“Okay, so we have a fairly new group to this area. We just need to go over a few safety rules.”
Ethan explained that there were areas clearly marked for exploration and areas that were also marked as being unsafe. He informed everyone to follow the signs and make good choices. Then he told everyone that it was a long hike back to the bottom of the mountain, so if anyone didn’t feel up to it, they should bow out now.
No one left.
“Okay. It looks like we’re all up for an adventure today. First, I’m going to walk you by the first aid center so you know where it is. The people here can take care of most needs and will be the ones who come if we have an emergency.” Ethan held up a satellite phone. “As you’ve likely noticed, service is spotty up here, so I carry a satellite phone to use in emergencies. Rest assured, we can call for help if needed.”
Lily’s eyes strayed to Eve, who hung on Ethan’s every word. But as soon as a man from the first aid center came out, Eve’s eyes flew open, and she panned her camera over to him.
“Now who might this be?” Eve nearly purred.
Lily had never wanted to slap someone as hard as she wanted to slap Eve.
Ethan smiled brightly at the other man. “Everyone, this is Noah. He’s the head of ski patrol and head of the staff up here.”
Lily studied the other man with his thick dark hair and similar build to Ethan. He looked a few years older, but it wasobvious they were related. Or maybe it was only obvious to her since she knew his family owned the resort.
“Hi, Noah. We are so excited to meet you today,” said Eve. She moved into view of the camera, making sure both Ethan and Noah were in the shot behind her. “Smile!”
Noah’s eyes darted to Ethan, who shrugged and smiled. Lily almost laughed at the uncomfortable look on Noah’s face. He clearly wanted nothing to do with Eve’s theatrics.
Once she took her selfie, Noah motioned for her to join the rest of the group. “I know Ethan has already given you the rundown of the trails up here. Please make sure you follow all signs and listen to Ethan. He will get you back to the resort safely.”
“And if we get hurt, you’ll come save us, right?” Eve batted her eyelashes.
The man from earlier stood behind Lily, speaking with his wife. “Called it. She’s definitely going to fake an injury.”
Lily bit back a smile. Noah waved at them before disappearing back inside the building. Ethan led them to a trail on the far side of the mountain. Within minutes, they were engulfed by trees. The temperature dropped several degrees under the canopy as patches of sun only appeared in a few spots along the trails.
Lily followed at the back of the group, keeping an eye on Ethan the entire time. He had Eve hanging on his every word. She laughed loudly, as if trying to let them all know that she was claiming him, not that any of them cared.
Lily sure as hell didn’t. She glared at them.
They weren’t even half a mile down the trail when Eve stumbled and fell. She shrieked and grabbed her knee while sitting on her butt on the trail. The entire group came to a halt and Lily had to peer around the group to see what was going on. Ethan knelt on the ground in front of Eve, examining her knee.
“Can you stand?” he asked.
Without attempting to stand, she whimpered. “No.”
Lily rolled her eyes, and the group mumbled. She couldn’t hear everything they were saying, but the consensus was that everyone expected this. Several people walked off the trail and sat on fallen logs, rocks, or leaned against trees.
“Please avoid going too far off the trail. It’s really easy to get turned around in the woods,” Ethan called out to the group before digging out his satellite phone. “I’ll call for help.”
“You mean you won’t carry me down the hill?”
Ethan blinked at her and Lily tried her hardest not to laugh. “No…” he dragged the word out. “I don’t carry people down the mountain when they get injured. The only way I’d do that is if it were an extreme emergency.”
“Oh.” She giggled. “So, does that mean Noah is coming?”
“Yes.” He held the phone up to his ear and asked for assistance with an injured hiker. He gave their location and then ended the call.
Eve continued to whimper and grabbed onto Ethan’s hand, asking him not to leave her. He insisted he needed to check on the rest of the group, but she would whimper more and he would concede to staying there.
When Noah and three other men showed up, they looked over Eve’s leg. Lily inched closer to hear the conversation while pretending to inspect a flower along the path.
“Are you sure you can’t stand?” Noah asked.
“I’m sure.” She fluttered her eyelashes.
