by Bria Marche
Karen grabbed her laptop and found a flight arriving in Grand Junction at one o’clock Saturday afternoon. I’ll take the shuttle to Telluride and be there by four o’clock. We’ll have plenty of time to go out for a nice dinner and get back on track. Mario and I will be good again. Karen was full of optimism and excited to tell the girls everything at lunch on Friday.
Before they left Thursday, Karen and Max had Geared Up ready for summer. Tourists and locals alike would flock to the store, anticipating the new seasonal activities. All of the mountain bikes were delivered and lined up against the outer walls. The tents were set up like miniature campsites with sleeping bags and coolers displayed next to them. Karen was better at design and placement than Max, so he agreed to let her arrange the floor space. Max and the daytime cashier folded and stacked the new organic cotton tee shirts on the shelves along the wall and hung the waterproof all-season jackets on the racks. By six thirty, Karen and Max were enjoying the pork roast, potatoes, and carrots she’d put in the slow cooker before they left that morning.
“You seemed happier today. Did something, or someone, brighten your outlook?” Max asked, grinning at her while he filled his plate with a second helping.
“Not particularly. I just saw the light, that’s all. I’ve been worrying about things I have no control over. I decided to stop doing that, with Vic’s help. She’s a godsend, and you’re lucky to have her.”
“Boy, do I know that. We had a rough patch, and if you don’t mind me speaking candidly, it seems like that’s where you and Mario are right now. It will work itself out. I have faith in you guys. More wine?”
“Thanks, Max. I appreciate your insight, and I’m optimistic too. I’m going home in the morning, then I’m meeting the girls for lunch. They’ll give me their opinions, for sure, but I have to go with my gut feelings. To be honest, I already bought an airplane ticket back to Colorado, leaving Saturday.”
“No shit?”
“No shit.” She laughed. “I’m pretty excited to fix everything and move forward.”
“Good for you, and Mario too.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Karen thanked Max for his hospitality and said good-bye. She climbed into her Lexus, waved out the driver’s-side window, and headed south to Tarrytown. She wasn’t one to listen to music while driving, often, but today was different. Karen felt revitalized. She scanned the channels for a classic rock station. The song, Something, by George Harrison, played on the oldies channel. She lifted her finger from the selector button and listened. The lyrics melted her heart. She hoped it was how Mario felt about her. She continued south with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. I really think I’m in love. I hope Mario feels the same about me.
She arrived home at ten o’clock. Good. I have enough time for a leisurely bath before I meet the girls. Karen fed Claire as water filled the tub.
She lay back, relaxing, as the jets kneaded her muscles. She imagined life in the future with Mario. It would make sense if he moved to Peekskill or Tarrytown to be closer to Geared Up. Max and Mario could work together and possibly expand the store as time went on. It was a thriving business already. Somebody else could manage the Summit, someone trustworthy. At least the Summit wasn’t half a country away like Gravity. They could all take turns going up to Hunter to check on the store. This scenario made complete sense to Karen, and she was sure it would make sense to Mario, too.
***
The girls snatched the last remaining booth at Morey’s. As usual, the bar and restaurant were packed at lunchtime.
“Sorry, guys. I guess I wasn’t thinking about how noisy this place gets at noon. Should we go somewhere else?” Karen grabbed a chair and sat at the end of the booth.
Sasha huffed. “There’s no point now. Everywhere is this noisy, and if we go to Tina’s house, there won’t be any food.”
“What the hell does that mean? I’m not some poor homeless person, you know. I do have food, but most of it is freezer burritos.”
“See what I mean?”
“Who cares?” Tina said. “Let’s get a bottle of Merlot, and a glass of grape juice for Miss Preggers. I’m ordering the Friday fish special.”
“Let’s all order the same thing so nobody feels different,” Sasha added cheerfully.
