by Parker, Ali
“I did. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to buy it. I would absolutely love to have it and I would enjoy expanding the conservation part of my operation, but it isn’t in the cards.”
We approached the row of cabins. I tried to see them through his eyes. I was generally very critical, and now, I could see every little flaw. I could see the weathered wood that could use a fresh coat of sealant and the windows that were old and needed updating. It looked rundown.
“These are original structures,” he stated rather than asked.
I cleared my throat. “Yes, sir. I believe the history is it was a religious community. I hope to one day update and build newer, larger cabins. The existing cabins have updated plumbing and wiring, but I’m afraid that’s about all.”
“I can appreciate the craftsmanship,” he said as his eyes moved around the area.
Leo appeared on the trail. He walked toward us, looking at me with curiosity. I gave a slight shrug. I had no answer or explanation to give. I was just as thrown off by the surprise visit as he was.
“We’re a small business,” I said.
“My group loves to support small family operations. A family will always take a great deal of pride in what they do versus a corporation that is driven by greed.”
I didn’t correct his assumption that it was a family business. Leo wasn’t my brother by blood, but I thought of him like a brother. “I appreciate that.”
“We’ve narrowed our options down to three,” he said, looking me directly in the eye. “I like what you’ve got here.”
“Thank you,” I said again. I wanted to ask how much money he was talking about but didn’t want to come off as crass.
“Our benefactor provided specific instructions about how the half-million was supposed to be distributed. We’ve thought about dividing the funds and distributing between several operations, but I’m of the mindset we can accomplish more with one large donation.”
My ears were ringing. I couldn’t believe the amount of money on the table. I hoped like hell I didn’t have green dollar signs in my eyes because all I could think about was how much I could accomplish with that kind of money. I could buy the neighboring parcel and expand the conservatory. I could fix up and build more cabins and increase revenue.
Leo was standing just behind Mr. Barnes. I had a feeling my expression mimicked his own. His jaw was dropped and his eyes were bulging.
“I see,” I said, trying to think of the right thing to say. “You’re considering us?” I wanted to make sure I was understanding the situation.
Mr. Barnes smiled. “We are. We like the small operations. You don’t have twenty people standing around. I imagine your overhead is very small. The money would be going to what it is intended for.”
“I promise you, we have no overhead,” Leo chimed in “He’s tight. We do all the work.”
I scowled at him.
Barnes laughed. “Good. That’s exactly what we like to hear. I would like to invite you and your family to give a presentation to our board. It will be a small gathering, after Christmas. We’d like to meet the people behind the man.”
The way he said it left very little room for me to dissuade him of the idea that I had a family. “I’d appreciate an opportunity to present our ideas for our future here,” I told him.
“Great, I can’t wait to meet them. I imagine this must take a lot of work to keep up. The family that works together, stays together.”
I nodded, feeling myself sinking deeper into the hole that he was digging for me. “You’re right about that.” I reached out to shake his hand. “Thank you so much for the visit and I look forward to talking with you more. I’ll put together some information about our retreat and outline some plans. That money could absolutely do a lot for the retreat and our conservation efforts.”
“I look forward to seeing that presentation. I’ll let you boys get back to work. I’ll be in touch with a date and time for the board gathering.”
I walked him to his car and waved as he drove down the dirt road. I turned around and looked at Leo. “What the hell?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea. You didn’t know he was coming?”
“Hell no! I didn’t even know his group existed. I don’t even remember what he said the name was. All I heard was donation. Half a million fucking dollars!”
He laughed. “That would make some serious changes around here.”
“Damn straight it would,” I said, still in disbelief.
“Then you have to hire some cleaners. I’m not cleaning thirty cabins or a big kitchen.”
I laughed. “If we get that money, I will absolutely hire a cleaning staff and a full-time cook.”
“I’m holding you to that,” he warned.
“In the meantime, we still have work to do. I expect the guests will start arriving before lunch. The manager wants dinner in the dining hall by five, which means we are going to be hopping.”
We started back toward the dining hall together. “So, uh, about that family,” he said.
“What family?” I asked, my mind already spending the money that I didn’t have.
“Exactly. What family?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, pulling open the door.
“He told you to bring your family. He thinks this is a family business. I got the impression that was a big selling point for him. Do you think they’ll still be interested in giving a bachelor half a million dollars?”
I shrugged. “My marriage status doesn’t mean shit. Why would that matter?”
“It shouldn’t, but I think it does.”
I had a feeling he was right. Tim Barnes gave me the impression he was one of those old-school kind of guys. The kind that was stuck somewhere back in the fifties where men worked and the little ladies stayed home cooking all day. “I’ll figure something out.”
He burst into laughter. “Unless you plan on marrying someone by Christmas, I think you better come clean. You don’t want to show up at the little board meeting with no ring and no wife. If the other two candidates he mentioned are family types, I can guarantee that charming smile of yours isn’t going to mean shit.”
