“Nor I,” she told him.
That night Randa slept peacefully, but John tossed and turned. His mind kept replaying the moments repeatedly of when he was washing Randa’s hair, but each time before it would begin, a picture of him as a little boy together with a little girl would flash through his mind. It seemed so real, but he couldn’t connect the two events. When John finally woke up the next morning, he felt very groggy. He couldn’t remember what he had been dreaming about, but he knew that it was something important. He racked his brain to no avail.
During breakfast, John told Randa, “I thought that I would take you to the Portage Glacier, since it’s the number one visitor attraction here in Alaska. It’s in the Chugach National Forest which is about 50 miles south of Anchorage.”
“That sounds great! Have you ever been there?” she asked him.
“Yes, but it’s been about twenty years ago.”
Along the drive, John shared with her that Chugach State Park is actually the third largest state park in the nation with nearly one half-million acres. Randa was impressed. Their first stop was at the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. Inside, there were fascinating exhibits and an educational film about glaciers. John and Randa then walked along the shoreline of the lake. It had been explained to them in the film that Portage Lake was naturally created behind the Portage Glacier as it began receding. They were able to view the hanging glacier, Burns Glacier, in the distance. Portage Glacier was hidden behind it, so to see it up-close, they had to drive further along the lake. When they reached the sightseeing boat dock, they bought tickets for the cruise that would take them through the lake and closer to the glacier face. Once there, John and Randa marveled at the magnificent glacier with its peaceful ambience.
“I wish there was some way that we could capture this serenity that is dangling before our eyes.”
“I do too.”
The boat bumped along through patches of icebergs, but it made it back to the dock unharmed. Driving along the road that bordered the lake, John and Randa stopped at a trailhead that would lead them to another glacier, Byron Glacier. It was quite a challenging hike, but once they reached the end, they saw that the effort that they had exerted was definitely worth the views of the breathtaking and spellbinding glaciers.
The next day they planned to camp in the Chugach National Forest. They rented snowmobiles and set off for their pre-determined campground. Randa was dressed in pink from head to toe in her new snowsuit and boots. John thought that she looked as sweet as she actually was. She had not been sure about camping outside in the cold, but John assured her that he had all of the appropriate equipment that they would need and since they weren’t hiking into the campsite, it would be much less strenuous and not as cold. On the ride in, they got to see some moose and lynx. Randa was thrilled to see any type of wildlife. They stopped at some sparkling streams and spectacular waterfalls to enjoy the tranquil sounds of the running water. After getting everything set up, they went and explored. Randa was completely in awe of Alaska’s natural beauty. John built a campfire for them after sundown and they huddled close to it, soaking up its warmth and the magic that it seemed to bring. Just remembering something that he had forgotten about, John grabbed Randa’s hand and when she arose, he took off running. She followed, trying to keep up. He slowed to a fast walk and she stepped up beside him.
“John, what is going on?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. We’ve been so busy with everything this week that I’ve forgotten to show you the Northern Lights.”
“Ahhh, okay!” Randa exclaimed.
They reached the hilltop and turned to the North. There before their eyes, the sky was being painted with the dancing red lights of the Aurora Borealis.
“Wow, red lights are very rare. I usually only see blue and green,” John told her.
Randa is very fascinated by the lights. “This is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.”
“Yes, they are,” John agreed.
The couple basked in the beauty of the night.
Finally John spoke, “Randa, I just want you to know that since that wonderful day we met, you never leave my thoughts. My love for you grows each day and I am in awe of what an incredible lady you are. You have stepped into my life and brought something that I wasn’t even aware was missing. Now I can’t say exactly what that something is. Maybe a completeness. I don’t know. But I do know that I have truly enjoyed the time that we have spent together. You make a tremendous difference in my life and I thank God for your very existence.”
John reached over to hug Randa. Her eyes were wet with tears and he understood why. He knew how special and rare their love is.
“Your love and your words mean everything to me John. Thank you for sharing both with me. I love you so much,” Randa told him.
“I love you very much,” John said as he rose to his feet and helped her up.
The couple then returned to their camp to get a good night’s sleep.
Returning to Anchorage the next afternoon, they unpacked and spent the evening relaxing. Randa had been such a good sport about camping in the forest that for the last two nights of her visit, John had reserved the Penthouse Suite of the most prestigious hotel in Anchorage for them. Even though she had experienced luxury before, he wanted his lady to be pampered. They dined in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, they went into the bar and ordered drinks.
“It has been such an amazing week John. This has been the best five days of my life. We’ve had so many wonderful moments and we’ve created so many heartwarming memories.”
“We have, haven’t we?” John asked in agreement.
Randa smiled, “You know I used to wonder, ‘Are the moments just that? Moments?’ Single events or happenings which take place at various times strung throughout a person’s life.” She continued, “I have had lots of great moments throughout my life and I used to think that at the end of my life, that’s what I would have. Then you and I met and we fell in love. Now I realize that there is something that ties all of those moments together and creates a happy and fulfilled life. It’s a deep, long-lasting love that connects them into a story, weaving them into true love.”
