“Pas de problème, I will book them a table in the restaurant.” It was a relief to think about work again. “Just tell me how many.”
“Not the restaurant. They’re going to hike and camp overnight on the Long Trail. If that doesn’t help them bond, nothing will.”
“You are taking a group of senior executives camping?”
“Genius, don’t you think?” Kayla sneaked some food to Maple who was still nestled on Jackson’s lap. “It will be a real test for them. You’re responsible for providing them with delicious food to take their mind off blisters and insect bites.”
“Who is going to put the tent up?”
“They are. With a little help from Tyler. He’s going to add in the whole gold-medallist-elite-sportsman-motivational-talk thing he does. All part of our unique offering.”
“Tyler will be driven mad spending two days trapped with office types. How did you persuade him to do it?”
“Two of the first group are women. I showed him photographs. So could you design a menu? Something they can cook with limited equipment.”
“Of course.” Élise pondered the options. “It will have to be light to carry and easy to cook. You need to give me the equipment they will have and I will see what I can cook on it.”
“I can go one better than that.” Jackson helped himself to more pancakes. “You can do the trip yourself. Tyler is going to plan the route and pick the best camping spot. You can go together. There’s the O’Neil Cabin high up on the trail but he thinks that’s too far for just two days of hiking with city folk who usually just walk to a cab or a subway so he’s going to find somewhere closer. Keep next weekend free.”
“I have to be in the restaurant.”
“Poppy and I can cope.” Elizabeth wiped her hands on her apron. “And Antony, the boy who’s just joined, is turning out very well. He’s a hard worker. He just needs a little more confidence. We’ll be fine. It will be good for us to manage without you. You can’t carry on working this hard.”
“I love working hard and it is important for the business that we bring in as many guests as possible.”
She owed Jackson a debt. A debt she was determined to repay in full.
And now that Sean had gone and Walter was improving by the day, life could get back to normal.
* * *
“THEY’RE PLEASED WITH your progress, Gramps.” Sean drove out of the hospital car park, determined that this time he was going to find a moment to bring up the topic of their row. He didn’t know what he was going to say, but maybe they could clear the air a little. “I checked the results myself. You’re a walking miracle. They want to know what your secret is.”
“No secret. All it takes is Snow Crystal air and having your family around you. You were looking better yourself after spending time at home. Now after a week in the city you’re back to wearing the stress along with the suit.”
Sean knew his stress had nothing to do with his week in Boston and everything to do with what had happened the night of the party.
Élise had wanted him to leave, so he’d left. That should have been it. With his grandfather recovering, he’d expected to return to his life in Boston and pick up where he left off.
Instead, he found himself missing certain th
ings. He missed the long days working on the deck. He missed the smell of summer rain on the trees and the slap of water against the deck as he worked. He missed exchanging banter with his brothers.
But most of all he missed her. The smile. The dimple. That mouth.
Shit.
He tightened his grip on the wheel. What the hell was wrong with him?
All right, so it had been good sex, but good sex didn’t usually affect his concentration. And the fact she hadn’t wanted to make any of it personal shouldn’t worry him, either. No one understood that better than him.
“I’m not stressed, Gramps.”
“Of course you are and that’s hardly surprising with the life you lead, cooped up in that box under artificial lights.”
“You mean the operating room?”
“That’s what I mean. Unhealthy. You need air. And people. A job is all well and good but it’s marriage to a good woman that makes a man happy and content.” Walter stared straight ahead. “You should try it.”