Chapter 7
Valerie Masterson
The dining hall was silent; you could hear a pin drop. I was completely caught off guard, but I maintain my composure. “Did I say something to offend him?”
“No, not at all. However, some people in Skybrook won’t look kindly on strangers trying to change our little town.”
“I don’t want the town to change. If anything, I’d like to see if what our company does will enhance it.”
“How so?”
“We’re here to examine property and evaluate how the town operates. My company is interested in building a golf course and hotel. Our goal is to preserve the beauty and atmosphere of a small town.”
“Go on, I like the sound of that so far.”
“I’d like to see everything and meet the people and get a feel of the town.”
“Today would be a perfect day to meet our community. Let me go grab you a schedule of the events going on.”
“I’ll be glad to follow you.”
“No need, you stay right here.”
“Thank you, Abby.”
I see that Emily is staring up at me. “Hi, pretty lady.”
“Hello, sweetie.”
“Did you like the breakfast? I helped make it.”
“I did. I completely forgot to tell your grandmother it was pretty delicious.” I noticed she didn’t eat the eggs. “Do you not like eggs?”
“No, not really.” She scrunches up her face in disgust.
“That’s okay, not everybody does. ”
“How come you don’t eat meat?”
“Well, I thought it would improve my health.”
“Did it improve?”
“Honestly? It’s about the same.”
“Well, you’re very pretty either way.”
“Awe, you’re so kind. You must take after your mother.”
“Daddy says I look and act like her a lot.”
“I bet you she’s a very special person.”
“Yup. Even though I don’t get to see her, I know she’s special.” My heart breaks a little by her response. Her parents must be divorced.
I hear footsteps behind me. “Here you go!”
“Thank you, Abby.”
“Ms. Masterson, I’ve asked my son to give you a tour of our town.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you.”
“It’s my way of apologizing for his behavior.”
“That’s not necessary.” Behind Abby, a figure approached. He stood towering over her. His wavy chocolate-brown hair was just above his shoulders. The scruff on his face made him look rugged like a man who spends all his day working outdoors.
However, his skin complexion tells me quite the opposite.
The way he has his arms folded across his chest suggests that he is quite displeased with this arrangement.
“Abby, there’s no need for your son to show us around.
” Especially since he’s hot, distracting, AND pissed.
“ I’m sure Devin and I can find our way around town . ”
“So, you and your boy toy don’t need my help?”
I snapped back. “Not that it’s any of your business, Devin is my coworker, not my boy toy!” I took a deep breath. “Mrs. Woods, my apologies for my outburst.”
“No need. Men can get under your skin if you let them.” She gave her son a fierce glare.
He swallowed and exhaled a breath. “I’m sorry, I was out of line. Please forgive me. I’ll be happy to escort you around for the day .
“Mr. Woods, I don’t want to put you out. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“My daughter and I were going to spend the afternoon at the festival. You are welcome to join us.”
“Are you sure it’s no inconvenience?”
“Daddy, we’re not going until this afternoon?” She pouted her lips. I would give in to her in a heartbeat and take her wherever she wanted. She was adorable.
“You’re right, I did promise that we’d go early. Maybe we could catch the parade? Ms. Masterson, would you and your coworker like to join us?”
“Yes, that would be lovely.” My mind wandered to the last parade I watched in San Francisco.
It had to be back in February for the Chinese New Year.
The parade featured lion dancers, acrobatics, and a 288-foot golden dragon.
One thing I will miss while I’m here is the Pride Parade and Festival, which is happening in just a few days.
The event celebrates the LGBTQ community by recognizing their accomplishments and advocating for their rights.
“Yay!” Shouts Emily.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you cleaned up before you have to leave.” Mrs. Woods takes Emily by the hand and escorts her away. Her son stands before me brooding. He lifts an eyebrow. “Do you have something on your mind?”
I give him a sugary sweet smile. “I was thinking about home.”
“Home?”
“Yeah. You know a place where a person lives permanently?”
“I know the definition of home. I mean where do you call home?”
