“Breanna is filling in for you. It’ll be a mess when you return.”
“I’m sorry.” Because what else could she say?
“You’ll be back at work in a week. The management training seminar starts the next day. I’ve registered you for it.”
Presley sucked in a breath even as Jill sat next to her, aGET LOSTmug in her hands. “You did? Thank you. That’s fantastic.”
“You miss it, you lose out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They hung up and Presley realized the only thanks had come from her. She looked at Jill. “Other than dinner, I don’t think I’ve seen you sit down.”
Jill smiled. “I have to make myself.”
“These moments must be nice,” Presley said, setting her phone beside her. Booking reservations for one of her favorite couples wouldn’t take long. She had long-standing relationships with several of the chefs and shop owners in the hotel’s neighborhood. “When people are content and doing their own thing.”
“They’re perfect. We’ve spent so much time just trying to keep up that we, especially my brothers, never get a moment to sit and appreciate it.”
“Are you happy to be here?”
Jill didn’t answer right away. “I am. It’s not where I thought I’d be. Professionally or personally.”
Presley could certainly relate to that.
“I feel out of my element,” Jill continued. “That can be overwhelming, but I love it when I’m here.”
Jill’s gaze was soft as she looked out at the grounds, and Presley was surprised by how much she connected with Jill’s thoughts and words. There was a lot to love about the place.
“Do you live in Smile when you’re not here?”
Jill took a sip of her drink. “I’m on leave from my job. Have been for a while. I’m living in my parents’ place. Originally, I was going to get Ollie settled and then find a place. But they decided to travel, Gray got this place, and, well, she loves it. She thinks she’s one of the managers.” She laughed, and when she spoke of her daughter, everything about her relaxed.
“She could grow up to be a great one,” Presley remarked, leaning back on her hands.
“Maybe then she can tell me how to make more money come in than out.” Jill winced. “Sorry. You’re too easy to talk to. That wasn’t very professional.”
Presley went with her gut, which had definitely led her wrong more than once. But not enough so that she was ready to stop trying.
“If you don’t mind my overstepping, there are ways to simplify. You guys just need a solid chunk of time to wrap your head around it.”
Jill looked her way. Her blue gaze was shadowed with fatigue. “What do you mean?”
Birds sang out from the trees. Presley figured her opinion could easily be ignored, so she didn’t mind giving it. “You have an eclectic group of people here. Who do youwantto cater to? What clientele do you want? If you’re happy with the wide variety, rather than say, people solely interested in fishing, then you move to the next step. What do those people need when they’re here? What’s the best way to easily meet everyone’s needs?”
“You make it sound easy.”
Smiling, Presley shook her head. “Not at all. But there are some shortcuts and hacks I’ve learned in the last few years that take the pressure off of the host and put it on the guest to choose what they want, to help them be responsible for their own time. Also, I can help you with Facebook ads and such. If you want. I’m pretty good with marketing.”
Jilly nudged her and Presley’s chest grew warm. Other than Rylee, she didn’t have a lot of friends.
“I’ll say. You put us on the map with a post. I just got a booking for this afternoon from some women who want to meet Hot Mountain Man.”
Presley had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. It had funny elements, but not always when real people were involved.
Laughter came from down by the lake. Ollie and Grayson had their pants rolled to their knees, headed toward the group on the lawn.
“She’s a great kid.” Presley had thought she was headed inthatdirection, too. Looking at Grayson with his niece, the way he put a hand on her hair to ruffle it and teasingly ran from her when she swatted him for it, reminded her Emmett had always had this little edge to his tone when he said the word “kids.” Why had she let herself be so blinded?
