Page 14 of The Sweet Chef and the Corporate Queen

"I'm one of the guides. Found out today that I'm covering for my brother Connor."

"You?"

"Try not to sound so alarmed. I grew up on these trails. Could navigate them blindfolded."

"I'm not concerned about your trail knowledge," she clarifies. "I'm just surprised you'd leave your kitchen."

"Even chefs get days off occasionally. Besides, we're pairing up guests with staff members. Safety precaution."

Jules narrows her eyes suspiciously. "And I suppose you've arranged to be paired with me?"

"I would never manipulate team-building exercises," I say with exaggerated innocence. "But if we happened to be partnered up, I might know a spot with a view that would actually get you to stop thinking about quarterly projections for five whole minutes."

"Bold assumption that I'd be interested in such a spot."

"Am I wrong?"

Our eyes lock again, the challenge hanging between us. For a moment, I think she might actually admit she's intrigued, but then voices approach from the main lodge, breaking the spell.

"There you are!" Mom calls, walking toward us with Mia in tow. My mother has her arm around Mia's shoulders, and theylook like co-conspirators returning from some secret mission. "We were just coming to find you."

Mia, dressed in pajamas with damp hair from what I assume was a bath, rushes to Jules. "Mom! Miss Evie showed me how to make lavender sachets for under my pillow! She says they help you have good dreams."

"That sounds lovely," Jules says, her entire demeanor softening as she pulls Mia close. "Did you thank Ms. Callahan?"

"Oh, please call me Evie, everyone does," my mother insists, settling into one of the empty chairs like she's been part of the conversation all along. "And no thanks necessary. Mia is a delight."

"She helped me put together a packet for you too, Mom," Mia says proudly, holding up a small muslin sachet tied with purple ribbon. "So you don't have work dreams."

Jules accepts the sachet with surprising tenderness. "That's very thoughtful, sweetheart. Thank you."

"Mia told me you sometimes have trouble sleeping when you're thinking about work," Evie explains, her tone casual but her eyes sharp and assessing as they move between Jules and me. "Lavender can be very calming."

"I sleep fine," Jules says automatically, then catches herself. "But this is lovely. Thank you."

Mia yawns dramatically, leaning against Jules' side. "Can we go back to the room now? I'm tired."

"Of course." Jules stands, gathering her laptop and the lavender sachet. "Thank you both for... everything today."

"Our pleasure," Evie says warmly. "And don't forget, Mia's welcome to join tomorrow's activities as well. We're doing pottery in the morning and a nature hike in the afternoon."

"Actually," Jules says, hesitating slightly, "I received word that our replacement nanny won't arrive until Friday at theearliest. If you’re sure it would be okay for Mia to participate in the children's program tomorrow..."

"Absolutely," Evie confirms before Jules can even finish. "We'd love to have her."

"Yes!" Mia pumps her fist in a gesture that makes me grin. "Can I help with breakfast again first?"

Jules looks at me, a question in her eyes.

"Kitchen opens at 6 a.m.," I say. "Sous Chef Mia is welcome anytime after that."

"We'll see," Jules hedges, but her tone isn't entirely discouraging. "It depends on how well a certain young lady sleeps tonight."

"I'll sleep super good," Mia promises earnestly. "I won't even kick the covers off."

"We'll see," Jules repeats, but she's fighting a smile.

As they turn to leave, I call after them, "Don't forget about the outdoor challenge."

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