Page 85 of Beastly Mountain Man

Crews had been working the lower road since early morning. The route toward Upper Ridge was improving, but guest traffic remained restricted until staff completed the shaded sections and confirmed conditions.

It wasn’t open yet, but it was no longer simply closed.

I read the update twice.

Yesterday, those words would have meant progress.

This morning, they meant departure had entered the building.

Lucky came into the great room wearing his T-shirt and sweats from the night before.

“What does it say?”

“They’re clearing upward. Upper Ridge is still restricted.”

He nodded.

“So we wait for the next update.”

That was simple and reasonable.

The phone rang in my hand.

Glenn Sutter.

Lucky saw the name on the screen because I had told him about Glenn the night before.

He didn’t ask whether I wanted to answer.

He just walked toward Bear and reached for the leash hanging near the entry.

“I’ll take him out.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I know.”

He kissed my temple on the way past.

The door closed behind them.

I answered the call.

“Morning, Glenn.”

“Morning. Still snowed in?”

“Less than yesterday. The resort is clearing the internal roads now.”

“Good. Don’t drive until they tell you to.”

“I wasn’t planning to challenge the Property Manager’s professional authority on road conditions.”

There was a pause.

“Property Manager?”

I closed my eyes.