by Marina Adair
“Why, son? You applying?” There was a long, tense pause where Avery could hear the hurt and humiliation grow, from both men. “No, I didn’t think so.”
And that was her cue to step in, bring some much-needed perspective to the situation. But when she stepped around the corner, her chest pinched at the sight.
Dale was red in the face and deflated, as if this had been going on for a while and tension was taking its toll. And Ty, oh poor Ty, just looking at him made Avery’s heart ache. His body was coiled tight, arms folded across his chest, and his feet were planted in a masculine stance as he stared out at the lake.
At first glance, he looked to be a man in control of his world. But a deeper look showed the emotional wear of a decade of misunderstandings.
“You can be as pissed as you want at me, Dad,” Ty said. He sounded so troubled Avery wanted to wrap him up in a big hug. “But you and I both know Mom won’t let you drive the company van, nor would she be okay with you heading this trek. And with no one else free who is covered under the lodge’s insurance, it had to be rescheduled.”
“I can drive,” Avery offered gently, stepping all the way into the boathouse.
Ty didn’t flinch, which meant he knew she was there all along. Releasing a breath, he turned to face her, and it took everything she had not to go to his side. He looked like that same tired, scared teenager he’d talked about last night, desperate to impress his dad—to make things right.
Ty was a fixer. He didn’t just rescue people for a living—it was a core part of who he was. But there was no easy fix for dementia, or for how to navigate through a past that was buried so deep it had planted roots. What he didn’t understand was that his dad was too busy trying to remind everyone that he was still useful to acknowledge Ty’s offer as anything but unwanted.
“I don’t need a babysitter, missy,” Dale said, but his smile was hiding right beneath that scowl. Avery could tell.
“You’re not helping,” she whispered to Dale. “So unless you want me to call Irene, then zip it.” Then to Ty she said, “It’s a perfect solution.”
“Avery,” he said, his eyes pleading for her to drop it. But she couldn’t. The solution was so simple—everyone just had to get past the hurt to see it.
“I’m covered under the umbrella, I know exactly where Fern Falls is, and the hike out is short,” she said. “There are no steep elevations, no cliffs to scale or descend, just a bunch of seniors going out for a day in nature.”
“You’re not fully trained,” he said flatly.
“I know, but Dale is.” Avery walked over to her boss and linked arms with him, and the expression on Ty’s face made it clear that he felt like she’d chosen sides. “Between my book smarts and Dale’s reputation and years in the field, I think we can handle a few old-timers.”
“You do realize that those old-timers could solo K2 and build a shelter out of twigs and dust,” Ty said.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”
He glared at her for a long moment, and Avery did her best to look like a capable adventure guide. Dale even puffed out his chest a little.
“Except with you two in the driver’s seat, trouble is bound to ensue.”
“Only the good kind of trouble. Plus, if anything goes wrong, Dale is more than qualified to handle things.” She turned to face Dale so that she didn’t have to see Ty glaring. It didn’t help that she could feel his eyes boring into her back. “You promised to train me, and I’ve been patient, waiting for the right time. So unless you have a better time in mind—”
“It’s settled,” Dale said. “I’m taking Senior X-Treme out and training the new girl.” He gave Avery’s hand a gentle squeeze, then headed for the door. “Be sure you come ready and prepared—the guys and I don’t like wasting time. So if you forget something, you go without.”
“Yes, sir.” Avery saluted, and she could have sworn Dale was chuckling when he walked out.
Ty was not chuckling in the slightest. He looked irritated. The complete opposite of how he’d looked last night when he’d dropped her off at her car and kissed her good night.
He picked up a tackle box and jammed it on the shelf with force. Then he went about wiping down the fishing poles stacked against the wall, making short, jerky wipes with the rag that Avery was surprised didn’t snap the pole in two.
“This is such a bad idea,” he said when he was done with the first pole.
