Read Cabin Girl for Free Online Page B

I’m doing it.
    The lodge doesn’t seem to be the least bit dusty, but I give everything a thorough cleaning anyway. I don’t want Winnie yelling at me again.
    I work my way to Gabe’s office. Maybe he’d like me to dust in there too. The door is open and I can hear a voice, so I don’t knock. Instead, I take my duster to a table in the hallway.
    I’m not really listening, but it soon becomes clear that the voice is talking on the phone. It’s not Gabe. But that’s not unusual. Cell phones are useless in the woods, so guests often use Gabe’s phone.
    I’m thinking I should probably come back later when I realize the voice belongs to Dennis Savoy. Suddenly, I’m curious.
    â€œYes, sir, that’s right. I have all the information we need to proceed. I’ll be leaving tomorrow as planned. I’ll fax everything to you once I get back to my office.”
    My duster stops. What does that mean? It sounds like Dennis Savoy is at the lodge for business, not pleasure. But what business? He’s a field investigator. I still don’t know what that is.
    I think about all the pictures Dennis Savoy has taken and all the questions he’s asked me and other people at the lodge. Is he gathering evidence to use against the lodge somehow? Why would Savoy be investigating the lodge? Is somebody suing Gabe? Is the lodge involved in something illegal? Has Gabe broken some law?
    Stop it! I scold myself. The man could be here for positive reasons. Maybe the lodge is up for an award. Or maybe the people Dennis Savoy works for are planning a big company trip.
    I hear him say, “Absolutely. I’ll be in touch as soon as I’m back in the city. Talk to you then. Goodbye.”
    Instant panic! If Dennis Savoy sees me, he’ll know I was eavesdropping. But my run of bad luck is still holding. As I turn to leave, I knock an ornament off the table, and it clatters to the floor. I make a dive for it just as Dennis Savoy exits Gabe’s office.
    Sprawled on the floor at his feet, I look up and smile innocently. “Hi.”

Chapter Nine
    Dennis Savoy has to know I was eavesdropping, but he just helps me to my feet and walks away. At dinner, he sits at one of April’s tables. I’m glad. I would be uncomfortable serving him, especially since I can’t decide if I should tell Gabe about his phone conversation. If the lodge is under investigation, Gabe should know. On the other hand, I could get in big trouble for spying on a guest.
    The next morning, the camp turns into a wilderness airport. From ten until noon, it’s one plane after another, soaring off with our guests. Every last one of them. The weird part is that there are no more coming in.
    When all of the guests have gone, Gabe calls a meeting on the dock.
    â€œOkay, everyone. Listen up.” He rubs his hands together thoughtfully. “We have an empty camp—though not for long. Tomorrow morning, we’ll be bursting at the seams again. But today we can relax. So here’s what I’m suggesting. Let’s use the next few hours to prep for tomorrow’s arrivals.
    â€œAfter that”—his eyes start to twinkle—“we should unwind a little. We’ve earned it.” He smiles. “I suggest a little fishing derby, followed by a late shore lunch at George’s lunch spot. What do you say?”
    A mini cheer goes up.
    Gabe glances at his watch. “All right then. Let’s aim to be finished our work and back on the dock by four thirty.”
    I don’t know who picked the teams for the derby, but I end up in a boat with April and Sloan. A few days ago that would have been great. But considering how cool April has been to me lately, I’m not exactly thrilled. Still, this is supposed to be a fun evening, so I paste a smile on my face and climb into the bow of the boat. April takes the middle seat, and Sloan, of course, sits in the stern.
    He’s totally