Chapter 4
Chapter Four
The next morning, Slater showed up at his cabin, grinning from ear to ear as Milo opened the door, and leaning against the doorframe like he couldn’t wait to interrogate him.
“So?” Slater asked as soon as he stepped inside. “How was your big scenic seaplane adventure with Nora? I mean, you obviously survived, but I’m sure there’s a story. Did you puke? Cry? Call for your mom?”
Milo had been in the process of making himself a cup of coffee, so he walked back to his small kitchen to finish. Shrugging, he added sugar to the steaming mug, aiming for casual. “It was fine.”
Slater snorted. “Fine? You flew in a glorified metal canoe with wings. Try again.”
Horrified, he stopped stirring his coffee. “Um, seriously? If that’s how you feel about the plane, why do we even have one? Why are we taking guests up in it?”
Rolling his eyes, Slater strolled over to the kitchen counter. “Because that’s basically what they are, but they’re safe. Plus, I know how you think and I figured you weren’t going to be thrilled with the whole setup once you got on board.”
Another shrug as he pretended that he didn’t spend half the flight negotiating with God. “Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal. Pretty smooth ride.”
Slater narrows his eyes. “Uh-huh. Right. Then why do you look so pale and maybe even a little green around the gills?”
“Green around the…what?”
“Gills. You know, like someone who panicked so hard his soul almost left his body.”
He straightened. “I did not panic. Is that what Nora told you? Because I…”
Slater’s grin grew. “Then why’d she radio last night that she had a ‘nervous gentleman’ on board?”
“She did not radio that in.”
Slater pulled out his phone. “Are you sure? Maybe you were catatonic at some point, and she started to freak out. Plus, we’re always in contact with a crew member on the ground when we’re flying, so…”
He groaned. “Okay, look, I was… surprised.”
“Surprised?” Slater parroted, clearly delighted. “By what? Gravity? Air?”
“No,” he murmured, heat rising in his neck. “I just wasn’t expecting the plane to be so… compact.”
Slater laughed so hard he wheezed. “Dude, you’ve seen the plane on multiple occasions.
We even discussed the layout and basics of it the other night when we discussed going up in it.
Obviously it’s not a jumbo jet or even like the private ones I know for a fact you’ve traveled in. So I don’t get it.”
“Let’s just say that once I climbed on, it was a bit…jarring. I’ve seen picnic coolers with more interior space.”
“A bit of an exaggeration, but…fair.
“Anyway, I handled it.”
Slater’s eyebrows shot up. “ Handled it? Because according to the report Nora—who, by the way, sounded pretty amused—wrote, someone forgot how to breathe for a minute.”
He stiffened. “I was regulating.”
“You were hyperventilating.”
“Same difference.”
Slater’s grin turned wicked. “And she said you gripped the seat like it was your last lifeline.”
He huffed. “It was just… precautionary stability. And why did she put all of that in the report anyway? It doesn’t seem necessary.”
“So you were scared.”
“No.”
“Terrified.”
“Slater…”
“Shaking in your fancy new boots.”
“They’re hiking boots, and there’s no way Nora put that in the report!” he snapped.
“You live in a city. The most rugged terrain you’ve ever hiked is a Target parking lot.”
He scrubbed his hand down his face. “Are you done?”
“Not even close. Because she also mentioned”—he lifted a finger for a dramatic pause—“that you kept staring straight ahead like you were praying.”
“I was focusing on horizon balance.”
“You were seeing your ancestors.”
He exhaled slowly. “Okay. Fine. Maybe I got… a little tense.”
Slater’s grin softened, but just barely. “A little tense?”
He hesitated. And then, because Slater was Slater and wouldn’t shut up until he got the full story, he muttered, “She helped.”
Slater froze. His eyes sparkled.
Oh no.
“She helped ?” Slater echoed, practically vibrating. “What, like held your hand? Whispered soothing things? Gave you a cookie?”
“Breathing techniques,” he muttered. “Just breathing.”
“Uh-huh. And that’s all?”
“That’s all.”
Slater leaned in. “You like her.”
“I don’t…”
“You liiiiike her.”
He scowled. “We’re not talking about this anymore. I swear you’re like a child.” He dumped his untouched coffee down the sink. “And how did you come to the conclusion that I like her?”
“Oh, not like her, liiiiike her.”
“You’re impossible.” Storming out of the kitchen, he went to his bedroom and grabbed his shoes. “I’m going up to the lodge to work.”
Slater called after him in a sing-song voice, “Next time, maybe ask her to hold your hand before you start dying!”
