What If
Page 13
Chapter 13
California Coast
As usual, Duncan met Heather in the cozy lobby of her hotel. She wondered what time he had arrived. Somehow, he was always there ahead of her. And she was ten minutes early. She had already checked out of the hotel the previous evening and left her other suitcase at Linda Sue’s guest room. By the time she was to return in a few days, the room was expected to be complete. Heather would certainly miss this wonderful hotel. It had become like a luxurious home for her. She had come to know most of the staff as friends. She shed a little tear as she thought of not seeing any of them again. But Linda Sue had told her that they would come to the restaurant often. Heather might even come here when she just wanted a place in which to luxuriate. Or if Linda Sue needed some privacy.
But today was for Duncan. In the past few weeks, she had almost forgotten he was really her Ian. This man was so different from the man she had intended to marry. He was kinder, more thoughtful, more fun and much more caring. She thought of what she might do if he did get his memory back along with his old ways. Suppose he never recovered. Would he want her? Would she want him? Could they have any kind of a life when she knew what he had been? What if he regained his memory long after, when or if they did?
Heather descended down the grand staircase that led from the hall in front of her room to the lobby. As usual, there was a vase of fresh flowers on a table. Off at a small side table was the unique checkers set with small apples as checkers.
Heather wondered if this trip would be a right thing to do. Duncan had said that these people were friends, implying old friends. Ian wouldn’t have known anyone here. Was she wrong?
His melodious voice cut into her deep thoughts. “Hi, remember me? Are you all set to go?”
“Ay, I mean yes. I’m ready.”
“You know; I don’t care if you use the Scottish words. You already have accent. In fact, I kind of like it. Reminds me of my mom.”
“Do you hear from her often?”
“Yes, very often, but never enough. She’s a wonderful woman.”
She knew that Ian’s mother was gone. Was Duncan so deep in his amnesia that he created a mother? But she dared not say a word. She could hear the doctor telling her how dangerous it could be to force the issue.
“Let’s go.” She decided they had better get on the road before she slipped and said the wrong thing. Perhaps she would just enjoy this Ian.
He picked up her bag and escorted her to the parking lot. Looking around, she couldn’t see the familiar tan truck.
“I rented a car for this trip. More comfort for the drive.” He answered her unasked question. “It’s that white Cadillac over there.”
“That’s a gas guzzler.” She walked toward the large vehicle.
“No problem. I prefer comfort for my lady than skimping on fuel.” He bowed slightly as he opened her door and she sat in the maroon colored interior. In moments he put her luggage in the trunk.
“Off we go,” he sat down next to her.
They drove out of the parking lot and were soon on the freeway heading south.
“Just a wee deoch an doris, ( note: this is a drink offered to travelers in Scotland, an old custom) just a wee drap, that’s a’.Just a wee deochan doris, before we gang awa. (go away) There’s a wee wife waitin’ in the wee butt n ben. (a small house with a few alcoves for bedrooms) If ye can say, “It’s a braw bricht moonlicht nicht (bright moonlit night)”, ye’re aricht, ye ken. (you are alright, you know)” Duncan sang away as if he were alone in the large white car.
“That’s an oldie. Where did you learn that?”
“Every time there was a gathering of Scottish friends at my home that was one of the favorites. Should I stop?”
“No, as a matter of fact, I enjoy hearing you sing the Scottish songs. Do you know any others?”
“Sure do but you will hear hundreds of songs at the ceileh. Why don’t you get out the thermos of coffee and pour us a cup and we can just talk, if that is okay.”
Heather was about to ask if he had brought tea, but decided it wasn’t all that important. Strange, his voice was so similar to Ian’s, but she never knew Ian to break out in any song. He was far too serious for that. How could a man change so much? How nice it would be when he regained his memory if he would stay with all these new good qualities. She poured them both a cup and handed him his.
“I hope you like it this way. If not, we can stop and get some different or tea or whatever suits you.”
“No, this is fine. Coffee is still new to me, so I have no set way to prefer it. This tastes good.”
