Chapter 3 #3
“That’s too bad.”
“We manage.” She gives a soft shrug as she reaches for a strip of bacon.
“Still get the locals up here around Christmastime every year. Reckon it’s only to help us out, but it gets us through the rest of the year.
Not to mention the few stragglers we get off the main road hankering for the scenic route. ”
I keep my voice casual as I start to cut into my pancakes, which are now drowning in syrup. “And it’s only you and Hunter up here? No other staff?”
“We have a lady who comes in once a week to clean a bit,” she answers. “But other than that, it’s just us.”
I chew thoughtfully as I let my eyes move about the room, noticing similar signs of neglect that could easily be fixed with minimal effort.
“You know, I actually don’t think it will take much to spruce the place up.
” I’m looking at the thick curtains that have begun to gather dust and thinking about how easily they could be cleaned.
“I already have a few ideas, just from a quick look around, that I can run by you. Also, the website could use a bit of an overhaul. It’s sort of hard to navigate.
” I shrug idly. “I don’t know. Might help a little? ”
Jeannie chews at her food, nodding her head quietly.
“You’re probably right. I’d love to help get the place more up to scratch myself, but these old bones don’t get around like they used to.
I’d throw out my damn back trying to climb some ladder to get all the cobwebs off these ceilings.
Hunter does all the major upkeep we need, but like I said, he isn’t really keen on the idea of changing anything too much. Sort of set in his ways, that one.”
“He does seem a little…” I tilt my head side to side, thinking. “Rigid?”
God, maybe that was a poor choice of words.
Now I’m thinking about those shoulders again.
I reason that it isn’t my fault I was confronted with a physique that nearly defies the laws of nature within five minutes of arriving.
Honestly, I’m just pondering the idea that he has to order all his shirts in a custom size.
The absurdity of that possibility is enough to distract me from the grumpy innkeeper.
Jeannie simply laughs, taking another bite of bacon before she holds the last little bit under the table for the cat. “He wasn’t always. The pup has had a rough go of it these last few years.” She snorts. “Last decade, really.”
“Pup?”
“Old habit,” she tells me. “He shifted so early that first time. Practically a puppy. I haven’t really been able to shake the nickname.”
“So he’s a shifter then,” I press.
“Sure is,” she says. “We both are.”
“Ah, I thought I smelled…”
“Reginald used to say I smelled just like cake batter,” she sighs wistfully. Her nostrils flare then. “You smell pretty lovely yourself.”
I feel my cheeks heat. “Yeah, I…” And what do I say to that? I can’t go and dump all my recent problems on this woman I barely know. Not when I don’t know how to feel about them myself. “Thank you.”
She leans in then, inhaling deeply. “You actually smell so familiar to me. It’s odd.”
“Oh, I…Your nephew seemed to have a bit of an issue with it, actually.”
Her brows raise. “Did he now?”
“I don’t think he likes me very much, truth be told.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s not true,” she argues.
I must be making a face, because Jeannie reaches over to give my forearm a pat. “He’s a lot like Reginald,” she tells me, nodding her head toward the giant cat, who is happily snacking on his bit of bacon. “He’s really kind of sweet once you get to know him.”
“Are we talking about me?”
I tense at the sound of Hunter’s voice and turn to find him standing in the doorway.
“There you are,” Jeannie says. “We were just saying we all needed to have a sit-down about the plans for this place.”
He cocks a brow. “Oh, do we?”
“Don’t be like that,” she scolds. “Tess is here, and she’s willing to help, so you need to be respectful.”
“I’m plenty respectful,” he mutters as he steps farther into the room.
His scent bombards me as he plops down on the other side of the table, folding his arms over the top and eyeing me warily.
This scenting business is still so new, and I haven’t quite figured out how to get a handle on it.
On the one hand, they both smell really good, but on the other…
Jeannie’s scent doesn’t make me squirm in my seat.
“I was just telling your aunt that we should probably go over the budget and pin down what we absolutely can and can’t do.”
“Oh?” Hunter purses his lips. “Like what?”
“Well, for starters, Jeannie said the heat in this place isn’t what it used to be. Do we have room for a new furnace?”
Hunter scoffs. “I highly doubt it. We can barely afford the cosmetic stuff Jeannie mentioned.”
“We really need a new generator,” Jeannie points out.
