Rescue Me Page 9

  “I think my daddy would have chewed on me for such a dumb idea.”

  “Ha. I bet Frank would have done the same thing. Knowing your dad, he probably would have tried to push up the front bumper all Superman style and put it back on the road.”

  Ronnie chuckled at the picture of that in her mind. Red cape and all. The blue tights…not so much. “You might be right about that. Dad was a fixer.”

  Mrs. McNeal reached out and took Ronnie’s hand. “Seriously now, honey. I don’t want you worrying about this. My leg is healing fine, a car can be replaced, and I still love you as much as always.”

  Ronnie sniffed. She admired this woman so much. “You know how much I love you, as well.”

  “I do. Thank you for being there. I mean that. It really did help to see your face that day.”

  “Is there anything I can do for you? Can I help you to the car?”

  “Sure. Maybe you could return their handy-dandy cart thing for me.”

  “You bet.” Ronnie walked alongside her and gave her a hand getting in the car. She loaded her bag into the back seat.

  When the rental car started, Debra opened the window. “Thanks for your help. Why don’t you stop by some time so we can visit like old times?”

  “I’ll do that. Take care now. Oh, and…drive safe!” Ronnie actually chuckled.

  Debra threw her head back and laughed. “I think I will. See you soon, Ronnie.”

  16

  Ronnie was practically skipping as she got ready for the day. She hadn’t been this light-hearted in a long time and it felt good.

  Steve would pick her up in half an hour to spend the day in the mountains.

  When she accepted his invitation, she didn’t know who was more surprised. She chuckled again remembering the shocked expression on Steve’s face.

  He had stammered his response; he was so startled. It was good to keep him on his toes.

  Skates. Where did she put her skates? She didn’t remember the last time she’d gone ice skating. Determination filled her steps, but most important, the pain seemed less in her heart.

  Kelly’s words rang through her mind as she searched the bottom of her closet. Her fears of loss, her insecurities, her lack of trust in God. It was time to change. Finally speaking to Debra healed so much of her pain. She never should have waited so long. “There they are!” She pulled the laces and the skates rose through the pile of shoes. Setting them by the door, she did a last minute check for the things she’d need for the day.

  A knock sounded.

  She jumped to the door. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself.” Steve’s smile lit his whole face.

  “Come on in. Just getting my gloves.”

  “Hope you’re ready for an adventure in the mountains today.”

  “I am. This was a great idea. I need a mountain fix.”

  “I have the whole day planned. Thought you might like to do some shopping in Breckenridge.”

  She stopped abruptly. “Wait. A guy willing to go shopping?” She had to tease.

  “If you’d rather not…” Steve’s eyebrows raised.

  “No, no…I’m good with that.”

  They both laughed and headed out the door.

  The sky was beautifully clear, perfect for heading up to the high country. A blue sky in Colorado seemed bluer than in most other places.

  After she buckled up, she reached down for her camera. “In case there’s wildlife near the road. I want pictures.”

  “Odds are good going past Georgetown. The rams are usually around.” Steve turned the vehicle to head for I-70. “Mom said she saw you at the store.”

  “Yeah, we crossed paths in the parking lot. It was good to see her. Your mother is the most gracious woman.”

  “I told you she wasn’t mad at you.”

  “I know. I should have remembered how kind she is. It helped so much to talk to her about the accident.”

  They sped by the landscape.

  This was what she needed. Peace crept through her being. The mountains always did that for her. She thought back to her time with Steve before her dad died. They were good together. They’d always had fun. He was such a good friend. Maybe it was time to get that back.

  She looked over at him.

  He smiled at her.

  Man, she loved that smile. He could melt the snow off the mountain.

  Arriving in Breckenridge, he managed to find an open parking spot along the main street. The shops were festively decorated along with the lamp posts lining the road. A German shepherd with reindeer antlers on its head walked ahead of its owner. There were a lot of shoppers and skiers walking around. Winter tourism was in full swing.