“I’m sure you will enjoy this trip. If you are hungry, we can stop along the way. There are nice places in Cambria. Or we can continue on.
“Yes, let’s go on.” She didn’t mention that she would prefer not to eat at that time. “Haven’t you ever gone to a bad restaurant?”
“Sure. That’s how I know the good ones. I’ve gone to many bad ones; well, not bad, just not the best at least once. It’s not often that I would give them a second chance. I don’t have time for that in my line of work. And few people will return if they have one meal that is not the best.”
“Any interesting ones other than where we have been?”
“Many I’ve yet to share with you. And there have been some others in other places. I’m saving some of them for an upcoming book I will write in my uhm, spare time.” he laughed. Such a hearty wonderful laugh.
“Tell me about them, please.” This man was entrancing. Nothing like her Ian.
“There was this one in Missouri. It’s a real cave.”
“You ate in a dirty old cave?”
Again, he laughed. “Far from it. Let me tell you about it. The manager of the trailer park suggested I go back on the freeway one exit and go north on the road about seven miles. Then when I came to a dirt road, turn left for two miles until I came to a parking lot.”
“A parking lot?”
“Yes, then I had to wait until a van came to pick me up.”
Heather just looked at him in amazement.
“The van driver showed me that the road to the restaurant was so narrow, actually a road through an old campground. Now, I want you to keep in mind, that, at the time, my ankle was in a cast and I was on crutches. It was only a bad sprain, but think about it when I tell you, he drove up to a cliff, stopped and pointed up. Up about 100 feet with a circular stairway going up. I asked if that was the restaurant. He smiled and nodded. Before I could get a chance to ask to go back, he brought me a little further to an elevator.”
“That was fortuitous.”
“I found out that they had stopped using the staircase some years ago. When I got out of the elevator, I was led to a table covered with the traditional checkered tablecloth. I could see that all the walls were natural rock. They had a waterfall and a fishpond inside also of natural rock. There were several stuffed wild cats and even some bats hanging from the ceiling.”
“How was the food?”
“Spectacular. I had bar b que beef and some dino wings they give to children.”
“Real dinosaurs?”
“No, just a name they give them. They’re more of a chicken wing with an appropriate and interesting name. When I went out to the balcony from the restaurant, I could see the 100 feet down to the road and yet another 112 feet to the river below. It was awesome.”
“Any more interesting ones?”
“Many, including one under a waterfall with a partial glass roof where you can see the immense waterfall coming down. It’s at Multnomah Falls in Oregon.”
He stopped and pointed up the hill. Someday I just have to take you to that place. But we won’t have time today.”
“What is that?”
“That is the famous Hearst Castle.”
“A castle here?”
“Yes, you’ve never heard of it. I thought everyone knew of the castle. It belonged to the famous newspaperman, William Randolph Hearst. Years ago, as a young boy, he
saw this stretch of land along this dramatic stretch of ocean. When he grew older and very wealthy, nothing would do but he would build what he called, his weekend ranch retreat. I guess most people have dreams of achievement. I believe it was in 1919 that he began with the construction, which took nearly thirty years. If I remember right, he was just about finished when he passed on. In actuality, I don’t believe it is complete yet.”
“How sad. How very sad to work so long on something and to not see it complete.”
“Not really. I believe he enjoyed the journey more than he would have the final project.”
“What is there?”
“Everything. A palace filled with priceless treasures and antiques. About 165 rooms for all his movie star guests along with many other notable people. Acres and acres of gardens, including a stunning Neptune pool. And to top it off, whenever a meal was served, just to add to the “ranch” atmosphere, there were always bottles of catsup and jars of mustard on the huge tables. This among priceless works of art.”
“I would love to go. I really enjoy all the places you have taken me. In fact, there are so many places you mention that sound interesting.”
“I’m glad. In fact, I really enjoy your comments on the places. It’s good to see them with your gorgeous green eyes.”
“Why thank you.” Heather had almost forgotten that this man could be her fiancé. In so many ways, he was like her Ian, but in just as many, he was not. Perhaps for now, she would try to forget her turmoil.