Page 109 of Heating Up (Nugget)
She waxed on a fake smile, deciding it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss Del’s news with Clay. “Not yet. About three more weeks.” If it happened at all.
It was Clay’s turn to give his order, saving Dana from any more questions. After putting in for a large fried chicken salad and lemonade, she found a shady seat and waited for her name to be called. She checked her phone to see if Aidan had texted, but there was nothing.
It was hot and dry and even with her limited knowledge, she recognized it was the worst conditions for fighting a fire. She felt a wave of anxiety and, despite her resolution to back off, texted Aidan anyway.
Take care of yourself!
Dana
Chapter 21
Gia got into Nugget on Thursday. She’d had to take a red-eye Wednesday and although she’d gained three hours in California was groggy from the all-night flight. Thank goodness the Lumber Baron had a room ready, even though check-in time wasn’t until two p.m. They were kind enough to make an exception, although she got the impression they were big on customer service here and light on adhering to the rules. Her kind of business.
The good news was they had no idea who she was. She’d checked in under her mother’s maiden name and wore her hair tucked up under a baseball cap and big sunglasses. The young man at the front desk didn’t seem the least bit fazed when she kept them on during the registration process. He’d left her with the sense that he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. He carried her bags up the impressive staircase and opened her door with an old-time key, and the sheer tranquility of the room, with its Victorian accents, made her go instantly Zen. It was like a million pounds had been lifted from her shoulders. The relief was so intense that as soon as the young attendant left, Gia cried. Just sat on the bed and bawled her eyes out.
They were good tears. Tears that saidI made the right choice by coming here.
She unpacked, hung up what few things she’d brought, and filled the claw-foot tub with hot water, desperately wanting to wash away New York and the last few weeks’ fallout. A baptism of sorts.
On the vanity she found a complimentary bottle of bubble bath and poured it under the spigot, watching the liquid foam, spreading a froth of bubbles across the tub. She stripped and gingerly got in, letting herself grow accustomed to the heat. It felt so good that she sank in until the water came up to her chin. For the next half hour, she lay there, letting her mind go numb and her body relax.
While her nightmare was far from over, she was here now. Safe.
As the water cooled and Gia’s skin shriveled, she got out of the claw-foot, dressed in a pair of loose shorts and a tank top, and called Dana’s cell phone.
“I’m here,” she told the real estate agent’s voice mail. “If you want to go out later and look at a few places, I’d be up for that.”
It was still early and Dana probably hadn’t started her day yet. Starved, Gia decided to walk across the square to that Bun Boy place and get something to bring back to the room. Unfortunately, she’d missed the inn’s divine breakfast. On her way downstairs, she bumped into the innkeeper. Gia remembered her from last time but unfortunately had forgotten her name.
“Hello,” she greeted Gia, and unlike the front-desk clerk, glanced at her Jackie O sunglasses warily.
“Hello,” Gia said back, and tried to brush by her without seeming rude.
“I’m Maddy. Is there something I can help you with?”
“I was just on my way to the Bun Boy to grab a bite.”
“The Ponderosa is also good, if you’re looking for a sit-down place.”
That was the last thing Gia was looking for. Sitting indoors, eating with her big sunglasses on, was bound to draw attention. “The last time I was here I ate at the Bun Boy and really enjoyed it.”
“It’s good,” Maddy agreed and smiled. “When were you here last?”
“A few weeks ago.” Then Gia had worn the scarf getup.
“Welcome back. We love getting return guests. Are you here on business?”
Gia thought it was better to go with partial truths. “I’m looking at real estate with Dana Calloway.”
“Fantastic,” Maddy said. “Have you found anything you like yet? I’m sure Dana mentioned Sierra Heights.”
“Mm-hmm. I have horses, so I’m in the market for property. There have been a few places that piqued my interest. I’m back to take a second tour.”Not too much of a lie.
“That’s wonderful.” Maddy was definitely one of those nosy types, Gia could tell. “Would this be your full-time home or a vacation place? Nugget is supremely family friendly. Safe from crime, decent schools, and everyone looks out for their neighbors.”
The woman might want to get a job with the chamber of commerce. “Full-time,” Gia said. “And it’s just me.”
“Oh.” Maddy seemed surprised. “Well, I originally came up here single to open the inn with my brother, Nate. I’m married to the police chief now and we have a baby girl.”