“Sure, whatever rocks your world, Ms. Destiny. Or maybe I should say, Ms. Ding Dong.” Vic shook her head and rolled her eyes. They laughed at Sasha and her typical foolishness.
Karen cleared her throat, put on her assertive posture, and spoke in a commanding voice. “Okay, I’ve already made my decision. I’m going back to Telluride.”
“Good for you, sister,” Vic said proudly. “Put it there.” Vic raised her hand for a high-five slap and knuckle bump with Karen.
“When did you decide that?” Mia asked.
“Last night after I talked to Vic.”
“That’s it!” Sasha said. “I’m really hurt… again. Everyone is having secret phone calls that I know nothing about. Where’s my grape juice?” She got up and stomped to the bar.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that in front of Ms. Sensitive. Anyway, that’s the plan, and I’m leaving tomorrow. If Mario is staying there for a while, I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that fourteen-year-old dig her claws in any deeper. I’m fighting for my man! Not that I really intend to fight. It’s just a figure of speech. She’d probably kick my ass.”
“How long will you stay? I might take Claire home with me,” Tina said.
“Oh, are you growing fond of Claire?”
“Not that much, but I don’t have anyone else. You’re all hooking up with men, for crap’s sake. There must be something in the water.”
“Well, I have no idea how long I’ll stay. It all depends on Mario and if he can sell the store quickly. I’ll keep everyone updated on everything that’s going on, especially with Ms. Sarah. That floozy better keep her hands and lips to herself.”
“Okay,” Vic said, “just an FYI: don’t say ‘floozy.’ It dates you, and that’s not the image you’re aiming for, right? Just call her a bitch. That’s a universal word that anyone can use. It has no age boundaries.”
“Right, got it.”
Sasha huffed as she returned to the table with a jug of grape juice, a bottle of Merlot, and five glasses. “I guess I have to do everything myself around here. Maybe I should just get a job. I ordered our fish specials while I was at the bar, too.”
“You have a job already, hon,” Mia said.
“Really, what’s that?” Sasha poured a round of drinks.
“Being Martha Destiny and having a baby,” Mia answered with a quick smile for Sasha. “By the way, when are we going to pick out the caterer and musicians? We still have a lot of work to do. Somebody besides me has to take pictures, too. Aaron and I are both going to be kind of busy getting married.”
“Come over tomorrow. We’ll get all the loose ends wrapped up. Josh has houses to show anyway, and J. J. is spending the weekend with the nutcase. Karen, when are you leaving?”
“My flight is at nine, but that means I have to leave at six. I’ll catch a cab to the train station. It isn’t a problem.”
***
After the way the meeting had gone Wednesday, Billy was ninety-nine percent sure he would be doing this deal alone. He met with his accountant and financial advisor Thursday afternoon and ran the numbers. Because Slopes was a huge, stable business, Billy was preapproved for a loan and had carte blanche with the creditors in town. He could take out a second mortgage on Slopes and buy the ski school and store by himself. All he needed were good managers, and that would be a piece of cake.
The final meeting was at two o’clock again. The same group sat in the conference room at the bank. Coffee was served while the conversations flowed about the weather and the number of tourists in town. That done, it was time to cut to the chase. With Brian being the primary investor and Billy the secondary, Brian had the floor and would present his final offer first. If Mario accepted
it, Billy would invest a quarter of the purchase price as his share.
Brian stood and handed folders to everyone at the table. Inside were his initial offer and the new—and final—offer. He gave his rationale and sat back down.
Mario and his accountant stepped out of the room for five minutes. Billy looked at the document in his hand and knew Mario wouldn’t accept the offer. I’m going to be doing this on my own after all. He texted the number to his financial advisor and got an instant reply. He told Billy to offer the price they’d discussed the day before, being confident it was close to the price Mario would accept.
The conference-room door creaked open with Mario and his accountant stepping back in. They sat, and Mario read over the papers one last time. He sighed deeply. “Brian, I know you’re all about business, but Gravity means something personal to me. I’m going to have to refuse your offer. Sorry, man.”