“No one is that old fashioned,” I said, hoping I was right.
“Going to the chapel,” he started singing as he pulled a stack of tablecloths from a shelf. “Gonna get married.”
“Shut up. I’m not marrying anyone to get money.”
He was still singing when I left the hall and went into the kitchen. I wondered if there was a wife-rental service available. All I needed for Christmas was a wife. A temporary wife.
Chapter 6
Cadence
I parked the car in front of my mom’s house. It was early, but I knew she would be awake. She wanted to see the girls before we left for the weekend and I needed to pick up their warm coats. The girls were already out and running for the front door before I could even get my seatbelt off. They were excited to be going out of town. I had let them miss a day of school, wanting to make the weekend extra special. They acted as if they’d won the lottery.
I walked through the front door that had been left open, closing it behind me. The girls were in the kitchen, both talking at my mother who was sipping her coffee. My mom was staring at them, but I wasn’t sure she was actually seeing them. She had that glazed look in her eyes. I often got the same look when they were chatting nonstop about a particular game or toy they were obsessed with in the moment.
I figured I better save her, give her some time to digest the coffee and wake up enough to handle their energy first thing in the morning. “Girls, go find your coats,” I told them.
“They’re excited,” she said before taking another sip of her coffee.
I laughed. “You could say that. Sorry to bombard you so early in the morning.”
“It’s fine. I was up.”
“They wanted to say goodbye before we left, and I forgot their coats here. I figure they’ll need them.”
“I’m so
rry about that,” my mom said. “I didn’t realize they left them here. I saw them a couple of days ago and was going to mention it.”
“It’s fine. I left them here just in case we got that winter storm they were predicting last week. Both girls hate wearing winter coats and prefer their lighter jackets. The school probably thinks I’m the worst mom ever, but they insist they are plenty warm.”
“I don’t blame them,” she agreed. “I always feel like the Stay Puff man in a coat.”
I laughed. “They get their warm-blooded tendencies from you. I would prefer to wear a blanket all day.”
“How are you feeling about the trip?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I’m looking forward to it. I only wish it wasn’t with work. I would like to have the time with the girls, but I suppose I can’t have everything. It’s free. I doubt I would ever be able to afford a weekend retreat.”
“I think the girls would be happy hanging out at home with you. It doesn’t matter where you are—they want to be with you. They miss you. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make them happy. You could sit at home and watch reruns and they would be thrilled.”
I groaned. “Mom, I know. We’ve had this discussion a million times. I don’t need you to try and make me feel guilty. I do just fine with that on my own. I hate that I can’t do that with them, but when I’m not working, I’m trying to be their mom and dad while keeping up with a house. I’m only one person.”
“I don’t want you to feel guilty, but I want you to remember what’s important. I’ve told you before, the three of you are welcome to move in here. You wouldn’t have to worry so much about paying a mortgage. You could work less and spend time with the girls. Your father made sure I would be taken care of. He assumed that ex of yours would take care of you. I can help. I can do more than babysit a couple of hours a day.”
I sighed. “Mom, we’ve discussed this. I’m not incapable of taking care of myself and my kids. We’re doing fine. I’m tired and stressed a lot, but I’m not falling apart. I’m not the only single, working mother. The girls aren’t lacking for love or attention. They have warm beds, their own rooms, and food on the table. They know I’m trying. I think they understand better than you do.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, and I could tell she meant it. “I don’t mean to meddle, and you are doing a fantastic job, but I hate seeing you work so hard. I want you to have the life I had when I was your age. Your father worked, and while we didn’t have a lot of money, we were happy. You were taken care of and I was always around.”
“Those were different times,” I told her. “Nowadays, our situation is the norm. The girls and I will be okay.”
Autumn came in carrying the winter coat. Her timing was perfect. I was not interested in having the same discussion with my mother. I didn’t want hurt feelings between us. She did hurt my feelings when she essentially told me I was a shitty mother. I knew she said it from a place of love, but it didn’t help. It was my own guilt that made me touchy about the subject.
“Go tell Hazel to get her coat. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”
“Grandma said we could have some carrot cake,” she protested.
I frowned at my mother. She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s carrots. It has to be somewhat healthy.”
I rolled my eyes. “The layer of sugar that you call frosting on the top negates any good of the carrots.”
She chuckled, opened the refrigerator door, and grabbed the carrot cake. “I love being a grandmother. When I was your mother, I could never feed you carrot cake for breakfast.”
“You are my mother,” I said dryly.
“But now I can’t tell you what to eat,” she pointed out.
“Yet, you do it anyway.”
“Did your grandma let you eat carrot cake?” Autumn asked.
“No, she didn’t, and do you know why?” I asked, looking at my mother who was grinning from ear to ear.
“Why?”
“Because your grandmother, my mother, wouldn’t let her.”
Autumn looked confused. “But she lets us,” she said it as if it was the most obvious thing.
