Chapter Two
Charlotte Redding moved the dust cloth over the top of the reservation desk until the surface shone.
She repeated the movement on the other furnishings in the motel’s lobby until she was satisfied with how everything looked.
A glance at the digital clock on the reservation desk showed her she was right on time.
Tossing the cloth on her maid’s cart, she removed her plastic gloves and tossed them into a trash bag. She moved over to the coffee station the motel kept stocked for guests and went through the motions of preparing a fresh pot, just as she did every morning.
Charlotte’s schedule was routine, and while it was monotonous at times, she appreciated the ease of always knowing what to expect each day.
As the only overnight lodging option in Ivy Springs, Georgia, the Skyline Motel stayed surprisingly busy.
Motels often had a bad reputation for being less than ideal, but the Skyline was not run down or unsafe.
The owner, Nolan Wallace, prided himself on maintaining a quality establishment, and he was particular about many things, such as providing amenities while keeping the nightly rates reasonable.
He also took a chance on hiring Charlotte when she had no experience, no references, and nowhere else to go.
Charlotte started her shift at the motel at seven in the morning with the same tasks every day.
She cleaned the common areas, reserving one day for a thorough dusting, one day for cleaning and polishing the floors, and another day for freshening the furniture.
Every day had her cleaning bathrooms, restocking the fruit, drinks, and snacks for the guests, and keeping the coffee pot full.
The coffee wasn’t anything special, but for some reason, Wally — as her boss was called by just about everyone who knew him — preferred how she brewed it. Since he was the one who drank most of it, even when they had guests, she was happy to fill the coffee pots during her shift.
Giving guests time to rise or check out, she would refresh any empty rooms, polishing surfaces, disinfecting bathrooms, and changing out linens if needed.
Then she did her work in occupied rooms, checking the common areas in between, and would call it a day, only to repeat the process during her next shift.
She’d completed her work in the lobby by the time the coffee finished brewing, filling the lobby with a rich aroma she never tired of.
As if on cue, Wally’s key turned in the lock at the back, giving him access through his private office.
Soon, he appeared behind the reservation desk with a ready smile for her.
“Charlotte! How’s my favorite employee this morning?”
Charlotte rolled her eyes at the familiar greeting.
He used the same words in some form or fashion every morning she worked.
The bar wasn’t set very high for the honor of favorite employee.
Wally spent the majority of his days at the motel, so he oversaw reservations, billing, and general maintenance.
There was a part-time housekeeper who’d been working at the motel since it opened, but since her attitude was sour at best, she and Wally butted heads so much that Charlotte was surprised Wally hadn’t fired Betsy.
“Good morning, Wally. Coffee’s ready.”
“Great. I could use a mug full.”
Charlotte smiled as her boss shuffled over to the coffee pot, his favorite mug clean and ready to be used.
Wally made her think of a grandpa in a television sitcom.
His light brown hair was thinning up top and graying at his temples.
His thick mustache was a combination of white and brown hair.
She judged him to be in his sixties, and though his frame was trim and fit, he moved as if a touch of arthritis affected his knees.
His eyes were the most fascinating — hard as steel when needed, warm and friendly when he saw Charlotte, soft and loving when he was with his longtime girlfriend.
“How’s Mona this morning?” she asked about said girlfriend.
“Woke up sick, but dammit, she’s going to work anyway. Like there’s going to be a rush on the flower shop today if she’s not there.”
Mona Hillyard owned Ivy Florals and was as much of a workaholic as her boyfriend, but Charlotte had a strong fondness for both. They were her first friends when she came to town, and she trusted them more than anyone in her life right now.
“If you want to check on her later, let me know. I’ll man the office for you.”
“You don’t have to, but I appreciate the offer.” Wally blew across the surface of his coffee and took a sip. “Damn, that’s good.”
“Glad you approve. Anything I need to know before I get started on the rooms?”
“We rented one-fourteen Monday. He paid for several days because he wasn’t sure how long he’d be in town. I forget his name, but he put a card on file. He wants us to hold housekeeping services unless he requests them.”
Charlotte nodded, not surprised by the guest’s preference. Some patrons preferred to maintain their privacy during their stay.
Wally closed the distance between them with a thoughtful expression on his face. “Listen. If the guy makes a request, let me handle it. If it’s something I can’t do, I’ll call Betsy in. Just consider it one room you don’t have to worry about while the guy is here.”
