Chapter 21
Valerie Masterson
As I sat down, there was still a storm raging inside me.
It was a mixture of anger and disappointment that I couldn’t shake.
Mr. Graves’ calm demeanor reminded me of something Wyatt had said earlier.
Perhaps I did pique his interest, as there’s no reason for a man to fly seventeen hundred miles just to pick up a resignation letter.
I calmed down and waited for him to talk first.
“Valerie. Let me start by saying I came here to talk to you face to face.”
“Why?” Calm down, Valerie, let the man speak. Damn, even Wyatt is in my head.
“I value you as an employee and trust your judgment.” I bit my tongue and waited for him to expand on what he was saying. “I know when I denied your suggestion, it pissed you off and you took it personally.”
“Of course, I took it personally. How could I not?”
He took another visible breath. His hands rested calmly on the table, fingers interlaced, conveying a sense of control and assurance. His eyes met mine with a steady gaze, showing sincerity and concern.
He leaned slightly forward, emphasizing his engagement and willingness to understand my perspective. “This is another reason I came. You’re compassionate about this town’s community and passionate about any project you take on. Frankly, I don’t want to lose you as an employee.”
I bit my lip before I responded. “I’m sorry I overreacted.”
“Don’t apologize, Valerie. I’ve always liked how you say exactly what’s on your mind.”
“You do?”
“Yeah.” He looked down at my wrist, his eyes filled with worry. “What happened?”
“I fell when I was running during the storm.”
“You mean during the twister?”
“Yup.”
“How bad is it?”
“It’s a minor sprain.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Annoyance flashed across his face. “You should have told me sooner. We could have gotten it checked out right away.” His concern was evident, and I couldn’t help feeling a twinge of guilt for not speaking up earlier.
“It didn’t seem important at the time. Besides, I had it checked out by a doctor.
He wiped his hand down his face. “How’s Devin?”
“He was out of harm’s way, but I think he was shaken up.”
“Thank goodness you both weren’t hurt badly. I was serious about you resting and getting your bearings back.”
“I appreciate the suggestion. However, I want to help the town. Some homes and buildings need repairs.”
“You know that people’s home insurance will cover that, right?”
“I know that sir, but not everybody can wait for insurance to get their shit together. It can take anywhere from weeks to months, if not longer.”
“I understand your frustration; however, everything has to go through the proper channels.”
“I hear you, but sometimes waiting for those channels to work isn’t an option. People need help now, not weeks from now. I can’t stand by when there’s something I can do to make a difference.” I took a deep breath to calm myself.
“Listen, perhaps we can assist those in need. Let’s see how bad the damage is, and maybe set up some temporary housing?
We can’t have these people without shelter with the upcoming scorching days.
We can organize a community effort to gather supplies and resources.
Let’s reach out to local businesses and see if they can donate materials or volunteer their time.
Together, we can make a real impact and help these families get back on their feet. ”
“You’re willing to help?”
“Of course I want to help. Valerie, I believe in you and your cause. As for the hospital, that’s going to take a lot longer to build, and it’s not going to happen overnight.”
“Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me. Can I show you around town?”
“I’d like that.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Wyatt and my mother sitting nearby, watching us with curiosity. I could tell they were eager to hear what we had planned, and I hoped they would be willing to join in and lend a hand. Especially now that my best friends are leaving tomorrow.
A few hours later, after giving him a tour of the city, I thought what an amazing person Mr. Graves is.
It was impressive to see his ability to think quickly.
He asked Devin to contact and hire local construction workers while continuing to share his ideas.
He demonstrated a clear vision and decisiveness in his approach, which left a lasting impression on everyone present.
Devin scribbled down as fast as Mr. Graves could talk.
As we encountered local townspeople in desperate need of assistance with home repairs, he listened attentively to their concerns and provided practical solutions.
He encouraged collaboration and ensured everyone felt included in the process.
His ability to connect with people and inspire action was truly remarkable.
There’s no doubt he leaves a positive impact on people, and me.
“So your friends came to help with relief efforts?”
“That’s right, and they offered to help raise money as well.”
“Wow! That’s very kind.”
“It’s the way they are. They flew out here on a moment’s notice.” The corners of my lips lifted, and I was proud of them.
“Valerie.”
“Yes, Mr. Graves?”
His cheeks had a pinkish hue to them. “The woman I spoke to this morning, Victoria. Did you call her mom?”
“I did.”
“She’s very… kind and funny.” The corner of his lips creased into a smile.
I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable. “It’s okay, sir, she’s single.”
His face lit up. “Really? Do you mind if I ask her to have coffee with me?”
“No, I don’t mind.” I paused and briefly thought about it. “I think she’d be up for it.” There’s no reason for me to stand in their way when they only want to find companionship. If there is a chance of love for either one, I’d rather be supportive than disagreeable.
It was a nice change to see Mr. Graves’s lighter side.
Finding out that he took a liking to my mother made him more down-to-earth.
His demeanor appeared more relaxed than the last time I saw him in the office.
One might even describe him as being more relatable and inviting, making it easier for others to connect with him.
Our day was nonstop, and Devin and I were exhausted.
We pulled back into the parking lot of the inn.
With the sun dipping below the horizon, the world was enveloped in twilight.
The glow of light filtering through the windows illuminated the darkness, casting soft silhouettes against the curtains.
