Page 44 of Mountain Boss

It’s been a while since I’ve been in here, but it looks pretty much the same.

Courtney has a little kitchen area set up on the counter above the washers. It’s not much, but it’s neat and organized.

There isn’t a refrigerator in here, but she can use the ones in the Food Hall. Probably already has.

Doesn’t look like she uses the little table, and I’m hard pressed to remember where it even came from.

I grip the back of one of the chairs and wiggle it.

My mouth pulls down at how flimsy it feels.

I’m tempted to sit on it, just to see if it collapses, but I don’t want to leave any sign that I was here.

The thin curtain covering the window flutters.

It’s a nice day out, and Courtney must’ve opened the window above the table to let in some fresh air.

The fabric catches, and that’s when I notice the small cactus sitting on the windowsill.

I pull the curtain out of the way.

It’s in a little ceramic pot and there’s an orange string bow stuck in the spikes.

Cute.

I let the curtain fall back over the plant.

I’m tempted to open the cupboard, but that feels a little too intrusive. Though I have no trouble opening the bathroom door.

It’s perfectly clean, and there are a few bottles of lotion and other items lining the small sink.

I take one second to wonder if there’s a way to get a shower in here, but the thought is quickly dashed. There’s no room.

And she won’t be here long.

Which is what I want.

I say it to myself twice, trying to make it more true.

My mind is on Courtney as I step into the bedroom.

I let my eyes drift over the dresser.

Is she here because she really wants to work here?

Is she drawn to the mountains?

Did she find the Lodge randomly, or did someone suggest it?

Did she just want to get away from the East Coast?

Is she running from something?

I step closer to the bed, seeing how she has the step stool positioned near the end, like it’s a top bunk bed rather than just a slightly tall frame.

But I suppose she is pretty short, so it’s probably hard for her to climb in and out of bed without the steps.

A single pillow with a gray pillowcase is on the other end of the bed, and a gray blanket to match covers the bunk.

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