My life hadn't been so great, but it wasn't over yet either. With that welcome shot of enthusiasm about the future I increased my pace to reach the truck. As I swung around trees and skipped over logs I reveled in the fact, that although I may not remember as much as I was starting to forget, I at least still had my health and the ability to do something dangerous.
Ted's grandson's visit meant a lot to him and I mentally chastised myself for forgetting about it since Ted had talked of little else in the past two weeks. Ted couldn't drive legally anymore due to a heart condition and so I pretty much chauffeured him around and fetched supplies for him.
The old Dodge pickup fired to life and I started beating my way back down the mountain, headed towards the town that was a good many miles away. I would be late, a thing I did not like in the least. Punctuality was one of my core beliefs and the thought of failing my own standard had me pressing my foot down on the throttle more than it was healthy to do so on the rough path, for either me or the truck.
I pulled up at the bus stop. The bus had already left and I saw no sign of the grandson. I got out and went into the café beside the bus stop.
Patricia Stearns the café owner saw me from behind the counter and smiled, "I didn't expect to see you today Caleb."
I shrugged, "Apparently I forgot I was to be here too. Did you by chance see anyone get off the bus? I'm supposed to pick up Ted's grandson, who's come to visit."
She nodded, "Yes I did see a man get off, but he didn't come in here. I think he headed further uptown over towards the stables maybe."
"Thanks Patty."
I turned to go, when she called my name out softly and I already knew from the tone of her voice that something must be wrong. I turned back my looked expectant of bad news.
"Deshavi's in town. She got in last night. I thought you might like to know."
"Thank you again Patty."
I pushed back through the door and headed for the stables. Confrontation was in the air.
As I drew closer to the corral I could see a bunch of people were gathered at the corral no doubt eager to ride on a fine spring day in the mountains. My eyes singled one figure out from the rest. All I knew about Ted's grandson was that he had recently quit being a Navy Seal. Armed with that knowledge it was easy to pick him out the crowd of people gathered around the corral area, who were mostly tourists come to see the Native American way of life for themselves.