Under an Alaskan Sky

by Jennifer Snow

  Unless she did something stupid like reopen a BASE jumping site.

  Annoyed, he checked his watch.

  Come on, Montana.

  He only had an hour to talk sense into her before he had to get back to the bar.

  She entered the diner and most heads turned while conversations muted. If she noticed, he couldn’t tell. Seeing him, she waved and hurried to the booth. “Sorry I’m late. I had to meet with my landlord. The previous tenant left a few things behind...”

  “No problem.” He cleared his throat and glanced around.

  So many eyes were on them. He made a hand motion signaling for all the nosey parkers to get back to their own lunch, and Montana finally scanned the restaurant. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” He needed to get to the point. “Listen, Montana...”

  “What’s good to eat here?” she asked, picking up the menu and opening it.

  “Um...everything. You can’t go wrong. But actually, the reason I asked you...”

  “Hey, Tank, who’s your friend?” Molly Gellar, the daughter of the owner and his usual waitress, asked as she approached the table.

  Damn it. From now on, he was suggesting a park or something... They’d get no peace here. “Molly, this is Montana Banks...” Should he say it? “Kaia’s mother.”

  Molly’s eyes widened, but not wide enough. She’d known. “Wow. Hi. Welcome to Wild River...”

  Montana smiled. “Thank you. I’m starving. What’s today’s special? I didn’t get a chance to read it on my way in.”

  “Roast beef sandwiches and barley soup,” Molly said, eyeing him suspiciously.

  “That sounds wonderful,” Montana said, closing the menu. “And coffee, please. Decaf if you have it.”

  “Sure thing,” said Molly. “Anything for you, Tank?”

  “No, I’m good. Thanks.”

  “You’re not eating?” Montana asked, removing her coat and placing it on the seat next to her.

  “I’m not hungry... Had a big breakfast,” he added when both women looked at him as though him not being hungry was an impossibility.

  “Okay then. I’ll put your order in and grab your coffee,” Molly told Montana.

  “Thank you.” Montana looked around at the fifties-style decor. “Great place. I don’t remember eating here before...”

  “It was Rosie’s ten years ago and it was a karaoke bar.”

  She snapped her fingers. “Right! I remember. No brain injury could erase the sound of your awful singing...”

  “Montana, we need to talk about something.” They were getting off track and he wasn’t there to reminisce about the past.

  Her smile faded. “Okay...”

  “I spoke to Cassie this morning.”

  “Did you get me fired?”

  Shit, he wished. “No. Cassie seems to think that your insane idea is going to save her business.”

  “It will.” Molly placed the coffee in front of her. “Thanks, Molly,” she said, taking a sip.

  “BASE jumping is illegal here.”

  “We are working on that.”

  He shifted in his seat. “Montana, do you really think this is the right thing to do? You almost died.”

  “Almost.”

  He shook his head. “That’s usually enough for most people to quit while they are ahead.”

  “Look, the old BASE jumping site wasn’t safe. This new location...”

  He held up a hand. “I don’t want the details. I want you to reconsider.”

  “Uh-huh. No.”

  “What about Kaia? You’ve just reconnected with her. What if something happens again?”

  “It won’t. But let me ask you something. When Kaia’s afraid to do something, do you just allow her to give in to her fears?”

  Tank jaw clenched. “No.”

  “And I assume she knows how to ride a bike? Skateboard? She can ski and snowboard... I think I remember seeing a picture of her driving her own Ski-Doo?” She raised an eyebrow.

  He folded his arms across his chest and slumped lower in the booth. “What’s your point?”

  “My point is, I know you are raising her to be brave. To try new things. The only way to conquer fears is to try, and when she fails, she gets right back up, am I wrong?”

  “No. But this is a little different from those activities you mentioned.”

  “Yes. Fewer people are injured BASE jumping every year than any of those activities you encourage Kaia to do.” She leaned forward. “And what kind of example would I be if I let a setback keep me from doing something I love?”

  A setback? How about a major, life-altering incident that kept her out of her daughter’s life for ten years? Damn. She was never going to listen to him. Talking her out of this was obviously not going to happen. And now that she had Cassie’s support, it was two against one. Was no one other than him willing to think about the dangers and liabilities associated with this? Cassie was usually so much more practical about things that affected her business. She must be even more panicked about North Mountain Sports Company than he thought.

  “Okay, but what if you do get injured again? Could you live with yourself knowing it could have been prevented?”

  She met his gaze square on. “Yes. And you know why? Because I could get injured crossing the street or slipping in the shower. If something is going to take me out, it sure as hell better be something a lot more exciting than that.”

  And that was clearly the end of that conversation.

  * * *

  “SO, LET ME make sure I understand this correctly. You are willingly going out into the wilderness with Tank’s ex-girlfriend—a former criminal—who has motive and desire to see you permanently out of the picture?”

  Since when did Erika have a flair for the dramatic? “She’s not a former criminal. It was a minor public disturbance,” Cassie said.

  “Was she or was she not in jail?”

