Focus.
Charlie started the engine and pulled out of the garage, checking her mirrors.
“So which one are we going to first?” Maddie asked from the back, tablet already open. “We have Eisenhower Tunnel, Berthoud Pass, and Loveland Pass.”
Charlie turned to Ben. “Navigator?”
“Berthoud first. That should take us just over an hour and put us there around nine. Then Eisenhower’s about half an hour from there. After Eisenhower, we’ll head for Loveland Pass. That’s a quick drive, maybe twenty minutes. Then it’s an hour and a half back to the hotel. I imagine we’ll get back here around seven tonight.”
“Long day,” Viv said.
Ben turned in his seat. “Are you sure about Eisenhower Tunnel?”
Viv nodded. “I know what you’re saying. Aldric and his knights are supposed to be cut off, isolated when Felldark triggers the avalanche. I grew up on the Western Slope and the last place in Colorado that says Felldark’s Mountain Keep is the Tunnel. But, CDOT’s guaranteed to set off at least one avalanche there that we can film. With the right angle, itmightwork.” She was sounding less hopeful.
“Which one do you think best matches the scenery in your head?”
Charlie glanced at Ben. He was smiling. “Not the Eisenhower Tunnel, that’s for sure. Berthoud and Loveland have potential. There are old mines up there too, for when Aldric and Caiden are in the secret tunnels. And the Seven Sisters almost guarantee you’ll have your avalanche.”
“Seven Sisters?” Viv asked.
Maddie nodded as she looked over her tablet. “At Loveland, right? There are seven avalanche paths that converge.”
“Perfect name, at least,” Viv said.
Charlie glanced at Ben again. “You know the area well?”
“I do.” He half-turned to look at Viv. “Shane and I used to camp up there with our friends. Waylon, nearly broke his ankle jumping across a creek one time. Bear had to carry him three miles back to the trailhead.”
Rowan laughed. “I remember you telling me that story. Didn't Waylon claim he could've walked if you'd just let him?”
“Oh yeah. Until Bear told him to prove it and he turned green.” Ben's smile was warm, easy. This was his element—talking about the mountains, his brothers, the place he knew better than anywhere. Charlie watched his hands as he gestured, describing the terrain. Big hands, scarred from forge work, but gentle when he'd helped Shelly into the truck. When he'd steadied Charlie at the Faire with his hand warm against her back.
Stop it.
“Charlie?” Viv's voice pulled her back.
“Yeah?”
“Sorry, don’t mean to distract you when you’re driving. I was just wondering since you’re a huge fan of the books, what did you think of my changes for the show last season?”
Charlie navigated around a slow-moving truck before answering. “I think combining Sir Godwin with Sir Mariel into one character made sense for screen time. And honestly?” She glanced at Viv in the rearview. “Caiden dying in season two is going to wreck people, but it's the right call.”
“Thank you!” Viv threw her hands up. “See, Rowan? Someone gets it.”
“Iget it,” Rowan said. “I just also get that Duke is going to make my life hell until we wrap.”
“Why do you think it's the right call?” Ben asked Charlie, genuine curiosity in his voice.
Charlie's fingers tightened on the wheel. “Because in the books, Caiden disappearing for a whole novel weakens Aldric'sarc. He spendsThrone of Ashgrieving, and it's powerful, but then Caiden comes back and it undercuts everything. On screen, if you actually kill him? Aldric has to become the king without his chronicler. He has tobea legend that lasts instead of having someone who worships the ground he walks on exaggerate or embellish his story.”
Silence from the back seat.
Ben was staring at her.
“What?” Charlie asked, defensive.
“Nothing. That's just—” Ben cleared his throat. “That's exactly what I thought when I read book three. Caiden coming back felt like a cheat.”