“All right, thanks anyway. It’s just business.” Brian stood up, shook hands with Mario, and left with his accountant.
After the door closed, Billy gave Mario a quick grin and presented his own offer. He understood what Gravity meant to Mario. He felt the same way about Slopes. He would never sell his own business for pennies on the dollar. If Mario agreed to the numbers, they would have a deal right then and there.
With a shocked look on his face, Mario laughed and grabbed the folder Billy had handed him.
“Are you serious with these numbers, Bill?”
“Absolutely, I am. I know the work and commitment you put into Gravity over the years. You built that ski school and store from the ground up, making it a huge success. I’m all about supporting this town and the people who live here. I’m here for the long term, and what better way than to have a few businesses right here in Telluride? What do you say, man?”
“I say you have a deal.” Mario signed the pending agreement and handed the folder to his accountant. “Let’s get this done as soon as possible. Let me know when we can close.” Mario shook Billy’s hand and gave him a huge man hug. “You have no idea how much I appreciate this. Let me take you out for dinner tonight—my treat. How about six thirty?”
“Sounds perfect, see you then.” Billy called Brad when he returned to Slopes. “It’s a done deal. Mario agreed to sell Gravity to me. How soon can you be here?”
“I’ll gather a few necessities, take care of things here, and catch a flight tomorrow. I’ll get settled in with an apartment and help you with the transition and go back for my stuff when that's taken care of.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Thanks, you’re a life saver.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Karen woke at four thirty, barely able to get out of bed but excited nonetheless. There’s just something wrong with getting out of a perfectly comfortable bed when it’s still dark outside… ugh. She zombie walked to the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee, and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Thank God for autotimed coffeemakers. She’d packed the night before and given Tina the spare house key so she could come by for Claire later. Karen didn’t know if Mario was still staying at the Cimarron Lodge, but she reserved a room there anyway for two days. She’d worry about the long-term arrangements later.
LaGuardia was crowded, as usual, and the lines to go through security seemed miles long. She was relieved she’d arrived early. By eight thirty, she was in line to board the outbound flight. There was an hour layover in Omaha, then she would leave on the final leg to Grand Junction. She double-checked the shuttle schedule on her cell. If the flight was on time, she could catch the one thirty shuttle arriving in Telluride just after four o’clock. She laughed at the thought of Mario’s expression when he’d see her. I’m definitely going to take him by surprise. I hope he’ll be happy to see me. She wasn’t about to let negativity and self-doubt enter her mind the way it normally did. It’s going to be fine, and there’s nothing I can do about it anyway if it isn’t. At least I’ll know I tried.
She dozed off, thankful nobody was between her and the passenger at the window seat. No screaming kids kicking the seat back, either. The flight was smooth and relaxing. The wheels hitting the runway in Omaha woke her from her nap. She looked to her right and saw a slight hint of green out the window. I guess spring arrives a little earlier here than in New York. Karen gathered her romance novel from the seat pocket and placed that, along with the bag of trail mix, back into her purse. The airplane taxied to the concourse and pulled up to the gate. Sleepy passengers rose and waited their turn to open the overhead compartments to retrieve their bags. One by one, they exited the plane.
Karen checked the departure board to find the gate for her next flight. Awesome! I’m in the same concourse, just seven gates to the left. Things are going my way already. She found a Starbucks with only a few people in line. At the counter, she bought a large coffee with room for cream and a slice of banana bread. It reminded her of Sasha. These days, freshly baked cookies or warm bread were always available at Sasha’s house. No wonder she’s gained seven pounds already, Miss Piggy. Karen had thirty-five minutes to relax and enjoy her coffee and banana bread before the boarding would begin.