Hunter makes a face. “And where are we supposed to get the money for that?”
“Okay,” I say, placating. “So we focus on cosmetics for now, and hopefully more business will come in to help offset the cost for some of the bigger projects.”
“What exactly do you plan to do here?” Hunter asks.
I push my plate aside, crossing my arms. “Well, Jeannie and I discussed new flooring, some renovations in the bathrooms—that will mean new showers and vanities. I want to redo the foyer if we can; the front desk needs to be sanded and restained, and for that matter, the stairs need to be redone as well. The wood is scuffed to hell. From what I can see, the fireplace is still great—we just need to refinish the mantel, maybe, but I like the rustic charm of the original stonework there. Based on your budget, I don’t think we have enough to rip out all the wood paneling, but we can most likely refinish it, at the very least. Plus, there is definitely some cosmetic work that needs to be done outside.
I’d love to get the roof replaced with sheet metal if we can, but I’ll have to go over the numbers to see if I can contract it out. ”
“That sounds like…a lot,” Hunter says flatly.
I nod back at him. “There are other projects that might come up after I see the whole place—I’m going to want that tour later, by the way—but we can discuss those then.”
Hunter’s jaw works subtly, and I can tell he’s bothered by this whole conversation. I remember what Jeannie said about him not liking change, and I can imagine that this definitely is a lot for him. Still, this is what I was hired for, and I can’t let his aversion stop me from doing my job.
Hunter huffs out a breath then, shaking his head and pushing up from the table. “Sounds like you have it all figured out.”
“I mean, I don’t want to do anything without your approval. You’re still the owner.”
His mouth turns down in a frown as he looks between me and Jeannie, and for a moment I imagine a flash of vulnerability in his eyes that’s gone as quickly as it comes. “Whatever Jeannie wants that we can afford,” he says finally. “I’ll deal with it.”
He stalks out of the room then, and I feel as if he’s left more questions than answers.
“Don’t mind him,” Jeannie sighs. “Like I said, he’s really attached to this place. Doesn’t like the idea of changing things.”
“I don’t want to step on any toes,” I say.
She shakes her head. “You’re not. He knows we need this, he’s just having a hard time accepting it. He’ll come around. Promise.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I’m positive.”
She stands from her chair and wipes her hands on her apron, informing me that she’s going to wash dishes and to holler if I need anything, then leaves me to puzzle over the conversation (however one-sided) I just had.
It bothers me to know I’m unwanted here, because it’s a problem I’ve never had to deal with before.
Still, with HGTV looking for footage of this place to use as a pseudo interview for a chance at my own show, I can’t afford to back down.
Not as long as Hunter isn’t outright chasing me off.
My eyes move to the enormous mass of fur. The cat is currently giving me a bored expression while he licks his lips, and I feel myself frowning as I remember the way Hunter implied I don’t look the part when it comes to this job.
I tell myself that maybe Jeannie is right.
Maybe Hunter isn’t much of a people person.
I even convince myself that it’s possible we just got off on the wrong foot.
I mean, I did sort of imply he might be a murderer—but it was a joke.
Plus, I guess if he really doesn’t want to make any renovations to his place, it’s understandable he would be wary of me.
I’ve got nothing for all the omega stuff though.
I’m actively choosing not to think about it, or else there won’t be any hope of getting along with Hunter.
I tell myself I’ll find him later, give him my sunniest smile, and we’ll be right as rain for the remainder of the job.
I reach over tentatively to give Reginald a head scratch, but he quickly slinks out of reach, looking almost offended.
Awesome.
There’s a better signal on the deck, and I hold out my phone to check my appearance, making sure my hair isn’t windblown before I hit record.
“Hey, guys! I’m here in Pleasant Hill, Colorado, for a new project.” I turn the camera toward the lodge to get a panoramic view. “And as you can see, I’ve got my work cut out for me. Stay tuned for more updates!”
I’ll need to get some shots from the inside later to post to my account, but for now, that should do.
I move down the stairs in search of Hunter after I finally get my video to upload to TikTok and find him chopping wood like Jeannie mentioned.
Remembering that I am a sensible twenty-eight-year-old woman who shouldn’t be rendered temporarily incapable of speech at the sight of an overgrown man all dressed in plaid and chopping wood proves to be another matter entirely.