“She’s a climber?” Accardo sounded surprised.
“She’s not a climber.” Gridwall laughed. “Women can’t be serious climbers.”
“Why not?” Mitch truly wanted an answer.
But Gridwall ignored him, getting to his feet and heading toward the woman, who was now searching for a campsite on the other side of the campground, probably trying to get as far away from them as possible.
He couldn’t blame her.
She found a site she liked and started putting up her tent—one of those new Nylon all-weather tents with a rainfly—just as Gridwall walked up to her.
“That’s a slammin’ tent, sugar. Let me help.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ve got it. My name is Megs, not ‘sugar.’”
That was an unusual name. Mitch bet it was short for Maggie or Margaret.
She worked quickly and confidently, clearly knowing what she was doing.
But Gridwall didn’t get the message. “Lighten up, babe. I’m just being friendly.”
“Yourfriendlinessis noted, but, as I said, I don’t need help.”
Mitch found himself grinning.
“Fine.” Gridwall raised his hands in mock surrender, a smirk on his face. “Are you some kind of women’s libber?”
“I’m here to climb, just like you.”
The woman—Megs—was a spitfire. Mitch liked her already.
“Is that right?” Gridwall was turned so Mitch couldn’t see his face, but Mitch could hear the condescension in his voice. “Have you climbed before? Any first ascents?”
She almost had the tent up now. “What’s your name?”
“Jim Gridwall.”
“Dean Calder mentioned you. You’re the draft dodger.”
She knew Dean? That was news.
Gridwall sounded confused by this. “How did you meet Calder?”
“I bouldered with him in Joshua Tree last fall.”
So, she had climbed with Dean.
“You went bouldering with Dean?” But the surprise in Gridwall’s voice quickly became amusement. “I get it. You’re one of those chicks who digs climbers.”
“No, I dig climbing.” She reached for a guy line.
Gridwall grabbed her wrist. “Hey, don’t be so uptight. Come sit with us, smoke a joint, listen to some music, relax.”
She jerked her hand away. “Not interested.”
Mitch found himself on his feet. “Gridwall, leave her alone!”
“Mellow out, man.” Gridwall glared at him. “I’m just making conversation.”
