Lili took three days to reevaluate her list and formulate a plan for moving forward with her life. She quickly realized that the bucket-list approach wasn’t working for her, so she scrapped it. Analytical by nature, she did better with decision trees and spreadsheets.
She spent a considerable amount of time with Patsy and the other Alleycats asking questions about their lives and loves. Because they were on average thirty years older than she, they had a wealth of experience to share. She also talked to Celeste, who had a way of offering sound advice and soothing counsel. At Celeste’s suggestion, once Lili felt like she’d done her research, she took the journal covered in lovely angel wing fabric that Celeste had given her and went up to the inspiring scenic overlook, Lover’s Leap. Looking out at the expansive vista of mountains and valley and heavenly blue sky, she spent half a day not actively thinking, but more absorbing.
Then she put pen to paper and let her feelings flow. She began with the moment she realized she’d been set up to take the fall and wrote until she’d filled half the pages. She cried a little bit but laughed some, too. When she finally reached the point where she recorded the confrontation with Brick during her run, she was exhausted and emotionally drained.
She slept like the dead that night, the best sleep she’d had in months. The following morning, she took her coffee and computer outside and, in half an hour, had her plan.
Lili identified three primary areas she needed to address in her quest for happiness and fulfillment: career, friendships, and romance. While she abandoned her bucket-list approach, she kept the Life GOAT concept, only tweaked.
From this day forward, Lili intended to work toward accomplishing GOHLs. Not the Greatest Of All Time, but the Greatest Of Her Life. She would live her life in such a way that she’d have the greatest job of her life, make the greatest friends of her life, and have the greatest romance of her life.
Neither Brick Callahan nor one-night stands would be part of it.
If she felt a little pang in the vicinity of her heart, well, she was simply going to ignore it.
“You look pleased with yourself,” came Patsy’s familiar voice.
Lili glanced up from her computer screen to see her friend striding toward her. This, she thought, was the prototype she would use for her friendship GOHL. Despite the difference in their ages, she and Patsy had bonded since the moment Lili answered her ad for a garage apartment tenant. What they’d lacked prior to this Colorado trip was spending time together. It was a lesson Lili would keep in mind going forward. Smiling, she gestured for Patsy to join her. “I am pleased with myself. I’ve been thinking about how lucky I am to have you as my friend.”
“Well, honey child, that’s a sweet thing to say.”
“It’s true. You and the Alleycats have changed my life, Patsy. Joining you up here is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Patsy’s look turned knowing. “Despite the blast from the past?”
“Yes.” Lili realized she could say that without hesitation and her smile widened. She had told all the Alleycats about the truth behind her night away from Stardance Ranch. However, Patsy was the only Alleycat with whom Lili had shared the real reason behind her sudden desire for a bubble bath. “Now that it’s behind me, I can admit I learned a lot about myself during the past couple of weeks. I know now that I can test my wings and still survive if I fall. That’s good experience, don’t you think?”
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s excellent experience. I’m so happy to hear that you haven’t allowed this bump in the road to send you running.”
Bump in the road? Like roadkill? “I’m not running,” she confirmed. “Honestly, I feel better about my life than I have in a long time. I finally have a plan.”
“So all the questions you’ve been asking have paid off? You’ve figured out what you’re going to do about a job when the summer is over?”
“No.” Lili decisively shut her computer. “But I’ve decided that even if I were to fight for my license and win, I definitely will not go back to accounting.”
Patsy pursed her lips in a frown. “You’ve been saying that all along.”
“True, but this is the first time I believe it. I think I want to do something that allows for a little creativity. That’s as far as I’ve gotten, but I have time to figure it out. It’s still June.”
“For two more days.” Patsy waved at two Alleycats out walking their dogs. “I can see you doing something creative, Lili. You obviously enjoy the Alleycats’ craft activities. I like that you are thinking outside the box.”
“I’m done with boxes.”
“Fabulous. In that case, I hope I’ll be able to talk you into accompanying me on a bit of an adventure this afternoon?”
Lili eyed her friend warily. She wanted to immediately agree to anything Patsy asked, but experience had taught her to beware of Patsy’s definition of adventure. “Does it involve any kind of jumping?”
Patsy gave her eyes an exaggerated roll. “No ropes. No harnesses. No sails of any type involved today. But I do think you should reconsider the parasailing. It’s quite a different sensation from zip lining. I know that wasn’t particularly your favorite. But no, this will be a laid-back adventure. A little walking, picnic, just you and me. I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“A picnic sounds wonderful. We could go up to Lover’s Leap. I was there yesterday and it was simply fabulous.”
“Actually, I have another place in mind. This is where it comes in handy for me that you aren’t running from Brick.”
Lili’s smile faltered. “Brick. This adventure involves Brick?”