“We’re talking a mild hike to the falls, where they’ll fish all day. The same thing they do every year, just in a different location, with a chopper ride back,” she pointed out. “How bad could it be?”
He stopped mid-jerk and sent her a long look. “This morning you texted me that we had to cancel scouting the trails. Do you remember why?”
“To take Mr. Keefer fishing,” she said innocently, leaving out the reason why Mr. Keefer had called in the first place.
“Right, you told me there was a mix-up in the schedule, that he must have written it down wrong, but since he’s staying in the VIP suite I canceled my morning plans,” he said, stepping closer. “Which I was really looking forward to.”
Avery looked up, and those warm chocolate eyes turned her body to mush. “Me too. But we get to go tomorrow. And for the record, I did think he had the wrong date.”
Avery booked every trip, and she hadn’t taken a booking from a Mr. Keefer. She would have remembered because he was a guest in their VIP suite. And when she’d opened the schedule and looked at the eight o’clock slot, like she suspected, there was no Mr. Keefer.
So instead of upsetting a guest, and explaining he had the wrong date, she’d sent Ty. It was only after Ty had gone down to cover the trip and Avery had talked to Irene that she’d learned the truth—and from the look on Ty’s face he’d figured it out as well. “He’d been waiting at the boathouse for over an hour. In the cold. His poles and tackle box were ready to go, only there was no guide. He said Dale was supposed to meet him at eight.”
“He got mixed up,” she said. “When I called your mom I figured it out, but you were already gone so there was no point in telling you, but I did apologize to Mr. Keefer.”
“By telling him my dad was with another group, then comping him the trip.” Ty took her hand. “Angel, you are a horrible liar.”
As a rule, Avery didn’t lie. Nothing good, she’d learned, ever came from lying. But she didn’t know what else to say. Mr. Keefer had paid a ton of money to receive an experience of a lifetime, and Avery wasn’t going to let him be left on the dock waiting for a boat that was never going to come.
She found herself in a lot of these compromising situations lately. And she foresaw many more if Irene didn’t do something and get Dale to a doctor.
“That’s why I offered up the free champagne, hoping to distract him.”
“Jesus, Avery.” He paced the floor, his hands working the knots she was sure had sprouted in his neck. “Between you and my mom covering for him, it is only making things worse.”
“I know,” she admitted, but the devastation she knew she’d see in Dale’s eyes if she confronted him would break her heart.
“How long has he been forgetting trips and sneaking out and leaving the house in his fucking slippers?” He stopped pacing long enough to look at her. “How long have you been covering for him?”
“I don’t know,” she said, but he clearly didn’t believe her. “I only know that your mom hired me because I needed a job, and she needed someone to keep an eye on Dale. So we made a deal—I would make sure the office was running smoothly and that Dale didn’t go out on anything beyond a beginner trek, and she would give me free adventures.”
“So you’ve been keeping him distracted with other stuff?”
“I tell him I need help with booking a trek, or ask if he could go with me to offsite bookings, or show me how to schedule a hike versus a climb.”
“Or pretend he’s training you so you can make sure he doesn’t lose an entire group of guests of
f a cliff?”
She shrugged. “It keeps him busy and involved without putting him in the way of danger.”
“And what happens if he accidently books a trip with a client and forgets? Or worse, what if he actually makes it?” He was angry and frustrated. At her, at his mom, and at the situation. But he was also scared. Scared for his dad and what this meant.
“That hasn’t happened until today,” Avery admitted.
He was quiet for a long moment, then walked to the end of the boathouse to stare out at the lake. Avery joined him and could see Dale standing on the end of the dock, hands stuffed in his pockets, staring down at his feet.
Avery’s attention went back to Ty. She could feel the emotions building and turning inside him. He looked lost and ready to run, and she almost offered him the out. Told him that if he needed to regroup, get some distance, she could handle SAREX. But she knew from experience that running didn’t solve anything. If anything, it made it more intense, harder to cope later on down the road.
And there always was a later. Things only lie in rest for so long before they demand attention.
