Page 61 of Famous for a Living

“The traffic must’ve been brutal,” I say.

What am I doing?

I’m actually joining in this national park drama.

The men turn to me. Seem to notice me for the first time.

The one in the middle drops his arms. Takes me in. “It is, actually. But then, 1,583 square miles of edge-of-your-seat views. What are ya gonna do?”

He shifts his gaze back to Kevin. “How many miles do you all manage again?”

“Three hundred fifty-three,” Kevin replies proudly.

He gets a scowl from Mina and throws out his hands. “What? Even that’s not allowed?”

“Ah.” The Glacier Boy scratches his chin. “We have 1,936 miles total. Shouldn’t be too bad. We may have to add two”—he looks Kevin, Mina, and Jax up and down—“or just one ranger. But that should be doable when we absorb your park.”

“Will you post the job applications on the gov website?” Kevin asks, and this time gets an all-out elbow punch in the stomach.

Laughter ripples around the group, and somebody calls out the Glacier Boy’s name. He lifts a finger as if to say, “Hang on. Just finishing up this very insignificant conversation.”

“Take care of yourselves, kids.”

“Careful now. Don’t slip on a rock,” Mina calls toward his back as he leaves with the other two.

“Now there’s a thoughtful ranger,” he replies with a laugh.

She stands in the middle of the water as they move off, staring at them with her arms crossed over her chest, the water up to her shoulders with her petite frame. A mouse glaring at the cats.

“Soooo,” I say, my voice singsong. “What was that?”

“They think they’re so special just because they have rainbow rocks,” Mina snaps.

“Lake McDonald,” Kevin corrects. “The colors of each rock are actually determined by how much iron is in them, and the oxidization by the air. It’s quite stunning, actually.”

Mina’s brows are nearly touching her eyeballs as she swivels on him. “I’m not trying to compliment them, Kevin.” She punctuates each word so intensely I have to wipe the smile off my face.

“Sorry. It’s just . . . it’s indisputable they have the best natural life.”

“Excuse me,” Mina growls. “They may have more land, but our 353 miles of undisturbed terrain is a freaking masterpiece.”

Kevin withers beneath Mina’s fierce loyalty.

Several seconds go by, and he says, “I’m not saying I prefer their park to ours. I’m just saying it’s—”

“It’s what?” You would think he had just insulted her mother. “More beautiful?” She squints. “More . . . breathtaking? Say it, Kevin. Would you rather be working for them?”

“No. I mean, it’s just . . . more well known. That’s all. Just more well known.”

“And we’re a hidden gem.”

Nobody dares answer her, and for a while we stand with plastered smiles and bobbing nods at the adorable racoon who has bared both teeth and claws.

But then I remember something.

“What was that they were saying about absorbing the park, though?”

“Oh.” Mina waves a hand as if that’s insignificant. “There’s a rumor going around that Kannery will be absorbed into Glacier if we can’t get our visitor numbers up. But it won’t happen.” She sounds so certain.