Minnie Crockwell - Will Travel for Trouble 03 - Trouble at Glacier by Minnie Crockwell Read Free Book Online Page A

angling for a walking companion.  
    “Oh, no. That would be too much trouble for you. Really.”
    “No problem. I’ve got time on my hands. Do you have a camera?”
    It   seemed like I was stuck with my escort. I couldn’t back out now. Ungrateful as I was.
    “No, I’ll have to run back to my RV and get it.”
    “I’ll walk with you.”
    Rick’s steps were slower than mine. Although he was tall, he moved slowly as if his back hurt him.
    “Didn’t you tell me you were from Michigan?” I asked. “Did you know that John and Amanda Nash are from Michigan? Were?”
    He threw me a sideways look. “Yeah, I knew that.” He said no more, seeming disinterested in the subject.  
    “And I guess Amanda’s uncle is from Michigan originally, but he lives in Washington State now.”
    “That’s the fellow who’s camped on the other side of you, right? Steve something or another.”
    I nodded. We had reached my RV, and I stepped inside to get my camera. While he seemed like a harmless old fellow, I didn’t invite him inside. I still wasn’t quite sure what to think about his escort to the lake. I would have preferred to go alone, or rather with Ben, who was keeping silent.
    Are you there? I asked silently.
    Yes, dear. I did not wish to distract you from your senior gentleman escort. Is it the uniform? You did say you admired men in uniform.
    Funny, Ben!
    I returned my attention to the conversation as Rick and I walked toward the lake.  
    “Yes, her uncle parked next to me. He’s taking care of Amanda now. I wonder how much longer she’ll have to stay. I’ll bet she can’t wait to go home.”
    “I’m sure she’ll stay until she can at least claim her husband’s body. I’m not sure how long that will take.”
    I sighed. “Poor girl.” I remembered something I meant to ask him, and I worked my way up to it. Who had been in his truck that morning?
    “I’m sorry about blocking the exit this morning,” I said. “I moved when I saw your truck. Were you out and about?”  
    “Yeah, just headed to the store in West Glacier.”
    I’d passed a tourist/grocery/camping store which constituted much of the village of West Glacier near the entrance to the park. I hoped Rick would mention his companion, but it seemed as if I would have to ask directly.
    “I noticed you had someone with you.” While that wasn’t a question, it was the best I could do at the moment. Hopefully, he wouldn’t give me just a one-word response but would elaborate.  
    I was in luck.
    “Yeah, that was a young man who is tent camping here. My guess is he’s one of these guys who like to ride their bicycles all over the U.S., pitching their tents where they can. Something was wrong with his bike, and he needed to make a call. Doesn’t have a cell phone either, I guess.”
    “Well, I hope he got to make his call.”
    “Must have because he was back within an hour working on his bike. He was supposed to leave today, but I guess he’s decided to stay awhile. Kind of an odd guy. A loner.”
    “Oh?” It seemed as if Rick had more to say, and I wanted to help him tell me.
    “You know the type—doesn’t look people in the eyes, keeps to himself, doesn’t talk much. From the smell of him, I’m not sure he takes baths very often either. He had kind of a nasty smell to him. Reminded me of iron or some kind of metal. His clothes were pretty dirty, stained.”
    “Gracious!” I said. I looked up from the path to see the lake.
    “Oh, look!” The water, though less placid than the day before, still mirrored the mountains surrounding it. The golden sun slipped slowly behind the mountains, streaking the clouds in the darkening lavender sky in shades of peach, yellow and orange. It was truly beautiful.
    “Yup, sunset on Lake McDonald,” Rick said with a rueful smile. “Can’t say I’ve come down here to watch the sunset much since I’ve been here.”
    I glanced at him quickly.  
    “Oh, really? Such a shame,” I murmured. I pulled