Page 17 of Spring Showers

“I’m checking the place out this week,” he said. “It’s new, you know?”

Could this be the spy sent by the investor? Her money was on Brent and Daisy at the moment, but she couldn’t rule out a guy, alone, at a wellness retreat. Although, it was almost too obvious to be believable.

“It seems nice so far,” she said. “Don’t you think?”

He took her hand for a moment and helped her down a steep section where more roots had been exposed from erosion. Apparently, she hadn’t taken that close a look when scouting it out in the first place. Between the roots and loose gravel cover, the plant species invading the worn path, and the afternoon sun beating down on them, she noted that the hike should be saved for a morning or a cloudy day instead.

“I’ll have to give my opinion about the bike maintenance,” he joked. “I’m sure the owner wouldn’t want to be sued for something like this. I wonder if they have liability?”

“I’m sure you can overlook this one. I mean, just think if the tire hadn’t blown, you wouldn’t have run me over. Maybe I should find out ifyouhave liability?” She raised an eyebrow at him, and he chuckled.

“Right!” he said and flexed his fingers around her hand. “I’ll let this one slide.”

His unintentional pun made her snort. Thandie covered her mouth with the back of her hand that was holding the walking stick.

“Watch out with that thing,” he said. The sudden jerk to cover her mouth caused the stick to swing upward towards his chin and nearly slice his face.

She dropped the hiking stick. “We are quite a pair, as you pointed out.”

They laughed and joked all the way back to the barn where a cross-looking Leo stood at the doors waiting for them. Waiting for her.

“Mr. Goldie, I see you found our activities director on the trail,” Leo said.

Grant dragged the broken bike to the covered bicycle parking area and let it fall in a heap beside the neatly parked others. “The bike broke,” Grant said.

Thandie stood in front of him. “You knew who I was the whole time?”

He shrugged and turned his attention back to Leo. “Leo told me to find you. I was to ride up the hill and spot a woman wearing a baseball cap, tan cargo pants, and a white top. I couldn’t miss you. And I didn’t!” He chuckled. “Great hike though. I look forward to the next activity.” Grant flicked some mud from his shirt. “After I get cleaned up.”

Thandie buried her head in her hands, shaking it, as his footsteps scuffed the ground walking away from her.

“Director?” Leo said and motioned for her to follow him around the side of the barn.

“I’m so sorry, Leo. His bike failed and he ran me over. We ended up in the mud and I had no idea he was a guest. He got a cut on his arm, and other than being filthy, we are both ok.”

“I know this is your first day, but we have to do better than this since we don’t know which one of them is here on behalf of the investor.”

“Oh,” she said and bit her grinning lip. “I know.”

“You do? How?”

“It’s them.” She pointed over her shoulder. “Brent and Daisy. He was very interested in the lake and asked a bunch of questions.”

“Are you certain?” Leo said and kicked the gravel beneath his feet.

“Pretty sure, but I can find out.”

“No. I mean, you can’t ask. But what youcando is give them, all of them, your full attention. Show them the best we have to offer,” Leo said. “Do you think you can do that? If you’re correct, that makes it all the more real.”

“I will do my job. Well.”

Leo took a calming breath and centered on her gaze. “We got this, right?”

“Yes. I’m not worried,” she assured and high-fived Leo.

“That makes one of us. Anyway, are you alright? You look worse for wear.”

“I’m fine.” She took her phone from her pocket. “But this didn’t fare too well.”

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