Page 63 of A Second Dawn

It seems that once more I have more questions than answers. But I’m being looked after, right? Soon enough everything will clear up. At least that seems to be the pattern.

It’s just after midday when we stop at the tourist information to collect a map of the area. We’re still not using any electronic devices, and from here on out it’s up to Claudette to navigate the way to her friend Miriam’s retreat.

Sitting on the sofa in our RV, I point at a public phone booth. “Shouldn’t you ring your friend and let her know we’re coming?”

“There’s no cell reception there,” she informs me.

“So we’re just going to turn up? What if they don’t have room for us or don’t want us there?”

“Darling, you worry too much. Everything will be okay.”

“Is that your inner psychic talking, or could it fall into the twenty percent when you’re wrong?”

Claudette groans. “I should have never told you about that.”

I grin at her. It’s fun to tease her.

“I’m not comfortable just rocking up at someone’s doorstep. Especially if we want them to hide us,” I try again. How can she not see my point?

She rolls her eyes dramatically. Yep, I don’t like it.

“I sent her a message,” she finally admits.

My eyes widen in surprise. “Oh? How? You don’t have a phone.”

A mischievous smile graces her lips. “Telepathically,” she deadpans.

Is she serious? I really can’t tell.

My facial expression must give me away, and she bursts out laughing, rolling her eyes some more. “Darling, I’ve sent her a postcard.”

Argh!She had me there.

“What if she hasn’t received it yet? I doubt the postman goes to hidden locations in the mountains.”

“If she hasn’t got the card, then it will be a surprise.”

“She has no way of contacting you back. What if she isn’t there anymore?”

“Then we’ll have the whole place to ourselves,” she laughs, before getting up to sit beside me.

She takes my hand, patting it as if calming a child. “You’re too much in your head. Trust the universe. It’s always looking after you.”

I have no comeback for that. For the first time since this conversation started my mind is blank. It’s quite pleasant.

“So how do we get there?” Aiden asks. He’s ready to move on.

“We drive to Fields and from there we make our way to Lake MacArthur. It’s close to there.”

Ade nods and shifts the RV into gear.

The road winds through dense forest. Evergreen trees stretch toward the sky, creating a canopy that filters the sunlight.

The towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies stand majestically against the clear blue sky, adorned with a dusting of early-season snow.

I lower my window to breathe in the mountain air. It’s noticeably fresher the higher we climb. It reminds me of my early childhood and days spent hiking with my parents. What would they think of my adventure?

I’m so engrossed in this stunning scenery, it feels like no time at all, and we’re standing at the edge of Lake MacArthur.