Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
MILLIE
B y the time the sun starts filtering through the large window in my room the next morning, I’ve worked myself into a panic over the turn of events from yesterday. I’m desperate to get to work and figure out what the heck I’ve gotten myself into. When Huey mentioned the prospect of a job, I couldn’t really see a reason to say no. After the last few months of hell, I’m determined to be more outgoing, and saying yes to this job seemed like a good first step.
And after the meeting with Brian I felt excited, almost like I’d been given a second chance after losing so much of myself in my marriage over the last decade. Huey insisted on helping me get the single bag that we’d managed to rescue from my mangled car up to my room and made sure I had everything I needed, including a new phone charger, before heading back to his farm.
But as I spent hours tossing and turning last night, I felt my panic rise as it edged closer to sunrise. On top of that, the longer I laid there, the more my muscles started to ache after my run-in with the tree yesterday.
What the hell made me think I could do this? I haven’t worked in years, and while I didn’t lie when I told Brian that I have event planning experience, it’s not like I did it for a job. What if he decides I’m not qualified and kicks me out? I don’t have anywhere to go…
Finally, around six I push out of bed and look for something to distract me from my thoughts. Thankfully, my phone starts to ping, and I’m forced to abandon the anxiety spiral I’m feeling. I look down, seeing my sister’s response to the text I sent her last night after my phone came back on.
Me: So first of all, I’m okay. Long story short, a deer decided to attack my car in the middle of a freak snowstorm as I was coming though Alabama. So, I’ll be stranded here for a while. I’m in a little town called Springside. I’ll explain more when we talk, but I’m safe.
Lizzie: WHAT THE HELL MILLIE?! ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE OKAY?!
Lizzie: You can’t just send me messages like this and expect me to be okay not getting the full story.
Lizzie: Where are you staying? What are you going to do while you’re there?
Lizzie: MILLIE, I NEED ANSWERS.
Shaking my head at her constant text messages, I decide to have a bit of fun with the situation. Why not, right?
Me: Well, a nice man picked me up off the side of the road…
Me: He told me he’d make me the queen of his trailer park if I showed him my tits. Seemed like a fair trade to me? Wasn’t that so nice of him?!
Lizzie: MILLIE POUNCEY I SWEAR TO GOD.
Lizzie: You CANNOT be serious.
Lizzie: I mean, I’ve seen some pretty nice trailer parks, but the rest of it BETTER BE a joke.
Laughing at my sister’s antics and knowing she won’t stop until I give her more, I tap her contact and hit the call button. She answers on the first ring, and I can already hear her yelling at me before I bring the phone to my ear.
“I swear on all things holy, Millie. You may be going through a lot at the moment, but those tits better not be any part of your living situation,” Lizzie screeches, and I dissolve into a fit of giggles.
“I knew that would get you wound up. I swear, I’m good. My car did get attacked by a rogue deer, and a nice older gentleman did—” I say before my sister cuts in.
“Millie! Are you okay? Were you hurt? Why didn’t you call me? How are you joking about your tits and trailer parks at a time like this? Do I need to come home? I’m slammed at work, but—”
“Sis, I promise I’m fine. Just a little sore, and definitely carless for the foreseeable future. As I was saying, a nice older man did help me out. He found a local inn that had a room available and even found me a job for the next few weeks while we decide what to do with my car,” I explain, knowing if I don’t interrupt her, she’ll ramble for hours.
“Oh God, that was fast! What type of work did he find?” she asks, and I don’t miss the accusation in her voice.
Suppressing a chuckle at her suspicion, I explain. “It’s actually like a dream job, Liz. I’m staying at this inn and winery, and apparently, they just got a ton of interest in their weddings. So, between that and some Christmas events they’re hosting, they need an event planner. The owner offered me the job through the holidays until I decide what I want to do.”
“Well, that was nice of him. What’s the boss like?” my sister asks, and I try not to think about how attractive my new boss is.
“He seems nice. I met him yesterday. Apparently, he’s also the mayor here in town, so he’s juggling a lot of different responsibilities. But hopefully it’ll be a good fit for the next few weeks,” I tell her, trying to keep my voice even. If Lizzie figures out I’m working for someone single, young, and hot I’ll never hear the end of it.