  “Oh, I have to go into that shop.” She pointed to the gift shop sporting the carved moose on the sidewalk.

  A couple hours passed and after several purchases, they loaded the bags into the back of Steve’s car.

  “Let’s go grab some lunch. There’s a great café around the corner.”

  “Good idea. I’m starved. Shopping makes me hungry.”

  ~*~

  Steve sipped his coffee, staring across the table at her. Something is different. And he liked it. The fun had returned. Thank you, God, thank you, God.

  “So what’s next on the agenda?” Her smile lit up her face.

  “Let’s walk around back and see how the ice castles are forming.”

  “I heard about those. Who would have thought about putting out sprinklers in the winter? I saw a story on the news about them. They’re really cool. Well…no pun intended. Not really anyway.”

  “Well, come on. Let’s go.” Steve handed his credit card to the server. Once he signed the receipt, they headed around the corner to the River Walk Park. The sun warmed them nicely despite them being surrounded by snow. At the entrance to the ice castle exhibit, he paid the fee.

  “Oh, my goodness…” Ronnie loved looking at all the formations the sprays of water had formed. The blue sheen of the frozen water glowed from within the formations in the sunlight. It truly was a remarkable sight. Steve chanced taking her hand.

  They walked together enjoying the view and the day.

  “This is just beautiful.”

  Steve loved the look of awe on her face. She had no idea how beautiful she was. He enjoyed the frozen creations, too, but seeing the joy on her face far surpassed what the ice had done.

  “Oh, Steve, I’m so glad you brought me here. I love this!”

  “Go stand over there and I’ll get your picture.”

  Ronnie rushed over to a closet size area within the walls of ice and posed.

  Steve kept shooting pictures.

  A woman came up next to Steve. “I could take a picture of you both if you’d like.”

  “Oh, thanks. That’d be great.” Steve passed the camera over to her and showed her how to use it.

  They had to get very close in the cold, cramped area. The warmth of happiness could have melted the ice. He put his arm around her and she leaned in against him for the picture.

  “There you go. Come and check it and make sure you like it.”

  Steve didn’t really want to leave the space he shared with Ronnie. He loved being able to hug her again. He checked the photo and knew he would forever treasure that one. “Thank you so much for taking that.”

  “No problem. Have fun.”

  “Let me see.” Ronnie peered at the photo. “Oh, fun. I love that.”

  “Come on. Let’s keep going and check this place out some more.”

  They walked hand-in-hand on the pathways that wound through the display, mesmerized by the different aspects of the frozen sculptures. They were nearing the end.

  “Oh, too bad. That is so fun. I’d love to see this at night with the lights sometime. We’ll have to come back.”

  Ronnie smiled at him and fireworks went off in his heart. “Yeah, we should.” It was all Steve could do to hold back his excitement of a day spent with her.

  They headed back for the car on
Main Street.

  “So now we have choices. Tubing or sightseeing. Your choice.”

  “Hmmmm….are you talking the adventure park back in Frisco?”

  “Yep.”

  “Oh, my. Tubing? I haven’t done that in years. I guess we could try. I haven’t been to the park yet. It looks fun. It wasn’t very crowded when we drove by this morning.”

  “It might be now that the afternoon temps have gone up.”

  Driving back north on Highway 9, they saw up ahead the parking lot for the park. It was packed. The line of people for the tubing run was visible from the road.

  “Look at the line!” Ronnie groaned. “I’m rethinking this idea.”

  Steve laughed. “Wow. I think every teenager from Denver is up here today. That place is busy.”

  “So can I change my mind to that sightseeing idea?”

  “You bet. Let’s turn around.” Steve went back a couple of miles to the stop light at the south end of Dillion Reservoir. He turned off to the left to head up the steep hill on Swan Mountain Road. He loved the overlook at Sapphire Point and thought that would give them a chance to talk.

