The perfect view, p.1
The Perfect View, page 1
part #3 of Tahoe Series
The Perfect View
by
NICOLE PYLAND
Tahoe Series Book #3
Adler Williams had been surprised with a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, by her boyfriend; but not in a good way. That was the last place Adler ever wanted to be. She was not a woman who enjoyed camping or the outdoors in any way. While trying to return the camping supplies she wouldn’t be needing for this surprise trip, she meets a woman who loves the outdoors so much, she runs an outfitter’s shop in South Lake Tahoe.
Morgan Burns had watched her ex-girlfriend fall for and get engaged to her new girlfriend. Then, she’d watched her best friend get the girl of her dreams. When she visits Jackson Hole to plan a new store to her ever-growing chain, she meets a woman who is clearly not a fan of many of the activities Morgan holds dear.
The two women begin a long-distance friendship while they both attempt to navigate the newest hurdles in their lives: Adler’s relationship with her boyfriend and Morgan’s drive to expand her store empire. As Adler spends more and more time with Morgan, she begins to realize there’s more to her life than just work; or at least there can be, as long as she’s willing to risk her heart.
To contact the author or for any additional information visit: https://nicolepyland.com
This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.
Copyright © 2019 Nicole Pyland
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1-949308-22-8
BY THE AUTHOR
Stand-alone books:
All the Love Songs
The Fire
The Moments
The Disappeared
Chicago Series:
Introduction – Fresh Start
Book #1 – The Best Lines
Book #2 – Just Tell Her
Book #3 – Love Walked into The Lantern
Series Finale – What Happened After
San Francisco Series:
Book #1 – Checking the Right Box
Book #2 – Macon’s Heart
Book #3 – This Above All
Series Finale – What Happened After
Tahoe Series:
Book #1 – Keep Tahoe Blue
Book #2 – Time of Day
Book #3 – The Perfect View
Book #4 – Begin Again
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
EPILOGUE
COMING NEXT
CHAPTER 1
“This is the last place I wanted to be,” Adler argued. “When I said I thought we should take a vacation, I meant that I wanted to be sipping umbrella drinks on a white sandy beach somewhere.” She waved her arm around with a flourish. “This is not a white sandy beach; and this is not an umbrella drink.” She held out her canteen for emphasis.
“I know the iodine gives it a metallic taste, babe, but it’s important to purify the water before you drink it,” Brad replied.
“That’s what you took away from my outburst?” she asked in disbelief. “That I’m mad my water tastes like it came from the river and like metal?”
“I thought I’d surprise you with a nice trip.”
“This isn’t a nice trip, Brad. A nice trip would have been a five-star beach resort.” Adler capped her canteen, after not drinking from it, and tossed it onto the half-assembled tent. “I have to pee,” she stated, standing at the same time.
“There’s a good tree grouping over there.” Brad pointed without looking up from the poles he was attempting to piece together.
“There aren’t bathrooms?”
“Adler, we’re in the middle of the wilderness. Where exactly did you think we’d be going to the bathroom?” He looked up at her, sweat covering his brow.
“You surprised me with this trip, Brad. You told me at the very last minute that we were going camping. Camping implies a campsite with at least the bare essentials, like an unsanitary but at least modern public bathroom.”
“Well, there’s toilet paper in my pack. Is that good enough?” he asked, sticking two poles together. “And I’m sorry I planned what I thought would be a fun vacation for us.”
“I don’t want to fight about this. I just want it to be over,” Adler replied, rubbing her hands together for warmth. “And it’s summer. Why is it so damn cold?”
“Are you going to complain the entire time we’re here?” He tossed the connected poles to the ground in front of him. “This was supposed to be an anniversary trip where we reconnected, Adler. You haven’t stopped complaining since we started our hike up here.”
“When have you ever heard me say I want to go camping, Brad? Never. The answer is never.”
“I wanted to get you off your damn cell phone, Adler. I wanted you to stop thinking about work for five minutes. This was the best way I could think to do it. There’s no cell reception here. It’s just the two of us. We’re in this beautiful national park, in a tent just big enough for both of us.”
“And bear containers; don’t forget about those. I read about that in the pamphlet they gave us when we entered,” she replied.
“Fine. If I’m torturing you, we’ll stay out here tonight – because it’s too late to hike back to the road – but tomorrow, if you still want to leave, we’ll hike down and I’ll call a hotel from the car.”
“Hotel, where?” she asked, hopeful.
“Jackson Hole. It’s the nearest town. We drove through it to get here,” he answered.
