Page 89 of Boston
She entered her office first and said, “Close the door, would you?”
He did, a slip of nerves moving through him at the same time. “What did I do wrong?”
Cora grinned at him and retraced her steps to him, and enveloped him in a hug. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He settled his hands on her hips. “You sure? Because it really feels like I’m in the principal’s office right now.”
She giggled and grinned up at him. “I mean, I suppose I would have liked it if you would have kissed me the moment you saw me.”
“Right in front of Ernie?” Boston chuckled, not really one to be super touchy feely in public.
Cora smiled. “Does that mean you’re not going to hold my hand tonight at your family party?”
“I don’t know what it means,” Boston said. “It’s not like I have a checklist of things I’m going to do and not do.” He grinned at her. “You’re the one who thrives on lists.”
She smiled. “You’re right, but I would like you to hold my hand tonight in front of your family.”
“I’m going to introduce you around,” he said. “I imagine that’ll happen.”
She came to him again and Boston did what she wanted, leaning down and touching his lips to hers. “Is this what you needed before?” he asked. “Because I gotta get going. My momma’s waiting for me, and she hates it when I’m late.”
“I think it’s more like you hate running late,” Cora teased, but she stepped out of his arms anyway. “I did want to talk to you, and let you know that Jeremy and I are really going to try to hire someone next week to alleviate the guide schedule.”
Boston pressed his lips together. “That would be great,” he said. “I mean, I don’t mind the overtime, but some of what I have going on is a lot, the wedding, the anniversary party, all the hikes.”
“You’re so good at everything, especially when there are kids and animals involved.”
“I know,” Boston said. “I’m not upset about it.”
“I’m going to put the listing up today,” Cora said, as she settled in front of her computer. “But I’ve never hired here, and I don’t know how long it will take.”
“Well, a new hire usually shadows someone for a few weeks,” he said. “Especially if you’re talking about the overnight excursions or family hiking or anything with horses.”
“Which is everything we do here,” Cora said dryly.
A sudden idea formed in Boston’s mind. “What about Cash?”
Cora’s eyes flew to his. “WhataboutCash?”
“Well, I mean, I’d need to talk to him,” Boston said. “I’m going to go stay with him this month in his vacation rental.”
Cora leaned away from her computer. “You are?”
“Yes,” Boston said. “I think he needs me there, and it’s only twenty minutes away.” He raised his eyebrows and sank into the chair across from her desk, though he really should have left ten minutes ago.
He told himself he could text his mother, and she could keep whatever breakfast warm that she’d made, and everything would be fine.
“Cash is good with people,” he said. “And animals, obviously. And it might take him a little bit to get up to speed on the history and whatnot of the place you know, the narrative for the hikes and tours, but I think he could do it easy.”
Cora nodded.
“I mean, he hasn’t been gone as long as you and even you picked it up pretty quick,” he said, noting the way her expression turned cold. “I mean, not that you do tours or anything, but I?—”
Cora’s expression turned into something made of lightning and thunder, and that made Boston stop talking. He swallowed, because he had definitely entered the principal’s office now.
“What does that mean?” Cora asked, and oh yes, her voice was made of frost and glaciers.
“What does what mean?” he asked.
