Page 41 of Only One Tour Bus

I wouldn’t miss it; this is one of the favorite parts of my job. And yes, I do have a lot of favorite parts of the job. But this, when I talk to individual people and groups and figure out what they would have the most fun seeing, it’s like figuring out a puzzle. And then later tonight or tomorrow morning, when they tell me how perfect that thing I suggested was, and how much fun they had while they show me souvenirs and photos they took, that’s so satisfying.

So I’m a little surprised when Callum walks down the stairs. Looking too appealing in a flannel shirt with the sleeves folded up to show his muscular forearms.

It’s not fair, is all I can say. How can a man who looks that good be so unpleasant when he deigns to have a conversation with you?

“Good morning,” Callum says.

“Hi.”

“I hope you had a good day yesterday.”

“Yeah, it was good. I hope you did, too.”

He grunts, a benign grunt I now know means he’s agreeing with my statement.

“So. What are you doing down here?” I ask.

“You’re working. And this is our tour. So I’m working, too.”

“You don’t have to. It’s technically a free day. I think that means it’s not part of your official duties.”

“I want to.”

He doesn’t look like he wants to. He’s uncomfortable, looking around like he doesn’t know what he should be doing. I help him out because he looks so confused.

“Do you want to get some coffee to prepare for the influx of people? The hotel breakfast is set up over there.”

He nods. “I’ll do that.”

Okay. Whatever, dude.

He’s being very strange today. Unsure. He’s never unsure in his opinions. He’s usually very direct, even when I wish he would be a little less sure, or maybe a little less vocal, about those opinions.

The group starts coming down, with yawns and sleep still lingering in their eyes. Oh guys, we are only on the second city, and this is a marathon, not a sprint.

I ask a few questions and listen as they talk about their likes, dislikes, interests, and priorities. I give suggestions and directions, and soon, the hour I said I would be available is up and the group that came down has dispersed onto their adventures.

Callum spent the time sitting on the couch next to me, watching me work. I saw him talk to a few people who are more history minded and the families when I looked at him occasionally (okay, it was regularly; I regularly sneaked peeks at him) but would get distracted with the questions in front of me for too long an ogle.

“You’re really good at this,” he says.

“Good at what?”

“Suggesting the perfect itinerary for people. When you give tours you have your favorite things that you like talking about.” I narrow my eyes at him and his eyes widen in response. “But this morning, you gave the perfect recommendations for whoever was in front of you. I sometimes only give people where I think they should go and historic suggestions. But you think more about the person.”

I nod to acknowledge the compliments but can’t ignore the criticism. It cuts deeper than it should, when it comes from him. “Again with insulting my touring?”

“No. I’m saying you have an encyclopedic knowledge of history, same as me, and Rob wants you to give more of it during the walking tours.”

I deflate. I know this is something I need to work on, despite how little I like having Callum point it out to me. “Yeah. I don’t want to bore anyone.”

“Some people will be bored. But honestly, it’ll make them think they got their money’s worth out of the tour. If they have too much fun, they’ll feel like they should have learned something and didn’t. Even if they don’t remember anything from the tours, they want to feel like they were taught things. People.” He shrugs, not understanding it but acknowledging it.

“That makes no sense, but I know it’s true. Damn oxymoron. And I am working on it. Are you working on your part?” What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Callum snorts. “I’m trying. Still getting irritated when people ask me about shopping, like there aren’t stores in America. I tried to tell Maria where she could go to find things to waste money on, but she looked so suspicious I suggested she wait for you to be free to give a second opinion.”

“Did you phrase it that way? About the wasting money?” I laugh at the chagrined look on his face. “Well, thanks for the business. And for the record, I overheard your suggestions for the history fans, and I would have really enjoyed the days you plan, history and all. And you’re really good finding stuff for the kiddos. I don’t know where kids would have fun.”