CHAPTER ONE

      GRACE HARPER LOOKED up from the paper-strewn desk as the office door opened, bringing with it a warm breeze blowing in leaves that had yet to be swept away from the outside entrance. A tall man strode to the counter with purpose. He removed his polarized sunglasses, his dark gaze meeting hers as he brushed a stray leaf from his short brown hair.

      “I’m here about the job,” he said, his deep voice succinct and to the point.

      Thank goodness. She’d been back at the Put Your Feet Up vacation and rental business office for only two days. It was Wednesday and already she wanted to pull her hair out. As much as she desperately needed a new outdoor guide—thanks for bailing, Nathan—the idea of holding a job interview on top of straightening up the mess Mama had left behind was enough to give her a pounding headache. Which, she believed, was already knocking at her temples.

      She sent him a pleasant smile. “What would you like to know?”

      He nodded toward the door. “From the help-wanted sign out front advertising for a tour guide, and the fact that you offer outdoor vacations, I’m guessing you’re shorthanded. So what would the job entail?”

      “First, yes, we’re shorthanded. My mother normally handles the office, but she was injured, so I’m filling in temporarily.” She stuck out her hand. “Grace Harper.”

      Strong fingers enveloped hers. “Deke Matthews.”

      “Well, Mr. Matthews, I need someone who can hike, fish, canoe, kayak and zip-line, to start with.” She handed him a brochure. “Our packages are listed here. I also need you to be able to manage a group of people and have first-aid knowledge.”

      He scanned the glossy paper in his hands. “Isn’t it rather late to be hiring a guide with the summer season so close? It’s already the end of May.”

      Biting the inside of her cheek, she wanted to scream, “Yes.” Instead, she answered, “I’m afraid my mother’s accident set us behind and our only other guide has been out of touch.”

      “I suppose you’ll want someone to start right away?”

      “That would be ideal.”

      He folded the brochure and met her gaze with his serious expression. “Then I’d like to apply.”

      “That would be fine, but I’d like to ask you a few questions first. Get an idea if you’re a good match for the job.”

      “Go ahead.”

      “Do you have any experience in specific outdoor activities?”

      “I was a senior counselor at summer camp when I was a teenager.”

      She swallowed in disappointment. “Anything more recent?”

      “I’ve been hiking the Appalachian Trail for the past two weeks.”

      Okay, that was pretty hard-core outdoorsy stuff.

      “Any experience leading tour groups?”

      “No, but I like the outdoors. I think this will be a good fit for me.”

      She didn’t need an employee who thought he was a good fit, she needed someone who knew what he was doing. And who would keep her from traipsing through the woods or venturing out on the lake. She was an attorney, for Pete’s sake. Not a tour guide. Not anymore.

      “Boating experience?”

      “I can row.”

      “CPR?”

      “Card-carrying.”

      She was about to roll her eyes at his direct answers when she saw the very tiniest twinkle of humor in his dark eyes.

      “Did I pass?”

      Honestly, he was the only person to have inquired about the job since she posted the listing, so yeah, he passed. As long as his references checked out.

      “If I think of any other qualifications,” he said, “I’ll add it to the work experience portion of the application.”

      “Right.