North Rim Delight

by Regina Duke

  “Oh, gosh, I wish you wouldn’t put it that way,” said Terri. “By the way, I wrote down the license number of that pickup.”

  “Great. When we get to the lodge, we’ll alert the park rangers to be on the lookout for that plate.”

  “Do you think he’ll follow us all the way to the Canyon?”

  “He’s followed you this far,” said Russ. “Now that we know what he’s driving, he may switch vehicles again. That’s been his procedure so far.”

  The rest of the ride to the North Rim was quiet and tense. Terri kept checking behind them, even though she knew that DaSilva had probably decided to ditch the black truck somewhere. The scenery on the Kaibab Plateau was spectacular, and she was angry because the events of the past twenty-four hours made it difficult for her to enjoy the natural splendors around them.

  She was so busy watching for DaSilva that she almost missed the quartet of deer that stood like a living monument on a low promontory to the right of the road. Russ saw them, too, and slowed the Mercedes so they could watch the deer for as long as possible. Then, like nature’s chorus line, the deer quick-stepped their way off the mound and back into the surrounding forest.

  They traveled for a few more miles across a broad, flat meadow. The forest hemmed it in on all sides, and the trees reminded Terri of eager spectators at some grand matinee. Out on the meadow, coyotes pounced on rodents for dinner and wild turkeys gobbled their chatty way through the underbrush.

  At last they reached the entrance to the park. The ranger was friendly as he handed them their copy of “The Guide,” a little newspaper full of information about activities at the North Rim, and Terri realized she envied him his hum-drum duties with no one chasing after him or trying to run him off the road.

  Russ drove carefully on the narrow road to the lodge. On either side, ponderosa pines and Douglas firs lifted their evergreen souls toward the blue sky, and the forest floor was covered with dry pine needles. The air was heavily scented with their alpine fragrance. Russ pointed out the camp store as they passed it, then drove on to the parking lot by the cabins.

  Terri felt a tremendous sense of relief that they had arrived safely. When they were parked and out of the car, she threw her arms impulsively around Russ’s neck and planted a kiss on his warm mouth.

  “What was that for?” He was surprised but pleased.

  “For getting us here in one piece.” Suddenly she felt self conscious and started to pull away, but Russ held her close for a moment and returned the kiss.

  “And what was yours for?” asked Terri with a smile.

  “Just to say ‘happy vacation.’ That’s all.” He wanted to do more than kiss her, but the parking lot was not the place. He released her at last. “I guess we should get our luggage out.”

  “Not yet,” said Terri. “Let’s make sure our cabins are ready first. Check-in is four o’clock.”

  Russ checked his watch. “Perfect timing. It’s four-oh-two.”

  Terri laughed.

  Russ ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat. “Uh, Terri?”

  “Yes?” She stretched and inhaled the clean mountain air.

  “About my cabin…”

  “What about it?”

  “Er, well, I didn’t really know that DaSilva’s trail was going to bring me to the North Rim, so I don’t actually have one.”

  “Oh.” Terri turned a troubled face toward him.

  “Well, I was thinking, if it’s okay with you, that we could share your cabin. I’ll need to stay close to you anyway, in order to protect you from DaSilva, in case he makes another appearance. And I’m more than willing to pay my share. Or even pay for the whole cabin.” His mind was working overtime, trying to make the offer an appealing one. “If you—”

  “Okay.”

  Russ stopped cold. “Excuse me?” He had expected resistance on Terri’s part to the idea of sharing.

  “I said okay.” Terri spread her hands. “Look, ordinarily I do a fine job taking care of myself. But this DaSilva guy scares me. I admit it. On top of that, Gavin’s threats have never been this intense. If he ends up here, too, there will be two angry men coming after me, and I don’t like those odds. It would make me feel a lot better knowing you were close by.” She tried to convince herself she meant only as a body guard. “And besides, originally, I thought I would be traveling with a friend, so the cabin is for two adults. Sharing the cost would be great, too. So, yes.”

