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TRAVIS
Ijump onto the four-wheeler and head off to find Kenny. Halfway there, I hear a loud snap, and my four-wheeler lurches to a stop. “Ugh!” Just my luck. It’s not even 8:00 in the morning, and everything that could go wrong has. I should just go back to bed and try again later.
But the guests won’t wait. They’re coming whether or not I’m ready. I radio to whoever is listening. I need a tow and a ride. I could walk to Kenny, and I may have to, but it’ll take more time that I don’t have.
I waited a few minutes, but there was no answer. I pull out my phone. No service. I try the walkie-talkie again. “HELLO? ANYONE? IS THERE ANYONE THERE?” Nothing. “It’s Travis—your boss. I’m stranded. The four-wheeler has died. SOS.”
“Travis? Hi. Can you hear me? It’s Ava.”
“Ava! Where is everyone else?”
“Roberta’s in the kitchen. I can help. Where are you? What can I do?”
“It’s a lot to explain over a walkie-talkie. Can you go find Manny?”
“Manny? I just saw him leave in the truck.”
“Oh no.”
“I can keep trying to reach Kenny.”
“No. Just find that golf cart and drive toward the gate. You’ll run right into me.”
“Ok. I’ll be there in a flash!”
Ugh. She is not the one I wanted to ask for help…again. She’s supposed to be my special guest, and here I keep putting her to work. At the rate I'm going, her article will be a plea to put us out of business.
I kick the four-wheeler’s back tire and let out a loud yell. I’ve got to get rid of some of my frustrations before Ava gets here. If I can’t give her a good time, I can at least try to be friendly and charming.If things stopped going wrong, that would be helpful.
Moments later, the golf cart drives toward me with Ava’s honey-colored hair blowing in the wind. I’m transfixed. This could be a scene out of a movie.
“Howdy, cowboy! I heard you needed some rescuing,” Ava says with a fake Southern accent.
“Thanks. Scoot over, I’ll drive.”
“Hmph…I thought the person I rescued might be a little more appreciative.”
“I am appreciative. It’s just that I have a lot to do, and everything that can go wrong keeps going wrong.”
“With that attitude, I can see why.”
I bite my tongue. I’m thoroughly annoyed with her, but she’s a guest. And a guest who may control my fate. I smile and look over at her.
Ava laughs out loud. “Well, that’s a fake smile if I’ve ever seen one.”
She’s right–her laugh lightens my mood. “Sorry. I just–ugh, I don’t know. I’m just perpetually cranky. It’s become part of who I am.”
“It can be an endearing trait, but a smile looks good on you, too.”
I drive toward Kenny, thinking I’ll use his four-wheeler to tow mine to the workshop, and then we can deal with it later. By the time we get up near the main house, a bus is pulling in. Roberta comes running out the front door and down the porch steps, screaming my name.
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with you! The women are arriving early. They got it wrong. They’re coming for lunch.”
“Great. Are the rooms ready? Do you have food to feed them?”
“Yes, Trina finished the rooms. We’re making soup and salad for lunch, and it should be ready shortly.”
“Great. Thanks, Roberta. I guess we’d better go greet them.” Moments later, eight rowdy women storm off the bus. Instantly, the ranch is filled with loud laughter and chatter. I am not ready for this. I take a deep breath and put on my best host face.
