Page 8 of Take Me to the Valley

Fortunately, I was able to rent the apartment in the off season. Normally it is a short-term rental for people passing through. My best friend, Kaylee, helped me find the place. She says itnormally sits empty in the winter, so the landlord was happy to have the income.

“I figured you would,” Dad chuckles.

“But if you ever need it, I'm willing to move in and take care of you too,” I say.

“We will keep that in mind,” Mom says.

“So, will you be helping your brothers at the distillery?” Dad asks.

“They said they needed help, but I don't know if that was another lie to get me here or not,” I say.

“Oh, they need help, Mom says. “That place has exploded since they opened. They have expansion plans already in the works.”

“You should go down and check it out when you leave here,” Dad urges me.

I nod, but don't commit to anything.

“I might look and see if the doctor’s office is hiring even if I just work part time. I need to work to transfer my license and keep it active,” I say.

“That's a good idea. Dr Hamilton retired, but the new doctor is really nice. She is looking for help too last I heard,” Mom says.

Interesting. I love working for female doctors, but even more, I want to know she took over the practice from Dr Hamilton because he had no desire to retire. Well, that was the last gossip I heard, anyway.

After talking some more, I say my goodbyes and am given strict orders to not be late for dinner this weekend. I promise and then get back in my car.

Mom and Dad are doing well. The house is clean and maintained, but they have definitely declined since I saw them at Christmas. Dad isn't as steady on his feet and Mom looks thinner and pale. I think I can help take some of the burden off of them. Even if I was manipulated to be here, I'm glad to be home.

I drive by the distillery, but I don’t stop. Mom will no doubt have given them a heads-up, but I want to completely surprise my brothers when I stop in. Besides, I need to hit the grocery store and stock up for a few days. Though I think I'm going to go home after this and work on unpacking the last of the boxes and get settled in.

Driving by the distillery, I can't help but feel proud of my brothers. They have been talking about building this place for a while. But even longer, they have been planning and dreaming of it, and here it is. It's pretty busy for a Tuesday afternoon off season, and the parking lot is decently full. There are people filling the patio under the warmers, taking in the beautiful mountain view. I see Cody talking to a group of people by the door and there are lots of smiles on happy faces.

Glad I decided to drive by, I head toward my apartment downtown. Once inside, I open the curtain in the living room window and enjoy the mountain vista and natural light. Then I go into the kitchen and unpack my new coffee maker that I picked up this morning. I am not a morning person, so coffee is a must and the tiny one cup at a time coffee maker would not cut it on a day-to-day basis with me.

I'm setting it up on the counter when my phone rings. The screen says it's from Evan. Why would he be calling? Maybe he has another update on the woman from the other night, so I pick it up.

“Hello?” I ask as more of a question.

“Calista,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Everything okay?” I ask because I can't think of another reason he'd be calling me.

“Yeah, I talked with your dad, and he said you had brunch there today. I wanted to see how much your brother's story matches up,” he laughs.

“Not at all.”

“I figured. I also wanted to see how you were settling in and if you needed any helping moving in or unpacking.”

“I'm okay for now. My brothers helped with the big stuff already. But I'm going to be looking for something more permanent.When I move all my stuff from storage, I will one-hundred percent take you up on it. You will live to regret that offer.”

“I doubt it, but I'm happy to help if you need it. I'm sure I can rope a few guys from the station to come help, too.”

“Between you and my brothers, you will have the whole damn town helping.” I sigh, wishing I was over exaggerating that claim, but I'm not.

“Hang on,” he says and then there is some muffled whispering on his end, but I can't make out any of it. He must have his hand over the phone.

“Judy says to tell you the doctor's office is hiring part time,” he says and then there is more whispering. “She already told them you'd be coming by.”

“Tell Judy I said hi and thank you. You know I only mentioned that to my parents less than two hours ago. I think the gossip vine around here has gotten faster over the years,” I chuckle.

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