  “I know where you’re going. I love that spot. I’m so glad we’re doing this today. And it’s so beautiful out.” She leaned forward in her seat, observing the landscape and the mountains in the distance.

  He pulled into the lot.

  Only one other car was parked there, and a couple came up the path toward the lot.

  He was glad they would be alone.

  Ronnie put her hat on and pulled gloves out of a pocket.

  He rushed around the car to open her door.

  The sky held no clouds and the blue was so striking that it held his gaze for a moment while he waited for her to pull those gloves on.

  She grinned at him, hair wisping around her hat. She was beautiful and a much better view.

  The path headed alongside a triangle fence of lodge pole pines. The hillsides held the remains of cut down trees.

  “What happened? This used to be all forest along the path.”

  “Beetle kill got over on this side; they lost every lodge pole pine. Sure opened up the view to the lake. I have friends who own a guest ranch south of here called High Country Safaris. They’re starting to see the effects of the beetles, too. My buddy, Jon, worries about fires moving through. Those bugs killed so many trees.”

  “Wow. It’s devastated.” Looking around at the remains of the woods, she tripped on a root raised up from so many footsteps wearing away the trail.

  Steve caught her, steadied her, and then took her hand in his. Even through the gloves, he felt the electricity he had missed these last three years.

  They walked along the quarter mile trail, holding hands, to the overlook surrounded by a stone wall about knee height.

  He was glad she hadn’t let go.

  “Oh, look! How funny. A couch made out of rock.” Ronnie rushed over to the large rock about the size of a loveseat that had been carved out enough for three thin people to sit on. She brushed some remaining snow off the seat area and plopped down.

  Steve pulled out his camera and took a picture of her with the few remaining ponderosa pines as a back drop. He chuckled at her exaggerated smile, walked over, and then sat next to her.

  “It’s so beautiful here,” Ronnie whispered.

  “It sure is.” Steve could only stare at her.

  Her gaze locked on his own.

  After that moment of time thawed away, he said, “I’m glad you came.”

  “Me, too.”

  He chanced putting his arm around her, gently resting his hand on her opposite shoulder.

  They stared out at the mountains to the west. The snow-covered lake sparkled like diamonds in the sunshine four hundred feet below.

  When she leaned closer to him, his heart skipped a beat.

  A chubby chipmunk hopped up on the rock wall near them, chirping for food.

  “Look at that guy.” She pointed and chuckled.

  “I had a feeling…” Steve removed his arm and reached in his pocket. When he handed her a few peanuts, her eyebrow raised.

  “Do you always carry peanuts with you?”

  “Only for special occasions. Unsalted, of course. I hoped we could stop here today.”

  She snapped the shell, releasing the nuts, and leaned forward, holding one out.

  The chipmunk sat up on its hind legs fidgeting with indecision. It dashed over, hesitantly took the offered nut between its teeth, and darted away. Stopping at a safe distance, it sat on its haunches again and used paws to turn the nut around and around, chewing on the edges until shoving it into his expandable cheek.

  A loud squawk caught their attention. A Stellar Jay spread its long blue wings and landed on the wall. Its black head with a crest of feathers tipped from side to side looking for a treat.

  “They always know when food comes around.” Steve tossed a whole peanut over near the bird, which rapidly hopped over to snatch it away. It flew off to the top of a dead tree and pounded it open to eat the contents.

  “I really love it up here.” Ronnie sighed and leaned back into Steve again.

  “I haven’t seen you this relaxed in a long time.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt relaxed. Kelly’s been helping me a lot.”

  “Want to tell me about it?”

  Ronnie looked off into the distance and sighed heavily.

  Steve felt as if he’d intruded. “You don’t have to. I’m sorry.”

  “No, no. It’s OK. I do want to talk to you about it, but I don’t know where to start.”

  “Start where you’re at right now.”

  She breathed in deeply. “I’ve been really mad at God these last few years.”

  Steve nodded his head and looked down at his shoes.