“I live in San Francisco, California.”
“So, you’re a city girl.”
“Born and raised.”
His eyes raked over me from head to toe. “It figures. ”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I felt the heat radiating from my earlobes as my blood pressure rose.
“Just look at what you’re wearing.”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“It’s all wrong with walking around this town.”
“I’m dressed professionally, and there’s nothing wrong with it.”
“Again. Not in this town. If you want to fit in, stop trying to overdress for the part. This isn’t a miss congeniality contest, sweetheart.”
I placed my hands on my hips. “Listen, I can run circles around you in these heels.”
He took a step closer and looked deep into my eyes. “Sweetheart. I’d like to see you try.”
My heart raced at his proximity. I mumbled loud enough for him to hear. “You overgrown man child.” I took a deep breath and smiled. Before I could challenge him further, a voice nearby broke our stare down .
“Daddy, daddy. Can we go? Can we go?” Her eyes darted between her father and me. We both took a step back, and it was as if we called a mutual truce for the time being.
“Pretty lady?”
“Yes, Emily?”
“Are you going to spend all day with us?”
“Why yes, I am if that’s okay?”
She nodded her head and looked down at my shoes.
“Those shoes are pretty, but you might want to wear some tennis shoes. You don’t want them to get dirty or your feet to hurt.
Daddy and I walk a lot at the festival.” I heard a snicker from Wyatt and shot him with a glare.
Calm your face, Valerie. You don’t want people to get the wrong impression .
I took a deep breath and exhaled. “You’re right, sweetie.
Let me go change. I’ll be right back.” I smiled sweetly to get a rise out of Wyatt.
My decision to change was based on his daughter’s suggestion, not his own.
I wanted so badly to stick my tongue out at him.
That pompous ass, he’s so infuriating! Why am I allowing this guy to get a rise out of me?
I need to calm down. Take a deep breath, Valerie.
I pressed the button to call the elevator.
Devin texted me earlier to say he wasn’t feeling well, so I ate breakfast without him.
I’m debating whether to call or text Devin to let him know he can relax today, so he can recover and feel better. As the majority of the stores and all government offices are closed today, we can’t do much research anyway.
I’ll take one for the team and deal with Wyatt and his attitude.
On a positive note, at least his daughter is a pleasure to be with.
As my mother would say, you have to outweigh the bad with the good.
I guess it’s true what they say, no pain, no gain.
I’ll have to put up with Wyatt’s attitude for a while and hope it pays off eventually.
I unlock my door, pull my suitcase to the bed, search through it, and find a pair of sneakers I purchased for the cruise I went on with my best friends. I sigh at the thought of my friend finding love again. How rare is it that you find your true love on a cruise ship?
A smile forms on my face as I think about Layla and Cameron. They were destined to reconnect after years apart, despite her family’s disapproval. Unlike my friends Layla and Rae, I come from a small family. We didn’t have the kind of money they did. But they never made me feel like an outcast.
My insecurities came from my self-doubt about my appearance and economic status. Random thoughts run away with me as I slip on a sundress. I gather a pair of no-show socks and slip them on before the tennis shoes. I stand in front of the mirror and slide my fingers through my hair.
I opened my purse and pulled out my identification and credit cards. I also pulled out some cash and tucked it, my ID, and credit cards into a pocket in my dress. My phone chimed with an incoming text message.
Devin : I’m feeling better. I’ll be ready to go whenever you need me. Just give me five minutes.
Me : Are you sure?
Devin : Yes. Something didn’t settle right last night. But I feel better now.
I dialed his number so I could hear how his voice sounded. There’s something about text messages that gets lost in translation. Unlike a voice, in a text message, you can’t see or hear people’s true inflection.
“Good morning.”
A gravelly voice responded. “Morning.”
“You don’t sound so good.”
“My throat feels raw.”
“Goodness. You probably need more rest.”
“Nah.”
“Do you need medicine?”
He groans. “Hold on.” I hear rustling, before a large clatter. I didn’t know if the phone was being tossed down, but I did hear his heaving, and it made me shiver. He must have caught something from a passenger on the plane, which was the only place we’ve been in such an enclosed space.
