Page 80 of Last Call
Dave stared at Fallon, puzzled about why she had brought him here. Typically, Fallon was direct. She was acting strange. Really strange.
“There are always people walking into Murphy’s asking where to get ski lessons, rent snowmobiles, find moose, or if there are places for ice fishing. Every year, someone ends up getting hurt on one of the ponds or riding snowmobiles into the woods,” Fallon said.
“That’s for sure.”
“What if there was someplace that offered to help with all of that? You know, a place where tourists could go and get a package deal? Someone to teach them to ski, show them how to fish on the ice, take them snowmobiling—maybe even to see moose! We could do it.”
“We?”
“Yeah. I can’t do it alone,” Fallon said. “You know how to do all those things, where the best places are,andyou loved doing them.”
“Um, Fallon? Are you serious?”
“Completely,” Fallon said. “People could rent the cabins. This building could be a meeting place—someplace for coffee in the morning and a drink after a long day outside. There’s a two-bedroom apartment upstairs.” Fallon took a breath to steady her nerves. “I thought—if you are interested—you and Becky could use the apartment. That way, someone would be close by for any issues a guest might encounter. The lessons and excursions would be a winter business. I can rent the cottages year-round.”
“You’re serious.”
Fallon nodded. “Bad idea?”
“What? No. It’s cool as hell!”
“Isn’t that sort of an oxymoron?”
“Huh?”
“Cool as hell?” Fallon asked.
Dave shook his head.
“Coolas hell?”
Dave looked at Fallon as if she’d grown an extra head.
“Never mind. So, you’d be interested?”
“Yeah. But…”
“But?”
“I don’t want to piss anyone off or hurt anyone’s feelings,” Dave said.
Fallon pointed to a high-top table with two chairs. “Let’s sit for a minute,” she suggested. “You’re worried about Billie.”
“Kind of. Yeah.”
Yeah. I’ve thought about that. I’ve known Billie my whole life. She’ll understand. Believe me, if anyone knows how hard it is to follow your own path—one your family may not agree with—it’s Billie. She’ll understand.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you really want my help?” Dave asked.
“No. I need your help.”
Dave shook his head. “I doubt you need me.”
“Well, I do. And I don’t want to take this on by myself,” Fallon said.
