CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MARCUS
December 17
The next morning, everyone got ready at sunup to make one last ascent to the summit. Katy looked adorable with her hair mussed and stuffed in a knit cap. Even that early in the day, she still had a smile on her face.
In the corner, Greg was doing yoga or something. It involved balancing his leg out and spreading his arms.
“This is Tai-chi,” Greg said, his eyes closed.
Marcus looked around. Apparently, he was talking to him.
“That was my guess,” Katy said.
They ate a quick breakfast of granola bars and jerky. Greg ate his standing up. He kept poor Rico so busy answering questions that the man didn’t get a chance to eat.
When they came through a pine forest next, Marcus commented, “If someone wanted to film different parts of the world, they should come to Guatemala.”
“I’m an amateur filmmaker,” Greg said.
“Why am I not surprised?” Marcus deadpanned.
Katy’s elbow nudged him.
Greg nodded. “I’m already thinking of filming my next movie here.”
“Oh?” Katy said. “What will it be about?”
Greg, probably excited that someone was listening to him, said, “It’s a billionaire romance with heart. The billionaire will come to Guatemala and fall in love with a native.”
“Billionaires and heart,” Marcus guffawed. “What an oxymoron.”
Greg’s nostrils flared. “I happen to know of many charitable philanthropists.”
“I don’t run in those circles,” Marcus said, shrugging with regret. “I will have to take your word for it.”
“You’re incorrigible,” Katy whispered to Marcus.
“I know what that means,” Marcus said. “Even if I don’t know how to spell it.”
“I don’t think I know either.” Katy giggled. “We’’re even.”
As the wind started to pick up, Marcus looked over at Katy, whose teeth had begun to chatter. He stood windward from her.
“I’ll be your windbreak,” he offered.
“Th-thank you,” she said.
She smiled at him, making him light-headed.
Marcus shook his head to clear it.
He concentrated on his surroundings. It was all rock in this final phase, as though a dragon came through and burned the place down. There were smaller pines and moss but hardly anything else.
Beside him, Katy panted as she walked over the rocky terrain. She looked at Marcus, glaze-eyed.
He put an arm around her shoulders. “You got this.”
“It’s not fair,” Katy said. “You look like you haven’’t been hiking for hours.”
“Well, you look like…”
“What?” she asked.
Like a wild beauty with the wind swirling around your hair.
“Like a model for one of those outdoor catalogs,” he said.
“Wow. Thanks.” She expelled a breath. “I don’t feel it.”
“Let me tell you a secret.” He pressed his mouth to her ear and cupped his hand. “At my last doctor’s visit, he told me I would outlive his pet tortoise. He said my pulse is low. Which was good.”
His supposedly low pulse raced at the lingering look she gave him before moving away.
Greg was struggling too. His mouth opened and closed like a beached fish. Marcus pitied him.
“Hey, man, you okay?” Marcus asked.
“Oh, yeah, sure, sure,” Greg said, clutching at his chest.
“I would keep an eye on him,” Marcus told Rico. “He looks about ready to pass out.”
On to the summit, everyone was quiet. Mercifully, even Greg.
With a surge of energy, Katy and Marcus powered onto the remaining feet. On top of the world. All around, he could see craters of volcanoes. Like God had dropped bowling balls all over the place and just recently, because the craters were still smoking.
“Beautiful,” Katy breathed.
Marcus studied her profile. “Agreed.”
Then he turned to the landscape. This country was an amazing place. The Guatemalans were a lucky people. Just like he was feeling right now. He wanted to shout and dance.
Well, maybe at least shout.
“Whoo-hoo!” he shouted at the top of his lungs.