“Hmm, this town has quite the hospitality. With all those titles, he must be, what, in his sixties?” she asks suspiciously.
Damn it. I’m so busted.
“Umm no. He’s probably in his early thirties…” I confess, letting my voice trail off.
“OH MY GOD!” Lizzie shrieks, and I pull my phone from my ear as she continues screaming. “I knew it! You were using your ‘I have a secret’ voice. Is he hot?”
I open my mouth to lie, but ultimately decide there’s no point. Plus, it’s been years since my sister and I got to sit and gossip about boys, and I want to soak up every moment I can with her after how distant I’ve been over the last few years.
“You wouldn’t even believe…” I admit, and I’m pretty sure my sister’s scream could call rabid dogs for miles.
“You sneaky bitch! I knew it. Tell me everything,” she says in delight, and I snicker at her enthusiasm.
“Well, I’ve told you pretty much everything I know, but he’s SO attractive. Huey hinted that he’s single on the ride over here. But he’s technically my boss now, so I’m certain nothing will be happening between us anytime soon. Plus, the ink on my divorce papers isn’t even dry yet. Three weeks ago, I was still worried about the guest list and place card designs for the Christmas auction that Allen always asks me to organize. I’m in no place to be talking to any male. My life’s a big enough mess as it is,” I declare with finality, like I’m trying to convince myself as much as my sister.
She lets out a loud snort at the end of my statement, making it clear I didn’t convince her either. “Whatever, sis. You may have just officially left Allen this week, but you and I both know you’ve been alone in that marriage for years! When’s the last time he made you see stars?” Lizzie asks, and I squeak at her question.
“Oh my God, stop!” I say, too embarrassed to confess she’s right. I’m pretty sure Allen and I haven’t even kissed outside of his charity events in the last few years, never mind any of the other fun stuff.
“YES! I knew it! Haven’t you heard the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else? You should totally test that out with the sexy inn owner!”
“I don’t know, Liz. I just need to focus on putting my life back together. I don’t plan on seeing or sleeping with anyone anytime soon, especially not him. I’ve screwed up my life enough as it is!”
“Millie, what the hell do you mean?”
“Sis, I don’t know if you’ve realized but I’ve spent the last ten years married to someone who just threw me away. All my supposed ‘friends’ were just people Allen wanted me to be close with because it helped his business deals, and they certainly didn’t take my side in the divorce. I have no car, a small suitcase of clothes, and a stash of exactly two thousand dollars of emergency funds to survive off until the bank gets their shit worked out. Who knows how long that’ll take with the holidays coming up. I haven’t had a job in ten years. I realized yesterday that I don’t know who I am or what I want anymore, and it’s making me crazy! So the last thing on my mind is my boss, despite the fact that he looks like he belongs on the cover of GQ magazine, okay?” I explode.
Once again, my sister lets me sit in silence for a minute before responding quietly. “I love you, sis, but you’ve got this all wrong. Yes, your ex-husband is a bastard, but as much as I want to kill him for hurting you, I’m not sad y’all aren’t together anymore. He didn’t realize it at the time, but he gave you a way out. I’ll be damned if you let that fucker take anything else from you. Why do you think I never called you a St. James? That asshole didn’t deserve the satisfaction of claiming your last name too after the way he treated you. So, if this new job is what’s gonna make you happy, go for it. Just don’t rule out an office hookup with this new boss, okay?”
I’m grateful Lizzie changed the subject at the end, because as she talked I could definitely feel the tears I’ve refused to let fall over the last month welling up in my eyes. As much as I can see what she’s saying, a part of me still feels more like a failure than ever, and I’m almost certain a random hookup isn’t going to change that.
We chat for a few more minutes about Lizzie’s plans for her first fashion show as I throw on a pair of black pants and an oversized cream sweater. Brian never mentioned a dress code, but even if he had, I have approximately eight outfits so this will have to do for today. All the clothes in my closet back in D.C. never really felt like me, so when I left, I only brought the things I liked. I place my phone on speaker so I can continue to listen to my sister’s monologue about a set she’s working on designing while I throw my hair into a messy bun and put on some makeup. Just as I’m finishing my lipstick, I glance down at the clock and realize it’s time to head downstairs for work.
“Hey, sis, sorry to cut this short, but I’ve gotta head downstairs. We’ll talk soon?”
