Page 20 of Off Trail Love
“It’s a touristy town with a ski lodge. Not as big as Breckenridge or some of the other big ski towns in Colorado, but we get a decent crowd. They also have long-term units available in the off season. Which is now.”
“I’ll think about it, Fee.”
“Good.” The finality in her voice makes me think she knows that if I’m already mulling it over, there’s a good chance I’m going to be moving to Starlight Springs in the near future.
Maybe I will.
With each step today, I feel more invigorated. I’m sore from yesterday, but in the best kind of way. This trip was completely out of my norm, impulsive, yet exactly what I needed. Maybe a change of pace would be good for me. Maybe the little mountaintown of Starlight Springs could be just what I need. Even if it’s only temporary.
I’m out of breath when we reach the Keyhole, and the sun is already rising.
“Look at that.” Graham points to what I assume is Glacier Gorge. Words can’t even describe the view from up here. We all pause a moment, breathing heavily as we take in the mountains around and below us. I can see the summit from here. We’re so close, I can almost taste it.
“If anyone is feeling bad, or too tired, this is a good place to stop.” Graham looks at each of us. “You can either head back down to where Jack is, or wait here and enjoy the view. This next part of the hike is probably the hardest, and it will take a lot of hard work and determination. I don’t want to have to pull anyone along. That would be dangerous for all of us.”
“I’m going to the top,” Fiona declares, just like I knew she would.
“Me too,” I say, though I’ve got a new set of nerves. Can I really do this? Hike to the top of the mountain?
Graham gives a single nod. “Let’s do this then.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
jack
Being alonewith my thoughts is one of the worst things that could have happened to me. I try to pace our small campground area, but I can’t do that too much without my head starting to hurt more, so I have to sit back down. There are other people around, but I keep my head down, making it clear I have no intention of staring a conversation with a stranger.
I pull my phone out of my pack and turn it on. It was at full charge yesterday morning when we started the hike, and because it was off most of the night, the battery is still pretty full. I have a single bar of service, which is lucky since I’m pretty sure Graham mentioned there wouldn’t be any service up here.
I hover over my dad’s name before calling him.
“What’s going on, Son?” he asks in his usual gruff voice. No hello, just a question. I guess we’re past the point of greeting each other warmly on the phone. When did our relationship turn into something that looks less like father and son and more like boss and employee?
“I quit, dad.”
He laughs. “What?”
“I’m serious. I’m done.” I pick up a rock and roll it around in my hand, and the anxiety in my chest loosens as I say the words.I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do, but I know I can’t keep working for my father. Even if I was managing my own office, I’d still be under his direction, and I can’t do that anymore.
“We’re going to give you the Irvine office, you know that, don’t you? I have the paperwork all lined up for when you get back.”
“I need to do something different. I want you to be my dad again.”
“What do you mean? I’ve always been your dad. That hasn’t changed since you started working for the firm.” He sounds genuine, like he really believes that. But we used to hang out; go to movies or play ball together. Now all we ever talk about is work, even when we aren’t at work.
“I mean, I miss being your son and not your employee. I’m working myself too hard. You said as much when you sent me on this hike. So I’m done.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Jack. What’s going on? What do they have in that mountain air that’s filling your head with silly ideas? What would you even do?”
“I have some money saved up, so I’ve got time to figure out what I want to do next. But I think I’ll try dating.”
“Dating?” He sounds shocked, like the possibility never even crossed his mind. “You can date and work, you know that, right?”
“Not with this job.” I look out at the mountain range as the morning sun beats down on me. “I’m done.”
“Well, the office is yours when you change your mind,” he says, his stern boss voice back.
“I’ve gotta go,” I say suddenly. If I don’t get off the phone right now, I might do something I seriously regret, like go back to the job that’s slowly killing me. “But we’ll talk soon.” When I have more resolve.