Charlotte stiffened, panic stealing her breath. She was sure all color drained from her face when Wally suddenly approached her, concern etched in his features.
“No, no, Charlotte. He’s not one of them. You’re safe. I swear it.”
Charlotte’s lungs started to burn, and she struggled to regain her breathing. “Are you sure?” Her voice squeaked, and she hated how small and vulnerable she sounded.
“I’m sure. He’s working on the construction site in town. The construction company made his reservation, so it’s legit.”
Charlotte placed a hand to her chest as if to stop her heart from pounding so hard. “Then why do you want me to ignore his room?”
“Because he’s a big guy. Dark hair. Kind of quiet. Friendly enough, but I’d be wary of him if I ran into him in a dark alley. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around him. And he’s a stranger. He might seem like a good guy, but you can’t ever tell these days.”
Charlotte shook her head, appreciative of how Wally looked out for her. “You had me worried there for a moment. Look, I promise I’ll be careful around him, but I’m here to do a job, Wally. You don’t have to protect me from every stranger who stays at the motel. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
Understanding shone in Wally’s eyes. “You didn’t overreact.
I’m sorry if I scared you. It just seems like you finally feel safe here.
I don’t want to do anything to change that.
Forgive me for being protective of you. Mona and I have grown fond of you, and I can’t help wanting to look out for you.
Mona says I act like a caveman sometimes, but I don’t mean anything by it. ”
She smiled as she stepped in to hug him. He seemed surprised by her action, but after a moment, he wrapped his arms around her to awkwardly pat her back. Charlotte stepped away from him, affection replacing her fear instantly.
“Thank you for looking out for me. If I feel uncomfortable taking care of the man’s requests, I’ll let you know. I promise. I should get to work.”
Wally pursed his lips as he studied her. “No. Take a break instead. I gave you a scare, so take a moment to collect yourself. Then you can start on the rooms. A few minutes to relax are hardly going to throw you behind on your work.”
She nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Wally. I don’t know what I’d do without you watching out for me.”
The tips of his ears flushed red, and he turned back to the coffee pot. “Go on. Take your break and then get to work.”
She smiled as Wally busied himself with topping off the cup of coffee that was neither empty nor cool. Taking pity on him, she headed for the back door he had entered through, throwing one last parting remark over her shoulder.
“You know where to find me if something comes up.”
Once outside, Charlotte pulled her thrift store black jacket closer to her body to ward off the chill.
Her entire housekeeping uniform was black, which hid any dirt her clothes collected as she cleaned and helped her to blend into the background.
Her black shoes were ugly but heavy-soled and offered better support since she was on her feet all day.
They cushioned her steps as she moved over the back parking lot to a grassy area on the side.
She settled on the bench of a picnic table, letting the cool air sweep over her.
The winter weather had been unpredictable at best. January was halfway over, and the unseasonably warm weather was being shoved to the side by a cold front which chilled the temperatures and added a dampness to the air.
Charlotte didn’t mind the cooler weather.
Something about this time of year produced yearnings for hot cider, pots of homemade soup, and cozy fires.
Her hands balled into fists as she fought against a familiar urge which never really left her.
Many people would find this time of year desolate, with the leaves off the trees, the grass dead, wildlife hibernating, and fewer people outside.
With her favorite digital camera in her hand, peering through the viewfinder, she found this time of year mysterious, almost romantic, like a secret long hidden and waiting to be discovered.
Capturing the world as she saw it was a passion that ran deep.
No matter what she tried, she couldn’t squelch it or forget about it.
A year had passed since she last held a camera, and she rarely used the camera feature on her cell because snapping even a selfie was a joy she could no longer afford.
Her life depended on her leaving that part of her long buried in her past.
She still remembered the day she was forced to walk away from her passion.
It was a day she both missed and loathed.
It haunted her nightmares and changed her life forever.
She wished the memory had faded over time.
Her life would be simpler. Well, maybe not simple, but manageable.
Hell, not even that. She’d already managed the changes in her life.
She’d learned to adapt, to accept the way things had to be.
But she still dreamed. She still yearned. She still indulged in what-ifs.
Days like today, when she had a hint of her past finding her, reminded her of why she made the choices she had to make. Being a photographer was her joy, but if she had a hope of staying invisible, of remaining hidden, she couldn’t risk showing any semblance of the person she once was.