Page 76 of Camping with the Boss

Jared glances back almost as if he can hear us. I’m fairly sure he can’t. He’s been checking on us the entire walk over. Ander sighs. “Not sure.”

The trees rustle softly in the breeze off the lake, and I keep my eyes forward. Seeing our spot. Our tree…might break through my carefully constructed walls.Just make it through the rest of the day. Then, you can go home and collapse.

Once everyone’s around the campfire, I start. “Our goal-setting session is a little different today. Ander will pass out the goal cards we made on day one of the retreat. I know you don’t like not sitting where you want, but I thought we could mix it up. You’re in pairs, and I want you to discuss the goals you developed with your partner and your progress. Did you reach your goal? What have you learned from this retreat? And how are you going to implement it with your own teams back in the office? You have forty minutes. Twenty for each person. Then we’ll come back together as a big group.” No one looks happy. But I suspect they’ll like the next part even less. “Each person will introduce their partner’s goal, their progress, and their plan going forward.”

Groans follow my announcement. Good. It’s time to get uncomfortable. Jared tries to sit out, but that ends once I realize the teams are uneven. Jared didn’t participate in the trust falls activity, which left George without a partner. I didn’t realize it at first because we stopped the activity after Owen and Al’s fight. And, of course, George didn’t say anything.

As the teams begin their work, I walk around and check their progress. Hopefully, I nod at the right time because, in actuality, my thoughts keep straying to Canyon. Is he by himself in his house, cursing my name?

I hope so. I prefer him feisty. Not sad like last night, as if he’d given up.

“Shut up. I swear I’m this close to—” Lydia shakes her head, and I’m between her and Al before he can even respond.

“Hold on. What’s the problem?”

“She’s a?—”

“Do not finish that sentence, Al.” I rein in my temper. “Did you learn anything this week?”

“This time, it’s not my fault.”

“Interesting,” I say, placing my hands on my hips.

“Not interesting. Last time wasn’t my fault either.”

It goes on and on like that as frustrations in the group run high. Ander shakes his head with his hand covering his mouth as if he’s hiding a laugh, and I glare at him.

Sheila and Jet start arguing, and I break it up, only to find out they’re arguing over…Pokémon?

“That’s it. Everyone stop.” I make sure to look at each one of them. “You’ve all worked hard all week, and now it’s falling apart. What’s going on?”

Most of them stare at the ground. Owen scowls at something past me, but every once in a while, I get the full effect of his glare.

“If no one talks, I’ll start picking people.”

Vivian clears her throat. “I think,” she says carefully in a soft voice.

I hold up a hand. What’s going on? Vivian is never afraid to speak her mind. “Please speak louder, Vivian. I can barely hear you.”

She nods, darting a glance at Carol and Lydia. In a much stronger voice, she says, “We’re upset that you fired Canyon.”

I stare at her, trying to comprehend her words. “What? Why would you think that?”

Her chin goes up. “He’s gone. And this morning, you said it was your fault.”

It’s as if she’s slapped me. I said those words to River. I feel responsible, but I didn’t fire him. And River knows that better than anyone. “Who told you that?”

Uncertainty crosses her face. “Um, it was Sheila. But I think she heard it from Al. And he heard it from?—”

“Stop.” I press my fist against my forehead, trying to hold it together. “If I fire someone or let them go, it’s for a good reason, and I wouldn’t be allowed to divulge that information to you. But…But,” I say again so they hear me, “I did not fire Canyon.”

“Then why isn’t he here?” she asks, crossing her arms.

I wish I knew. But that’s not the answer they need.

“I had an errand to run.”

Am I dreaming? Did I conjure him with nothing more than a desperate need, a gallon of tears, and a broken heart?

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