“That is true Baby Doll and your love is priceless to me. There is no amount of money that I would take for it and the time that we have spent together. “
“You are my one true love John Williams,” Randa said joyously.
“And you are my one true love Randa Renee Dean.”
Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable” began playing. Instinctively, John and Randa both rose and made their way to the small, intimate dance floor. Randa put her arms around John’s neck and laid her head on his chest. John kissed his ‘everything’ and they began to dance slowly to the music.
“You’ve changed my life John. You are the man that I always knew deep down in my heart that would come and sweep me off my feet. Do you know how many songs I wrote thinking of you?” she asked laughing all the while.
“Well now, you will have to write some new songs, won’t you? Love songs!”
“I actually started working on a couple last week, but they aren’t finished yet. I didn’t have much solitude and I’ve got to have that when I write.”
“I can be patient and wait as long as needed,” John told her as the couple returned to their room.
John’s phone rang and he looked at the screen and showed it to Randa. Randa nodded at him to go ahead and take the call. “Hello Dad” was John’s response after he pushed the ‘answer’ button. After a long pause he continued, “Okay. I have company. Randa is visiting me.” John said as another moment passed. “We’ll see you then,” John said and he ended the call.
“I usually have dinner with my Dad when I am in town. If it is okay with you, we are supposed to meet him tomorrow night at the Marx Bros. Café at 7:00.”
“Of course! I would love to meet your Dad!” Randa told him. John had met Randa’s parents, but she had not met his yet.
Rand
a and John spent the next morning together staying indoors and snuggling in bed. The day flew by and as evening approached, Randa admitted that she was a bit nervous about meeting Buck. “There’s nothing at all to be nervous about. He’s a down-to-earth Okie just like me,” John told her.
Buck held his hand out to her when John introduced him to Randa. She shook his hand. “It’s an honor to meet you,” she said before she leaned in and gave Buck a quick hug.
They were seated. Randa got on quite well with Buck throughout the evening. There was something about her that Buck really liked. She seemed to be ‘set-apart’ from most of the other young females that he knew, but of course, Randa knew how to bring out the best in people and make them feel good about themselves. The men talked business for a while and Randa excused herself to the ladies room.
“John, she is quite the lovely girl. I am very impressed, she’s definitely not your average or typical…..anything.”
John was taken aback by his dad’s demeanor. He wasn’t usually so warm to others, especially women. “Thanks Dad. She is very special.”
“She actually reminds me of your mother a little bit when she was that age. They both have that same innocence.”
Uh-oh John thought to himself. I do not want this conversation to start focusing on Mom and the divorce.
“It’s nothing serious Dad. We just happened to meet at Noel and Wade Anderson’s party. She is the best friend of Fox’s goddaughter, Taylor.”
“Ah yes, Taylor. I remember meeting her when she was a little girl,” Buck replied and looked at John with a puzzled expression, but he didn’t question why it was nothing serious when Randa was spending a week with him in Anchorage when no other female had before or even on the ranch for that matter. Randa returned to the table and she and Buck fell into conversation about the songwriting business. John quietly observed while in his mind, he was chastising himself for saying that his relationship with Randa wasn’t serious when it obviously was. His father continuously warned him over the years not to fall in love or he too would likely get hurt. John wasn’t able to go against his father’s advice and stand up to his fear of failing at love. He would worry about what he must do when he had no other choice. For now, he wanted to enjoy every single second of his time with Randa to the utmost extent that he could.
Chapter Sixteen
The next month John flew to Nashville to surprise Randa. They shared a delightful dinner. Once back at her apartment, he took her coat and then he took off his own as well.
John asked Randa to sit on the sofa and close her eyes, so she did. Placing something cool in her hand, he added, “You can open your eyes now.”
Randa looked down and she saw an exquisite pink charm bracelet. “Oh John!” she whispered. Looking closer, she saw that the bracelet was made up of pink diamonds cut into the shapes of hearts. “I can’t believe this. It is so beautiful. Thank you so much my love.”
“You are very welcome Randa. It is not nearly as beautiful as you are, but I wanted to give you a gift and I know how you feel about the color pink.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Randa remarked.
“I had it custom made for you. The diamonds are graded a 1P.”
Randa fell silent, knowing that diamonds graded a 1P were the most intense pink diamonds. She hugged and kissed John. He reached into the jeweler’s bag and pulled out seventeen small boxes wrapped in pink with white ribbons around them.
“What in the world?” Randa asked.
“It’s the charms,” John told her. “Even though your bracelet has diamonds, charms are between each diamond.” He explained the meaning behind each charm that he was giving to her as she opened each wrapped box. “The golden key is because our love is pure and golden. The song note is because you write songs. The OU charm since Oklahoma is your alma mater. The snowflake signifies our week together here in Alaska. The ruby red heart represents my heart, which you have. The world globe because you are the most beautiful woman in the world. The full moon charm because you always wish upon them. The horse charm signifies our love of riding horses. The Letter R since it’s the first letter of your name. The shooting star is self-explanatory, because you are one. You know what the baby calf represents.”
