orders from a boss, even though technically my clients are my bosses.” He chuckled at that statement, then continued. “Sometimes, though, I wonder…”
“Wonder what?”
“If what I do matters. I mean, in the grand scheme of things, how is what I do of any value? It’s not curing diseases or bringing criminals to justice or educating others. It’s not exactly what could be called an essential service, is it? It’s like the icing on the cake of life or the glaze on a donut. You don’t really need either of those to enjoy what’s underneath.”
“I’m not sure I can agree with that,” Jordan said, making the turn onto the long driveway that led up to the lookout. “Some textbooks that are used in classes include photographs as illustrations. They serve an educational function. Video clips and movies, as well as still shots are used to teach about the Earth and our solar system. Doctors use videos and pictures to help them prepare for surgical or other procedures. I could go on and on. Education isn’t just readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic anymore, you know. If you think about it, images are an important component of a lot of professions.”
Bennett’s quiet chuckle as Jordan parked in one of the spots made him feel better.
“Wow! Way to boost my ego! Thanks.”
Jordan didn’t like the idea that Bennett thought of himself as lesser because he didn’t have a traditional job. Something about that left a bad taste in his mouth, an ache in his chest. He didn’t question his need to help Bennett reassess his worth…he just knew he had to do it.
There were very few other vehicles in the lot, and the melting mounds of snow, some dirty from the plows, left the pavement wet in spots. They exited the truck, Jordan taking the dogs with him, and as he locked it, he asked Bennett where he wanted to go.
“There’s a path that leads up and away from the general lookout area,” he answered, “where we can walk the dogs and I can show you some of my favorite landscape views.”
“You come here often?”
“A few times a year,” Bennett admitted. “Sometimes a lot. I find it…calming.”
Jordan followed him, keeping Marco and Polo on medium leashes so they wouldn’t get ahead of Bennett. The hill they ascended was covered in snow and on all sides, the view was spectacular. Over to his right, a mountain range spread out in forested magnificence, its slopes also blanketed in a layer of snow. Far below, a silver river snaked along between banks decorated with snow-spattered houses and forests, lawns and rocky cliffs.
“Wow!”
Jordan could see why Bennett kept coming back. Something about being so high up, so far from the rest of the busy world, so detached even from the other sightseers, was immensely appealing.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Bennett’s warm breath made puffs of cloud before his face.
Jordan nodded. “It sure is,” he confirmed. “Almost spiritual, up here, so far away from everything.” He turned to look at Bennett fully. “I’d love to see the pictures you’ve taken from up here some time. I bet they’ll be sensational.”
“You can see anything you like. Just let me know when you want to come by, so I can prepare for you.”
Don’t go there, Jay! That's not what he means! Damn! He really needed to curb this randiness around Bennett. It was entirely inappropriate and could possibly mess up what he wanted to become a really solid friendship. Neither of them wanted a hookup, so why couldn’t he get his mind out of the younger man’s pants? Bennett didn’t seem to be struggling with the same problem…maybe he wasn’t attracted in the same way, or maybe it wasn’t as intense.
He refused to let that last thought bother him as they carefully trudged in silence up the slippery path to the spot where Bennett finally stopped. “This is where I take a lot of pictures. I’ve got shots in all kinds of weather, at all times of day and night.”
“You’ve been up here at night?” Was that even safe?
Bennett chuckled. “Once or twice, yeah.”
Jordan bit his tongue so he wouldn’t say what was on the very tip of it. Bennett was a grown man…he could take care of himself. Something in his expression must have given him away, though, because Bennett added,
“It’s safe, you know. It’s well lit at night, and there always seems to be a state trooper here when I come.”
“Do you come all the way up here at night?”
“No. I