Allow me, Haynes said, and opened the door. Phyllis‘s erstwhile champion was hurled through it to the street outside, where he was narrowly avoided by Galen Heideman on his four-wheeler. Galen‘s sharp and succinct comments on this surprise impediment to lawful traffic were clearly audible through the open door. You were saying? Jim said.

Dan was laughing too hard to speak.

By the way, Ned, Haynes said to the young man sprawled in the dirt, you‘re fired. And so are you, Jason, she said as Kate assisted the redhead out the door, too. Haynes turned to run a considering eye over Ned and Jason‘s remaining friends, who divested themselves of their chairs and the café in short order.

Kate looked at Phyllis, who was now sobbing. Kate took a step toward her. Leave me alone! Phyllis said, and fled, the door slamming behind her. Well, then, Laurel, who had come charging out of the kitchen with a sauté pan in one hand and a spatula in the other, said. And who picks up their checks? I do, Haynes said.

Appreciate the help, Kate said.

Haynes shrugged. You didn‘t need much. We don‘t tolerate any bad behavior by our employees anywhere in the Park. Not if we can help it. She smiled again, with more mischief in it this time. Besides, it was fun. Felt like I was Dean Martin backing up John Wayne.

Kate couldn‘t help it, she had to return the smile. Buy you a refill?

Sure.

Haynes paused to hand her mug to Laurel. She collected the two plastic bags full of groceries reposing at the foot of her stool and followed Kate to the booth. Kate looked at the bags. I heard they fed you pretty well out at the mine. Haynes smiled and shrugged. No matter how good it is, camp food gets old after a while. Sometimes you just don‘t want to go to the mess hall. Everybody has food in their rooms.

Kate made introductions, and Haynes sat across from Kate, next to Dan. He was clearly thrilled.

And you‘ll have the kitchen at Auntie Vi‘s when you come to town. At Jim and Dan‘s puzzled looks, Kate said, The Suulutaq Mine just bought Auntie Vi‘s B and B for a flophouse when their employees have to overnight in town.

Haynes grimaced. Flophouse.‘ Ouch. She waited a fraction of a second too long for Kate to retract the term, and looked at Jim to help her out of the awkwardness. Sergeant Chopin? We‘ve met.

He nodded, mopping up salt with the last fry. Your boss introduced us last time I was over to the mine.

Haynes looked at Dan. And you are?

Chief Ranger Dan O‘Brian, National Parks Service, Dan said, and after that little rodeo, yours to command.

Haynes laughed. I appreciate that. Holly Haynes. I work for Vern Truax over at the Suulutaq. Listen, all joking aside, Haynes said to Kate, I‘m sorry about that. We tell our employees at orientation that it‘s one strike you‘re out when it comes to roughhousing the neighbors. She smiled her thanks when Laurel brought over Haynes‘s mug, which she announced as a skinny latte double tall with a shot of hazelnut syrup. She waved away Kate‘s money with a Thanks for the bouncer work.