Paislee's Path (River's End Ranch Book 48)

by Amelia C. Adams

  “Sorry. It was a dumb question. You just don’t look very buff.” He was making such a fool out of himself—he should just shut up. It would be better that way.

  “Oh, trust me, there’s enough of me to go around.” She nodded toward the ropes. “Are you going to climb or are we going to stand here all morning?”

  “We’re going to climb.” Logan got himself harnessed up and checked each point, then grabbed on to the rope and gave it a few sharp tugs. “Ready.”

  Paislee took hold of her end while he positioned his, and then he was off. The second his feet left the ground, he felt like he was home. The texture of this rock was different from what he’d been climbing for the last while—Southern Utah was sandstone, and here on the ranch, he was climbing granite and some volcanic rock. The textures were different, and the way his boots gripped the wall was different. Something he’d need to adjust for.

  As he climbed, he noticed that Paislee kept the tension on the line just right. She wasn’t pulling him up, but she wasn’t giving him too much slack, either. She was respecting his skill level while also keeping him safe. He appreciated that quite a bit.

  When he reached the crest, he didn’t climb on top of the cliff, but he turned and looked out over the vista. It took his breath away. Ridge upon ridge of pine and aspen stretching for as far as he could see against a sky so blue, it almost seemed fake.

  “This is incredible,” he called down.

  “Isn’t it awesome?” Paislee replied.

  He looked around another minute, then called, “Coming down.” He adjusted his gear and began the backwards descent. Somehow, Paislee anticipated his speed and gave him the exact right amount of rope all the way down.

  When his feet hit the dirt, he turned to her. “Best belay I’ve ever had.”

  “Why, thank you.” She gave a little bow. “And to think you doubted me.”

  “I was horribly, shockingly wrong, and I’ll never doubt you again.” He unhooked from the rope and stepped out of the harness as he spoke.

  “I’m very glad to hear it, although I do wonder if I could get that in writing.”

  He made a show of patting his pockets. “I don’t have anything to write with. Would you accept a spit shake?” He made as though to spit in his hand, but Paislee yelped.

  “No! Don’t! Ew!”

  He grinned. “No spit shake?”

  “No spit anything! Ugh!” She shuddered.

  “It’s better than a blood oath, isn’t it?”

  She held up both hands. “I’ll just take your word for it. Except now I can’t even remember what we were talking about.”

  She was so much fun . . . and Logan was in so much trouble. He’d better get himself back in line, and pretty fast. “How’s Noah doing?”

  “Oh, he’s doing pretty well, aside from being frustrated that he can’t do anything. He’s one of the most active guys I know, and sitting around is really hard for him. We ate ice cream and I signed his cast.”

  “Sounds like he’s in decent spirits.”

  “Yeah, he is, and it was good to see him. He’s been kind of absent since the wedding.”

  Logan froze. “Wedding? You’re . . . married?”

  Paislee erupted in laughter. “What? No, of course not. Noah just got married. To Gabby. Someone else entirely.”

  Relief coursed through Logan’s veins faster than blood. “So, the two of you aren’t . . .?”

  Paislee shook her head. “I don’t know why everyone thinks we were a couple, but no. He’s like my brother.”

  “Oh, okay.” Logan leaned against the cliff wall, trying to look cool and not like that revelation had meant anything to him. “Do you want to climb?”

  “Do you belay?” she shot back.

  “Yes, I do, but not as well as you do.”

  “Okay, then. Trade me places.”

  Paislee was just as good at climbing as she was on the belay line. Her movements were sure and swift, making Logan feel like a clumsy clown, but he had to remind himself that she’d been on this wall before—maybe even countless times. He also had to remind himself to keep his cool. When she’d said she wasn’t with Noah, he’d wanted to cheer or do something else equally as embarrassing, and he needed to stay calm. It’s not like he was guaranteed a shot with her, but he’d at least have the chance to get to know her better without being worried that he was interfering with a relationship in progress. Some guys he knew would press their advantage regardless, but Logan thought that was pretty low.

