The pair launched into a verbal brawl over whether Bree had insulted Jessie’s beloved pastime. Easton watched the exchange with absolutely no expression on his face. “Unicorns and Magpies?”

“It’s a new card game,” Bree explained while Jessie sputtered in indignation. “Think Magic meets World of Warcraft meets evil unicorns and plucky magpies determined to save the world.”

“Hey, Bree? Jessie? I think we’re on a schedule here.” River tapped her smartwatch. “Plus, I have the feeling we’re driving our guide nuts.”

“The way this works will feel counterintuitive,” Easton continued.

Oh, the poor man had brought visual aids. Didn’t he understand that made him a target?

“Here’s the mountain. We’re going to be flying here, the drop-off site. We’ll hike to our first camp, set up, and spend the night there…what are you doing?”

Jessie zoomed in on Easton’s narrowed eyes. “I’m filming the lesson plan,” he replied. “You never know what the most important aspect of the lecture might be.”

“How about focusing on the lesson plan so you don’t get in trouble up there?”

Humming, Jessie continued to film. Easton took a deep breath, as if doing a mental yoga pose. Bree pulled the handheld out, filming Easton from a second angle to mess with him. Leaving River as the only one actually listening. Dutifully playing the role of “hiker paying attention number three,” River crossed her legs and stuck the end of her pen in her mouth, fluttering her eyelids at Easton.

“Could you explain the visual aids to me one more time, teach?” she asked. Flutter flutter flutter. Legs recrossing, pen nibble.

“It’s fine,” he grumbled. “You all are going to fall off the mountain, but I already got paid.”

River stood, joining Easton and patting him on the shoulder.

“We’ve got this. Start at the bottom, head to the top, filming the wildlife is good, getting eaten or trampled is bad. Once we get high enough, we’ll need to acclimate to the lower oxygen levels. If we do feel sick, say something to you immediately. Is that about right?”

“What about the tents?” he asked.

“What about the tents?” River replied, fluttering her eyelashes at him again.

A flat look met her question, and River had to bite her lower lip to cover her laugh. Riling him up was too much fun. Every time she was successful at it, his eyebrows would knit together. The more riled, the closer the eyebrows were to touching.

“The tents are with the rest of our gear. And I get points for finding three brand-new four-season double-walled tents on such short notice. Your dad helped hook me up.”

“When did you talk to my father?”

“He came by the house while you were on your farewell tour last night. We all drove to Anchorage and got what we needed. He’s a nice guy. Told me all the stories.”

Easton went still.