The Team Read online

  If so, it was too late now to do anything about it. The road gradually became more primitive and the landscape wilder. The painted lines disappeared from the road, and it narrowed from two lanes to one-and-a-half.

  “Where is this lodge?” Melissa asked. “We haven’t seen any other vehicles since we left the visitors’ center.”

  “The park isn’t a popular destination in the winter, due to the weather,” Tiffany replied, her eyes flicking briefly to the rearview mirror and back to the road.

  Adam laughed. “Most people are wimps. Not like us, right? We’re not about to let a little chill stop us.”

  Melissa leaned forward in her seat. “I just didn’t realize the lodge was so remote. The weather report before we left said there might be snow tomorrow night. Will we be able to get back out on this road?”

  “Not a problem,” Tiffany said. “They’re only calling for a couple of inches. A blizzard would be one thing, but with that small an amount, we’ll be fine.”

  “See?” Adam turned in his seat to look at Melissa. “You worry too much. I keep telling you that.”

  Melissa pressed her lips together and sat back.

  Maybe Tiffany sensed the tension, because her voice became even more determinedly cheerful than before. “As for why the lodge is so remote, it’s built on what’s known as an inholding. When the park was created back in the early part of the twentieth century, a plot of private land ended up inside its boundaries. Thanks to an act of Congress, the park service is required to maintain an access road in and out, which is what we’re on now. The owner of this inholding decided to take advantage of its location—private land surrounded by fifty-thousand acres of wilderness—to build a lodge and cabins to rent. These days, the lodge is mostly used by team-building companies like Reignite Outdoor Adventures. And since the land is private, we aren’t bound by park rules—like the ones about no alcohol.” She gave us an exaggerated wink in the rearview mirror.

  “Now we’re talking!” Adam said with a laugh.

  Rick laughed along with him. “That’s the sort of team-building I like.”

  Drinking on the boss’s dime—now that was enough to lift anyone’s spirits. Feeling a bit more cheerful, I turned to the window to admire the scenery. It really was beautiful—at least from inside a heated van. The trees formed a complicated wall to either side of the road, so dense I could only see a few yards in. Then they fell away suddenly, as the van crossed a narrow bridge over a gorge. A small waterfall churned over gray stone to the right, the river racing past far beneath us.

  As the trees closed back in, I sat forward suddenly, pressing my nose to the cold glass. “Wait, did you see that?”

  “See what?” Rick asked.

  “There was someone standing alongside the road, just inside the trees.”

  “I didn’t see anyone.”

  I looked around, but everyone else shook their heads. “Sometimes the shapes of the trees can look strange from a certain angle,” Tiffany volunteered from the front. “The river back there marks the boundary of the inholding, which is very clearly posted as private property. I assure you, there’s no one else for miles.”

  Shivering, I took one last glance back at the edge of the forest. But as Tiffany had said, no one was there.

  The lodge sat atop a heavily wooded overlook. As we pulled into the wide parking area in front of it, Yasmine craned her head to get a better view. “I have to say, I wasn’t expecting much considering how long it took to get here. But this is beautiful.”

  The main lodge blended perfectly with its surroundings: timber-framed, sided with cedar planks, and plenty of huge glass walls to let anyone inside admire the view. Paths of white gravel ran off through the forest around it, and through the thick trunks I glimpsed one of the cabins. The cabin matched the lodge, exuding a rustic, homey atmosphere.

  “Maybe this won’t be so bad after all,” Rick whispered as the van came to a halt and we gathered our things.

  The lodge door opened onto an enormous room. Two walls were paneled in warm oak. A huge stone fireplace took up most of a third wall. The fourth, on the side with the overlook, was solid glass and offered a magnificent view of the untamed wilderness around us.

  A huge banner hung directly across from the entrance. “WELCOME TEAM AGONARCH! FIRST ANNUAL RETREAT: PLAY TO WIN!” A table beneath the banner held a collection of t-shirts and light jackets emblazoned with the Agonarch logo. Above it was a map of the inholding, clearly showing all of the available activities: climbing trees, hiking trails, whitewater rafting, and even a zip line.

