Miles: Anyone able to watch Emma? Roger has the flu.
The entire family worked for the resort, everyone specializing in their own areas. Karen, his mom, did the accounting and helped at the front desk when they were short-staffed. James, his dad, did miscellaneous tasks around the resort, including most of the maintenance. His brother, Jackson, handled the resort grounds. His brother, Noah, worked on the mountain with the ski patrol in the winter and ran the first aid tent during the summer activities. His brother Ethan was the adventure guide for the resort, running the outdoor activities.
They all pitched in for each other when they could, but no one else in the family could really help in the kitchen aside from his mom, but even then, she wasn’t a chef. When the kitchen was short-staffed, Miles usually had to pick up the slack and rely on his family to help with Emma. Only recently was he also relying on his brothers’ significant others for help as well, but only when absolutely necessary. Jackson’s wife, Mia, was the local librarian. Noah’s girlfriend, Jessa, worked remotely, but traveled a lot with work. And Lily, Ethan’s girlfriend, was a famous romance author.
Karen: I’m sorry, honey. Your dad and I are dealing with maintenance issues right now. Several rooms have leaks, and we are trying to move guests.
Jackson: I’m balls deep in lawn mowing.
Mia: Yeah, you are!
Miles grimaced. He wasn’t sure if that was a sexual reference, but it sounded disgusting. He ignored them, although he knew his mom would reply.
Karen: Keep it in the bedroom.
Mia: But for real, Jackson is already at the resort, and Lily and I are out of town this weekend for her book signing in California. Sorry!
Ethan: I’m about to take a group on a hike. Sorry, dude.
Noah: We are short-staffed up here on the mountain. I can’t leave.
Jessa: Me, me! Pick me! I’d love to spend the day with her!
Miles sighed in relief. He was worried he’d have to take her to the restaurant and keep tabs on her all day, which would be hard enough in itself while also cooking for the entire restaurant.
Miles: Thank you so much, Jessa. Emma will be excited.
Jessa: Of course! I’ll be at your house in fifteen minutes?
Miles: Perfect.
Miles set his phone down and looked into the living room. “Hey, peanut. I need to head into work.”
Emma looked up and jutted her lower lip out. “Does that mean I have to sit in the kitchen again?”
Unfortunately, he had had to bring her with him far too many times in the past, and she didn’t enjoy it at all.
“No, Jessa is going to come hang out with you.”
Emma jumped up and threw her hands in the air with a cheer. “Yay! I’m so excited!”
Miles smiled. Leaving her made him feel less guilty when she was excited to hang out with whoever was watching her. “Why don’t you run and get dressed? I’m going to take a quick shower.”
Emma took off for her room. Miles took a shower and got dressed just before Jessa knocked on his front door. He pulled it open and smiled, letting her inside.
“I can’t thank you enough for this. Nachos for lunch? I’ll have them delivered,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “I wasn’t going to ask for anything, but if you insist. You know how to make a woman happy.”
He chuckled. When Jessa first came to town earlier in the year, she constantly ordered his nachos and raved about how they were the best she had ever had. They were still the mostordered item on his menu by her, and he wasn’t entirely sure she had ever tried anything else from the restaurant.
“Auntie Jessa!” Emma cheered and launched herself into Jessa’s arms. “I’m so excited. Let’s play.” She pulled her hand and Jessa let herself be led down the hallway.
Miles looked after them. “Emma, don’t you want to kiss me goodbye?”
She stopped and then let go of Jessa’s hand, ran to Miles, pressed a kiss to his cheek, and then continued pulling Jessa to her room. “Bye, Daddy. Love you.”
“Love you. Thanks again, Jessa!”
She only laughed and waved in response as they disappeared inside Emma’s room.
