Chapter 12
12
"How’s it going up here?" Nick asked as he joined Chris at the front desk after the breakfast rush, his voice casual but curious.
"Great. Easy. Just like old times," Chris replied, barely looking up from the computer screen as he finished checking in another guest.
Nick raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. "I guess not everything’s changed around here then."
Chris finally glanced over, a smirk playing on his lips. "If it did, I just checked in a lot of guests... wrong."
"I guess we’ll find out soon enough," Nick chuckled, his gaze wandering around the familiar lodge. "Did you know the kitchen has been completely upgraded?"
Chris nodded absently. "I remember something in an email about that."
Nick rolled his eyes dramatically. "Again, with these emails. I’d love to know where mine go."
"Probably to your email address," Chris quipped, his tone teasing as he looked back at the computer.
Nick paused, feigning confusion. "What’s my email address?"
Chris sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Why does it not surprise me you don’t know your email address? How was breakfast, otherwise?"
"Incredible," Nick replied, his expression softening as he tapped his chest. "Great set up, great staff. It was good to be back in that kitchen. Fills something in here."
"So, you do have a heart. Good to know. That breakfast plate you sent out... filled something in here." Chris grinned, patting his belly in response. "I didn’t know breakfast could be that..."
"Inspired? Pleasing? Life-changing?" Nick suggested, his tone light but proud.
Chris laughed. "I don’t know about life-changing, but it was pretty fantastic."
"Just think, there are two more Nick King meals left for the day, too," Nick said, his grin widening. "Oh, and I’m making pastries and desserts."
Chris pretended to groan. "I should have brought sweatpants — I’m going to need an elastic waistband by the time I leave here."
As the two brothers playfully bantered, a woman entered the lodge from the dining hall, catching Nick’s attention. She was only visible from the waist up, moving with a confident stride toward the front desk.
"Let me guess," she said, pointing back and forth between the brothers before landing on Nick. "Chris... Wait, you’re Nick." She pointed to Chris next. "And you’re Chris. The ironed creases on the jeans give it away."
Nick burst into laughter. "You still iron your jeans? That means you iron the white T-shirts too, doesn’t it?"
Chris shrugged, unbothered. "I like to look put together."
Nick shook his head, still grinning. "No one sees the white t-shirts under your button-ups and stuffy sweaters."
"But I know they’re crisp and have nice creases," Chris retorted, raising an eyebrow.
The woman, Devyn James, grinned, clearly enjoying their banter. "Definitely, Chris. You’re with me."
"Excuse me?" Chris blinked, caught off guard.
"You’re coming with me," Devyn said matter-of-factly.
Chris hesitated, skeptical. "I’m actually waiting for someone. I’d be happy to get you assistance with whatever it is... you need assistance with."
Devyn’s grin widened as she leaned against the counter. "Okay, then. I need help with ranch chores. You got anyone for that?"
Nick snickered, catching on to what was happening. However, Chris was still clueless and seemed distracted by the woman’s beauty.
"You want to do... ranch chores? On your Christmas vacation?" Chris asked, his confusion deepening.
"Every day on the ranch is like a holiday, I’ll give you that, but knee-deep in snow and stall mucking isn’t my idea of a vacation," Devyn replied, her tone playful.
"Right," Chris nodded slowly, still not fully understanding.
"Especially with my newly sidelined leg," Devyn added, pointing to her leg, which was encased in a medical boot.
Chris finally looked over the counter, noticing the boot for the first time. Devyn extended her hand, offering a firm handshake.
"Devyn James, ranch hand, not a guest here on holiday. I understand you’re my right hand for a while," she introduced herself.
Chris accepted the handshake, his eyes widening at the strength of her grip. "You’re Devyn. I’m so sorry, I was expecting..."
"A man?" Devyn teased, raising an eyebrow. "Girls can ranch too, ya know?"
Chris stammered, "No. I mean, yes. I mean... I know women can ranch. I know one... a girl that is... who’s ranched... here."
"Good to know you… know a girl," Devyn said with a wink. "I’m parked out front. I’ll wait for you out there. You might want to grab boots. We’re outside all day."
Chris watched her walk away, still processing the encounter. "Meet you... there."
He turned to Nick, still in a daze. "I wasn’t expecting that. Were you expecting that? Because I wasn’t..."
Nick laughed, clapping his brother on the back. "You weren’t expecting that. You better get your boots, brother. I don’t think she’s waiting long for you."
"Right. Boots. She’s... somethin’ else, right?" Chris muttered with a smile, still trying to wrap his head around the situation as he walked off.
"Why didn’t Joe say she’s a girl?" Chris called out as he disappeared down the hallway.
Nick’s laughter echoed through the lodge, clearly enjoying his brother’s bewilderment. “I don’t know, but I’m glad he didn’t. That was priceless…”