“Covering for him won’t do anyone any good,” Ty said.
She slid him a look. “Neither will embarrassing him. He’s lost so much—I don’t think he can handle losing his pride as well.” Ty flinched at her comment, and she knew he felt as if he were losing too. Resting her hand on his cheek, she said, “Let me help, Ty.”
His eyes softened, reminding her more of the man she’d spent last night with. “Why do you want to help?”
She stretched up on the tips of her toes and brushed his lips with hers. “Because you’re not ready to.”
Ty’s last appointment pretty much summed up his entire day. He’d taken a group on a sunset cruise around the lake, which turned out to be the local chapter of the Kappa Gamma Kai sorority from Reno State, who clearly liked to pre-party before departure. Since three of the girls mainlined tequila, and their sorority leader had severe motions sickness, Ty spent the rest of his shift listening to Taylor Swift karaoke and an extra two hours hosing down the boat.
Desperate for a hot shower, a cold beer, and a dinner that didn’t come with a side of disappointment, Ty picked up the phone and ordered up some room service. Then he pulled a longneck from the minibar and headed toward the bathroom.
He took a few healthy pulls while the shower heated up. When the steam was thick enough to cut, he stepped under the spray—bottle in hand. The water pounded on his battered muscles while the beer worked on the rest. But no matter how long he stood there he couldn’t seem to wash away the argument with his dad—or his conversation with Avery.
What did she mean he wasn’t ready to help? What the hell did everyone think he was doing in Sequoia Lake? He hadn’t come home for the warm family moments, that was for sure. He’d come back because his family was on the fast track to losing the lodge, a lodge he didn’t want or care about. But he was there because his parents cared—and that was enough for him.
Yet at every turn he was being challenged, judged, even blamed for a situation that he hadn’t been around to cause. His absence seemed to have done as much harm as his presence. And wasn’t that a fucked-up situation.
If he’d been there more he would have seen his dad slipping. But being home meant making peace with the past. It had been fifteen years since that night, and Ty still couldn’t get past the guilt. At this point he wasn’t sure he ever would.
“Shit,” Ty said, shutting off the water.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he realized exactly what Avery had been talking about. Garrett was the only thing he had in common with his dad, and letting go of the guilt would be like letting go of that connection—like letting go of Garrett. So much time had passed, the guilt was all he had left.
Or that was what he’d thought until last night. It was strange—sitting by the fire with Avery nuzzled against him while he told her about Garrett felt different. Lighter. How a memory should feel. And for a moment, when he’d held her on the blanket and looked into those soft baby blues, he wondered if this was what life should feel like.
Dragging on clean jeans and a shirt, he padded to the front room and grabbed another beer. He was reaching for the bottle opener when a knock came at the door. Hoping it was room service with a big juicy burger and a double side of fries and not one of his parents asking why he wasn’t coming to their place for dinner, he answered.
It was neither.
Oh, there was dinner on the other side of the door, but there was also an extra helping of sexy woman to go with it. One glance at that contagious smile and Ty’s shitty day circled right back to how he’d felt that morning when he woke up with her smell on his skin. Then she released those dimples of hers that he loved and—bam—it was like the clouds disappeared and a bright light warmed him from the inside out.
“What are you doing here?” Ty asked, unable to stop himself from grinning because gone was the windbreaker, knitted cap, and two braids peeking out each side from earlier.
Tonight, her blonde hair hung loose, tumbling down her back with wisps framing that stunning face. She wore a glittery light blue dress that hugged every place a man would want hugged, and then it flared out at the waist and puddled against the floor. Ty didn’t need to see the crown he’d made her on her head to tell him she was dressed as a princess.
He’d never really had a princess fantasy before. But sweet baby Jesus, there was something about the way her dress went all the way to the floor that had him itching to see what she was hiding beneath.
She handed him a covered plate. “Bringing you dinner. Your mom said all you have to do is reheat the lasagna for thirty seconds in the microwave, but don’t put the garlic bread in there because it will get tough.” She handed him the plate.
