Page 16 of Lost and Found

Grant steps into my space. "Maybe I could take a day off if people were honorable and paid their fucking camping fees."

"Hey," Lazy says. "Language."

Grant and I ignore him.

"I'm sure people pay their fees when they actually camp. But twenty bucks for three hours of stargazing is ridiculous."

"Someone has to maintain that campsite and clean up after campers like you. Do you want them to do that work for free? Have you lived in your big house never having to do anything for yourself so long, you forget that the people who clean up after people like you have to get paid?"

"Okay," Lazarus says. "That's enough."

And, since I don't want to get fired before I start, I smile sweetly at my new boss. "I'll add extra sugar to his cherry thingies. Maybe it'll sweeten him up."

"I don't need sweetening up," Grant says through clenched teeth.

Lazarus puts his hands on Grant's shoulders. "Her sister paid her fee, right? Where's the problem?"

Grant opens his mouth, probably to lecture us both on all the ways I have yet to properly learn my lesson.

"Dani?"

I spin to see an elderly woman approach us from between two shelves of books. "Is that you?"

"Mrs. Allenton." I smile at the woman, grateful for a distraction from the asshole park ranger. "How are you? You're looking like you feel better."

Mrs. Allenton wraps her frail arms around me and squeezes me surprisingly tightly. Her wispy, white curls are soft against my cheek and she smells of lavender.

She steps away and beams at me. "Your cupcakes were such a hit at Sissy's shower. Thank you for making them. You absolutely saved me."

Her words and the sincerity in her tone warm me in a place that's been cold for far too long. "I was happy to do it. And I'm so glad everyone liked them."

"I'm so glad I ran into you," Mrs. Allenton says. "I…" She glances over my shoulder and her face pinches. "Grant Holiday. What are you doing to stop those suits from taking over our town?"

I spin to face Grant, ready to step in front of Mrs. Allenton to protect her, but he doesn't yell or sneer at the elderly woman. His face softens in a way it hasn't for me. "They've promised to run the resort entirely carbon neutral. It'll be good for the town."

She waves away his reassurance. "I've known you since you were a babe in arms, boy. You can't tell me you trust those suits to protect your forest."

Something hard and sharp dances across Grant's face and takes up residence in his eyes, but his smile looks genuine enough. He's almost handsome when he smiles. Almost.

"I hear your concern, Mrs. Allenton. Unfortunately, whether I trust them or not, there's nothing I can do about it. They have the permits and the money to make it happen."

"So make up some new rules and slap them with some fines. They're clearing the Western peak for their resort and then they're going to pump fake snow onto it. They're destroying my view."

Grant winces and looks away, clearly at a loss, his jaw working.

"I heard Bigfoot's moved into the forest and is causing them all kinds of trouble up there," Lazarus says, clearly leaping in to rescue Grant.

Mrs. Allenton cackles. "I heard the same thing. I've lived in this town for sixty years and never seen Bigfoot, but he couldn't have chosen a better time to come out of hiding."

"You aren't kidding…" Lazarus glances toward the front of the store. "I've got a customer. I hope you'll excuse me, Mrs. Allenton."

"Of course, Lazy. You go make some money."

"Dani, I'll find you after I help this customer. We can work out your hours and pay and when you want to start."

I can't help smiling so big my cheeks hurt. Finally. Finally, I have hope that I won't end up entirely destitute forever. "That would be great. Thank you."

I watch Lazarus walk away and catch Grant staring at me, no scowl on his face. He looks quickly away.

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