She glanced toward the desk then leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.
“The customers could pay for the shipping cost and the packing. All you’d have to do is box up the meat, invest in some dry ice or frozen packets, and deliver the boxes to a shipper. Sounds pretty simple.”
“Uh-huh, and someone has to keep track of those orders and record the information.”
“Yeah, there’s that.” He took another bite of his burger, realizing that there was more involved than he’d first thought.
She leaned forward, arms on the table, eyes focused on his. “You know, you may be on to something. I’ll talk to Dad about it tonight.”
“I have another idea, too. You want to hear that one?”
Bethany grinned. “I thought you said you didn’t know anything about marketing.”
“I don’t really.” He fiddled with his fork, trying to look nonchalant when he felt anything but that. Why was helping her so important to him?
“So. . .what other ideas do you have?”
“I noticed that you don’t have any souvenir items with your logo on them.”
“Dad never liked the idea of forcing folks to buy stuff like that when they pay so much money to come here.”
“Many parents go looking for souvenirs to get for their kids. It’s not forcing if they want them. Kids would love little stuffed animals like they see on the wagon tours—moose, deer, beaver, and maybe even a bear.”
She sat up straight. “You saw a bear?”
He grinned. “No, but I sure thought about them and how that tent canvas wouldn’t keep one out if it wanted in.”
“Just so you don’t worry, we’ve rarely had problems with them—not during the summer anyway. The smell of so many people usually keeps them away.”
“Usually?”
She lifted one shoulder. “We did have a bear—at least that’s what we think it was—break into one of the cookhouses in May. I guess the bear must have smelled food, although we hadn’t equipped the cookhouse yet for this summer’s tours. It sure made a mess.”
Evan tapped on the table, his thoughts running rampant. “What if it wasn’t a bear and was the same person who’s been causing trouble?”
She opened her mouth then slammed it shut. “I never even considered that, but in light of the problems we’ve had lately, I probably should.”
He laid his hand on her arm. “I’m praying that you’ll figure it all out.”
“Thanks.” She pulled away and leaned against her chair. “Back to your great ideas. Got any more?”
“You might consider having some T-shirts, sweatshirts, or jackets for sale with your logo on them. You could even keep a small stock of those at the cookhouses, so if someone should find out they left their jacket in the car”—he grinned—“they could buy something to keep warm.”
“Are you talking about yourself?”
“Maybe.”
Bethany shook her head. “You’re something else, you know it?”
He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not, but she was smiling. The phone at the registration desk beeped, and Bethany jumped up and ran toward it. He carried their trays to the conveyor belt and set them down. They disappeared under a dark green flap. Spinning around, he noticed Taylor was gone and strode out of the dining room. Now that he was well again, he ought to do a better job of watching her, but Bethany had assured him that Cheryl was very mature for her age and would see to it that Taylor didn’t get into trouble. He needed to get back to work. They’d be leaving in a few days, and he was still behind on his project after being sick. His steps slowed as he reached the front desk.
“I can’t believe that. Who was it?” Bethany said into the phone. “Did they leave a name?”
Bethany listened, brows furrowed like a plowed field. “Thank you for calling and letting me know. If you remember the name, please call me back. Okay?”
She listened a moment longer and then hung up. “You won’t believe this.”
“What?” He moved around behind the counter and stood beside her. He couldn’t resist holding her shoulders. “Tell me.”
“That was one of our best repeat clients, who’s booked for our mid-July tour. He just received a phone call from another guest ranch offering to beat our price if they’d change their reservation. Ooh!” She slapped the counter then rubbed her hand. “That makes me so mad. Stealing customers is unethical.”
“Well, now you know why you’ve had so many cancellations.”
She gazed up at him with hurt in her dark brown eyes. “People out here watch out for one another. Who would do such a thing?”
Evan shook his head. “I’m sorry, but that’s one thing I can’t help you with since I don’t know anyone around here. You’ll have to discuss that with your dad.”
Her eyes blurred with unshed tears. “Looks like I won’t be starting my new job anytime soon.”
Evan stuck his hands into his pockets, wishing he could pull her into his arms and comfort her. “Sounds like you’re needed here.”
“Yeah, it does.” She sighed and swiped at a stream of tears running down her cheeks. “I just wish we knew who was causing all this trouble.”
Evan snapped his fingers. “What if I registered under a different name and left my cell phone number? Now that I’m back here, it’s working again.”
“That might work. But how in the world could they be getting our reservation info?”
“Who has access to your cards?”
“Nobody. Just Dad and me.”
“That’s not totally true. The cards were here on the counter while you and I were eating. Anybody could have looked in the box while we were getting our food.”
Her shoulders drooped. “You’re right. Dad and I can’t watch the desk constantly. We used to have a girl who worked here, but Dad. . .” She bit her lower lip as if she’d said too much.
He didn’t want to push her to share more information than she was comfortable with. “So, basically anybody could have snooped in the box at a time when you and your dad were gone.”
She nodded. “Yep. At least once all that information is on the computer, nobody will have access to it.”
“Did you assign yourself a password?”
