Page 10 of The Sweet Chef and the Corporate Queen

"She's a natural," a voice says beside me. I turn to find Evelyn Callahan watching the same scene, her eyes crinkled with pleasure.

"She seems to be enjoying herself," I acknowledge.

"Declan too. He doesn't usually smile this much during morning service." Evelyn turns to me, her expression warm but assessing. "How are you holding up? I imagine this isn't what you planned for your corporate retreat."

"I'm adaptable," I say, the practiced response coming automatically.

"I'm sure you are." Her knowing smile suggests she sees more than I intend to reveal. "But even the most adaptable people occasionally need help. I was thinking—if your nanny situation remains unresolved, Mia is welcome to join some of our junior guests' activities today. My nephew Jameson runs them."

"That's very kind, but?—"

"Mom!" Mia spots me and waves excitedly, nearly upending the bowl of blueberries. Declan's hand gently steadies it without missing a beat.

"Careful there, Chef Mia," he says with easy authority. "Remember our first kitchen rule?"

"Awareness of your surroundings," she recites seriously, then turns back to me. "Mom, I made you a special pancake! It has a blueberry smiley face AND a blueberry power suit!"

I approach their workstation, curious despite myself. Sure enough, on a waiting plate sits a perfectly golden pancake with a crude but recognizable blueberry stick figure wearing what appears to be a triangular jacket.

"That's creative," I manage, oddly touched by the ridiculous breakfast art.

"Told you she'd like it," Declan says to Mia with a conspiratorial wink.

"I need to get to my meeting," I tell Mia, checking my watch. "Will you be okay here until lunchtime?"

Before Mia can answer, Evelyn steps in. "Actually, I was just telling your mother about our junior activities today. We're having a nature scavenger hunt at 10:30, followed by lunch and craft time. Several children of other guests are participating. Would you like to join them, Mia?"

Mia's eyes go wide. "Can I, Mom? Please?"

I hesitate, looking between my daughter's excited face and Declan's encouraging nod.

"It's a regular program we run," he explains quietly. "Totally supervised, age-appropriate. Jameson's great with kids, and my mother oversees everything."

The logical part of my brain recognizes this solves my childcare issue for the day. The protective mother part hesitates at the thought of leaving Mia with even more strangers.

But are they strangers? After watching how Declan interacted with Mia yesterday, how the entire staff seems to have embraced her presence, Mountain Laurel Lodge feels less like an impersonal hotel and more like... well, not home, exactly, but somewhere surprisingly safe.

"Alright," I concede. "But I want a schedule of activities and locations. And we’ll have lunch together."

"Already prepared," Evelyn says, pulling a printed itinerary from her pocket with a flourish. "Including my cell phone number and Jameson's."

Of course she came prepared. I'm beginning to suspect Evelyn Callahan is a fellow planner.

"Thank you," I say, genuinely appreciative of her thoughtfulness. "This is very helpful."

"We take care of our own here," she says simply. "And while you're staying with us, that includes you and Mia."

An unexpected lump forms in my throat. When was the last time someone offered to take care of me, rather than the other way around?

"Can I finish helping with breakfast first?" Mia asks, still focused on her blueberry artistry.

"Of course," Evelyn answers before I can. "The scavenger hunt doesn't start for a while. Plenty of time to finish your masterpieces."

"I should go," I say, suddenly feeling like an intruder in their easy camaraderie. "My team is waiting."

"Take this with you," Declan says, handing me a to-go cup of coffee and the plate with Mia's blueberry creation. "Brain food for strategic thinking."

Our fingers brush during the handoff, and I jerk back slightly at the unexpected warmth of the contact. His eyes meet mine, curious and perhaps a little amused at my reaction.

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