  Adam’s eyes lit up. “A zip line!”

  Yasmine looked horrified. Tiffany’s smile lost some of its wattage, and she said, “Unfortunately, not all activities are available at this time. The zip line crosses a ravine, and the rope bridge leading back is out. And since it’s winter, we didn’t bring the whitewater rafting equipment.” She perked back up. “But don’t worry—I have tons of fun activities planned!”

  Activities, sure, but fun? Well, that was in the eye of beholder, I supposed. I dropped my backpack near the door and looked around. The furniture was what I thought of as rustic chic—well made, but relying heavily on antlers and rough-hewn wood. Chairs clustered near the big fireplace, and two tables stood against one wall near a cabinet. The end of the room near the glass wall was largely empty.

  “Is that a bar I see?” Adam asked with a grin.

  “It is.” Tiffany winked. “And I make a mean cocktail.”

  I held my hand up. “Not to suggest the bar isn’t important, but after that long ride I could use a bathroom break.”

  “Of course.” Tiffany pointed to a hall opposite the bar. “The cabins aren’t equipped with facilities, but we have showers and multi-stall bathrooms in here. Ladies on the left, gents on the right.”

  I nodded and hurried to follow her direction. Melissa joined me.

  “I’m really not looking forward to the walk through the woods if I have to pee in the middle of the night,” I said as we washed our hands after.

  “Same!” she agreed fervently. “Do you think there are any dangerous animals out here?”

  “Bear, probably.”

  “Lord have mercy.” Melissa pulled lipstick out of her purse and touched up. “My husband couldn’t believe I agreed to come out to the woods like this.”

  “I’d rather be on a beach somewhere myself,” I admitted.

  “Exactly! But Adam picked this, so…”

  This seemed as good an opportunity as any to find out more about rest of the team. “How long have you known him?”

  “Since college.” She tucked her lipstick back in her purse and turned her attention to her hair. “We were all at Yale together.”

  Must be nice to have that kind of cash. I’d done two years at community college, then finished up on a scholarship at a state university. “Was he into supplements then?”

  She laughed. “Sure—just not the legal kind.” Melissa shut her purse with a snap. “You’re new, so take my advice, honey. No one here gives a crap about herbal supplements or all-natural anything. We picked the market because it’s a billion-dollar business and no FDA approval.”

  I hadn’t expected her to be so openly cynical. “Oh. Got it.”

  Melissa gave me a smile and patted my arm. “Just have a drink and relax. We’re a good bunch, once you get to know us.”

  I smiled at her. “Thanks for the advice.”

  We returned to the main room together. Tiffany was already demonstrating her cocktail making skills to Adam. Yasmine perused a bookcase near the fireplace while Rick stared out the glass wall.

  I joined him. An ocean of trees spread out before us, falling away in a mixture of gentle rises and rocky gorges. The river we’d crossed earlier was just visible through the trees. During the fall, this view must be truly spectacular, the lodge a ship floating on a sea of color. Now the forest’s palette consisted only of brown bark, white water, gray rock, and dark green conifers.
Still beautiful in its own way—at least when viewed from inside the warmth of the lodge.

  “We’re a long way from anywhere,” I said.

  “No kidding.” His brow furrowed slightly. “Hey, Tiffany? I don’t see any power lines. Where is the electricity coming from?”

  Released from drink duty, she all but bounded over to us. I envied her energy. “The lodge is powered by a state-of-the-art commercial generator.”

  “And the cabins?” I asked.

  “Rely on battery powered lanterns and wood burning fireplaces for light and heat.”

  Melissa overheard us. “You’ve got to be kidding. I have to build a fire?”

  “Learning how to build—and maintain—a fire in a fireplace is quick and easy, but outside the comfort zone of most of us these days,” Tiffany said. “That’s what this weekend is all about—challenging ourselves with new experiences.”

  “Sounds like fun!” Adam exclaimed, lifting his empty glass. “You’re going to love it. Nothing like the crackle of flames and the smell of woodsmoke to lull you to sleep.”

