by Tara Randel
“You mentioned your mother, but is your dad still involved?”
She hesitated, her eyes taking on a hooded look. Clearly he’d stumbled into something here.
“No. My father left for parts unknown years ago. That’s why my mom runs the business.”
“And you?”
“I help, as you can see. Mostly I worked here when I was growing up, then part-time while I was in college.”
“But you came up with the business model?”
She blinked, surprised he mentioned it. “Yes. It wasn’t really difficult to figure out ways to outsource some of the tours and still make a profit. For the most part people want someone else to arrange a tour, not make all the calls to different venues or worry about the costs or times. I do all that for a set fee.”
“You?”
“I mean Mama.”
At the heat in her voice, he backed off.
“What else should I know?”
Grace spent the next hour explaining the tour options and his responsibilities, answering questions and effortlessly fielding phone calls. She engaged with those on the other end of the line, laughing or reminiscing with prior clients. By the end of the conversation, he had to wonder why Golden didn’t appeal to her anymore. She ran the office seamlessly.
After her last call, when she’d mentioned someone named Nathan again, he had to ask. “So, Nathan? Is he the reason you need a new guide?”
“Yes. And full disclosure, he’s my brother. Unfortunately he took off a few weeks ago and my mother has only heard from him once. I have no idea when he’ll be back.”
“Noted. Anyone else in the family working here I should know about?”
“I have a sister, but she’s not involved.” She closed the thick folder and handed it to him. “I’ve enclosed employment forms you need to fill out and return to me. Any health issues I should be aware of?”
“For the most part, no. Allergies are about it.” What his family thought was childhood asthma had sidelined him when he was a kid. While his brothers had been outside running around, he’d stayed indoors, reading as a way to make the hours pass. Turned out he retained everything he read, which gave him extensive knowledge on quite a few topics. Didn’t hurt that he tended to be a geek. And he’d developed exceptional patience during that time.
Thankfully as he got older, the doctors realized it wasn’t asthma but severe allergies. Since they’d worked out the right medication, he rarely experienced any problems. “During allergy season I fill a prescription and I’m good to go.”
“Okay. I think that’s it.” She rose, grabbing a set of car keys from the desk. “Let’s go visit the warehouse. We can leave through the back door once I lock up.”
She smoothed her slacks, then headed to the front door, which nearly hit her as it opened. A preppy-looking man with shiny blond hair styled in an expensive cut, a slick smile, a tan polo shirt and blue Dockers walked in. If Deke wasn’t mistaken, he heard a muffled groan carry across the room.
“Grace Harper, it is you? Lissy Ann told me you were in town but I had to come by and see for myself.”
“Why, Carter Tremaine, you’ve just made my day.”
Was it his imagination or did her drawl suddenly grow more pronounced? Deke grinned at the fake enthusiasm of Grace’s voice. He could see why when he glimpsed the outward disdain on the face of the other half of the well-dressed Tremaine couple. It perfectly mirrored his wife’s expression yesterday.
“When you left Golden for the bright lights of Atlanta, we didn’t think we’d ever see you again.”
“As I’m sure you know, family matters brought me home.”
“Shame about your mama’s fall. Someone should really take care of that house of hers.”
Grace’s face turned red and her voice turned sharp. “What do you want, Carter?”
He handed her a large yellow envelope. “Lissy Ann compiled the information for the Summer Gold Celebration. I’m sure you can pass it on to your mama and Nathan.”
Grace hesitantly reached out to take the proffered envelope. “How neighborly of you both.”
“We’ve invested in extensive publicity with the hopes of putting Golden on the go-to vacation map, and this celebration should seal the deal.”
Grace stood before him not saying a word. If Deke didn’t already dislike the visitor, he might almost feel sorry for him. Grace’s stony silence threw the other man off.
“So, ah, can we depend on your commitment to the town and help during the celebration?”
“You’ll have to discuss it with Mama when she gets back.”
Carter looked skeptical. “But she’s always on board with civic projects.”
“Then there you go.” She opened the door. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Carter hesitated. “You both have a nice day.” He shot a final glance at Deke and exited out the door.
Grace closed it behind him with more force than was necessary and quickly locked the door. She then stomped back to the desk with a decidedly ferocious frown. Tossed the envelope as she went.
“I take it you’re not a fan of the husband either?”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Do you have people in your life whose mission it is to make you miserable?”
“Sometimes I feel like my brothers were put on this earth for the sole purpose of tormenting me.”
Her eyes lit up over their common bond. “The Tremaines have been pains in my behind since high school.”
“I’m guessing that’s part of the reason you live in Atlanta?”
“Yes.” In the overhead light, her green eyes sparkled. He liked her hair a bit ruffled, her cheeks bright with outrage. Made him want to kiss the stress away until she couldn’t think of anything but him.
Whoa! Hold it. Yes, she intrigued him, but where had that thought come from? Thrown, he clutched the folder tighter.
“Let’s get going before another town resident decides to stop in to confirm the rumors that I’m back in town.”
