Chapters (28)
“It’s nine. You spent two hours not listening to the safety talk.”
“It’s still day drinking.”
An old, life-weary Jeep pulled up to the parking lot, looking like it could use a drink or two as well. The driver, a fit climber in his early twenties, popped out with an enthusiastic wave.
“Hey, man,” Ben greeted Easton, a hand clasp turning into a hug. “Boy, you surprised me this morning. Can’t say I mind though. You know I love taking a run at the Old Man anytime I can.”
“Congratulations, folks,” Jessie murmured into his camera. “We’ve found another overly developed male specimen. This one had daddy issues and is two feet shorter than our monotone leader, which will help tell them apart.”
Easton gave River a pained look, but she shrugged. “Hey, I only pay him. I don’t control him. Your climb, right? Us peons have to do as we’re told.”
Turning to the entire group, Easton made introductions. “Ben, these are the three stooges. Get ready to sign a ridiculous amount of paperwork to be in their company. Three stooges, this is Ben. He’s coming with us. Congratulations, you have yourself better than a two to one client-guide ratio.”
“Almost a private tour,” Ben added cheerfully, reaching over to shake everyone’s hands. The poor guy almost swallowed his tongue when he set eyes on Bree. Ben mumbled under his breath to Easton. “Damn, that woman is beautiful. How do you work with her without going all tongue-tied?”
Bree raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t her “love at first sight” eyebrow.
“Don’t hit on my crew, Ben,” River said firmly. “Especially if they’re not interested.”
Jessie peered over the top of his camera. “I think she put you in your place.”
Ben seemed crestfallen, but only for a moment. Then he grinned at them. “A trip up the Old Man is always better than staying at home. I’ll take it.”
“Hey,” Ash yelled. “I’ve got more jobs to do today than hauling you lot around. Stop flirting and start grabbing your crap.”
Throwing him a smirk, River looked at Easton. “She’s talking to you.”
“She’s talking to you.”
“She’s talking to all of you,” Jessie decided, stealing the copilot seat. “All right, people. Tuck your sex drives in your back pockets. Let’s make a documentary.”
If looks could kill, Ash would have flown them right into the mountainside. Instead, she started the rotor, checking her instruments one last time.
“If anyone asks, I was not party to any of this,” his sister muttered under her breath.
River waggled her eyebrows at him as she followed Bree into the helicopter. “Welcome to the dark side, Easton.”
Considering the view as he climbed in after her, Easton figured this once, the dark side was worth it.