“I can’t help but notice,” Dad gently started, “that you two don’t seem to be at each other’s throats lately. I just wonder if there has been a change you want to tell us about?” It was kind of awkward, Dad asking them that question, but I was glad he did. I mean, I guess I’d rather have parents who want to know who we like, even though it’s a little weird to talk about. Mom knew all about Bentley and me. And then Bentley and Sierra. And it helped so much that I could talk to her. So I figured it’s good that our parents know about Sawyer and Ellie. We need Dad and Mom to be involved in our lives. Everyone perked up and closely watched Sawyer and Ellie for their response. I still felt like I knew a secret since only I saw them by the fire.

Sawyer looked sort of guarded, as if he would rather not discuss the topic in front of all of us. Ellie looked more confident, and she cleared her throat before beginning.

“Actually, Dad and Mom,” she addressed our parents, “there has been a significant change, but I think you’ll be pleased with it.” Dad and Mom were intent on what she was about to say.

Ellie took a breath and went on, “Through all of this, I learned to respect Sawyer and to treat him well. And surprisingly,” she tilted her head playfully, “I learned that Sawyer is not so terribly annoying.” Dad teasingly gasped, which made Lydie and me giggle. “It turns out that Sawyer is a great friend,” Ellie concluded with a grin at Sawyer. Sawyer looked happier than a climber at the peak.

Mom and Dad, as well as Caleb and Julia, looked very pleased. Marshall and I exchanged a knowing glance.

Then Sawyer began, giving Ellie an admiring look, “I learned that Ellie’s strive for excellence is what makes her successful in all she does. She’s definitely not the know-it-all perfectionist that I used to peg her as,” he gently added, deepening Ellie’s blush. Sawyer turned his gaze to Dad and, as if he’d rehearsed it a few times, said, “Maybe someday I’ll work up the courage to ask your permission to ask Ellie out. On a date, I mean.”

Lydie’s jaw dropped, Marshall pumped his fist, and my eyes darted to see my parents’ reaction. Dad looked surprised, but after a split second, he seemed very happy with Sawyer’s respectful request. Mom looked startled, and almost appeared in disbelief, as if she thought it was a joke. Caleb and Julia looked proud of their son. Apparently they were not surprised at the change in attitude between Sawyer and Ellie.

Marshall spoke up now, “Marlee and Lydie and I were shocked at first with how well Sawyer and Ellie worked together on this trip. I mean there was the usual Sawyer-Ellie tension during the planning, but once we were hiking, and then especially after the avalanche, it was remarkable to see them cooperating like well-mannered citizens.” This made us all laugh, and Sawyer and Ellie looked almost radiant as they smiled at each other. “Well,” he added, “there was still a little squabbling, but there was also tons of what Marlee thinks is cute.” We laughed again when he used air quotes for cute.

Still chuckling, I leaned back onto my elbows and looked at the sky as it darkened, allowing the first twinkling stars to peek at us. I sighed happily, and then smiled at Mom, who returned a genuinely happy smile.

Caleb broke the silence, “We all need our sleep now. Especially those with injuries, those recovering from emotional trauma, and those who are overtired and underfed,” he said seriously.

“So, all of us,” Marshall concluded.

Backpacking has taught me many life lessons, one of them being the importance of sleep. Without adequate sleep, we can’t enjoy the beauty, we’re not up to the challenges, and our bodies hurt! None of us argued Caleb’s bedtime call. Dad had already excused himself to begin setting up tents.

Dad and Mom chose to have Lydie squeeze into their tent so they could keep a close eye on her and give her the prescribed medicine without much hassle. I loved watching Daddy scoop Lydie up into his strong arms and easily walk her to their tent. After settling her, he came back to give Ellie and me hugs.

“Your mom will come in a minute to say goodnight, but I’m going to take my sweet time enjoying you two beauties. Girls, in spite of you sneaking off without leaving a note, I want you to know that I’m proud of you both,” he looked us in the eyes.

“For real?” I squeaked, still half-expecting a lecture. I mean seriously, pioneer kids would have been whipped. Dad was actually proud of us, at least partially?

Dad nodded. “I can imagine the amount of courage and endurance you had to display to do what you did. Obviously God was on your side, but nonetheless, I am proud of the way you conducted yourselves to come out of the avalanche and evacuation in such fine condition. And you took such excellent care of Lydie,” Dad concluded with a smile.

“Sawyer showed us how to set up the stretcher,” Ellie commented, and then blushed when we smiled at her mention of Sawyer. Dad gave us each a kiss on the forehead and reminded us to always remember the best parts of the day, as he does every night. As he walked back to his tent, I saw Caleb pull him aside to talk.

