Compass Point Survival Stories: An Anthology of Three Stories of Survival

By Jo Carey

This anthology contains a collection of three unrelated survival stories. 
A private chef, a fishing boat captain, and a world-class astronomer walk into a bar….
Actually they walked into difficult situations that require them to dig deep inside themselves to find the strength to survive.
Book 1 – Peril on the Trail
Book 2 – Peril on the Rock
Book 3 – Peril on the Peak
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Nov 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393266648

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

PERIL ON THE TRAIL

CHAPTER ONE

Sure you don't want to come with us? I asked, as Lyndsie, walked me out to the car.

You know I'm not outdoorsy, she said. Plus, I don't want to cramp Layton's style. I rolled my eyes. Lyndsie has been my BFF since we met in pre-school when we were three. She is convinced her brother, Layton, is perfect for me. When we were juniors in high school, I admitted to having a crush on Layton who was three years older and in college. My teenage infatuation started Lyndsie on a quest to get Layton and me together that has outlasted my infatuation by nearly a decade. She wanted me to be her sister in more than spirit. I appreciated the sentiment but not her endless attempts to put Layton and I in close proximity.

You ready? he asked, opening the passenger door of his jeep for me.

I guess we'll find out in a few hours, I said. Lyndsie stood on the porch and waved as we drove away. I was comfortable with Layton. When we were younger, I would have said he was like the brother I never had, but we didn't see each other much now that we were all grown up with our own careers and lives.

Back in the car after a stop for gas and coffee, I said, I feel like I don't know this version of you.

I'm still the dorky kid you grew up helping my sister torture.

True, but in the past few years I only hear what Lyndsie decides to tell me about you and your life these days.

The two hours we spent driving to a local national forest passed quickly as Layton and I got reacquainted. Lyn said you've never really done any hiking or camping. How is that possible when we live in an area surrounded by national forests and parks?

It just was never a draw for me, I guess. The scenery is beautiful, but I don't see the appeal of having to carry everything I need on my back. Big fan of roller bags right here, I said. Layton laughed. Plus being a chef is mostly an indoor activity.

After we parked, Layton opened the rear hatch and held out my pack for me to slip my arms through. He picked up his pack, locked the car, and put his hand on my back to direct me to the start of the trail.

A few minutes up the trail, Layton said, Why don't you tell me what you need to get out of this weekend so I make sure I tell you what you need to know.

I explained that as a private chef I'd been asked to provide the food for a corporate retreat. I wasn't surprised when Layton's brain went the same place mine had.

I must have misunderstood. I thought Lyndsie said you were going to be camping and cooking in the woods for a week.

Yeah. I'm not sure I understand it either. They said they didn't want to have to think at all about the food, so they want me to come along on their retreat to cook and serve.

Can't say it makes sense to me, but I guess it's just a catering job at a campsite. Where is their camp going to be?

That's the thing, they aren't staying in one place. They're hiking to the top of two peaks each of which are over 6,000 feet.

Wow. OK. Sounds like they're some serious outdoor types.

That's what I'm afraid of, I said with a nervous laugh. I've been concentrating on the challenge of preparing food I'm proud of in a way that's practical for backpacking, but now that I've solved that I realized I still have to survive the hike and not embarrass myself by setting my tent up wrong or something.

I think we can save you from that, he said.

Hiking gave us a chance to catch up on each other’s lives, which was nice. By the time we set up camp for the night, we were teasing and joking like it hadn't been years since we hung out.

Dinner was great, Layton said. I've done a lot of backpacking and camping, but I can honestly say that's the best camp food I've ever had.

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Not to get too personal, but why are you still single.

Who says I am?

I can't believe you're hiding a secret relationship from your sister. How did you manage to do that?

It's easy when I only see her at family dinner once a week.

She'll kill you when she finds out.

Probably.

XXX

I managed to hike about ten miles over the two days without too much complaining. Layton made me take charge on day two, so I had to read the map, set up camp, and start the fire. I was proud of myself for getting it done.

Layton dropped me off at Lyndsie's where I left my car. Thanks for doing this, Layton. It was good to get caught up on your life.

You won't let anything slip to Lyndsie about my relationship status, right?

I won't, but propose already, so I can meet this woman. I don't want the first time we're introduced to be at your funeral after your family finds out.

I'll keep that in mind. Goodluck with TriPhase. You've got my email. Let me know how it goes.

CHAPTER TWO

Carrying enough food—good food, real food, to feed six people for seven days on your back isn't easy. I spent weeks planning, prepping, and testing. When TriPhase Investments hired me as the private chef for their retreat, I figured it would be a challenge. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out it was impossible.

