by Bria Marche
The bus driver announced her stop as the shuttle turned into the driveway of the Cimarron Lodge, lumbered up the hill, and stopped under the massive beamed overhang that led to the front doors. Memories flooded Karen’s mind. She stared at the log bench she’d sat on while waiting for the shuttle to pick her up and take her away. She was here again, and her hands shook while her anxiety shifted into overdrive. She wished her seat companion good luck and said good-bye as she took the two steps down and stepped off the bus. The driver handed the suitcase to her, closed the hinged doors, and drove away.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Am I crazy or what? She began second-guessing herself even before she’d reached the registration counter to check in. Karen’s eyes darted to the left then to the right, expecting to see Mario any second, with him wondering why she came back to Telluride. Enough of this BS, get a grip, damn it! She forced a smile, stared straight ahead, and walked toward the young lady standing behind the counter. Karen happily accepted a ground-room floor, not wanting to torment herself further with the memories of Mario and the balcony. She remembered stripping down naked and making love in the hot tub with him. Oh my God. What I would give to do that again.
“Ma’am… Ma’am… hello.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I asked if a room with a queen-sized bed was okay. Room 7A is available right now if that works for you.”
“Oh sure, that’s fine.” I swear if one more person calls me ma’am, I’m going bash their face in. Karen smiled sweetly at the young lady, who looked about fifteen years old—but in Karen’s mind, everyone was fifteen except her. She signed the registration form, turned left at the hallway, and headed toward her room. Inside, she threw her luggage on the bed, wet a washcloth, and held it against her face for composure. I’ve got to chill out, for crap’s sake. I’ll freshen up, brush my teeth, and go have a stiff drink, or two, at the bar. By then, I should be ready to face Mario. I’ve got to show up at Gravity before he leaves for the day. If I miss him, who the hell knows where he’ll be?
She changed clothes and went to the bar. The dimly lit room with massive beams, stone fireplace, and rough wood gave off the perfect mountain-lodge vibe. Dead animal heads hung on the walls, their glass eyes appearing to follow everyone who walked by. A bearskin lay in front of the fireplace, its open mouth showing off a quantity of large teeth. She imagined it ready to sink those teeth into human flesh and tear some poor soul to shreds. Karen cringed. The stuffed-animal décor didn’t do much for her except make her pity those dead beasts. Oh, yeah. I’ll contact ASPCA for a job if I don’t have a chance with Mario. At least that will give me a purpose in life. Tina can join me. Karen ordered a dirty martini with extra olives. Her stomach was growling, and she needed nourishment.
***
Brad took the stairs to the third floor and turned down the hallway to room 3C, a studio with a small kitchenette. He checked the time on his cell phone and called Billy. “I’m here. I just checked in at the Telluride Inn. I think it will be fine until I rent a place. I’ll probably get an apartment at Mountainside Manor like I used to have. Anyway, where are you?”
“Come on over to Gravity. Mario and I are going over the security system he put in place. Just head to the office.”
“Does he know I’m coming?”
“Nope. He has enough on his plate with the sale and swapping out the winter merchandise. I don’t need him pissed off or distracted. I want this transaction to go as smoothly as possible, and Mario will appreciate it getting done in a timely manner. The sooner Gravity is in my hands, the sooner he can go home to New York where he wants, and needs, to be. Everything will be fine. We’re all adults, aren’t we?”
“Yeah, I guess. I just hope he doesn’t start swinging. All right, I’ll be there in five.”
***
Karen finished her second martini and knew it was time to go. If she didn’t leave, she would convince herself to order a third drink. I better go before I can’t even walk straight. I’ve had just enough alcohol to give me a boost in confidence. She paid the bartender and walked outside to wait for the shuttle. She sat on the log bench and wondered what the next ten minutes would bring. She’d be face to face with Mario again. He’s called me so many times, and I haven’t picked up. He’s either moved on with Delilah Dreadlocks and crossed me off his list, or he’s pissed off at me for not returning his calls.
