Mountain Getaway

by Pine, Heather

  Mountain Getaway

  Heather Pine

  C.A. Edwards Books

  MOUNTAIN GETAWAY Copyright © 2021 C. A. Edwards

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in book reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  For information contact: www.heatherpine.com

  Cover design by C. A. Edwards

  eBook: 978-1-7777535-1-1

  Paperback: 978-1-7777535-2-8

  Hardcover: 978-1-7777535-3-5

  First Edition: July 2021

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Leave a Review

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Using the full weight of her body, Molly gave the trunk of her silver Toyota Camry one last shove, compacting the contents safely inside the vehicle. She was leaving for a two-week vacation and had stuffed her vehicle to the brim with every piece of camping equipment she found in her apartment. What didn’t fit in the trunk, Molly placed on the backseat. She didn’t want to find herself in the middle of nowhere without supplies and decided it was smart to pack everything.

  Sure, the family campground near the mountains where she had booked her stay wasn’t in the middle of nowhere, but campgrounds have limited supplies at their camp store and cost triple the price compared to the city’s big box stores. She concluded it was wise to plan and bring what she needed from home than pay the price later. Her father always stressed the need to prepare. Whenever her younger self protested over carrying load after load of blankets, dry goods, and fire-making supplies to her parents’ minivan for their obligatory annual family vacations, he would remind her to always plan.

  At twenty-four years old, the childhood lesson had sprung to mind as Molly began packing her vehicle for her first solo trip. She had vacationed with her friends during a post-high school celebration, but this trip was different. This time it was just her. By herself. Alone.

  “Are you sure you’ve got everything?” Leaning against the back bumper, Carla laughed as the trunk lock clicked. Her friend looked chic in her denim pants and knit T-shirt. Even the light breeze couldn’t mess her styled blonde waves.

  Molly dusted off her hands on her denim capris and tugged on the bottom of her sleeveless plaid shirt. She convinced herself it was the perfect outdoor look after seeing an online model wearing the same ensemble. That woman had looked confident and capable as she stood in the middle of an alpine meadow by her perfectly arranged campsite. It had spurred Molly to purchase the entire look, including the tent… and the lantern… and the wool blanket. She had drawn a line at the propane coffeemaker and solar-powered string of party lights that hung across the width of the campsite, although she worried about the quality of her instant coffee. She was hoping for a nearby coffee shop and to only use her supply of instant coffee as a backup. Working at a coffee shop meant she knew what a good cup of coffee tasted like, and instant grounds would be no match for the premium coffee she brewed daily.

  Besides, she only needed caffeine to get through the work week and there would be no work when on vacation. Packing her car was the only work she had to do today, unlike Carla, who was supervising Molly and making herself late for work.

  Molly smiled as she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. “Thanks for helping, Carla. But you didn’t need to take time off from work.”

  Carla smiled. “I wanted to make sure you got away okay.” More like she wanted to make sure Molly didn’t cancel her plans. Best friends know when someone is having second thoughts and Molly had them often.

  Work at the coffee shop had been steady. They built a clientele of regular customers, and new customers were discovering them every day. Their shop had become a local hotspot known for excellent brew, tasty treats, and a comfortable atmosphere. For two years they built their business and loyal customers were the reward for their hard work. But being a small business meant few employees and Carla would mostly take on Molly’s workload. Already, Molly regretted leaving her friend with the extra responsibility.

  “Are you sure you can manage everything while I’m away?” Her thumb hovered over the trunk release on the key fob. All Carla had to do was say she couldn’t manage without her, and Molly would start unpacking.

  Carla gave her a knowing look and pulled the keys out of Molly’s hand. “Remember who you’re talking to. Everything will be fine. Besides, my cousin wanted to work a few extra hours this month to help pay her tuition. I’ve got help lined up if I need it.” Carla wrapped her arm over Molly’s shoulder and gave her a hug. “You need this, Molly. After the year you’ve had. You need some time away to get your mind off of—”

  Molly lifted a hand to silence her friend. “Brad is the last person I want to think about right now. I wasted two years with him and I won’t let him ruin this day when he’s not even here.” He should be here. After two years together, she had expected a proposal, not a breakup. There were no signs that something was wrong, and she had convinced herself his awkwardness was his anxiety over preparing to pop the question. It blindsided her when Brad announced he was moving away… with another woman. His coworker. How had she been so stupid? It had been two months since their breakup, but the wound was still fresh. Starting over was the last thing she expected.

