It had been two years since Steve and Kayla had been together.  There were longer separations, some feeling more permanent than others.  But this was the one that was fresh in their heads.  And their hearts.  Kayla made an impulsive decision when she left Salem with Steve yesterday afternoon.  She was without anything but the wedding dress now on a chair, her sister-in-law’s shoes, and the little she had in her purse.  But she had… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 1

The humidity of the small, musty room was cancelled out quite nicely by the air conditioner’s cold air.  The coolness was a definite relief from the summer heat when they first walked into the room, but now it sent an unpleasant chill over Steve’s body beneath the thin sheet.  He let out a groan, pawing at the bedspread to try to find some heat.  That’s when he realized the warmth of his wife’s body wasn’t… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 2

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise was possibly the most spectacular place Kayla had ever stayed in her life.  That really wasn’t so surprising to her, though, Steve had been a man known to call in every favor, turn over every rock, and pull out every stop to give them something special.  Whether it was decorating his crummy, basement apartment with new linens and accessories for a dinner date, planning Kayla’s dream wedding all by himself,… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 3

“Ya know, partner, normally I’d ask you to just make a decision and stick to it.  But in this case I’m real glad to hear you changed your mind.” Steve chuckled at the relief in John’s voice.  “Yeah, I think you’re just happy that you don’t have to go shuffling around the workload at Black Patch, after all,” “I did that two day ago, what kind of operation you think I’m runnin’ over there?” It… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 4

Kayla sat on her side of the bed with her phone in her hand as her fingers played nervously at her lips.  But for her leg bouncing up and down she was idle in every other way.  The rain clouds had rolled in and were now blanketing Lake Louise in a moderate rainfall.  Kayla stared out at it while she waited for her phone to buzz. Steve had left to get some groceries for their… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 5

Steve went back inside, and Kayla let out a sound of utter frustration that he kept after her.  “Stop following me!” “Hey, you started this, now you don’t wanna finish it?!” “I don’t know what you want from me!” “I wanna know how you could just get over me so goddamn fast!” “You were gone for more than a year!” “Ok, so when you think I’m dead you go 16 years not getting over me,… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 6

Thursday and Friday were like a renaissance for Steve and Kayla.  The buildup of darkness had been trapped inside them for too long; and, once they really told the truth (mainly to themselves), it was like the world had suddenly saturated with color that they’d forgotten was there.  Every one of their five senses felt so much more alive than they had in years.  Food tasted better, the scent of the air was impossibly pure,… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 7

Kayla stood out on the gorgeous stone terrace off their hotel bedroom.  The mountains surrounding them were farther than they appeared, yet she could practically see the pine needles of the firs blanketing the cliff sides.  She breathed in deeply of the fresh scents, then closed her eyes as she slowly exhaled.  She felt such peace.  Her world had been put so truly right again, and part of her wanted to never leave this place.… Read more: Lake Louise – Chapter 8