“No. I didn’t think it was necessary with just Dad and me using it.”
He laid his hand over hers. “It’s necessary. That way you can leave and nobody else will be able to access it. I can help you set up a password if you don’t know how.”
“All right, let’s do that and get you set up for another tour. What name do you want to use?” She opened her wooden file box and pulled out a blank card.
He tapped his finger against his lips and stared at the ceiling. “Daniel Lionheart. Group of four.”
She lifted one eyebrow and looked at him as if he’d gone crazy. “Lionheart?”
He grinned. “Yeah, Daniel and the lions’ den is one of my favorite Bible stories. Can’t you just imagine how scary it must have been to be thrown into a pit with a pride of hungry lions?”
She shivered. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
“I’ve always admired Daniel. He refused to bow to anyone except God, and it could have cost him his life. I want to be that bold in my walk with the Lord.”
“I remember that story from when I was younger. I think I had a picture book that my mom read to me.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
She seemed to snap out of her melancholy moment. “Okay, Mr. Lionheart, what’s your cell phone number?”
He rattled it off, wondering why she’d looked so sad for a moment. “I’ll let you know ASAP if they call me.”
“Okay, thanks. I think I’ll call one of our regular clients and see if she and her friend would mind if I booked them, too. We might be more likely to hear something if there are two fake reservations.”
“Good idea. Have you known those clients very long?”
She nodded. “You’d probably like them. Elsie and her frie
nd Margaret—they’re known as the Groovy Grannies—drive a hot pink semi and haul products.”
“Seriously?”
Bethany smiled, warming his belly as much as the hot apple cobbler he’d just had for dessert. “Yeah, Elsie used to come here with her husband, but after he died, she brought her friend Margaret, who is also a widow. We love them both. Dad’s been encouraging them to retire, but I can’t imagine Elsie being happy staying in one place for any length of time.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Listen, thanks for everything. It helps to have someone to talk things out with, and I’ll tell Dad about your marketing ideas.”
He chuckled at her emphasis on marketing. “I’m glad I could help. I’d better head upstairs and get some work done.” He walked away, wanting nothing more than to stay and spend more time with her. Too bad he was leaving so soon.
❧
Bethany watched Evan stride away. He wasn’t as broad in the shoulders as the ranch hands who had done hard physical labor much of their lives, but he was tall and well built for a city boy. The elevator doors closed, but not before she saw him smile and wave. A warm sensation spiraled down her chest to her stomach.
Evan was thoughtful and logical, which was why he was probably very good at his job. He certainly was dedicated to his work—but not so much that he couldn’t take breaks or come talk to her. He wasn’t the nerd she’d first thought he was. She couldn’t help grinning. “Well, he is a bit of a nerd.”
“Who is?”
Bethany glanced up. “Maggie!”
“Hi. I was driving past the ranch and thought I’d stop in and see how things are going.”
“Well, they’ve definitely been better. I’m so sorry Dad had to let you go.”
Maggie shrugged. “Everyone’s been hit by the bad economy. I’m working in town at Gertie’s Café.”
Bethany smiled. “I’m sure glad you found some other work. Are you interested in coming back here when things turn around?”
“When? Don’t you mean ‘if’?” Maggie leaned on the counter and propped her chin in her hands.
Bethany shook her head. “No, I mean ‘when.’ I have to believe things will get better.”
“I suppose. Is your dad here? I wanted to say hi to him, too.”
“He’s gone on a tour, but you can hang around and talk to me if you want.”
“Okay, I will. So, how do you like living in Denver?” Maggie tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ears. Her green eyes glistened with curiosity.
“I like it, I guess. I miss Dad and even have to say I miss the ranch at times.”
Maggie laughed wryly. “I don’t think I’d miss living in the sticks if I ever got away from here.”
Bethany knew exactly how she felt, but her own desire to leave seemed to be fading. Maybe because her dad needed her or because of the ranch’s problems. “Well, you’ll be a senior next year, right? Got any plans for college?”
Maggie curled her lips. “As if my parents could afford it.”
The girl’s clothes looked new and of a high quality, not something a blue-collar worker like her father could afford. She was getting money from somewhere. “Well, maybe things will work out.”
“Oh, hey. I’ve got a new boyfriend—Ryan Ogden. His family moved to Wyoming last year and started Ogden’s Outfitters. It’s a new guest ranch east of here on the old Scroggins land.”
“Yeah, I heard someone talking about them, but I haven’t met the owners yet.” Bethany leaned forward. “Listen, I got a phone call just as I was finishing lunch and didn’t have time for a pit stop. Would you mind hanging around a few minutes while I run to the restroom?”
“Sure. No problem.”
Bethany logged on to the ranch’s Web site. “Here, have a look at this while you’re waiting. Let me know what you think.”
Maggie slipped behind the counter. “Oh, wow! This is awesome. I love the animated wagon train.”
Still listening eagerly to Maggie’s excited responses, Bethany walked down the hall and into the restroom. She was glad that Maggie wasn’t upset with them for laying her off. The girl had always been happy, and Bethany would have hated losing her friendship. Maybe they’d be able to rehire her when Bethany returned to Denver.
