Two
Natalia
“Oh, Danielle, this looks amazing.”
My colleague and dear friend beamed at me. “You really think so?”
As my eyes scanned the space, taking in all the work that had already been done, I nodded. “Absolutely. You know, sometimes, I’m a bit jealous that this isn’t in my job description.”
Laughter spilled out of her. “And when has that ever stopped you from stepping in before?”
“That’s fair,” I said with a shrug, recalling the many times I’d jumped in to help or put in time after hours just to take part in the fun. There was little I wasn’t willing to do here, whether or not any of it was part of my actual duties.
Danielle and I were standing in the main lodge of the Sandstone Heart Wilderness and Wellness Retreat, where, just a few days past Halloween, my friend was redecorating.
The shift was minimal, some decorations that had been up throughout October—like pumpkins and fall leaves—able to remain.
But where skeletons, spiderwebs, and ghouls had stolen the show then, they’d been replaced by cornucopias, turkey feathers, and apples.
When I considered all that went into the day-to-day operations at Sandstone Heart, making sure our décor kept up with the changing seasons and passing holidays was minor in comparison.
But it was one of the things I loved most about this place.
Those decorations were a small reminder that time kept ticking, and something better was always waiting around the next corner.
As the program manager, Danielle was the lucky woman who got to take on the task of preparing for each shift in décor.
Sure, she had far greater responsibilities in her role—developing, implementing, and managing the programs and activities for our guests—but I envied her being able to do this.
I thought this part of her job was the most fun.
“I’ll be working on the outdoor décor for the cabins throughout the week, if you want to join me,” she offered. “Since I’ve got quite a few other things to take care of during the day, I might shuffle those to after hours. I could use an extra set of hands.”
I beamed at her. “Like I’d ever turn that down. I’m beginning to think you love me, Danielle.”
Her smile matched mine. “You know I do. And as soon as it’s time to decorate for Christmas, I’ll be sure to be too busy during the day with other tasks that I’ll have to wait until you can join me to put up all the trees and garland and lights.”
If there was one thing I never hid, it was my love of the late fall and early winter season. Maybe it was that everyone’s spirits were so elevated, it was difficult not to enjoy it. “You’re the best.”
“What can I say?” She batted her eyelashes. “So, what’s on your agenda today? I’m surprised you had a moment to stop in to check this out this morning.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could respond, my phone rang. The air left my lungs. “Hang on.”
Pulling out my phone, I noted the caller and said, “It’s Barrett.”
Danielle’s eyes flared. “Oh, I wonder how Sylvia’s doing.”
I answered the call. “Hello?”
“Natalia, it’s Barrett.”
“Yes. How are you, sir?”
“I’m alright. I know you’re probably already juggling a full schedule, but would you happen to have a few minutes to meet in my office?”
Receiving a call from Barrett requesting an impromptu meeting in his office wasn’t uncommon.
And considering all that had happened with his wife just over a week ago, how it had pulled him away from the retreat, I didn’t doubt he had things he wanted to discuss or be brought up to speed on.
“Sure. I’m over at the lodge now, but I can head over to your office right away.
Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be right there. ”
“Thanks, Natalia.”
“Of course.”
I disconnected the call and returned my attention to Danielle. “I’ve got to go. Let me know when and where you’re starting on the decorations, and I’ll be there.”
“Will do. Talk to you later, Nat.”
Minutes later, I’d made my way from the main lodge and over to the building that housed not only Barrett Erickson’s office but my own as well.
Though there were still a few warm days scattered throughout, the weather had started to turn chilly.
I preferred it that way, and surrounded by so many trees, we’d just passed the peak of fall foliage season here.
It offered such a gorgeous backdrop to a place I already loved for a whole host of other reasons.
As I made my way from the main lodge, I scanned the grounds for those last bits of fall color in the scenery. Numerous buildings and cabins dotted the landscape, with the hiking trails weaving their way through the trees. And the pond near one cluster of cabins glimmered in the morning sunlight.
That pond was one of my favorite places here. Then again, it wasn’t as though there was much that I didn’t like about Sandstone Heart. Even entering the office building where my own office and Barrett’s were made me smile.
