I had to change planes in one of the biggest airports in the nation and for a full thirty minutes, they lost my luggage. I remained calm since I packed an extra set of clothes in my carry-on bag, but it was thirty minutes before I had to be delayedto catch my next plane. I had to rush to the next flight but did have time to pick up a coffee and a bagel sandwich for an extraordinary price before boarding.
After boarding, the flight went pretty smoothly. The airport I would land at was a good drive away from the Bearclaw Inn, but that was the leg of my trip that I looked forward to most.
Once I landed, again, I waited at the rotating baggage claim but my luggage never came around. I’d used one that some printer sent to the nursery, hoping we would order more. A big, bright-green duffel and it was nowhere.
By the time they found my bag again, thankfully, I was an hour later getting the rental car than I’d booked, but I was finally on my way.
I sat in the driver’s seat and stilled my thoughts while calming my breaths. This road trip toward the rest of my life, would be life-changing. Sure, I was eager to get to my mate, but this anticipatory time was part of the experience.
I even made myself a route that included some small towns and places to see along the way. The only stipulation in Franklin’s letter was that I should arrive on Friday afternoon, preferably for dinner.
Even with the delay, I was on schedule to do that.
I took in the scenery. Spring was edging her way in, little by little. Sprigs of green popped out along the spoils of the cold season. Small buds and blooms reached out to the sun along the landscape.
I stopped at the first small town, England, funnily enough. They had some specialty shops. A unique creamery with flavors I’d never heard of. Japanese sweet potato ice cream. Queso fresco ice cream. Even Butter Mint flavor. I got a scoop of the Japanese sweet potato one and enjoyed every second.
In the next town, Kelly, I found a little glass terrarium in the antique store.
What did one buy for someone they’d never met but could be the key to unlocking their future in terms of mating?
I had no clue, so I asked the man who owned the place.
He chuckled and said I couldn’t go wrong with candles. But that idea seemed off. What if they were allergic to a certain scent?
That also ruled out flowers or any food, really.
Still, I thought something was in order.
In the corner, I saw a quilt and asked the man about it. “Oh, that? My wife made it years ago. She gave it to the grandkids but they didn’t like it. Broke her little heart. She told me to get it out of the house so I decided to sell it.”
I ran my hands along the stitching. It had all different kinds of flowers and plants on it. I couldn’t have picked out a better pattern. This would make a perfect gift.
Silas, I’d learned his name, sold it to me for dirt cheap, claiming his wife would be glad it was gone.
A hurt heart took a long time to mend.
Silas wrapped the quilt in brown paper and added a bow after we took it down and folded it together.
I still had three more towns to go through before getting close to the Bearclaw and, while I was anxious, I was also having the time of my life.
Perhaps I should take vacations more often.
Now to get to the next town and find more snacks for the road and maybe something for Noel and Seth for watching the nursery.
They were giving me the opportunity to meet my mate by taking over the nursery, and I was grateful.
Chapter Six
Bowen
The Bearclaw Inn lay several hours away, but the park was not located near any airport or train station, so the best way to get there was by driving. I would have preferred a newer vehicle for such a journey, but the local town did not have any rental outlets, so I crossed my fingers and thanked the goddess I kept my old girl well maintained.
Rangers were used to roughing it, fortunately. My chosen route to save miles and time lay on a highway that, judging by the potholes, cracks, and weeds growing in the actual lanes, got very little travel and even less maintenance. Jarring bumps and humps caused outraged squeals from the aged suspension system before my “shortcut” met the highway.
In fact, it had not saved time, due to the need to slow down and navigate the road, and I made a mental note to report the neglect to the county as soon as I returned home. One weekend was not going to make a difference in a road that hadn’t been paved for decades. Also…I hadn’t seen another car in fifty miles. So not many others were bouncing around their vehicles, cursing their choice of route.
Once on the highway, I relaxed a little. Nervous about who I might be meeting, I’d been tense the whole time I was getting ready, but apparently having my teeth rattled nearly out of my head served as a distraction. At least for a while. Relief at riding on intact pavement was strong in my mind for the next few hours.
