03: River & Sky
River and Sky, her German shorthair, lead the family of four back out to the trailhead at the bottom of the Teton foothills. River stood 5'8" and her body was slim, muscular, and strong from the years of outdoor activity and adventure sporting. Her dark hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail; her soft blue eyes were filled with joy and satisfaction. River looked at the sisters Nora and Hannah, 10 and 8 who followed closely. "You girls did awesome!" They beamed with pride. "There aren't a lot of kids your age that can keep up with Sky."
The girls' parents Jason and Karen smiled gratefully at River. She had been so good with them over the last 4 days encouraging them to try new things; ultimately empowering them and pushing them within the natural context. The family hailed from New York, both parents found precious little time to immerse themselves in an activity with their daughters. Karen was particularly grateful. She was the COO of a financial firm in New York that specialized in real estate holdings. She knew the mindset young women would need to have a shot at success in the world of men. "River, " Karen grinned teasing her, "we are going to miss you! Are you sure you don't want to become our Au Pair? You can bring Sky!"
"Oh no!" River's eyes sparkled with devotion, "You couldn't drag me away from these night skies. And I'm not sure I'm cut out for the 'big city.'"
Nora giggled with delight, "You could live in my room River! Sky can sleep on my bed!"
"How about I take you to lunch and we'll talk about it after we're not all delirious from hunger?" River loaded up the Gilmour family into the van and they headed back toward town. "We'll stop off at Elk Run; then back to the Summit."
River spent her summers during college and the last 2 years full time, guiding and helping to run the family business. Late spring into the early summer months were always booked solid and this May was no different. Summit Excursions were covered up with various outings. Over the years Summit cultivated important relationships with local businesses sharing in the "wealth" of the tourist dollars. River settled into the driver's side and called Elk Run before pulling away, knowing that they could be busy. "Hi, Bea! It's River Foss, I've got the Gilmour family with me, and they just conquered the mountain so we're ready for cinnamon rolls as big as our heads and some strong coffee or cold milk."
Bea smiled into the phone. She could hear the girls squealing in the background. "You bet! We'll be ready for you."
Once River pulled in the lot she sent the Gilmour family in knowing Bea would get them seated while she let Sky out and took him over to drink from the pet-friendly watering station at the side of the building. Sky and River were nearly inseparable. The 3-year-old dog was a true constant in River's life; he enjoyed a charmed life as the official mascot of Summit Excursions. By the time River got Sky settled and back in the van the Gilmours had ordered drinks and were looking over menus at one end of a long table. River walked in and sat down with them.
"Okay girls order anything you want. The Summit and Elk Run have an agreement. Anyone who can tame the mountain gets to eat to their heart's content." River grinned at the family as they poured over the menu with intensity and excitement. She didn't need to look at a menu. She had brought clients by Elk Run on several occasions. There were a handful of good choices to eat locally, but this one was one of her favorites. She liked Ed and Bea very much and found that hearing about Andy and Alice from time to time was comforting.
River scanned the restaurant looking to find Bea or one of the handful of staff and get a cup of coffee. Elk Run was busy for lunch, it felt like fun and food coma all at once. River smiled softly as she took in the people in the space. When her eyes moved to the counter, River froze. She stopped breathing for just a second and her chest tightened. She blinked, uncertain, then her eyes widened with recognition; her throat closed with a distantly familiar discomfort as she continued to stare. Alice was almost the same as River had remembered. Her hair was longer. It still looked soft and was dappled with highlights. She was smiling at a customer as she refilled his coffee cup and River saw that her hazel eyes were still beautiful, filled with confidence, and her smile genuine. River felt like she was 16 again except she was looking at a woman now, not at a high school crush.
When Alice looked up and caught her in the stare River smiled but looked away quickly. She had an overwhelming sense of deja vu. River's mind flooded with memories and emotions from high school; she sat staring off into space barely listening as the Gilmours finalized their lunch decisions.
