Page 88 of Mountain Dreams

“Before summertime, which means my cabin will be vacant for anyone who’s interested.” With eyebrows raised, Avery looked at Maddie and Dakota.

There was a time when Maddie would have been interested, but that was before she and Cody had become so close. Now she couldn’t imagine leaving this house, even if it was just to move down the street. She wondered how he’d feel about it and made a mental note to ask him.

“Why are you looking at me?” Dakota said to Avery.

“I was supposed to wait for Jax before I ask you this…”

“I’m dying of curiosity. Ask me what?”

Avery was wringing her hands, something Maddie had seen her do whenever she was nervous or upset. Maddie was curious too and leaned forward.

“We wanted to ask you to move back to the ridge for the summer.”

Dakota’s mouth dropped open, and a cracker crumb fell out. She didn’t even notice, but Maddie watched where it landed so she could pick it up later. “Why would I want to do that?”

“We have a job proposition for you,” Avery said.

“I already have a job in Knoxville.”

“Not during the summer.”

Dakota was an elementary school teacher who lived in an apartment that she and Avery had shared before Avery had moved to the ridge. According to Cody, Dakota was happier living and working in the city than remaining at the resort with her brothers. Cody hadn’t implicitly said so, but Maddie had gathered it was partly due to their parents’ untimely death. Since then, Dakota hadn’t viewed the resort as home, though she came back periodically to visit.

“What does Jax expect me to do, build cabins?” Dakota scoffed.

“Of course not. He knows you’re not a fan of physical labor,” Avery teased, attempting to lighten the mood.

Maddie watched their interaction with fascination. While Dakota was generally good-natured, she was also strong-willed and a force to be reckoned with.

“What, then?” Dakota implored.

“We want to offer summer activities for the kids at the resort. Specifically, the kids of parents who work here.”

Dakota perked up a bit. “What kind of activities?”

“Arts and crafts, games, a book club, or whatever you come up with. You’d have full rein.”

Dakota’s eyes lit up, and the entire room seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Really? You mean my big brother wouldn’t be bossing me around?”

Avery smiled, her relief evident. “No. I made him promise.”

“What’d you have to do? Never mind. I don’t want to know!”

They all laughed, and Maddie sat back and took a long drink of beer. She hadn’t expected girls’ night to be this entertaining, and she was truly enjoying herself.

“Jax took a survey, and a lot of employees said they would love to have their kids come to work with them during the summer so they don’t have to pay a sitter. But don’t worry, Jax would still pay you.”

Dakota flapped her hand. “I don’t need the money, but I’ll work something out with him.”

“So, you’ll do it?” Avery asked, her eyes bulging.

“I’ll think about it,” Dakota said.

She was smiling and had a dreamy look in her eyes, which made Maddie think she’d probably say yes. Cody had mentioned how much Dakota loved being a teacher and working at the resort would be an extension of that. Plus, it would bring the Sawyer siblings back together again, and that seemed like the biggest bonus of all, at least to Maddie. From the looks of it, Avery agreed.

“Great! I’ll tell Jax, and then you two can work out the details.”

“I’ll get to stay in Sweet Dreams, right?”