Page 73 of Last Call

“Go on,” Andi said.

“The idea is in its infancy. The thing is, I’d like to ask Dave to be my partner.”

Andi nodded.

“I don’t want to betray his trust,” Fallon said. “But somehow, I think he hopes I will—tell you what he said.”

“I’m listening.”

“Andi, he told me he wanted to take a job with ski patrol after high school.”

“He never said anything to me about it.”

“No. He told Jake.”

Andi groaned. “Do I want to know what Jake said?”

“Let’s just say that Dave decided going out of state for school was his best option.”

“He could’ve talked to me.”

“He knows that,” Fallon said.

“He wants to work full-time, doesn’t he?”

“I think so. I also think he’d like to finish school, but that isn’thispriority. He wants to take care of Becky and the baby.”

“No one is trying to stop him from doing that,” Andi reminded Fallon. “We’re trying to help him do that.”

“He gets that. That’s not how itfeelstohim. I don’t want to overstep here.”

“How would you do that? Stop thinking in the past and tell me what he said.”

“Dave is worried, Andi—he’s worried about hurting you and Billie—about disappointing you.”

“He needs to let go of that.”

“Yeah, well, that isn’t easy when you love someone,” Fallon offered. “I don’t want to cause any friction, either.”

“Tell me about thisventure.”

"I'm still working on a framework. It would be a tour company, but not your typical brand. Ski lessons, ice fishing, snowmobiling. It would be mainly a winter business. I’d like to keep my time open during the summer. There’s a property for sale in Jeffersonville that has a main building and six cottages. I could rent the cottages year-round. The main building would be perfect as a gathering place before and after excursions. It has a two-bedroom apartment above. It's just an idea at the moment."

"One that you'd like to share with Dave," Andi said.

"I wasn't seriously considering it until our drive to Vermont. I can't do it alone, Andi. And I don't want to. Dave would be perfect for something like this. He loves all those activities, and he's knowledgeable about them. Plus, he knows this area. I won't raise the possibility if you're uncomfortable with it."

"This isn't my decision."

"Your opinion matters to me. I want to help him, too. That isn't the reason I'd like to see if he's interested. It's a bonus."

"What does Riley think about this idea?"

"I think she'll be grateful if I find something to occupy my time."

Andi laughed. "Talk to Dave."

"What about Billie?"

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