Page 55 of Spring Showers

“What about the rooms with leaks?” Thandie knew of at least one cabin that needed roof fixes—Grant’s—and by the quantity of downed limbs and scattered leaves, she was certain there were other structures that had been damaged in the storm too.

“We have the rest of today and tomorrow to get as many things fixed up as we can. Luckily, we only need three of the cabins, since most of the guests are in groups. I have the binder ready for you at my house.” America rambled as they went inside the little bungalow and kicked off their muddy boots.

Thandie hadn’t had time during her first day to check out all the different accommodations, and this one was darling. Leaving her dirty shoes by the door, she opened all the drapes and let the late afternoon sun filter into the space. She stood in the quaint, English-inspired cottage with its floral wallpaper and painted furniture. Little accents of gold and iron dotted the living room and kitchen area, complete with glossy, white enamel appliances.

The design was so unlike the cabin she was staying in, and nothing like the one where Grant had stayed either.

“I’ll start with the linens in the primary,” America said, which reminded Thandie of her first night’s stay in the most perfectly made bed.

“You think you can show me your trick sometime?”

“What trick?” America said from the bedroom.

Thandie gathered the kitchen towels and a blanket from the couch and threw them into a pile near the door. “How you make the beds so expertly. The sheets were soft but taught, and the covers were just the right amount of cozy and warm.”

America chuckled. “I agree. But I’m not the one you should ask. Leo is the magician with all the bed-making skills.”

“Seriously?” Thandie said, supposing her gender bias had caused her to assume America was the one who made the beds.

A loud thud vibrated the floor beneath Thandie’s toes. Rounding the corner into the bedroom, she stifled a giggle with the back of her hand at the sight. America stood waist deep in linens and was barely visible behind a shower of feathers.

“What happened in here?”

“The pillow seam blew out when I took the case off,” America laughed and sunk down to the floor.

Thandie joined America on the ground and watched the little white feathers fall around them. When the giggles subsided, they just lay there for a moment, as though they each needed a tiny break from the disaster outside.

“Do you want to tell me what was going on between you, Mr. Mothan, and Grant a little while ago?” America asked and broke the silence. “And don’t tell me nothing. I know that look in your eyes from when we were up at the barn. Spill it.”

Thandie had nothing to lose by telling America the truth, though she was a little afraid of hearing the truth out loud. “I think I’m in love with Grant.”

“And you’re worried because you just met him?” America said but continued talking before Thandie could answer. “Did anyone tell you about me and Leo? We met, fell in love, and were engaged all in a few weeks. Time doesn’t mean anything when you find your person. So, don’t be scared.”

“That’s not exactly the problem,” Thandie said and waved her hands in the air, moving the feathers around in swirls. “Remember when I told you that my fiancé left me the day before the wedding?”

“Yes,” she said like a question.

“The man who broke my heart is Davis.”

“No!”

“Yes! And what’s worse, Grant is his consultant. Believe me, I had no idea about him or the investor or any of it when I took this job?—”

“Of course, you couldn’t have known,” America said.

“Thank you for that. But to make things worse, Grant thinks that Davis and I are getting back together.”

“Why would he think that?”

Thandie sat up and moved to the end of the mattress. “He caught Davis kissing me up at the barn.”

“Did you kiss him back?”

Thandie squirmed from the thought, and America raised an eyebrow.

“On top of that,” Thandie stood up and rung her hands together, preferring pacing over sitting, “when I asked him to give an honest report, he basically accused me of trying to sway his opinion with all the attention I showed him this week. Which is a mischaracterization.”

“He feels betrayed?”

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