Page 16 of Holly and Ivar
“Something like that.”
“So you like this kind of thing?Forests, snow, hiking?”
She gave a small laugh.“Not lately.I used to.As a kid.”
“What changed?”
“Work.Priorities.”
“But if you used to love it then…”
“I used to love a lot of things,” she said softer than intended.
He let it drop, and for a moment the only sound was the hum of the engine.
"I'm also cutting back on caffeine," she blurted, still embarrassed over the cracked-windshield interrogation."So if I sound cranky, that's why.I promised my assistant I'd use this trip to quit espressos.Out of the office and away from the machine, it seemed doable.In theory."
Ivar's mouth curved."I never noticed.But if I'd known sooner, I'd have filled the thermos with something other than coffee."
"It's fine.Regular coffee's fine.So are lattes.Just not those strong, flavorful shots of liquid gold."
He chuckled.
"What?"
"You really do have a problem, don't you?"
"Perhaps.Yes."She cleared her throat, eager to move on."So, are there a lot of trails on this property?”
“Plenty.The Hale family never posted the land.The town owns about a hundred acres of forest.State forest borders it to the south, and the Hale land runs along the west and north edges.Trails weave through it all.People bike, ski, snowshoe.There’s something for every season.”
“You make it sound idyllic.”
“It is.That’s why everyone’s worried about the sale.”
“I imagine so.”She shifted in her seat.Too bad she couldn’t tell him the truth.Even if her family built a site, no one would ever see it, and most of the forest would remain open to the town.
The truck bounced as they turned down a narrow, snow-packed road.
When they finally stopped, Holly stretched, easing the stiffness from her legs.“I should be clear about my objectives today.I need to assess the property systematically.”She tapped her tablet.“I’ve developed a grid pattern for our exploration that should maximize efficiency.Just tell me our coordinates so I can plot them on the map.”
Ivar’s jaw tightened slightly.“With all due respect, that’s not how this forest works.The land has its own logic.Following game trails and water systems will show you more than any grid pattern.”
“I appreciate the input.”She pulled up her spreadsheet.“But if we stick to my schedule, we—”
“Will miss everything that matters.”His voice stayed quiet but firm.“You hired me as a guide because I know this land.Let me actually guide you.”
She took in the wilderness beyond the truck.This was so far out of her wheelhouse, it was tempting to turn around and walk away.All her talk about spreadsheets and grids and coordinates was exactly that—talk.She had no idea how to search a forest, so if this park ranger wanted to do it his way, fine.As long as she could get it done and get back to NED.
“Okay.We’ll do it your way.”
He replied with a curt nod, then exited the truck.If her quick agreement surprised him, he had the courtesy not to show it.
With a deep breath, she opened the door and hopped out into the snow.Despite the chilling wind, the snowsuit kept her toasty warm.It would be heavenly on the Christmas Eve run.“I might have to get one of these snowsuits.”
“Eli at Evergreen Outfitters sells them.I’ll introduce you later.”
"Do you think they come in red and white?"