When he walked back out to the living area, Milo decided he’d had enough. “Have you actually talked to Nora, or have you just read the report?”
“I haven’t seen her yet, but she writes extremely thorough reports. And before you say anything, yes, information like that is pertinent.”
“And does the report include anything that happened after we got off the plane?”
“No. Why?”
Snorting with derision, he slid his shoes on and walked to the door. “Figures. Just figures.” He stepped outside with Slater hot on his heels.
“Why? What happened after the plane?”
And now I guess you’re going to run and tattle on me to Slater, right? You’ll tell him your side of the story when I’m not around and tell him to fire me. Well, you know what? That’s bullshit. At least have the decency to be a man and tell me off to my face.
It would be so easy to throw her under the bus right now. God knows she deserved it after putting all that stuff in that stupid report. But for some reason, he hesitated.
They started walking up the path toward the lodge.
“Come on, Milo. What happened after the plane?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Then why bring it up?”
Ugh…why did I bring it up?
“Just forget about it, okay? But if I need to go up again, maybe you can be the one to handle the flight. You know, like you said you were going to do before you bailed.”
Chuckling, Slater nodded. “You’re right. I did say that I’d take you up in the plane, but I had to talk to a guy about a boat.”
“And did you get everything settled?”
“No. I canceled the contract and now I’m starting from square one. It sucks.”
“Seriously? That’s crazy. But if he’s dishonest, then it’s probably for the best.”
“Exactly. Still, it’s unprofessional and unacceptable. I think I’m a pretty easygoing guy, but when people pull stunts like that, I have zero tolerance for it.”
The sound of pounding footsteps came from behind, making them both pause and turn.
And see Nora practically on top of them.
She immediately came to a halt, glaring briefly at Milo before looking at Slater.
“Let me explain,” she said breathlessly. “It wasn’t my fault. Yes, I realize it does look suspicious, especially if you look at the other incidents, but this time I swear it wasn’t intentional, okay? So whatever he told you, you need to at least hear my side of the story.”
Crap.
Slater glanced between the two of them, slowly crossing his arms, and trying hard not to preen.
The bastard.
“Nora, you really don’t have to do this,” Milo quickly interjected.
“Why? So he only hears your version and then I get fired? No way.”
“Why would you…?” Slated began, but no one was listening.
“There was no version. We only talked about the flight and your very thorough report,” he said stiffly.
“Pfft…right. I’m sure you couldn’t wait to rat me out first thing this morning. I can’t believe you didn’t run to Slater’s cabin last night.”
“I would have, but I was soaking wet and needed to order a new phone.”
“What happened to your phone?” Slater asked.
“Okay, the phone thing definitely sucks, but it’s still not my fault.”
“You pushed me…”
“You tripped…”
A loud whistle pierced the air, causing them both to freeze.
“If someone doesn’t tell me what’s going on, I am going to lose my shit!” Slater shouted. But when they both started speaking at the same time, he hauled off and whistled again.
“Would you stop that?” Milo demanded. “I’m going to have permanent hearing damage.”
“Fine. But only one of you should be speaking, okay?”
“Ladies first,” Milo mumbled.
“Oh, no. I want Slater to hear your version so I can correct it.” She crossed her arms under her breasts and cocked her hip, practically vibrating with nervous energy.
She was spectacular.
This woman is going to be the death of me.
They were both staring at him, and he knew he needed to say something. With a sigh of resignation, he simply told the truth.
“I was a little shaky when we got off the plane last night, and as we were talking and walking along the dock, Nora…nudged me. And I fell into the lake.”
The snort-slash-snicker came from Slater before he looked at Nora.
“Is that true?”
She nodded. “I didn’t do it maliciously. We were actually having a pleasant conversation. You know, like a friendly one. I playfully nudged his shoulder and he stumbled and…you know…fell.”
“Mm-hmm…” Slater said before yawning loudly. “And that boring story is why you chased us down and Milo clammed up?”
They both nodded.
“Sounds like yet another unfortunate accident between the two of you. If this keeps up, I’m going to have to completely separate you—which will be almost impossible since Nora’s taking over Axel’s old cabin—or…”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Milo interrupted. “What do you mean she’s taking over Axel’s cabin? Those are for the owners.”
“That was the original plan, but she’s here more than she’s not and it just makes sense. We’re giving it a trial run for the summer.”
How was it only eight in the morning and he was already mentally exhausted?
Having Nora as a neighbor? There really was no escaping her now. Although Axel’s cabin wasn’t next to his, she’d still be close enough. They’d definitely be crossing paths every day.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Nora asked cautiously.
“Um…”