The more Sanders spoke, the more I felt like he wasn’t exactly telling the truth. His sexy Aussie accent flared up more on the ends of his sentences, growing more pronounced as he spoke. Southerners do this thing where sometimes their statements sound like questions. Apparently so did Australians.
Vincent continued, “The group will arrive next Monday. They’ll be here for one week with about ten members from their upper-management team. From what I understand they are struggling to innovate and cooperate with each other. They’re hoping some fresh air and the Smokies magic will invigorate the team.” Vincent picked up his phone and began to scroll as he spoke. “I can do my best to help out, but to be frank I’m drowning in other responsibilities and would like to leave the heavy lifting on this to you two.”
I shifted in my seat. Us work together? I had already done most of the planning for this event. Rooms were booked. Continental breakfast provided by Donner Bakery was included and they’d paid for lunch in advance too. They’ll be on their own for dinners but there was always the restaurant in the Lodge or they could go into town—
“We’ll take them camping,” Sanders interrupted my internal list making.
“What?” My head snapped to him.
“What’s a better way to bring people together than camping?” His blue eyes were wide and bright. He was like a puppy that caught its first ball.
“I don’t really camp,” I started.
“It’ll be great. We’ll teach them to fish and to clean and grill it. How to start fires.”
“I don’t think the rangers of the national park forest would like that …”
“Maybe even a little rock climbing.”
“Whoa. Whoa—” I said, holding up my hands. “The liability alone, that’s just not feasible.” I turned to Vincent, eyes wide and with horror at Sanders’ ideas.
Vincent looked back at me pointedly. “I trust that you two will work together on everything. Roxy, can you help Sanders with whatever Outside the Box needs, since I can’t help? I want the Lodge to support this idea fully and see if it works out for us all.”
I blinked at Vincent. Stuck together? Well, shit. I didn’t even know how Sanders and Outside the Box worked. I needed schedules. I needed to know every single detail of every day. What was Sanders thinking? That we’d go hiking and camping and just figure out the rest with the client? This wasn’t a campfire and we weren’t singing kumbaya. Sanders flinched slightly when I turned to him in shock. I didn’t need a mood ring with this face. Not that I could help it, just like he couldn’t help his own goofy little smile.
Vincent watched our interaction closely. I swallowed. I was supposed to be the professional, show him I could handle this position. No biggie. I could do this.
I wanted to scream but instead I smiled and said through gritted teeth, “I’m sure whatever we decide as a team will be great.”
Vincent leaned forward, eyes looking between the two of us. “That won’t be a problem, right? There’s no reason you two can’t work together?” he asked.
“No,” I said instantly.
At the same time, Sanders said, “Nope.”
Vincent nodded once, a hint of doubt in his gaze. “I’ll let you all handle the details. This is important. I trust you will do what is best.”
I sat rigid, while next to me, Sanders practically vibrated with barely contained energy.
Vincent smiled briskly, glancing at his watch to signify the end of the meeting.
“Thank you,” I said.
Sanders and I walked in silence until we were outside. He wasn’t following me exactly and I hadn’t dismissed him. We walked to where a light dirt trail skirted the path between the main lodge and the forest behind it.
Sanders and I together all week? This wouldn’t work. Oh, I had said what I needed to say for Vincent. But I didn’t need this lovely man and his distracting smiles muddling up my focus. Bless his heart.
What would the SWS do?
They would do what they needed to get the job done.
So could I.
I came to a stop and took a deep breath. It was fine. Tall pines swayed in the summer breeze. There was only the sound of our breaths and the creaking of the trees in the wind.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Sanders said, breaking me from my thoughts.
When I looked to Sanders, he was studying me with soft eyes before he quickly looked away. It sent a shudder of longing through me.