“Of course! I want constant updates. See if you can snap a picture of your new boss so I know what we’re working with.”
“Lizzie!” I exclaim. “I will absolutely not be doing that, but okay. Love ya big.”
“Love you bigger, Mills. Have a good first day!” she yells before hanging up.
I make my way out of my room and down to the lobby, where Brian is sitting behind the front desk with the young girl who was there yesterday.
I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to expect when Huey mentioned an inn in a town this small. I’d half expected a rundown mom and pop roadside setup, but since I didn’t have any other options, I’d accepted it anyway, figuring I could make the most of whatever it was. But instead, I was blown away when we pulled up. Deer Valley Inn is beautiful. The exterior is white with black shutters on each window, and the inside is a mixture of modern and rustic styles with exposed ceiling beams and crisp white walls. On top of that, there are huge windows overlooking the small vineyard, and I notice that the fields are still covered with snow as it continues to fall.
“Oh my gosh! I thought for sure the snow would be gone by now. Have y’all ever had anything like this?” I ask as I get closer to my new boss.
“Nope. Definitely not in my lifetime at least. But anyway, did you get settled, Millie? I know you had quite the day yesterday,” Brian says, standing and stepping around the front desk.
“I did. My room was very nice, thank you, Mayor Jones,” I say with a timid smile.
Bridget lets out a titter of laughter at my use of his formal title. “Mayor Jones? Honey, we ain’t that formal around here. Call him Brian before his head gets any bigger than it already is. The damned people in this town like to treat him like he’s royalty or something. So what if he saved a puppy from a storm drain last year and volunteers with literally every organization in the city limits? Bet they won’t tell you about the time he convinced the football team in high school to roll Miss Sally’s yard and blamed it on the baseball boys.”
We all burst out in laughter before Brian says, “Thanks for that, Bridget. I can always count on you to keep me humble. And for the record, I don’t know what on earth you’re talking about. But if I did, I’d say we both know Miss Sally deserved it. Anyway, by all means, Millie, please, call me Brian.”
As he reaches out to shake my hand, his elbow knocks a stack of papers from the front desk, sending them flying through the air and scattering them across the floor. “Oh, no! Here let me help you!” I say, bending down and beginning to pick them up.
“Millie, you don’t have to do that! It was my clumsy ass that knocked them off,” he says, blushing a little as he fumbles to collect the mess off the floor.
“Brian, are you sure you’re okay? What’s got you acting so jumpy today?” the woman beside him asks, grinning like she’s trying to hold in a giggle.
He straightens, and I hand him the stack of papers I grabbed before he gestures to the feisty woman glaring at him. “Millie, this is Bridget, my cousin. She runs everything here on the days that I have to work at City Hall. She’s also a bit of a pain in my ass, but if you need anything at all, she’s your girl. Bridget, this is Millie, our new event coordinator.”
I give the girl a warm smile before saying, “Hey, Bridget. It’s nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you.”
“Oh girl, I couldn’t have been more excited when Brian told me he found someone. I’ve been doing the best I can to fill in the gaps, but to be honest, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m so relieved to have someone who understands what on earth these people are asking for. Also, we never get new young people here in town. Brian told me you got stranded here in town with the storm. How old are you? Are you single? Do you like karaoke?” she asks, reminding me of my sister as she throws her rapid-fire questions at me.
Brian rolls his eyes at his cousin before saying, “Bridget, slow down and let the girl breathe. Not everyone runs off espresso and energy drinks.”
I let out a laugh before saying, “Oh, I don’t mind it. I’m thirty-one. I’m newly single, and I love karaoke despite the fact that I sound like a cat being thrown in the bath.”
“Perfect. I know you have a lot to get done today with Brian, but soon you and I are going out and singing the shit out of some angry girl country music. I’ll get with you soon to plan a time and place.”
I blink at her in surprise before muttering, “Sounds great. See ya then.”
Turning back to Brian, he lets out a laugh at my expression. “What can I say? We Jones’ never meet a stranger, and Bridget’s been desperate for more people our age to move back here. Anyway, are you ready for your first day here at Deer Valley?”
A large smile starts to take over my face at his words. Despite my earlier worries, I really am so excited to get started with this new chapter of my life, even if it’ll probably only last for a few weeks.
“Let’s do it, boss.”