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TWENTY
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
GEORGIA
“I’m leaving a fresh batch of beignets in the kitchen for the Polar Express Suite guests!” I yell to the chef. “I’ll be back to help you with the S’more bar in an hour.”
“Thanks, Georgia!”
Too exhausted to think straight, I lean against the counter and consider taking my next nap here instead of wasting any time walking across the estate.
“Well, hello there, Georgia.” Grandma Hattie steps into the kitchen, and I use what’s left of my energy to perk up and smile. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve been relaxing since this place practically runs itself, you know?”
“Right...You handled this week beautifully.”
“I think you mean, ‘barely survived.’”
“This resort will be in great hands with you at the helm, and the staff is already planning one hell of a transition party.”
“Tell them to hold off on that.” I untie my apron. “I’m thinking of a way to punish them for leaving me hanging.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“They ditched work for a Taylor Swift festival and left me struggling at the worst time of the year.”
She shoots me a confused look.
“I mean, I could see going to the concert of course, but they took off the entire week!”
“They didn’t do that, Georgia.”
“Yeah, they did.” I wave my hand around. “See how empty this kitchen is?”
“Itold them to take the time off,” she says. “Granted, I should’ve had them come up with more believable excuses, but I did that on purpose.”
“Why?”
“Because any manager can work well when everything is going their way.” She steps closer. “I wanted to see if you could handle this place when everything was going wrong.”
I stare at her.
“I would’ve stepped in to help you if it got out of hand. But you stepped up big time, and I’m so proud of you.”
I say nothing.
“The staff is scheduled to work their regular hours starting this evening. She steps closer. “So feel free to enjoy your evenings for the rest of the week. I only need you for the VIP suites and you know those guests don’t tend to call unless it’s an emergency.”
“Are you planning to say something, Georgia?”
“I don’t know yet.” I narrow my eyes. “I’m not sure exactly how to feel about you right now.”
She hugs me close. “You should feel accomplished and happy.”
“No, that’s not my current feeling at all...”
She laughs and pulls a golden name tag from her pocket. “Well, wear this around and eventually you will feel that way.”
