Trails Merge

by Rachel Spangler

  “What’s your availability for January second through fifth?”

  Parker grabbed her conference ledger and flipped to January, even though she already knew that the week after New Year’s was the deadest week on the travel calendar. “We’re completely open.”

  “Can you accommodate two hundred women?” Alexis asked, now in full business mode.

  “Absolutely, that would be our largest booking of the year, but we have cabins and the lodge rooms to choose from. What kinds of meeting space would you need?”

  “Not much. This retreat is for play and networking, but we’d need a place to mingle in the evening and booze, lots of booze.”

  Parker felt a slow smile spread across her face. “Are we talking about what I think we’re talking about?”

  “The Chicago Women’s Democratic Caucus would like to reserve your services for our annual Blow-Off Bash.” The bash was a raucous weekend where political workhorses blew off the steam of the campaign and congressional seasons as well as the stress of holiday event planning before they had to jump back into inauguration balls and the spring session. The women involved were rarely big-time politicians, but they were major players in the party, and they greatly enjoyed one of their few chances to escape the watchful eyes of their enemies and employers.

  “You know this place isn’t upscale,” Parker warned. “I can hardly get a cell-phone signal most of the time.”

  “For a marketing executive, you sure know how to sell a place,” Alexis responded dryly.

  “I’m just being honest. It’s beautiful and pristine, but it’s not Vail,” Parker said, rubbing her forehead. She wanted the booking, but she wanted it to be the right booking. “If you’re doing this as a favor, you don’t have to.”

  “Don’t be silly. I love you, but I’d never make a business decision based on our friendship. We chose Bear Run because it’s within driving distance from Chicago and close enough to Green Bay for those who want to fly. We also want to have a place to ourselves. This is a major networking event, and we don’t want to be distracted by other functions in the area or prying eyes. We’re willing to sacrifice some luxury for a little privacy,” Alexis stated matter-of-factly.

  “Well, we can certainly offer that.” Parker began to frantically scribble notes on a scratch piece of paper.

  “Don’t go crazy right now. Just put us down for that weekend, and I’ll fax you the details Monday.”

  Parker exhaled. “Alexis, thank you so much.”

  “Well, I began to worry that I’d never see you again. I can’t believe you didn’t come down for Thanksgiving. Whatever did you do there over the holiday? Please tell me you didn’t work.”

  “No, I didn’t. I slept practically all day. Well, until early afternoon. Then I went skiing with the whole Carson family, even the little kids.”

  “A typical holiday on Walton Mountain, eh?” Alexis didn’t sound enthused about the event. It wasn’t her type of fun, and to be honest it wouldn’t have sounded like much to Parker a few months ago, but it had been enjoyable, in a different sort of way. Especially the time she spent with Campbell. “I guess your ski lessons paid off, then.”

  “Absolutely. Cam saved my ass, big time.”

  “I’m sure that’s not all she wanted to do with that lovely ass of yours.”

  “Alexis,” Parker snapped, “it’s not like that.”

  “Oh, come on, darling. Nobody rides for free, right?”

  “You’re wicked.” Parker laughed. “Campbell has no ulterior motives.”

  Alexis was obviously suspicious. “She gave you free private lessons every night for two weeks and didn’t ask for anything in return?”

  “Nothing,” Parker replied. Except for the kiss we almost blundered into. But Campbell hadn’t asked for that. In fact, she still wasn’t sure what Campbell had felt about it. Then she began to feel guilty. She needed to do something to say thank you for the lessons, but what? How did you thank someone for saving both your job and your pride? “She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met.”

  “Sounds like you’re falling for her.” Alexis’s tone had turned serious.

  “What? No. We’re friends. Well, maybe a little more than that.” At least she hoped Campbell considered her a friend. She hadn’t seen her since Thanksgiving, and though it had been only two days, she had grown so used to spending their evenings together that she found herself feeling lonely despite the massive amount of work she’d had to do.

