his forearm. "It's worth a shot. I was going to save it as a surprise, but I couldn't wait."
"Can I come?"
"No, Arnold is a little quirky. Plus if there's nothing there, you won't have searched for hours only to be disappointed."
Ann grabbed a pencil-thin ridge with the tips of her fingers, and hoisted herself up another three feet. "Careful, we've got a crimper here; I hope the tips of your fingers are in good shape."
"Got it." He grunted as he closed the gap between them.
"What about Taylor?"
"Stone knows volumes more than he's saying. I almost got him to talk, but Jason showed up and destroyed the moment."
"Mr. Creepfest himself, huh?"
"In all his glory."
"You're not going to back down from this quest, are you?"
"I don't have a choice."
"Not to be cold, but aren't you wasting your time?"