Page 9 of Spring Showers

Heading outside, she recalled seeing a sky-blue painted bicycle leaning against the side of the front porch railing. It didn’t take long for her to get back to the barn, which was slightly uphill from her accommodations, and park the bike in the rack underneath a covered stall. She wondered if all the cabins had likewise been outfitted with bikes, something she would ask Leo or America about when she found them.

The barn—Thandie decided it needed a better name—was quiet inside. The lights were low, as if on a motion sensor, but as she walked further into the space, the lights did not illuminate beyond their initial appearance. Perhaps the fixtures were tied to the outside light or set on a timer depending on the time of day to account for the natural light flooding the spectacular wall of glass. The light coming through the windows bounced off the crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the vaulted ceiling and sprinkled glittering rainbows about the cozy velvet couches and lounge chairs below.

“Hello?” she called out, breaking the calm ambiance. “Mr. Thorpe? Leo?”

No one answered, but she heard what sounded like a murmur of voices coming from thecucina.

Not wanting to frighten anyone, she knocked on the door to the prep area. The voices were unchanged, so she pushed the door open slowly just a crack and peeked in. The chef, wearing a tall white hat and matching white coat, hunched over the stainless-steel countertop, chopping away, and prepping vegetables. The man was mostly hidden behind long strands of fresh pasta hanging from coat hangers above the prep area.

Something simmered and steamed on the stove, and the chef flipped the sauteing meat into the air before catching it all again without spilling a morsel. That’s when Thandie saw the headphones in his ears. He was speak-singing the lyrics to whatever song was playing, though she couldn’t make out what the tune or even the language of the song was.

She’d meet the chef later. No need to interrupt what was clearly a great workflow, and besides, she needed to find out about the internet signal or wifi. She needed to find the people in charge.

It only took her a moment to check the dining area and the meeting space. The fitness area was deserted too. As she passed the stairs, she figured she would check in the office. If nothing else, she could take a closer look at whatever items were at her disposal for use the next day, and she might even get a few ideas depending on what she found.

As she approached the top stairs, America and Leo’s voices became clear. They were whispering intently about something, and Thandie thought it was best to come back later. That was until she heard them say her name, which held her feet in place.

Her interest was piqued. She sat down a couple steps from the top where she was hidden from their view by a pony wall and listened. Eavesdropped.

“Don’t you think we should tell her?” America said. “She’s so sweet, and Jenny told us we could trust her.”

“I don’t want her to get all weird about it,” Leo said. “You know how important this week is. I’ve spent the last of my inheritance on this venture. And I need the investor to buy in.”

“But I think she can help?—”

“I think she should just focus on her job. And we should focus on ours. You have an article to get to. I have all this, and it’s a lot,” Leo said. “Which is exactly why I need the investment. I can barely afford to pay her as it is. And if this doesn’t go well . . .”

Great, just fantastic. Another job, another place to move on from. It sounded like even if she did a wonderful job with the retreat, her fate was really in the hands of some investor.

Thandie stood up to leave, and the stairs creaked so loud, she was certain the chef down in thecucinaprobably heard it too. “Shoot,” she whisper-yelled and tiptoed down the steps, hoping no one noticed.

“Thandie,” America’s voice sounded from the top step behind her back.

She froze like a statue, squinting her eyes as though maybe she was temporarily transparent.

“Did you need something?” America said.

Apparently, Thandie was entirely visible. And caught.

CHAPTER5

Thandie turned around slowly and looked at America standing at the top of the steps. Leo’s head poked out over the pony wall with a narrow smile cutting across the lower half of his face.

“How much did you hear?” America said.

“Enough,” Thandie admitted. “I wasn’t being sneaky. I was coming to ask about the wifi and . . .”

America walked down the steps. “The internet and cell signals are spotty around here.”

“We’re working on it,” Leo added. “Let’s go sit in the dining room and talk. I think it’s time we get on the same page.”

They sat at three sides of a small square bistro table. A jar sat in the middle where a centerpiece might go. Instead of flowers, this one held individually wrapped breadsticks. She eyed the lightly toasted bread and her mouth watered.

“I told you before, everything here is gluten-free.” Leo pointed at the sticks.

She didn’t hesitate and took one from the jar. As she unwrapped the plastic, Leo explained. “I’m out of money. That’s the truth. I’d been praying for a miracle when a venture capitalist contacted me out of the blue about a week ago, wanting to invest in the project. I’m not even sure how he knew about this place, but the firm is sending a representative to conduct an assessment during the retreat this week.”

Thandie swallowed a half-chewed bite of the crunchy bread and cleared her throat. “So, if you don’t get the investment, this place is done? Just like that?” Thandie asked and took another bite.

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