Page 5 of Heart of Stone
“What can I say?” She batted her eyelashes. “So, what’s on your agenda today? I’m surprised you had a moment to stop in to check this out this morning.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could respond, my phone rang. The air left my lungs. “Hang on.”
Pulling out my phone, I noted the caller and said, “It’s Barrett.”
Danielle’s eyes flared. “Oh, I wonder how Sylvia’s doing.”
I answered the call. “Hello?”
“Natalia, it’s Barrett.”
“Yes. How are you, sir?”
“I’m alright. I know you’re probably already juggling a full schedule, but would you happen to have a few minutes to meet in my office?”
Receiving a call from Barrett requesting an impromptu meeting in his office wasn’t uncommon. And considering all that had happened with his wife just over a week ago, how it had pulled him away from the retreat, I didn’t doubt he had things he wanted to discuss or be brought up to speed on. “Sure. I’m over at the lodge now, but I can head over to your office right away. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks, Natalia.”
“Of course.”
I disconnected the call and returned my attention to Danielle. “I’ve got to go. Let me know when and where you’re starting on the decorations, and I’ll be there.”
“Will do. Talk to you later, Nat.”
Minutes later, I’d made my way from the main lodge and over to the building that housed not only Barrett Erickson’s office but my own as well.
Though there were still a few warm days scattered throughout, the weather had started to turn chilly. I preferred it that way, and surrounded by so many trees, we’d just passed the peak of fall foliage season here. It offered such a gorgeous backdrop to a place I already loved for a whole host of other reasons.
As I made my way from the main lodge, I scanned the grounds for those last bits of fall color in the scenery. Numerous buildings and cabins dotted the landscape, with the hiking trails weaving their way through the trees. And the pond near one cluster of cabins glimmered in the morning sunlight.
That pond was one of my favorite places here. Then again, it wasn’t as though there was much that I didn’t like about Sandstone Heart. Even entering the office building where my own office and Barrett’s were made me smile.
I’d debated stopping in my office on the way to his so that I could get his approval and signature on a few things I hadn’t been able to over the last week, but I figured it was best not to delay my arrival any longer.
Knocking on Barrett’s door, I waited half a beat before he urged me to come inside. Without thinking twice about it, I walked in and started speaking before my eyes even met his. “Hi, Barrett. How are you?”
“I’m alright.”
I came to a stop just in front of his desk. “And Sylvia? She’s doing better, right? I can only assume that’s why you’re here now.”
His chin dipped slightly. “Better than she was just a week ago, but she’s got a long road ahead of her. And that’s kind of the reason I’m here now. I wanted to discuss one major change that’s going to take place here over the next few months.”
I blinked in surprise. Not because I didn’t think Barrett would need to make some adjustments with what his wife needed right now, but because he wanted to talk to me about those adjustments. Of course, I’d always do whatever I could to go above and beyond for Barrett and the rest of the staff here. Maybe he realized he could count on me to pick up the slack. “Of course. Whatever you need, I’m happy to help.”
The corners of his mouth curved up slightly. “I’m glad to hear that. Now, before we get into it, I think it’d be best to start off with introductions.”
He lifted his hand out to the side as my brows pulled together. “Introductions?”
The single word came out as a mere murmur—more to myself—as I whirled around and Barrett said, “Natalia, I’d like you to meet my son?—”
“Reid.” The breath rushed out of my lungs with that single word, like this was a moment I’d been waiting ages to have. The man I hadn’t realized was in the room with us had been standing off to the side when I strode in. I moved in his direction with my hand extended and a bright smile on my face as I tipped my head back to look him in the eyes. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Natalia. Natalia Barton.”
Reid jerked his head back slightly, and if I didn’t know better, I might’ve thought he sneered at me as he engulfed my hand in his and shook it. But this was Barrett’s son, so I knew I must have imagined it.
My eyes darted between the father and son, belatedly noticing just how similar they looked. Except for his eyes, which I now knew he got from his mother, Reid was the younger, slightly more muscular version of his father. He had dark hair, hazel eyes, and a firm grip. His body was fit, and he towered over me by at least half a foot.
Reid quickly released my hand, and his father spoke. “Yes, this is my son, Reid. I guess it’s a little strange that you’ve been here for so long, Natalia, and this is the first you two are meeting one another.”