  Maybe she shouldn’t have told Erika everything she’d learned about Montana.

  “Look, she doesn’t want to kill me. She wants a job, that’s all.”

  Erika leaned against Cassie’s bedroom wall as she packed her gear for the next morning’s hike out to Suncrest Peak with Montana. “So, you are training her to be a guide with SnowTrek Tours?”

  “Um...something like that, yeah.” Other than Tank, she hadn’t told anyone Montana’s plan yet and she wasn’t quite ready to. They would all have an opinion about it. One she was sure she didn’t want to hear. And until things moved along, she’d been planning on keeping things to herself.

  Cassie refused to feel guilty, instead choosing to think of it as a confidential business matter. A venture she was considering with a business partner. She wouldn’t go announcing a new clothing line partnership before things were inked in a deal, right?

  Same thing.

  Unfortunately, her friend wasn’t satisfied. “What do you mean, something like that? I thought you were already stressing over whether you’d be able to keep your current guides busy enough with North Mountain Sports Company stealing business. What’s really going on?”

  “Nothing. Montana’s going to work with me and she’s not familiar with these backwoods yet.”

  “Not buying it.”

  Cassie sighed. “Okay, look, she has a new idea that I think might help SnowTrek Tours stay in business and have a hope in hell of competing with North Mountain Sports Company.”

  “Great. That’s a good thing, but you’re being awfully secretive about it, which leads me to think you’re not a hundred percent sold on the idea yourself... What is it?”

  None of your business.

  Erika continued to look at her expectantly.

  “Fine. I’ll tell you, but no judgment, okay?”

  “When do I ever judge?”

  “She h
as an idea for a new legalized BASE jumping site here in Wild River.”

  Erika’s eyes widened. “She doesn’t think we’re busy enough over at the hospital?”

  Cassie scoffed, adding another sweater to her backpack. “See, this is why I didn’t want to say anything yet. Right now, it’s just an idea. We are exploring the option, that’s all.”

  “Do you know how many BASE jumping accidents there are every year?” Erika started to pace the room. A lecture was coming.

  Cassie tried to cut it off early. “From illegal jumps in unsafe areas. That’s exactly why this is a good idea. This site will be a legal and much safer option, hopefully reducing the number of illegal jumps happening anyway. According to Montana, these extremists take the sport very seriously. They are basically an exclusive club and anyone who dares do something stupid like get arrested and call attention to the illegal and dangerous element of the sport is...dealt with accordingly.”

  Cassie grabbed her bag and, passing Erika, she headed downstairs.

  “They sound worse than a cult,” Erika said as she followed.

  In the kitchen, Cassie opened a cupboard and retrieved several granola bars, tossing them into a side pocket of her backpack. “It’s not. And I know this seems crazy, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ve been looking for something to save SnowTrek Tours once North Mountain Sports Company opens and this could be it.”

  “Have you considered the possibility that you could be bringing BASE jumpers to the mountains, only to drive more business to North Mountain Sports Company?”

  Cassie shook her head. “According to Montana, this group doesn’t love supporting big corporations.”

  “What about liability and insurance?”

  “Montana says most jumpers have their own insurance and they will sign waivers... I’m looking into it on my end, as well.” If the extra insurance costs were too high, she’d reconsider things.

  “What if someone gets injured? Are you prepared to live with that?”

  “There’s always that possibility, even on the safest adventure tours. And people are going to take these risks anyway. I’d rather help reduce the possibility of injuries by having the sport sanctioned and controlled.” Safety was her biggest priority, but these extremists were jumping now under all sorts of conditions. She’d check out the proposed site on Suncrest Peak with Montana and she’d decide from there whether or not she was comfortable moving forward. Cassie didn’t want to see anyone getting hurt either, but Montana was going to try to bring the sport to Wild River regardless of her involvement. She wouldn’t admit it to Erika, but Cassie suspected Wild River was going to see new BASE jumpers in town in the near future, whether they were successful in legalizing it or not, so this was definitely the best way to go about it.

  Erika sighed, obviously giving up. “Okay, well it sounds like you and Montana have thought this whole thing through.”

  “We have.” Cassie needed to stay firm and confident about her decision. Unfortunately, no other idea had presented itself. “And I’m going out there with her because I want to make sure the new jumping spot we are presenting to Mayor Morell is a prime location. That it is a safer spot than the previous one on Canyon Ridge.” They were only going to get one shot at this and it had to be perfect. Perfect location, perfect pitch presentation... Cassie stuffed a flashlight and heavier jacket into her backpack.

  “I just can’t believe you agreed to this.”

  “Look, if the site doesn’t seem right, for any reason, I won’t put in the request to Mayor Morell and I’ll forget about the whole thing, okay?” she said.

  “Sure.” Erika followed as Cassie placed her hiking boots near the front door. “Just be careful out there with her. Sometimes, you can be a little too trusting...” She opened the door and stepped outside.

  Cassie raised an eyebrow. “I gave you the benefit of the doubt when you first moved back here with your city slicker attitude and I wasn’t wrong.”