In the mood for something a little sweeter than lasagna, he set the tray on the table by the front door and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. “And why did my mom give it to you?”
She shrugged. “I mentioned I was headed this way, and before I knew it there was a care package with special instructions to ensure I didn’t just leave it at your door.” A little grin bit at her lips. “She thinks she was being smooth, but I’m pretty sure she’s setting us up.”
Well, that explained her sudden appearance. His mom wouldn’t be happy until Ty was married and settled down—preferably here in Sequoia Lake. Which made Avery her ideal match for him. But it didn’t explain why Avery was dressed the way she was.
“Why were you headed this way?”
“Because I have a surprise.”
“Does it include a pumpkin carriage and magical mice?” he asked, wondering if she had glass slippers on beneath the ball gown.
“No pumpkin, but there is a party, and it will be magical.” She held out a paper bag. “In case you say yes, know that you’ll have to eat your burger on the way.”
“Angel, you come here dressed like that and promising me magic, dinner is the last thing on my mind,” he said, grabbing his jacket off the coat rack and his keys off the table.
“Good.” With a smile so bright it could light an entire planet, she took his hand. “Then put this on and follow me.”
Ty didn’t question the plastic sword she stuck through his belt loop, nor did he complain when he was forced to fold himself into her tiny car. But when she stuck a CERTIFIED NOBLE KING button on his shirt, he said, “Noble is something one says about a horse.”
“I almost got you the ‘It isn’t a coronation until someone shows their sword’ T-shirt, but since you’re crowning a princess, I thought it might be a little inappropriate.”
A few minutes later they pulled into the visitors’ parking lot of Mercy General. “What are we doing here?”
“Making magic,” she said, and a small giggle was all she offered him before she led them through the big double doors and down the hallway toward intensive care.
She bypassed the information desk, paused at the nurses’ station long
enough to give a wave—and every nurse waved back—then continued through the maze of corridors and rooms.
He was surprised that she didn’t seem to notice the smell of ammonia and saltine crackers. Almost as surprised to discover that every person on that floor seemed to know Avery by name. So by the time they reached the second floor, the thousand and one questions that had haunted him since seeing that scar last night intensified. The night had ended so perfectly, he hadn’t wanted to ruin the moment by asking about how she’d gotten it, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t thought about it.
But being here with her appearing so at home in such a sterile space confirmed Ty’s fears—Avery had recently spent a lot of time in a hospital. Most likely this hospital.
As a patient.
She stopped in front of room 219 and said, “Oh, I almost forgot.” Digging through her purse, she pulled out two surgical masks and slipped one on her face. “We have to wear these.”
Ty watched her as she carefully secured the mask around his mouth, her hands shaking slightly. And that was when the panic set it. “Oh my God, is it my dad? Is he okay?”
He reached for the door handle, but Avery stopped him. “No, your dad is fine. Everyone is fine.”
Ty let out a breath and waited until his heart rate slowed enough so that he didn’t feel as if it were going to explode. “Thank God.”
“I’m so sorry to scare you.” With the mask on, her eyes seemed even bigger than normal. “I didn’t even think that you’d go there. I forget that other people associate hospitals with emergencies.”
There was something so odd about the way she said it, about how she’d handled the entire walk up here that had him asking, “What do you associate with them?”
“Hope.” He couldn’t see her mouth through the mask, but he could tell she was smiling. “And that’s why I brought you here. I’m bringing hope to a friend who has a special request that I wanted to share with you.”
She took his hand in hers and held it. “That crown you made wasn’t for me. I won it for a little girl named Caroline who wants more than anything to be a princess at her very own dress-up tea party. I can’t make her a princess for real, but I can make her feel like a princess. So we’re having a princess party.” She gave a little curtsy. “Since you made this beautiful crown, I thought you should be here when she gets it, to see how big she’s going to smile.”