***
Sarah sat with Mario in the office at Gravity. It wasn’t that long since she’d co-managed the store, and she knew the ropes, but Mario still wanted to update her on the new security system, which had a live camera feed of the sales floor. He also wanted to make sure she knew how to reset the security gate by the front door if the alarm was triggered and how to remove the antitheft tags from the merchandise. He introduced her to Marie and Dan, the weekend staff, when they arrived to begin their day. Sarah knew Abby and Steve already.
Mario filled out the usual paperwork for hiring a full-time employee. Sarah would be eligible for health insurance in two months, and vacation hours would begin to accumulate after six weeks. In a year, she could take a week of vacation time. Hiring Sarah now and getting the paperwork out of the way would make things easier on Billy when the actual deed for Gravity was transferred to him.
With that done, Mario asked her to help him mark down some of the winter stock so there would be more room for the summer merchandise. They set up several racks on the sidewalk and hung the marked-down clothing items on them to draw in the customers. Dan taped end-of-season blowout-sale signs on all the windows and jammed half-price advertising flags in the large cedar pots that held evergreens near the front doors.
The doors opened to customers at nine in the morning, and Saturday was usually one of their busiest days. Sales were robust that day, and both Marie and Dan were behind the counter ringing up purchases when Billy walked in at one o’clock. Sarah was helping customers find the right colors and sizes of clothing. Mario was along the wall, explaining the features and differences between several hybrid bikes to a young man in his twenties. He saw Billy give a smile of approval.
***
Karen had fifteen minutes to rush through the Grand Junction airport, grab her luggage, and find the right shuttle. Because she’d taken the bus from Telluride to the airport once before, the process wasn’t confusing. She handed the driver her luggage and took a seat just before the shuttle pulled away from the curb. The bus had only enough seating for twelve passengers and luggage on the interior rack. Karen sat next to a man who was also heading to Telluride. This particular shuttle made three stops with Telluride being the final destination for the day. The stops in Delta and Montrose would be short.
Karen opened her purse and pulled out the romance novel she hadn’t made time to read on the airplane. She sat back to relax on the two-and-a-half-hour journey. A dog-eared page reminded her of where she’d left off.
By the time the bus pulled out of Montrose, there were only six passengers left. With seven chapters of the book read on the bus, Karen wanted to save the last few chapters for another time. That’s enough for now, she thought, knowing she didn’t have much farther to go.
The man sitting next to her finally spoke. “That looked like an inter
esting read.”
“Oh?” she asked, somewhat embarrassed. “I guess books help pass the time if you don’t fall asleep while reading them. This one is pretty good, but I need to save some of it for later. It’s the only book I brought. So, do you live in Telluride?”
“Nah… I used to though. I’m actually moving back, but I need to find an apartment to rent first.”
“Well, I’ve only been there once, but it sure is a beautiful place. Anyone living in Telluride is pretty lucky unless they have to go to the airport often.” She laughed.
“No kidding, right? So, what brings you back?”
“It sounds funny, but it’s a surprise visit. My boyfriend doesn’t know I’m coming.”
“That’s a pretty nice surprise. I had a girlfriend in Telluride before I left town. If I’m lucky, we’ll reconnect and get back together.”
“Well, good luck. Would you like some trail mix?” Karen asked.
“Sure, thanks.” He held out his hand, and she poured a mound of mix into his palm. “Where are you staying?”
“At the Cimarron Lodge, at least for a few nights. It’s a cozy place and has killer views.”
“It sure does.”
Karen stared out the window, noticing how the scenery began to look familiar. Advertisements along the highway showed they were getting close to Telluride. She was certain the sound of her own heart thumping in her chest could be heard throughout the bus. Unexpected nervousness made her stomach turn in knots. The what-ifs and doubts were creeping back into her mind, trying to unravel her. She needed to check into the lodge and settle down before walking through the doors at Gravity. A drink at the bar in the lodge might help calm her frazzled nerves. Somewhere in this small, beautiful town, within five minutes of her, was the man she loved and wanted a life with.
