Page 11 of Killian
Where was he before?Sophie asked.
With a woman named Maisy. Enzo didn’t like her and I see why now,I thought.
I really want the job, Killy. Coleen will give me an account to pay people. I’ve heard Cassandra has quite a few bills in town. Most of the staff at Cypress Wood are MacLadens. Matt is trying to keep up with enough hours for them, too. Some of them need places to live. They are supporting family members who had money before Xeno robbed them.
You found out more than I did, then,I replied.Bobbi Jo Wheeler has asked for a store here, and I told Coleen yes. Could you find out in the morning if there was a grocery store in town? Anything we can convert to a grocery store? I’m also thinking a hotel on the other end of Main Street. It’s been catering to humans, but I didn’t see any.
Sophie nodded.I’ll go in the morning, say, around ten. Matt said a lot of his guests were on their way to Banthard, the town out of time.
It is that,I thought.Great business idea, but, driving back to Cypress Wood after?
Too far,Sophie thought.He should still have business for them on the way down, but I agree. A hotel on the way out would be perfect.
In keeping with the seventies theme, one of those hotels with a lobby, a restaurant, a pool in the center, and the rooms open to the pool. All indoors,I raised my eyebrows.
I agree with that. I’d like to add a lifeguard.
Sure.I smiled.
“Papa,” Jules sighed. He was nodding off.
“Ah. Sophie, bring your things in, and let me put him to bed,” I said, lifting Jules from the seat. He put his head down on my shoulder, and I walked to the bedroom, stopping in my bathroom to wash his face and hands. I’d intended to brush teeth, but he was sound asleep and snuggled in when I laid him down. He pulled the baby blanket to his nose, and I covered him up.
Taking the handset for the baby monitor, I turned the base on and left.
Sophie met me in the hall for the bedrooms. She’d chosen the one closest to the kitchen. “This is really nice! I have a bathroom, too!”
“I’m glad you like it. Did you rent the car?”
“I bought it. I was moving towards Fire’s Rise anyway, so I bought a car.”
“Let me put it in the garage for you?”
“Or just open the bay?” She raised her eyebrows.
It took five minutes to do that, and then I cleaned the kitchen, making little bowls for Jules. There was a small wine fridge below the counter, and I removed the bottles. Sophie took them to the refrigerator in the pantry, and I put Jules’ snacks in there. I found a marker in the drawer and wrote his name on the glass door, drawing little paw prints, too.
“You’re good at being Papa, aren’t you?” Sophie asked.
“Not really. I learned everything from Indy. He’s a good Papa.”
She handed me juice cups, and I put them in the fridge, too.
“Now, where were we?” she asked, bringing plates from the kitchen.
We discussed the future of Banthard, and she took the list Charlene had given me.
“I’ll text Coleen and let her know to put you on payroll. You can do what you want for now. I think I’m going to read.”
“Thanks,” Sophie smiled and I left her in the kitchen.
Didn’t have to tell her she was welcome to anything or to make herself at home. She knew the job was similar to being Dante’s assistant at the hotel in Colorado and similar to managing the hotel. The Pride was a business in one sense. It was handling money, seeing to the needs of the Pride members, and making sure nobody fought over anything.
I texted Coleen, who was happy about Sophie, and then, on a whim, I texted Zander.
Indy had a cookout on Friday nights for Fire Ridge Pride, and the members came, brought food, and got to talk to Indy and Blue Wheeler, who had taken over for his Papa, Jaime.
I had the idea to shield the house and the back of the property, but the front needed a covered pavilion and possibly abathroom. I wanted the Pride to feel welcome to talk to me and to draw the line so they weren’t in my house. I wasn’t going into their homes. Mine would not be open for business.
