Three Mile High

By Laura Payeur

Three Mile High is the story of eight high school friends who get together twenty years later for a weekend of confessions and revealed secrets. None of their lives will ever be the same. Some things should never be left unsaid.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Payeur
• Release date: Oct 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466086852

Laura Payeur

Wife, mother, grandmother with a passion for writing murder mystery, crime, and a bit of dark humor. Most of my characters are based on the real-life personalities of people I know and have known in my life. Although, thankfully, rarely are my tales based on real-life events. For example, my husband is still alive and well (for the most part).

Book preview

Three Mile High

by

Laura Payeur

Copyright 2011 by Laura Payeur

Published by Laura Payeur at Smashwords

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events either are products of the author's imagination are used fictitiously. The use of some licensed products have been used without permission, however, not in any defamatory manner. Any resemblances to actual persons living or dead, businesses, places or events is entirely coincidental.

One

Danielle Dani Parks swept the dried leaves from the back porch of the main house. When she was a little girl, she'd loved coming here. Three Miles High Camp for Kids. Even after spending the entire school year together, they had all come here, summer after summer. Most of the smaller cabins had been torn down, but the main house was still completely intact. The outside was a bit worn, but the inside was fairly descent. She and Bennie had been able to rent it for the weekend at a reasonable rate.

Too bad she wasn't a little girl anymore. The light breeze blowing through wasn't helping with the sweeping much, more leaves fell to the porch as she swept.

You're gonna be at that all day. Bernadette Copeland, Bennie to her friends, stepped out onto the back porch, holding two cups of coffee. She handed one to Dani.

Thanks. Dani dropped the broom on the wooden floor. I know. It's pointless task.

So, when are John and Emmy getting here? Bennie asked, leaning against the peeling, faded white porch rail. She was dressed perfectly for this place. Red flannel shirt, a white t-shirt, jeans, and black hiking boots. Dani thought she looked comfortable, too.

Dani shrugged, sipping the extra hot liquid. Either Bennie had only put one sugar in her coffee or she'd given her the wrong cup. Emmy called here last night and left a message. She said Andy was feeling sick and they weren't sure if they were going to make it.

You don't look convinced. Bennie peeked at her over the rim of her mug.

I'm not. You know how she feels about me. Dani looked out over the lake. She had put her toes in the water this morning. It was freezing. Bennie had her thinking about something she didn't want to deal with right now. She still doesn't want John anywhere near me.

Bennie threw her head back and sighed. Her long, wavy brown hair was beginning to gray, but even at thirty-eight, she looked good, young. You don't really believe she's still hung up on that, do you? It was high school for Christ's sake.

She won. I don't see why she would be. Dani walked to the rail and rested her cup on it.

I wouldn't say she won, Dani, Bennie said. You left. She sort of won by default.

I had to leave. You know I did. But Bennie didn't know, not the truth, anyway. Warm tears spilled down her cool cheeks. She closed her eyes and tried to shake it off. Her dark blonde ponytail swung behind her.

I know. Bennie pulled herself away from the rail, approaching Dani. Look, if you want-

I don't want to talk about it. She wiped her face with her free hand.

***

So, what's for dinner tonight? Bennie changed the subject. She didn't want to upset Dani. This weekend was supposed to be fun, a bunch of old friends getting together, although she was still weary about the impending guests.

Steaks on the grill? Does that sound good? Dani asked. Her eyes were tired. Bennie knew there was something Dani wasn't telling her. Something more than the twenty year secret she was harboring.

Perfect. Potato salad? Bennie asked.

Of course, from Grayson's.

Old lady Grayson is still kicking? Grayson's was a small convenience store owned and run by a cute elderly couple. They had been elderly twenty years ago. By now they must be ancient. The sign outside their little shack stated that it was open when Bennie drove by earlier that morning, but she thought for sure someone had forgotten to remove it.

Yeah. Dani laughed. She must be, what, a hundred?

If she's a day. Bennie finished her cup of coffee. It was too sweet. She must have given Dani the wrong cup. More coffee?

I'm good. Thanks. Dani leaned over the rail. Hey, how's Eric doing?

Don't know. Bennie stopped halfway through the door. He's history.

What happened? Dani turned to face her.

Bennie considered her answer for a moment. He just wasn't right.

Are you ever going to find one who is?

Probably not. At least she didn't see any steady man in her future. She needed a change of subject once again. Bennie continued into the cabin with Dani following behind her. Have you heard from Ryan or Marcy yet?

Yup. They'll be up later today. Or they're gonna try to be. Dani laughed. "Ryan said it depends on how many