Page 13 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

Amber thought about it for a moment. “Yeah. I didn’t realize it was so far when I accepted the offer. But it has a phone. And I’m kind of used to making do.” She instantly regretted that last statement. She wasn’t trying to garner anyone’s sympathy. She injected a cheery note into her voice as she went on. “I’m looking forward to the challenge! They said I can fix it up. And if it goes well, one day, it might even turn into a rent-to-own sort of thing. I could have my own place!”

This unique arrangement was probably the only way she could buy a place of her own. But she sure wasn’t about to tell them that.

“I’m going to look for a job, too,” Amber said. “So I won’t be at that place every day, all day by myself or nothing.”

Marsha smiled, like a grandmother watching a child she found cute. “Hon, how will you get to work if you don’t have a car?”

“Oh. Yeah.” Amber gulped. She hung her head and mumbled, “Guess I didn’t think about that. Didn’t realize how far away it was from town.”

Marsha said, “You know, I need some help around this place.”

Amber perked up. “You do?”

Her hope vanished quickly when a thought crossed her mind: did Marsha just feel sorry for her? She didn’t want to take charity.

But that fear was eased somewhat when the older woman said, “Sure do. I’ve had that sign up for nigh near two months without a single taker.” She jerked her head, this time indicating the HELP WANTED sign posted on the counter just below the register.

Amber sat up straighter and smiled. “I can do whatever! I can cook, clean, and all that.”

“You have experience?”

“Yes, ma’am. I worked at a restaurant in Oklahoma City. I didn’t cook, but I’d bus tables, clean up in the kitchen, and do whatever needed done. But before that, I learned to cook in my foster home. There were twelve of us there, and when I got to be one of the oldest, I took over kitchen duties.”

Amber wasn’t sure, but she thought Marsha and Sawyer’s eyes flickered to meet briefly, perhaps exchanging sympathetic glances.

She made a mental note not to reveal so much. What if they thought she’d just showed up looking for pity and handouts?

“Do you want to apply?” Marsha asked. “No pressure, hon.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m just not sure how I could get here until I save up for a car.” She sank in the booth, and, speaking more to herself than them, said quietly, “And I’m not sure how I can save up for a car without working. Hmm. I’ll figure it out.”

“I admire your positivity,” Marsha said. “And I’d be able to come get you, honey. I need the help!”

“Really?”

Marsha nodded.

“I’d hate to be a bother.”

“A bother?” Marsha said with a snort. “You don’t know how bad I need the help. Right now, it’s me cooking, cleaning, and running the register. I’m not busy now, but come summertime, it picks up. Heck, every day at lunch gets hectic just with those crazy firefighters and the other people around town.”

The man cleared his throat, sat down his coffee, and said, “And I come into town quite a bit. You could always catch a ride with me. Like I said, the Collier place backs up to mine.”

Amber wasn’t sure, but she thought the look Marsha flashed Sawyer said, “Really?”

Was it about her? Or was it over that line about coming into town often? She didn’t know why, but she had a hunch Sawyer sort of kept to himself.

He didn’t seem mean or anything. Just… solitary.

Remembering the original topic of discussion, she stopped assuming and said, “I would love to work here, ma’am!”

“Well, I’d be honored to have you. It’ll most likely be part time until the tourism picks up. But summer will be here before we know it, that’s for darn sure. Until then, that’ll give you time to work on the old Collier place.”

“Is it in bad shape?” Amber asked.

If it was, no big deal. She was up for the challenge.

“Truth be told, I haven’t been out there,” Marsha said. “I know where it’s at, but no one’s lived there in quite a while. The Colliers moved to California, didn’t they?”

---