When Sparks Fly

I’d been dependent on him in ways I hadn’t realized until our relationship was over. I had been looking for someone to fill the holes in my heart after my parents’ death, and unfortunately I learned the hard way that dependence wasn’t a good way to achieve that.

We’re both in much better places now than we were back then. At least it seems that way.

The campground is freaking amazing. There are platforms with massive tents that sleep six comfortably, and a handful of cabins for couples’ retreats.

“As you can see, the one thing we struggle with is heating in the winter. We can keep things warm and we’re looking at the possibility of yurts, but they’re an expensive investment, and it’ll be a couple of years before we have the capital to make those purchases. I don’t mind that it slows down in the winter, but there have been some requests from campers and companies for winter retreats. I’m not sure how you would feel about pooling resources to develop a winter adventurer program.”

“Are you thinking a couple of nights in tents? Then a bus trip out our way for a few days of snow adventure with the comfort of bedrooms and indoor plumbing that doesn’t require snowshoes to get to?”

“Exactly. I think most people can handle a day or two in tents, but a weeklong team-building camp spent freezing your ass off is only something that really appeals to the hard-core campers.”

“This glamper can totally relate.” I point to myself and we both laugh. “I definitely think this could work. How many weeks are you thinking?”

“Maybe four to start? We could break them up depending on your schedule. I figure if we can reserve a few weeks during the coldest months of the year, then we can start planning the programs now. That way we’ll have time to get the marketing up and running to pull in interested parties. As long as your sisters are okay with it, and Declan, of course.”

“I think London and Harley are going to love this idea.”

“Neither of them had a lot of love for me after the breakup.” Sam rubs the back of his neck. “And the last words Declan and I had weren’t all that pleasant. I don’t want to rock the boat.”

I don’t know all the details, but from the little Mark and Jerome said, Declan had lost his shit on Sam when he found out he’d been cheating on me. There had been harsh words and some punches thrown.

“It’s been the better part of a decade, I’m sure if I’m over it, they should be over it too.” At least I hope so. “Let me pitch the idea to my sisters and talk to Declan.”

“I think that’s probably a good idea. Thank you for coming here. I know it’s been years and that I should’ve reached out long ago, but I just … didn’t know how.”

“It’s okay. I could’ve reached out too. It wasn’t the right time.”

24

ALL THE WAYS TO MAKE A MESS

DECLAN

“What’s the balance owed on the wedding and bachelorette party combo?” I flip my pen between my fingers and scan the spreadsheets for Spark House.

“Forty thousand, but most of that has already been spent, so it’ll have to go right into paying for the next event and hopefully I can put back what I had to use from the fountain fund.” London’s on speakerphone and her frustration bleeds through in her tone.

“And if you’re able to do that, will we be within five grand of being able to make that happen?” I keep trying to find creative ways to make the fountain happen, but it’s proving impossible without pulling from their slush fund. While that account seems flush with cash, it’s fluid, money coming in and leaving just as quickly for the next event they’re setting up.

Avery had hoped to be able to have the fountain restored before her grandmother returned from Italy, just before her seventy-fifth birthday. And London, being London, doesn’t want to disappoint her sister. And I would like to move myself all the way back to London’s good side by making it happen.

“If we don’t have to pull from it again, yes. But we have two more weddings coming up this fall and we’ll have to make deposits, so there’s a good chance we’ll have to dip back in.”

I shift in my chair and flip through some spreadsheets, trying to find money that just isn’t there. “So unless you can secure a sponsor or pull in a client who is going to spend a lot on multiple events, then I’m not sure you’re going to be able to get the fountain restored before Gran gets back.”

London sighs. “That’s what I figured. I’m not looking forward to telling Avery we have to put it off.”

I’ve had a few calls over the past several days with Go Green, and I’m making some headway, but I don’t want to say anything to London or Avery about it until I have something concrete. It seems the CEO needs to sign off on the sponsorship and he hasn’t had time to take a look at it. “Okay, let me go over the numbers again and see if there’s any short-term investments we can get into. I’ll get back to you in a couple of days.”