Page 58 of Culinary Chaos

“It is stunning. I’m not sure that words can explain it.”

“No, they can’t.” Angelica looked over at her and grinned, that same pink tinge returning to her cheeks. It looked so much better on her than the gray she’d worn earlier. “Tatum said that the majority of their income comes in the winter, with the families and tourists coming up to ski.”

“I can see that.” Hope’s smile faltered slightly. Angelica could always turn it back to work, couldn’t she? Maybe she should set up another meal for them and completely take work conversation off the table. She’d enjoyed those moments, and she still wanted to get to know Angelica better while she could. They seemed to be finding their stride of working together, which was a good thing. The crew seemed to be holding up stronger too.

“That means summers, especially spring and fall, are pretty scant.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re here,” Hope added, her shoulder brushing against Angelica’s as they continued to walk. They moved around a curve in the path and stopped short, coming out just on the edge of downtown Estes Park. The downtown area was like something out of a movie—old world and small mountain town charm all in one. “Wow.”

“Agreed,” Angelica said. “Maybe I should plan a vacation here.”

“I think you’re not the only one,” Hope laughed. “I’d say that we should find some local foods to sample, but I think Tatum is expecting us back at Mountain View for dinner.”

Angelica hummed, but that was her only response.

“Unless you want to try both.”

“Hardly. I don’t think I could manage one full meal tonight if I tried.”

“Still nauseous from the car ride?” Hope asked, furrowing her brow in concern.

“A bit,” Angelica answered, meeting Hope’s gaze. “I’ll be fine in the morning, I’m sure. Let’s head back. We have quite a bit of work to do before the others get here.”

Hope didn’t want to think about that. Something about these quiet days where it was just the two of them talking and preparing was exactly what she needed. And when everyone else arrived, these moments were shattered. They were thrust into the chaos of an insane filming schedule, and they weren’t really able to find time for just the two of them to connect as leads.

That’s what they were doing, right?

Hope rolled up onto her toes and started back toward the hotel.

At least that’s what she was going to tell herself.

Until she was proven otherwise.

Chapter

Twenty

The nausea hadn’t gone away yet. Angelica stood in front of the small office that they’d been given and breathed deeply, trying to catch what was left of her senses so that she could at least make it through this meeting. Everyone was supposed to be there.

Since Mountain View was so small compared to the other luxury hotels they’d worked with, they literally had a small ten by ten room to make this happen while they were there. She took another breath. When would the nausea go away? When would the headache fade into the background?

The door opened, and Hope stepped out with Eva right by her side.

Angelica faltered. She hadn’t had time to hide what she was feeling yet. Hope stopped sharply, her hand tightening on Eva’s. The look went from one of surprise that Angelica was standing so close to one of worry in an instant.

“I’m fine,” Angelica said before Hope could even ask. She glanced down at Eva and plastered a smile on her face.

“I was just taking her to the nanny,” Hope said, pointing at Eva. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Angelica squared her shoulders and pushed down the queasy feeling that just wouldn’t go away. She was determined it’d vanish, if only by her sheer will and nothing else. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

Hope nodded, lingering a second longer before she took Eva and walked away. Angelica took the extra minute that she had before she stepped inside. Kyle, Rex, and Josef were huddled around the small table in the room. This was going to be tight quarters, which only made Angelica’s ill feeling intensify.

She sat down at one of the only two empty chairs in the room and kept her mouth shut. The last thing she needed was to throw up on all of them, and it was only getting worse, not better. She had so much that she needed to get done this week, not only for the show but for the rest of the businesses that she ran. She couldn’t afford to get sick. Not now.

Hope was back.

When did that happen?