The Rocky Retreat

By Dorothy Robey

Environmentalist Callie and her best friend go on a save-the-wetlands-and-wildlife retreat in a small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. During those four days, Callie and her friend encounter much more than altitude, jagged peaks, sparkling rivers, and welcoming townspeople. On the contrary, adversarie

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philotimo Press
• Release date: Nov 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9780578311739

Book preview

Chapter One

Finally. My annual road trip to the mountains had arrived. As usual, Mandy, my best friend, was traveling with me. We crammed our two suitcases into the trunk of my hatchback and slipped into our seats.

Callie, did you remember the organic bug spray and sunblock? Mandy raised an eyebrow. Her cinnamon hair was pulled into a ponytail, her face sprinkled with freckles.

I jerked a thumb in the direction of the back seat. It’s in there for you. Don’t worry.

Wherever we went, the resident mosquitos considered Mandy their breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so she slathered on the natural mosquito repellent like it was body lotion.

At this year’s retreat, we were to encourage the local mountain folks to save our planet’s ecosystem. The retreat ran for four days and three nights—Friday through Monday in early June. We made sure to pack our vegan snacks, purified water in glass jars, and our organic shampoos and soaps free of chemicals and horrid animal testing.

By midafternoon, we’d made it to the rustic lodge by the fish pond. I climbed out of the car and took in the majestic Rocky Mountains. The scent of pine permeated the thin air. Dots of puffy clouds spotted the blue sky, and the sun beamed white light at us.

I could barely wait to get into our hotel’s TV-less room and admire its primitive furniture. We were roughing it, like we usually did—the way it should be done when one spent time hiking and communing with nature.

Callie, our stuff, Mandy said. She leaned on the back of the vehicle, her gaze traveling to the pond. Her face paled.

I walked over to her and opened the hatchback. What is it?

Don’t you see the mosquitos? She winced.

I glanced at the murky water. No.

Well, they’re there, just waiting for me.

They’ll be waiting a long time because we’re in for the night. There’s the meeting and dinner.

She grabbed her bag as I got mine. I slammed the back of the car shut and headed to the lodge’s entrance.

I wonder how many will be at the meeting tonight, Mandy said as she followed me into the small lobby.

The room smelled of cedar. A family of five congregated by the empty stone fireplace to the left of the front desk. Rustic chairs and a couch with plaid cushions sat by the hearth. The three children looked to be around the age range of five to ten, and their mouths wouldn’t stop moving. The room was under siege with the clamor of He started it! No! Stop it! Shut up, lame brain! So much for the quiet mountain getaway I’d hoped for.

A troop of four middle-aged people in Birkenstocks and T-shirts with peace symbols painted across them in psychedelic colors entered the lobby and tramped to the front desk. They addressed the clerk while setting down their bags next to them.

We should have gone when nobody was at the counter, Mandy griped.

I waved a dismissive hand at her and filed in behind them. We’ll be next. Relax.

A young couple entered the building, holding hands and smiling stupidly. Behind them trailed a woman in her twenties, like Mandy and me. She had her dishwater-blond hair pulled up in a messy ponytail and was dressed in cargo shorts, a tight purple T-shirt, and flip-flops. She wore sunglasses. I didn’t think it was bright enough in the building for them, but what did I know?

The three lined up behind us. The couple devoured each other’s faces as if they’d missed lunch.

Yuck. I grimaced and turned to focus on the front desk and group ahead of us. They murmured to each other, then grabbed their bags and strolled toward the hallway to the rooms. I glanced back at the pair still grazing on each other’s flesh.

A scream ripped through the foyer. Everyone looked toward the source of the screech. The middle child held a clump of her sister’s fine, curly hair in her fist. The oldest kid roared with laughter. The mother scolded the older daughter, slapping her balled-up, hairy hand.

May I help you? a voice said.

An elbow stabbed me in the ribs, and I let out a whoosh of exhalation.

Callie, look alive, Mandy whispered, then smiled at the clerk. Yes. She nodded.

I dropped