AllFreeNovel
Share Us
One
Mikaly Andrich
This place was freaking fantastic. As I followed Elvin Sanders through the Sander’s Lodge that had been in his family for years, my head swiveled left and right, taking in the sedate seating areas, all the dark wood and the subtle amenities to cater to vacationers. Though it was enormous and on par with a small hotel, it still managed to be homey. Outside were ski slopes and all host of other outdoor activities on the mountain and in the woods around the resort.
And it was my new place of employment.
As long as I didn’t mess things up.
Or someone didn’t mess things up for me. Through no fault of my own, I’d lost my last job after the boss’ wife came on to me. That was so not my scene, but that didn’t stop the ax from falling.
I was probably better off.
I hoped to heaven that Sander’s wife wasn’t like that. Single ski bunnies were one thing; married women…no.
During my interviews, I’d met Buttercup Sanders, though. Though she’d been businesslike, it had still been clear she was totally into her husband. And he was obviously enamored with her. The love between them had been unmistakable, and they’d both been horrified when I’d honestly confessed my situation.
“You don’t need to worry about that here,” Buttercup had exclaimed.
“He’d better not!” her husband growled, tugging her chair closer.
“Elvin,” she’d admonished, blushing. I was pretty sure he’d growled again.
Yeah…I wouldn’t experience a repeat of before.
But heck, the two of them had exactly what I wanted for myself. That kind of relationship.
Someday.
When I was settled again.
Which meant, I couldn’t screw this up.
“So, Pete should be at the Outdoorsman Headquarters. As the head ski instructor, you’ll share the building. You have an office and supply room on the slope side,” Elvin told me as we stepped onto the glassed-in porch that must double as a dining area, judging by all the tables.
Just as he reached for the door that would take us outside, his phone went off. “Dang it,” he muttered when he looked at the screen. “I’ve gotta head to the police station.”
That might have surprised me once, but I knew he was one of the town’s parttime cops. Buttercup had told me lots of people here in Sweetville wore multiple hats, though in the same breath, she’d chided Elvin about quitting the force now that the lodge was up and running and busy as ever. Apparently, he had a woodworking business, too.
“Pete’s expecting you, though,” he went on. He pointed to a brown and green outbuilding near a stand of trees. “That’s your homebase. Back behind the tree are the staff cabins. Pete will show you which one is yours. I’m sorry I have to ditch you this way.”
“No big deal. I’ve gotta learn my way around, anyway.”
“Yeah, you’ll be helping out a lot with expeditions this spring and summer while the slopes are down.” He waved a hand as if to erase his words. “Of course, you already know that. Anyway, this coming weekend, there’s an outing for a group of kids from a group home in Hoover City, and you’ll be the second chaperone-leader.”
Besides skiing, the lodge offered year-round guided hiking, fishing and camping. It was right up my alley. I loved almost everything outdoors. I imagine Pete and I would get on great since I loved all those things. He sounds exactly like the guy’s guy I’d want to hang out with at work and after hours.
“Sounds good.” That explained why I’d had the thorough background check done, though I supposed, working with all ages of people here at the lodge, management would have to make sure I was a good guy and to ensure it was safe for me to be around any client, no matter their age.
I gave him a big grin that never failed to reassure nervous first-time skiers and worried moms, alike. “No time like the present to navigate then. Especially if I’ll be helping Pete with the wilderness adventures.”
He nodded. “Good attitude.”
After saying goodbye to Elvin, who promised to meet up with me later, I headed outside. Pausing, I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the sky, breathing in the perfect clean air here, tinged with the heavy scent of pine. The early April temperature was still brisk, but held a fresh promise that invigorated me.
Sander’s Lodge and Sweetville were going to be the perfect new start.
And I should know and recognize that. I’d had plenty of new starts since I was young. That might send trepidation through some, but not me. For me, it spelled adventure.