  When Paislee landed beside him, she turned to him with a giant grin. “You’re not bad yourself, but I don’t think we should hold a side-by-side competition. I’d smoke you, and it would be horribly embarrassing.”

  “Now, under ordinary circumstances, I might be offended by that, but you’re right, so I’m not.” Logan looked up at the sky. The sun had definitely traveled while they were out there. “Can I buy you breakfast?”

  “Sure. Let’s go.”

  They stowed their equipment on the four-wheelers and drove back, the wind feeling good on Logan’s face. He’d worked up a healthy sweat, and he felt awesome. A pretty girl, a sunshiny day, climbing, and now breakfast—life didn’t get better than this.

  Chapter Three

  Once they were seated at the table in the diner, Paislee pulled out the sheet of paper Wes had given her with their guest schedule on it. “Okay, we’ve got about an hour before our clients get here. Wes has another group coming at eleven—he had us down for nine o’clock and himself and Noah down for the eleven, but that’s not going to happen.” She rubbed her forehead. “If our group gets done by ten thirty, one of us can lead them back here and the other one can go help Wes.”

  “Does each group climb multiple times?” Logan asked, trying to figure out how long things took.

  “Sometimes, and then we also have to account for slow climbers and people who get scared and freeze. I wish there was a way to know for sure.”

  Kelsi walked up to the table. “What would you like to know for sure? I’m feeling particularly psychic today and would love to make a prediction.”

  Paislee raised an eyebrow. “Particularly psychic? Do you mean that you feel only sort of psychic the rest of the time?”

  Kelsi rolled her eyes. “No, silly. I’m not really psychic. It’s just that a minute ago, I knew what one of my customers was going to order before she even said it. So there must be something in the cosmos making me gifted for the day.”

  Paislee laughed. “Okay, tell us how long our nine o’clock climbing guests will be here.”

  Kelsi looked thoughtful. “The cosmos is silent. However, someone at this table wants hash browns.”

  “That would be me,” Logan said, raising his hand.

  Kelsi beamed. “See? I knew it. What else can I get you?”

  “I’ll take the Bob’s Breakfast platter, actually, since it has hash browns with it. Scramble the eggs, please, and I’ll take the bacon option.”

  “Good choice, whoever you are. Paislee, how about you?”

  Paislee realized she hadn’t introduced Logan. “Kelsi, this is Logan Harrison. He’s our new climbing guide.”

  “Oh, hi! You must also want orange juice.”

  Logan blinked. “I want orange juice because I’m a climbing guide?”

  “No, because you just ordered breakfast, and orange juice goes with breakfast.”

  He shrugged. “Can’t argue with that. Make it a large, please.”

  “You got it.” She turned back to Paislee. “I’m not even going to try to predict you—you’re always so mysterious.”

  “I just like a variety.” Paislee glanced at the menu again and set it down. “I’ll take a side of over-easy eggs, a blueberry muffin, and a hot chocolate.”

  “Got it. I’ll be right back.” Kelsi bustled away, her cute pregnant belly swaying back and forth.

  Logan leaned forward across the table. “Is everyone on this ranch pregnant?” he whispered.

  Paislee grinn
ed. “It might seem that way sometimes. When you hang out with people as family-oriented as the Westons, maybe it rubs off a little. I don’t know.” She picked up the sheet again. “And then the McClain group comes tomorrow. I have a note here that one of the counselors is an experienced climber, but everyone else is a beginner. We’ll need all three of us on that one.”

  Logan nodded. “Has Wes said anything about a replacement employee?”

  “That’s pretty much the question on everyone’s minds, isn’t it? I’ll text him.” She pulled out her phone and shot off a message. “I really hope we get someone here soon.”

  Logan looked down at the table and then back up. “If he can’t find someone on such short notice, I might have a suggestion.”

  “Oh? Who?”

  Logan seemed reluctant to answer. “My ex-wife.”

