“Just to the overlook. It should be a pretty easy one. Then I need to get back to help Jackson with the grounds.”
Karen tucked her hand under her chin. “I’m hoping to go through applications today to get the process moving. I’m sorry you’re having to help. I know it’s not your favorite.”
“We’re a team. It’s what we do.”
Karen smiled. “Yes, it is.”
Ethan glanced at his watch and picked up his checklist of names and a small hiking pack with a first aid kit, a few emergency items, and some snacks off the desk. “I need to meet the hikers in a few minutes. I should get going.”
“Have fun.”
“Always do.”
He slung the pack over his shoulders and stepped out of the office and around the front desk. Ethan smiled at guests as he walked through the lobby and stopped near the back doors where a small group of hikers were already gathering.
“Hi. I’m Ethan, and I will be your guide today. We are still waiting for a few, but let’s get you all checked in.”
Each person stepped forward and gave their name. He marked them off the list one-by-one. It was a large group of ten. As far as he could tell, most of them booked together and were all in town for some sort of reunion.
Once he got through the people standing in front of him, he skimmed the list for the people missing, only to find that it was one person.
One person whose first name was Lily.
“No way,” he murmured.
“No way,” a voice said, much louder for all to hear.
Ethan looked up to find Lily wearing black leggings and a light pink tank top with a water bottle in hand, staring at him wide-eyed.
“You’re the guide today?” she asked. “I thought you did lawn care. Do you just do it all?”
He smiled and checked her name off the list before taking his backpack off and slipping the paper and pen inside. He slung the backpack back over his shoulders.
“Lawn care isn’t what I normally do. I was just helping Jackson out yesterday. I’m the adventure guide here. Most of the programs are run by me or by some of my employees.”
“Youremployees?”
“Yes. My family owns the resort.”
She stared at him with a disbelieving look on her face and then scowled.
The corner of his lip quirked.This girl is crabby. I love it.
“Will you be joining us today, Lily Ryan?”
She scowled further. “Well, I did already pay for it, so I suppose I will.”
Ethan smiled and turned his attention to the group, who had been watching them with interest.
“Welcome to the Wintervale Resort. Today, we are doing one of our easier hikes up to the lookout. Expect there to be an incline, but the path is fairly easy with few obstacles in the way. These are paths that are traveled often, but please be aware that we can still come across wild animals. Do not pet or feed such wild animals, and I’ll do my best to get us all back here safely.”
The group chuckled, except for Lily.
“Does everyone have a water bottle?”
Everyone held up their bottles of water.
“Great! You’re already doing better than my last group. Let’s get going.”
