Page 19 of Faking it for Gran's Sake

Chapter Seven

LAUREN

After I finish my shift at Clear Creek, I get changed in the public restrooms and head to the visitor center. I usually don’t need to go inside. All tours are managed online, and my schedule is emailed the day before. But I need to ease my way into a conversation about reserving the theater.

I cross the threshold and set off the sensor. Kaitlyn pokes her head above the ticket booth and peers over her glasses. “Lauren. I haven’t seen you in a while.” She stands, her chair swiveling in her wake. “Don’t tell me a tourist is hurt?” Kaitlyn exits her plexiglass-shielded office and rounds the pillars, striding toward me. “We’ve had six months without incidents. The council will shut the white-water rafting if we’re not careful.”

I wave my hands. “No. No. It’s all good. I’m not reporting bad news.” I scan the center to the souvenir section. A massive fiberglass mountain goat glares at me. What? I did nothing.

I shake away my silly imagination and the niggling that bites when I’m about to lie. I hate lying, and my need to ask a favor is all Mason’s stupid fault.

“Is Ethan around?”

Kaitlyn swings her head, and her high ponytail swishes like a horse mane. “Yep. Go for it.” She faces me. “He’s in his office.” Kaitlyn smiles, and her green eyes brighten. “I get anxious sometimes. Sorry, I jumped to conclusions. Being under witness protection has made me sensitive to possible danger.” She laughs. “Of course, you’re careful to ensure our clients follow safety procedures and sign the waiver form. If it’s their negligence, they can’t sue us.”

I nod, not about to argue with Kaitlyn. She’s the real boss around here. Ethan may have the management title, but Kaitlyn’s the one who hires and fires these days. Not that I need to worry. At staff events, Kaitlyn shows she likes me. I’ve been around longer and don’t need to prove myself.

“All right. I’ll go see Ethan.” I steal a breath and head down the hall.

I tap lightly on his door. “Only me.” I don’t want to alarm the guy like I did Kaitlyn.

Ethan lifts his head. “Hey. Come in.” He gestures to the chair opposite his desk.

Sticky notes line the edge of his computer screen. Papers are piled to the left and right of his keyboard—the complete opposite of Kaitlyn’s work area.

Ethan lifts one brow. An unusually neat brow for Ethan. Since he married Emily, the wild, hairy brows have been tamed.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from my star tour guide? Or should I say, famous tour guide? I love the time-lapse on the last post, by the way.”

I scoff. I’m far from famous. Ethan’s such a dork. But since he’s singing my praises, maybe he’s in the mood to say yes. “Your famous Clear Creek Adventurer . . . um . . . has come to ask for an extra employee benefit.” I wince and grit my teeth. “Can that include free use of the theater? For one night?” I hold my breath and place my hands together in a prayer sign. “When it’s not being used, of course. I’ll make sure it’s spotless afterward.”

Ethan leans back in his chair, presses a finger to his chin, and swings side to side. “You want the whole theater to yourself? Hey, I never thought of hiring it out for private functions.” He grabs the office receiver and presses a button.

I hear Kaitlyn’s voice on the other end. “What now?”

Ethan chuckles. “A good thing you’re married to my best friend. I’d sack any other receptionist.”

Kaitlyn’s muffled voice replies, “You’d be crying if I left. You’d have to do all the work around here.”

He laughs. “True enough.”

“Anyway, Dion promoted me to Senior Office Assistant, remember?”

He smiles and peeks out the window at the gorgeous mountain view. “Just another name for a glorified receptionist.”

“Right. And a marketing manager is a glorified salesman.”

“Ooohh. Good come back.”

“I’m going to put salt in your coffee instead of sugar.”

Ethan chuckles. “You’re not meant to tell me first, Kaitlyn. Is this what Jake has to put up with at home?” He cups his mouth and whispers to me, “She’s not as sharp since she became pregnant.”

---