“He had planned to take me fishing today up at some special place on his private land. I’ve heard about the waterfall and want to see it. He offered to take me up this afternoon because he needs to drop something off at Stardance River Camp and it’s apparently just over a ridge from the picnic spot. He said he doesn’t think you could find your way on your own, but he can point out landmarks on the way up so that you’ll be able to lead us home.”
“So he won’t stay with us.”
“No. You may not have noticed that he’s been away from Stardance the past few days. He’s been occupied at River Camp almost constantly. I think he has a special guest up there.”
Lili hadn’t seen Brick since their confrontation. She’d assumed he had been avoiding her on purpose. Or maybe spending time with his brunette.
“He’ll just lead us there and we’ll be on our own. That should be all right with you, shouldn’t it? Since you’re not running.”
“You’ve boxed me in nicely, Patsy.”
“No, I haven’t. You’re done with boxes, remember? Think of this as another chance to test your wings. I understand that four-wheeling is a lot of fun. We’ll each have our own. Cam Murphy is running a half-day rental special, so I’ve reserved one for each of us.”
“I’ll get to drive,” Lili said, intrigued. Now that she knew what to expect from the four-wheeler experience, the idea of driving excited her. Besides, she needed to face Brick sometime. Might as well be today when she was feeling so good about herself. “Sure, Patsy, I’d love to go with you. It’s a beautiful spot and I’ve wanted to go fishing again. What can I bring for our picnic?”
“If you’ll bring something for dessert, I’ll cover the rest. We’re to meet him at noon at Refresh. Want me to pick you up?”
Lili considered a moment, then shook her head. “I have some shopping to do. I’ll meet you at the sporting-goods store.”
Lili took extra care while getting dressed because she intended to stop by Savannah Turner’s soap shop, Heavenscents, and Sage Rafferty’s art gallery, Vistas, and Maggie Romano’s B and B, Aspenglow. She wanted to make a good impression on these Eternity Springs entrepreneurs. She told herself that the fact that she’d see Brick later had nothing to do with it.
It was almost true, too. Almost.
At Heavenscents she took her time making her selections and waited for Savannah to finish assisting the other customers in the store. When the shop emptied but for the two of them, Lili introduced herself and added, “Celeste suggested I talk to you about running a small business. Do you have a few minutes now, or could I make an appointment? Take you to lunch later this week, perhaps?”
“I can talk now.” Savannah wore her long blond hair in a braid down her back. “Celeste told me you might be stopping by. So, you are searching for your destiny, are you?”
“Destiny?” Lili shrugged. “I don’t know that I’d put it that way exactly, but yes, I need to decide on a new career. I’m exploring what I like and what I think I could be good at. I think Heavenscents is one of the most appealing shops in a town full of appealing shops. How did you decide on handmade soaps?”
Savannah shared how she’d learned soap making from her grandmother and then told a fascinating tale about a stint in prison, her reinvention, and her romance with the Eternity Springs sheriff, of all people. “I will tell you it’s difficult to make an excellent living in Eternity Springs because we still don’t have much of a winter tourist season. My Internet business grows every year, though. Primarily reorders from tourists who made their first purchase here in the store.”
“Quality matters,” Lili observed.
“In niche retail, definitely.”
The door chime sounded and a man sauntered inside. A lock of thick brown hair fell rakishly onto a forehead above gleaming blue eyes that focused on Savannah such love that it took Lili’s breath away. This must be Zach Turner.
“Hey, Peach,” he said.
Quality always matters, Lili concluded.
Savannah greeted her husband and introduced Lili. They discussed Stardance Ranch a few minutes; then Lili thanked Savannah for her time and information and took her leave. She made her way to the Vistas art gallery, where she discussed creative occupations with Sage Rafferty until her husband, Colt, arrived with their children.
Lili had an hour before she needed to meet Patsy—and Brick—so next she made her way to Maggie Romano’s bed-and-breakfast. Lili already knew that Maggie was the mother of Lucca Romano, the retired professional basketball player and current high school basketball coach. She didn’t know until she mentioned that she’d just come from Heavenscents where she’d met both the soap maker and the sheriff that Maggie was Zach Turner’s mother, too.
“It’s a long story and I really need to be drinking wine to tell it. Celeste told me she’d asked you to come by. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I don’t know what I’ve done to mess my records up so bad. Nothing balances. I think I must be categorizing things wrong. I truly am an intelligent person and I’m an excellent innkeeper, but I hate numbers. I truly hate them. I’ve been lost since Donna Barton moved away. I know that it’s insulting to ask CPAs to do basic bookkeeping, but I’m happy to pay your ordinary hourly rate and Celeste said you wouldn’t mind.”
Celeste hadn’t said word one to Lili about looking at Maggie Romano’s books when she suggested Lili visit Aspenglow.
“I’m happy to look at your stuff, Maggie, but only as a friend. I no longer have my license to practice accounting. And honestly, I came here seeking your advice because I’m considering opening a bed-and-breakfast myself. It wouldn’t be right for me to dig into your figures.”
