Rocky Mountain Angels (35 page)

Eli picked up a road atlas off the kitchen table. “No, but there’s not many major highways from here to there. Our best guess would probably be right.”

Ben shook his head. “It’s a wild goose chase. Especially if the cell phone towers are down. We could easily miss them and not know it, and they wouldn’t even be able to reach us to tell us they were safe at home.”

Eli tossed the atlas back to the table. “So we do nothing. They could be in a ditch somewhere, freezing to death, and we do nothing.”

Ben rose and came toward him. “I don’t know if you were listening to the sermon yesterday, but it was on trust. Sometimes that’s all we have, Eli. Right now I’m trusting in El Roi—the God who sees. I’m trusting that God knows right where Joe and Mari are, even if we don’t. And I’m trusting in Jehovah-jireh—the Lord, our provider—that he will provide whatever help they need. And I’m trusting in Jehovah-rapha—the Lord who heals, in case they are hurt.” He put a hand on Eli’s shoulder. “And I’m calling on Jehovah-shalom to give us peace as we wait.”

Eli had never wished for faith before, but listening to Ben made him feel it’s lack right down to his soul. He looked in Ben’s eyes and nodded, as the lump in his throat wouldn’t let him speak.

***

Mari watched as Joe bandaged Jackson Criswell’s head with the help of a first-aid kit he’d found behind the seat. He had come to and had a powerful headache, but otherwise seemed unharmed. He’d been able to recite his name, his wife and children’s names, as well as his address, which seemed to satisfied Mari that he’d most likely make a full recovery after a few stitches in his forehead.

Jackson couldn’t stop thanking them, saying over and over that he owed them his life—that he could have frozen to death before coming to. Mari supposed that could be true, but she also knew that without Jackson Criswell, they might not have made it either.

Thanks to Jackson’s truck heater, they were warming up, although Mari wondered if she’d ever feel completely warm again. She looked over at Joe, remembered his kiss, and suspected there was a way.

She was still having a hard time believing what all had transpired in this very long day. It had started out irritating, moved on to terrifying, and ended up miraculous. It was definitely one for the record books.

They all let out a sigh when they finally heard sirens in the distance. Joe had warned them about the cows, so hopefully there wouldn’t be any more accidents due to the black beasts. Joe got out with his flashlight to make sure there were none left on the road.

***

The phone rang at midnight. Eli jumped from where he had dozed off in the recliner. Fumbling to answer, he nearly dropped it. He heard Ben jogging down the stairs.

“Hello?”

“Eli, it’s Joe.”

“Joe, where the hell are you guys?”

“We had a little accident, but we’re both okay. Mari hit her head kind of hard, though, so she will be in the hospital over night.”

“Oh, God.”

“It’s just a precaution; she’s going to be just fine.”

Eli felt a hand gripping his shoulder, and he mouthed, “They’re okay,” to his concerned younger brother.

Ben crossed the room to sit on the sofa as Joe continued. “I’ll stay with her. We’re in Clayton, New Mexico, and we’ll be home sometime tomorrow if I can get someone to pull out my truck.”

“Did you crash it? Will it run?”

“Not really crashed, although we went pretty hard through a ditch avoiding some cows out on the highway. I won’t know for sure until it’s righted. It was a slow tip in heavy snow so I’m hopeful there’s not much damage.”

“Did you call Mari’s mom, ’cause I tried your phone, which you left there, by the way, and got her all worried.”

“Yeah, I called.”

“Well, we’re both glad you’re safe. We were... concerned. Hell, Joe, I was scared spitless.”

“I know, but Mari’s fine... She’s... fine. I’m sure she’ll want to talk to you tomorrow.”

Eli’s brow furrowed. “It wasn’t just Mari I was concerned about.”

There was a pause before Joe’s voice came back, sounding pinched. “Look, I should check on Mari. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Sure. Give Mari my...”
my love?
“...my best, okay?”

“I will.”

Eli ended the call and looked to Ben. Only then did he realize he was looking through tears.

***

Despite the recliner that wasn’t made for his build, Joe slept like a rock until the nurse came in at 6:00 a.m. He’d been in no mood to try and find their suitcases in the snow after help arrived, so neither one of them had a change of clothes, shampoo, or even a toothbrush.