I’d debated stopping in my office on the way to his so that I could get his approval and signature on a few things I hadn’t been able to over the last week, but I figured it was best not to delay my arrival any longer.
Knocking on Barrett’s door, I waited half a beat before he urged me to come inside. Without thinking twice about it, I walked in and started speaking before my eyes even met his. “Hi, Barrett. How are you?”
“I’m alright.”
I came to a stop just in front of his desk. “And Sylvia? She’s doing better, right? I can only assume that’s why you’re here now.”
His chin dipped slightly. “Better than she was just a week ago, but she’s got a long road ahead of her. And that’s kind of the reason I’m here now. I wanted to discuss one major change that’s going to take place here over the next few months.”
I blinked in surprise. Not because I didn’t think Barrett would need to make some adjustments with what his wife needed right now, but because he wanted to talk to me about those adjustments.
Of course, I’d always do whatever I could to go above and beyond for Barrett and the rest of the staff here.
Maybe he realized he could count on me to pick up the slack.
“Of course. Whatever you need, I’m happy to help. ”
The corners of his mouth curved up slightly. “I’m glad to hear that. Now, before we get into it, I think it’d be best to start off with introductions.”
He lifted his hand out to the side as my brows pulled together. “Introductions?”
The single word came out as a mere murmur—more to myself—as I whirled around and Barrett said, “Natalia, I’d like you to meet my son?—”
“Reid.” The breath rushed out of my lungs with that single word, like this was a moment I’d been waiting ages to have.
The man I hadn’t realized was in the room with us had been standing off to the side when I strode in.
I moved in his direction with my hand extended and a bright smile on my face as I tipped my head back to look him in the eyes.
“It’s so lovely to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Natalia. Natalia Barton.”
Reid jerked his head back slightly, and if I didn’t know better, I might’ve thought he sneered at me as he engulfed my hand in his and shook it. But this was Barrett’s son, so I knew I must have imagined it.
My eyes darted between the father and son, belatedly noticing just how similar they looked.
Except for his eyes, which I now knew he got from his mother, Reid was the younger, slightly more muscular version of his father.
He had dark hair, hazel eyes, and a firm grip.
His body was fit, and he towered over me by at least half a foot.
Reid quickly released my hand, and his father spoke. “Yes, this is my son, Reid. I guess it’s a little strange that you’ve been here for so long, Natalia, and this is the first you two are meeting one another.”
“Well, like I said, it’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
The man beside me remained silent, barely offering a slight dip of his chin. I might’ve taken the opportunity to ask a question just to hear him speak, but Barrett’s voice pulled my attention away from his son.
“As I mentioned, I’m making some changes, and this is the biggest of them,” he started. “With what happened to Sylvia, I need to spend more time at home to help with her recovery. As a result, Reid is going to be stepping in to fill my role here for at least the next six months.”
I pressed my palm to my chest, feeling such relief. Barrett had been an absolute mess when Sylvia wound up in the hospital. It had left me wondering how he planned to work, because I didn’t think he’d be anywhere near as productive as he typically was.
“That’s great news. Is there… Is there anything I can do to help?”
Barrett sent me an appreciative smile. “That’s precisely why I called you.
” He shifted his attention to his son. “Next to me, there’s nobody here who knows the ins and outs of this business the way Natalia does.
I’m going to do my best to go over everything you’ll need to know before I take off for the day, but if you have any questions about anything, Natalia should be able to answer them. ”
“Absolutely,” I chimed in, feeling such pride at the words Barrett had just shared. “I’m more than happy to assist in any way I can. I’m always finding extra things to do around here anyway, so please don’t think you’ll be burdening me.”
Reid remained silent, and I wondered if perhaps he was just a quiet guy. Barrett wasn’t nearly as outspoken or extroverted as I was, but he still held meaningful conversations. He didn’t merely stare when someone spoke to him.
“Natalia is already fulfilling two roles here. She’s acting as the general manager and the executive director,” Barrett shared.
“As executive director, she provides vision and leadership for the retreat. And as general manager, she’s overseeing all aspects of our operations, including staff management, guest satisfaction, and financial performance. ”