  “Friends that spend hours together every day and invite each other to family events?”

  “It’s not what it sounds like. Everything around here is a family event,” Parker said. “Work and family blend together. You can’t separate the two. Her mother organizes the lessons, her dad runs the slopes, she and Sammy work under them. They keep me from being lonely.”

  “She sounds like your type,” Alexis said, worry filling her voice.

  Parker let the comment sink in, her stomach turning at Alexis’s implication. “You don’t know Campbell. She’s nothing like Mia,” she finally managed to say.

  “You’re right. I’m sure she’s lovely. It’s just that she lives at home with her brother and works with her parents, heir to the family business—”

  “It’s not the same. Mia did what her father told her to do. Cam does what she loves.”

  “If you say so, then I trust you,” Alexis said, but her tone still held some doubt. “You just deserve someone who will put you first.”

  “Thank you, but Campbell and I really are just friends,” Parker said. But did friends almost kiss the way she and Campbell had? None of her other friends made her feel the way Campbell did. Listing Campbell’s noble qualities to Alexis had Parker wandering down a road she wasn’t sure she wanted to take, but it was impossible not to notice what a catch Campbell would be for any woman.

  “Whatever you say, my sweet, oblivious friend.” Alexis chuckled. “I’ve got to run. I’ll send that fax Monday.”

  “Alexis, thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it. I’m just want to meet this mountain butch of yours.”

  “Good-bye, Alexis.”

  Parker sat back in her chair and smiled after she hung up the phone. She knew Alexis was merely being silly with her nobody-rides-for-free comment, but she’d been right about one thing. Campbell had been a great friend, and she had to find a way to thank her.

  Several scenarios popped into her head at once—roses, candlelight dinners, sensual massages. Parker quickly shook them away, but not before she felt herself blush at the images. No, Campbell deserved better than her juvenile fantasies. She deserved a thanks worthy of the bond they had been building.

  *

  The conversation at the staff meeting Monday afternoon flowed easily, and Parker doubted an avalanche could shake the Carsons’ routine. She hoped they would take her big news in stride. After all, the clientele she had lined up for the first week of January wasn’t remotely like any of the people who normally skied here.

  “Parker looks like she’s got big news,” Sammy said, when there was a lull in the conversation.

  “Actually, I do. I booked a major conference for right after New Year’s.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Emery said, running his fingers through his stylish new haircut. “Leave it to you to find business during dead week.”

  Parker grinned slightly at the compliment. “It’s the Chicago Women’s Democratic Caucus, which consists of about two hundred women. So this would be an all-hands-on-deck event.”

  “Wow,” Sammy said, “two hundred women. Would it be inappropriate to tell you I love you?”

  “Yes.” Campbell punched him in the shoulder.

  Parker laughed and continued. “Most of them would probably want to stay in the cabins, but we’d need to set up a central location here in the lodge for them to gather every evening. And there will definitely have to be a bar.”

  “We can set one up in the lounge area. That way they can sit by the fire. W
e’ll pull in some chairs and tables to go along with the couches already in there,” Janelle said. “What type of drinks do you want? Beer? Soda? Wine? Liquor?”

  “All of the above, and we’ll have to keep it coming. They’re a classy bunch, so it won’t be a kegger. These women are used to drinking with the big boys of old Chicago.”

  Greg sat amid the excitement like a grizzly bear. He usually didn’t say much during these meetings, but when he did, everyone stopped to listen.

  “I don’t know about all this. It sounds good from a financial point of view, and I can respect that as much as the next guy, but is this really the direction we want the resort to take? We’ve always been a family-friendly resort, and this type of group will really change the feel of the place. The next thing you know, we’ll be a playground for the rich and snooty.”

  “It’s just one week, Greg.” Irene placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

  “Just a week now, but what about when they tell all their friends in the big high-rises about the cute little resort that’ll bow to their every whim if they flash around a little cash?”