As a private chef, I've cooked in amazing kitchens with top of the line appliances, industrial kitchens, and kitchens that hadn't been updated since the 1950s. I'd even cooked in a few outdoor kitchens, but none of that was much help as I worked to plan the menus for the TriPhase retreat. Though the group was small—just the five members of the executive team plus me, it was a lot of food to carry.

I'm pretty sure my BFF Lyndsie has been avoiding me since she tried my meatloaf made with rehydrated beef—think soggy jerky chopped up and formed into a loaf. Research and testing finally gave me a palatable option. Gavin Larimer, TriPhase's CEO was glad to spring for the specialized equipment that allowed me to take some of my actual recipes, cook the components, dehydrate them, and pack them in individual bags.

In the end, we agreed that everyone would carry their own meals. I'd be responsible for carrying my meals and gear plus the cooking utensils, condiments, and such. After a great deal of trial and error, I was able to create meals I would be proud to serve.

Thanks for helping me load everything. I'm sorry you had to get up so early, I said as Lyndsie carried out the last basket of meal pouches. She stepped in and hugged me.

Be careful out there, Lyndsie said. I know you don't love the outdoors, but Layton said you did fine.

I'll be glad to get this over with, I said. I wish I could have convinced Ms. Martinez to let me just provide the meals. They could manage adding water themselves. I don't see why I have to go along.

Maybe it'll be fun. Are any of the guys cute?

I've only met Ms. Martinez, but I don't really think any of them are going on a company retreat looking for a date. At least one of them must be outdoorsy or why choose this kind of trip.

That's true. It's good that someone on the trip will know what they're doing out there. Have fun, she said, waving as I pulled out of the parking lot.

XXX

I've been working on building my private chef business for the past three years. I work hard, but it's paying off. Driving up the parking garage ramp in the line of commuter cars was a good reminder of how lucky I was to have a job that didn't require me to conform to a set routine. I pulled into a spot next to the van and started unloading the trunk.

Serena, I'm glad you're here, Angela Martinez said, sticking out her hand for me to shake.

It's nice to see you again, Ms. Martinez.

Call me Angela. We're going to be spending the next week together. I suspect we'll have plenty of time to get acquainted. Everyone is on their way down. We should be ready to leave in a few minutes.

I followed Angela back inside for a bathroom stop and then to the cafeteria to get coffees for everyone for the road. I'm impressed that you knew everyone's coffee order, I said as I carried a drink carrier with three cups back to the van.

We've been together for a while, Angela said. Yo is the most recent hire in our group. Someone brings the coffee whenever we have a meeting. Chris did it last time, so it was my turn.

When we got to the van, the engine was running. We'll do introductions on the road, Angela said as she handed the coffees to the people already in the van.

CHAPTER THREE

The sixth annual TriPhase Investments Retreat is now officially underway. I'm Gavin Larimer, CEO. Everyone introduce yourselves, while I get us on the highway.

Gavin looked to be fortyish, with a bit of gray in his sideburns. He was in good shape and a gold band circled the ring finger of his left hand.

The woman in the passenger seat loosened her seatbelt so she could turn to face the rest of us. I'm Tory Ackley, CFO. Your turn, Yo.

Yoshi Wilkins, CSO, the man sitting beside Angela said. He looked to be a little younger than the others.

I'm sorry. I don't think I know what CSO stands for, I admitted. I've been out of the corporate world for a few years.

Yo is our Chief Security Officer, Angela said.

So, you're the one who'll protect us from the wild animals, I said. They all laughed, even Yoshi. My weapon of choice is a computer. I deal more with cyber threats than human ones.

Good to know, I said. I'm Serena Halsey, your chef for the week.

Guess that just leaves me, the man sharing the seat with me said, extending his hand my way. Chris Stockton, CIO and another computer nerd. It's nice to meet you.

He bent over and pulled a small safe from beneath the seat. Setting it on the seat between us, he opened it up. Pass your cell phones back. It's time. Fingers flew over the keys sending rushed text messages before phones were turned off and passed over the seats until they reached Chris. He held his hand out to me. You too, Chef. Hand over your phone.

Seriously? I asked. I didn't know any of these people, and it didn't seem smart to head off into the woods with no way to communicate with the outside world.

It was in your contract,' Angela said. I told you we'd have no outside communication during the retreat."

I did remember her telling me that, but I guess I hadn't realized they meant no cell phones. What if someone gets injured? Accidents can happen anywhere to anyone.

I have a sat phone for emergencies, Gavin said.

And to make sure he only uses it in an emergency, Tory has the passcode to unlock it. They both have to agree the situation warrants making a call.

