“It’s not like she hasn’t done it before,” Chloe added.
“What do you mean?”
She pointed at her laptop.
“I can’t see your computer screen,” I pointed out.
“I’m just saying, she’s led hikes before for a company out of Diamond Creek. She listed Lacey Haynes as a reference, and Lacey sang her praises. Even though your mom offered her the job, I still have to do the HR thing, so I called to follow up.”
“Oh my God,” I muttered.
“Wow. Touchy, touchy,” Lincoln teased as he came walking in, clearly having caught part of the conversation.
“I’m not touchy. I’m just trying to clarify why we’re hiring new staff,” I shot back.
“Ease up, man. You know we need help,” Haven said, half laughing.
“What are you talking about?” I countered, even though I already regretted engaging in any of this.
Lincoln waggled his brows. “Dude, you’re clenching your teeth so hard, you’re going to crack them.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I ran a hand through my hair. I wasn’t about to admit they were right—though they probably were. “So when is Adele starting?”
“I’m just getting her packet ready now,” Chloe said. “I’m the HR department.” She straightened her shoulders with mock seriousness. “She has to sign paperwork and stuff.”
“We have an actual HR department?” I asked.
“Yes,” came my mother’s voice as she walked into the room.
“Good grief. Is this a group meeting now?” I groaned and glanced around the room. Apparently, yes. It was. Clearing my throat, I made a half-hearted attempt at grace. “Well, good. You know what? I think it’s a great plan.”
“Oh, do you now?” Lincoln asked, all faux innocence.
I ignored the knowing glint in his eyes. “I do. You’re right. We’ve got a waitlist, and we could definitely use at least one woman to guide trips.”
Not a one of us said the silent part aloud. Bree was gone.
Our sister used to lead hikes. She and Haven were the only two of our siblings who had graduated from high school before everything fell apart. They led the way back then. The rest of us just tagged along, learning as we went.
Chloe beamed. “Well, then it’s a good thing you’re all on board because Adele is already hired.”
I felt a little unsettled about the fact that my reaction to this news might’ve revealed too much about me. Until I caught the look on my brother Lincoln’s face. Lincoln’s eyes were locked on Chloe. Leverage. I had it.
“Was it your decision?” Lincoln asked Chloe, his tone deceptively light.
Before she could answer, our mom cut in smoothly. “Of course not. I made the decision to hire Adele. Chloe is handling HR.”
Lincoln lifted his chin. “Since when do we have HR?”
“All of you filled out HR paperwork. You just didn’t pay attention to it,” Chloe clarified.
“Well, why would we need to? This is our family’s resort.” A muscle ticked in Lincoln’s cheek.
“True, but…” Chloe began.
My mother rolled her eyes. “Good grief. Family businesses have to follow business laws, paperwork, taxes, and the like. We’ve always had HR. It was just me.” She circled her hand in the air.
The phone rang, slicing through the group conversation. Chloe pressed her lips together and lifted one finger in front of her lips, shushing the whole room like a boss just before she answered it. Her tone shifted instantly—crisp and warm, with that subtle Southern accent. “Heartfire Falls. How may I help you?”