  “Greg, I made it clear to them this isn’t Vail. They’re coming here because of the peace and quiet. I didn’t bill Bear Run as anything it’s not,” Parker said, trying to hide her frustration. How was she supposed to bring in new business if Greg didn’t want anything to change?

  “I know you’re trying, Parker,” Greg said in a patronizing tone, “but these types of people always want more than we feel comfortable giving. “First it’s a bar, then it’s fancy food. Next thing you know we won’t be ski instructors. We’ll be glorified bellhops.”

  “Dad,” Campbell said softly. “It’s good for business, and we are still in charge. We don’t have to do anything we don’t want to, and if they don’t like that, they can leave. They’re giving us a chance. Can’t we at least do the same for them?”

  Parker’s heart swelled as she saw the tenderness pass from father to daughter. She knew Greg wished she’d never set foot on the mountain, but he obviously had a soft spot for Campbell, who in turn knew how to speak to him so he’d listen.

  Greg raised his hands. “All right, Cam. I don’t see as I have much choice, but if I catch one of them doing anything to upset the way this mountain functions, I’ll personally put her on a bus back to Chicago.”

  “They aren’t a destructive bunch, by any means, but they are used to being taken care of,” Parker tried to assure him. “These are all good, hardworking women. I don’t imagine we’ll have any real problems, but they will be in definite need of constant attention. Some of them can be a little high maintenance.”

  Emery nodded. “Gotcha. We’ll dot our i’s and cross our t’s.”

  “I hope this turns out like you all think it will,” Greg told Parker as he left the meeting, obviously still not convinced. “If it doesn’t, I’ll be the first one to say I told you so.”

  Campbell was the only person left in the room after her dad left, and the corners of her mouth turned slightly upward.

  “What?” Parker asked, flushing under the gaze of those bright blue eyes.

  “This conference group, you used to be one of them, right?”

  “Well, I—yes,” she said, finally allowing herself to think about the fact that her past and her present worlds were about to collide. She had been so happy to have a major conference booking she hadn’t thought about what it would mean for her personally.

  “Who would have ever thought your political connections would pay off all the way up here in the black hole of civilization,” Campbell said.

  “Campbell, about that comment, it was just a friend joking. She teases me—”

  “And will this friend be joining us for the conference?” she asked, a mischievous look flickering across her face.

  “Yes, she will, and I’ll personally thrash her if you’d like.”

  “No.” Campbell smiled and shook her head. “We’ll just have to do our best to prove to her that we’re worthy of your presence. And to prove my dad wrong.”

  Parker stared at her, unsure of what to say. Finally she blurted, “Can I buy you dinner tonight?”

  It was Campbell’s turn to be surprised.

  “You know, to thank you for teaching me to ski,” Parker continued.

  “I’d love to,” Campbell answered slowly, “but I have to run the groomer all week from five till ten.”

  “Oh,” Parker said, trying not to let her disappointment show. “Okay, I understand.”

  “But I do have to eat.”

  “Yeah, you do.” Parker’s spirits lifted as she thought about their options. “I could get some take-out, and you could show me how the groomer works.”

  “Hmm,” Campbell pretended to mull over the idea, “dinner and a Sno-Cat tour of Bear Run. Sounds like a classy evening.”

  “It’s the company that makes it classy.” Parker laughed easily, pleased with herself for finding a way to spend more time with Campbell.

  “All right. Should I pick you up here at the lodge around six?” Campbell asked.

  “Sounds good.”

  “Then it’s a date,” Campbell said with a smile as she left.

  Parker tried not to notice the subtle sway of her perfect hips. “It’s a date” was just an expression, but this did feel kind of like a date. That thought was enough to place a silly smile of anticipation on her face for the rest of the day.