You guys take retreating really seriously, I said as I typed a quick text to Lyndsie and handed my phone to Chris.

As Gavin drove, they took turns sharing stories about times when they'd been so focused on work they ignored the other aspects of their lives. On our first retreat, we signed up more new clients than we had the rest of the year. It was great for the business, but the retreat was a bust, Tory said. Since then, we instituted the no cell phone rule, and no one breaks it.

With no phone, I had no choice but to listen to their conversation. My only interest in finance is in making sure I have enough money to live the life I want today and tuck some aside for the future. I'm not where I want to be yet with the business, but it's growing. I know nothing about investments, but it was clear these people took their careers very seriously. They didn't always agree, but there were no heated arguments.

When I got back to the van after a stop for gas, bathrooms, and drinks, Angela was already in the back seat next to Chris, so I took the only available seat beside Yoshi. They quickly picked up their discussion from before we stopped, and I got comfortable for the last leg of the journey.

Serena, wake up, a voice I didn't recognize said. I used my hand to push myself up.

My eyes flew open, when I realized my hand was on someones thigh. Yoshi.

Oh God. I'm so embarrassed, I said, pulling my hand away and scooting to the end of the bench seat. I can't believe I fell asleep.

You seemed pretty comfortable, and I'm not complaining, Yoshi said.

I looked down and saw the wet spot on his pant leg where I'd drooled in my sleep. This was not the way I wanted to start this trip.

CHAPTER FOUR

At the trailhead, I served lunch from the cooler in the van and was glad none of them commented on my napping with Yoshi.

Everything was delicious, Angela said. I can't wait for dinner tonight.

We started up the trail, two-by-two with Gavin leading the way. I was glad when Chris ended up falling into line beside me. How do you decide where to go on your retreat? I asked.

Gavin decides what we're doing. It's different every year, but it's always something outdoors. Last year we spent the retreat on a sailboat in the Caribbean.

Did you enjoy it?

It was great, but I'm not sure where we go matters much. We really do concentrate on the future of the business.

Yeah, I think what's important is getting away from our usual distractions. That's why we have the 'no cell phones' rule now, Angela said as she and Yoshi walked in front of us.

I got this job because I'd prepared an anniversary meal for a man who works at TriPhase, and he bragged about my food to his coworkers. Angela emailed me a request, and we met to discuss what they wanted. After hiking uphill for the past five hours, I was starting to wonder if I glossed over her questions about my outdoor skills during that initial meeting. As I recall, she asked if I liked to hike. I said sure. Beyond that my brain was focused on the food.

Running three miles every day on a relatively flat trail along the river behind my apartment did not have much in common with trudging uphill through the woods loaded down with a heavy pack. My thighs and knees were burning by the time Gavin stopped us at a small clearing and announced this was home for the night. Everyone got busy setting up their tents, but my priority was to get things set up to make dinner. My tent would have to wait.

Little domes of bright color took shape around me as I found a spot to set up the camp kitchen. There really wasn't much too it—a camp stove and fuel, a lighter, a pan for boiling water, some utensils. The key to the system I used to make the food for the trip was really the insulated pouches that the bags of food sat in after I added the boiling water. TriPhase had provided all the gear—even my tent. Lyndsie had figured maybe this could be a new specialty for my business—gourmet camp food. With the current pain in my legs, I wasn't excited about that idea if it meant more hiking for me.

Anything I can do to help? Yoshi asked.

No thanks, I said. There isn't really much to this set up.

I could set up your tent for you, he offered.

Don't you have stuff you need to do with the group?

Right now, everyone's just getting organized. It'll only take a couple of minutes to get your tent up.

Thanks. I'd appreciate that. I sort of figured you'd all be sharing tents or there'd be a guys and girls tent or something. Why the individual setup. Each person had a tiny single person tent just like mine.

Gavin doesn't want anyone complaining that something was discussed with some of the team but not all of us. Plus, he doesn't want us to be too comfortable inside. These tents are great for sleeping, but you won't be tempted to hide out inside to avoid dealing with the rest of us.

Though in my case, I'm guessing it would be OK.

Probably, he said.

Two hours later, my clients were all seated around a campfire in a discussion about the future of the Asian financial markets. Day one's dinner of cold fried chicken and dirty rice received good reviews. Everyone had their drink of choice, the dinner debris had been put away, and I had gone over the plans for breakfast in my head. What was I supposed to do now?

Get yourself something to drink and come join us by the fire, Gavin said.

I heated a mug of boiling water and dropped in a tea bag from my personal supply. Normally, I'd have pulled