“I know,” I said, my hand on my hip.
“Because I’m older and wiser now and I realize that life is too short not to eat cake for breakfast. Honestly, it isn’t like our bodies have a digital clock inside. What’s the difference if we eat it in the morning or the afternoon?”
“The difference is we have a road trip and the girls are going to be bouncing off the walls,” I answered.
“Lighten up,” she said, completely ignoring my protests. “You’re going to get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that.”
A couple of minutes later, all four of us were sitting at the table eating carrot cake. I insisted they wash it down with milk, hoping it would somehow counteract the sugary frosting that was making my teeth hurt.
“Are you girls going to have s’mores?” my mom asked them.
They both turned to me for the answer.
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I’m not entirely sure what the place is all about. I can’t imagine a campfire is a great idea. It’s cold outside.”
“That’s why there is a fire,” my mother said.
I laughed. “Fire or not, that’s cold.”
“I want to make s’mores,” Autumn said.
“We might be able to. I’m just not sure.”
“Did you pack lots of warm clothes?” my mom asked.
Both girls nodded. “And Mom bought us our own special flashlights. She says there are wild animals there and we can’t go out by ourselves.”
“Wild animals?” she asked, one of her brows raised. “Aren’t they hibernating or whatever it is they do?”
“It’s a wilderness retreat with a foot in the conservation world. I know there is a bird sanctuary and there are some squirrels and other animals that have made the place their home.”
“I hope they’ve had their rabies shots,” she said with a disgusted look on her face.
I laughed. “I don’t think anyone is going to chase around squirrels and give them rabies shots. The girls will be with me and they have promised they won’t try to pet any wildlife.”
She didn’t look convinced. After our early morning sugar boost, it was time for us to load up. The girls and I hugged my mom and told her goodbye. With them loaded up in the car, we started down the highway.
“Are you guys excited?” I asked, looking in the rearview mirror.
Autumn clapped her hands. “I am! I want to roast marshmallows and go for walks in the trees.”
“That does sound fun. I hope it isn’t too cold. What about you, Hazel? They have some pretty cool birds around the retreat. You love birds.”
“I do,” she answered, not totally enthusiastic.
“I think I read that you can watch them from behind a net, which means you can get close without touching them. How cool will that be?”
“I want to see the birds!” Autumn exclaimed.
“We’ll see the birds, and hopefully, we’ll get to see some deer. I’m sure they’re going to be wandering around.”
“What about bears?” Hazel asked. “Wolves?”
She was trying to scare her sister. I wasn’t quite so naïve. “The bears are asleep and there aren’t any wolves in the area. They are further north and in the trees.”
“I want to see a bear!” Autumn said.
I smirked. Hazel’s attempt to frighten her sister had backfired. “The bears are asleep. However, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to walk around without me.”
“What are we supposed to do there?” Hazel asked.
“I’m not sure. It’s camping but in a cabin with electricity and plumbing. We’ll explore nature, maybe play some games, and just relax.”
Hazel groaned. “That sounds boring.”
“I want to go for a walk!” Autumn said. “I brought my camera and I’m going to take lots of pictures.”
I smiled at her. “I can
’t wait to see those pictures.”
It was a little over an hour of driving before the GPS announced we had arrived at our destination. I followed the signs that directed us on where to park. There were several other cars already in the small parking area. My coworkers were eager to escape the city. I wasn’t sure where to go to check-in. I opened the car door, got the girls out, and just took a few minutes to take it all in.
It was beautiful. I inhaled deeply, letting the cool mountain air infuse my soul. It was going to be a great weekend. I could feel it in my bones. I heard my name being called and turned to see my boss waving at me from a short distance away.
Except that. Joe’s over-exuberance was a lot to handle. I wasn’t thrilled to be hanging out with him. I hoped like hell the interactions with him would be limited. After all, it was supposed to be a treat for us.
He couldn’t possibly expect us to spend every waking moment with him—could he?
Chapter 7
Gabriel
I could hear the cars coming up the road long before I saw them. That was one benefit to living in the peace and quiet of nature. Sound carried, and with nothing but the birds to interrupt the silence, a car engine stuck out loud and clear.
“Leo!” I shouted from my office. “They’re here!”
“I’m going,” he hollered back.
He’d been arranging the complimentary bottles of water and juice boxes on the welcoming table in the dining hall. I left my office, closing the door behind me. If I ever got the money to expand, I was going to make sure I had a bigger office. As it was, my six-three frame felt very cramped in the space that wouldn’t even be big enough for a closet in most houses.
Together, we walked along the path that led to the parking area to greet our guests and offer help with luggage. Leo carried the tablet with the names of the guests and which cabin they would be staying in. He was essentially traffic control.
“Good morning,” I greeted a young man carrying a duffel. “I’m Gabriel and this is Leo. He’ll get your name and let you know what cabin you’re in.”