I hung up, went to his room, and knocked on the door. “Devin?” I continue to knock; each one getting louder than the prior. The one time I wished my mother were here. Being a nurse, she would know what to do in cases like this. He doesn’t answer and it worries me.
I turned to go downstairs and ran into a firm surface and stumbled backwards.
“Whoa there.” Hands stop me from falling. I look up at Wyatt, his hands firmly grip my waist. His eyes study me intently. “What’s wrong?”
“I was on the phone with Devin, and I thought he went to see if he had any medicine because he wasn’t feeling well. I heard a loud clattering noise, and he didn’t come back on the phone. Now he won’t answer the door. ”
His face softened. “What are his symptoms?”
“Um. Loss of appetite, vomiting….”
“Anything else?”
“I’m unsure.”
“Okay. Stay right here, keep trying and see if he answers. I’ll be right back.” He moved swiftly, avoiding the elevator and running down the set of stairs. I picked up my cell and tried calling him again. I put my ear to the door and faintly heard it ring.
I pounded on the door frantically. “Devin!? Can you hear me?” I repeated myself over and over.
“Ms. Masterson, please step aside.” His deep voice caught me off guard, this time for a different reason.
I stepped aside and watched him unlock the door with what I can only assume was a master key.
Without thinking, I followed him inside.
I was afraid of what we’d find, but I had to know if Devin was okay.
When we stepped into the room the bed was unmade. The door to the bathroom was wide open. I scanned the room and didn’t see him. Wyatt went further in, then yelled. “He’s here!”
He was lying on the bathroom floor, out cold. In the palm of his hand, he held his phone. My heart pounded when I saw how pale his skin was. Wyatt placed his fingers on Devin’s wrist; I assumed to check his pulse.
“Has he been tested recently for COVID?”
“We both underwent testing before we left, and our results were negative.”
“Do you know if he’s taking any medications?”
“Devin doesn’t take drugs!”
“I meant over the counter.”
“Oh. I don’t think so. Why are you asking so many questions?”
“I need to know before I can treat him.”
“You’re a doctor?”
“Yes. Can we discuss this later? I need to check if he has any injuries. He may have fallen.” I shook my head slowly.
I didn’t realize I was crying. “Valerie, he’ll be okay.
” Wyatt rubbed his knuckles on Devin’s sternum and called his name.
Receiving no response, he retrieved an item from a bag that he had previously placed on the floor. He put it under Devin’s nose.
It was at that moment Devin became conscious. He blinked his eyes and groaned, finding himself staring up into Wyatt’s eyes.
“Devin, are you all right?” I asked.
He slowly raised his head. “This was not the place I ever wanted to be found.” He laid back down and covered his face with his forearm.
“Are you feeling any pain?”
“No, just embarrassment.”
“Let’s get you off the ground, but we’ll move slowly.
I don’t want you to pass out moving too fast.” Wyatt reached out his hand and helped him to his feet.
Devin swayed some. Wyatt made sure he had his balance before helping him back to bed.
Wyatt waited patiently until Devin was situated before he asked him more questions.
“Valerie, can you please grab the bag from the bathroom?” I moved without thinking about it. “Mr. Appleton, I’m Dr. Wyatt Woods, can you tell me what’s been troubling you?”
I sat quietly listening to their conversation and watched as Wyatt listened intently to Devin.
Who knew that the guy I mistakenly took for a farmer was a physician?
His bedside manner is better with patients than with regular day-to-day citizens like me.
Or maybe it was only me who he felt compelled to be rude to.
Wyatt instructed Devin to stay still and take deep breaths.
He gently placed a cool, damp cloth on Devin’s forehead to help him regain his composure.
Meanwhile, I fetched a glass of water, hoping it would help Devin re-hydrate and recover.
Wyatt continued to converse with him in a soothing tone.
The timbre of his voice made me feel relaxed and, somehow, I knew Devin was well cared for.