Chapter 147: Group Trip Gone Wrong (or Right?)
The bus rolled to a stop on a gravel road framed by whispering pines. The eco-lodge sat nestled at the base of a wooded ridge, its cedar shingles warmed by sunlight and soft moss growing along its edges like the forest had claimed it as kin.
Ava stepped down first, sunglasses on, clipboard in hand, professional to the core—despite the fact that she hadn’t had caffeine in four hours and Ryan had just spent half the ride ranking romantic clichés by effectiveness.
The air was crisp, scented with pine needles, distant firewood, and the hint of peppermint from someone’s essential oil diffuser. Birds flitted overhead. A dragonfly buzzed past Ava’s ear like it had something urgent to report.
Couples disembarked behind them, stretching, yawning, clutching water bottles and tote bags labeled Soulmates & S’mores. Ava sighed.
"This feels too peaceful," she muttered.
Ryan stepped up beside her, rolling their luggage. "Nature always lulls you into a false sense of serenity. And then someone misplaces the gluten-free snacks, and chaos reigns."
She ignored him and marched toward the lodge steps.
--
Midmorning found Ava in athletic wear, standing at the edge of the dock. Sunlight shimmered across the lake in fractured gold. Clients were scattered across the water in kayaks and paddleboards, laughter echoing as a couple tumbled in and emerged soaking and giggling.
Ava was organizing dry towels, paddle tags, and minor emotional meltdowns.
She didn’t notice Krista approach until her shadow stretched beside her on the planks.