Twilight doesn't belong to me. I just have fun with it.
WitFit Prompt: Stomp, Chomp
Highline
Chapter 5
We opted for breakfast in the small hotel restaurant. It was our final day in the Highline lodge, and we wanted to take it easy. Rose ordered crepes and I ordered pancakes and a fruit salad.
"You girls having a good time so far?" Alice asked, making her way to our table from the lobby. She had a stack of unfolded brochures for Highline Adventures in her arms.
"We are. We've relaxed, met some people – it's been nice." Rose answered for me as I chomped on a big piece of pineapple.
"Glad to hear. Who'd you meet?" Alice asked brightly. She had a contagious smile and was someone definitely suited for the hospitality industry.
"Actually, a guy who said he works for you. Jacob?" Rose offered.
"Oh, Jake! That's good! He's a really sweet kid – hard worker too. We've had him on staff since he was fifteen."
"Rose met another guy, too." I teased in a playful voice.
"Can it, Bella." She replied dryly.
"Ooh! What's his name?" Alice asked, her face lighting up.
"Emmett." Rose said hesitantly.
"Shut up!" Alice shrieked, happily clapping her hands. "Big Emmett? He's my cousin!"
"Well, it's no big deal. We've just talked a few times. He's a nice guy." Rose said. It was obvious that she was trying not to make a fuss over him.
"Did you meet Edward too?" Alice asked.
"Yeah, we did." Rose sighed, "No offense or anything, but he was kinda rude."
"Ugh, really? I'm sorry – he can be like that. He takes himself way too seriously sometimes. He's not as bad as he seems though, honestly."
"That's what we've heard." I said, fairly certain I didn't believe that anymore.
"Anyway," Alice said with a small smile, "Jasper will drive you over to the base camp tonight, so be down here in the lobby by 6:30, ok? I better get going – I've got a tour bus arriving in less than an hour. Good luck girls - can't wait to hear about it when you're back!"
xoxoxo
After our bags were packed, weighed and repacked, Rose and I finally headed out to the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. It took us eight minutes to reach the top inside a shaky little car that dangled from a track made of heavy wire. Heights never bothered me, but it was more than a little nerve-wracking at first.
We snapped pictures from the boardwalk of the town of Banff from above and used up almost an entire memory card on the incredible mountain views surrounding us. The wind was brisk and the drizzling rain was cool, but it was well worth it for the scenery.
I figured it was as good of a time as any to get the scoop on Emmett from Rose.
"So, what's the deal with Emmett?" I asked, plunking a quarter into a set of binoculars along the wooden walking path that stretched far into the distance amongst the rocky peaks.
"I don't think I know. I'm really attracted to him, though." she replied, not looking up from her camera screen. She was scrolling back and forth through pictures making room for more.
"He's the first guy I've seen you take an interest since, well, you know…." I realised after the words left my mouth that I was hitting a seriously personal spot. I instantly felt guilty bringing up Rose's past on what was supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing day.
"I know." She said softly.
"I'm sorry – I didn't mean to go there."
"No, it's fine. I can't pretend that it didn't happen, Bella, but you're right."
"What is it about him that's different?" I asked, trying to bring things back to a more positive place.
"That's just it. I barely know him." She sighed, sticking her camera back in its case and leaning up against the railing. "He feels safe or something. Irina told me she wanted to see me work on exploring relationships - friendships, whatever - with men again, but only when I felt ready. Emmett makes me feel ready."
Irina was Rose's counsellor back at home. Over the past two years of working together, they had grown quite close.
"He seems easy to talk to." I said, not wanting to press too much.
"Yeah, he is. I just think maybe I can practice getting to know him without worrying about getting too close. We'll be home in two weeks – I know it can't really go anywhere, but I can have fun with it, right?" I noticed her wiping at the corner of her eye.
"Of course you can." I said, pulling her into a hug. "Opening up a little is a big step. I'm so proud of you." It was true. Rose's strength amazed me.
"And I'm proud of you. And B? I think Charlie would be proud of both of us."
xoxoxo
The drive out to the base camp was as picturesque as the rest of the National Park had been. It was located on a back road just outside the town of Canmore, Alberta – only a thirty or so minute drive from our hotel in Banff.
We pulled up in front of a series of five small cabins. There was one with an "office" sign in the front window and one larger building that looked more like a full sized house. It was raining again and a heavy fog had settled around the area, mostly hiding the mountains from our view.
Jasper dropped us off with phone numbers to call when we returned back and well wishes for our journey. We grabbed our packs and headed for the office.
As soon as we were through the door, I wanted to choke.
Edward, Jacob and Emmett appeared to be in a heated exchange at the front desk.
Before I had the chance to say anything, Rose called out, "Emmett? What are you doing here?"
He stepped away from Edward and Jacob, and as he did his face softened. He was dressed casually – wearing a t-shirt with the phrase, "Mountain Stomp Music Festival" in big bold letters across his chest.
"Did I forget to tell you that me and Edward will be your guides?" He said with a cheesy grin.