  “Kelly’s helping me get beyond that. Showing me that it isn’t God’s fault that Dad died in that fire.” Her gaze drifted off toward the mountains again. “Or yours, for that matter. I guess I’m trying really hard to see the truth in it all.”

  “It can’t be easy.”

  “No, it’s definitely not. It really shook me up when Mom told me she’d been mad at Dad. I couldn’t understand it. I just couldn’t bring myself to the point of seeing he was responsible for his actions and decisions that day. That God didn’t do it to him.” She paused and hung her head. “I’ve got a long way to go yet, though.”

  Steve pulled her closer. “I’ll help you in any way I can. You know that, right?”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “I know. I appreciate it. I’m sorry for pushing you away all this time. I was scared. Still am a bit. But I’m working on it.”

  “It’s OK.”

  They snuggled in again and admired God’s creation laid out before them. The snow-covered mountains, the hillsides leading up to them, the chattering critters…but nothing as beautiful as the woman leaning her head against his shoulder. Finally, once again, back where he wanted her to be.

  17

  Ronnie started to get fidgety. “I think my rear is frozen. I hate to kill a moment, but this rock is cold.”

  “Yeah, I guess we should move on.” Steve hopped up and took her hand. “Off to Keystone!”

  “Keystone?”

  “Yep. You did bring skates…”

  “Oh, yeah. You do realize it’s been a while since I’ve done that, too.”

  “You haven’t done much lately, have you?”

  “Just working and studying.”

  He pulled her up off their rock loveseat which had a completely new meaning to her now.

  Hand-in-hand, they headed back on the snow covered trail to the car.

  She loved ice skating, but really hoped she didn’t fall flat on her face and make a fool of herself.

  Taking a left, Steve drove down the other side of Swan Mountain Road until it caught up to Highway 6.

  The afternoon sun began its descent behind the mountains to the west. They still had daylight, but it wa
sn’t direct sunshine any more.

  She was kind of disappointed, knowing it would start getting colder. But Steve had done a good job of warming her heart today, so she hung onto those thoughts. Why had she turned her back on him for so long?

  Keystone was decorated for the holiday in a big way. Garland, lights, and festive décor lined the streets and storefronts. They made their way to the five-acre lake.

  “Wouldn’t it be fun to own one of those condos?” She pointed to the buildings lining one side of the lake. “Come out and skate every day.”

  “I know. It’d be great. Did you know this is the largest outdoor ice rink that’s maintained by a Zamboni in all of North America?”

  She laughed. “No kidding? That’s a crack up.”

  “No pun intended?”

  Her hand covered her mouth as she laughed harder. “This ice best not be cracking up when I get out there.”

  They sat on the bench on the edge of the lake and put on their skates. “I think it’s cold enough that it won’t be an issue. Unless you fall too hard.” Steve took off fast on his skates with a grin spread wide on his face.

  She tried to slap his shoulder, but slapped air. “Funny guy.”

  “Come on. It’s like riding a bike. It’ll come back to you.” The show-off skated backwards, taunting her onto the rink. He zoomed away,

  She stood, keeping one hand on the bench until she was scooped into his arms from behind. She wobbled but his grip never wavered. Shifting her, his hands steadied her at the waist. Her arms went straight out to the sides for balance. Her confidence strengthened, and she slid a foot forward, then the other.

  Steve let go. He skated in front of her, turning to face her and took her hands.

  Together they floated around the lake, the multi-colored lights of the Christmas tree in the center of the lake brightening as the sun went down further. The distant mountains faded from view in the twilight.

  Although not alone on the rink, she imagined them to be.

  Words weren’t even needed. They swooshed across the ice developing a rhythm. A rhythm she could get used to. It felt right again.

  Steve held her right arm out, his other arm wrapped snuggly at her waist, matching legs taking the same glide each time, they were dancing together as one. It was like riding a bike. He turned her in a circle and she never wavered. Smoothly, they spun circles as the music played over the loud speakers.