“Oh, that’s lovely news. Eternity Springs can use another B and B. I hate having to turn people away. It looks to me like we could be of great help to each other.”
“I’m only just beginning to explore the idea,” Lili warned. “I want to get my career right this time. I won’t make any decisions quickly.”
“Good. You know, you should also talk to my daughter, Gabby Brogan. She changed careers. Went from being in law enforcement to being a glass artist who runs a retail shop.”
“Whimsies is your daughter’s store? I’ve shopped there. It’s a fun store. And the gallery next door…”
“That’s Cicero’s work. He’s a serious artist. Gabby likes to make people smile with her creations.”
Lili checked her watch. “I have to meet my friend in forty-five minutes, Maggie. Would you like me to see what I can do with your bookkeeping issues in that amount of time?”
“God bless you.”
Quite capable of multitasking, Lili asked Maggie to share her likes and dislikes about being an innkeeper while she tackled Maggie’s mistakes in her bookkeeping program. While Lili didn’t have time to work through everything, she did manage to clear up a couple of errors and identify a common mistake Maggie continually made. “If you go back through the last few months and correct that error, I bet you’ll be able to get this account to balance.”
“You are a goddess, Liliana,” Maggie Romano said. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m glad to help.”
It was true, she realized as she departed Maggie’s B and B and made her way toward Refresh. Maggie Romano was a delightful woman and Lili was happy to help her. She’d also given Lili a lot to think about regarding a possible future as an innkeeper.
Maybe she would talk to Gabby Brogan, Lili decided. It would be nice to—
Lili lost her train of thought the moment she caught sight of Brick. He stood talking to Cam Murphy, gesturing wildly and with more than a little frustration. He looked tired and unhappy. Harried, too.
Maybe going on this waterfall trip wasn’t such a good idea.
Then he saw her and his first reaction was to smile, which brought a smile to her face in return. If both smiles were a little sad, well, that was still better than mutual scowls.
Cam said something else that grabbed Brick’s attention, and when he turned away from her Lili glanced around for Patsy. Thank goodness the older woman was coming up right behind Lili. She wouldn’t have to greet Brick by herself.
“I’m so excited about our adventure today,” Patsy said. “Thank you so much for agreeing to come with me. I think that … oh, dear … Brick doesn’t look happy, does he?”
Without waiting to hear Lili’s response, Patsy strode up to the men. “Nothing like two pretty men standing in front of a place of business to make me want to patronize it. That said, your frowns almost spoil the view. Is something wrong?”
“Not really. Just a little mix-up with my credit card. I’ll get it taken care of later.”
Cam said, “Patsy, I got a new shipment of flies in yesterday. I picked out a few for you. Shall I add them to your order?”
“Yes, please. Brick assures me that there are at least half a dozen fish in that stream with my name on them today.”
“It’s his fishing hole. He knows what he’s talking about.” Cam flashed an easy grin at Lili. “How about you, Lili? Do you need any supplies?”
She glanced at Brick. “Do I?”
“It never hurts to have a few extra flies.”
She nodded and said to Cam, “I’d like a fishing hat, too, please.”
“Come inside and I’ll get you fixed up.” He glanced at Brick and said, “Need help loading the rentals?”
“Nah. I’ve got it handled.”
Inside the sporting-goods store, Lili discovered that Patsy had already paid for the rental of both four-wheelers and she sighed. This was becoming a bad habit of Patsy’s. Lili might be living off her savings, but she wasn’t destitute. She could pay her own way.
Though if she wanted to start a business things could be a little tight for a while. While she hadn’t intended to live in her trailer when she bought it, she could do it if necessary. Who knows, maybe she’d find another little town like Eternity Springs somewhere in America and sink her roots. Or park her tires and hook up her electricity. Establish a business. Make friends. Fall in love.
Surely Eternity Springs wasn’t the only special small town in this country. Spying a familiar figure riding a mountain bike, Lili waved and murmured, “Hmm … wonder if Celeste has a sister somewhere.”
“Here you go, Lili,” Cam said, handing her the hat she’d chosen with her newly purchased flies fixed expertly to the bill. “Now you’ll look like a pro. Good luck out there today. Hope you land a big one.”
Lili lifted one side of her mouth in a crooked smile. “I’m not worrying about the size of the fish anymore. My GOHL is to enjoy the experience.”
“There you go. That’s an excellent goal for a fisherman to have.”
When she joined Patsy and Brick outside, the trailer was loaded, hooked up, and they were ready to go. She climbed into the back of the extended-cab pickup and didn’t try to join the conversation on the way up to the four-wheeler part of the trip. Although Brick and Patsy talked about town events during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, he seemed a bit subdued to Lili. Since she couldn’t help but think about events that had occurred between them during their last trip up this mountain, she wondered if that was the reason for his preoccupation.
She couldn’t have been more wrong.