The Target Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sandra. She watched as Jaime peeled a banana and took a bite, then looked away as brown eyes tried to capture her own.
    She bit into her apple, instead looking up the trail. It would be their first real climb. Soon, they would leave the scrub oaks and pines behind and climb higher into the mountains, spruce and fir trees replacing the ponderosas that dominated the lower elevations.
    And they would pass through stands of aspens, the colors just now changing to the golden hues that made them famous. She hoped the women would enjoy the colors of the mountains as much as she did. Autumn was her favorite time of year. The days still warm enough to enjoy and the nights had a crisp, invigorating feel. And, if the trail maps didn’t lie, they would pass hot springs along the way. She’d instructed them all to bring swimsuits so they might enjoy a soak. She preferred to soak in the nude but she thought in a group such as this, they might all feel more comfortable in suits.
    Then she looked at the stranger. The woman was sitting cross-
    legged next to Sandra, quietly eating her banana. Wonder what she brought to soak in? Sara let her eyes travel over the woman, the Tshirt tight against her skin, sleeves rolled up to reveal well-muscled arms. She was tan and looked fit. No doubt, the woman would feel quite at home walking completely nude into one of the springs.
    “Whatever,” she murmured. There was just something about the woman that bothered her.
    “What?” Abby asked.
    Sara frowned. “Nothing. Sorry.” She stirred. “Everyone about ready? We’ve got a pretty good climb coming up.”
    “When do we stop for the night?”
    Sara laughed. “In about four hours.”
    Jaime looked at the women around her, thinking there was no way they’d make it another four hours. But they all stood up, eagerly putting on their packs, even Sandra. Well, it was the first day. She couldn’t imagine this group being this eager for two weeks straight. Of course, once they were out there, it wasn’t like they could call a bus to come pick them up.
    She stood, too, easily slipping on her pack and joining Sandra on the trail. The older woman, for once, seemed to be at a loss for words as the trail headed straight uphill. Jaime slowed her pace, not wanting to get too far ahead of Sandra but they were lagging behind the others. Sandra labored for breath and several times Jaime took her hand as the older woman slipped on a rock.
    “They tell me the view will be worth it,” Sandra gasped.
    Jaime smiled. “It’ll be out of this world. Up on top, you can almost see forever.”
    “You been up here before?”
    “Yeah. A few times.”
    “I hope I live to see it,” she gasped, finally stopping and bending over at the waist. “You’re not limping any more.”
    “It’s still a little sore.”
    “Uh-huh. Not hanging back here just to make sure I’m okay?”
    Jaime grinned. “If I said my ankle was okay, your boss up there might kick me out of the group.”
    Sandra laughed. “That she might. Don’t take it personally. We’ve been through a lot with her. This trip is sort of a … a celebration. She’s afraid you might set us back.”
    “Yeah? Well, whatever you’ve got going on here, I don’t want to get in the way.”
    “No, you won’t. We’ve all got our own demons we’re trying to shed. Maybe it’s good you’re here. You can keep Ms. Michaels occupied so she won’t be so worried about all of us.”
    “What’s she worried about?”
    “Ladies? You okay?” Sara yelled.
    “Yeah. Coming,” Jaime called. She nudged Sandra. “Ready?”
    “Yeah. Let’s go.” Sandra fell into step beside Jaime. “She’s worried we’re going to revert back to our old selves,” she finally said.
    “But not me. Not any of them, I think. And I don’t know why she’s worried. I mean, she gets paid whether this works for us or not.”
    “If what works?”
    “I’m really not supposed to talk about it.” Sandra glanced quickly up ahead.