  “I’d like to think that situation was a little different. We had a history of friendship and I had nothing to gain except rekindling that. Montana’s motivations may be a little less sincere.” Erika leaned in for a quick hug. “Call me when you get back.”

  “I will,” Cassie said, closing the door.

  Erika was right. Their situation had been different. She and Erika had been best friends for years.

  But Cassie refused to believe that Montana had ulterior motives, other than wanting to get her life back on track. If Cassie and her company could somehow benefit from that, as well—what was the harm?

  * * *

  HE NEVER SHOULD have let Erika inside the bar. The sound of her heels echoing against the hardwood as she paced was giving him a headache. And her chosen topic of conversation wasn’t helping either.

  “I swear, Tank, if I hear the words ‘Montana says’ one more time...”

  “Can you sit? You’re making me dizzy.”

  Erika paused and placed her hands on her hips. “How are you allowing this to happen? Them working together? Pfft. Insane.”

  Tank’s laugh was humorless. “You think I didn’t try to stop this?” Having his ex-girlfriend and the woman he was in a stalemate relationship with working together was as close to a nightmare as he could envision. Not only did it solidify Montana’s goal of staying in Wild River, but it added another layer of complication to his relationship with both women.

  “Not hard enough obviously. They are out climbing in some remote area as we speak. I’m just waiting until the station gets a call to go save their dumb asses.” The pacing continued.

  “It’s daylight. The weather is perfect for hiking...we haven’t had any rain in days so the trails should be okay...” He wasn’t thrilled about them going out into less developed areas either, but he wasn’t in the habit of telling two stubborn, grown-ass women what to do.

  He knew better.

  “Okay...but it’s the two of them. Alone.”

  Tank studied her. “Is this about Cassie and Montana spending time together?”

  Erika’s eyes would have pierced him straight through the heart if they’d been daggers. “Are you serious? You think I’m jealous?”

  Seemed like a reasonable assumption. “Are you?”

  “No. I just think Cassie should hate this woman or at least see her as the rival she is.” She stopped pacing and sat on a bar stool across from him.

  “Rival?”

  “For you!”

  Tank shook his head. “Montana and I are not getting back together. That’s not why she’s here.” He busied himself drying glasses and stacking them on the shelf.

  “Are you disappointed about that?”

  No. Shit no. Right? “No. I am not interested in a future with her either.”

  “Final answer?”

  Erika should have been a lawyer. “Final answer. Look, I can’t stop her from having a relationship with Kaia. Truthfully, I don’t want to. Kaia is thrilled that Montana is here. But I am concerned about that relationship...especially if she’s planning on putting her life at risk again, running around the backwoods and jumping off cliffs. It’s selfish of her.”

  Erika’s demeanor changed. “It’s selfish of her to do what she’s passionate about?”

  Tank blinked. “What the fuck? Two seconds ago we were on the same side, commiserating and agreeing that this is not the right decision.”

  “Right, but that was when we were concerned about Cass.”

  “Well, it’s not that easy for me. I care about both of them in very different ways but I have a vested interest in Montana’s survival. Until Cass is planning on launching herself off a mountain, the bigger issue I have with this whole thing is Montana’s involvement and how that could affect Kaia.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I know all of this must be driving you crazy.”

  He nodded. “It
’s been an adjustment.”

  “I just don’t understand how Cassie could seriously be considering this. And I had to drag the information out of her, which tells me she knows this idea is risky. She’s been so tight-lipped lately. I’ve barely seen her and reasoning with her is impossible.”

  “I hear you. I couldn’t talk sense into either of them.” A legal BASE jumping site in Wild River was just asking for trouble. Having Montana resume this crazy sport that nearly killed her was aggravating as fuck and Cassie taking on this insane liability to try to save SnowTrek Tours was just an ill-thought-out act of desperation.

  He got it. He understand her desire to do everything possible to compete with the large chain store, but both women had literally gone off the deep end with this idea.

  “So, you agree that it’s a dumb idea?” Erika asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Okay, so what do we do?”

  “I doubt there’s anything we can do. You’ve met both of them, right? There’s no way we will be able to change either of their minds.” He sighed. “I guess we just hope that Mayor Morell doesn’t approve the jump site. As long as BASE jumping is still illegal in Wild River, Cassie won’t participate in this.” He wished he could confidently say the same about his ex.

  As much as he tried to tell himself otherwise, this new venture of hers explained her sudden appearance in town. He’d been hoping this was actually about wanting a relationship with her daughter but he should have known there was an ulterior motive.

  What happened if the site didn’t get approved? Would she leave town again? Or would she stay for Kaia’s sake? What did he want to happen?

  Across from him, Erika’s lips had curled into a smile. “That’s right. They still need to get approval.”

  “Why do you look like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like the Grinch who stole Christmas.”

  “No reason...”

  “Erika, what are you planning to do?”

  “If I tell you, you’ll be an accomplice and you’ve got enough heat on you right now.” She climbed down from the stool. “I’ll see you later. Hopefully not out on a rescue mission.”