“Will you keep the camp going?” Grant asked.
“I’m more interested in ranching,” she said. “Dealing with people is just damn painful. If I found the right folks to manage the camp, I might consider leasing it out.”
Grant turned to Aubrey, a question in his green eyes.
“We’ll call Millie later,” Aubrey whispered.
“Rowdy might be giving you the ranch now because he knows there are problems,” Madison said. “Sotheara and Berdie found a toxic dump site. The good news is the barrels aren’t leaking. They might have discovered it in time.”
“Rowdy’s lousy at keeping secrets,” Millie said. “I knew he was up to no good, but I figured it was another affair, not something that took any brain power. If he wants me to sign the divorce papers, he can pay for the cleanup. And I’m sure he’ll do whatever it takes to keep me away from his easy Hollywood money.”
Rowdy finished his phone call, and ended Madison’s Skype call with assurances that he kept inventory of the liquor cabinet.
The moment had come to leave Survive or Die camp. Grant and Aubrey said their goodbyes, embracing their fellow campers with tears and hugs. Then they climbed in their SUV and headed to Lodgepole.
Aubrey rested her freshly bandaged hands in her lap.
“I promised you we could spend the rest of the weekend at the Winsome Bed and Breakfast,” Grant said. “My offer is still good.”
“I’d love to, but can I take a rain check? I just want to get home to the kids.”
“Sure. I suppose talking to Millie can wait. I’m anxious for the kids to see the camp, but we could come back by ourselves first. If our folks will watch them again. I suspect they gave the grandparents a little trouble.”
“I guess we’ll know the answer to that when we get home.” Aubrey leaned back in the passenger seat. “Are you really considering leasing the camp?”
“Imagine running a dude ranch. It would be a dream come true.”
The memory of murder and survival was a little fresh for Aubrey.
“I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable letting the kids play near Thunder Falls, after Candace—” She stopped.
“Those rope bridges would have to go,” Grant said. “There’s too much liability involved. Maybe we could re-route the trail.”
He was speaking as though it was a done deal. Aubrey told herself she should be the voice of reason, but before long, she was spinning dreams as fast as Grant. Then she remembered the kids. Her fight at the top of Thunder Falls was tame in comparison to the battle they would face convincing their children to relocate to the remote mountains of Survive or Die.
About the Author
Catherine Dilts writes the amateur sleuth Rock Shop Mystery series set in the Colorado mountains. Catherine works as an environmental compliance specialist, and plays at heirloom vegetable gardening, camping, and fishing. She loves rock shops because they are like geodes—both contain amazing treasures hidden inside their plain-as-dirt exteriors. Catherine’s short fiction appears in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Contact her at [email protected]. To learn more about Catherine’s writing, and her life in Colorado, visit her at http://www.catherinedilts.com.
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