“What is it with your guests, bud?” Fin got to his feet and slapped his friend’s hand. “How come you keep losing them? It’s like they’re baby birds and you toss them out the door as soon as they can fly, without a brain cell between them.”
“Harsh. And we give them the lists you gave us about staying to trails and what to take. They’re just eager to be at one with nature.”
“It’s freezing, and winter, and snow could dump at any time. Show more sense.”
“I told them to stay close, just walk to the base. Seems they disobeyed me.”
Ted wore a smile and a deep gray suit, white shirt, and gray tie.
Fin studied him. “You know, there’s a small part inside me that misses that asshole you were. All this smiling and happy shit is just plain nauseating.”
Ted’s smile grew. “Mandy made me breakfast in bed this morning.”
“Nice.”
“It was.”
The look in Ted’s eyes told Fin there was likely something other than food on offer.
“I’m happy for you, bud.”
“Me too. It’s a weird thing though, Fin. I seem to be smiling all the time. I’ve had to really work hard at scowling so the staff don’t think I’m going soft.”
Fin laughed. “I’m sure you can still do mean.”
“Hell yes, I can!”
When Ted left, Brent and Fin pulled on packs loaded with what they’d need if there was a medical emergency and headed out to find the reckless tourists. They’d been gone only a few hours but had planned to return by one, as they’d booked a table in the restaurant for lunch.
The day was cool, but as usual the beauty of the place settled around Fin like a warm coat. This was home, he thought. He didn’t need anything more than this and his friends.
They found the group of three just off the trails.
“Oh thank God!” The woman who approached Fin was in her late twenties. “You have to save us!”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Fin said.
“My father, he’s broken his wrist, I’m sure of it.”
“And no one thought of going to get help?” Brent asked.
“We couldn’t leave him, and I was always told you stay together in these circumstances.”
She wore new hiking boots, fitted tights over very nice legs, and a jacket.
Fin shot Brent a look when he opened his mouth. He shut it. They were only a few feet off the main trail, and the walk down and up wasn’t exactly taxing, and he knew that it would not have been overly difficult for someone to go and get help. But what was done was done.
He checked out the man and thought it more likely his wrist was sprained.
The daughter yammered on the entire time, questioning Fin’s credentials, which just pissed him off. The mother stayed silent, looking anxious.
“Your husband will be just fine,” Fin said, smiling at her.
He strapped the wrist, then he and Brent helped the man to his feet.
“Shouldn’t you bring a stretcher for him?”
“I’m sure his feet are fine,” Fin said, out of patience, as the woman had been at him since he’d started looking over her father.“Be careful with him.” “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” “Shouldn’t you call an ambulance?”That one had got him. They were on a narrow track with bush and trees everywhere.