  Paislee could have kissed Kelsi for walking up to the table just then with their beverages. It gave her a second to compose her thoughts. When she’d told Logan she wasn’t involved with Noah, she thought he looked relieved, and she’d wondered if maybe he was interested in her. But if he had an ex-wife, he was probably bogged down with leftover emotions, and that wouldn’t be a good way to start a relationship.

  When Kelsi walked away, Paislee said, “It’s cool that the two of you shared that in common.” She thought that was a very mature way to reply. She was proud of herself.

  “We actually ran a gym with a climbing wall together while we were married,” he replied. He didn’t say more, even though Paislee was dying for him to spill it. Details! She needed details!

  “Do you want me to text Wes and tell him you might have a lead?”

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  She punched the buttons, and by the time Kelsi brought their food, Wes had replied that he’d appreciate the contact information.

  “So, if she can come right away, that would really help us out,” Paislee said, realizing that was a totally lame statement. Of course it would help them out. That’s why she would be coming. “Is she not working or anything right now?”

  “She got half the business in the divorce, just like I did, and she put it to good use. She doesn’t have to work,” Logan replied.

  Paislee was dying to ask him what he’d done with his half of the money, but asking about money was just as bad as asking about a relationship status. Religion and politics were much simpler, it seemed.

  They ate without dawdling, knowing that they’d need to be ready for their clients. Paislee shoved all her questions to the back of her mind so she’d be present in the moment on the climb. The last thing she needed was to be distracted while doing something potentially dangerous.

  ***

  After breakfast, Logan stopped in at Wade’s office to pick up the ranch-issued cell phone he’d been assigned. Bernie showed him how to reach each of the Weston siblings, if needed, and also the feature that allowed him to text the entire staff of the ranch in case of emergency. His phone had been programmed so the numbers for Wes, Paislee, and Noah were at the top of the list. It looked super handy.

  “Thanks, Bernie,” he said, giving her a nod. “This is great.”

  “We like everyone to be connected,” she replied. “Just do me a favor and don’t drop it on the mountain somewhere.”

  He grinned. “I’ll do my best.”

  He took a moment to jot down Kassidy’s name and telephone number, asking Bernie if she’d give it to Wes if she saw him before he did, then met up with Paislee outside the main house. Just a couple of minutes later, they were joined by their nine o’clock group, who were two couples in their mid-twenties. Wally and Leigh had been together since high school and had gotten married their first year in college, and Mel and Vanessa had just started dating earlier that year. Logan wasn’t sure why he was being told their relationship history, but he followed Paislee’s lead and smiled and nodded.

  Each couple buddied up on the four-wheelers since other guests needed them too, and Logan wasn’t at all bothered by the fact that he’d be sharing with Paislee. She wrapped her arms loosely around his waist, and it was all he could do not to pat her hands where they lay—it was a reflex, really.

  And he had absolutely no idea why he’d suggested they call Kassidy. Hadn’t things gotten a lot simpler since they’d parted ways? Hadn’t he been more at peace? That might be the truth, but it didn’t change the facts—he’d loved her deeply, she’d hurt him, and he was still reeling even though it had been two years. He wasn’t sure that he could forget everything that had happened and work alongside her. It would only be until Noah was up and around again, but still, when two people had that much history between them, maybe being reunited at all was a bad idea.

  Especially when he wasn’t sure he’d gotten over her.

  He shifted his focus back to the feel of Paislee’s arms around his waist. That was a much better thing to think about. Even if nothing romantic ever developed between the two of them, she’d be a good friend—he was sure of that. And he could use all the friends he could get.

  When they reached the intermediate climbing wall, which was the one the group had indicated they wanted, Paislee spoke to them and walked them through the basic safety procedures they’d be following, which, she explained, was protocol regardless of their climbing ability. Then, with Paislee on the end of Wally’s rope and Logan on the end of Mel’s, the two men went first, saying they’d show the ladies how it was done. The two women watched good-naturedly, alternating between participating in the smack talking and cheering the men on.