“It’s Wyoming. It’s probably the only town,” she said. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“I’ll get the tent up and start a fire for dinner,” he replied.
“Can’t wait,” Adler said sarcastically.
She pulled the roll of toilet paper from his pack and walked through the group of trees he’d pointed out. She could hardly believe she was a thirty-five-year-old executive who normally lived in designer business suits and dresses for formal affairs when she squatted behind a tree. She finished, returned to the site, and watched Brad continue with the tent. She helped by pulling out the items they’d need to prepare their dinner. They moved around one another in silence for the next hour. The fire Brad had started was a small one, but it got the job done. She hadn’t had ramen noodles since college. She hadn’t missed them.
When she thought about how she’d thought they’d be spending their time together compared to how they were actually spending their vacation, she couldn’t help but be disappointed. They’d been together for a year and a half. Brad had given her a two-week vacation as their one year anniversary gift. She’d been excited at the prospect then, but work had been busier than ever. She had to keep putting it off until finally, Brad put his foot down. He was about to start a new construction project back home in Seattle. He’d been awarded a massive government contract with the city that would keep him and his employees busy for the next several years. This was their last chance to take off before it started. She’d agreed to the trip, and also to it being a surprise, because it had seemed so important to him. She’d realized her mistake the moment he showed her their boarding passes with the Wyoming destination. She’d never heard of a resort in Wyoming. She was certain at least one existed, but when she’d thought about getting away from the hustle and bustle of her life back in the city, this was the last place she’d ever thought of.
They fell asleep facing away from one another in a cramped tent, with Brad snoring lightly behind her, as he always did when they shared a bed. Eighteen months in, and they still weren’t living together – which was a problem according to her sister, Paxton; she thought they should have moved in together a long time ago. Adler, however, liked her space. Brad didn’t seem to mind. As he snored, she listened to the sounds of nature around them. She hadn’t taken the time to enjoy the view or the sounds of trees rustling in the wind, the crickets chirping, or the occasional howl from some animal off in the distance. It wasn’t terrible. She turned her head back slightly as Brad shifted in his sleep, pushing her back a little against the thin material of the tent. She closed her eyes and decided to just make it through the night. Tomorrow, they’d pack, and she’d get checked into a hotel. She’d feel more in her element, and things would calm down. They’d have a much better anniversary trip once they had a plush bed and amenities.
***
“I’m going for a swim. I’ll be back later,” Brad told her a mere five minutes after they’d gotten to their room.
“Fine,” Adler replied.
She felt bad. She knew he’d put a lot of time and planning into the camping trip, but not once since they’d known one another had he ever mentioned camping to her. Nor had she said it was anything she’d ever be interested in. Where he’d gotten the idea from, she had no idea. Because he’d failed to tell her exactly how to pack, preferring to arrange and bring everything they’d need for the outdoors himself, she’d packed for a real vacation. She opened her laptop bag – which she’d begrudgingly stowed in the rental SUV before they’d begun their hike the other day, then opened her computer, checked her email, and decided to do a little work while Brad swam.
“Are you kidding me?” he asked when he returned about an hour later.
“What?” She turned around to face him, noting the wet hair and towel he had slung over his bare shoulder.
“You’re working?”
“I was checking a few emails while you went swimming. I thought we could grab some dinner when you got back.”
“Adler, I asked you not to work while we’re here. I get you for two weeks, and you’re still working.” He tossed the towel onto the still made bed and walked into the bathroom.
“Brad, I was waiting for you to get back. What was I supposed to do?”
She closed the laptop and stood, walking over to the bed where she picked up the soiled towel and hung it over the bathroom door.
“I’m going to shower. It’s been a long few days.”
“Then, dinner?” she asked.
“Then, I’m going to run the stuff I need to return back to the outdoor store,” he replied. “Most of it wasn’t used, and I still have the receipts.”
“I can do that,” she said.
“You’re working,” he replied, pulling the shower curtain back to start the water. “Want to join me?” He motioned to the bathtub. “We could shower together and then go to the store.”
“I’ll return the stuff,” she answered. “I think we could both use a little space, anyway. I know I made you upset about the whole camping thing and just now with work. Let me at least return the stuff you bought to give me a nice vacation. I’ll be back in an hour. We can go to dinner then.”
“If that’s what you want,” he replied, sliding the swim trunks down his body and hopping into the steady stream of the shower.
She watched as he yanked the shower curtain closed, obviously still upset with her. She hated that she’d ruined his plans, but the hotel and the small town it was in would be much better for the two of them. She might even do some research after dinner to find a resort somewhere close. She’d pay for the change in destination if necessary. It was the least she could do for her boyfriend who’d tried to do so much already.