  Russ grinned at her. “Great. Let’s go check in, and then I’ll find a ranger and report that black truck.”

  By the time they got inside the lodge, there was a line of people checking in at the high window, so Russ went off to report DaSilva’s license plate in case he was stupid enough to drive the truck into the park. On his way back to Terri, he put their names on the reservation list for dinner in the dining room. By then, Terri had just received the keys to the cabin.

  “We’re in number 36,” she said. “What did the ranger say?”

  “Oh, he alerted the ranger at the entrance. I gave him the license number of the pickup, and thanks again for being so observant, by the way. If you hadn’t jotted down that license number, we’d have nothing to go on at all. He said we should notify the police if we want to press charges.”

  Terri made a rude noise. “Charges? How do we press charges if he didn’t damage us or the car? The police don’t do much preventative work. Mostly they’re too busy tracking people down after the fact, aren’t they?”

  Russ nodded. “You have an excellent grasp of the system. Hey, I also made reservations for dinner.” They were outside now, heading for the cabins, trying to locate number thirty-six.

  “These cabins are cute!” Terri was excited. Her reservation was for one of the log cabins with a porch at the entrance. “Oh, look! We got one with rocking chairs on the porch!” Her face lit up. “And I never knew the cabins would be nestled among the trees like this. This is great!” She used the key on the door and they went in.

  “Good,” said Russ. “Two big beds. That makes things less awkward. Nice fireplace, too.”

  In the corner of the cabin was a stone hearth, but there was also a sign that forbade the making of a fire.

  “And there’s a phone,” said Terri, bouncing on the bed nearest the window. The cabins were built like fourplexes, so the two interior walls abutted other cabins. But there was a window by the door and a row of windows on the side wall. The sashes were up, and a cool breeze wafted through the screens.

  “Not big on security, are they?” Terri got off the bed and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “We’ll be okay,” said Russ. “I don’t plan to do a lot of sleeping.” He softened his announcement with a smile, but Terri couldn’t shake a feeling of foreboding.

  She shivered. “We’ll be like sitting ducks in here.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  RUSS PUT his hands on her shoulders and tried to reassure her. “If it makes you feel any better, I have a handgun in my glove compartment and I’m a pretty good marksman.”

  “Okay,” said Terri. “And I know a little bit about self defense. I took a course for single women when—well, when things went downhill with Gavin.”

  “Good. Let’s go get the luggage. It’s clouding up outside. I think we’re in for a thunderstorm. You may need a sweater.”

  By the time they brought the luggage into the cabin and Terri hung up her clothes and put her toiletries in the tiny dressing room, she was beginning to feel like she was really on vacation. The air at eight thousand feet was cooler than she had expected, so she changed into a pair of khaki slacks and a long-sleeved white tee shirt. She tied the arms of a pale blue sweater loosely around her waist. Russ was hanging up the phone when she emerged.

  “What time is dinner?” she asked.

  “Seven-thirty. I know we had a late lunch, but I had to take the time slot they had available.”

  “That gives us three hours. I’m thirsty. Let’s go find a cold drink and tak
e a look around. I want to see the Canyon!” She pulled her tote bag over her shoulder.

  Russ eyed her change of apparel, then fingered the black zip-front sweatshirt he’d slipped on. “Should I be getting dressed for something?”

  “Oh, no. I was beginning to feel the mountain air, that’s all. Let’s go.”

  The paths that wound among the cabins also led to a trail along the rim of the Canyon. For a while, Terri forgot all about the trouble that had followed her to Arizona and let herself be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

  “Look, Russ! I saw an eagle!” They followed the half mile of paved trail down to Bright Angel Point. On either side of the trail, the Canyon spread out beneath them, the ochres and creams and rusts of its layers taking on new hues as the thunderheads gathered and tempered the quality of the light. In the distance, thunder rolled. Across the Canyon, they could see the South Rim, although they were too far away to make out people or buildings. It was already raining on the south side, and long spears of lightning jabbed at the ground. The air tingled with the smell of ozone.