  Melissa’s expression wavered the tiniest bit; if I hadn’t been looking straight at her, I would never have noticed. “I can’t wait.”

  “No need to.” Tiffany went to the cabinet and opened it. The contents looked like a bizarre combination of outdoor gear and kindergarten supplies: Nylon rope, helmets, bright colored construction paper, Elmer’s glue, scissors, and flashlights. Hanging on hooks on the inside of one door were eight keys, each decorated with an oversized tag bearing a number. She took down six of the keys, keeping one for herself and passing the others out seemingly at random. The tag on mine had a large number five on it.

  “The number on the key corresponds to your cabin number,” Tiffany said. “There’s wood and a lighter provided for your fireplace, and simple instructions on the wall over the log holder. As soon as I’m finished in my cabin, I’ll come around and check on everyone to see if you need help. If you need me before then, or any other time we’re in the cabins, I’m in number six. Any questions?” She looked around at us, beaming. “Then let’s meet back here in an hour and get this party started!”

  Three

  The cabins sat tucked away amidst a tall stand of evergreens. Though physically close together, the winding white gravel path, combined with some discreet landscaping, made them each appear completely isolated. I dragged my pack to the cabin with a “5” burned into the wooden post outside, my new Agonarch t-shirt and jacket thrown over one arm. They were far too light for the cold weather. Surely Adam didn’t really expect us to wear these, did he? I for one wasn’t freezing to death on behalf of team spirit. And judging by her stylish attire, Yasmine wouldn’t be caught dead wearing cheap promotional products.

  Like the lodge, the cabin was surprisingly pleasant. It had a tiny porch and a window box that might hold flowers in the summer months. The interior, though plain, was scrupulously clean. No spiders in the corners here. A faint musty smell permeated the air, almost lost in the scent of wood smoke that had soaked into the light oak paneling. The furniture consisted of two chairs, a desk, and a narrow bed. Either they didn’t get many couples here, or some of the other cabins had larger beds.

  I heaved my backpack onto the bed and opened the closet. The only things inside were a few hangers. No electricity meant no iron, no hairdryer, none of the trappings of modern life. Not even a coffeemaker.

  I hung up a few shirts and left my jeans, socks, and underwear in the suitcase. Good enough. Now on to the “challenge” of the fireplace.

  I’d left my coat on, but in the few minutes it had taken me to unpack, my nose and fingers had already started to get uncomfortably cold. As promised, a laminated sign above the log holder listed the steps for fire starting.

  1. Check the damper is open.

  2. Crumple up four to five sheets of newspaper and use these as the base of your fire.

  3. Stack the kindling on your newspaper in a grid.

  4. Place one or two logs on top of the kindling.

  5. Light the newspaper first. The kindling should light from that.

  6. Once your fire is going well, place a large log on top.

  Seemed simple enough. A stack of newspaper sat far enough away from the fireplace not to catch from a stray spark, beside a box of kindling and the log holder. A long butane lighter, the sort used for grilling, waited on the shelf over the fireplace.

  I followed the steps of the instructions carefully. Or at least, I thought I did. The newspaper caught, then burned out almost immediately. I tried a second time. The flame stayed this time, but the paper curled up as it burned, until it was no longer touching the kindling. A few seconds later, it went out, too. My third try was also not successful.

  Frustration made my hands tremble. I put down the lighter and sat back, staring at the mocking pile of wood and paper I’d so ineptly constructed.

  What was I doing here? I couldn’t even get a fire going, something young children could do just a few generations ago. How was I possibly going to make it through the weekend without screwing up?

  I slipped one hand into my pocket and found the worn photo hidden there. Although I seldom showed it to anyone, I always kept it with me. I pulled it out and stared down at the faces of my adoptive parents.

  My birth mother gave me up right after I was born. My birth father hadn’t even known I existed. But there were plenty of couples looking for healthy, white, female babies, and it wasn’t long before Charlie and Kim Alexander took me home.

  The picture was the last one I had of them. They’d had it taken at a portrait studio for their twenty-fifth anniversary. Now, whenever I needed to give myself a pep talk, I took it out.