She drove the rental to the store she recognized from their first destination after the airport. Brad had taken her inside. They’d practically bought the whole store. She’d watched in horror as he’d shown her the backpack, sleeping bags, and cooking items they’d need, along with those terrible iodine tablets and metal canteens. They’d used some of it. Those items they couldn’t return. She’d left them in the trunk. She carried in several bags of the things they hadn’t used and headed toward the counter.
“Oh, you don’t want that,” a woman said from off to the side of the counter.
“I’m sorry?” Adler asked, turning toward the voice.
The woman was striking, with light blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She looked to be around Adler’s age; maybe a year or two older or younger. She was athletic in build, but not overly so. She wore a tight-fitting white V-neck shirt with a small pocket over her left breast and a pair of jeans with well-worn sneakers. Adler realized she’d looked the woman up and down. She met the woman’s eyes hoping she hadn’t noticed.
“That jerky brand is terrible,” the woman said, pointing to the three packs of beef jerky Brad had bought for the expedition. “There’s one that I recommend on my tours. If you like the spicy kind, theirs is pretty hot.”
“Hot?” Adler questioned, gulping for some reason.
“The jerky,” the woman said with a smile. “It’s spicy.”
“Oh, right,” Adler replied, looking down at the half-open bag and its contents. “I’m actually just returning it.”
“Because it’s terrible?” the woman asked, taking a few steps toward her.
“No, I haven’t tried it.”
“Then, why are you returning it?”
“Because we–”
“Can I help you?” a young man approached from what must have been a back office, and asked.
“I need to return these things. I have the receipt.”
“Okay,” he replied, taking the paper from her.
“I’ll leave you alone,” the woman said.
“No, you don’t–” Adler turned to face her. “Trip got canceled. That’s why I’m returning.”
“Oh, that sucks,” the woman said. “You came all the way here and you have to leave?”
“Not leaving. I’m just not camping, so I don’t need these things anymore. I’m staying in Jackson Hole.” She left out the fact that she’d considered leaving only twenty minutes ago while arguing with her boyfriend in their hotel room. “At least for now.”
“It’s a great town.”
“You’re from here?”
“No, I’m from South Lake Tahoe. I’m here on business.”
“Here you go,” the man behind the counter handed her the receipt with another one stapled to it. “The refund will go back on the original card within five to seven business days.”
“Thank you,” Adler replied, turning back to the woman. “What business are you in?”
The woman looked toward the man, nodded to the side, and started walking toward the door. Adler followed her without thought, tucking the receipt into her jeans pocket. They made their way to the front of the store, where the woman pretended to look at socks.
“I’m in this business,” she said softly. “Outdoor equipment. I’m here checking out the competition.”
“Really? How industrious of you,” Adler said with a smile.
“I’m thinking of opening a store here. It’s a competitive market. I’m here taking a look at all the shops and trying to decide on a location.”
“You own a store?”
“It’s a family business, but I’ve officially taken it over. We have three locations now, but all of them are around the lake. I’m hoping to expand a little further.”
“Well, I hope it works out,” Adler said.
The blue eyes met her own gray ones. The woman had this soft but, still, seemingly strong expression on her face that communicated something to Adler without her having said anything.
“I’m Morgan, by the way.”
“Adler,” she replied, holding out her hand for Morgan to shake.
“Are you here by yourself?” Morgan asked.
“No, with my boyfriend. He’s back at the hotel,” she said.
“Jerky?”
“It was his, yes.” Adler laughed and ran her hand through her light brown hair, wishing she’d showered before coming out after all. “I disappointed him because I am not a big camper.”
“No?”
“Not even a little bit.” Adler smiled as she looked out the window. “I thought we were going on a romantic getaway. He took me on a seven-mile hike into the middle of nowhere and made me pee behind a tree.”
Morgan laughed and said, “Camping can be romantic if you do it right.”
“Yeah?”
“I used to go with my girlfriend all the time. Well, she’s my ex-girlfriend now and engaged to another woman. They go on romantic camping trips now.”
Adler caught the word girlfriend. It didn’t bother her at all. Her sister Paxton was gay. Adler remembered Paxton coming out to her. She’d worried her big sister and their parents wouldn’t accept her, which was ridiculous because she was family. It didn’t matter who she found happiness with as long as she found happiness.
“What makes them romantic?” Adler asked, changing the subject slightly.
“The person, I guess. That’s the first step.” Morgan’s eyes got big. “Not that I’m suggesting your boyfriend isn’t the right person.”
