Page 2 of Wrong Turn, Right Bear
Saul offered me hard candy and sucking it relieved my belly or perhaps it just took my mind off the nausea. Instead, I gazed at the small town, perched on both sides of the valley with a lake in between, the clear water dotted with kayaks and paddle boards.
The buildings on either side of the lake, set into the mountain slopes, were a mixture of wood and stone, giving the town an alpine feel. It was so different from the city and despite my queasy tummy, my mood lifted. Even if I hated the activities, the town had cute restaurantsand coffee shops where I could while away the days.
I had to admit it was stunning.
Higher up the mountains where the buildings thinned and trees took their places, their pointed tips reached for the skies. I shivered, thinking of what lurked in the shadows on the ground.
The road headed out of town and curved around. I held onto my belly and put the window down. The fresh air, now scented with pine, was a quick pick me up, cementing the idea that I was on vacation.
“That’s the hotel.” Saul pointed to a building set on an outcrop above a fast-flowing river, where I’d be staying for the next seven days. It’d be a hike down to the town, but Saul said the hotel provided a van every hour.
The word idyllic popped into my head and the thought of snuggling into bed each night with a hot drink was comforting.
“Enjoy your stay.” He hefted my bag out.
“I plan to.”
Though it was the middle of the day, there was a fire burning in the lobby. Guests were tramping in and out, following tour group leaders, while others were reading close to the fireplace.
My tummy rumbled as I checked in and the desk clerk grinned, saying lunch was still being served or Icould take the van into town. But I’d had enough traveling, by car or plane, and chose the hotel restaurant.
I planned a quick trip to my room to dump the bag and was captivated by the view. I stepped onto the balcony, breathing in the fresh air and studying the river below. While the lake was smooth with barely a ripple, rocks and rapids punctuated the river. I was hoping the kayaking excursion I’d booked was on the former.
But there was nothing on my itinerary until tomorrow, so after eating a leisurely lunch—something I never did at home because I usually ate at my desk—I wandered around the hotel grounds, keeping close to the building while eyeing the woods that hugged it. Afterward, I crashed in my room, only waking up in time for the evening meal.
An older couple asked if they could share my table at dinner and they waxed on about how they stayed here every year.
“Even though we’re retired, we still visit. It’s rejuvenating and when we were part of the workforce, it was the perfect contrast to the hustle of city life.”
“That’s what I’m looking for but I’m not much of an outdoors person, so I’m worried I’m not athletic enough to do many of the activities.”
I showed them my phone, and they grinned, saying they knew my tour guide. “Ashby, or Ash as we callhim, is our favorite. He’s lived here much of his life and knows so much about the forest and its animal occupants.”
“Animal occupants?” My heart constricted because I wasn’t planning on interacting with the animal population. Claws, canines, and big scary mouths weren’t on my list, but part of my nightmares.
The pair shared a glance, and I gripped my knife and fork, wary of what they were about to say.
“You’ll love him,” they both gushed.
Oh no. That was a huge red danger sign, much like when you asked for directions and people said you couldn’t miss it. And you always did.
Ashby. Why would I love him? Was he the type that threw you in the water when you said you couldn’t swim? I’d met those sorts before.
I hadn’t met Ashby, and I already disliked him.
TWO
ASH
I was awake before sunup, as was my habit, and out for a jog just as the first rays of light peeked over the mountain top. As I ran, I went over my schedule for the day.
First up was a kayaking lesson with a guy who was a beginner. He’d signed up for a ride on the river, but the lake was for newbies. I had to assume that was a mistake unless he was overly confident of his abilities. If he was some macho alpha with an enormous ego, I’d have to work my magic and convince him to start easy and we’d graduate to the river.
I doubted that would happen in the space of a week or however long the guy was here.
And I found his name listed every day this week. He wanted to do zip lining and star gazing, though not at the same time. At least the latter didn’t require physical strength.
Can we shift tonight?
