“If it’s cold, will they still go out on the ATVs?” Max asked.
“It’ll be up to our guests. We do have coveralls we use during the winter for our snowmobile rides. We can still do ATV rides when it’s cold as long as everyone wears the coveralls.”
“You know I trained in mountaineering. We’re familiar with snowmobiles and ATVs getting around in the mountains. And also, I’m also experienced in rappelling and actual mountain climbing,” Max said. “Not that I do too much of that anymore.” He touched his leg.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Gunny said. “I don’t want to abuse the Brotherhood Protectors’ offer to help, but it sure will be nice that you guys are here and that, if you’re not busy, you could help.”
Max grinned. “It’s a good thing the renovations are nearing a close. It’s looking pretty good in the basement of the lodge.”
Gunny nodded. “I was surprised at how modern and up to date all the equipment is down there and yet how rustic the décor is. I heard Kujo and Jake talking about the design before Kujo headed back to Montana and his pregnant wife.”
“Hank Patterson wanted to make sure that, if things didn’t work out with an office for the Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado, that he left you with something you could use. A pristine white basement wasn’t in keeping with Lost Valley Ranch’s Old West theme.”
Gunny nodded. “And I appreciate that, although any improvement would be better than what was there before. Nothing but the best for Hank Patterson. Business must be good up there in Montana. I’ve heard only good things about the Brotherhood Protectors and what they’re doing for people who need help.”
Max nodded. He’d checked into Hank’s organization before agreeing to come on board. “I’m looking forward to my first assignment, and I hope that I can do the Brotherhood proud.”
“I’m sure you will. Looks to me like Hank Patterson’s got an eye for good people. We were sure glad to get Jake here. If it weren’t for him, our RJ wouldn’t be with us anymore.”
At that moment, RJ pushed the swinging door into the kitchen. “We could use some food for these hungry folks.” She spied the plates and grinned. “Oh, good. The sandwiches are ready.” She loaded them onto a large round tray and looked at Max and Gunny, her eyes narrowing. “What are you two talking about.”
Max let Gunny answer.
“Nothing but a pretty big gig coming this weekend.” Gunny didn’t look up as he spoke.
About to turn with the tray in her arms, RJ froze, her eyes widening. “What did you say?”
“We got a big gig for this weekend.” This time, Gunny looked up, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Gig? We’re not a rock band.” She glared at her father. “Explain.”
“Gonna fill the rooms, throw a big party and entertain a pile of people Thursday to Sunday when they check out.”
“You’re kidding, right?” She shifted the weight of the tray in her arms. “Is that why you had me get all those supplies?”
Gunny nodded. “They faxed over a contract today while you were down in Colorado Springs picking up all those supplies.”
“Wasn’t that putting the cart before the horse?” RJ asked.
“I already had the check. I just didn’t want to say anything until I had the contract in hand, but now that I do, you’ve already purchased all the supplies.”
“Holy hell, Gunny.” RJ rolled her eyes. “Who are we hosting?”
“We have a politician’s campaign staff showing up this weekend for a retreat and a public barbecue to introduce the candidate to the locals and give them a chance to shake and grin.”
RJ plunked the heavy tray of food down on the counter. “We’re doing what this weekend?”
“I know it’s short notice,” Gunny said. “But with it being so late in the season, we only had two reservations for lodging this weekend, and I thought, what the hell? We can do this.”
“Why the heck didn’t you tell me earlier?” RJ threw her hands in the air. “Like before I went to get all the supplies?”
Max almost laughed at how worked up RJ was and how calm Gunny remained.
The old Marine went back to making sandwiches, his focus on his hands, not his daughter’s wrath. “I didn’t want you to get all anxious and riled before you drove into Colorado Springs.”
RJ spun away from the tray, walked a few steps and spun back. “Are you kidding me? We only have a couple days to pull this thing together.”
Gunny grimaced. “Uh, actually, we have until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” RJ’s eyes widened. “Tomorrow! They’re getting here tomorrow?” She turned, paced away and returned. “How are we supposed to get ready for all that by tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry about it. There’s only gonna be two for tomorrow. The candidate and his executive officer are coming in early.”
“Again, how are we supposed to get everything ready by tomorrow even if it’s just two of them?”
“Two people won’t be a big deal,” Gunny assured her. “We have enough rooms empty, and they’re all clean. We’re only providing breakfast. They’ll take care of themselves for lunch and dinner. They want to scout out what’s available in Fool’s Gold, and they want to check out the casino.” Gunny nodded toward the tray of food. “You need to get that food out to those people. There’s some hungry guys out there.”
RJ planted her fists on her hips. “As far as I’m concerned, we should shut down the Watering Hole for the rest of the day.”
Gunny shook his head. “I’m not going to do that. We’ll be fine. We have everything ready as we do every day of the week.”
“We haven’t used the conference room in a month. It probably has a layer of dust and needs to have tables and chairs set out to accommodate whatever the guests might need. And a public barbecue will take a lot more planning than just a few days. I don’t think we bought nearly enough food to feed who