When he came back out of the bathroom, the nurse was gone, and Mari looked wide awake. She smiled a bit self-consciously as he came to her side. “How do you feel?”

“Better.” She felt the side of her head and winced. “Head still hurts, though.”

He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “I don’t know how you can still look so pretty.”

She grimaced. “I don’t feel pretty. We don’t have any luggage, do we?”

“No.” He patted his shirt pocket. “I’ve got the number for a towing service, and I’m going to call them just as soon as they open. I’m hoping they can pick me up here, and I can ride out there with them.”

He pulled the recliner closer to the bed and sat. “You were asleep by the time I finished talking to Eli last night.” Mari’s expression reflected his own feelings. “I needed to tell you how I felt about you, and I’m more than grateful that you feel the same.” He paused. “You do, don’t you? That wasn’t just some crisis reaction last night, was it?”

Mari shook her head. “No, I’ve been falling for you for quite awhile. I nearly kissed you after you scooped my walk.”

Joe grinned. “And here I thought I was the one who nearly kissed you.”

Mari laughed. “Seriously?”

He nodded and took the hand she extended to him. “I wouldn’t give you up for the world, but I only meant to tell you last night. Out of respect for Eli, I never intended to... well, we did a lot more kissing than I expected, and I’m feeling pretty guilty. It was difficult talking to him last night without telling him about you and me, but I just couldn’t spring it on him over the phone.”

Mari looked concerned. “I know. This isn’t going to be easy, but I know in my heart it’s right.”

Joe smiled. “Me, too.”

***

Joe and Mari walked into the Rhodes house late Monday afternoon. Eli swept her up in a fierce hug and gave her a peck on the cheek before clapping Joe on the back. Mari wondered at that simple greeting. It was not what she expected after being gone a week and being in an accident that took her to the hospital for observation.

After they got out of their coats, Eli waved them to the kitchen where he had coffee brewing and a tea kettle hot for tea. Mari exchanged a glance with Joe as they followed, and he gently laid his hand on her back, sliding down her soft red sweater. They slid into chairs at the table as Eli demanded “the whole story.”

Joe and Mari took turns telling the tale of the blizzard, the cows, their wild ride into the pasture and the truck tipping due to a gully they couldn’t see with the snow cover. Saying it out loud did make Joe’s purchase of the Hot Hands seem providential, and the way they had saved Jackson Criswell, and he in turn saved them, had Eli shaking his head.

“Ben and I... well, we were praying.”

Mari’s eyes grew wide, and Joe smiled. “Thank you, Eli, we appreciate it.”

Joe suddenly looked nervous and sipped his coffee. Mari knew it was her responsibility to tell Eli about her and Joe. She had pondered the right words nearly all the way home, but now that it was time to say them, they escaped her.

Eli seemed to be studying her as she struggled to speak. He reached across the table and took her hand. “That’s quite a bird sanctuary you have started in your backyard.” He looked to Joe. “And a right handsome lamp post. I’m afraid my Hebrew is pretty rusty, so I had to look up the letters. You outdid yourself, brother. Very nice.”

Joe shifted and leaned forward, his arms on the table. “Eli, I wasn’t trying to—”

“No, you were just giving Mari something beautiful.” He looked back at her. “Something she would love.”

Mari squeezed his hand. “Eli, this is difficult for us to tell you, but Joe and I—”

“I know.”

“You know?” Mari asked, feeling more than a little puzzled. “We didn’t even know until last night.”

He released her hand and sat back in his chair. “Well, I should have said that I knew what Joe was feeling the second I saw your backyard. I wasn’t entirely sure about your feelings for him, but I knew he was the guy you should be with—the one you deserve.”

Joe was shaking his head. “So you’re okay with this? Me and Mari?”

Eli paused, looking from Mari to Joe and back again. “Mari, I still care about you very much—I nearly died waiting to hear from you two last night—but I don’t think we’re right for each other long term. You tried to tell me that in the beginning, and I should have listened.”

Mari pushed away from the table with tears in her eyes and walked around to Eli. He rose and met her hug. “You will always be one of my best friends, Eli Rhodes. You’re a darned good neighbor and a first class angel.”

