Chapter 1 #3
Slater groaned. “And you thought he was spying on you because of that?”
“He was! The damn drone hovered! What else would it be doing?”
“Um…looking at the property?” he suggested, and yeah, he was heavy on the sarcasm. “That’s his job, Nora. He needs to see the property from angles he can’t get while just walking around. He’s heading up this amphitheater project and he’s looking for spots.”
Crap.
“Look, I get that you don’t know Milo, but the guy is a tech genius.
He’s the least pervy guy I know, and believe me, I know a lot of pervy guys.
” He chuckled. “Milo’s harmless, okay? But he is one of your bosses and you need to find a way to make nice with him, otherwise we’re going to have issues. ”
“You’d seriously let him fire me?” she asked incredulously.
He at least had the decency to look uncomfortable. “I wouldn’t really have a choice. The drone alone should have had me firing you.”
Double crap.
So much for putting down roots here in Harbortown.
Pulling up a chair, she sat facing him. “Fine. I was out of line. I overreacted when I smashed the drone. I’m sorry.”
“And the other stuff?”
Sighing, she shook her head. “What other stuff?”
“Milo claims that you’re borderline hostile whenever you see him. Personally, I don’t understand that because you work with people all the time and no one’s ever complained. So…”
Until a few minutes ago, she wouldn’t even hesitate to tell Slater what she was thinking. But right now, she had a feeling it would only get her into more trouble, so she said nothing.
Then it became a battle of wills to see who was going to speak first.
It didn’t take long for Slater to cave.
“C’mon, Nora. I can tell that it’s killing you not to defend yourself. If Milo did something, you can tell me. But I can’t defend you if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
Her shoulders sagged. “You and I have known each other for a long time, but not nearly as long as you’ve known…
you know…all the guys here,” she began. “And we both know that if push came to shove, Milo’s going to win.
It doesn’t matter what I say or anything.
He’s an owner and I’m just a tour guide and activities director.
” She shrugged. “So if you’re going to fire me, can you just do it and get it over with?
I can probably catch a flight to my parents’ place tonight. ”
Leaning back, he crossed his arms, studying her. “That’s it? You’re not even going to try to explain your behavior? Your attitude? I thought you were made of tougher stuff than that.”
She knew he was baiting her, and she reacted anyway.
“He’s invading my territory, okay?” she snapped.
“This lake, these trails—they’re my world.
You can plunk me down on any point on a mountain and I can survive with little to no supplies.
I’ve spent years working as a guide, teaching tourists how not to wreck the shoreline or scare the wildlife.
Then here comes Milo, a quiet, city-dwelling tech guy with noise-canceling earbuds and the air of someone who’s just visiting.
He’d either die or hurt himself if you left out there by himself for more than a few hours. ”
“Nora…”
“I don’t care that you all grew up coming here in the summer. To me, he’s just another clueless outsider who has no genuine respect for the land. He may know tech stuff or whatever, but out here, I’m the expert.”
His brow arched again, but he looked more amused than anything.
“So that’s what this is about? You enjoy reminding him that out here, you’re the expert?”
“It’s not like I’m on a power trip, Slater. You know I’m not like that.”
“I thought I did, but that’s kind of how you’re coming off.”
“You know how it is sometimes; we get people that sign up for our tours and they are so damn clueless that you know they’re going to hurt themselves. When I look at Milo, that’s what I see.”
“Okay, but he’s not asking for you to take him on a tour or even asking to do any of the activities you’re leading.
Seriously, Nora, it’s fine if you don’t like him, but just ease up on the hostility.
He’s just here doing a job that we all want done.
It’s not like he’s bullying the rest of us into the amphitheater. It was always in the plans.”
“But what about the land, Slater? Where does it end?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I hear what you’re saying, and I get it.
We’re not looking to get rid of a ton of space.
The goal is for the amphitheater to be only for resort events.
We’re not adding extra parking or a ton of concession areas.
We’re not building the Hollywood Bowl, okay?
But whether or not you agree with it, it’s happening.
And if that’s not something you can live with, then… ” He shrugged.
Dammit.
“So? What’s it gonna be?” he asked. “I’d hate to lose you because you’re my friend and one hell of a guide.”
“I can live with it,” she murmured.
“And Milo?”
Ugh…
“I’ll ease up. And I’ll stay out of his way.”
“Good.”
She knew it would be easy for them to just end the conversation right here, but she had one more question. “What about you? What are you going to tell Milo?”
Standing, he shrugged. “I’ll tell him to unclench and then give him your schedule so he’ll know exactly how to avoid you. Sound good?”
Smiling, she walked over and hugged him. “As good as it can be, I guess.”