“Nowyou,” Ray barks, turning to me. “Let’s get this over with.”
Stomach flipping, I bury my hands in my face. “I thought you were giving me a break.”
“I changed my mind.” He grins slyly.
With a huff, I nod. Might as well get on with it because there’s no way around it. “Fine. What do you wanna know?”
“Last we heard, you’d had the hottest… what did he call it?” he asks the guys, his eyes full of mirth.
Zion winks. “Hottest fucking kiss, was it?”
“Has there been more than just kissing?” Benji waggles his brows.
“Cut it out.” I laugh, my body temperature rising and sweat breaking out at my temples.
Three sets of eyes stare back at me, waiting.
“What? We’re having fun. But when summer is over, she’s moving back home. And I have to find a new doc.”
“Why can’t she stay on?” Ray asks.
“It was never meant to be permanent. Her last job was toxic and she needed to get away. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if my sister guilt-tripped her into contacting me about the position opening in the first place.”
“Does she have another job lined up?” Zion asks.
I shrug, apprehension weaving through me. “Dunno. Haven’t asked.”
“Too much of that hot kissing going on to talk, eh?” Benji jabs. “Have you found her replacement?”
“Not yet.” I haven’t even started the search. With the camp expanding, it’s vital, but every time I tell myself it’s time to pursue a new hire, I conveniently find something else on my to-do list to check off instead.
Ray, always direct, asks, “What if you asked her to stay?”
“I can’t do that. Her life is in the city. Working here would only hold her back.”
Zion frowns. “Don’t you think that’s up to her to decide?”
“She was clear from the start that this was temporary.”
“Alrighty then, Ash.” Zion throws his hands up in defeat. “What’s on the agenda?”
“Whatever you want. Pickleball, kayaking… I can call over to the stables and see if we can ride. Have you checked in yet?”
They shake their heads.
They came to see me first. My chest tightens with gratefulness, but I keep my posture and tone casual. “How about you get settled and I’ll meet you at the front desk in thirty minutes? Is that enough time?”
“How about in an hour?” Ray pleads. “I need a power nap if I’m going to keep up with you fellas.”
I knock my shoulder against his. “C’mon, old man. You can sleep when you’re dead.”
“You mean like our wives?” he banters back.
For a moment, the room is silent, all eyes wide. Then we break into laughter over his macabre joke, the first we’ve ever heard from him.
“Who are you and what have you done with our Raymond?” I tease as I catch my breath.
“Hey. Never say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