"What are you having?" Hannah drew her back into the moment.
River turned to the girls and smiled from ear to ear. "Hannah I'm having a cinnamon roll. It's huge and warm and comes dripping with icing. Eggs. Pancakes. I'll get some bacon too." She winked at the girls, "But, I'm going to take the bacon to Sky. I'll let you give it to him, he loves you so much already!"
"Would you like coffee with that too?" Alice grinned at the group, enjoying watching River interact with the young girls.
River looked over her shoulder startled by the voice. She saw Alice standing with a carafe, waiting expectantly. River's mind tumbled; she barely got out a response. "Alice ... wow ... um. Hello, stranger. You look great. Coffee ... yes ... please."
Alice chuckled and set down a mug for River and topped off the other two mugs at the table. She noticed the eyes of the family moving between River and herself. "River and I went to high school together, "she explained. She turned and smiled at River, "She taught me all about the stars." River's eyes widened at the memory and the sight and sound of an older, beautiful Alice Watson.
"Oh! Us too!" Nora exclaimed a summation spilling out of her mouth, "She took us camping, and we had s'mores, and we slept in a tent, " she then crinkled her nose, "and we ate a fish for breakfast. Yuck." The table laughed at the jovial tirade.
"Well, enjoy your meal. We, unfortunately, don't have trout on the menu today." Alice glanced over at River, her mouth curling in half a smile and half a smirk, "Maybe River will take me camping one day too." Alice stepped away leaving River to watch her move away. Her mouth open slightly. She was in awe at the exchange.
Karen looked at River and smiled into her coffee cup, "It seems like you have another outing to schedule River."
River turned slowly back to the table, slightly flushed and with surprise still lingering on her face, "So it would seem."
Alice continued to work from the counter every once in a while glancing up to check on River's table. She saw the same young girl that she sat by a fire with all those years ago in the face of the woman. She couldn't help but notice that she had matured exceptionally well. She looked lean and strong, she had the legs and arms of a climber. Her skin had great color, kissed by the hours of sunlight. But it was her hair and eyes that reminded Alice of the high school girl that once had a crush on her. Bea turned the corner and saw Alice looking over at River. She paused for a moment surprised by the look on her daughter's face. "You remember River Foss, right Al?"
Alice was surprised by the sound of her mother's voice, "Oh, hi Mom. Yes. I remember her." Alice looked back, "I can't believe how much she's changed and stayed the same."
"Yes, she is quite the young lady now. Her parent's business has really taken off. She's been bringing clients here now and then for a few years now." Bea looked again at Alice and tilted her head in contemplation, "She asks about you and Andy every once in a while."
"Really? Hmmmm. That's surprising. She was a couple of years behind me in school. We didn't know each other very well."
"Well, she's a lovely person." Bea reflected lightly, "Maybe I'll ask her to take Andy out on a hike."
Alice was moderately surprised by the shot of jealousy that coursed through her body. She raised her eyebrow and smirked at her mom, "Mom, are you matchmaking?"
"No!" Bea was a little too defensive, "No, it's just that it would be good for Andy to get out of the house and the restaurant." Bea hesitated, "but she's very busy and a sought-after guide in this area. So, I'm not sure she'll have the time."
"Okay Mom, just asking. You're right, Andy is the priority right now. I bet River would be happy to help out. Maybe we can work out a trade."
"What do you mean?" Bea's voice raised in interest.
"Well, her time is really valuable right now, but the girl's gotta eat right? More importantly, her clients gotta eat." Bea nodded. "So when you ask her, offer meals in trade. They could bring clients here on us or we could deliver breakfast fare out to the Summit." Alice smiled to herself. "I'll help out with that."
"Oh! Good idea Al! I knew having you home again would be a wonderful thing!"
As Bea stepped away Alice looked back across the dining area. River was looking her way again. This time she smiled and did not immediately turn away. Alice grinned and let herself take in River's eyes for a moment before she moved to fill coffee cups.