I’m a teensy bit obsessed with paranormal romance. Especially when vampires are involved. I had a girlfriend who loved those vampire romance movies when I was a teenager. She grew out of them, but I never did.
It was one of my best-kept secrets until Blue discovered that book in my lunch box. Not that I’m embarrassed, though I have gotten more than enough shit about it for a lifetime, but reading paranormal romance hardly fits what clients expect from their wilderness guide.
Tony is dressed for his snowmobiling tour that starts in twenty minutes. The relief on his face when he catches sight of me is palpable. His whole body melts.
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” I hurry into the room and Tony makes a quick exit.
“I hope this isn’t a sign of what to expect from you when there are thirty executives waiting to be taken on a wilderness expedition,” a woman in a business suit, who I’m assuming is Sonya Biggs, the person I’ve been speaking to about this expedition, taps perfectly manicured nails on the table.
“Absolutely not.” I shove my hands in my pockets to stop them from shaking. Give me a grizzly sighting during a camping trip or an injured client and I’m calm, cool, and competent. Give me unhappy executives who are seconds away from going to my competitor and sweat breaks out along my hairline, my hands shake, and my stomach roils. “I had an emergency situation this morning, but I can assure you we’ll be prepared and ready to go on the twenty-eighth. Your executives will be talking about this expedition for months. Probably years.”
The two execs from Horizon Solutions frown, unimpressed. One of them is a man who looks to be my age, with a close-cropped dark hair and a neatly styled short beard. Sonya is the HR manager, and probably a few years older than me. Her red hair is up in a tight bun and her green eyes flash with energy. I’m certain either of them could take me in a fight.
“If that’s not the case, we’ll expect a full refund,” Sonya says.
“Of course.”
“We’ve already called your competitor in Sugar Valley, but they have no bookings for that day. We can’t find another expedition in the area, but we won’t hesitate to cancel if we get the slightest indication you aren’t taking us seriously or that you can’t provide the VIP experience we’ve been promised.”
“I understand.” Thankfully, Tony has already set their file on the table. I take a seat and open it. He’s got their business cards right on top. I was right about Sonya. The man is Aaron Jeffries, the Chief Operating Officer. “Why don’t we go over the exact plan for the expedition and confirm everything is to your liking?”
They nod and we get started. This is the largest expedition I’ve ever led, and it’s going to require hiring on several more people to help. It’ll bring in more money than we’ve ever made from one expedition, but the risk is high. If anything goes wrong at all, these people have the power to spread the word and ruin my business.
It’s a risk worth taking to take Evergreen Expeditions from a small town business to a destination.
By the time they leave, an hour and a half later, they seem tentatively happy. Now, I just have to deliver on the twenty-eighth, three days after Christmas in the middle of our busiest season.
***
I’ve removed most of the stupid stuff Blue put on my truck by the time I park in the lot outside her apartment, but the words on the rear window will require a good scrubbing to remove. I don’t have time for that. Revenge needs to happen tonight.
This war between us has to end before one of us goes too far and reputations are ruined. I have to do something so memorable and shocking she gets scared and backs off.
Her car’s not in the lot, and the windows of her apartment are dark. She’s not home.
I settle in to wait, watching the entrance to the lot for her small SUV. I haven’t figured out what I’m going to do yet. Hopefully, it’ll hit me when I see her.
But maybe that’s not the best plan.
I open the notes app on my phone and start brainstorming ideas. I’ve gotten as far as breaking into her place and putting saran wrap over the toilet when my phone vibrates with an incoming call.
I answer, because I don’t believe in ignoring my family. No matter how obnoxious and irritating they can be.
“Garrick,” my brother Hudson says cheerfully. “How’s it going out there in the wilds of the Christmas that never ends?”
Hudson is my favorite sibling, or at least the one who’s best at keeping in touch and gives me the least shit about my life choices.
“It’s great. You’d know that if you ever visited.”
He snorts. “The only reason I’d ever visit is to see you, and you never have time for me.”
If this was one of my other siblings, I’d think they were laying a guilt trip on me, but Hudson’s not like that. He’s straightforward sunshine. “Or you’re too busy to come out here. Mom and Dad ever going to let you have some time off?”
“The CFO never gets time off, baby brother. And why would I want it? I love numbers the way you love trees and weeds.”
I laugh. “Something I will never understand. Thanks for looking over my books last month, by the way. I never would have found that error without your help.”
“You’ve already thanked me and I’ve already told you it was fun for me. Quit stalling. You know why I’m calling.”