She led him out the rear door to a narrow lane running behind the buildings in this block. They crossed over gravel to a small patch of grass, which then led to a public parking lot.
“Mind if I drive?” he asked. “I do better with directions if I navigate myself.”
“Sure.” She stopped short when she eyed the white vehicle he pointed to. “It doesn’t have any doors.”
“Yeah. It’s a Wrangler.”
He could almost see her brain calculating the distance from the ground to the seat. It was a bit of a climb to get in, but he had every faith she could manage it. Especially as she stared at the wide, silver side step, face etched with grim determination. Did she always approach life with such a take-all attitude? He and his brothers had been overly competitive growing up—still were today, truth be told—and he found himself wondering if she subscribed to the same philosophy. If so, this would make for a very interesting summer.
“Take hold of the grab handle and pull yourself up.”
She shot him an incredulous glance. “Just like that?”
He chuckled. “Just like that.” He couldn’t wait to see this.
Blowing out a breath, she reached up for the handle, hefted her weight, tottered in her spiky shoes for a scary moment, then slung herself into the seat. She shot him a cocky smile. “What are you waiting for?”
Admiring her pluck, he jumped inside and started the ignition, and they were on their way.
As he pulled onto Main, she shouted directions over the loud engine. He drove through town, enjoying the cool temperatures and cloudless sky. With a sideward glance, he saw Grace’s hair blowing in the wind while she uselessly tried to control it. Her tight, white knuckles grasped the handle for dear life as he took the turns. What a trouper. The idea of this woman, who had no use for nature, running her mother’s outdoor adventure business s
truck him as a bit absurd, but he enjoyed the juxtaposition. Finally, a few miles outside town, she pointed down a winding road leading to a large warehouse nestled between tall pines and scraggly scrubs.
“Just pull up in front.”
He did as she said, parked and followed her to the front door beside the large roll-up door beside it. Once inside she flipped on a light and led him to the center of the vast structure.
“Canoes and kayaks on this side.” She pointed out the location. “Camping gear on the other.”
The inventory was clearly laid out for easy access.
“There’s a trailer on the other side of the building that’s used to transport everything when needed. I didn’t notice. Do you have a hitch on the Jeep?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Her gaze encompassed the room. “Any questions?”
“Nope. You’ve covered everything.”
Except why she didn’t like being back in Golden, what was up with her family issues and why the Tremaines pushed her buttons. It wasn’t his place to ask, even though he wanted to. He was here for one thing only, to get the dirt on James Tate and report back to his brothers. The Harper family dynamics were none of his concern.
Grace headed for the door. “Let’s get back to the office.”
As they started to leave, Deke noticed a few posters hanging on the wall, one featuring people water rafting and another of a campground at dusk, a fire flaring in a circle pit. He tried to picture Grace in either setting but had to admit he couldn’t, not with her buttoned-up look.
“So what are the odds I can get you up the mountain or out on the lake?”
She snorted. “Zero to none.”
He chuckled. “Good to know.”
They walked back to the Jeep, Grace’s expression resigned as she climbed in. “Let’s get this over with,” she said.
* * *
WHY ON EARTH anyone would enjoy traveling around in this hunk of metal was a mystery, Grace decided as Deke drove her back to the office. Every dip and bump jostled her and jarred her teeth. Thank goodness for the seat belt preventing her from sliding off the leather seat every time he took a turn. Her heels were not the best shoes to keep a good purchase on the floor and she just knew when they got back, her clothes would carry the odor of gas all day. She swore she’d gotten a bug in her teeth. A bug! Someone save her from the great outdoors.
Before long they pulled into the parking lot. As soon as Deke cut the engine, she swung down from his death machine. She shook her shoulders, smoothed her hair and faced him head-on. “Next time we take my car.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Please, call me Grace. I don’t plan on being here long enough to really be your boss.”
He shrugged. “Grace it is.”
They walked back to the office. His long stride made her pick up the pace to keep up. When she’d noticed his arm muscles flex as he’d steered the Wrangler, she’d had to force herself to look away. Yes, he was in good shape, and yes, he was good-looking. But he was an employee and she didn’t mix business with pleasure. Even though his dark blue-gray eyes, which held a hint of sadness, made her curious. She chastised herself. She was in no position to ask about his secrets.
“Any other questions?” she asked.
“I think you covered everything.”
“Once we’re inside, I’ll give you a key to the warehouse so you can get in whenever you need to.” She unlocked the front door to the office and fished through the top drawer of the desk to hand him the key.
“Thanks. I think I’ll go check out the path to Crystalline Falls.”
“It’s not taxing, but some of our clients misjudge how much of an incline they can handle.”
She took a seat, hoping he’d leave so she could get some work done. Too much of his woodsy scent and masculinity for one morning. She needed to focus and with Deke around that was next to impossible.
“Quick question,” he said. “Where’s a good place for lunch?”
She rose, went to the counter and pulled a paper brochure from a clear plastic holder. “This lists all the stores and eateries in town. Depending on what you’re hungry for, you can find it here.”
