“I rescheduled them. It wasn’t a problem. We’ve had a death in the family.”
Now Bodine’s aching eyes burned with tears. As she pressed her fingers against them, Jessica turned back, shut the door. “I’m so sorry, Bodine. I didn’t know Billy Jean very well, but I liked her. Let me take some of this off your hands. I know Sal generally picks up your slack when you need it, but … she’s a wreck right now.”
“They were really good friends. I could use your help with a couple things. And I know you’ve got plenty on your hands right now, too.”
“Chelsea’s every bit as good as you and I thought she’d be. Adding her to my team’s freed me up enough I can take some time.”
“I can fill it. First, I’ve written up a statement for the press. I’ve already had to use it twice with reporters who’ve called about what happened. I want to make sure it hits the right notes.”
“I’d be happy to look at it.”
“We need one for guests, too. Those who are here, those who are booked and might contact us about this. I’ve got that drafted up. You didn’t know her very well,” Bodine added, “so you’ll be more objective. I’m not sure I haven’t gone too far toward the brisk and brief because she was my friend and I’m overcompensating.”
“All right.”
“And finally, we need to hold a memorial for her. Here. I spoke with her mother already.” Bodine paused, blew out a breath. “We offered them cabins here, and drivers, whatever they need, but they’re going to stay in Missoula, and they’re going to take her back to Helena, back home, when they can. The memorial will be for all of us, all of us, resort and ranch and anyone around who knew her and wants to come pay respects.”
“Let me take that. I’m not being flippant when I say a memorial’s an event, and events are my area. You just tell me when you want to have it, and where on the property, and I’ll put it together.”
Grateful, Bodine let that weight slide away. “I think it has to be indoors, as we can’t trust the weather. The Mill’s the best place.”
“I agree.” Jessica rose at the knock on the door, opened it. “Thanks, Karleen, that’s just perfect.”
She brought the tray to the desk, set it down. “Eat.”
“Stomach’s in knots.”
“Eat anyway.”
On a weak laugh, Bodine picked up the soupspoon. “You sound like my grammy.”
“A towering compliment. Give me a general idea of what you want, and I’ll work the details.”
Flowers, because Billy Jean had loved them. And country-western music. As she sketched it out, Bodine ate. The soup had been a good choice, as it sort of slid right in and down without much thought.
“I think we’d need to have it open for four or five hours, with someone from the family there. We can work that out,” Bodine said. “But I’d want to give everyone who works here a chance to come in, spend a little time, and there’s no day coming without bookings. I thought about shutting down for a day.”
Jessica, still taking notes, didn’t bother to glance up. “Then you thought about ruining the plans of people who’d not only booked a cabin but maybe airfare, taken off work.”
“It wouldn’t be right. But everyone needs to have the chance to come in. It’d be easier to do at the ranch, but—”
“She was resort family.”
“I can’t get it straight in my head.” Though her throat clogged, Bodine pushed the words through. “I can’t get that this could happen straight in my head. It’s not that we never have trouble. A guest getting a little out of hand or staff getting bitchy with each other or even some tussles at an event. But something like this? I can’t get it straight in my head.”
“Bo? Sorry.” Rory came to the door. “Mom needs a minute if you’ve got it.”
“Sure. I’ll be right there. Jessie, maybe you can just use my desk, go over those statements. That’ll be something done.” Bodine brought them up on the computer, rose. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Jessica took the desk chair, read over the statements. Straightforward, but maybe just a little too brisk, maybe just a little forced.
She shifted to the keyboard, began to type suggestions.
“Bo, I want to…” Already halfway across the office, Chase stopped. “I thought it was Bo.”
“She had to step out a minute.” Jessica rose. “Chase, I’m so sorry.”
“Appreciate it.” He took off his hat, held it in his hands. “I’ll get out of the way, let you eat your lunch.”
“It’s not mine. I had to, apparently, channel Miss Fancy and get Bodine to eat something. She’ll be right back. Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get you some coffee.”
“I’m coffee’d out. Never thought to hear myself say that.” But he did sit, a bit heavily. “Ah, is she holding up all right? Bodine?”
He looked tired, even a little pale, she thought, and realized she’d never seen him look either before. Jessica came around the desk, took the other guest chair. “You look tired—and don’t appreciate me pointing it out. But Bodine looks exhausted.”
“She’ll need to run everything,” he stated. “Plan everything, talk to everybody.”
“She will, and is. Still, I think working is getting her through the first hard shock, but the fact is, everybody’s leaning on her. She looks pale and worn down, and hasn’t had time to grieve herself, or even come to terms.”
He said nothing for a moment, just stared down at his hat.
More than pale and tired, she thought. He looked unspeakably sad. “Have you eaten?”
“What?”
“Apparently I’m pushing the soup today. I can order some for you.”
“No, I…” He simply stared at her for a very long beat. “I’m good. I … I gave Bo a hard time about you.”
“About … me?”
“When she said she was going to ask you to help out with the statements and all that.”
Absorbing that, Jessica pushed at a pin, though it hadn’t been loose, in the smooth coil at the back of her neck. “Because I’m not from here.”
“Not from here, haven’t been here long, and…”
“And?”
“Doesn’t matter. I came to apologize to her. She was hurting, and I could see it, but I took a little swipe anyway. Because I was mad.” He scowled down at his hat again. “Just mad. Still am.”
“Is this how you look mad?”
“Depends.” He glanced up. “On what I’m mad about. Bo thinks you’re the one to go to for this, then I’ve got no reason to say otherwise.”
Jessica nodded, crossed her high-heeled feet at the ankles. “Since you opened the door … What’s your problem with me? We both know you have one.”
“I don’t know. Maybe it just takes me time to get used to people.”
“People like me?”
“People altogether.” He hesitated a moment, then shrugged. “There’s a good reason I work the ranch and Rory works the resort. I’d go crazy dealing with people all damn day.”