Mom came and wordlessly hugged us tight. She kissed my head and said she could never thank God enough.

Snuggling into my cozy sleeping bag next to Ellie, I breathed in the fresh mountain air and had no trouble falling into a deep sleep.

14

I woke up to sun glinting through the tent wall and a few early birds singing their good morning tunes. I could hear Caleb whistling, and the familiarity of his melody reminded me of past enjoyable trips. I was so glad to wake up in our tent. Faint rustling from the boys’ tent indicated that Sawyer and Marshall were not quite awake. I yawned, silently thanked God for an incredibly comfortable night of sleep and then rolled over to see if Ellie was awake yet.

Ouch! As I rolled, every muscle in my body hurt. It made sense, I suppose, to have muscle soreness after two days of hiking without food. That was in addition to being tossed around in the avalanche. I wondered why I hadn’t noticed the soreness until now.

Ellie giggled at my grimace and said, “Morning. Did your muscle soreness kick in, too?”

I nodded, “Evidently.”

“How are you otherwise, Marlee?” she asked sincerely.

“Just extremely thankful for this happy ending,” I responded with a smile. “And you?”

“Also thankful with every fiber of my being. So thankful that I’ll try to overlook my sore muscles,” she said, also smiling.

We crawled out of the tent and found Caleb already taking down our bear bags, ready to make us breakfast.

“I woke up with a growling stomach, so I’m glad to see you, Mr. Caleb!” I called.

“Good morning to you, too, Marlee,” he laughed.

“She treats me that well, too, Dad,” Marshall teased as he climbed out of his tent.

I laughed my greeting to him, and he gave a playful wink as his dad shook his head and chuckled. One by one everyone filed out of the tents, and the five of us kids looked rested, despite our aching muscles. Mom hugged me and said I looked well-rested, unlike the day before. She, too, looked like she had slept well. Lydie clumsily practiced using her crutches and did not accept help. “It already feels like I’ve been sitting and riding too long. If I’m going to stay strong, I need to do this myself,” she said with determination.

Half an hour later, we were all gathered around the humming camp stoves as they warmed water for oatmeal. After Caleb led us in prayer, Dad cleared his throat and asked for our attention.

“The four of us parents had a conversation last night,” he started and my stomach dropped, full of sudden nerves. Might as well get the deserved punishment over with.

Dad must have noticed our pale, concerned faces, because he quickly added, “No need to worry. We agreed that we want the five of you to plan next summer’s backpacking trip.”

Sawyer perked up and beamed, and the rest of us smiled widely at our parents and at each other. No way! I thought. What a privilege! Mom nodded and smiled.

Caleb must have heard my thoughts, because he started in, “Now, as you know, with privilege comes responsibility. After what you exhibited during your moonlit hike, we realized that it’s time to let out the rein, so to speak. We need to give you kids more responsibility while you’re still safely in the nest. This will be an opportunity for you to take on a significant role, yet you’ll have us available for advice. Questions?” He gestured to us.

“Dad, thank you!” Marshall said.

“We all decided on it,” Caleb nodded to the other three adults. Wow. They’re passing on this responsibility of planning our family trips. Is this for real? We’re not grounded for ten years?

This time Dad heard my thoughts, because he spoke up, “I’m sure you realize that this is difficult for Caleb and me to let our role move on to someone else. It will be close to impossible for me to keep my nose out of your plans. But we ask that you come to us with any questions.”

Mom assertively added, “And we also agreed that there are a few stipulations.”

Sawyer cocked his head, “No international trips, I’m guessing?”

Dad and Caleb laughed and Julia said, “That will be added to the list of stipulations.”

“As you know, we always strive to have trips planned five months beforehand, and permits obtained as soon as possible, usually four months before the start date of the trip,” Caleb mentioned.

“And of course, you’ll need to keep the trip within our budget,” Dad added.

“And because of logistics, it needs to be no more than seven days,” Mom reminded.

“And no spelunking!” Julia instructed.

We all laughed, especially Lydie, who remembered a time a few years ago when she convinced Julia, who is smaller than Mom, to wiggle into a cave with her. Lydie thoroughly enjoyed the underground adventure. Julia, on the other hand, discovered that day that she fears tight places. So caves were not an option.

Marshall piped up, “With all the great views above ground, we shouldn’t need to go underground.”

“Can we go to the Grand Canyon?” Lydie excitedly asked. Dad casually shrugged and said, “You’ll need to discuss it with the council.”