  Chapter Ten

  The sun had disappeared over the mountain, leaving only a thin pink strip of light along the horizon. The lifts had stopped running almost an hour earlier, and while a few employees were still at the lodge, the slopes were completely empty. Just as Campbell started up the steps of the back deck, Parker headed toward her. No matter how many times she saw her, Campbell still hadn’t gotten used to Parker’s striking beauty, and today was no exception. She wore a pair of black corduroy pants and a red turtleneck sweater, covered by a black peacoat unbuttoned halfway up the front. Her dark brown hair was tucked under a plain black stocking cap, and the ends tumbled over her shoulders, a few strands blowing in the snowy breeze.

  “I take it that’s our ride?” She nodded toward the Sno-Cat Campbell had just climbed down from. The machine resembled a bright yellow semi truck cab set atop tank treads.

  “Sure is.” Campbell tugged on the handle at the bottom of the door. As it swung open, she extended a hand to Parker as if she did it all the time. “Let me help you up.”

  Setting the bag of food she’d brought just inside the door, Parker put her gloved hand in Campbell’s. “What’s the best way to do this?”

  “Like you’re climbing a ladder. I’ll hold you steady. Once you’re up you can use that handle on the door frame to pull yourself in.”

  When Campbell got into the driver’s spot, Parker had already settled into the passenger seat of the cab.

  “I didn’t know what kind of sandwiches you like, so I brought four different ones,” she said. “Ham and Swiss on rye, turkey and cheddar on sourdough, roast beef and provolone on Italian, and veggies on wheat.”

  “Are you always this prepared?” Campbell chuckled, already knowing the answer.

  “Whenever I can be,” Parker replied seriously.

  “All right, then, I’ll have the turkey.”

  Parker pulled out the sandwich. “Mustard? Mayo? Ketchup?”

  “Mayo, please.” Campbell smiled as she watched Parker assemble their meal. Her overpreparation was just part of her personality, but Campbell would never be able to have a relationship with someone as anal retentive as Parker. At the same time she was touched that Parker had put so much thought into their evening together.

  Campbell missed their ski lessons, and even though they hadn’t talked about much beyond the skiing, she’d enjoyed spending time with Parker. She liked the way she laughed with her whole body when she was relaxed, loved the way Parker’s eyes danced when she was pleased with herself, and craved the full-fledged smiles Parker sent her way when
they fell into perfect rhythm on the slopes.

  Now that Campbell hadn’t experienced the joy of being close to Parker either physically or emotionally for several days, she was lonely. She wouldn’t have thought it possible to feel that way at Bear Run, not when surrounded by the people she loved most in the world. Yet Parker’s absence had left her wanting more. She was almost giddy when they had made plans to see each other again. In fact, she hadn’t thought about anything else all afternoon.

  “You’re all set.” Parker handed her the sandwich and a bottle of water.

  “Then you’d better buckle up, ’cause you’re in for a treat.”

  As the engine growled to life and the cab rattled and vibrated beneath them, Parker said, “There’s no steering wheel. How are you turning this thing?”

  Campbell explained how she using the two joysticks, exhilarated by Parker’s nearness.

  “It reminds me of the old Pac-Man arcade game controllers,” Parker mused.

  “That’s a good comparison.” Campbell bit into her sandwich as they rode in silence for a few minutes. She wanted to let Parker get used to the feel of the groomer and have time to appreciate the surreal, unique view. Parker’s deep brown eyes made her feel as warm as if they were sitting by a fire instead of crunching over the snow at dusk.

  “This is an impressive view,” Parker said between bites of her sandwich.

  Campbell smiled. It was so important to her that Parker be able to appreciate the mountain the way she did. It was one of the only tangible aspects of the growing connection between them. “I’ve been seeing it my entire life, and I haven’t got tired of it yet.”

  “You must have led a charmed childhood, idyllic in a lot of ways, with the mountain, and the fresh air, and the freedom.”

  “Yes. I had a great family, a mountain, and plenty of adventures.”

  “Sounds like you had everything you wanted while growing up.”

  “Almost.”

  “Almost?” Parker asked. “What more could you ask for?”

  Campbell paused. “A puppy.”