Back at the desk, she said good-bye to Maggie. She hated not being able to employ the cheerful teenager who loved people and had made a perfect desk clerk.
Bethany tapped on the keyboard, trying to set up a password. Finally, she sighed, giving up. That was another thing she needed Evan’s help with. How would she have gotten her computer up and running without his assistance?
She thought about what he had said about Daniel refusing to bow down to anyone but God. She missed the closeness she felt to God as a child and young teen. If she hadn’t walked away from Him, would the ranch be having the problems it was?
No, she couldn’t believe that God worked that way. It was unfortunate that her father drained the bank account to pay off her college loans. Why had he done something so foolish when they could have made monthly payments?
Somehow, she’d pay back every penny. But not anytime soon. She didn’t even draw a paycheck while working the ranch. Of course, there had always been plenty of money in the account to pay for the things she needed. She picked up the receiver and set it back down. She didn’t want to do this, but she had no choice. Dad needed her. The ranch needed her. She punched in the phone number. Time to call her new boss and see if she could postpone her starting date.
Twelve
“I sure hope I’m not making a big mistake here.” Bethany climbed out of the Jeep and looked at Evan as he closed the passenger door.
“Trust me, you’re not. Your guests will be thrilled that you’ve switched over to a wireless network. They’ll be able to sit on their balconies or the lodge porch and check their e-mail or conduct business.” He grinned, making her heart turn somersaults. “Welcome to the computer age.”
“Well, I’m not there yet. We still have to find the right equipment, and that can be hard to do in these small Wyoming towns.”
Evan met her in front of the Jeep and gazed around. “This town is a lot smaller than Laramie.”
“Ya think?” Bethany blew a sarcastic laugh between her lips. “Try comparing it to Denver, where I’ve been living the past four years.”
“It does kind of look like something out of a cowboy movie.”
“Well, it’s a tourist town. What else would you expect?” She tried to view the town from his eyes. No town in Wyoming even came close to what Denver had to offer, but that’s what the locals loved about it. You could get close to nature here like you never could in a big city, and there was no quiet like that of the mountain valleys. She shook her head. She was getting nostalgic in her old age.
“Point the way, tour guide.”
“Yes, sir, city slicker.” Bethany smiled and pointed. “It’s that store across the street.”
They walked to the corner and waited for the light to change. The streets were crowded with vacationers strolling along, carrying packages, and dodging in and out of stores.
A car started to turn left in front of a pickup. Tires screeched, and the truck driver laid on his horn. Bethany jumped and stepped closer to Evan. She liked the amenities a town had to offer, but she hated traffic and congestion. In truth, she was a country girl at heart.
The light turned green. Evan grabbed her hand as if it was a common occurrence and tugged her forward in the crosswalk. She liked the feel of her hand in his bigger one. It felt solid and strong. She doubted he even realized what he’d done, and she shouldn’t enjoy feeling as if she belonged to him, but for this one moment, she would.
He opened the door, allowing her to enter first. His hand rested lightly on her lower back as he looked around the store. He pointed in the air. “Over there.”
Evan guided her toward the back of the store where the wireless routers were located. As he studied the few available, she watched him. He looked like a wide-eyed chil
d riding his first horse, minus the fear element.
“Okay.” He picked up a box. “I recommend this one. Do you want the Muskrat Lodge to also be wireless?”
She hadn’t considered that yet, but the cost of the router wasn’t as much as she’d expected, and they’d be offering wireless Internet access to more of their guests. “How many routers would you need if we did the main lodge and Muskrat?”
“Two, probably. What about the cabins?”
She thought for a moment then shook her head. “I think we should leave those as they are for people who are coming to get away from the rat race.”
“Okay, then two should be enough.” He grabbed a package of cables. “We can hook the router for the main lodge to your new computer, but we’ll need to find a closet or utility room for the one at Muskrat Lodge.”
They selected a new printer and then checked out. She could almost imagine them as a married couple in town to do their shopping for the week. She probably shouldn’t have spent the money for the routers, but Evan was right—they needed to offer top-of-the-line service to be competitive with other outfitters. Besides, who knew how much she would have had to pay if she’d hired someone to do the work? Evan seemed to enjoy helping her with her computer woes. Was she taking advantage of him?
Suddenly he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, his nose tilted in the air. Tourists gawked and made a wide clearing around him. He looked one way then another. His sky blue eyes sparked. “Pizza. I smell pizza.”
Bethany couldn’t help giggling. He was like a big kid. He tucked the sack of computer supplies under his right arm and looped his left arm through hers.
“C’mon. I’m buying lunch. Two weeks is too long for a man to live without pizza.”
“You don’t have to buy lunch. We can eat at the ranch,” she protested but couldn’t help the pleasant feeling swelling inside her. This was almost like a date. An impromptu date.
They took a seat in a booth, and Evan looked at her. “What’s your pleasure, ma’am?”
“Hamburger.”
“Just hamburger? Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Oh, I have all the adventure I can handle, thank you. But maybe I will get something different today.” She tapped her finger on her lips. “Hamburger with black olives.”
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