They had dinner at the lodge again, and Conrad spent his last night at the monastery in the little room that had been his refuge these past months, joining the monks in the Dokhang for two hours of prayer and meditation. Even so, he found it hard to sleep, worries rolling through his mind like pounding surf.
What the hell was he going to do with his life now?
He gave up trying to sleep at 4 a.m. and joined the monks again for morning prayers and meditation, then walked through the rain to Megs’ lodge for breakfast.
“Did you have to come for me in monsoon season?” He wiped the rain out of his eyes.
She grinned. “Poor baby. How will you cope?”
After breakfast, they worked with Tenzing Dorje Sherpa to load supplies onto the yaks. Most of it was firewood the Sherpa was bringing back to his family, but the yaks were also able to bear their backpacks.
“This is going to be a walk in the park.” Conrad was used to carrying sixty to eighty pounds on his back.
Then it was time to leave.
“I want to say goodbye.”
Megs nodded. “We’ll meet you in the camping area.”
He started toward the monastery building, stopping when he rounded the corner.
There on the front steps stood the Lama and all sixty monks with umbrellas.
Conrad drew a breath, fighting to control his emotions, and walked to the base of the stairs. “I came to say thank you—and goodbye.”
The monk who’d served the tea last night stepped out, white scarf in his hand. He offered it to Conrad, then stepped back.
Conrad presented the scarf to the Lama, bowing low.
The Lama took the scarf and draped it around his neck. “Have a safe journey, Harrison Conrad. May you find peace.”
Conrad stood upright again. “Thank you—for everything.”
The Lama gave him a gentle smile, then turned and walked back up the stairs.
Conrad watched while the monks retreated to the shelter of the monastery, then joined Megs, who stood nearby.
“For a moment, I thought I might get a tear in my eye.” Megs watched him. “Ready to go?”
Conrad turned to look at Everest, emotions tangling in his chest. Sixteen months ago, he’d passed through Tengboche with Bruce, Luka, and Felix. The summit of Everest had been hidden then, too, crowned in clouds. The two younger men hadn’t been able to talk about anything but the mountain. Now it was their tomb—and Bruce’s, too.
Conrad was going home alone.
Nearby, one of the yaks grunted.
No, not alone.
He turned his back to the mountain. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 2
Scarlet Springs, Colorado
September 6
Kenzie Morgan hurriedthrough the dairy section of Food Mart, trying to remember what she’d written on her shopping list. Naturally, she’d left the list at home on her table where it would do her no good. This was her second trip to the store in as many days because she’d forgotten the list yesterday, too.
Eggs and toothpaste.
