There’s a world of difference between the two professions. Guiding’s fun. Sometimes dangerous, but mostly not. Scouting’s deadly. If you thought convincing me to train you was hard, you don’t even know the meaning yet. By the time I’ve put you through training, you will. Any time you want to quit, holler.”
”I won’t quit.”
Kit managed a wan smile. “I expected you’d say that: But I mean it. Remember the bourbon. Knowing when to quit can be just as important as fighting for what you want.”
A flush of pink crept into her cheeks. She rubbed her nose with the back of one hand and sniffed hugely. “Okay.”
”Any questions?”
She shook her head.
”Okay “ He had about a million of his own-but now wasn’t the right time to broach them. He took a deep breath and struggled against the cold in the pit of his belly. “Let’s get started.”
* * *
CHAPTER SIX
A rattle of glassware punctuated the low buzz of voices like frogsong through the hum of mosquitoes. Familiar and comforting, the sounds rose in a welcoming chorus from the Down Time’s open doorway Kit ushered Margo in first, aware that speculative glances were levied in their direction. Several glances lingered, some on Margo, some on the scouting equipment he conspicuously carried in the trademark leather satchel he’d been the first to construct. Dirt-stained and battered, it nevertheless remained sturdy and functional. At one time, Kit wouldn’t have felt fully dressed without it.
Behind the bar, a young woman with a long-boned face the British royals would’ve been proud to claim wiped up a spill and nodded. “Evenin’, luv.”