  “You’re up to this,” I said aloud. “You can rise to any challenge.” I remembered the cheesy banner hanging in the lodge. “Play to win. I can do that.”

  The next time, the kindling caught, and within five minutes the fire was going strong.

  When I returned to the lodge after sunset, its bright lights stood out like a beacon amidst the endless, black wilderness. I could see the others milling around on the other side of the glass wall, and with a little frisson I realized they wouldn’t be able to see me standing out here in the darkness. It made me feel weirdly like a voyeur, so I looked down at the snow and followed the other footprints inside.

  Tiffany had pulled the tables out from the wall and set up chairs around them. She worked tirelessly, running back and forth from the kitchen to lay out dinner. “Everything is pre-prepared and kept in the walk-in freezer,” she explained. “I just pop it in the stove for however long the instructions say, and voila! Instant feast.”

  “You’re the only staff?” Melissa asked with a puzzled frown. “I assumed there would be, I don’t know, caterers or something.”

  “We at Reignite Outdoor Adventures pride ourselves on offering an intimate experience,” Tiffany replied. “We want our guests focused on each other and their team, not distracted by a bunch of strangers.”

  “Not to mention the inholding is too remote for a commute, and there isn’t enough room for anyone else to stay,” I added.

  Tiffany laughed. “Well, yes, that too.”

  “This is the wilderness,” Adam told Melissa. “The real thing, not some watered-down resort. Who wants catered camping?”

  From the look on her face, Melissa did. But she didn’t say anything else.

  I followed Tiffany into the industrial kitchen, which included a back door that opened onto a tiny patio right up against the woods. I offered to help, since it was obvious no one else was going to, but she shooed me out.

  I took the opportunity to poke around the lodge a bit. The main room included stairs leading to a small loft, cordoned off with a rope and a STAFF ONLY sign. I left the stairs alone and went back past the bathrooms. A small laundry room and janitorial closet faced one another across the hall. At the end of the passageway, a third exit opened out onto a much larger patio. The commercial generato
r hummed away just out of sight.

  Dinner was ready when I went back inside. We served ourselves buffet-style. Vegetarian lasagna, chicken au gratin, beef, baked potatoes, salad, rolls, chocolate and vanilla cake: it was far too much food for six people. Adam heaped his plate full of beef and potatoes, and Rick scurried to mimic him. Yasmine pursed her lips and took a small amount of salad, accompanied by a sliver of cake so thin it was almost transparent. Melissa, who had started to serve herself a more normal amount of food, glanced at Yasmine’s plate, then her own, and reluctantly put down the tongs she’d been using to reach for a roll.

  While we sat down, Tiffany took the opportunity to pour wine, offering a choice of red or white. I took red even though I’d gotten the chicken, a decision which earned me a condescending look from Yasmine.

  I ended up beside Rick, and we took the opportunity to catch up. When I asked after his latest boyfriend, Rick winced.

  “Uh oh,” I said. “Looks like I hit a nerve.”

  “No, no.” Rick poked at his beef without enthusiasm. “I’ve just been really busy at work. Adam wants a new product line, aimed at men this time. Not that men don’t take our fat-loss pills, but women are far and away our biggest customers—no pun intended.”

  I forced a laugh, uncomfortably conscious of my own chubbiness. Heather thought I was cute, and I told myself again and again that was all that should matter, but never quite believed it.

  “The big market for men is increasing ‘performance.’” Rick air-quoted the word.

  Melissa, sitting on Rick’s other side, had apparently been listening in, because she said, “The packaging is different, but the underlying emotion is the same. Insecurity.”

  “Insecurity?” I asked.

  “Women feel insecure about their weight.” Melissa glanced ruefully at the bread she’d passed up. “Men feel insecure about their virility. Society has already done the hard work telling people something is wrong with them. Our job is to convince them we can fix it. Take our supplement, not the competition’s, and the confident new you will finally get whatever it is you want. The girl, the promotion, the husband and kids, the great sex life, whatever.”