She heard the familiar sound of the hotel shuttle coming up the hill. She felt like throwing up, but with only a few green olives in her stomach, she knew it wouldn’t happen. Here I go. It’s show time.
Karen boarded the shuttle, knowing the first stop would be the one nearest Gravity. She would only have a block to walk once she exited the bus. The shuttle pulled to the curb and stopped. Karen rose, handed the driver two dollars, and climbed down the steps. She inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could see Gravity from where she stood. She willed her feet to move forward, and they reluctantly obliged.
Across the street, Karen saw the man from the airport bus exit the Telluride Inn. He walked in the same direction she was going. Looking both ways first, she crossed the street. “Hey there, hi again,” she said with a chuckle.
“Wow… small world, or should I say, small town, right?”
They laughed and walked together.
“I’m ducking in here. Nice seeing you again,” he said when they were in front of Gravity.
“That’s weird, I’m going in here, too.”
Brad held the door open, and they walked into Gravity together. The store was busy with customers taking advantage of the clearance sales. Karen looked around but didn’t see Mario on the sales floor. Two young sales clerks Karen didn’t recognize were busy ringing up purchases. Brad headed straight for the office with Karen right behind him. She knew she would chicken out if she gave it too much thought. Through the large glass window, she saw Mario, Billy, and Sarah, each with a can of soda in front of them, sitting at the desk and going over a mountain of paperwork. Karen wanted to run as fast as she could out the door and never return to Telluride. She was mortified and humiliated beyond words at the sight of Mario and Sarah together. It was too late to turn and make a hasty exit, as all three glanced up and saw Brad and her approaching the office. Sarah’s mouth dropped to the floor. Mario’s face broke into an enormous grin. Billy remained seated with a halfcocked smile, giving Karen a bemused look, and drank his soda.
Mario jumped to his feet and pulled the door open. Brad was cringing until Mario made it clear that he was headed for Karen. He embraced her, drinking her in like sweet tea. His kisses were so full and deep she could hardly breathe.
When she caught her breath, she saw Brad’s eyes locking with Sarah’s. He looked shocked.
“Brad, what in the world are you doing here?” Sarah asked.
“I should ask you the same thing. Billy hired me to manage Gravity.”
“But Mario already hired me to manage Gravity.”
Billy chuckled as he watched them. “This place always had two managers, didn’t it? Why not hire the best two managers in town? You both have the job… again. Whatever was going on between you two personally is something you can figure out on your own.”
Mario pulled Karen aside as he wiped the tears from his eyes, finally able to speak. “I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you gave up on us. Let’s go somewhere and talk privately. Sarah and Billy, I’m out of here. Tell the kids to lock up when they leave. Brad, I have no idea why you’re here, and I don’t care. Billy is going to own this place in a couple of days, so talk to him. We’re out of here.”
Mario put his arm around Karen’s shoulder and led her out the door and to the Telluride Inn, just up the street. As they entered his room, he said, “I have so many questions and things to straighten out with you, Karen. Why did you come back? I was sure we were over since you stopped answering my calls. I’ve missed you so much.” He took her in his arms and kissed her again. He held
her tightly as tears streamed down their cheeks. “We have so much to talk about. Sit down, honey.” Mario pulled two beers out of the refrigerator and cracked them open. He poured Karen’s into a glass.
She sat on the sofa and reached for the glass Mario handed her. He sat, too, and waited for her to begin.
“Mario, I already knew about Sarah before she came into Gravity and kissed you. I overheard her talking to her co-worker at the sandwich shop. She was saying how she planned to get you back. I was beside myself with jealousy and anger. I felt betrayed.”
“Karen… Sarah and I were over with for eight months already. Our relationship was history. That’s why I never brought her up to you. You’re the only woman that matters to me. I was hoping to avoid her at all costs, but then she showed up in the store. She just barged in that day, and… well, you know the rest.”
