Page 23 of Colton On Guard
Though she thought Hetty’s scenario disturbing, once uttered, it took root inside Genna’s mind. Suddenly she found herself nervous, unsure if she should go through with her plans for that evening.
Except, she really needed to have her front door repaired. And an alarm system wasn’t something she was willing to put off any longer.
Parker’s truck pulled in. She watched through the front window as he got out and strode up to the front porch. She needed to check the schedule, but she thought he had one more trip that afternoon. He’d be taking a group of hikers up to look for wildlife and fall foliage.
Which meant he’d likely finish before she had to leave.
Maybe she’d ask him to go meet the workmen with her.
Entering the room, Parker greeted her and Hetty with a broad smile. “It’s a beautiful day,” he said. “Hard to believe it was storming so badly yesterday.”
Genna nodded. Hetty ended her phone call and frowned. “Genna’s leaving a little early. She’s having two different workmen at her place tonight. With everything that’s been going on, I don’t think she should be alone with them. Don’t you agree?”
He swung his blue-eyed gaze to Genna. “Definitely,” he replied. “Genna, would it be all right with you if I come over and help? Just in case?”
She liked that he’d asked her instead of just insisting. “That’d be great, but we also need to make sure Hetty isn’t alone here after I leave.”
“Spence will be back by then,” Hetty noted, dismissing her concern with an elegant wave of her hand. “He’ll stay.”
Two vehicles pulled up and parked. “I think your next group is starting to arrive,” Genna said.
“I’m ready.” Parker rubbed his hands together. “It’s a small group this time. There are only six. Once you get them checked in, we’ll take off. It’s a two-hour hike with a break at the top of the mountain. When I get back, after they’re all processed, we’ll head out. I’ll follow you to your place.”
The front door opened before she could respond. Six people filed through the door, all talking at once. She checked them in one by one, enjoying their obvious excitement.
Finally, they were ready to go. Parker gave them a brief talk, made sure everyone had what they needed in their backpacks, and led them out the door.
Genna watched him leave, unable to look away until he and his group disappeared from sight.
“So that’s how it is?” Hetty teased, grinning. “The sparks flying between the two of you just about set this place on fire.”
Though Genna felt her face heat, she managed to play it off. “You definitely have a huge imagination,” she replied, trying to keep her voice level.
“Whatever.” Hetty shrugged. “Not any of my business.”
The rest of the afternoon passed swiftly. Spence and his bunch returned with plenty of fish. They were a group of happy customers. As Genna checked them out in the system, several volunteered that they planned to write glowing reviews.
“We appreciate that,” Genna said, smiling. Even Hetty looked up from scrolling her phone and grinned with approval.
Nonchalant, Spence strolled around to the back counter. “I aim to please,” he announced with a cheerful wink.
After they’d all left, Genna filled Spence in on her situation.
He nodded with approval when she told him Parker would be following her to her house. “Good,” he said. “And I’ll stay here and help Hetty close the office. Right now, no female in Shelby needs to be around strange men when she’s alone.”
“That’s what I said,” Hetty chimed in.
“Then I’m glad Genna listened.” Spence’s cell phone rang and he stepped outside onto the front porch to take the call.
Since she’d be leaving early, Genna got busy filing all her electronic paperwork and setting everything up for whoever would be opening tomorrow. She had the day off; something she was actually looking forward to.
The last part of the afternoon seemed unusually quiet. She answered a few phone calls inquiring about tours, directed them all to the website, and checked a few times to see if there’d been any new reservations.
Hetty had gone outside to talk to Spence. Genna could see the two of them sitting in the oversized wooden chairs enjoying thesunshine. They made a cute couple. The love they shared was palpable.
This job, this place, and these people, felt like family, she realized. This sense of belonging, of camaraderie, was exactly what she needed at this stage of her life. Even if she had some definitely different kinds of thoughts about Parker.
Eventually, Parker and his group wandered back in. Some of them were red-faced and perspiring, other seemed out of breath, but they all appeared happy. She began the checkout process, asking each one about their experience. Without exception, the guests raved about the wildlife and the colorful autumn foliage, glad they’d taken the hike and gotten the exercise.