  “We’d better head back up to the lodge,” said Russ. “I think it’s going to rain any minute.”

  They trudged up the trail they had just bounced down.

  “What’s wrong with me,” said Terri. “I’m in better shape than this.” She stopped for a moment to catch her breath.

  “It’s the altitude, remember?” said Russ. “Eight thousand feet is a lot higher than Reno. Take it slow and easy. You’ll be all right. By tomorrow afternoon you’ll start to feel normal.”

  Back at the top of the trail, they ambled past the log buildings housing the post office, the gift shop, and the tavern. Facing those establishments were a cafeteria and restrooms, housed in another long extension that jutted north from the west end of the lodge. In the square delineated by the lodge and its two long arms, tall shade trees stood with benches sheltering beneath them. Russ steered Terri into the tavern where they ordered soft drinks. Neither of them wanted their senses impaired by alcohol.

  While they were in the tavern, the thunderheads rolled across the sky directly above the lodge.

  “Oh, it smells heavenly,” said Terri. “And it’s not nearly as hot as I thought it would be.”

  “The altitude again,” said Russ.

  “I could live here,” said Terri with a sigh.

  Russ grinned. “And do what for money? Be a park ranger? Wait tables?”

  Terri’s eyes widened. “Hey! We didn’t ask about Chad Nething!”

  “When I made reservations for dinner, I asked where to find him, and the girl told me he was off tonight. She said he’s probably out sketching somewhere.”

  “In the rain?” Terri looked skeptical. “More likely he’s in his cabin watching TV.”

  “All the better,” said Russ. “We’ll be able to talk to him after dinner.”

  “Shouldn’t we find him now?” asked Terri. “His life could be in danger.”

  “Well, I already called his cabin, while you were hanging up your clothes. His roommate said he didn’t expect him home tonight. I left my name and our cabin number and told him to have Chad call me when and if he gets in. I told him it’s urgent.”

  “I guess I wouldn’t make much of a bounty hunter or a detective,” she said. “I almost forgot all about poor Chad.”

  “I’ve been doing this for a few years,” said Russ. “Don’t beat yourself up over it. You’re supposed to be on vacation.”

  They were walking toward the lodge entrance under the tall porch overhang. “I don’t want to go inside yet,” said Terri. “Let’s stroll along the rim trail before it starts to rain. The travel book mentioned a special type of squirrel native to this region, the Kaibab white tail. Keep your eyes peeled.” Terri stopped for a moment to put on her sweater. The evening air was definitely chilly, especially under the darkening sky.

  Russ straightened the top edge of her sweater and his hand brushed against her neck. Their eyes met and suddenly Terri was warm again. Russ’s hand lingered for a few moments, until he realized he was letting his guard down once more, and he jerked it away.

  “Sorry,” he said, his voice husky with feeling. “I guess I’m not so professional when I’m drowning in your eyes.”

  Terri’s disappointment at his sudden withdrawal was eased by his words. “Well, professional or not, you get points for smooth.” She softened the sarcasm with a smile. “I know what you mean, though. I’m looking at scenery and admiring the Canyon, and at the same time, I’m wondering how either of us is going to sleep tonight.” She wasn’t talking about the threat of DaSilva, but Russ assumed she was.

  “You sleep, I’ll guard.” They continued along the trail, heading away from the lodge. Terri was engrossed in the sights and scents of the Canyon. “Even with all these trappings of civilization,” she commented, “there’s a tremendous peace here. Can you feel it?”

  Russ was too busy examining the face of every tourist on the trail to feel peaceful, but he didn’t want to disappoint her. “A lot of people claim the Canyon is a special place, almost holy,” he said.

  Terri found a wide spot in the path and stopped to peer out over the chasm. After several minutes of comradely silence, she said softly, “I really needed this. I can practically feel the Canyon healing my heart.”

  Russ was touched. He thought he should say something, but this time the appropriate words eluded him.

  After a brief silence, Terri touched his arm. “We should head back. I think I felt a rain drop.”

