Al and Mary Anderson had taken notice. Although he dated in high school, Anna was the first girl Eric had really taken an interest in. They saw the gleam appearing in his eye when the two were together and they grinned at each other when Anna reached over and took Eric’s hand for a brief time. After a quick, knowing glance, they returned to their sightseeing.
Eric had been flying in and out of a number of mountain passes. In mid-March the temperatures had begun to rise, but there was still snow on the trees and along the valley floors. The huge rocky peaks would still have snow for another month. All along the valleys were evidence of roads, homes, farms and small towns. The houses were painted in bright colors that stood out in the white landscape.
Watching his altitude, Eric skirted over several of the peaks to discover a different painted tapestry in each new valley. They were flying up one seemingly deserted valley when they caught sight of a magnificent waterfall cascading down from the middle of one mountain. Beside the falls was a garden-like flat area with a few picnic tables and trees. From there the water plunged several hundred feet into a crevasse before rushing out as a fast moving stream along the valley floor. All along the way, the mist had frozen into an array of what looked like sparkling prisms down the rocks and across the valley near the bottom of the falls. The sunlight caused the entire mountainside to shimmer in light.
“Wow, look at that!” exclaimed Al from the back seat. Mary leaned over him for a look and gasped at the sight. A second later she was snapping away with her camera. As she did so, Eric banked the plane for a better view, then circled back and flew lower to come up the valley again at a different altitude. It was just as awe inspiring as the first time.
Eric began a circling climb to work his way up and out of the valley. On one pass his Mom called out to him. “There’s another one!” she exclaimed.
The new waterfall was gushing out of the mountain above the first into a smaller valley not more than one-half mile long. But it wasn’t a valley. It was more like a hollowed-out section of rock between the peaks. It looked as if someone had used an ice cream scoop to remove a deep section of the mountain. The falls were emptying into a small lake which could barely be seen through a mist.
What was more impressive was the castle-like house sitting on a rocky ledge beside the small lake. It was in the shape of an inverted and squared “A” with pointed towers on three sides. There were what looked like woods surrounding the house and lake except for what appeared to be a large concrete patio along a portion of the lake next to the house. With the ice crystals on everything, the whole thing looked like something out of a fairytale picture book.
“Fly around the place again,” said Al to his son. “I want some pictures.”
“Oh, if we could have a home like that,” Mary said to her husband.
Even Anna was impressed. “I have never seen a place quite so pretty,” she said snuggling up to Eric.
Eric flew around again for a closer look. This time the house was a little easier to see despite the mist. It looked run down, with ivy growing up the walls and grasses showing up in a small courtyard. There were no tracks in the snow and it didn’t look like anyone had lived there for years. This mist from the falls gave the whole place a dream like quality and prevented anyone from seeing things clearly.
After a couple of circles around the little lake Eric’s father leaned forward. “Is there any way we can get an exact location for this place?” he asked. Eric nodded and pulled the plane’s nose higher to climb over the peaks and hopefully be in radar range of the Innsbruck airport. After getting a bearing and range, Eric wrote down the position and banked the plane toward home. It was a good time for them to go back. Nothing could compare to that little valley.
All the way back, Al sat silently staring out the window. He had a peculiar look on his face that he had only when he was concentrating on big plans. Mary continued to look out her side and comment on the wonders floating by. In the front two seats, Eric and Anna were sitting quietly. Although Eric was concentrating on flying the plane, he and Anna would occasionally glance at each other and smile. This time he reached over and took her hand, not in a fleeting squeeze, but intertwining his fingers in hers and holding gently. Anna squeezed back and didn’t let go. They held hands until Eric landed the plane 30 minutes later.
After refueling and securing the Bonanza, everyone went back to their rented Mercedes and made their way back to Innsbruck. This time Mr. Anderson drove, but he continued his quiet concentration while Mrs. Anderson had turned and was carrying on a conversation with Eric and Anna. Mary always had a bubbly personality and truly enjoyed conversations with her family and friends. Her problem was she always made friends everywhere she went, so she seemed to always be talking and laughing. Anna was holding her own and Eric simply wanted to listen to Anna’s voice. He also noticed the look on his father’s face. He was making plans — big plans. Usually that look was reserved for something that would make big money for the business. Until he had thought it through, Al Anderson would be in a world of his own. Eric wondered what that plan might be.
The big Mercedes pulled into the front of the hotel and stopped. As the others got out Al remained in the front seat. “I’m going to go talk to Anna’s father for a minute. You guys go on in. I’ll be back in about an hour,” he said. As the others closed their doors, he pulled away and turned back into the traffic.
Mary watched him leave and turned to the other two. “There he goes,” she said, “Money-bags has some new idea. Best we let him have his fun.”
Anna laughed. “I need to get to my dental appointment anyway,” she said while glancing at her watch.
“Are you doing anything tonight?” Eric asked. “I was hoping to have a little time for just the two of us before I have to go home. Would dinner be okay?”
Anna smiled broadly. “I would like that. What time should I be here?”
“I’ll come get you. How about seven this evening?”
Anna nodded. “How should I dress?”
“I plan on a coat and tie. I heard about this nice restaurant and afterward we can do whatever you like,” Eric said.
The idea of going to a fine restaurant pleased Anna enormously. She reached out and took his hand briefly. “I’ll be ready,” she said as she pulled away and headed for her parked Volkswagen.
Mary Anderson stared at her son. “Moving a little fast aren’t we?” she asked. The laugh lines on the sides of her eyes were tilting upwards with her growing smile.
“Have to,” Eric said with a wink. “I want this to last until I get back over here again.” They started walking into the hotel.
“She’s that special huh?”
Eric stopped before going through the door. He turned and looked his mother straight in the eye. “Mom, she’s that special.”
Mary Anderson was almost taken aback. She always knew Eric as intelligent. He was also very decisive, much like his father. Now it looked like he was making a decision that would influence the rest of his life. It appeared not to faze him in the least. She smiled at herself and followed him through the door.
Across town, Al Anderson entered the offices of Fritz Dietz. His was not one of those stodgy “old country” offices, heavy on the oak paneling and thick, heavily padded leather furniture. On the contrary, the office was decorated much like a Scandinavian designer, with modernistic furniture and a minimalist style. On the wall was a Picasso painted in the same colors as his furniture upholstery. The floors were bare wood with small shag rugs highlighted with boldly colored stripes. The receptionist sat behind a small desk made of a light wood with glass accents. She was dressed modestly in a two piece cotton outfit with a light blue scarf around her neck.