Tainted Mountain by Shannon Baker Page B

simply produced another beer from a jacket pocket and popped the top.
    Abigail took a step closer to Barrett. “Now, dear,” she said to Nora. “Didn’t I teach you about giving back?”
    What you taught me was to smile, keep my nails painted, and if I acted really pleasant, I could marry rich. Well, it had worked for Abigail—three times. Her mother lived a life of leisure with no worries.
    â€œI believe your mentoring would be a turning point for my Heather,” Barrett said.
    The poor girl was doomed. With this bull of a father it’s no wonder she raced down the wrong path. Nora looked at her with a smidgeon of compassion. “I really hope you don’t have to spend time in jail. But I can’t help you out.”
    â€œNora!” Abigail said.
    Nora shook her head. “To gear up for snow making, I’ll be devoting all my time to raising financing. I can’t take on mentoring.”
    Barrett’s smile reminded her of Dracula. “If it’s a matter of money, we should be able to work this out.”
    Incredible. She’d spent years straining for ever more creative ways to keep Kachina solvent and suddenly money was as easy as turning on the faucet. Even more incredible, Nora felt a real aversion to the obvious salvation Barrett offered. “Actually, I’d prefer to keep this a family business.”
    Abigail’s eyes looked wide in her pale face. “Nora, honey. Can we talk?”
    And leave our guests unattended? This must be serious. “I’m sorry you came all the way out here for nothing,” Nora said to Barrett. She nodded to Heather. “Good luck.”
    Abigail placed her hand on Barrett’s arm. “Would you mind waiting while I talk to Nora?”
    She couldn’t tell if Barrett was pleased with Abigail’s attention or angry with Nora. “Of course.”
    Abigail took hold of Nora’s arm and pulled her into the lodge.
    â€œWhat’s this about?” Nora said.
    A bead of sweat appeared on Abigail’s upper lip. “You have to take this offer.”
    Confused by her own reaction, Nora could only say, “Something about it doesn’t feel right.”
    â€œWhat other options do you have?”
    This wasn’t how Nora hoped to broach the subject. Here goes . “I thought you might want to loan me the money for a few seasons.”
    Abigail’s voice squeaked. “You have to talk to Barrett right now, before he changes his mind.”
    â€œMother, you aren’t listening to me. I don’t want to work with Barrett.”
    Abigail paced across the room and back to Nora. “You can’t get any money from me.”
    Ouch. Abigail had no faith in Nora. She scrambled for other options.
    â€œYou have to keep Kachina. I’ll help you run it,” Abigail said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’ll be living with you anyway so I might as well earn my keep.”
    â€œYou are not living with me.”
    â€œI have to. I sold my house in Denver. I sold the condo in Boca.”
    Nora’s stomach started to churn. “What are you saying?”
    Abigail stared out the window.
    â€œAre you out of money?” Nora hated asking such a ridiculous question.
    â€œI met a man at church. He had this idea of a great investment and it was making money hand over fist. Even in this crazy market.”
    Nausea pushed at the edges of Nora’s belly.
    â€œRemember the Madoff news story?” Abigail said.
    â€œMadoff? Ponzi-scheme Madoff?”
    Abigail nodded and looked sick. “It was something like that.”
    Nora sank onto the bench. “You’re broke?”
    â€œWe’re family. We need to take care of each other. And right now we need Barrett McCreary.”

Fourteen
    For the third time in less than two weeks, Nora wore her business suit and played the professional entrepreneur. This time the uniform felt more like a collar and leash, complete with