  By the time they trotted back to the square, the rain was coming down in earnest. They slowed to a walk when they reached the shelter of the covered porch in front of the shops. The trees had kept them from getting drenched, but they were shaking rain drops out of their hair as they entered the lodge. A waiter showed them to their table. As they sat down, a huge rumble of thunder exploded in a window-rattling boom above the dining room. The lights flickered, and a chorus of ooohs and aaaahs rose from the roomful of diners.

  Terri and Russ grinned at each other. In unison, they said, “I love thunderstorms.” Then they laughed.

  The storm became the floor show during dinner. Over salmon and rice pilaf, they watched the lightning and the rain through the wraparound windows on two sides of the room. The ceiling soared as high as the lodge itself, and everyone in the room was riveted by nature’s display outside the glass.

  After dinner, they walked through the high-ceilinged lounge and out onto the wide east-side veranda overlooking the Canyon. The rain was lighter now, just a few drops here and there. They sheltered next to the stone wall of the lodge. It was only nine p.m. but the storm made it seem much later, and in between flashes of lightning it was darkest night. Without thinking, Terri huddled close to Russ for warmth. He slipped his arms around her and let her lean her back against his chest.

  “How’s that?”

  “Perfect.” She sighed contentedly and watched the pyrotechnics move slowly north. People were emerging from the lounge now to grab seats near the rim of the veranda. A group of girl scouts gathered around their troop leader and began singing folk songs. One of the girls was blind, and her guide dog lay quietly at her feet. It was a German shepherd, and it reminded Terri of Reggie.

  “Reggie would be miserable if he were here,” she said. “He was terrified of big storms. I had to give him a tranquilizer every time it thundered. He could hear it sometimes before I even saw the clouds on the horizon. Poor Reggie.”

  “My Sheila is the same way,” said Russ softly. “They must think the thunder is the biggest dog growl in the universe.”

  Terri felt suddenly weary. She slumped a bit against Russ.

  “Are you all right?” he asked gently.

  “I guess it’s the altitude. I’m just so tired.”

  “Not to mention all the excitement,” said Russ. He patted her arms. “Come on, let’s head back to the cabin and see if Chad left a message.”

  Back at the cabin
, Terri inserted her key in the door. She said, “I think it’s funny that our rustic log cabin has a phone with a message service on it.” She pushed the door open and flicked on the light switch. Then she stopped in her tracks. The contents of their luggage and clothes from the closet were strewn across the beds and the floor. Someone had broken into their cabin.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  SOMETHING CRASHED to the floor in the bathroom. Whoever it was, he was still in the cabin.

  Russ put his finger to his lips and waved Terri outside onto the porch. His back was to her so he didn’t see the flash of irritation on her face. He headed for the bathroom.

  Terri looked around for a weapon. Russ’s handgun was still in the car. Besides, the thought of hurting someone was contrary to her nature. She glanced quickly about, then remembered the rocking chairs outside.

  She heard Russ’s voice as she moved furniture.

  “What are you doing in here?”

  Then another voice, young and full of surprise and fear. “Hey! Let me go!”

  “Ow! You little—”

  An adolescent male in baggy shorts and a faded navy tee shirt made a mad dash for the open door, where he collided with the rocking chair that Terri had positioned in front of it. That gave Russ time to catch up and grab the boy. He wrapped one arm around his neck and pulled the boy’s wrist up behind his back.

  “Stop it! You’re hurting me!”

  Russ realized the boy was younger than he thought, and he eased up a bit but didn’t let go. He pulled the kid into the cabin. Terri shoved the rocker back into its usual place on the porch and joined them. She closed the door. As she did so, she noticed one of the screens was hanging a bit loosely on the window.

  “If I let you go, will you sit down and talk to me?” asked Russ. “Or shall we just call the rangers right now?”

  “I’ll talk, I’ll talk. Don’t call the rangers, okay?” He looked very young now, and very frightened. His dark brown hair was shaggy and his brown eyes darted around, as if looking for a way out. His baggy clothes gave the illusion of bulk but he was wiry and a head shorter than Russ.