  The guys made it safely to the top, then lowered themselves back down without any problems. Logan was keeping an eye on the time—this first climb hadn’t been slow, but it could also have been faster, and he was starting to get worried that Wes would be alone with that ten o’clock group. If he was, they’d have to cancel because part of the safety protocol was to have two guides with each group, end of story, and Logan didn’t want Wes’s group to have to cancel.

  Next, the two women harnessed up and began their climb. Leigh seemed pretty adept, but as Logan held the rope for Vanessa, he noticed that she seemed unsure of herself and was maybe even nervous. The higher she got, the longer it was taking for her to reach out and find her next handholds, and then she stopped moving altogether.

  “Are you okay?” he called.

  “Um, not really,” she replied. “I might have over-exaggerated my climbing experience a little bit.”

  Logan bit back what he wanted to say. It was really foolish for someone to pretend to know more than they did about something and then get themselves stuck somewhere . . . like on a rock. “Do you want to try to keep going, or do you want to come down?”

  “Um . . . I don’t know.” Her voice held a tremor, and he could see that she was shaking.

  “I think you’re getting worn out, and it would be a good idea for me to lower you down. All you need to do is let go of the wall, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  “You want me to let go?” She looked down, fear all over her face. “But . . . that’s a long way.”

  “It is, but I’ve got the other end of your rope. You can’t possibly fall.”

  Leigh had reached the top and was on her way back down. She paused next to her friend. “You can do it, Vanessa. Just close your eyes and let go. You won’t even drop at first—he’s got your rope good and snug.”

  “So I’ll just . . . dangle?”

  “Yeah. And that’s not hard. The ropes are set up with pulleys and all kinds of things to lower you down gently.” Leigh reached out and touched her friend’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll stay right next to you.”

  Logan was grateful that Leigh had stepped in. If either he or Paislee had to go up after Vanessa, they’d have to belay themselves, and getting the clips changed out for that would take time they didn’t have. Vanessa’s strength was wearing out fast.

  “Vanessa, I’m already holding the line tight so you can let go. It won’t be any scarier than riding
an elevator down a few floors. Listen to Leigh—she’ll stay there next to you.”

  “You’ve got this, babe,” Mel called up to her. “You can do it.”

  “Okay. I’m going to let go.” Logan could see her pull in a deep breath, and then she loosened her grip from the wall and allowed herself to rely on her rope. Logan held it steady to give her a moment to get used to the hanging sensation.

  “I’m going to start lowering you now,” he called. “We’re going to go super slow, okay?”

  She nodded, her eyes pinched tight.

  Hand over hand, he slid the rope through the clip, bringing her down as gently as he could. He thought everything was going well, but then she started to scream.

  “Stop! Stop!”

  He stilled his hands. “What’s the matter?”

  “I just . . . I can’t!”

  “Yes, you can!” Mel called. “You’ve got this!”

  Logan turned to Mel, who was standing just a few yards away. “Did you know she didn’t have experience for this climb?” He tried to keep his voice neutral, but he was angry. What kind of irresponsible . . .

  Mel shook his head. “When Wally suggested it, she went right along with it. Never said any different.”

  Logan pressed his lips together. She likely didn’t want to come across as a party pooper, but that had gotten her into some trouble, hadn’t it? He pulled in a deep breath. “Paislee, you’re smoother than I am. Can you trade me?”

  She nodded and called up to her client. “Leigh, I know you want to stay by your friend, but I need to finish lowering you so I can help get Vanessa down.”

  “I understand. Go ahead.”

  Paislee helped Leigh finish her descent, then came over and took the rope from Logan. “Vanessa, I have your rope now. May I lower you down?”

  “No! Just . . . no!” Vanessa’s eyes were still clamped shut tight.

  Paislee began letting the rope through an inch at a time, her hands moving so slowly, Logan almost didn’t detect at first that’s what she was doing. “Well, I’d love to hear some ideas for how you’d like to get down. We could pull you up to the top and you could walk down the trail.”