Brandon opened the door and smiled when the bell jingled as he entered Arrowhead Adventurers’ downtown Arrowhead Falls office. Kyle complained about it, but Brandon loved the bell. Kyle said it sounded like they were a beauty salon or pet store. It reminded Brandon of going to a favorite old hardware store with his uncle when he was a little boy. The store was over one-hundred-years old and had a bell that rang every time a customer entered.

Elle looked up from her desk. “You’re here early. We don’t open for another half hour, but I guess you know that.”

“I hope I do since I set the hours. You’re here early, too. Is there something special going on?”

Elle smiled. “Nothing but a much-needed bump up in the reservations. I’m not sure what’s happened, but we had five new bookings from online waiting this morning.”

“Maybe it’s this.” Brandon pulled the fumsup from his pocket.

“What’s that?”

“Levi gave it to me. He said it’s been in his family for a hundred years or so. I felt nervous taking it, but he says it’s for good luck when I’m out paddling.”

Elle gestured for him to come closer. “Let me see.”

It was a small figure shaped like a baby with a blank head and tiny hands with rudimentary thumbs pointing upward. Brandon placed it in Elle’s hand.

“Oh! It’s a fumsup. I’ve seen one before. My mom has it. She said she found it in great-grandma’s jewelry box after she passed. An appraiser told her what it was. This one is cute. Did you see the tiny shamrock on its belly?”

“I did. Do they work?”

Elle held the fumsup out and placed it back in Brandon’s hand. “Are you superstitious?”

Brandon shrugged. “Maybe a little. I don’t walk under ladders, and I shiver any time I see a black cat walking in front of me.”

Elle said, “I think things like this work if people believe they work. My theory is you’ll avoid crazy stuff if you think you have something that helps you do that. It doesn’t have any power on its own. It all comes from what’s in your head.”

“So you think I should take it with me in the canoe.”

“It can’t hurt. Make sure you’ve got him tucked somewhere secure. You don’t want to lose him in the bottom of a lake. I don’t think he can swim, and he’s too heavy to float. It would be like tossing into the water one of those lead weights the fishermen use.”

Brandon laughed. “Now tell me about those new bookings.” He stepped around behind Elle to look over her shoulder.

The office didn’t officially open for another twenty minutes or so, but while they both stared at the computer screen, someone pounded on the front door.

They both looked up to see a young man with a full backpack slung over his shoulders. Elle asked, “Why don’t you let him in? It’s not that early. Maybe it’s another booking.”

“Okay, but we’ve got to get those new ones scheduled. Start looking at where we can slot them in.”

Brandon opened the door and found himself face to face with a handsome man who appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s. He had a deep tan on his face and, judging by his dress, he looked experienced at exploring the woods. Brandon asked, “Can I help you with something.”

The man stepped inside and said, “I hope so, but I know this is last minute, and it’s asking a lot. I’m here with my wife, and our flight out of Duluth today got bumped to tomorrow. We’ve got one day left up here before we fly back to D.C. This trip is the perfect escape so far. We got all suited up to go for a hike, and then a guy at the coffee shop said we should look you up. He says you have the best canoe guides in the area. We went on one trip two days ago, and, between you and me, the guides sucked.”

Brandon rubbed his chin. “The guy at the coffee shop. He didn’t have wiry black hair and stood about so high, did he.” Brandon held his hand up to his nose.

The stranger grinned. “That sounds like him. He said he’s an EMT up here. He told us some hilarious story about a guy who got tangled up in his fold-out couch and ended up calling 911. The poor sap was able to reach his phone, but he couldn’t get up.”

Elle and Brandon simultaneously said, “Gabe!”

Brandon continued, “Well, since we’ve come so highly recommended, I bet we can do something for you.” He turned back toward Elle. “Is Kyle in this afternoon?”

Elle nodded. “Yep, he had a cancellation. He was bummed about it, too. They were going to find a place for swimming. He said it would be a leisurely trip, and he was looking forward to it.”

“That sounds perfect!” said the man. “Do you think you can slot us in as a replacement?”

Brandon said, “I’ll have to give Kyle a call. If he had a trip on his schedule, he wouldn’t plan to spend the afternoon in the office. My best guess is that he’ll be free. You’ll like Kyle. Everybody likes him. He’s very mellow and relaxing as a guide. Do you have our phone number? I would say give us about an hour and call us back. Does that work?”

“It sounds perfect. There’s still plenty of time for a hike if it doesn’t work out.” The man reached his hand out to shake with Brandon. “I’m Tim. Thanks so much for your time and understanding. Gabe thinks very highly of you.”

Elle said, “It’s mutual. Gabe’s a good guy. He takes care of all of us, and he makes us laugh, too.”

Tim left the office with a smile on his face and a jingle of the bell. Brandon grabbed a chair to pull up next to Elle’s desk. “Do you have those new ones on the schedule?”

“You are in a rush, aren’t you? Why didn’t you take that trip for this afternoon? Kyle is great like you said, but you’re still the best. No one is such a sponge about the history around here, and you see the tiniest things that the rest of us miss.”

“Kyle can use the experience, and if he missed out on a trip this afternoon, that means he possibly missed out on a big tip. Something tells me Tim and his wife will be generous.”

Elle said, “And this is why you’re a great boss. Can I ask a personal question?”

“Has anything ever stopped you before?”

“I guess that’s a fair point. I’m curious how things are going with that guy from Lone Cedar Lake. Levi’s his name?”

“Yep, it’s Levi, and they’re going great. Is there something specific you wanted to know?”

“Is he planning to move to Arrowhead Falls?”

Brandon shook his head. Elle had a way of getting straight to the point. Brandon wished that he could honestly answer the question differently, but he knew that he had to be patient. Levi’s grandmother was Levi’s first concern, at least for now.

“So how does your relationship work? Are you planning to ski for miles up there in the winter? I don’t want to be a wet blanket or anything, but you know that I’ve had my heart broken more than once.”

“We’re only dating. He came down here to visit, and I’ve been up there a couple of times. I think you’re getting way ahead of things. I like him, and we’ve had a lot of fun so far.” Brandon leaned forward. “Plus, he’s really good looking, don’t you think? Don’t ever tell Gabe, but to me, Levi is the most handsome guy I’ve ever dated, and he’s so sweet.”

Elle reached a hand out onto the desk and placed it over Brandon’s. “Be careful, okay? You’re not just my boss. You’re a friend, too, and I never like to see friends hurt. I know Gabe feels the same way, too.”

Brandon sighed. “You’ve been talking about me behind my back, haven’t you? My best friends are trying to decide whether or not the relationship is the right one for me.”

“We always do. It’s a weekly event. We call it the Brandon Session, or, like Gabe likes to call it, Tales of the Blonde God.” Elle smirked. “Of course we talk about you, and I’m sure you talk about us. At least I hope you do. That’s what friends are for.”

“You are too funny sometimes, Elle. I’m no God, that’s for sure. I’m not even like a God. A God would have ten million dollars and a mansion on Lake Tahoe.”

“You never know. You’re a seriously talented businessman.”

Brandon stood up. “Okay, I’ve got my big ego boost for the day. Now it’s time to get some work done. You get those bookings confirmed with the customers and enter them on the schedule. I’ll give Kyle a call.” He started to turn away and stopped himself. “Oh, I had one more question. Are you free for dinner on Friday?”

Elle blushed. “For once, I’m not.”

“Wow, what’s going on? Not that I’m nosy about your personal life or anything.”

A warm smile spread across Elle’s face. “I’ve got a date.”