Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Monday morning: Tabitha
“Tequila will keel-ya,” Lark teased as Tabitha hovered over her egg-white scramble. “Reason number forty-three why I quit drinking.”
Waking up with a mild hangover, Tabitha had been craving a chicken-fried steak but settled for the leaner option, convinced the grease would make her feel crappier than she already did. But as she scooped up a forkful, the sulfuric egg smell seemed magnified and she struggled to take a bite.
Put good in, get good out.
Her father’s words rang loudly in her mind and she cursed herself for not heeding the mantra last night. She hadn’t overdone it by most people’s standards, but when someone who rarely drinks throws back three consecutive shots of the cheap stuff it’s bound to end badly.
It was good to see you again, tabby cat.
She shoveled a mindless bite into her mouth, scolding herself for the out of character emotional reaction she’d had seeing an ex after so many years.
One look paired with that deep, raspy voice of his and suddenly she was twenty-two again.
But instead of a lean, clean-shaven twenty-year-old boy, he’d morphed into a solid beast of a man.
Complete with an unruly beard and so many tattoos added to his collection.
Tabitha could have drunk him in all evening.
A gulp of burnt coffee scalded her tongue but managed to wash away the particularly pungent taste of her breakfast. She eyed Lark’s plate with envy. Was it too late to get that chicken fried steak? Her roiling stomach answered for her.
“Can I get you girls anything else?” came the sweet voice of their server. Tabitha shook her head without raising it, convinced the movement would set off another bout of nausea.
“She’d love an OJ and some extra buttery toast if you don’t mind. White bread, please,” Lark requested. The aproned woman nodded and walked away.
“I don’t drink juice or eat white bread.”
“I’d bet Gertie’s four wheels you don’t usually booze it up like you did last night either.
We all fudge from time to time, babe.” She reached across the table and settled her warm fingers on Tabitha’s shaky hand.
The touch was comforting, but Tabitha recoiled anyway.
Lark chuckled knowingly. “You screwed the pooch last night. A little more rule-breaking for the best won’t be a big deal.
Besides, you’ll burn off all those pesky calories within the first hour of your class. ”
Tabitha glanced at her watch and groaned. “Shit. We need to go.”
“Sit your sweet behind down, tabby cat. I called Off the Beaten and told them we were running a little late. Miss Janet was so understanding and told us to take our time.”
“Late is unacceptable.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“But it’s unprofessional,” Tabitha said forcefully while digging into her wallet.
“So is showing up hungover.” Lark’s voice remained soft, almost soothing in its cadence.
She had a point. If Tabitha showed up looking ready to hurl on day one and it got back to her boss, cutting her job would likely be the easiest decision Claudia could make for the downsizing efforts.
“I’ve got no choice, Handcock. You really flubbed up with this,” she imagined the gruff woman’s disappointed tone.
“Frankly, I expected so much more from you.”
Tabitha flinched as the depressing vignette played out in her mind.
The server returned with the requested items and set them in front of Tabitha then laid a check on the table between the two women.
The tangy sweet scent of juice permeated the air, and Tabitha could practically taste it.
She picked up the glass, ignoring the sticky dribble on the exterior, and took a tentative sip.
The burst of citrus danced on her tongue and settled her stomach almost instantly.
She groaned and downed half the glass. A few bites into the first triangle of toast and she glanced up to her dining companion, who grinned back with a warmth Tabitha didn’t deserve.
“Thank you, Lark,” she said begrudgingly then winced at her grouchy tone. Her nerves were high. Between the upcoming climbing excursions and running into Zac, she hadn't quite managed to settle down. She banished her snark and tried again. “Really, though. This is helping.”
Lark swatted at the air. “Don’t even worry about it. We’ve all woken up on the wrong side of the bottle at some point.”
Tabitha didn’t deserve this woman’s kindness. Over the last however many years that they’d worked together, Lark had been nothing but warm and accommodating while Tabitha kept her at arm’s length.
Like she did with everyone else. Except Angus of course. Her brother was her constant and she loved him for it.
Once she finished up the plate of toast and took a couple ibuprofen with the rest of her OJ, she started to feel human again.