Randa nodded.
“The butterfly symbolizes beginning a new life which we both seemed to have received when we met. The pink and silver purse because it’s hip. The cowboy boot because it is a nice contrast to the pink high-heeled shoe! The locket charm for you to put a tiny picture in some day. And last of all, the dove stands for peace, since inner peace is so important to you.”
“John, how did you ever find some of these? I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“When I started looking for the bracelet, I wasn’t finding one that I liked. I wanted it to be pink for you. So, I found a jeweler to custom make it for me and each of the charms was made by him. I know there are quite a few charms. Once I started thinking of charm ideas for you, I just couldn’t stop. So, feel free to choose your favorite pieces and wear those.” Randa shook her head in awe at John’s generosity and the amount of thought and effort that he put into the gift. “Oh, I love them all. Thank you! I love you so much!” Randa exclaimed as she hugged him.
“You are very welcome.”
Chapter Seventeen
For John’s next visit, he made reservations at a hotel and he took Randa there. After getting settled in, the couple relaxed.
“Would you like something?” John asked as he got himself a bottle of beer.
“No thank you. I’m giddy enough without any alcohol,” Randa giggled.
John laughed. Walking out onto the balcony, John gazed in every direction. Looking out over the Nashville skyline along the banks of the Cumberland River, he was hypnotized by the golden lights and dark blue water. Randa stepped beside him and they both merely took in every bit of the gorgeousness of the night.
Finally, Randa broke the silence, “What are you thinking about?”
“Let me first say that being with you and loved by you has been one of the very best things that I have been blessed with.”
“I feel the very same about you John.”
Our relationship allows me to elevate my performance at work or as I like to say, ‘shattering the ice.’”
“That’s what happy, healthy relationships should do!” Randa replied.
“Mission accomplished then!”
“So what else are you thinking about?
John, unsure about this conversation, but feeling that it was a necessity, began. “My dad has been grooming me to take over the company almost since I was born. I didn’t make my first trip to Prudhoe Bay until I was thirteen years old. My mom thought that I might be too young even then, but Dad and Foxy taught me to be quite an outdoorsman by then and of course I have a natural affinity for it. Dad never missed coming home to Oklahoma every deer season and he and Foxy started taking me to deer camp with them from the time I was eight years old.”
“So, Dad assured Mom that nothing would happen to me while I was on the slope and that I wouldn’t be put in harm’s way. I was so excited at the possibility of going to see my dad’s company and all of the important things that they did.”
Randa smiled on the inside as he continued, because she could just sense the mighty respect that John felt for his father.
“The next summer I boarded a plane and met Dad in Anchorage for the last leg of my trip to the North Slope. We stayed in the town of Deadhorse, Alaska in one of the man camps.”
Randa raised an eyebrow in wondering what a man camp was.
“Deadhorse only has an actual population of about 25 permanent residents, so these camps were especially built to house people working on the slope which can number in the thousands.”
“At first the cold and just the way of life was a bit of a challenge for me, but Dad fully outfitted me from head to toe in the finest workwear suited for the region.”
“I was wondering how you fir
st endured the cold,” Randa stated.
“I did experience some raw conditions outside in the wild for long periods of time when I went Elk hunting with Dad and Foxy in Colorado, so I was not too terribly taken aback by the conditions.”
Randa nodded.
“The average temperature during my time there then was 40 degrees. I was tracking it each day. I was very fascinated with everything. I thought that it was so cool because I was there during the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun,’ you know, the natural phenomenon, which occurs in summer months, because the sun remains visible at the local midnight. On the North Slope, it is continually daylight for up to 63 days each summer. During winter months, generally from November thru January, the opposite occurs which is known as ‘polar night.’ It is constant darkness 24 hours a day also, up to a maximum of 63 straight days.”
“I absolutely loved the splendor of the white snow which I saw plenty of it, especially since we don’t get that much in Oklahoma. However, there was just something so surreal about being above the Arctic Circle. The luminous white landscape seemed to leap up toward the dazzling blue sky, which cascaded downward. Layered in between them, the glowing glint of the sun provided a spectacular visual delight to my eyes and it truly left me in awe.”
“Your description makes it sound so beautiful.”
“Randa it is. That’s all I can say about it. Pictures don’t do it justice. Even with the noisy machines running, there is a peacefulness there that pervades my senses every day I am there.”
“Then during the summer thaw, Dad took me to the Arctic Ocean during its summer thaw. I got to see large herds of caribou and many different kinds of birds and other indigenous wildlife including arctic foxes, polar bears, musk oxen, and arctic hares during my stay. When it was time to return to Oklahoma, I didn’t want to leave, but it gave me an understanding of why Dad loved it there so much and I needed to know that at that age. I needed to know why he spent more time there than in Oklahoma with his family. I could finally understand what his company was all about and why it was so important to him. Anyway, the men who worked for my Dad gave me a ‘going home’ party. It made a great impression on me. Over half of those men are still employed with the company. My Dad believes in hard work from his employees and he pushes his people, but he always treats them with respect and he makes each one of them feel important no matter their position.”
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