“What did you expect me to think when you walked outside with her and didn’t come back for hours?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what started this whole misunderstanding, and it’s my fault. I was so distracted and angry by what she did that I pulled her outside. I was upset and afraid you might have seen the kiss. While I was outside with her, Billy called and asked me to come to Slopes right away. He said he might have an interested investor that wanted to talk about buying Gravity. I left Sarah standing on the sidewalk alone, but I turned my phone off because I didn’t want her calling me. Everything went to hell after that. You left, and it took days—and a call from Max—before I put it all together. I had no idea you thought I left with her. Then there was the stupid commotion on the shuttle bus. They were just a bunch of drunk women that grabbed my phone away from me when I was talking to you. I was on my way back to the condo alone and wishing you were here. Please forgive me, honey, for everything.”
Tears pooled in her lower eyelids as she asked for forgiveness, too. “I didn’t give you a chance to explain anything. I assumed the worst. Sarah is young, beautiful, and had a relationship with you for years. I’m new to this game.”
He wiped her tears away with his fingers. “But it isn’t a game. I really love you. Age means nothing to me, and it shouldn’t to you either. You’re beautiful, smart, and a lot of fun. You’re caring and real. You aren’t superficial. You’re the woman I want to be with. The question is do you want to be with me?”
“Mario, do you really think I would leave my cat to come back here if I didn’t want to be with you?” She laughed.
“There’s the smartass answer I deserve.”
“Who was that guy heading toward the office in front of me earlier? We were on the airport shuttle together, then suddenly we’re both walking into Gravity at the same time.”
Mario broke out laughing. “You mean that wasn’t a planned attack? That’s Brad, the guy Sarah was cheating on me with. Apparently, he’s back in Telluride to work at Gravity, and it seems like Billy might be behind it.”
“So, this is your home away from home?” Karen asked.
“Yeah, for now, but I have a better idea. Let’s get out of here.” He packed a few items in his backpack, and they left. Karen and Mario walked arm in arm to the shuttle stop and waited for the bus. It took them back up the hill to the Cimarron Lodge. They entered the rustic lobby and headed to the registration counter. Mario requested the same room they’d had ten days ago, on the second floor, facing the mountain. Karen checked out of the room she’d been in earlier. Mario dropped his backpack off, and they left. One more time, they followed the redbrick sidewalk to Bella Vista for dinner. Mario ordered a wonderful bottle of 2008 La Ricolma Merlot.
After dinner, they returned to the condo with Karen happier than she could have ever imagined. Mario loved her, and Sarah meant nothing to him. Karen wanted this night to be their new beginning, with new love, new trust, and new expectations.
***
Mario turned on the balcony heater and lifted the cover off the hot tub. The old memories faded and made room for new, joyful memories. He pulled a bottle of wine out of his backpack and opened it. Mario poured two glasses and took them to the balcony, setting them on the inner ledge of the hot tub, then took Karen’s face in his hands. He kissed her lips softly. Those were the full lips he’d daydreamed about at Christmastime, when she’d stayed with him at his apartment in Hunter. Those were the lips he’d wanted to kiss for months, and now he would, every chance he could. Mario lifted his shirt over his head and did the same with hers. He slid the jeans down her smooth legs, followed by her panties. He unbuckled his belt, and Karen helped him with his jeans and boxer briefs. They stood together, naked on the balcony and in love. They kissed deeply before stepping into the hot tub, its jets caressing their bodies as they made love over and over again. Then they lay back and sipped their wine as they looked out at the twinkling lights of Telluride.
“Do you think Sarah and Brad will get back together?” Karen asked.
“I’m sure of it. With them working side by side, it won’t take long. I can thank Billy for that.”
“How so?”
