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She stopped what she was doing and said, “I don’t think any guest has had as much fun as Mark. Granted it’s not what one usually does on vacation, but he definitely has been enjoying himself. The man walks around smiling every time you’re in the vicinity.”
“He’s just a happy person,” I said.
“No, he’s a man that is falling in love. Just not sure if that’s a good thing or not,” she said.
“What’s wrong with love?” I asked.
“Nothing. But you seem adamant about staying here. I can’t picture Mark wanting to live here, do you?” I shook my head. “Then that would mean you leave and follow him. Are you ready to do that?”
That answer was easy. “No.”
“Then I guess you better tell him that.”
“Mom, he’s leaving in two days. It’s not like he was planning on staying,” I said. There was so much more, and I couldn’t tell her. Couldn’t tell anyone. But I promised to keep the secret and I wouldn’t break my word.
“Then I guess this conversation is for nothing,” she said. “Unfortunate, because I really thought you two had something...special.”
“We do. We care a lot about each other.” I am totally in love with him, and I can’t tell him that. If I do, he might walk away from his dream and think he must stay for me. I didn’t want that to happen.
“And are you planning on seeing each other again?”
“We are. In time. But we both have busy lives.” He said he wanted this to continue, but he never gave a timetable. Probably didn’t have one either. One thing about joining the Marines was he no longer had control over a huge part of his life. That didn’t mean I didn’t respect him for doing it. If it wasn’t for men like him, we wouldn’t have the freedom we do today. But was there room in his life for me? Not sure if he knew that answer either. Only time would tell.
“Adilyn, if you love each other, then you’ll find a way to make it work. It’s that simple.”
“Simple?”
“Yes. Your father and I had to compromise on many things in order to make it work.”
“But the lodge is in trouble,” I said.
“Adilyn, that is the lodge. Your father and I are just as much in love today as we were twenty-five years ago. Maybe even more,” she said.
“But the lodge is your life,” I reminded her.
She shook her head. “No. It’s a place that we live. Do we love it? Yes. Are we happy here? Yes. But I would be happy anywhere as long as I am with your father. That's love. It’s not a location. It’s a feeling and it relocates where your other half goes.”
“That is so...romantic. You don’t usually talk like that. Why now?” I asked.
“Because my baby girl is in love. And it’s time for you to realize that love needs to be nurtured. Don’t take it for granted. Put the work in, and you and Mark can have whatever future you want if you put in the work.”
“Mom, we aren’t even an official couple.”
“Hmm. Is that what you think or know?” she asked.
“It’s what I know. We never voice it,” I said.
“That doesn’t mean anything. A man doesn’t do all he’s done for you if he’s not committed to you. Call it what you want, but he’s crazy about you. All you need to do is decide if he’s the one you want. If he’s not, then tell him. If he is, then hold on tight and don’t let go,” she said.
I wiped up the small amount of juice that I had spilled and said, “Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Now get out of my kitchen and go enjoy your day off,” she ordered.
That was easier said than done. For the first time in almost a week, I was bored. I had nothing to do. So I went to the place I loved being. The barn. The horses enjoyed my company, and I could talk to them, and they never told my secrets. Right now, I had a lot of those.
The next few hours were spent brushing the mares and cleaning the stalls. Not what one would usually do on their day off, but I didn’t want to be at the lodge. I wanted to be alone. At least until Mark returned. I knew what I needed to do. What I had to say. And he knew where to find me when he wanted me.
Day was quickly turning to night and the sun was beginning to set. I could hear the sounds of music from the lodge. They were all having a good time. Maybe Mark was in there with them and had forgotten all about me.
