Page 41 of High Side
“I sure hope so.” She did. “I mean, it’s just part-time for now, right? I don’t have to spread the word around.”
“No. No, we’ll let you decide when you want to tell everyone. Start with Joe, right?”
“I’ll tell him today.” Joe was a solid citizen, and he could keep things to himself. But he was also a senior guide, so he would need to know why Kylie was bowing out on the schedule most of the week.
“Good deal.” Liz nodded, and that was that. Short and sweet.
And now she wanted that doughnut as a reward.
Fourteen
Brittany looked for Kylie at the bus loading area, frowning when she didn’t see her. She thought sure Kylie was back on active duty today, and Brit had been looking forward to spending the day on the river with her.
“You looking for Ky?” Joe asked as he passed, hauling a load of oars.
“I was just—” Brittany smiled wryly. “Yeah. I was. She came in early this morning, and I didn’t get to see her.”
He laughed. “Let you sleep in, did she?”
Her cheeks heated. “We were, uh, energetic last night.”
“Good for you, girl.” He winked at her. “I think the boss wanted her to stay in until after the holidays. You want to run up to the office and say hi, I won’t tell on you.”
Brittany snorted, but that was a good idea. So she trudged up the little hill from the staging area to the office, breathing deep. She loved the air in Summit Springs. It was so damn clear and, at this time of the morning, even in July, it was crisp enough for her to wear her fleece vest.
She ducked into the office building and past the check-in desk and gift shop, hunting her girl.
“Hey, you.” Kylie limped out of the back, smiling when she saw Brittany. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I was just saying good morning. Joe says you’re still grounded.”
“Yep.” Kylie rolled her eyes. “They’ll let me back on the river part-time after tomorrow. You get any breakfast? Sorry I had to run this morning, but Liz called and asked me to come do a deposit for her.”
“No problem. I got your note.”
“There’s doughnuts.” Kylie waved at the box on the desk.
“Oh, yum. Is anyone gonna be mad if I get the maple log?” She reached for it, her fingers making gimme motions.
“Go for it.” Kylie grabbed another cup of coffee. “Looks like a perfect day out there. I’m jealous. We ought to go kayaking together on the Fourth, before we go to the cookout.”
“Sounds good, babe.” It really did. “I love an early morning kayak trip. Breakfast on the river.”
That had Kylie beaming at her. “It’s a date then.”
“It is.” She found herself staring, lost in this wild connection between them.
Kylie glanced around, then reeled her in for a quick, hard kiss. “Mmm. Good deal.” Then Ky popped her butt. “Back to work, you.”
“Oh ho! Think of me while I’m fishing kids out of the water.”
“So jealous!”
“Nah, I know that’s you.” Who wouldn’t rather be on the river?
“Yep. They get to spend the day with you.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks went hot, but that was a sweet as fuck thing to say. “See you tonight.”
