Chapter 5
Chapter five
Liam
Hamlet glared at me from the passenger seat for the whole drive.
He’d occasionally sniff around the vehicle after using the portable litter box on the floor of the backseat, but the familiar surroundings bored him quickly.
Then, it was back to his disapproving stare.
We’ve done enough of these road trips, though, that I’m immune to his expressions of displeasure.
As I pull up to the address Angie supplied, I’m shocked to find not one but many cabins in two rows. “What in the . . . ?” I wonder aloud, drawing Hamlet’s attention. He perks up and props two paws on the window to investigate.
I open Angie’s email about housing to read the entire thing.
When she initially sent it, I simply copied the address into the Yukon’s GPS.
Angie did spell out the fact that this is a tiny cabin on a campground with multiple units rented by tourists during the summer float season.
There’s a note that she requested the largest unit, along with the cabin number and instructions to find the key under the doormat upon arrival.
Small towns. Of course, the key is under the mat, available to anyone.
Closing my eyes, I blow out a calculated breath. You can do this, Liam. You’re going to fix this as quickly as possible, and then you’re going to get out.
My cabin number is easy to find, considering it’s the only one with the porch light turned on.
Parking in the designated spot to the side of the cabin, I step out of my car and stretch.
As I do so, I notice a soft glow of light inside the cabin directly across from mine.
When my gaze catches on the small front window, a shadow ducks out of sight.
The rest of the cabins appear empty, which makes sense for the beginning of March. Even in the milder climate of the South, it’s not exactly river tourism season. At least, I wouldn’t want to live next to any tourists crazy enough to float the river at this time of year.
I hear an irritated meow from Hamlet and turn to see him glaring at me from the driver’s seat. Scooping him into my arms, I say, “Let’s check out the new digs. Don’t expect to be impressed.”
Unlocking the cabin, I push the door open and peruse the space.
It’s all open concept with a small kitchenette and a bathroom door along one wall and a full-sized bed at the back of the room.
The whitewashed walls are accentuated by a black metal spiral staircase that leads to a loft overhead.
I assume there’s another bed or two up there that could house kids if a family was staying here.
The interior is clean and modern—not what I was expecting from a river cabin in small-town Arkansas.
Hamlet breaks out of my arms and begins a thorough sniffing of our new temporary home.
He meows and looks over at me pointedly.
Shrugging my shoulders, I admit, “You’re right.
It’s not so bad.” He continues his inspection of every square inch while I read the welcome card with notes about amenities left on the counter.
On the plus side, there’s Wi-Fi at the cabin.
On the negative side, I’ll have to use the laundromat in town since there’s no washer and dryer.
What are the odds of them having a decent dry cleaner here? I wonder.
I make quick work of hauling my suitcases and garment bags in from the SUV before locking it behind me. Maybe the cabin owners feel secure leaving their property unlocked, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to.
Unpacking doesn’t take long, although I have to carry some of my suits to the loft since the hanging rod by the main bed isn’t very large. I pour some food and water into Hamlet’s dishes before setting up a small litter box in the bathroom.
Although I’m exhausted from a full day of travel, I’m also wide awake.
Taking a seat at the small dining table, I pull out my notes on the factory, reviewing the list of key employees I’ll prioritize speaking with after an all-hands meeting Monday morning.
The faster I can assess the current state of the plant, the faster I can figure out how to fix it.
And the sooner it’s fixed, the sooner I get the heck out of Arkansas.
I wake early after a solid first night’s sleep at the cabin.
I have to admit—the bed was far more comfortable than I'd expected. The modern furnishings appear to have been upgraded fairly recently, so I can’t really complain about this living situation.
Hamlet is going to get incredibly bored being cooped up in such a small space, but he’ll have to deal with it since he’s a strictly indoor cat.
Never, ever would I recover if he got lost outdoors and something happened to him.
Looking at my surroundings on the phone map, I scout a running route. After downing a glass of water and refreshing Hamlet’s water dish, I put in earbuds and head out the door, tucking the key into the pocket of my joggers.
Thirty minutes later, I slow to a jog as I reenter the cabin grounds.
There’s certainly something to be said for beginning the morning with a quiet run through the trees along a riverbank.
