But Gayle hardly heard him, staring out at the vista before her, she couldn't take her eyes off the majesty of the mountains and the crystal clear valleys below.  She swallowed back the tears, which welled up, no-one had given her such a lovely surprise before.  She was overwhelmed,  she thought back to all her bleak birthdays and lonely Christmases, and how often she had wished for a wonderful surprise that would make her feel as good as she did now.<br/><br/>She was was so grateful for his thoughtfulness, but knew as she turned and smiled at him, thanking him for the lovely surprise, that she must keep hold of herself and not let him see how much she was affected or she would think her  very strange - or just plain crazy.  Thankful for the distraction she took the sandwich he was holding out to her, and sat next him, hoping she would be able to overcome her nervousness and chat easily with him.