Page 47 of Grumpy Bear

I expected him to sense it and pull away, but he didn’t.

Making our way down the stairs—awfully steep for drunks, I noted—we slowed behind a silver-haired man carefully working his way one step at a time, clutching the banister. He was probably in his seventies, perfectly groomed and fully dressed in expensive preppy clothes. He looked like he’d reached the limits of tanning a few decades before I was born. Bless his heart.

He apologized over his shoulder for being so slow.

“You’re fine,” I said.

He turned to see who’d spoken and stopped completely when he recognized Coleman. “Well, hey there, Sawyer. You boys heading out already?”

“Long day,” Coleman said in the hearty voice I’d heard him using since the camp had started filling up. “We’ve got an even bigger one tomorrow.” It wasn’t exactly an act, he was being genuine, but I could tell it took extra effort for him to smile a little more, say a few more words, wave with a little more enthusiasm. It didn’t take a genius to figure out these guests were important to the lodge’s success.

“Uh-oh. You’re getting old.” The gentleman smiled and gave me a conspiratorial wink.

Coleman laughed, a little forced but still kind. “Where the hell do you think you’re going so early?”

“Oh, I’m saving myself for the pool party too.” He leaned in toward me and said under his breath, “More naked men.”

I laughed out loud.

Coleman put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Luke, this is Danny Foster. He was one of the first RV residents here.”

“I knew the original owner,” Danny said, shaking my hand. “He was like a son to me. Did you know Wayne?”

“No, sir, I didn’t have the pleasure.” I glanced at Coleman. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about him though.” Most of it had come from Jim.

“This place was his dream. Sawyer’s done a good job taking care of it.” Danny started back down the stairs and came really damn close to missing a step. I caught his arm and offered mine to him, helping him down the rest of the way.

He let out a breath at the bottom. “Those things are treacherous!” He gave my biceps a squeeze before releasing me. “Thanks for the save.”

“You’re very welcome, sir.”

Danny turned to Coleman. “Is this boy an employee?”

Coleman glanced at me. “Yes. Temporarily.”

“I’ve been telling y’all to hire some guys with manners. This is what I’m talking about.”

Coleman smiled. “He came highly recommended.”

Danny continued to squeeze my arm. “You just here for the weekend?”

“Yes, sir. I recently moved to Edgewood.”

“Well, it’s a shame you won’t be here longer. Are you a student at the university?”

“No, sir, I’m a musician.”

“Is that right? Did Sawyer tell you Wayne was a musician?”

I glanced at Coleman. Again, he hadn’t told me much, but Jim had rattled on about it when we’d been working together in the office. “Yeah. I’ve heard he used to play here a lot.”

“He had a beautiful deep voice. Perfect for country music.” He eyed me doubtfully. “Younger people aren’t into country so much, though, are they?”

“I love country music. Dolly, Emmylou…”

Danny’s eyes lit up.

Coleman groaned. “Don’t get him started. Luke and Jim have already turned the office into a karaoke bar.”