  Carla was right. She needed to get away from her routine and get her mind off him. Molly had lied every time she said she was fine, all while thoughts of Brad still gnawed away at her heart, leaving her with a tear-soaked pillow. She was supposed to have a fiancé and then be walking down the aisle by this time next year. Instead of planning a wedding, she was planning a two-week getaway to a family campground in Lemon Grove to heal a broken heart.

  “Okay, okay. I won’t say anything.” Carla gave Molly a shove toward the driver’s side door. “You will have a good time. Trust me.” She reached into her purse and smiled as she handed Molly a small paper bag full of junk food. “For the drive.”

  “Thanks.” She glanced up at her third-story apartment window and sighed. For two weeks she was leaving behind the comfort of her own bed and hot shower to sleep on an inflatable mattress. Molly laughed and shook her head. “What am I doing? There are better ways to clear my head.”

  Carla opened the car door and gestured for Molly to get in. “No. There’s not. You know work will get in the way and keep you from getting the break you need. When you get back, we’ll talk about expanding the business. Until then, you aren’t allowed to think about it.” She dangled the keys in front of Molly’s nose. “Call me when you get there.”

  Moll
y started the engine and sighed. “You know, if I don’t have a good time, it’s all your fault.”

  “It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Carla said with a smirk.

  Molly closed the door and rolled down the window. “Thank you, Carla.”

  “You’re welcome. Now get out of here before I drive you there myself.”

  Molly laughed and adjusted her seatbelt. With a wave, she set out in her overloaded car. With each mile she would drive closer to the mountains and further from her pathetic life.

  * * *

  For the first hour of the drive, she listened to music. The fast tunes fed her adrenaline as she navigated through the heavy traffic of the city’s freeway until she exited onto calmer roads that led into the mountains. It was when the music transitioned to slower tunes and the adrenaline wore off that she reflected on her choice. There was no rule that someone must leave their home for a vacation. Taking a break from work might have been enough if she stayed at home.

  Molly imagined the disappointed look on Carla’s face and fought the urge to make a U-turn. She had promised her friend she would take a proper break, and Carla had sacrificed to make sure Molly had time off. Molly had to follow through. Not because she wanted to, but for her friend. She owed Carla that much.

  A quick tap to the stereo switched the music to an audiobook, which took her mind off her indecisiveness long enough to drive another two hours. She had come too far to change her mind now. She was better off setting up her tent at the campsite and trying a night of camping than to turn around and go home in the dark. If she didn’t enjoy the experience, she could pack up her equipment and go back home tomorrow… or to a pleasant hotel.

  After grabbing a bite to eat at a small burger joint, she turned on the radio to catch the weather report as she sampled the bag of junk food from Carla.

  “…And the heat wave continues for most of the region,” the male host cheerfully announced. “It will be a scorcher for the rest of the week. You can expect milder temperatures as you move closer to the mountains, with occasional rainfall, but that system will pass by quickly, leaving behind pleasant temperatures for all those vacationers out there.”

  With that, any thoughts of returning to her apartment disappeared. The last thing Molly wanted was to sit in her apartment building with unreliable air-conditioning that the landlord refused to repair. Molly decided Carla was right. This was the perfect time to take a two-week vacation.

  She had enjoyed watching the scenery change from tall skyscrapers to farm fields, rolling hills, and forested communities at the outskirts of the mountains. The roads curved around lakes, where waterfalls streamed down beside roadways and dampened the asphalt. With each turn, she felt her stress melt away, along with any thoughts of… what was his name again?

  Rolling down the windows, the cool air blew through her car and played with her hair, whipping strands against her face. Molly took a deep breath as the scent of damp pine and dirt filled the air. She glanced at moss hanging from tree trunks along the side of the road and the floral underbrush blanketing the ground. She would never see this in the city. Already she was finding the rest she was seeking.

  Ahead, she spotted a simple black and white sign with a left-pointing arrow under “Lemon Grove Campground”, followed by a green sign announcing the town of Lemon Grove at the next exit. Symbols showed lodging, recreation, and restaurants listed as amenities. If she found herself in need of groceries, or a good cup of coffee, she might not have to go far.

  Off the highway, the paved road was rough. Her car rattled as it bounced over the potholes and uneven pavement, making her teeth chatter. Another white sign directed her to turn to the right, toward the campground. Loose stones struck the underside of her car before skipping off the road. The campground owner had designed a winding drive around trees rather than cutting a straighter path. It was a narrow road, with little room for recreational vehicles to squeeze past each other. Between the trees ahead, the white sides of camping trailers speckled the forest.

  The road curved into an open gravel parking lot in front of a mobile home with “OFFICE” spelled out in large, red wooden letters nailed to a white painted board above the front door. Flower beds and hanging baskets adorned its front yard, along with a weathered, wooden wishing well and a metal bee with its wings spinning in the breeze.

