Page 143 of Boston
“I like it,” Ernie said. “It’s something completely different than anything else anyone is offering.”
Jeremy finally nodded too, a small smile creeping up the sides of his mouth. “It’s awesome, Boston.” He glanced down at the folder Boston had prepared. “I want to make one tiny change.”
“Okay.” Boston swallowed, determined to have an open mind. After all, he only had his brain, and he’d never put together something like this.
Jeremy made a check-mark on the folder and looked up, disappointment riding in his expression. “I’m not saying we can’t do it, but I don’t think you can label this as moderate.”
The air whooshed out of Boston’s lungs, but it was Cora who said, “I’ve done it, Jere. It’s definitely moderate.”
“That’s what I mean,” he said. “It needs to be advanced. I mean, we mark the Silver Lake Loop as moderate, and it has a third of the elevation gain and nothing like those rocks.” He pointed with his pen to the pictures Boston had pinned up.
“Again,” Cora said, her tone a touch cooler now. “I’ve done it, and I am not advanced.” She flicked a look to Boston, who waited another moment.
“I think if we label it advanced-only, no one will ever go on it.”
“Maybe,” Jeremy said. “But we don’t have very many advanced offerings, so maybe it would bring new clients to us.”
“Maybe,” Boston said.
“If Cora’s done it,” Ernie said. “I definitely think it can be labeled moderate. Especially just the day hike to Mountain Meadow and the Blue Lake Overlook.”
Jeremy nodded to that. “Yes, you’re right.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Maybe we can label Mountain Meadow as beginner to advanced, and the upper part of the hike to the cabin from the meadow as advanced. Show the pictures of the more rugged terrain…and let people decide for themselves.”
He looked around the table, but Boston didn’t like that idea either. “Labeling it advanced will make people think they can’t do it,” he said. “I think we should label the upper two-and-a-half miles as moderate or advanced, show the pictures, and let people decide for themselves.”
He didn’t dare look at Cora. “We can add a line to the site about calling us for more details if they have questions, and that if it’s booked, a member of our staff will be calling them to make sure they understand what they signed up for.”
Boston raised his eyebrows and looked around at everyone, though he knew he needed to win over Jeremy.
Finally, he said, “All right. I think that’s fair, and a good way to follow-up with them.”
Boston couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face. “Okay, then.”
Cora jumped to her feet, laughing and cheering at the same time. She danced toward him, and Boston finally let himself relax as she wrapped her arms around him and said, “You did it, cowboy. Great presentation.”
Boston swooped his arms around her too, and he didn’t care that her whole family watched. He leaned down and touched his lips to her neck for a brief moment and said, “Thanks, sweetheart.”
“I’ll start working with Jana on the website listing,” Ernie said. “Cora? You’ll work with Boston on the copy?”
“Yep.” She stepped away from him, her hand dropping to hold his.
“When are we offering it?” Ernie asked.
“Weather-permitting, April,” Boston said. “For sure by May.”
“April…and May….” He muttered the months as he wrote them down. “All right. This is ready to go.” He smiled at Boston. “Right, Cora? Anything else we need to do?”
“No, sir.” She moved back over to her seat and peered at the paper there. “We can let everyone else go and bring in Reese and Will. Jana’s out today.”
“Which is why I’m here,” Ernie said.
Cora gave him a smile as the rest of her family stood. Boston turned to the whiteboard and started to pull down his storyboard and pictures, the pricing and options he’d come up with. It took him longer to get his stuff together, so only he, Ernie, and Cora remained by the time he finished.
“Come find me for lunch,” he said to Cora, and she tipped her head back to receive his kiss.
“I will.” She smiled at him, and Boston made his escape just before Will and Reese entered the room.
Joy moved with him now, every step coated with it. He couldn’t wait to call his daddy and tell him how the presentation had gone. And with it done and approved, perhaps now he could focus on the next thing he wanted to do: ask Cora to be his wife.
