Fast Burn (Body Armor #4)(106)

“I’ve been meaning to update the website,” he said. “It’s been busy, though. We lost our groundskeeper and housekeeper at the same time.”

“Someone had both positions?”

He smiled with some private amusement. “No. Either position is a full-time job. But without any of us noticing, the two of them fell in love, married and then headed to Florida to retire.”

“Oh.” She expected to find many things at the resort, but love wasn’t on the list. Love wasn’t even in her universe.

Not anymore.

“You said you checked out the map online?”

“Actually, I researched everything I could about the place, including the surrounding grounds, and I’m sure I’d be a good fit for the job.”

When he looked past her, she quickly turned her head to find a woman approaching with a metal coffeepot in one hand, the handles of two mugs hooked through the fingers of the other.

Cooper stood. “Perfect timing, Maris.”

The woman’s smile was easy and friendly. “I was watching.” Long dark blond hair, caught in a high ponytail, swung behind her with every step. Soft brown eyes glanced at Phoenix. “Good morning.”

“Morning.”

“Coffee?” She set one mug in front of Cooper and filled it.

Phoenix nodded. “Yes, please.”

Maris filled the second mug, then dug creamer cups and sugar packets from a sturdy apron pocket, along with a plastic wrapped spoon. “Coop drinks his black, but I wasn’t sure about you.”

Anyone who presented her with coffee on a cool morning instantly earned her admiration. “I can take it any way I get it, but I prefer a little cream and sugar, so thank you.”

Cooper reseated himself. “Maris Kennedy, meet Phoenix Rose. Maris runs the camp store. Phoenix is here about the position for groundskeeper.”

Slim brows went up. “Really? I was assuming housekeeper.”

Cooper’s smile did amazing things to his rugged face, and disastrous things to her concentration.

He explained to Phoenix, “We’ve never had a woman tend the grounds.” Then to Maris, he said, “Ms. Rose used to run her own landscaping company. She’s more than qualified and we’d be lucky to get her.”

Phoenix perked up. Did that mean he’d already made up his mind to hire her?

“Especially now.” Maris leaned a hip against the end of the table. “I don’t know if Coop told you, but we’re starting this season short-handed. We were all taking turns with the grounds and the housekeeping, so everyone will be thrilled to take one thing off their list.”

Still unsure if she had the job or not, Phoenix said, “It’d be my pleasure to make things easier. If I’m hired I can start right away.” She glanced at Cooper and added, “Today even.”

Maris straightened. “Seriously?”

Already feeling a sense of purpose that had been missing for too long from her life, Phoenix nodded. “I’m anxious to get started.”

Cooper put his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “Then consider yourself hired.”