“This helps a lot. I was going to walk back and forth along Main Street to familiarize myself with the area, but this gives me a heads-up.” He opened the brochure to find a detailed map and scanned the information. “Golden seems to be quite a tourist destination.”
“When I was a kid, there were only a few places for tourists to visit, but when Mr. Tremaine Sr., Carter’s father, began promoting the town, it gradually grew to what you see today. We still have a long way to go to compete with some of the more established vacation spots.”
“The son is following in the footsteps of the father?”
“Looks like that. The Tremaines are all about publicity, and the other important family in town, the Mastersons, are big into real estate.” She might not like Carter and Lissy Ann, but she had to admit, they were committed to making Golden a premier tourist stop, which in turn kept her mother’s finances in the black.
His head jerked up. “Masterson?”
“Yes.” Her suspicion meter started clanging again. “Do you know them?”
“Maybe. I have a friend, Logan, in Atlanta with the same last name.”
“He would be from the same family.” She paused. “The wayward son.”
“Huh,” he said, then went back to the map. “Small world.”
“I suppose.” She tilted her head. “He never mentioned Golden? I mean, since you decided to head up here to hike?”
“To be honest, I haven’t seen Logan in about six months.”
Made sense. She had to remind herself not everyone had ulterior motives.
“I see there are lots of shops listed up and down Main Street.” He paused. “Jerky?”
“You’d be surprised what’s been popular through the years. The buildings all remain the same. It’s the type of businesses in each one that vary depending on current trends. Right now jerky and specialty sauces seem to be big sellers.”
His perceptive gaze caught hers. “You have your finger on the beat of the business community, too?”
“From time to time.” She would never admit it to her family, but yes, she kept up with the merchants in town. If only to help her mother, she’d convinced herself.
He continued reading. “Blue Ridge Cottage. What’s that?”
“Handmade greeting and post cards, specialty stationery.”
“Interesting.” A moment later he looked up. “Tammy’s Tiny World?”
“Miniature dollhouses and stuff like that.” She frowned. “Why all the questions? Are you interested in a part-time job on top of your new full-time job to overlap with your leave-of-absence job?”
He chuckled. “Like I said, familiarizing myself with Golden.”
He folded the brochure and stuffed it in his back pocket, not meeting her gaze. Was there something he wasn’t telling her?
“Okay, I’m off,” he announced. “I’ll let myself out the back door.”
“If you have any questions, call me. I’ll be here all day.”
He saluted her. “Later.”
Settling in to work, she took some calls, but the office soon became too quiet. Normally she liked to work alone, but today, she was a bit antsy. Because of Deke? Didn’t make sense, really. She’d worked with all kinds of well-built guys who were guides over the years. What was it about him that made her heart pick up speed whenever he was around? She pushed her thoughts from Deke, dressed in a T-shirt that molded to his muscles, to the attorneys she now worked with on a regular basis. Suits were the norm, and if they went for casual, it entailed losing the jacket but keeping the buttoned-up shirt and tie.
As she thought about that, her mind wandered to h
ow fortunate she’d been to land a job at a popular firm and she hoped her leave of absence wouldn’t jeopardize her future there. The timing was not ideal, but thankfully she’d already put in lots of overtime. She’d been taking care of her mother for so long that when she called, it was only natural that Grace came running.
Looking around the office, she realized how much of her heart and soul she’d poured into Put Your Feet Up. Not the physical space, which needed refreshing, but the spirit of the company. While the reminder was still fresh, she grabbed a piece of paper and made a quick list of the work to be done here at the office, as well as her mother’s house. Once finished, she dropped her chin onto her upraised hand, pondering her attachment to the business.
If it hadn’t been for her, her father’s actions might never have come to light. And she wouldn’t have had to grow up so quickly.
She’d overheard her father’s conversation about deliveries and inadvertently mentioned it to her uncle. Soon after, the dirt hit the proverbial fan. Their father had been arrested when it was discovered that he and a buddy in town had decided to start a lucrative side business selling illegal recreational drugs. She learned later that Daddy was always looking for the next big moneymaker. Apparently her father wasn’t that discerning. And he’d always been impatient. Not a great mix.
Then, after what seemed like a lengthy trial, he was sent away to prison. She often wondered if that was why she’d decided to focus on criminal law. Even though their lives had been upended by her father’s bad decisions, the experience had left an indelible mark on her soul. She hadn’t meant to cause problems, but she had gotten her father in hot water anyway. Maybe she could help others now.
But when her mother couldn’t come to terms with the reality of her husband leaving, that left sixteen-year-old Grace, with the help of Uncle Roy, to step in. She’d be forever grateful to her bear of an uncle for guiding her in the early years. But Mama? Grace still didn’t understand why the woman would let a teenager take over the family business instead of encouraging her to have a life. Her own life.
Yeah, it still smarted. She’d been involved in this company one way or another for most of her life. Was she destined to stay here forever? Shuddering at the thought, she realized she needed to get back to Atlanta as soon as possible.