Page 23 of It’s Your Love
“Her husband died five years ago. She moved back to Deep Haven last summer.”
“Oh.” Vivien rubbed her hands together. “He should totally go on that river cruise with Janet.”
“He hasn’t traveled anywhere since Mom left except for that one conference in Canada he had to attend for work.” Beth studied the Rhine River cruise pamphlet. “Look at these castles!”
“He needs to rip off the Band-Aid. It’s time.” Courtney pointed to the brochure.
“It’s also time for brunch.” Vivien pointed to the Fox Bakery bag she carried. “We brought you fresh cinnamon rolls—and they’re still warm.” Vivien carried the bag to the kitchen and pulled three plates from the cabinet. “And French bread for later.”
“They smell delicious.” Beth hadn’t eaten much since she’d tossed her lunch on the library’s lawn yesterday.
Vivien carried the plates over and handed them out, followed by forks and napkins. “Now, we need to figure out how to get your dad on that cruise.”
“Do you think he’d go?” Courtney asked. She took a bite of her cinnamon roll.
“I don’t know,” Beth answered. She tried to picture her homebody dad as a world traveler.
The sweet smell of sugar glaze and cinnamon filled the room. Beth took another sip of coffee and then a bite of roll.
One of the phones on the coffee table buzzed. Courtney leaned forward and glanced at the trio of cells on the table. “That’s yours, Beth. Looks like it’s Noah,” Courtney said, speaking around a mouthful.
Vivien scooped up the phone. “You keep eating. I’ve got this.” She clicked the button. “Hi, Noah, this is Vivien for Beth.” She winked at Beth across the coffee table. “…Oh, yeah, she’s fine, we’re just having a little girls’ brunch together… No, I didn’t realize that…” Vivien pinned Beth with a sharp look.
Uh-oh. Beth braced herself.
“Right… Grayson Fox?” Vivien’s eyes rounded and her mouth dropped open before she mouthedWhy didn’t you tell me?and then gripped Courtney’s arm with her free hand.“…Yeah, sure. I’ll let her know. If she has any questions, she’ll give you a call.”
Vivien disconnected and pointed at Beth with the phone. “Girl, you’ve got some explaining to do.”
“What just happened?” Courtney asked.
Vivien set the phone down onto the table and stood, put her hands on her hips. “Well, Noah Standing Bear informed me that Grayson mentioned you had concerns about him being the camp wrangler.”
“What?” Courtney wiped her mouth with a napkin.
Beth grimaced and set her plate down on the table.
Vivien threw a palm out. “But wait—there’s more.”
So much more. Beth fidgeted in her seat.
Vivie tilted her head. “He was calling to find out what issues his interim assistant camp director has with the new wrangler. He said to let him know the status because if camp has to be canceled, then he’ll help you make the calls.” She paused, shifted position, and crossed her arms. “He said there’s also the issue of the assistant wrangler to discuss.”
“What?”
“Beth! If you don’t have a wrangler, you won’t have that job. Noah can run Wilderness Challenge by himself.”
“What’s wrong with Grayson?” Courtney asked.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” Vivien said, waggling her eyebrows.
“Like you even know—you haven’t seen him or talked to him in years.”
“I saw him in town. He’s capable. Strong. Dressed for the part.” Vivien grabbed a second plate with a cinnamon roll. “And he’s not a man afraid to jump into action. I love those qualities in Boone.” She took a bite of her roll.
Right. “He said his last attempt working with children apparently involved an ambulance.”
“Oh dear.” Courtney cringed. “Who else can ride?” She stole a hunk of cinnamon roll from Vivien’s plate.