  Molly placed her car in park and stretched as she closed the door. Four hours was a long time for Molly to sit in a car, and any stops she made along the way hadn’t been enough to prevent her muscles from tightening. She found the uneven stone steps between the garden beds and made her way to the open office door where a woman with short, wavy hair sat behind a cluttered desk. To one side, tourism pamphlets lined the shelves while assorted camping supplies and foods filled the remaining space. The campground staff had placed a small display stand of local stones and wooden carvings to the side of the desk, with a small orange paper stuck to the shelf noting the items at a twenty-five percent discount. It was an organized space, but tight.

  “Can I help you?” the woman asked as she tapped a pen to a pad of paper.

  Molly smiled and reached for her wallet inside her purse. “Hi. I am checking in.”

  “Do you have a reservation?” The woman’s tone communicated her disinterest in any superficial chitchat.

  “I do.” Molly approached the desk with a smile. It seemed impossible for this place to receive multiple reservations. It wasn’t as though Lemon Grove was a hotspot for tourists. Molly wouldn’t have even considered it had she not stumbled across the advertisement in the tourism magazine and almost missed the plain text ad among the colorful print ads from much larger resorts surrounding it.

  “What is your name?” the woman asked.

  “Molly Banting.”

  “Ah, yes. Reservation for one.”

  Molly wondered if she felt irritable from driving, but she noticed the woman hang on the "n" a little longer than one would if they were speaking without judgment. Yes, it was a reservation for one and she was camping alone. She could have invited others to join her, but she wanted to be alone. Why would it be this woman’s business that she was camping solo?

  “Yes, that’s right,” Molly said, choosing to brush off her initial reaction. “I am looking forward to some quiet time.” There. If the curious woman wondered why Molly was vacationing alone, she provided a perfectly acceptable answer.

  “We don't see many young women traveling alone these days. No matter, no one should bother you, but if you have any problems, let me know.” The woman filled out an information card, taking down Molly's details, including her license plate number and address.

  The sound of heavy boots alerted Molly to someone coming up the steps. In the doorway stood a man in his late twenties or early thirties. His light brown jacket drew attention to his mousy-brown hair and dark eyes. Aside from the mud on his fitted jeans, he looked sharp, albeit a little sweaty. This was a man who liked the outdoors, and given how he filled out that outfit, Molly concluded photographers should feature him in advertisements for outdoor equipment. Speaking of advertisements, the campground never mentioned that attractive men lived in the area. Perhaps there would be more to see in Lemon Grove than just trees and mountains?

  The woman glanced up from her paperwork and a wide smile spread across her lips. “Hi, Rick. He is at campsite twelve,” she said, addressing the man that had their attention.

  “Thank you, Glenda.” Without another word, or an apology for his interruption, he turned and disappeared through the open door.

  The woman reached for Molly’s credit card and processed her payment before sliding a photocopy of the campground’s map onto the desk. She grabbed a large marker and circled site number twenty-three.

  “You are next to the creek and shower facilities. Because of the dry weather, there is a fire ban in effect, so no campfires.”

  “I understand,” Molly said.

  “Quiet time is at eleven P.M. sharp. Visitors are to leave
by ten.”

  “I’m not expecting anyone.”

  The woman raised an eyebrow. No doubt Molly had confirmed any suspicions she might have had.

  “Store your food in your vehicle at all times. We have bears roaming through the area. Garbage should go in our bear-proof cans by the showers. Do you have questions?”

  Molly stared at the map. A large black arrow pointed to the south end of the map next to the words, “To Lemon Grove”.

  “How far is the town?”

  The woman replaced the cap on the marker and tapped it beside the arrow. “This walking path will lead you to the residential area. Keep walking to the second street and turn left. The shops are about a fifteen-minute walk from your site.”

  Molly took the map and thanked the woman before returning to her car. Driving past campsite twelve, she tried to catch another glimpse of the man who visited the office minutes before but saw no sign of him. Instead, a family of four sat at their wooden picnic table, playing a game of cards.

  She arrived at campsite twenty-three and exhaled. A thick forest of trees surrounded a small gravel pad across from a small brick building. A picnic table stood anchored to a block of cement at the far end of the site, still leaving plenty of room for a large tent or decent sized camping trailer.

  Molly parked her car at the mouth of the site and stepped outside to walk to the edge of the gravel pad. Below the site, just visible behind the trees, was a flowing creek. She would have a perfect view from her picnic table and would fall asleep to the soothing sound of moving water. Stretching her back once more, she let out a long sigh.