Page 26 of Bear Creek Valentine
####
Mid-morning, Pocono Ridge Resort
Ryder met Dash in the water park for their walk-through and immediately noticed a difference in his friend. His face and scent revealed a level of contentment and happiness never witnessed before, and Ryder growled with pleasure.
“Morning, Dash. I take it you and Aiden Romero are getting along well.”
Had it been anyone else, Dash would have growled amind-your-own-businesswarning and ignored him. Not so with his best friend.
“We are. I told Aiden about Harv, and he promised to be patient with me. He’s more than I expected, and my bear wants to claim him. I was concerned about... well, I’ll just say we’re a good fit and leave it there. You’re a lot more hands-off than I thought you’d be.”
The forthright comment amused Ryder, and he indulged in a rare chuckle.
“And you’re handling this relationship a lot better than I thought you would. Look, I’ll always have your back, but if I think you’re doing something stupid, I’ll say so. I happen to like Aiden, and I think he’s good for you, but you can manage your own affairs.”
Dash appreciated Ryder’s concern and willingness to stay out of his personal life.
“Thanks, Ry. When we’re done here, let’s check the lobby and see how Knox is doing. I need to ask him about some charitable work Aiden and I are planning.”
They spent about thirty minutes inspecting the expansive water park, though it didn’t look all that impressive at the moment. Once the cement work and plumbing were finished, they could install the slides and other features, complete the changing rooms, and add all the fun and colorful touches that turned it into a year-round play space. Ryder consulted the foreman for updates while Dash made notes on his clipboard for items needing follow-up.
To reach the main entrance, the pair strolled through Main Street—a section devoted to retail shops with unique storefronts. Here, guests would find everything they might need to enhance their stay, including a bookshop, coffee bar, beauty salon, outfitters, and much more. All would be open to the general public as well, with access off the lobby. Other areas of the resort would be restricted to paying guests using traceable key cards.
Since the security doors were not yet installed, Ryder and Dash walked right on through to the lobby. The circular space was open, airy, and capped with a glass dome to allow plenty of natural light. The air, heavy with wood dust, set off Dash’s sudden fit of sneezes. Like all shifters, he possessed only onetype of nasal discharge—loud, window-rattling bellows that echoed in the mostly empty space.
Knox, busy working on part of the check-in counter, turned off the electric sander and removed his safety glasses and filter mask. The men approached, even as Dash retrieved a clean handkerchief from his pants pocket to blow and wipe his nose. Though the three were well-acquainted, they gave each other a cursory scenting before getting down to business. As Dash was still mopping up, Ryder spoke first.
“Good morning, Knox. Can you give us an update on your progress?”
Knox gestured to the large rectangular piece he’d been sanding moments ago. It looked like a block of Swiss cheese, full of rectangular gaps where drawers would eventually go.
“I’m nearly finished with the base for the check-in desk, and once it’s stained and in position, we can attach the top. I’m actually using three colors of oak for the lobby furniture—red for the check-in counter, white for guest services, and black for the information desk. I’m doing the same for the scattered tables and chairs, too. They’re gonna look great with the hunter-green carpet in here.”
Knox continued talking while he led them across the room to a cluster of live-edge countertops propped up on sawhorses. Each was unique in shape, size, and wood pattern, having been formed by cutting horizontal slabs from the tree’s trunk. He pointed out where the individual tops would go and the stains he intended to use.
“I’m still ahead of schedule and should be finished by the first of May. I checked with my supplier, and he has more oak if you want to move ahead with pieces for the fancier guest rooms. I can build those at my own workshop and assemble them on-site.”
Dash was more than pleased, as was Ryder, based on his scent.
“That’s great, Knox. I’d also like to use some smaller live-edge pieces for signage throughout the building. I’ll send you details later today, but I’ll need cost estimates from you by the end of the week. I’ll take as much as you can produce before we open, though I understand you’ll be tied up working for Aiden in the Fall. He tells me you’re one of his biggest suppliers, and we have an idea that may affect you directly.
“Aiden will need a lot more nuts, berries, and honey when his production facility opens, which means finding new sources or expanding the ones he already has. Could you help us connect with other shifters in the area who might be interested? I’ll be offering a combination of grants and low-interest loans for start-up costs, equipment, and supplies, and Aiden will pay top dollar. I was hoping to host a meeting at my place this Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. I can arrange transportation, too, if they need it.”
Knox growled in approval. Off the top of his head, he knew of several shifters who would jump at an offer like this.
“I like it. Give me a few days to contact people, and I’ll send you a list. You know, Aiden’s going to need more freezer and storage space. Can he handle it?”
Dash scribbled down a note to ask.
“Not sure, but it’s a great question. I’ll mention it to him so he can plan ahead.”
Knox returned to work, leaving Dash and Ryder to continue their walk-through. Dash asked his friend what he thought of the plan.
“It’s good forDelicious, Bear Creek, and the locals who take advantage of it. Aiden might need someone to coordinate things during the fall harvest, but otherwise, this could really help a lotof shifters in the area. The only losers in this deal are the natural bears who may not get enough to eat for the winter.”
Dash growled. Sows who conceived during mating season, and then didn’t have enough to eat in the Fall, lost their embryos. He didn’t want to be responsible for a decline in the birth rate among his ursine cousins, and he was sure Aiden didn’t either. He jotted it down as another topic to address.
“We can’t let that happen, Ry. Any suppliers working with us have to leave plenty for females within their territory. I don’t want to compete with them for food, just to make candies. Besides, if our suppliers can’t bring in enough, Aiden has traditional sources for all of his ingredients. There has to be a balance.”
