out. “It’s a team-building thing. Sounds like we can name our price.”
Clint gulped his coffee while he read the short message. One of her father’s hires, Clint had joined Binali Backcountry almost on his first day in Durango. Blond, lean, with sun-kissed skin and deep dimples, Clint was a good-looking guy, and she understood Tammy’s wistful crush on him.
But Clint had his own priorities. When he’d invited Charly to dinner, it had been for the sole purpose of learning all he could about the trails she’d been running tame on her whole life.
She valued his friendship, work ethic and love of the job. When Charly’s father stepped back from the business, Clint stepped up, helping her maintain the reputation of excellence. And as each of her brothers followed their careers away from Durango, Clint had filled the void, becoming an important partner and friend.
“Says he’ll be in this afternoon.” Clint set the printed email aside in favor of a fast-food bag of breakfast. “Want me to be here?” He stuffed a big bite of a breakfast sandwich into his mouth.
Charly cut short the urge to tease and judge him. For a man comfortable eating off the land, he made up for it whenever he had the chance. “Something like this will take two guides for sure.”
He nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “What are you thinking of charging?”
She tossed out a number. “Plus the rental gear.”
Tammy whistled, but Clint’s eyebrows dipped low. “For seven software geeks in this weather? Add in another grand for pain and suffering.”
“You charge the customer for the chance to suffer?” Tammy was aghast.
“No, darlin’.” Clint’s dimples showed up. “That’s for our pain and suffering. Desk jockeys tend to whine.”
“I wouldn’t whine,” Tammy vowed.
“I’d never give you cause,” Clint said, his voice oozing charm and innuendo.
Charly rolled her eyes. Tammy looked as though she might dissolve into a puddle. “Why don’t you unlock the front door,” she instructed Tammy. Clint had no idea the destruction his little flirtation could leave behind.
“Come on,” she said to Clint. “Let’s hammer out a few ideas and price points. We can give them options.”
“You really don’t want to risk losing them, I guess,” he said, following her to the office. “But our books can’t be that dire.”
“They’re not. We’re doing great,” she assured him.
Clint pushed aside some catalogs, making room for his coffee cup on a corner of her desk. Settling back in the only other chair, he finished off his breakfast while they came up with a few package ideas.
“Seems sudden,” he said when she was printing out the varied proposals.
“What do you mean?” She shot him a look as he worked the wrapper of his meal into a ball between his palms. A sure sign he was thinking.
“Come on. You think this guy just plans to hand out plane tickets when his crew comes in today or do you think they’ve been in on the planning process?”
“Does it matter? The email says they just wrapped a project. They want to cut loose and get out of the office.”
“In their place I’d go to Vegas.”
“Then be grateful they’re coming here and want to give us their money.”
“If you close the deal, I’ve got plenty of ways to spend my cut.” Clint flipped through the pages once more. “Should we pad that pain-and-suffering number a little more?”
“There’s padding and then there’s outright greed.”
His dimples flashed again. “True.” He leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. “But if they go the mountain route, they’ll be cold.” He stood, pretending to shiver. “We could make a side bet that you’ll cave to the inevitable whining before I do.”
“No deal,” she said on a chuckle. “I can be just as much a hard-ass as you when it’s necessary.”
Clint scoffed. “Then start practicing, sister, and get the payment up front.” He clapped her on the shoulder. “I’ve got a feeling these soft, cube-withered geeks will have us earning every penny once they get a taste of nature up on the mountain at this time of year.”
“You’re a cynic.” She shooed him out of the office with orders to make space in the back room for the delivery coming in. “And put some polish on your professional charm while you’re at it.”
* * *
A FEW HOURS LATER, as she listened to their potential new client, she realized both she and Clint were right. The job would be lucrative, but with every passing minute it was becoming more complicated.
“Let’s do this,” Charly suggested to the client. “Which of the options presented comes closest to what you have in mind?”
Reed Lancaster had made it clear from the moment he’d walked in that money was no object. His precise though relaxed appearance gave her an impression of significant wealth to back up the statement. His cashmere sweater, perfectly creased and cuffed khaki slacks and stylish shoes told the story. She imagined he spent a small fortune to keep his hair trimmed, and the gray at his temples added distinction. It was pointless to guess how much he’d shelled out for the Rolex on his wrist. She hoped he had the sense to leave it in his hotel safe rather than wear it on the excursion they were planning. Now, if they could just agree on where he wanted to go and the top three objectives he wanted to get out of the hike.
“As I explained in the email, my team deserves a break. I want to build on our momentum and camaraderie. The three-day hike into the mountains sounds ideal.”
“We’ll make sure your team is bonding while they’re having fun,” Clint said.
Mr. Lancaster ignored him, focusing on the paperwork in front of Charly. “Ms. Binali, I’ve done the research, read the reviews and asked around since coming to town two days ago. Your company has a reputation as the best.” He removed his reading glasses—no drugstore cheaters for Mr. Lancaster, these were designer frames.
“Your specific reputation—” he looked directly at Charly “—is what brought me here.” He tapped the small table. “I’ve taught everyone who works for me that to settle—on anything—is equal to defeat. With every project, every day, we strive for excellence. We are the team that sets the bar others try to reach. I won’t give them less than the best experience possible. That means I need you.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.” She gave him a smile and while she gathered the proposals into one stack, putting her favorite mountain hike option on top based on his decision, Mr. Lancaster reached into his coat and withdrew a long, slim wallet.
He’d said there were two hobby photographers on his team. While there wasn’t a bad view on any of the routes she and Clint had chosen, Lancaster insisted on the mountain options despite the weather risks.
“The mountains will give you stunning