We made our way inside, and even though we were tired, we decided to forgo returning to our rooms .
We entered the dining room to check if there was any food remaining. It was quiet, just a few people milling about. We stood looking at our food options. Meatloaf, fried chicken, potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
Everything looked and smelled delicious.
I didn’t know where to start, but the one thing I knew to stay away from was candied yams. Thankfully, they weren’t on the menu for tonight.
For some reason, each time I tried it, my body reacted, and let’s say it wasn’t pretty.
Even though I love the taste of candied yams, sadly, it turns out I’m allergic to them.
I filled my plate with chicken and all the fixings and didn’t wait for Mr. Graves or Devin and took a seat.
The guys were too busy filling two plates of food for themselves.
As I sat down, I remembered I didn’t grab a drink and sighed.
Maybe I would grab something later when I finally headed to my room.
Abby walked in, and trailing behind her was Emily .
“Evening folks, so how was your day?” Her eyes landed on me, and her eyes softened. Jeez, did I look that bad? I tried to respond, but my voice was barely above a whisper. “Goodness, Valerie. Let me get you something to help soothe your throat. I know tea always makes me feel better.
Emily stood next to me and smiled as she saw I had chicken on my plate. “Pretty lady, can I help get you anything?” I shook my head, but I desperately wanted to know where her daddy was. I haven’t seen him since this morning, and I missed him.
She took a step closer and hugged me. Her little arms enveloped me, and she patted my back. She gave me comfort that I didn’t know I needed; I couldn’t help but smile.
She released me. “Daddy said he was sorry he couldn’t see you. He got called away.”
“Thank you for the hug and the message, sweetie. ”
“You’re welcome.” A faint smile formed on her face.
“Have you eaten yet?” I barely made out as my voice cracked.
She nodded as Abby returned with a cup and saucer, and honey. She moves swiftly and places a teakettle on the table filled with hot water. “Would you like to join us? There’s plenty of room.”
“I don’t want to be a bother, sugar.”
“It’s no bother.” I patted the seat next to me.
“I’ll be right back,” Abby said. Emily slid into the seat next to me.
Before long, we were joined by Devin and Mr. Graves, their plates were filled with goodness.
I placed a cloth napkin on my lap. Abby returned carrying a tray with cornbread, a cup of tea for herself, and a bowl of chocolate soft serve ice cream for Emily.
When she sat down, we all began to eat. It felt oddly strange as if we were sitting down to a family meal. My work family and the people of this town were becoming dear to my heart. The only two who were missing were Wyatt and my mother.
As I looked around the room, most of the patrons had left.
The guys quickly finished their first servings and got up for dessert.
As for me, I wanted to enjoy all the flavors as I bit into the chicken.
It was crispy, and I could make out spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Abby drizzle honey on her cornbread, and I followed suit.
Abby’s cornbread was savory and downright delicious.
Each time I tried Abby’s southern cooking, it reminded me of summer and a hint of living in a small town.
Everything felt bright, including my mood and my current love life.
The flavors reminded me of lazy afternoons and warm gatherings with friends.
It was more than just food; it was a comforting experience that brought back cherished memories and created new ones.
I laughed at myself. I guess that’s why it’s called comfort food.
As everyone said goodnight and returned to their rooms, I stayed behind at the table and made myself another hot tea.
Abby told me I could stay as long as I wanted and wished me goodnight.
I picked up my phone and saw no new call or text alerts, and let out a breath.
As my grandmother always says, the phone works both ways.
Before I could dial Wyatt’s phone number, a call came in.
“Evening, Valerie.”
“Hey, Rae.”
“I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I? Are you still working for your boss?”
“No, not at all. I finished working for the day, and I’m now free. What’s up?”
“We’ll be heading out tomorrow morning to the airport, and we’re wondering if you want to see us off.”
“Of course, I do. Just tell me the time. ”
“Our car picks us up at eight o’clock. If you’d like to ride with us, I can have the driver bring you back.”
“You know, I would love that. To be honest, I needed a brief reprieve after the non-stop day I had. Plus, it allows me a little more time to spend with all of you before you head home.” I felt a warm sense of joy at the thought of spending more time with Rae and my best friends.
I cherished each moment we were able to spend time together, knowing how little we saw each other in our busy schedules.
Seeing them off at the airport would be bittersweet, but I wanted to make the most of every minute we had left.
After I hung up the phone with Rae, I called Wyatt, hoping to hear his voice. Unfortunately, it went straight to voicemail.
“Hi Wyatt, sorry I missed you. I wanted you to know that tomorrow morning I’ll be heading to the airport with my friends, and I won’t get to see you before I leave.
If you get this message, I miss you, and I will see you later in the afternoon.
” My phone beeps repeatedly in my ear, and I pulled it away to see if there was an incoming message.
It was my notification telling me that it was going to shut off as I ran out of battery.
I was frustrated with myself for neglecting to charge my phone earlier.
At this point, I was left with no choice but to wait for my phone to recharge, counting the minutes until I could finally call Wyatt in the morning.
The anticipation filled the air, and I couldn’t shake off the thoughts racing through my mind.
Did my message even go through? Would he be upset because I didn’t reach him?
I would remind myself in the morning to call him, but for now, I was exhausted, and I needed sleep.