The front door opened, and in walked Ben. He strode to the kitchen and captured both Joe and Mari in a hug. As they began the story all over again, Eli slipped out of the room and headed upstairs.

Epilogue

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Joe, in a navy sleeveless t-shirt and shorts looked down at Mari in her sunny yellow tank top and black running shorts, her camera hanging around her neck.

She looked up and up and up the Manitou Incline trail, studded with railroad ties, that ascended straight up the side of a mountain. “No, but I’m going to do it anyway. Are you guys going to race it?”

“Not this time.” He took her hand. “I’m sticking with you.”

“Good, ’cause you may have to carry me at some point.”

He dropped her hand and slipped his around her waist, looking cocky. “Shall I use one hand or two.”

She looked again up the steep trail. “Two.”

Anticipation crackled around all those who came to make the climb. Some were going it alone while other large, rowdy groups were taking on the mountain together. There was almost a feeling of family among those making the climb—whether they knew each other or not.

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

Joe looked at her, waiting.

“Shakespeare,” she stated.

Joe smiled and slid his hand up and down the curve of her waist. After four months, Mari still felt a wave of electricity when he touched her. She hoped she always would.

Ben came up behind them. “Did you guys remember to bring water?” In answer, both he and Mari held up their bottles. “Good. Now if Eli and Sheri will get here, we can go.”

Mari had been pretty nervous around Sheri at first—they were about as different as night and day—but she had finally warmed to her free spirit and off the wall sense of humor. And she and Eli certainly seemed to be compatible; they’d been dating now for almost as long as she and Joe.

Mari snapped some photos while they waited, and she enlisted Ben to take a few of her and Joe. She had learned more than she ever imagined she would from her photography classes, and since Joe had insisted that she also take writing classes, she was improving her writing craft as well. One of her poems had been chosen to be in the spring school literary review magazine, and she couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Finally Eli and Sheri arrived, and their small group joined the other hikers already aboard what looked very much like a ladder leaning against the mountain. Even though Joe had been training her for this climb by hiking with her on the various mountain trails in the area, it was still a challenge. The views were breathtaking, and Joe patiently stopped with her along the way while she took pictures, poetry swirling in her brain.

It was a morning with a bright blue sky, the scent of pine floating on the breeze, and her favorite guy by her side. Mari wondered how anything could be more perfect. They reached the point 2/3 of the way up where there was an option to bail on the upward trek and go back down by way of the Barr Trail.

Mari was sorely tempted as her legs were starting to feel the pain of the steep grade, but she didn’t want to let Joe down. Sheri was already past this point, and she refused to be a wimp. Starting again with determination, she slipped her hand in Joe’s.

It was a tough climb that left little wind for conversing, but the silence seemed appropriate to the setting, and finally the end was in sight. Mari noted a series of signs toward the top. She stopped and focused her zoom lens in their direction.
Hebrew
. She quickly translated it:
“Mari Baker.”

Mari pulled her camera down and looked to Joe, who was casually taking in the view, but she could see a sparkle in his eyes. She took his hand again. “Joseph Rhodes, what were you doing last night when you said you were too busy to come over?”

“Me? Oh, you know, I have lots of projects going on at the moment.”

They continued to climb, and Mari took a picture of each sign. The second said: “I love you” and the third: “with all my heart.” By the time she read the last one, her heart was beating out a crazy rhythm that had nothing to do with the exertion of nearing the top of  the mountain.

She paused and looked to Joe, who was smiling down at her. He scooped her up and carried her the rest of the way. He set her down by the last sign that read: “Will you marry me?”

Ben retrieved the camera from around her neck and started snapping pictures while Joe got down on one knee and pulled a small box out of the pocket of his shorts. Mari started to cry as Joe asked her to walk with him on a new path—one that would last the rest of their lives. She said yes, and the small crowd at the top cheered. Then he slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her onto his knee.

His kiss started out soft and gentle but turned passionate as she looped her arms around his neck, and his circled her waist. When the cheers started again, Mari pulled back, blushing. Joe rose, scooping her up with him, his eyes locked on hers. “I’ll love you forever, Mari Baker.”