"What the hell?! That's kind of big news! Why didn't you tell me?" Rose's smile matched his, but I could tell she was caught off guard. I felt like I wanted to run and hide.
"Well, when I saw Isabella and Rosalie on the registration forms, I didn't exactly put two and two together. And when you told me you were staying at the Fox? That threw me off. I only figured it out this morning when Alice called."
"I'm sorry I lied. We just met you, and – "
"Don't worry, Rosie. I'll forgive you this time. There is a problem though…" he trailed off, looking over to Edward and Jacob to help him out.
"A Mike Newton and a Jessica Stanley have cancelled. Four is typically our minimum group size. They're not willing to head out with all this rain." Jacob said. "And hello again, Bella." I gave him a little wave. I was relieved to see him. At least having Jacob along wouldn't be so bad.
"The trails are still in good enough shape." Emmett added. "I don't see it being much of a problem – there may be a few washed out spots along Simpson Pass and the backside of Sunshine, but nothing major."
"We will offer them a full refund. There's no point in going with just the two of them." Edward finally piped in. My heart sank. A refund never even crossed my mind. It just wasn't an option. I couldn't believe our trip could just be snatched out from under us so easily.
"I still want to go. It'll give me a chance to get my hours with a smaller group." Jacob offered, and I immediately wanted to hug him.
"Why doesn't he just take my place then?" Edward asked.
"No way, man." Emmett crossed his thick arms across his chest. "We need you both. We'll have to divide up gear. I've screened their applications, and the girls have experience, but we can't load the two of them up that much."
"I'll call Jasper to fill in then." Edward pulled that damn phone from his pocket again.
Jacob stopped him before he got the chance to dial.
"He probably would, but the hotel is packed full. Alice would kill him."
My ears were burning, and a lump started forming in my throat. I wasn't sure which was worse – the fact that Edward was going to be one of our guides, or the fact that he was trying so desperately to get out of it. The possibility of our trip getting cancelled made me sick. There was no way that they could just bail on us.
Before another word was said, a handsome, older blond man stuck his head out of the door to the smaller office right behind the front desk.
"Edward, Emmett – can I have a word with you, please?" The brothers exchanged looks with each other. "Now!" he called more forcefully the second time.
The three men disappeared into the office, while Rose and I stood staring at each other.
"What the hell do we do know?" Rose spoke softly.
"We wait." Jacob replied. "Follow me, girls. This could be awhile."
xoxoxo
Less than a half an hour later, we were seated in the largest of the cabins around a long dining room table that appeared to be made from some type of stone. Compared to the simple cabin we would be spending the night in, this one was beautiful – warm and cozy.
"How's the steak?" Jacob asked me, his mouth full of potatoes. He'd brought out fully loaded plates and all the fixings for the three of us.
"Perfect." I didn't eat red meat all that often, but that steak was easily the best I ever had.
"Esme's the most amazing cook alive. Wait til we get back, if we go – she makes a full feast for every return."
Moments later, Edward and Emmett came in with the blond man from earlier. I noticed that Edward seemed much more relaxed than he had been earlier, with a casual smile on his face. I also noticed a five o'clock shadow appearing on his jaw line, and internally scolded myself for being so superficially attracted to it.
"I hope you're enjoying your meal." The older man began. "I'm Carlisle Cullen, Edward and Emmett's father. I'm sorry about the confusion earlier. Everything is set to go for the morning."
"It's delicious." Rose replied for the both of us. "I'm glad you've worked everything out.
"We have, but we do have some business to take care of here." Edward replied, pulling out a chair for himself. The surly guy from the hot springs and restaurant was nowhere to be found. "We've been keeping a close eye on the trails this spring, but with heavy snowpack this winter and a wet month some of our usual routes may become inaccessible."
"How does that impact our itinerary then?" I asked, buttering another homemade bun. If he could be polite, so could I.
"Tomorrow we'll head towards Vista Lake, as planned, then up to Arnica Lake and Arnica Ridge if conditions permit. We'll get excellent views of Mt. Assiniboine from there. The rest of the day will get a little complicated with the weather, but if all goes well we'll arrive at Shadow Lake by sundown to set up camp."
"What's the total distance?" Rose asked, pushing around the peas on her plate.
"Roughly fourteen kilometres." Emmett replied this time. "It could be a little more if we have to detour."
"I can assure you both that with the changing conditions out there that we will do our best to ensure that the trip highlights won't be affected." Edward added. He was being so professional – it certainly was unexpected.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some sleep. I suggest you do the same."
He rose from the table without another word. Although he was much friendlier this time, with his quick departure, something about his speech to us felt forced and wrong.
I decided that if he was willing to at least be courteous and professional, I could handle him. I had Jacob, Rose and Emmett who all seemed to enjoy my company, so things would work out fine. I promised myself that nothing was going to ruin this experience for me, and I was sticking firmly to that. Edward's moodiness would not get the best of me.
A/N Thanks so much for reading! I had sick kids home today that slept the bulk of the afternoon, so BOOM – bigger chapter! Thank you so much to those who have left reviews. Let me know your thoughts, or just say hi!