Page 18 of Summer Ride

She sat with Beth, a young dark-haired woman who worked at the main desk. They had both started working there around the same time and got along wonderfully.

She had instantly known that the woman was hiding her past from everyone just as Kara was. It was probably what had drawn them together as friends.

When Zoey and Scarlett walked in and joined the table with their own lunches, she hinted to them about the need to hire some part-time help for her and Andrea.

The sisters agreed to bring it to the other owners at their weekly meeting.

Since Elle and Hannah were both new mothers, they were spending a lot of time working from their new homes with their families.

It was rumored that Scarlett was pregnant, but so far she hadn’t put out an all-camp bulletin about it like the other Wildflowers had when they’d found out their happy news. Zoey, whose daughter Paige was almost two years old now, had been the first.

Since Damion and Julie were away, finally, on their honeymoon, Beth was the only one working full time at the front desk. A few other employees filled in part time when Beth needed help.

Everyone was anxious for the couple to return so they could get back to offering the highly sought-after sunset sails on Damion’s sailboat.

They hadn’t gone on their honeymoon until several months after they got married because Damion had needed to recover after being shot by an unbalanced woman who had turned the gun on herself right after.

After thinking back on the past few years and the things that her friends had had to live through—being shot at, stabbings, attempted kidnappings, actual kidnappings, being stalked—she supposed her life didn’t look so bad.

Her past was dark, there was no doubt about that. But just knowing that her friends had all come out on the other side of their dark times gave her hope. If they could survive those terrible things, she should be able to handle a few handwritten notes from a deranged person in her past.

Someone she had thought—and hoped—that she’d killed years ago. She hoped it wasn’t who she thought it was. Prayed it wasn’t him.

But if it wasn’t Axel. Then who?

“And you are not paying attention any longer.” Beth nudged her toe.

“Sorry.” She cleared her thoughts. “What were you saying?”

“She was saying that if anyone needed help, it was the front desk, since we just put out a bulletin that when Julie returns from her honeymoon and maternity leave, she’ll be taking a new position as marketing manager.

“What?” Kara asked. “Really?”

“Yes. With everyone’s jobs shifting lately, we figured we needed some help to keep on top of things. And since Jules has finished her marketing degree, she was the best choice,” Zoey said.

“Which is why they’re hiring someone else to help me out at the front desk first,” Beth said with a smile. “You’ll just have to get in line.

“Actually, we’re thinking of hiring for both positions,” Zoey added with a chuckle. “As well as a few more kitchen and waitstaff too. If you know of anyone capable and looking for work, have them fill out an application online.”

“What about converting the storage room in the pool house into another massage room? It always takes everyone some time to change or shower off after each session, which keeps the room occupied. Then we have to clean it before taking our next appointment. Having another room would let us sneak in at least one more slot between,” Kara suggested.

Zoey and Scarlett’s eyebrows both raised. Then they smiled identical smiles.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Zoey said, pulling out her phone and shooting off a text message. “I’ll get Aiden right on it. If it can be done, he’s the one who can figure it out.”

“Moving the topic in a new direction,” Scarlett broke in, “I overheard Mr. Bo talking about an incident last week involving you, Kara.”

“That’s right. I meant to ask you what happened. Are you okay?” Zoey and everyone else turned to her.

She felt her stomach flip and immediately wanted to make an excuse and disappear. Instead, she nodded and assured them it was just a small misunderstanding.

She happily changed the subject and asked if the rumors were true about a few of the employees having relationships. When she and Carter had started seeing one another, rumors had spread quickly. It was almost a relief the first time they’d attended an event together.

One rumor had her pregnant. Another said she was in a relationship with Andrea. Her favorite rumor was where the three of them—her, Carter, and Andrea—were all together in a polyamorous relationship. Not that she had anything against it, but the thought of sharing Carter with anyone made her stomach turn.

After lunch, she had six appointments. By the time she left work, she was exhausted and her hands and shoulders ached. She could actually use a massage herself.

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to suggest adding in one more appointment every hour.