Page 13 of Ms. Fortune
I couldn’t picture him being tamed or coddled by anyone. His spirit was so wild and free; it was hard to imagine anyone attaching a leash and leading him around.
His dark eyebrows lifted in amusement, and all the scary shadows that haunted his gaze drifted away. “I don’t think it’s nearly as interesting as your story.”
The tension between us switched from something tight and anxious to something unruly and hot. The tingly feeling undermy skin and the lightheaded sensation took me by surprise. I’d been so indifferent to men since the disaster with Baker. Well, I was indifferent to most people if I was being truthful, which made my desire to open my childhood home to strangers to the point of obsession very contradictory.
Speaking of strangers …
The odd atmosphere between me and Risky was broken by someone knocking on the glass door that led onto the deck. I’d blocked the area off and kept the doors locked, telling all my current guests this part of the lodge was under construction. It was no place for anyone to be at the moment, and it was especially no place for children. I’d made sure that the family here for their reunion knew the deck was off-limits when they made their booking. For the hassle, I’d even given them a major discount on their rooms for the week they were here.
I walked to the door and pulled it open to face the grandparents of the group. The grandmother was a Colorado native and had been nothing but lovely during their stay. The rest of the family was from Texas and parts of Arizona. I heard plenty of rumblings about the chill in the air and how dry it was. I thought the younger generation of the family would’ve preferred a trip to Disney, but everyone had caved to the matriarch’s wishes.
“Hello. I know you’ve mentioned the deck area being closed, but before we leave, I’d really like a full family photo with the beautiful scenery in the background. I’m sure you understand and can accommodate us. We’re the only guests on the property at the moment after all.”
I blinked and tried to keep my irritation from showing on my face. “Under normal circumstances, I’d be delighted to accommodate you. But it’s currently impossible because of ongoing construction.” I waved at the parts of the deck where we’d pulled off the rotted railings. “It’s a hazard and too muchof a liability to let guests on the deck. I apologize for the inconvenience.”
I didn’t bother to remind her they were the only guests because I had gone out of my way to book them as such. I was trying to be nice.
My initial plan had been to shut the lodge down for a few weeks before high season was in full swing to take care of all the construction and odds and ends. I relented because this grandma gave me a sob story about growing up in the area. She cried that this might be the only time her entire family got the chance to experience such a special place. She reminded me of my grandmother, so of course, I’d gone soft.
“Please let us take one photo. It’d mean so much to me.” The older woman’s eyes teared up, and her husband gave me a dirty look. I could tell he wanted me to feel as if I was purposely antagonizing her and making her cry.
I shook my head. “No, it’s not safe. Your group had advance warning this area would be unavailable during your stay. There are multiple places close by that offer the same view. I’m happy to show you.”
There was a lookout spot just a few hundred feet away from the entrance of my driveway that offered a stunning panoramic view. My grandfather had led a daily hike there for guests every sunrise and sunset when he was alive.
“Oh … you’re just being difficult. The best part of this place is the view. It’s not worth the price without it.”
I had the door cracked just enough to carry on a conversation. I wasn’t prepared for the older woman to suddenly push the glass with all her weight behind it. I stumbled back, my still-healing ankle hindering me from chasing the couple down.
I sent a frantic look in Risky’s direction. He was no help. He stared at the gray-haired interlopers with a bland expression.I noticed he had his phone in his hand and appeared to be recording.
The grandmother rushed to the edge of the deck. “It’s so beautiful. The air is so clean and fresh. I miss it. It’s criminal to keep a view like this from paying guests. You won’t stay in business long, young lady. I can see why this property has so many mixed reviews.”
I regained my footing and stepped toward the couple. “Please go back inside. I can’t be responsible for your well-being if you’re going to ignore a verbal and written warning.”
The older gentleman scoffed and gave me a dirty look as his wife moved closer to a portion of the deck that still had the railing. Risky had already pulled the rotten pieces of wood and put up safety tape and a temporary plastic mesh covering in the open spaces. At least the bossy woman was smart enough to lean on the solid part of the decking.
“Young lady, we’ve lived twice as long as you. I think we know when something is dangerous or not.” The grandfather whodid notremind me of mine—at all—did his best to intimidate me.
I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. And while I maintained my customer-service smile, there was no stopping Risky from chuckling at the older man’s bluster.
“Listen.” The grandpa was getting ready to lecture Risky when the air was suddenly split by an alarmed shriek.
The portion of railing the grandma was leaning against made a crispsnapsound and then gave way. The older woman immediately lost her balance and started to wobble dangerously on the edge of the decking. There was a sheer twenty- to twenty-five-foot drop, straight down the side of the mountain. If she went over the side, there was no positive outcome.
Without a single thought for my safety or any consideration for my still-tender ankle and barely healed hand, I dove across the distance separating me and the woman and latched on tothe fabric of her T-shirt. The husband was shouting. Risky was swearing. The grandmother was screaming. All the noise was a cacophony in my head. I pulled back with all my might, but the woman had several pounds on me as well as forward momentum on her side.
We were both going over the edge.
It was such a stupid and senseless way to die.
I had so much left to do and so many unresolved grievances.
I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to a life that was only half lived.
If you’d asked me a couple of weeks ago whose name I would call first when I was in serious trouble, I wouldn’t have been able to give an answer.
Today, the answer was crystal clear.
