Dakota pushes away the computer. "Have I told you how much I love that name?"
I think back to the photos of the wildflowers growing in the spring. "It felt right."
"Have you thought about hiring yet?"
Pulling my notebook from my purse, I lay it open on the counter and turn until I find the right page. "Counselors, maybe two at first until there's a need for more. I'll need a professional therapist, for sure. That's the trickier one. How am I going to find someone like that?"
"I think the more important question is how people are going to find out about the place? You can have a brand-new facility and smiling employees, but without campers…" She shrugs. "You're dead in the water."
I wince. "Thanks."
"Sorry," she says. "That was harsh."
"Yet still true." As much as I hate to admit it.
Under the employee list, I make an asterisk and write in all caps,MARKETING.
Dakota runs to the kitchen and asks Brandon, the chef, to throw together an early lunch for us. "I don't know about you," she says when she returns. "But I'm starving. Breastfeeding makes me eat like a linebacker."
"I thought pregnancy did that."
She shakes her head, a piece of her strawberry blonde hair escaping from her messy bun. "Everything and anything baby-related makes me eat." She adjusts Colt, who doesn't even stir, and fixes me with a pointed look. "Can we talk about Wyatt? Because you haven't said two words about him and I think it's odd."
I shift, then realize it probably makes me look like I'm uncomfortable talking about Wyatt, so I tuck my hands under my thighs. "Wyatt's fine. Not much to discuss."
Dakota places a warm palm on my arm. Her eyes crinkle with concern. "Wyatt hasn't been himself around the homestead the past couple weeks. I thought maybe something happened."
I take a deep breath and swallow. "He's confusing. The way I feel is confusing. I carried a torch for him for a long time, and then I got over him." Guilt settles into me. "At least I thought I did. Spending time around him has made my anger disappear, and I need that anger so I can keep from liking him."
"Because you're dating Jared?"
I shake my head. "Jared and I broke up."
Dakota's eyes grow big. "You didn't tell me that."
I bite the side of my lower lip and shrug. "I forgot."
She laughs. "Obviously you're so heartbroken."
Remorse pokes through my stomach. “I cared about him. He was safe and stable.”
“Andkind?” Dakota’s lip trembles with reined-in laughter.
“Yes,” I laugh the word, then grow serious. “He felt like a natural next step in life, like what he was offering was where I was supposed to be heading. But then I started spending time around Wyatt, and I realized how much I don’t really feel for Jared. Not that I didn't feel anything for him, only that I didn't feel enough. And I feel bad about that."
Dakota waves off my guilt. "Let's talk about why you think you need to keep from liking Wyatt."
"Because he's Wyatt Hayden. He's a scoundrel."
"Is he, though?"
"He's sleeping with his best friend's wife."
"Why do you think that?"
"The whole town knows it. His truck has been there how many times while Mickey's been gone? And he doesn't deny it."
"Does he confirm it?"
