Page 48 of What We Keep
Chloe had luxurious dark hair in a riot of curls around her face and big, round blue eyes.
“My mom’s thrilled to have you here. We all are. We’re gonna need you to hit the ground running. But just a heads-up, my mom means well, but she’s run this place basically since she was a teenager, back when it was all on paper. Because that’s when her parents ran it, and then she helped them. Even when my dad was here with her, they didn’t do much online. You’ll have to manage her and thread that needle while we modernize.”
Chloe’s smile was warm. “Got it. I think I can do this.”
“Welcome to Heartfire Falls,” I said with a chuckle. “Do you need anything from us?”
Just then, Cole appeared in the doorway. “Chloe,” he said. “Love the name.”
“You do?” Chloe’s eyes narrowed.
Cole shrugged. “Yeah. It starts with C, like my name.”
Chloe chuckled. “Well, good. I’m glad you like my name.”
“And of course, she needs help from us. We don’t pull that gender shit around here. You know this, Haven,” Cole scolded me as he narrowed his eyes with a mock glare.
Chloe looked between us. “I didn’t expect that at all. Your mom said it’s kind of an all-hands-on-deck-for-everyone thing.”
“Absolutely,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Cole. “Anyway, we have a waitlist, or a list, I should say. And all we need is to clear the inspection, which is?—”
“Your mom said it was this afternoon,” Chloe cut in.
My brows hitched up, but I nodded along. “And I’ll be here for that.” I glanced toward Cole. “Jude’s over at the rescue today.”
“Got it. Okay, so we’ll both be here for that inspection,” Cole replied.
“Great then. Elsa had sort of like a background website set up and waiting for you guys to check out. Do you want to take a look? If you’re good with it, I’ll just activate it,” Chloe said.
“Elsa made a website?” I prompted.
“You don’t even realize how amazing Elsa is,” Cole said with a brow waggle.
“Oh, but I do,” I chimed in.
“Well, you didn’t apparently know how amazing,” he teased. Cole glanced toward Chloe. “Haven has the hots for Elsa. He’s in love with her, but he just hasn’t figured it out yet.”
I nearly choked and elbowed him hard in the side.
“Where is Elsa, by the way?” he asked.
“She has another job. You know, wildlife biologist,” I returned dryly.
“Oh yeah, that’s why she’s showing up for dinner these days all covered in sand.” Cole nodded.
Of course, that comment sent a sizzle of electricity through me, and my mind instantly conjured up the sight of a sandy Elsa stepping into the shower. One thing led to another in my thoughts, and the next thought was Elsa coming all over my cock in the shower.
Fuck my life. I needed to focus.
I cleared my throat. “Let’s take a look at that website.”
Chloe pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, and she spun her laptop around to click through a few screens.
“Holy shit, this is amazing,” Cole exclaimed.
“It is,” Chloe agreed. “She did a great job. It’s simple but nice. Simple is good because you don’t want a complicated website where people get confused. Elsa made the page where people can make reservations and where to find information, and she even linked it to the hotshot firefighter’s web page for Willow Brook since you guys help out there.” The office phone rang, and Chloe immediately answered. “Heartfire Falls Resort, how may I help you?”
Cole met my gaze and waggled his brows, mouthing, “Professional.” I grinned.
