Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Jude
Three days later
Despite my best efforts, I’d barely had a minute to breathe, much less think, since what happened the other night with Kendall. We were beyond busy at the resort now, which meant long days and sometimes long nights.
For example, the other day, when Cole had taken a group for an overnight trip, one of the women had not worn hiking boots, for reasons that remained a mystery to the rest of us.
After she had what could only be described as the adult equivalent of a tantrum, Grady and I had hiked up so we could escort her off the mountain while the rest of the group continued on.
She had far too much gear that she’d been expecting others to carry for her. So that was fun.
The following night, I led an overnight trip. I usually loved the overnight expeditions, except right now, I would’ve preferred to be spending my nights with Kendall.
We’d awoken to frosty ground and a beautiful sunrise on that snowy morning. There was something about a sunrise in the winter in the mountains. The landscape was imbued with shades of pink and lavender, and the world felt like it was coming to life under the soft quiet of the snow.
Another night, I stayed late with Cole, Asher, Grady, and Haven, who really wanted to be at home with Elsa, but we were hustling to stay on top of things with the resort so busy now.
“So if we’re going to have more guests with the addition, what does that mean for staffing?” I asked the obvious question. “We’re stretched thin as it is.”
Haven glanced over. “It means we’re going to hire. That’s what it means,” he said flatly.
“Okay, but…” Cole glanced over. “How do we feel about hiring?”
“What do you mean, how do we feel about it?” I countered.
“We’re going to find people that are a good fit,” Haven said, a hint of irritation in his tone, which let me know he was worried about this.
“It’s always just been family. Always,” Cole commented.
Haven sighed and idly spun a tape measure in his hand. “I know, and I’m not sure. I’ve been trying to think of other options. We don’t have to have full-time staff who live here, but maybe we can expand our group sizes a little bit. Or, we take more of a touristy approach.”
“Touristy approach?” I prompted.
“What the hell does that mean?” Asher added.
“We offer a certain number of trips, and that’s it. We don’t have to have everyone be all-out with the wilderness stuff all the time,” Haven explained.
Asher nodded slowly. “You know, I think that’s the way to handle it. I’m not opposed to hiring staff, but my biggest concern is staff who can handle the more serious expeditions.”
“These are all the things I’ve been worrying about,” Haven replied.
“We should ask Chloe about it,” I interjected.
“Ask Chloe what?” Haven’s brows hitched up.
“Creating a set schedule for the trips we offer.”
“I’ll talk to Mom,” Haven said.
I glanced at my watch. It was approaching midnight. “Do we get to call it a night yet? This is late for all of us.”
“Yeah, we gotta roll,” Cole replied.
We slowly filtered apart. Once again, I went to bed wishing I was somewhere else. Actually, it wasn’t a place, but with a person.
I wished I was with Kendall. Full stop. It was that simple.
I tapped out a text to her before I fell asleep.
Tomorrow night.