They both sat on the bed. It was firm and rock solid.
“We’ll give it a shake down tonight.”
Early that afternoon, they heard the barking of approaching dogs and went out on the porch. Bear and Shadow were racing up the trail toward them, each carrying a small backpack. They’d made the trip out, overnighted at Summer’s End, and were back early afternoon.
Molly and Bart went out to greet them in an exciting reunion. Both dogs were hot, dirty, and happy. Molly opened the message pouch on Shadow and read the note from Silas.
Hey Molly,
Thanks for sending a message. We’ve been worried to death about you and Bart.
Good news that Bart is recovering. Tick bites are very dangerous. Good job on the IV and antibiotic. We’ve given your thanks to Reed.
Okay, we won’t expect you until the end of October. We’ll be fine. As you know, things are quieting down around here. We’ll carry on with Evelyn in charge.
Becky is happy to give love to Ginger every day. She gave her a great ride today. They rode up to Lookout Ridge to wave at you.
Evelyn and I are pulling the winter planning group together later this week. I have some ideas, and I know others do too. We’re excited. So many opportunities.
Becky started making calls today to the dog sled folks. We’ll have a full report on your return.
Betsy has a buyer for the final two pups. Same buyer wants both. They’re negotiating, but based on your note, Betsy will get the best deal she can and pull the trigger.
Betsy packed lots of those things you might need. Hope that’s enough. You need to take it easy on that guy. He’s been real sick, you know.
Okay, send the dogs again if you need to tell us anything. We’ll keep the place going.
Silas
Both Shadow and Bear were carrying dog packs that Betsy sold in the store. They were popular with hikers taking dogs into the Pasayten. Both packs were filled with jumbo condoms.
Molly could picture Betsy chuckling as she loaded those packs.
Bart was writing while Molly dressed the pheasant. It had been hanging in the kitchen for a couple days. They were planning tobarbeque the big, fat bird on a spit over an open fire for dinner. It was late afternoon, a little early for happy hour, but she’d started a fire in the fire pit and given both dogs a good scrub in the shower.
While Bart worked quietly at his desk, Molly was processing their negotiations. She felt like she’d taken it as far as she could. They were going to give it a go and the proof would be in the pudding. It went without saying that either party could opt out at any time.
Molly marveled at how her simple note to Silas and Evelyn was pushing things along at Summer’s End. Maybe she could manage the resort part of the year from here. Her managers were strong and independent. She had the ideas and resources. Every year they’d add something new. Molly felt good about the business.
Molly liked that Bart had originated the proposal that they be together. He was open to a negotiated deal. He was committing to spend more time with her, including at least four months at Summer’s End. And he’d actually raised the subject of kids, the possibility that the relationship would proceed to the point of having a family. Molly was not decided on kids, but the fact he was open to that felt good. It was an indication of his commitment.
But Molly was still uneasy about the other half of the deal, the half where she was giving up an important part of her life. Was she up for living a third of the year at Dark Hollow? That would be four months away from Ginger, four months away from her team, four months of managing Summer’s End by carrier pigeon, four months isolated in the wild.
She had to admit, Dark Hollow was growing on her. She liked it here and was looking forward to the next five weeks. As Bart’s strength returned, they were planning hunting and fishing expeditions. Bart wanted to build up the winter supplyof smoked trout, venison, and elk. She wanted to explore the area, hike the mountain behind, and see Summer Lake from the summit. There was furniture to build and firewood to cut. If she was going to live in the cabin part of the year, she wanted to put her stamp on it. Add a few Molly touches. Make it their place, not his. The kitchen needed a major remodel. She was picturing projects that would improve the place.
Missing Ginger was the hardest part of the deal. She’d never been without a horse. She’d started riding ponies when she was five. She’d ridden almost every day of her life. She hadn’t taken seriously the possibility of bringing Ginger up here, but she hadn’t ruled it out, either. Not being with Ginger every day felt like a big sacrifice. It provided some comfort that Becky could care for Ginger while she was gone. But Ginger was a major concession. What was Bart’s concession?
She thought about Bart and his side of the negotiation. What was he giving up? Well, he wanted to be here, in Dark Hollow, all the time. He’d made a tremendous investment here. She thought about the military satellite maps and the summer he’d explored the Pasayten with his drone. He finally settled on the perfect location near a natural spring. He’d cut trees, honed logs, moved them to the site, and, with his bare hands, built the cabin. Not a minor undertaking. He’d invested six years of hard work in this place. He loved it and didn’t want to give it up.
But, hewaswilling to give it up part of the year for her. Hewaswilling to make an accommodation. And he was making it forher. He didn’t like civilization. It was hard on his PTSD. But he was willing to make a sacrifice for her. That’s what relationships were about. Making sacrifices for the ones you love. Being away from Ginger for four months felt like a major concession. But Bart giving up Dark Hollow for four months was a major concession too. They were both making concessions. When she thought about it that way, it felt better. It would begreat to always have 100% of what you wanted. But that’s how a person stayed single and grew old alone. Entering a relationship meant making sacrifices.
Okay, then. Maybe this was growing on her.
“Hey, Cowboy, are you ready for Molly’s fantasy?”
Bart was standing on the porch studying a rope Molly had tied between two trees. Molly was standing under the rope in a jaunty stance, looking at him, hands on her hips, legs spread, chest out. She was aroused and wanted some action before happy hour.
“How did rope get involved?”
