AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The difference was that this man had a big smile as he approached them, and he was friendly in his greeting. That didn’t mean he wasn’t keeping a close eye on the kitchen while he talked with Kayleigh. Every once in a while, he yelled out some instructions.
They didn’t linger long before going to the next one, where the chef fell somewhere between the other two personality-wise. But like his fellow chefs, he seemed to like and respect Kayleigh.
Once done there, Kayleigh led the way back into the hallway. “We’re going to housekeeping next.”
“Is there a full shift on during the night?” Hudson asked.
“Yes. We have staff available to take care of any requests that come in from the guests, for things like towels or other supplies. They also do laundry that guests have sent to them at the end of the day. We want to have that ready for them first thing in the morning.”
They took the elevator down to the level where housekeeping was located. The people there greeted Kayleigh with smiles when the two of them entered the large room where they were working on carts, replenishing all the stuff they needed to clean and stock rooms.
They didn’t stay there long, then they went by the security room where he’d met Mario. The guys on shift didn’t seem put off by Kayleigh stopping by. They showed them the camera feeds, and Hudson was glad to see they were positioned for maximum coverage. Apparently, they’d added a few more cameras, which allowed them to see the security guards who were patrolling the ski lift and the area around the slopes.
Hudson felt bad for them being outside since it was cold, but that was all part of the job, and they were being paid well for their service.
“That’s about it,” Kayleigh said as they left the security room.
“So, do you do this a lot?” Hudson asked as they approached the elevator.
Kayleigh pressed the button to call the elevator car. “I try to, but there are some days when my schedule just doesn’t allow for it. Even if I don’t speak to them before I leave for the day, the staff all know that they can reach me at any time.”
“Your days are long,” Hudson said as they stepped into the elevator.
“Some are, yes.”
“How do you balance it all?”
Kayleigh leaned against the wall of the elevator as she looked at him. “Some days it’s easier than others. But I have learned what helps me relax and unwind, and I try to have those things in place at the end of the day.”
“Like what?” Hudson asked, though he was sure that what she did wouldn’t necessarily work for him. However, his curiosity about the woman was strong.
“I like candles, music, and cooking. So when I get home, especially after a stressful day, I light a bunch of candles or sometimes light a fire in my fireplace and turn on my favorite playlist, then I tackle a complicated recipe.”
“Complicated? Why would you do that?”
Kayleigh stepped away from the wall as the elevator doors slid open. Hudson followed her out into the hallway, then they headed toward her office.
“I find it easier to disconnect from work if I have to focus and plug in to something else. I learned that the more complex the recipe, the easier it is to break away from work.”
“And it always works?” Hudson asked.
Kayleigh shrugged as she led him into her office. “It hasn’t been working quite as well recently.”
“Because of all the incidents?”
“Yeah.” She turned as she approached her desk. “Have you had dinner?”
“Not yet.”
“I can order something to be delivered here.”
Hudson’s immediate reaction to that was to say yes, but he held his tongue. The conversation they’d just had played back in his mind, and he knew that if they ate together, they’d probably end up talking about work.
“I think you need to head on home and take your break from work.” It just about killed him to turn down the opportunity to hang out with her, but he also wanted her to be able to relax after a long day at the resort. “If we eat here, we’re going to talk about work. You don’t need that.”
She looked like she might protest, but then she said, “You’re probably right.”
“We’ll grab lunch tomorrow, so talking work will be okay.”
