Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Merritt
I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt and breathed in for a three count, then let it out slowly as I stared through the windshield at the gorgeous, rustic structure before me. The glass and wood somehow blended perfectly with the mountainous backdrop, looking like it was meant to be a part of this land from the very beginning.
Although it really was beautiful, the size of Second Hope Lodge was intimidating, and what lay inside had my nerves tangling up my stomach. I hadn’t even made it inside, yet I was already sweating in places that ratcheted up my discomfort ten-fold.
My cellphone buzzed in the cupholder in my center console, giving me a jolt. “Jesus, Merritt, get it together,” I chided as I snatched my phone and clicked the button on the side to bring the screen to life. The text from Tristan that had just come through tugged the corners of my mouth upward.
Tristan : Stop stressing out. You’re gonna nail it. Bringing home pizza from Momma Gianna’s for dinner to celebrate.
My grin widened at his encouragement as my fingers typed out a reply.
Me : Getting a little ahead of yourself, don’t you think?
I had officially been back in Hope Valley for a week and a half. Well, a week and three days, to be exact. And while the foundation of this new life I’d been thrust into was still a little wobbly, it was getting a little more comfortable—a little more solid—every day.
The home inspection with the woman from social services had gone better than I’d hoped, and with my brother currently locked up for child endangerment, I was looking into what it would take to gain full and permanent guardianship of Levi.
Tristan and I were still getting to know each other better, but I felt confident in saying that, while we weren’t full-blown besties or anything, we were at least in the friendship area. He was easy to be around. I noticed that, unlike most people who wouldn’t be able to ignore their instincts to push and prod, he waited with quiet patience for me to be ready. It was certainly unexpected, and I appreciated it more than he could possibly know.
Though he was careful with me, he was lively and loud and full of energy with Levi. He was more intuitive than anyone I’d ever met, knowing exactly how to handle each of us and spreading himself out in a way that made him accessible in any way Levi and I might need.
My phone buzzed with another text.
Tristan : I have no doubts. Now get in there and show them how amazing you are.
There was that intuitiveness at work again. He couldn’t have possibly known how badly I needed a pep-talk in that moment, but he’d been there to give it.
With one last fortifying breath, I stuffed my phone into my purse and shoved out of my car. If I was impressed by the outside of the lodge, it was nothing compared to the beauty inside. Stepping into the lobby took my breath away. The Paulsons—the family who owned and operated the lodge, as well as the ranch it sat on—had managed to blend the perfect amount of rustic western and modern together in a way that totally worked. It felt like walking into John Dutton’s living room on Yellowstone , complete with the cowhides on the floor and the oversized, butter leather furniture.
The woman at the front desk wore her silver hair in a fashionable bob. The lines around her smiling mouth and kind eyes told the story of a life full of happiness and laughter. The nametag pinned to her stylish blouse read Becky .
“Hey there,” she greeted. “Welcome to Second Hope Lodge. What can I help you with, darlin’?”
I clenched my fists to hide the fact they were shaky. “Hi.” The word came out too high-pitched and way too loud. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Hi. I’m Merritt Bell. I’m here for a one o’clock interview with a Ms. Young.”
The woman’s smile brightened. “Sure thing, dear. Why don’t you have a seat? Make yourself comfortable, and she’ll be right with you.”
Her kindness helped to put me at ease. “Thanks so much.”
“No problem. And for the record, you’re gonna love workin’ here. And I’m not just sayin’ that because my family owns this place.”
So Becky was a Paulson. Good to know. “Well, if that’s the case, wish me luck with my interview.”
She held up her hands and crossed her fingers for me.
“Merritt?” I heard a few minutes later, and spun around to see a familiar face descending the grand staircase that led to the second floor.
My eyes widened and my mouth dropped open as I shot to standing. I recognized the woman from the obstetrician’s office where I used to work. It had only been a few months since I last saw her, but with everything that had happened in that short time, it felt like a lifetime had passed. I moved in Ivy Young’s direction, meeting her at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, my gosh!”
She pulled me into a familiar hug, her rounded belly causing her to have to lean into the embrace so she could fully reach.
She pulled back from the embrace and smiled at me, “It’s so good to see you.”
The rest of my nerves melted away. “It’s good to see you too. Wow. Look at you!”
She brought her hands to her stomach. “Yeah, I’ve kind of popped since I last saw you, huh?”
I let out a laugh. “You could say that.” If my calculations were right, she was only around seven months or so, and I couldn’t help but wonder how big the baby growing in her already was.
“Yeah, well, blame Connor,” she grumbled, speaking of the father. “He failed to mention he was a huge-ass baby when he was born.” Well, that explained it. “I’m trying not to think about how big this kid’s head already is, because every time I do, I freak out.”
I reached out and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sure everything is going to be fine. And just think, at the end of this, you’ll get to hold your perfect little bundle in your arms. I doubt you’ll even think about how much he or she weighs then.”
“You’re so right. But enough about that. Why don’t we head upstairs and get this interview started? Though, now that I’ve put a face to the name, I’m confident it’s only a formality at this point.”
She shot me a quick wink before starting back up the stairs, and a rush of excitement filled my chest.
It took everything in me to maintain a modicum of professionalism as I walked out of the lodge and to my car. I barely managed to yank the door open and close myself inside before the excitement exploded out of me in an ear-piercing shriek.
I got the job.
I got the job !
Some people might have thought it was ridiculous to be so excited over a job in housekeeping, where I’d be cleaning guest rooms and cabins, but I didn’t care. I felt a sense of accomplishment I desperately want to share with someone.
I rummaged through my purse until I unearthed my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I got to the one I wanted. It rang twice before the person on the other end answered.
“Hey, honey. What’s up?” Blythe greeted.
“Hey. What are you up to right now?”
“I was just about to start a load of laundry,” she said, and I felt myself start to deflate before she added, “but if you have something better in mind, count me in. And I hate laundry so much, I’d consider a visit to my gynecologist better, so you won’t have to work too hard to convince me.”
I let out a laugh, my chest feeling lighter than it had in a really, really long time. I’d enjoyed my job at the doctor’s office because it provided an escape from the nightmare I was stuck in at home. But a dark, ominous shadow always hung over my time there, reminding me that my escape was only temporary.
But this was different. There was nothing to escape from this time around. No cloud blocked out the light of what I’d achieved today.
“Well, I had a job interview today for a housekeeping position at Second Hope Lodge.” She sucked in a breath, and I could practically feel the anticipation pouring off of her through the speaker. “And I got it!” I yelped.
Blythe let out a loud, whooping cheer. “Oh, my God. Merritt, that’s incredible! I’m so happy for you.”
Her excitement on my behalf made my eyes begin to sting, but I managed to keep the happy tears at bay. “Thanks.” I chewed on my bottom lip as I battled a sudden wave of nerves in order to get out what I wanted to say next. “I was calling to see if maybe you wanted to meet for coffee to celebrate with me?”
“Are you kidding? Of course I would! I need to change out of my ratty house clothes. What do you say we meet at Muffin Top in about an hour?”
My smile was so big my cheeks started to ache. “That sounds wonderful.”