“He’s a good friend and has been for years. He knew about the cheating Brad and Sarah did behind my back. He also knew they were both good at their jobs. I told Billy how I felt about you, and how Sarah was trying to start a relationship with me again. I also told him I was hiring her to manage Gravity, just to give him a heads-up because she works at Slopes, too. She’d offered to come back if I would give her a chance, and I needed someone to help out that knew the store already, someone I could trust with the finances. Sarah is good in retail—I’ll give her that. Billy must have orchestrated Brad’s return once I agreed to sell the store to him. He knows Brad is a good manager, but he also knows Sarah and how easily she is swayed. This maneuver makes it perfect for us, sweetheart. I can sign the papers in a few days, and Gravity will be Billy’s with a good management team set up. We can go home together without any worries. Sarah and Brad are perfect for each other, and Billy will make sure Gravity does well. It’s all good. We have Geared Up, the Summit, and our family and friends. But most of all, we have each other.”
“Can you reach your cell phone?”
“Sure, babe, who am I calling?” Mario reached out of the hot tub and pulled his cell out of his jeans pocket.
“You’re calling Vic. We need to know if she and Max went to Hunter, don’t we?” Karen smiled and took a sip of her Merlot.
“Yep, we sure do.” Mario hit the phone icon next to his sister’s name.
Vic answered after one ring. Her tone was snippy. “What’s up, Bro?”
“Hey, Vic, I’m just checking to see if you and Max went to Hunter.”
“Yeah, we’re in Hunter. Everything is fine, but what about you? What are you doing, and with whom?”
“I’m just lounging in the hot tub on my balcony, drinking wine with a beautiful woman.” He chuckled.
“I swear to God you’re going to make me kill you when you get home. Where the hell is Karen?”
“Karen? Why would Karen be here?”
“Mario! She went back to Telluride for you, you idiot. Don’t even tell me you haven’t seen her.” Vic was frantic now, screaming into the phone.
He laughed and handed the phone to Karen after putting it on speakerphone.
“Hey, Vic, it’s me. I’m the beautiful woman Mario is lounging in the hot tub with. You wouldn’t even believe what we’ve been doing.”
“La la la la la la la. My fingers are jammed in my ears, and I don’t want to hear your juice. Get your asses home soon, you dorks.”
Karen burst out laughing. “Hmmph… I guess she doesn’t want to hear our juice. I promise not to tell anyone, on one condition.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“You have to make love to me again.”
“Woman, I’ll make love to you every day for the rest of my life if you’ll let me.”
“Okay. Starting now?”
“Yes, starting now.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sunday
morning, Mario gathered his belongings from the studio at the Telluride Inn. He was checking out early. In two days, they would leave Telluride for good unless he and Karen came back to vacation or visit with Billy. Until Tuesday, they would remain at the Cimarron Lodge. He and Karen had new memories of the lodge—happy, loving ones. They would leave on their road trip back to New York after the papers, selling Gravity to Billy, were signed.
Mario closed the studio room door behind him, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. He turned, heading down the hallway to the staircase. He bumped into Brad, who had just exited his room.
“This is awkward,” Brad said. “I didn’t know you had a room here. I should have stayed with Billy until I got an apartment.”
“No worries. I’m checking out now anyway. Let’s just be civil. I’ll be gone in a few days, and everyone can get on with their lives. I hope you do well at Gravity, maybe even with Sarah again. My life is going to go exactly the way I want it to with Karen in New York. I guess I would never have met her, or gone back home, if you and Sarah didn’t get together. So, in a really messed up way, thanks are in order. I’m willing to shake hands and let bygones be bygones if you are.”
“Thanks, Mario. There’s a lot I should say, but I don’t want to dredge up bad memories for you. Let’s shake and just move forward. I appreciate it.”
The two men, who used to be best friends, shook hands then parted ways in the lobby, and Mario took the shuttle back to the Cimarron Lodge.
***
Karen waited on the balcony for Mario’s return. She saw the hotel shuttle heading up the hill toward the lodge. Happiness filled her heart as she went inside to pour two fresh cups of coffee, both with cream.
Mario entered the condo, dropped his backpack, and embraced her. “You know everything is going to turn out exactly how we want it, don’t you?”