Page 14 of Mountain Boss

Just a bare slab of plywood to sleep on.

I turn to the dresser and pull open the drawers, thinking maybe there’s a vacuum-sealed mattress pad magically wedged inside.

But just like the bunk, the drawers are empty.

I close my eyes.

I have a pillow in my suitcase.

I have a blanket in my bag.

It’s thin, but I can sleep in a sweatshirt if I’m cold.

I open my eyes and stare at the bare bunk.

What I don’t have packed in my things is a mattress.

I clench my jaw as another tear escapes.

“Stupid jerk.”

If that man thinks he can scare me off, make me quit, with a little rough sleeping, he’s wrong.

I brush at my cheeks and almost laugh.

How quickly my excitement for this new start has diminished.

But no matter what he does, no matter how miserable he tries to make me, I’m not quitting.

I stare at the bare board, willing my eyes to dry.

I’m not tough. But I am desperate. And sometimes, that’s the same thing.

Chapter 10

Sterling

To: [email protected]

Subject: WTF Marty?

From:[email protected]

Seriously, Marty, what were you thinking hiring a woman? She’s already threatened to sue me. I had to put her in the damn Laundry Cabin. I’m sure she’ll be complaining in no time.

Tell me those other candidates are still available.

Sterling

Chapter 11

Courtney

My alarm beeps,and I have to fight the desire to scream.

It feels like I just fell asleep.

Like literally. It feels like unconsciousness just took me under and that I hardly slept at all.

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