Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(43)

She looked exhausted, Shelby thought, not wanting to mention that. There were dark circles under her eyes and her skin was pale. She knew better than to ask about sleep. Kipling had already told her that Tonya woke up every night. On the bright side, she ate, went to the bathroom, then fell back asleep. Still, the schedule had to be grueling.

“You doing okay?” Shelby asked.

Destiny opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m so tired I can’t think. My body still feels like it’s owned by aliens and I can’t imagine life ever returning to normal, but I’m okay. Better than okay. She’s amazing. I love her.”

Her smile turned rueful. “Whatever they tell you about breastfeeding is a crock, though. It’s uncomfortable and weird. I know, I know, it’s how mammals do it, but still. Strange. Grandma Nell would tell me to get over it, so that’s what I tell myself.”

“Is it helping?”

“Some.” She rolled her eyes. “My manager’s already asking when Starr and I can go on tour. I remind him I have a newborn, but he’s a man and not the least bit impressed.”

“You finished the album, right?”

“Yes. It’s going to be released in a couple of months.”

Destiny and Starr shared a famous country singer father. The half sisters had written several songs together and recorded an album.

“You were going to tour later in the summer?” she asked.

“That was the plan,” Destiny admitted. “Kipling will be crazy busy with work, so Starr and I were going to take the baby with us, along with a nanny. It’s only a few dates and we’d have a big RV we’d call home. So Tonya can have familiar surroundings. It all seemed so reasonable, but now I don’t know.”

“When do you have to decide?”

“Not for another month. I want to say no, but Starr would be so disappointed.”

Shelby knew that was true. The teen was wildly excited about the album’s debut. “Speaking of Starr, her birthday’s coming up. I’m happy to help plan the party. You’ve got a lot going on.”

Destiny rubbed her face. “Thanks. I think Kipling and I have it covered. We still have time.”

Not that much, Shelby thought, but didn’t push. “I’m here,” she repeated. “Just let me know. And speaking of informing people, I’m giving you a heads-up about my April Fool’s prank with Aidan. We took out a full-page wedding announcement in the paper.”

Destiny looked confused. “You got married?”

“No. It’s a joke.” Shelby waited, but Destiny only stared at her. “Because people think we’re a couple?”

“But you are.”

“We’re not. We’re friends.”

“So you took out an ad saying you’re married?”

Shelby nodded. “It’s funny.”

“If you say so.” Destiny sounded doubtful. “I guess I’m too tired to get it. I hope you have fun with it.”

“We will.”

*

AIDAN MOVED THE cursor through the spreadsheet. Creating the summer schedule was always a balancing act. There were activities that were easy sales and others that required a more specific group. Festival weekends always booked up quickly, but for the rest of the time, he had to be more flexible. Figuring out what he would be offering when meant making sure he had both equipment and personnel.

Over the last three years he’d worked with the university, offering part-time positions for students staying in town for summer school. One of the dorms remained open, giving the students a relatively inexpensive place to stay. Parents could relax, knowing their kids were safe, and the students had a fun, outdoor job.

Several of the local ski instructors also worked for him in the summer months. They knew the mountain and were interested in more extreme sports. They also appreciated knowing there was a year-round income stream. That made it easier for them to rent apartments and share houses.

Aidan had enough returning summer staff to take care of about seventy percent of his needs. Which meant training the other thirty percent of the people he would hire.

He chuckled as he imagined what Coach McGarry’s new football recruits would think about escorting twelve senior citizens on a bird-watching hike. But all new hires started with walking tours.

“It’s good to see a man who loves his work,” Nick said as he walked into Aidan’s office. “What’s so funny?”

“A bunch of Coach McGarry’s freshman football recruits have applied to work here for the summer. Jack and I worked out a schedule that gives them plenty of time to work and practice.”

“It also keeps them tired enough to stay out of trouble,” Nick said as he crouched down to greet Charlie. The bichon wagged his tail and licked Nick’s hand, then settled back on his bed in the corner of the office.

“Unless you come to me with a special set of skills, I start all new hires out on the walking tours.”

Nick settled in the chair on the other side of the desk. “Football jocks escorting old ladies out to pick wildflowers.”

“Something like that.” Aidan saved his data, then closed the program. He turned to face his brother. “What brings you here?”

Nick hesitated just long enough to let him know something was going on.