Far more relaxing than dodging countless other runners on city sidewalks.
I’m walking slow circles in front of my cabin to cool down when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
Removing my earbuds, I turn to see a petite woman marching toward me.
Her long, brown ponytail swishes back and forth behind her as she approaches, a determined expression on her face.
She stops in front of me, the top of her head just reaching my chin.
Tilting her head back to meet my eyes, she holds out a hand.
“Hi, I’m Madison Wheeler,” she states. “I figured if we’re going to be living a few yards away from each other for the foreseeable future, I may as well introduce myself right away.”
I meet her outstretched hand with mine and say, “Liam Park. Nice to meet you, Madison.” As our hands drop from the handshake, I can’t help but run my eyes over Madison in a quick but thorough appraisal.
She can’t be more than 5’3” since I’m only 6’0”, but she carries herself with the presence of a 5’10” woman wearing four-inch heels.
The flecks of honey-gold in her light brown eyes seem charged with energy as she tilts her chin up.
“So, you’re the corporate know-it-all the bigwigs sent to fix up the pet food factory, huh?” Madison says as her eyes run a similar assessment over my physical stature. My lips twitch in a half-smile at her straightforward comment.
I play along. “Corporate know-it-all, at your service. And what exactly is the story of why you’re staying in a tiny cabin for the foreseeable future? Glamping addict? Social recluse? Leader of the tiny house movement out to show the rest of us the error of our materialistic ways?”
She rolls her eyes in a way that indicates she’s not offended—she’s stepping up to the verbal challenge. My smirk grows, and I crack my neck as she inhales oxygen to fuel her response.
“While I am a huge proponent of minimalistic living, I’m also a realist when it comes to modern necessities.” After scanning me head to toe once more, she adds, “Although, I have a feeling I’ll have some thoughts to share about the number of suits you own.”
I lick my lips and tilt my head to one side. “I’m wearing athletic clothes. How could you possibly make that kind of assumption?” I make a mental note to move more of my suits up to the loft in case she ever comes inside my cabin.
Madison motions toward my face. “It’s the haircut. And your whole vibe.” The corners of her lips turn up slightly as she teases, “Along with the fact that you’re a corporate business guy currently wearing luxury workout gear.”
I hide the fact that I’m impressed by her perceptive assessment. “Maybe I simply appreciate quality over quantity.”
She arches one of her striking eyebrows, holding my stare. My smirk turns into a reluctant smile. “And maybe I like suits.”
Madison snaps her fingers and points at me with a sly smile of her own. I turn the conversation back around. “You never answered the question though. Why are you living in a tiny cabin?”
The light in her gold-flecked eyes dims the slightest bit. “I’m afraid I’m a total cliché,” she answers on a sigh. “I’m here to rediscover myself, or whatever dramatic phrase they’re calling it these days when your world falls apart and you’re forced to reassess the meaning of life.”
My expression softens in proportion to the dimmer switch in her eyes. “I’m sorry things fell apart.” She shrugs and looks away. I stoke the fire back into her spirit. “Not sure exactly why you chose backwoods Arkansas to do your self-rediscovery, but to each her own, I suppose.”
Her eyes flash back to mine, gold flecks rejuvenated.
“I’ll have you know that Noel is a very special town.
” Now I quirk an eyebrow at her, and she takes a small step closer.
“My best friend saved this town from extinction and fell in love with the people here in the process. By proxy, I love them too. So watch yourself, Mr. Exec.”
I close the space between us with my own small step forward, forcing her to tilt her head back further in order to maintain that fiery eye contact. “I’d argue that Pure Fur All saved this town from extinction. But you’re entitled to your opinion.”
Madison narrows her eyes and tsks. “You have so much to learn about Noel. I’m kinda excited that I get a front row seat to your education.
” The smile lines at the corners of her eyes crinkle as she gives a warm smile tinged with a drop of evil grin.
“It was nice to meet you, Liam. I’m sure I’ll see you around. ”
As she whirls around to walk back to her cabin, I call out after her. “Good luck with the journey of self-discovery.”
She waves a hand in the air without looking back. I may be salty about being back in Arkansas, but at least I have someone to make my time here interesting.