The women paid and walked out of the diner and into downtown Leavenworth.
The morning was already warm, despite the early hour.
Summer was still in full swing in the little mountain town, and there was no doubt it would be a scorcher by midday.
After a quick detour so Tabitha could grab her climbing gear and Lark could snag her camera bag, they walked through town to the Off the Beaten Adventures main office.
Surprisingly, the quaint village was already bustling.
Shopkeepers set out sandwich boards, calling greetings to locals.
City workers watered the barrels and hanging planters that overflowed with colorful blooms. The gentle clop of horse hooves sounded from the main blocked-off street that split through the town.
Freshly baked donuts and the earthy roast of coffee replaced the yeasty beer and pretzel fragrance from the night before.
The perpetual buzz of worry Tabitha had been feeling since Claudia gave her this assignment intensified as they approached the OtB entrance.
Her heart raced; she could feel it thumping in her throat.
A twinge of phantom pain made her leg ache.
She rubbed her clammy hands on her leggings and reasoned with herself to calm down.
This is what she has done—or rather did—for so many years.
Would she be rusty on real rock? Probably.
But she wouldn’t be laughably out of practice thanks to her regular ladies’ climb nights at Tahoma Walls.
And while climbing gyms couldn’t measure up to the real deal outside, the skills were blessedly transferable.
Plus, she'd be in capable hands. The guiding company had been around for decades, a family business considered to be a staple in the small town.
Be smart and you'll be safe. They'll keep you safe.
The tinkle of the bell above the lobby door announced their arrival.
Lark sauntered over to one of the large photos that filled the walls.
The image of a climber focusing as she lunged for a hold was both dynamic and clear, as though a frozen moment in time had been captured with absolute clarity.
The sun glimmering through the tall trees surrounding the massive boulder, illuminating the speckles of granite as well as the mist of sweat gathering on the climber’s forehead.
Tabitha was not a photographer, but even she could agree that whoever took the shot knew exactly what they were doing.
Lark gave a long whistle. “Well, damn. I got some competition, huh?”
“Nah,” Tabitha fibbed. “Amateur hour.”
Lark turned and projected a cheeky grin over her shoulder. “Thanks.”
Tabitha allowed a little of Lark's warmth to chase away her worries then strode to the front desk. Next to a brass bell was a sticky note that read ring for assistance. The sharp ding bounced off the walls as she followed the instructions.
“Hold up, I’m coming,” came a voice from down the hallway, accompanied by a speedy shuffle of feet and the clinking of metal against metal.
A moment later a fit blonde with bright amber eyes and a fistful of quickdraws, entered the room.
“You must be my Rock ‘n’ Ropes ladies.” She transferred the gear to her left hand and reached out with her right. “Which one of you is Claudia?”
Tabitha shook her head and chuckled. “That’s our boss—”
“Your boss. I’m freelance, babe,” Lark interjected.
“Right, my boss.” She reached out. The firm grip and calloused hand practically screamed that the OtB employee was an experienced climber. “I’m Tabitha.”
“Frankie.” She turned to Lark with raised brows.
“I’m the photographer, Lark. And would it be weird if I said you have a great aura? I’m getting a lot of blue and green. Almost like a tealy swirl.”
Tabitha cringed, but Frankie just laughed. “Depends on what that means exactly.”
“That you’re compassionate, nurturing, and have some boss feminine energy.”
“I’ll take it.” Frankie grinned and pulled a couple tablets out from under the counter and handed one to each. “Fill out these waivers while I finish loading up the truck. The rest of the group is on the way to the site.”
Embarrassment heated the space between Tabitha’s shoulder blades. “Sorry again about showing up late—”
She halted as Frankie held up her hand and shook her head. “Forget about it, really. The rest of the group is brand new to this, so giving them a head start before a pro arrives helps take the pressure off. Besides . . . I’m not an early riser either.”
“Same, girl. Same,” Lark agreed as she tapped away on the large screen.
“Give me fifteen and we’ll be set to head out. Bathroom’s around the corner. You can refill your water bottles in the kitchenette if you need to.” Frankie turned and scurried down the hall and out of sight.